The Devil Who Can Stop Time: Haikyuu x Reader

Ch 20: A Match Made in Heaven

The time leading up to the tournament was spent learning new techniques and polishing old ones, every last second being dedicated to volleyball.  You practiced back attacks and learned the signals that would help you better match up with Suga, staying behind late every day to practice just as you always did.  Keishin couldn't say he was completely unconcerned, but at least you were back to your usual routine of leaving at 7:30 each day rather than what you had attempted earlier.  Before anyone knew it, the week leading up to the tournament had passed in a flash.

"I say we call it early and get some rest!" Keishin called out to the team, eyeing you a bit longer than the rest.  He'd rather you get a good night's sleep, but knowing you, you'd probably stay late again. 

"Ok, let's go--" Daichi started, but before he could say much, Takeda had interrupted him.

"W-wait, don't leave yet!" The teacher shouted, holding a hand out.  "We have one more comment," he explained, a bit more calm this time.  "It's from Kiyoko."

"I'm not very good with words, so I kinda did something," Kiyoko said softly, not once lifting her eyes from the gym floor.  She turned and rushed over to the ladder, climbing up after Takeda.  Together, the two unfurled a large banner over the railing that read one simple word: 'Fly.'  "I found it while I was cleaning up, so I thought I'd wash it," Kiyoko said. 

Tanaka and Noya immediately bursted out in cheers, but you quickly placed your hands over their mouths the quiet them.  "Senpai's, she's not finished," you chastised softly.  Both boys were silenced in a split second, though it had more to do with the fact that your hand was touching their faces than your actual words.

"You..." Kiyoko trailed off, her cheeks beginning to burn a soft pink.  She took a quick, stabilizing breath to muster up the courage to speak.  "You can do it!" Kiyoko bowed her head slightly before quickly running back down the balcony and away from prying eyes.

You were about to chase after her when the projectile tears started.  You spun around in shock to face the third and second years currently weeping.

"Kiyoko!" Daichi sobbed, burying his face in the crook of his arm.  "She's never done anything like this before!"  You laughed a bit, gently and yet very awkwardly patting the older boy's back in an attempt to comfort him.  This seemed to bring him back to his senses, if only slightly, as Daichi shot back upright, his fists clenched and tears still in his eyes.  "We can win!  The first round is all ours!" He shouted.  The rest of the team cheered along, and you quickly found yourself being swept up in the excitement as well, cheering with them at the top of your lungs.

---

The next morning, you were walking down the stairs from the club room when you caught sight of an extremely winded Hinata and Kageyama.  "U-um, are you guys ok?" You asked slowly, a nervous chuckle slipping past your lips.

"Y-you mean we weren't here first?!" Hinata shouted, staring up at you in shock.  "(Y/N)-chan, why are you here so early?!"

"I almost always come here early unless I have to stay late for class," you shrugged.  "You two should hurry up so we can get ready to leave for the tournament."  You brushed past them, patting the shorter boy on the shoulder as you did.  Hinata and Kageyama immediately caught each other's eyes and started sprinting up the stairs, causing you to huff out a sigh.  They were so childish.

You ended up sitting next to Suga for this bus ride, which the silver-haired boy was more than happy to accept, sending a confident smirk to the rest of the team as he sat down beside you and started talking happily with you.  By the time you all had arrived, the other 11 boys were positively seething over the vice-captain's smug demeanor.