Shortcake(K. Tsukishima)

Part 5

The week couldn't pass by fast enough. You texted Tsukishima all day Sunday, about the project, but more importantly, about your upcoming date. You had settled on going to the festival that was in town the following Saturday. The team had a morning practice this week, but you agreed to meet in the early afternoon and take the train together to the festival. You were excited and nervous at the same time, and it consumed your thoughts, making you unable to focus on anything else the whole week.

~Practice, Wednesday After School~

You sat on the bench, taking note of the boys stats as they practiced serving drills. Asahi and Kageyama both had strong serves, but the rest of the team certainly needed some work. As you wrote the stats, your eyes continued to find their way over to Tsukishima, who had been basically avoiding you since last Saturday, despite the fact that he asked you on a date. You could never tell what he was actually thinking. At this moment, he stood in the middle of the line, arms crossed, smirking as Hinata failed yet another serve. His 5th attempt. The boy could spike but couldn't do much else, that was for sure. 

As you stared absentmindedly at Tsukishima, you heard a sudden yell from the fiery redhead.

"F/N! Watch Out!" you turned in the direction of the voice and noticed the ball flying right towards you. You dropped your clipboard instinctively hitting the ball overhand. Everyone stared at how well you were able to receive the ball, sending it right back in Hinata's direction. You grabbed your clipboard, ready to get back to your job, only to notice everyone still staring at you.

"Is there something on my face?" you said, suddenly embarrassed at the attention.

"How did you do that?" Daichi asked.

"Yeah, for someone who's never played volleyball, you would make a great setter," Kageyama added. You were surprised at his praise, considering the talent he had as setter.

"Oh, well, I was a setter," you chuckled, rubbing the back of your neck, "I played volleyball for a long time back in the States."

"HOW DID I NOT KNOW THIS!" Suga cried, obviously overjoyed that his favorite cousin shared his passion for volleyball. 

"Oh, I don't know, it never came up?" You regretted telling them at all, they were all looking at you in amazement, except Kageyama who seemed to be calculating your potential, and Tsukishima who just seemed uninterested, as usual. What followed was a barrage of questions about why you no longer played, how good you were, and if you would practice with them.

"Slow down, I can explain," you chuckled, "Our team was pretty good, going to regional and state championships for our division, but I have asthma and as the difficulty increased I couldn't really keep up. So I decided it was best to stop playing before I killed myself. This was only a year or two ago. But, I'd be happy to practice with you guys anytime, just go easy on me!"

They all gave their condolences at not being able to continue playing volleyball. But more than anything, they were excited to see your skills in action during another practice session. Unfortunately, Coach eventually broke up the party and the boys had to return to serving drills. You returned to your spot by Kiyoko, continuing to take note on the boys serves.

"No wonder you're so good at keeping up the notes for the boys," Kiyoko commented.

"I was actually manager on my team back home after I stopped playing, although they do things differently there so I still have a lot to learn," you replied, "I just didn't tell anyone because part wanted to avoid thinking about it altogether. But I guess nothing could keep me away for long."

Kiyoko gave you a nod, and you returned to your respective jobs as the practice continued. 

~The Next Day, Lunch Time~