Different Kind of Beautiful

Chapter 15

I stared at the captain of the team with as blank an expression as I could muster as the other volleyball club members met up in the cafeteria. Though it wasn't an everyday thing, most of the players seemed to gather and eat lunch together at one of the larger tables. I had seen them gather of course, but it had never crossed my mind to think that they might invite me to join now that I was acting as their manager. Matsukawa had made the offer in between classes, and Hanamaki had eagerly asked for my response as soon as they were dismissed. I couldn't find it in me to turn the two down when they seemed so excited. It wasn't like I had other plans anyway, and it was as good a time to get to know some of the others as any.

As glad as Oikawa seemed to have me join them, both Mastukawa and Hanamaki were taking every chance they could to tease him about how they had stolen the chance to ask first. It certainly didn't help that they had stolen the seats on either side of me. Even Iwaizumi found it a bit amusing when they joined them. But their light-hearted teasing was drawing a bit more attention than I would have liked, especially from some of my more erratic female classmates. 

Oikawa had made it quite clear that he needed time after his breakup, as well as the fact that he simply didn't have time for another relationship. Such a confession had broken a few hopeful hearts, but he had expressed his relief. His fan club had always been a bit more, over the top, than I would have expected from reality but things seemed to have calmed to a much more realistic level. There was still some jealousy and it was hard to ignore the whispers about the new manager, but I could manage. It would just take some getting used to. 

"So, is it true that the captain has been bribing you into staying late to help him practice?" Watari asked. He was one of the second years if I recalled correctly. 

"I wouldn't say bribing, but yes I have been staying with him in case something happens," I replied, idly flipping through a newer magazine to find the article Iwaizumi had suggested to me. 

"You better not be pushing yourself," the spiker in question piped up. "I'll kill you if-"

"Ah, ah! You shouldn't worry too much," Oikawa interrupted. "I've got no plans on getting hurt before I can tramble Tobio-chan."

"Still. You don't want to worry our dear manager if you strain your knee again."

"Better safe than sorry."

"You're the captain. Set a better example for your kouhai."

I quickly put the magazine down to lean past Hanamaki and get a better look at Oikawa. "Back up. Is something wrong with your knee?"

The upperclassmen were quiet. He looked away before nodding. It was Kindaichi that spoke up, however. I wondered how the first year had known before recalling they had gone to the same middle school. "His knee pads are different colors, right? One helps support his knee."

"Why didn't you say anything?" I blurted, a bit flustered. "What if something had happened?"

Matsukawa and Hanamaki shared a look over my head before throwing their arms over my shoulders. "Don't mind, don't mind."

"You should be ashamed captain, think of how panicked our dear manager would have been?"

"You should apologize."

I rolled my eyes and pushed them off. "A warning would have been nice, that's all."

Oikawa ducked his head and clapped his hands together. "Sorry! You're just such a good manager I forget that you wouldn't know!"

I grinned but tried to keep my voice stern."Compliments will get you nowhere, Oikawa."

He looked up with a frown but grinned back when he caught my eye. "That was mean."

"Blame Matsukawa and Hanamaki," I retorted, opening the article up again. The two scoffed at my betrayal before a comfortable silence hit the table as they hurried to scarf down the last of their food before the break was over. Slowly the others began to leave, and I returned the magazine to Iwaizumi with a quick thanks. He nodded before glancing at Oikawa and leaving them behind. There wasn't long now before they had to leave, though he seemed to be dragging as they packed up their things. 

"Anzu-"

"Is something wrong?" I asked, startling when I accidentally cut him off. "Sorry, what were you saying?"

"Ah." He twisted his lips and scratched the back of his neck. "I really should have mentioned my knee to you before."

"It's fine. I know now, which is what matters." I adjusted my glasses and frowned. "But I should probably tell you now that I won't be able to stay late tonight. Favor for my mom, nothing urgent though. Do you know if someone else could stay?"

He shrugged. "Don't worry too much. I'll ask Iwa, maybe one of the others might. I'm not that fragile though."

"I know. I just don't want to see you hurt." I sighed, not entirely sure where the worry was coming from. I worried about all of the players, but not nearly this much. Was it was because he was the captain? "The team relies on you, despite their teasing."

"Aw, and here I thought you cared," he mock pouted. I fell into step beside him as we joined the rest of the crowd leaving the cafeteria. 

"I do. So does the rest of the team."

The setter gave me one of his trademark grins, or at least a similar one that seemed much less forced before he darted to his own classroom to avoid being late. I forced myself to focus on classes, falling into a familiar sort of rhythm as I took notes but as soon as we were free to work independently, my thoughts shifted. I had been worried about Oikawa overworking himself, entirely unsure about what his limits might be, but it seemed even more urgent to pay attention because of his injury. At the same time, I knew he was fully capable of keeping himself in check. It would do no good to hover over him, which was far from my comforts regardless. I could trust him to keep himself together. But knowing about his injury could do no harm. 

An announcement at the beginning of practice seemed to set him on edge, however. I had missed it while filling water bottles, but even by the time everyone else was leaving, Oikawa still seemed off. I was thankful that Iwaizumi would be staying with him for that last hour, but even so, it felt hard to leave. It wasn't until Oikawa had personally shooed me away that I managed to leave the gym. 

By the time I had reached the gates, I had forced my worries aside. My phone began to ring, however, and they rushed back as I saw Iwaizumi's contact on the screen. It hadn't been all that long since I left. I probably just forgot something there. 

"Hey, are you still on campus?" There was a bit of urgency in his tone that stopped me in my tracks. 

"Yes." I took in a slow breath. There would be no help in getting worked up. "Is everything alright?"

He lowered his voice. "I don't want to keep you, since you said you were busy-"

"Iwaizumi, what's wrong?" I demanded.

"...Oikawa got hurt."

I felt my stomach drop for just a second before I was sprinting back towards the school. "I'll see if the nurse is still here. Can you bring him to the infirmary?"

"Yes. Thank you."

I trusted him to end the call as I ran.