𝚃𝙾𝙱𝙸𝙾'𝚂 𝙱𝚁𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁

Chapter 11*

"Woah!" Tanaka exclaimed. "Hinata, your spikes are getting better."

"Really?!"

Hinata's eyes shone at having received praise by the second year. "It must be because I've been practicing with Yama-senpai and the others!"

"Yama...senpai?"

"Yeah! Well, I don't really know his last name, but it's Matsubara's captain!"

"Matsubara?!" Tobio shouted in shock. "You got to practice with their captain?!"

"Hmm? Yeah. Me and Tsukishima!"

"Really, Tsukki?" Tadashi asked in surprise. "You've been practicing with my brother's friend?"

Tsukishima sighed as they all began surrounding them both, asking questions left and right. It annoyed him, to say the least. On the sidelines, though, stood Tobio. He was trying not to make it obvious that he was jealous. He'd been wanting to play against the Living Satan. To make things worse, he was outdone not only by Hinata but by Tsukishima as well.

They got to practice with Matsubara's captain? I'm so freaking jealous!

"Yama-senpai taught me how to spike," Hinata said excitedly before demonstrating for them.

Most watched intently and cheered him on while others, like Tsukishima, went off on their own.

--

"--88. 89. 90--"

Y/N pulled his body over the bar with his arms, legs crossed as he moved. His chest heaved up and down as he continued his movements.

"--95. 96. 97. 98. 99. 100. Alright, that's it."

He let go of the metal bar, landing on his feet. A layer of sweat covered his body as some dripped down his chest and abs. He took the small towel F/N held out to him and wiped his face, brushing his hair back.

"Don't you think you should be doing a little less than this? There's no way you're not tired. You're straining your body."

"What for?" Y/N asked, putting his shirt back on.

"At least take a break once in a while. You've been at this for three hours already."

"..."

"Come on. Please listen to me for once."

Y/N looked at him for a few seconds before sighing. "Fine," he replied.

He grabbed his hoodie and slung it over his shoulder before walking out beside F/N, who handed him a cold water bottle. "Thanks."

"You know... I get that you're the captain and all...but why put yourself through so much work?"

Y/N lowered the bottle from his mouth. It was silent between them for a bit. But, F/N waited to see if he would respond. Eventually, Y/N opened his mouth to give him an answer.

"Punishment..." he muttered.

Although he said it quietly, F/N heard it clearly. "What...?"

He closed the bottle and held it in his hand as they continued walking. "It's my punishment for what I did to Tobio..."

F/N immediately stopped walking and turned to the (h/c)-ette. A look of shock and concern was on his face. "Are you kidding me? Y/N, what would he say if he saw you doing this to yourself because of what happened--"

"He hates me."

A shadow cast over Y/N's eyes, his grip on the water bottle tightening. F/N looked at him in disbelief. He couldn't believe the words coming out of his friend's mouth. "Y/N, I know Tobio and he would never hold this against you."