Clawed & Flawed: A Nekoma Story

Chapter 18

Tuesday – 5:30 P. M.

"We're finally done! That's the last rep!" Tora collapsed on the floor with a towel over his face.

"I thought you were complaining about how light of a routine it was an hour ago? I can fit more lifting if you want," Shiro offered him a bottle of water.

"N-no, that's not necessary. I need my hands for tomorrow's club activity."

"Well, I guess we are done for today. Thank you for your hard work."

"Thank you for your hard work," the players replied, trying not to sound defeated.

The manager walked over to the club captain who had been busy wiping the sweat off his face and hair.

"What do you think of the plan?" she gave him a box of chocolate milk.

"Uh, thanks. Hmm... I think it's not too intense that even Kenma can catch up, but it's definitely tough enough for Yamamoto to run out of gas," he poked the straw into the box.

"Isn't it stuffy to wear long sleeves in here? You've been covering your arms and legs since yesterday. How am I supposed to know how your muscles are developing?"

Kuroo covered his chest with both arms, "Eh? Are you a pervert?"

"Excuse me?! But there's barely anything for me to see. Don't flatter yourself!"

"That made me feel way worse! How am I supposed to show off that I'm the captain if I don't possess the body for it?"

"Oh, so you admit that you're covering your body from me?" she grabbed him by his jacket and pulled him down to her level. "That's why I'm here! Don't underestimate me! I might not be a great player on court, but I'm confident in my ability as a support."

The gym fell silent as everyone shifted their attention to their manager. Yaku put a hand on her shoulder to calm her down. Shiro sighed and released her clasp.

"Why don't you get some fresh air while we get changed?" he smiled.

"I'll wait by the gate if you want to walk home together," she picked her bag up and strutted out of the gym.

"I think you touched a nerve there. You should stop provoking people you barely know," Yaku smacked his friend's stomach.

"I agree," Kai pat Kuroo's back.

"I wasn't expecting that. I mean, sure she was excitable during the 3-on-3 game, but I didn't know she really took the manager role that seriously."

"You better apologize to her. This booklet might actually help us recognize our own weak spots. Especially Lev's unimaginably horrible skill," Kenma murmured.

"What?! I'm actually making progress with my receives," the giant freshman complained.

"But the success rate of your blocks and spikes are horrid. Not to mention how hard it is to teach you the basic theory of anything."

"Egh, I got scolded."

"Fine, it's not like I offended her on purpose. I'll get going then," Kuroo brought his sports bag and headed to change room.

He got changed and packed his dirty clothes neatly inside his bag. The captain rolled up the sleeves of his school uniform and pocketed his hands. As he slouched and strolled towards the gate, he caught a glimpse of Shiro squatting next to a vending machine; holding a black kitten on one hand and petting it with the other. She had her hair in a low ponytail and held onto her signature black cap with her mouth.

Kuroo scoffed and smiled before approaching the newest part of his team, "Huh? What's this? There's only one chocolate milk left? I just had one earlier, so I guess I'll get it for my secretly sensitive junior who likes this beverage too."

"You made it sound like an insult," she looked up from under his shadow.

"If I was going to insult you, I would have mentioned how only one of us managed to be more than 180 cm after drinking milk every day," he smirked as he put the coins in.

"Have you seen my grandpa? It's a miracle I didn't come out shorter," she pouted.

The kitten leapt off her hand and rubbed its head on Kuroo's leg.

"You know, if you keep holding things with your mouth, you'll act even more like a puppy."

"Hmph. And you act just as fishy as your food preference. Yeah! I heard what Yaku-san said about you," she stood up and put her hat on.

"Oh, Wan-chan. It's so cute that you don't look scary at all when you're angry. And don't listen to whatever that meathead spit out," he tossed the milk cartoon in the air.

"Who are you calling a meat-head?" the person of interest inquired.

"Geh! I was just asking Shiro if we should go eat meat for dinner tonight," he backpaddled.

"Nice save," he glared.

"Neko-chan!" Lev chased after the black cat. "Stop running!"

"Thanks for treating dinner, captain," Shiro smirked.

"Huh? I didn't agree to this! How can you all coerce your kind senpai into paying for your food."

"Kind?" Kenma commented while still fully focused on his game.

"What does coerce mean?" the tallest member chimed in.

"Are you sure you don't want to learn Russian? It's not too late, you know," Yaku zinged.

"Ouch, that hurt."

"Kuroo-san is paying for dinner! I'm gonna eat as much as I can!" Tora jumped up cheerfully.

"Maybe I'll pay for everyone but you."

"Aw, that was cold."

"Hey, Yamamoto-san. Are you gonna sit next to Shiro-chan later?" Lev bluntly asked.

"E-eh, w-why would you a-ask me that? S-she can sit anywhere she wants, but I wouldn't mind it either way," he stuttered.

"Well, then I'll sit next to her if you don't want to," he grinned.

"Huh?! Who gave you the permission? Someone who can't even watch the ball properly shouldn't be allowed to sit next to such an amazing and talented manager."

'Crap! I blurted it out loud,' he covered his mouth.

"I think I'll stay with the third-years. You guys will protect me, right?" Shiro threw the empty milk carton.

"Of course. You can leave it to us," Kuroo put a hand on his hip.

"I'll be watching you, Lev," Yaku squinted at his troublesome junior.

"Hahaha... Everyone better be behaving, okay?" Kai smiled sincerely at his team.

"Yes!" they answered in unison as they walked out the school gate.