Shortcake(K. Tsukishima)

Part 15

After catching up with Atsumu, you felt a lot better about the day, almost allowing you to forget the fact that Noya and Tanaka knew your secret. Almost. You helped Atsumu practice for a little bit before joining the rest of your team for dinner. The food served was mediocre, but after the long day, you were just thankful for a real break. Unfortunately, your relaxation didn't last long. You took your place next to Yachi, deciding not to bother Tsukki again after your tense interaction earlier. Right as you sat down, Tanaka gathered everyone's attention.

"Our little first years are growing up so fast," he said tearfully, "It feels like just yesterday they couldn't do anything and now I find Tsukki and (Y/N) fucking in a classroom." Your face turned red at his blunt statement, and Daichi nearly choked on his food.

"You find what?" Daichi asked, unbelieving. Everyone turned to look at you and Tsukki. You glanced at Tsukki, who looked bored as he continued eating, ignoring the team, so you figured it was up to you to tell the truth.

"Yeah, well, Tsukki and I started dating a couple of weeks ago," you confessed with a blush. Noone seemed too surprised by your statement, but you figured nothing would have surprised them after Tanaka had already announced what he had seen.

"Tch. You have really bad taste," Kageyama muttered.

"Says you," you replied with a grin.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Yachi asked. Although everyone else had already turned back to their own conversations, Yachi had just been sitting quietly next to you, so of course she could hear you.

"Oh, nothing," you waved the question away, feeling guilty for almost revealing Kageyama and Hinata's secret. Kageyama returned to his food, avoiding Yachi's curious stare. You quickly changed the subject to school, and the slip-up was soon forgotten. You were just finishing up eating when you felt a hand ruffle your hair.

"(F/N)! Come practice with me!" Atsumu exclaimed.

"Don't you have teammates for that?" You asked jokingly, turning around to face him.

"Osamu and Suna are too lazy to practice with me, and besides, it's not every day I can practice with you!" he replied. You agreed, following him out of the cafeteria after throwing away your food. You looked back at the table, noticing Tsukki continuing to sulk at the end of the table while Yams talked his ear off. You wondered what was causing his sour mood, but it was obvious you couldn't do anything about it right now, so you just followed Atsumu.

"So what's going on with you and the tall blonde?" Atsumu teased. You rolled your eyes. Atsumu always had been a gossip.

"He's my boyfriend, 'Tsumu," you replied. You no longer felt no need to hide it from him. In fact, maybe he could give you some advice.

"Wow, a whole team of boys and you choose him? He's not even good," Atsumu replied. 

"First of all, you haven't seen him play his best, and second of all, volleyball skill had no effect on my choice of significant others, believe it or not," you replied with a laugh. Of course that's what Atsumu would fixate on, volleyball was his whole life, after all.

"Well, why wasn't he playing his best today? That's how you get better," he asked. You could tell this was a genuine question. Atsumu probably couldn't imagine someone being less passionate about volleyball than him. You shrugged.

"Beats me," you replied, "Anyways, what about you? Any fangirl caught your eye yet?" You had heard about him being an amazing setter, and the fans that came along with that kind of recognition. Apparently, girls followed him everywhere.

"No fangirls," he replied, "although I do have my eye on someone." You prodded him to say more, but his lips were sealed, so you eventually let go. It was obvious you weren't getting any more information out of him today. You tossed the ball for him a few times, spiking his sets and vice versa. He wanted to work on just about everything, in his pursuit of becoming a well-rounded player. There were others practicing on the other courts, but no sign of Tsukki anywhere. After a while, you got away from 'Tsumu because his team wanted him for some practice. You walked over to Yams, hoping he would know what was up with Tsukki.

"Hey Yams!" you exclaimed. He was taking a break from practicing his serves and he greeted you with a warm smile. Hinata had been trying to receive his serves, but had given up a bit ago to work on spiking instead, so Yams was alone. 

"Hey (F/N)! What's up?" He asked, noticing that you seemed to have something on your mind.

"I was just wondering, do you know what's up with Tsukki? He's been acting kinda weird all day, and I don't know why," You asked. Yams looked back at you seriously, deep in thought.

"Yeah, you're right," he replied, "he's never seemed to try very hard but it's even more obvious when everyone else here giving it their all. I don't know what to do about it." You shrugged in response. You hadn't known Tsukki long enough to understand what was going on between him and volleyball.

"I'm not sure, he won't really talk to me about it. I tried to say something, but he brushed me off. It might be better coming from you. After all, you've known him longer, you probably understand what's going on a little better than I could," You said to Yams. He nodded, looking at the ground.

"Yeah, I guess so..." he trailed off, and you decided to let him think on his own about what was going on. You left the gym, stepping into the crisp night air, unsure of where to go. Lots of the boys were still practicing, but some had already decided to turn in or play some games. Eventually, you decided it would be nice to spend some time with the other managers. You walked across the campus before finding the room with all the other managers. There quite a few of them, all sitting together, talking.

"(Y/N)! Come join us! We were just comparing the most annoying players on the teams," Yachi exclaimed, patting the seat available beside her. You joined the group, comparing stories of all the trouble your players had gotten into. Tanaka and his tendency to try (and fail) to intimidate other players came up, and it seemed every team had their own version of Daichi and Suga, keeping the team in check at all times. It was interesting to hear about all the players on the other teams, and it definitely helped you understand their respective playstyles a lot better.

Kenma was Nekoma's brain, always keeping cool and calm, making every play count, and he was supported by their excellent defense. Apparently, he was exactly the same off-court, always withdrawn, doing his own thing, unless Kuroo dragged him along. Bokuto on Fukorodani was both their biggest asset and biggest crutch due to his mood swings, which explained why they had to switch him out a couple of times during the games. And the Seijoh managers wouldn't shut up about Oikawa's stupidity, which surprised you, considering how competent he seemed on court. Apparently, his real-life ego didn't translate onto the court, where you noticed he was able to bring out the best qualities from all of his teammates through his amazing setting skills. He was equally as skilled as Kageyama or Atsumu, albeit in a completely different way.  

After a few fun little games, everyone went to sleep, preparing for the rest of the long few days of practice ahead.

~~
(A/N)

Hey friends long time no see! 
Hope you guys have had a good couple of weeks, I've had tests galore, but finals are over next week and maybe then I'll get more writing done! If you're taking finals now, good luck, go study, and stop reading Wattpad stories ;P