Ch 18: The Unveiling of (Y/N) (L/N)

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"...(Y/N)...."

Fear.  That's all you could feel as you stared up at Keishin.  You honestly didn't know what to say, and your entire body shook as the fear clenched at your heart.  Keishin grabbed you by the wrist and dragged you around the corner while you just followed after him numbly, barely even registering what was going on.  The rest of the team watched you being pulled away in shock.  Were you in some kind of trouble? Had you done something to offend the coach?

The two of you were alone now, you just standing there as he held your arm firmly in his grip.  "It is you, isn't it?" He murmured softly.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about," you started.

"Stop lying to me, already!" Keishin snapped.  You immediately winced, cowering before the larger man.  Ah, there it was again -- the reason he took so long to recognize you.  When you were younger, you'd had such an incredible presence about you -- a life that shined in your eyes whenever you looked up at him -- but now?  It was like that light had dimmed, replaced by an ever-present, thick layer of fear that had caged it in.

"Y-yes, it's me," you whispered, your body shaking like a leaf.

"Care to tell me why you're running around pretending to be a boy?" He asked, much more gently this time.

"I-I have to!" Your voice trembled.  "I have to win, and the only way I can do that is with them!  Please, Keishin-nii, you can't make me leave!" For the first time since he'd dragged you out here, you met his gaze.  Your eyes were shining with tears, your face filled with panic, like you were talking about being forced to give up your life rather than leave a team.

Keishin sighed and crouched down grabbing both of your shoulders.  "Listen, munchkin, I don't know why you're doing this, but I'm not gonna make you leave the team."  Your face lifted, your eyes suddenly filling with hope.  "However...  I won't allow you to keep lying to your teammates." Your entire face fell again, and Keishin found his chest clenching at the sight.  He couldn't stand that look in your eye.  What exactly had happened to turn that bright, happy little girl into this?  He frowned and steeled himself.  He couldn't back down now.  "You know as well as I do that a team is built on trust, and you can't have that so long as you're lying about who you are."

Slowly you nodded.  He was right, and you knew it.  You'd been lying to them for far too long.  Keishin smiled at you softly and brought you in for a hug.  You took a shaky breath, clutching at the coach's shirt desperately.  You'd missed his hugs more than you realized.

Keishin took your shoulder gently and led you back to the rest of the team, who were already waiting nervously for your return.  "Hey, everyone, gather 'round!" He called.  Immediately, the team surrounded the two of you, and Keishin nudged you forward a bit.

You took a deep breath, clenching your hands so tightly that your knuckles had turned white.  "I-I should introduce myself," you said softly, staring at your feet.

"What?" Hinata laughed nervously, taking a small step forward.  "But, (L/N), we already know you--?" Keishin caught his eye and held a hand up, shaking his head slightly.  Hinata frowned and backed off, allowing you to keep going.

"M-my name is..." You trailed off for a moment, your body shaking slightly.  The team watched in shock as a few drops of water landed on the gym floor.  Were you... crying?  This had never happened before.  You'd always been bright and excited and competitive, and never once had you made them feel like you couldn't handle yourself.  Keishin laid a comforting hand on your shoulder, squeezing slightly.  You took a deep, shaky breath.  "My name is (Y/N) (L/N)... It's nice to officially meet you." You went into a deep bow, not even meeting their eyes.

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