His Warrior Queen: A Haikyuu!! Novel (Tsukishima x OC)

Chapter 58: A Hero

Tsukishima, Yamaguchi and Nakano walked together into their classroom, much as they did on any other day.  But today was indeed very different.  As soon as they entered the room, several of their classmates called out.

"Hey!  It's the volleyball team guys!  Congratulations!"

"Yeah, awesome game on Saturday!  You guys were amazing!"

"Yamaguchi-san!  Tsukishima-san!  I had no idea volleyball was so awesome!"

Nakano smiled to herself, slipping into her seat as the boys were surrounded by admirers and well-wishers.  Several of the students gathering around them were not from their class, and there were more than a few girls making wide eyes at both Tadashi and Kei.  There were also quite a few boys gathered around as well, asking for details on how various plays were made and complimenting them on their hard work.  Nakano grinned, trying not to look but definitely listening.  They deserve the chance to enjoy this, she thought, both Kei and Tadashi have earned the right to bask in the praises of their classmates.  She repeated this idea to herself, forcing down the little twinges of jealousy every time a feminine voice gushed over Tsukishima.  The boys were trying to be polite, chatting with their fans and answering questions.  Nakano could hear the small note of pride in Tsukishima's voice, even if he did keep his responses short.  He's not normally one to like this kind of attention, she mused, but he's definitely feeling a sense of accomplishment, and I think he's glad that other people have noticed.  That's a good thing.  He's always been so down on his own abilities.  I hope that's becoming a thing of the past.

"You were the one who did those weird, wobbly serves that got so many points, aren't you?" a girl from Class 1-3 asked Yamaguchi.

"Uh...yeah," the freckle-faced boy replied, a blush slipping across his cheeks.  "They're called jump-floats."

"He's a pinch server, Hazuki-chan, that's his job," one of the boys in their class said in a teasing voice, "He steps in and scores as many points as he can with his serves."

Hazuki-chan squealed.  "You're so brave!  I'd be terrified to try to do something like that all by myself!"

Yams laughed.  "Well, I don't really do it all by myself.  I mean, the whole team was behind me, supporting me.  For example, take Tsukki here, he was the MVP of the game with his incredible blocks and..."

Tsukishima clicked his tongue.  "Shut up, Yamaguchi.  We won that game as a team, don't call me the MVP."

"Sorry, Tsukki," Yams said brightly, "but you know the team would agree!  You were the one who blocked Ushiwaka, and came up with those amazing strategies..."

"Yeah!  I saw that, when you stopped that big guy on the other team!  That was awesome!" Tachibana, Hazuki's classmate, cheered.

"Wasn't that the guy whose hits were so powerful he, like, broke your finger or something?" another of their classmates asked.

"What?" Hazuki-chan yelped, looking at Tsukki's hands, "Oh my gosh!  Your hand!  Did you really break your fingers?"

"No, I've just..." Tsukishima began.

"Dude, what are you gonna do for class?  How are you gonna write with your hand like that?" Tachibana asked.

"Well, I've got..." Tsukishima tried again.

"Oh, I'll take notes for you, Tsukishima-kun!" a girl from their class sang out.

"No, let me help!" came another one's voice.

"Awwwwww, I wish I was in your class, Tsukishima-kun," Hazuki exclaimed, "I'd love to have the chance to take notes for a hero like you!"

Tsukishima clicked his tongue again, determined to finish his sentence this time.  "I'm not a hero.  I'm a volleyball player, not some protagonist in a shonen anime.  Don't say things like that."