Training Trepidation Into Composure

Chapter 11

Yachi held the clipboard so tight her knuckles were turning white. The matches were about to begin, she needed to get a grip and focus. She leapt when she felt a soft hand on her shoulder. Kiyoko jumped away in shock, her hand hovering just above Yachi's shoulder, as though afraid to further scare the younger girl. "Hitoka-chan, are you okay? You look pale." She reached forward again to rest her hand against Yachi's forehead, "You don't have a fever. Do you need to rest? It's really hot today. I can handle everything here."

Yachi wanted nothing more than to go to the girls room and avoid everyone the rest of the day, but she shook her head, "I'm fine. Just didn't sleep well." She smiled broadly, and Kiyoko smiled back.

"Okay, if you're sure." But she kept an eye on the younger girl for a few more matches. Yachi could feel the judgement, knew that Kiyoko knew about the turbulent thoughts whisking around in her mind like a typhoon. After the fourth match, she asked again, "Are you sure you're okay, Yachi?"

Maybe she did need a break, if she was that obviously distracted. "I'm just a little warm. Maybe I should get some water."

Kiyoko nodded, "I think that's a good idea, do you want me to come with you?"

Yachi shook her head, "I'll grab one of the other girls, the next match will probably get started soon."

"Ubugawa doesn't have a match this round. Or Fukurodani." Kiyoko offered.

'Or Nekoma' Yachi's mind added unhelpfully. Instead she nodded and walked away, with no intention of asking either team's manager for company.

Instead she walked to the water fountain, took a few sips, then continued walking. She would take the next match off. A few minutes to herself, to fully comprehend what happened that morning, then return to the match. Mind focused and clear of any distracting- tmp tmp.

It couldn't be. She paused, waited, staring in the direction the steps were coming from. First a lanky leg, then the rest of his lanky body. Kuroo was turning down the corridor, headed straight for her, not once looking up from his phone as he tapped away like he was writing his manifesto.

She was momentarily frozen, then her body took a life of its own as it turned on her heel to throw her into the nearest unlocked room.

She ignored his small chuckle as he read a text. She tried the handle of the next door, a store room. It gave without resistance and she breathed a sigh of relief as she tucked behind it. And peeked out a small crack she'd left, waiting for him to pass.

"Umm-" At the deep voice she jumped and practically threw herself at the metal shelving behind her. She was going to end up going home with a concussion.

Another, less deep voice joined the first when it asked, "Are you okay?" with both humor and concern lacing it. Yachi realized then that both voices were familiar as her eyes adjusted to the dimly lit room. Sunlight coming in from a small rectangle at the back of the room, big enough for maybe a cat to slink through if it wanted.

Standing close together, clothing slightly more disheveled and their breath considerably more winded than expected considering their last  volleyball match ended at least 20 minutes ago, were Bokuto and Akaashi.

Yachi's eyes grew wide as she realized the conundrum she'd just thrown herself into. Literally.

"Fine- I'm fine-" She squeaked, backing into the door, ready to bolt. Then she remembered why she hid and with her face already the color of a tomato, she twisted to peek back out the door. "Just, I'll leave in a second," she whispered.

Then she felt a presence behind her, then a chin rested softly on her head. "What are we looking at?" Bokuto asked softly, she could hear Akaashi chuckle behind them, then felt a gentle shove as he also tried to take a peek through the crack in the door.