I've been alone for so long.

Chapter 4

Pov Kiyoko

During the first week of school, I've been helping everybody with their work. One of my classmates has asked me several times for help in different subjects. She is very clever, but she doesn't believe in herself that much. Instead of helping her the way that others would help. I've been showing her not only the things she asks but I'm trying my best to help her believe in herself. This morning I asked Sugawara to help her with maths. Hopefully, he would help my way too. She came up to me during lunch break and asked for help in English and offered me help in Japanese (my worst subject actually) saying that this time she was the one, who would help me.

I was really surprised to see Sugawara standing at the door with two athletic boys behind him. How the heck isn't he scared. Let us see what he has to say. "Sooooo, what is it?" "Daichi, come on youre the chief." Sugawara said to the median boy behind him.

"Hmm. Are you Shimizu Kiyoko?" "Yep. What is wrong?" "Oh nothing. My name is Sawamura Daichi. I'm part of the volleyball team with this two over here." Ah yes, the volleyball team Sugawara was part of. Ok I think I'm keeping up with them.

"See the volleyball team in Karasuno, doesn't have either a coach nor a teacher supervisor, so we were thinking to find a manager for the team. Seeing that you are not in any team right now. Would you like to join?"

He bowed when he said the last part. It didn't take time for the other two to join. I could feel my face heating up, so I looked another side. "O-o-okay. I-it should be fun." "REALLY!!!!! Thank you so much." "I guess we are going now. Tomorrow I'll take you to the gym to meet the rest of the team. Kay." Sugawara said as if nothing had happened. "Kay. See you three tomorrow." I opened the door of the class and waved to the three of them.

"What was all of that about?" "They wanted me to be the manager of the volleyball team." "REALLY. What did you say?" "I'm trying it out tomorrow. Although I'm not sure." "You should try." "You think so?" "A pretty girl like you is the thing the volleyball team needs." I felt my face heat up by the sound of those words. "Hahahahaha youre kidding me, right?" "Of course not, youre really pretty. Kiyoko-san. By the way, can I call you that?" "Yeah sure."

"You seem to know quite a lot about the volleyball team, Udai-san" "First of all, how did you know I knew about volleyball?" "Oh. That is easy. I mean you said. A pretty girl like you is all that the volleyball team needs." "You could tell it by that." "Yep." "Ok. Secondly, my older brother was part of the volleyball club five years ago. And finally, you can also call me by my first name. Chiyo." "Ok. How was your brother like? And could you show me a bit of volleyball. I said yes just for knowing how it is, but I don't have any idea of volleyball." Chiyo started laughing. It seemed hilarious for some reason.

"Sorry. It shocks me how incredible you can be." "Thankyou. I guess."

"Well. Volleyball is an extremely easy sport to understand. There are a total of six players in the court and a libero, who switches with other players during the game. Every single player can spike or in other words attack when they want. All except the libero, who can't attack the other team. There is also a setter, who is the one, who throws the ball into the air so his or her teammates can attack." "Cool. Got it."

"That is a small summary. The rest of the rules are easy. First, you can only touch the ball once, you can't touch it two times in a row. Second you can't block a set. And finally, the ball can't bounce on the floor." "Wow you know a lot." Experience. I guess. My older brother used to be in the team. He was known as the tiny giant."

"The tiny giant? That sounds so cool." "I know right. I joined the basketball club this year because I thought I could also become as famous as my brother. Although I'm not really good at it." "You know it doesn't matter how many medals you win. It only matters what is inside you." "How do you know that. At this rate my family will think I'm a failure. I need a counter argument." "I used to be in a Athletic club. My parents never actually supported me, but after some time I realised that you don't have to be the best, to be good at something."

Time skips (next day)

"Well, hello there. Shimizu-san." I turned around to see Sugawara making a small wave. "Hi Sugawara-san. How are you doing?" "Good. Are you ready to meet the rest of the team?" "Sure. Although how much do I have to talk?" He chuckled when I asked.

"You know that asking questions is fine. Right?" "Well, that is obvious. But aren't all of you gonna kill me if I just ask questions about everything." "You don't have to worry about everything. It's normal not to know." "Okay. Show me the way then." "Sure."

I would be totally lying if I said I wasn't scared. My father always criticises me whenever I don't show my feelings or am distant. It's something I'm good at. As I followed Sugawara through pretty much the whole school, I kept telling myself everything was going to be fine.

"Hey Shimizu. Are you ok?" "Y-y-yeah." "That doesn't sound good." "Okay, okay, okay. I'm a bit nervous." He chuckled. "What happened to the Shimizu Kiyoko, who would kill all of her opponents with just one gun?" "What the hell. You know I only do that at the arcade." "Yes, I know. But what if you get a bit of the arcade girl and get it inside the preparatory student." "That is actually a horrible idea."

"Yes, it is a fabulous idea." "I mean there are so many differences that it is impossible to join them together."

"See. Now you are more relaxed." "Hey. Your right. What happened?" "A magician never reveals his secrets." He said that with a smirk. "Oh, come on tell me." I gave him a friendly punch in the back. I don't have any idea of what he did but it calmed me down.

The volleyball gym seemed a little bit smaller than other school gyms. For any reason it is. I think it makes the gym seem like a little house for a big family. I feel the nerves creeping out again. Butterflies in my stomach. Legs trembling. But then the words. Hey Kiyoko. If you ever want to compete you need to be decisive. The nerves are there only because you want them to be there. Now don't you dare loose the race. Or else you pay dinner. That girl sure knows how to motivate anyone. Neither of us brought money that day so we made Sugawara and Keiji pay the five meals. At the end they are gentlemen.

We girls had a great laugh. Their faces when they realised, they had to pay the big combos we had ordered each one. It was hilarious.

"Earth calling Shimizu Kiyoko. Are you there?" "Yes I'm here." "Ready to meet your 90% sure teammates." "Why 90% sure teammates?" "Because there is a 90.123% of probability that you join the team." I burst out with laughter. "Yep. Let's go and get it over with." We entered the gym.

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