Comfort in the Storm

Chapter 2

As I ride my bike to school, the morning air is filled with the sounds of kids running and screaming, their laughter and chatter blending into a lively symphony. "Crap, I'm late," I mutter under my breath, pedaling faster. By the time I skid to a halt at the bike racks, it's already 7:30.

I quickly lock my bike and sprint towards the school entrance. My heart pounds not just from the exertion, but from the anxiety of being late. As I round the corner, I nearly collide with Kageyama. "Oi, Boke!" he calls out, his voice tinged with annoyance. I stop to catch my breath, barely listening as he launches into a lecture about punctuality and responsibility. Blah blah blah, it's always the same with him.

I shoot him a cold glare, cutting him off mid-sentence. His eyes widen in shock, and for a moment, he's rendered speechless. Without another word, I turn on my heel and leave him standing there, mouth agape.

Kageyama's Pov: What the hell was that?! Did Boke just give me a cold eye?! UGH, HE'S BEEN HANGING OUT WITH THOSE FOXES AGAIN!!!!!

I shake off the strange encounter and make my way to the gym. The familiar scent of polished wood and the distant echoes of volleyballs bouncing welcome me. I drop my stuff on the floor, half-listening as Daichi goes over the day's practice drills.

Needing a moment to compose myself, I quickly grab my phone and send a message to Suna.

Tangerine: Hi Lazy head Lazy head: Hey Tangerine: Do you think we can go out today? Lazy head: Sure Tangerine: Kay, bye Lazy head: Bye, my beautiful Tangerine

I blush as I read Suna's response, my cheeks heating up. I turn off my phone and glance at the court, ready to immerse myself in practice. The warmth of Suna's words lingers, giving me a boost of confidence.

But as I join my teammates, I feel a pair of eyes on me. I glance up to find Kageyama watching me closely, his expression a mix of confusion and curiosity. Did he see me blushing? I quickly look away, focusing on the drills. The last thing I need is Kageyama pestering me about my personal life.

Despite the awkward start to the morning, I throw myself into practice. Each spike, each serve, and each block brings me back to the present, helping me forget about the chaotic rush earlier. I can feel Kageyama's gaze on me occasionally, but I ignore it. Today, I'll let my performance on the court do the talking.

By the end of practice, my mind is clear, and my body is pleasantly exhausted. I grab my water bottle and take a long drink, glancing around at my teammates. Kageyama is still watching me, but there's something different in his eyes now—maybe a hint of understanding, or at least curiosity.

I decide to break the silence between us. "Kageyama," I call out, walking over to him. "About earlier... I was just in a rush. Don't read too much into it, okay?"

He blinks, then nods slowly. "Yeah, sure. Just... don't let it happen again, Boke."

I smirk, feeling a sense of camaraderie returning. "Wouldn't dream of it, King."

With that, the tension dissipates, and we head back to the locker room together, ready to face whatever the day brings.