kiddo

chapter seventeen

With quick hurried steps, I run down the stairs, rushing to the first year's classrooms. The hallways are filled with people, the sound of bustling commotion drowning out my thoughts. I peek my head into the first classroom I see, eyes scanning the room for familiar figures. My eyes light up as I spot a head of short, blonde hair.

"Tsukki!" I call as I walk past the door, weaving my way through the desks.

"Don't call me tha-" he says, stopping himself after turning around to see who called him, "Oh, hi Takinoue. What can I do for you?"

I smile and brush some strands of hair behind my ear as I clear my throat, beginning to recite a clearly rehearsed speech, "I wanted to ask if you knew any-"

"Taki! What are you doing down here?" I hear someone yell, and when I turn to face the voice, a smiling Yamaguchi greets me, "I heard a bunch of first years talking about some cute third year talking to Tsukki, so I had to come to investigate. Sorry if I'm interrupting something."

I smile and shake my head, watching as Yamaguchi settles close to Tsukishima, leaning against a desk as he hands him a box of strawberry milk. Without hesitation Tsukki accepts it, stabbing the straw into the carton and taking a sip. He looks up at me, waiting for me to continue and I shake out of the trance I was in.

"It's perfect you're here too, Yamaguchi," I start, smiling brightly as I continue, "I wanted to ask if you knew any first years that hadn't joined a club yet. I'm looking for a manager to replace me once I graduate. It's most logical to look for a first year because after I leave they would then be able to serve two years as manager instead of just one. Does anyone come to mind?"

They share a glance and then look back at me, shrugging their shoulders as Tsukishima grumbles, "I don't really talk to my classmates, so I wouldn't know who isn't already apart of a club."

I chuckle and nod, muttering, "It's fine, I'll go ask Hinata and Kageyama if they know of anyone."

"Wait," Yamaguchi starts, scratching his head as he gazes around, eyes finally landing on someone sitting near the window, "That person over there, they are kind of reclusive, and I don't think they've joined a club yet."

"Okay thanks," I say excitedly, quickly glancing at the clock, making sure I still have time to introduce myself, "See you both later at practice."

"Yeah, sure," I hear Tsukki mumble as I turn and walk to the person leaning against their hand, their long dark hair falling past their shoulder and down to their chest. I approach them slowly, leaning on the desk opposite them as I clear my throat, catching their attention.

"Hi, I'm Koda Takinuoe, from class 3A. I was wondering if you are currently apart of any school clubs?"

They glance up uninterested, dark, smudged eyeliner making their cold blue eyes stand out even more.

"I'm Mizuki Fuyuka. No, I'm not. I also don't want to be, so kindly fuck off if you plan to convince me to join your..." she squints and looks me up and down, "your fucking gardening club or whatever."

I grin, raising my eyebrows as I chuckle, "Me? A part of the gardening club. Does it look like I can take care of a plant?"

"I don't really care," they sigh, rolling their eyes as they murmur, "Could you just leave me the fuck alone?"

I take a breath, catching her gaze as I admit, "Look I don't want to be talking to your disrespectful ass either, but I need to find someone to replace me as manager of the volleyball team, so if you aren't apart of a clu-"

"The volleyball team?" she interrupts, eyes suddenly wide and full of intrigue, "The one with Nishinoya Yuu?"

"Yeah," I answer simply, squinting my eyes as I question her shifting behavior.