Training Trepidation Into Composure

Chapter 1

Yachi was excited. This was her first real test. Her debut, if you will, on the manager stage. While the boys would be learning and training with top notch, nationally ranked teams, she would be learning from their managers. And she was going to learn from them like a normal human, and not hyperventilate every ten seconds. But how could she not hyperventilate? How could she not freak out? These were nationally ranked teams. And these were their managers. They were probably being scouted for national manager programs or something. She was just going to be wasting everyone's time by being there. She couldn't feel her face anymore. "Yachi?" Kiyoko was holding out a water bottle with a small smile on her face. "You can wait on the bus if that'll make you feel better." She offered with an understanding tone that Yachi was starting to grow accustomed to.

She nodded, "that would be helpful," she said as she quietly shoved her overnight bag under the bus.

She boarded and waited another half hour before Kiyoko joined her when the boys were finally rounded up enough to hear quick lectures from Ukai and Takeda and load their own gear. Another half hour and everyone was situated on the bus, ready for the long drive to Tokyo. Yachi had already started drifting off by then, and in her haze she heard the seat in front of her depress and the leather squeak as two of the boys sat down then shifted in their seats. She heard a deep voice before Kiyoko whispered something back. The deep voice responded, and Yachi was awake enough to recognize Daichi's baritone, "maybe warn her when she wakes up."

"Warn me about what?" Her sleep addled mind was enough to allow her to not feel self-conscious about assuming they were talking about her. They could be talking about any other her in the world. Why would they be talking about her? All thoughts that would invade in a few hours. But right now, she only blinked slowly and yawned.

Kiyoko giggled, and Yachi heard Tanaka and Nishinoya gasp from across the aisle. "About the camp. There's going to be a lot of..." she paused, mulling her words, "intimidating people," she finally settled on.

Yachi was no longer sleepy. "Uuuh-" she responded, eloquently, as her heart rate sped up. She remembered first meeting the Karasuno team. A bunch of boys she now appreciated, and some she even called her friends. But a bunch of boys that absolutely terrified her when she first saw them. And now she was going to Tokyo. To play with big name teams. Her brain finally put all the thoughts together. She was about to meet a bunch of tough, distinguished, highly trained, Tokyo volleyball players. Guys with mohawks and- She gasped, "rooster head." Her eyes shifted to Hinata a few rows back already leaning heavily against Kageyama's shoulder.

Daichi gave her a pinched look, "what?" His voice was a little louder now, but still quiet.

She flushed, "nothing." She shook her head and slouched into her seat. Determined to not let her overactive imagination get the better of her. It was too early for that. She could freak out when they got closer. 'What if they have tattoos?" her mind proved, unhelpfully. She let out a squeak.

Daichi chuckled and Kiyoko smiled as they shared a look. "Look, I can't speak for the rest of the teams we're going to meet. But Nekoma's team is good guys. They have a couple of players that are..." he glanced over to Tanaka and Nishinoya, already soaring loudly. "Loud. But they're nothing to be afraid of."

Suga's head popped up over the seats and Yachi jumped, "and if any of them do give you a hard time," he jerked his thumb to his chest proudly, "just let your senpais know. We'll be happy to show off our skills." He punched the air and winked. Yachi let out an airy laugh despite her thundering heart.

He was right, she had an entire team filled with tough, strong, dedicated volleyball players of her own. If any of the other teams were like them, they wouldn't be paying much attention to some managers fluttering around the gym. This was going to be fine.