Genius (Kageyama Tobio)

3

For the next week, the troublemakers still weren't allowed in practice, and Noriko was glad she didn't have to face Kageyama till the three on three. He had tried, many times, to talk to her both in class and on her way to practice, but every time she managed to evade him, perfectly timing starting a conversation with Momo or going into the girls bathroom where he couldn't follow. She had become an expert at avoiding him, much to his annoyance.

Noriko was well aware of Kageyama's many attempts to make amends, and guilt chewed at her heart for so obviously avoiding him, but part of her couldn't stand telling him she couldn't play volleyball anymore. Part of her wished she'd actually just given up, it would've felt like less of a disappointment to him, as if they hadn't made plans to see each other at Nationals the last time they'd seen each other.

Once again, Noriko sat at her desk, waiting for the teacher to start the class and hoping Kageyama wouldn't speak to her. Instead, it was Momo that had a pressing conversation topic that Noriko almost would've preferred Kageyama's apology over.

"I finally figured out how I know you! I saw you in the Teen Life magazine!" 

Noriko wanted to bury her head in her hands as the other girls nearby perked up and started crowding around her, fighting over the magazine Momo had brought.

"You're a model?"

"It makes sense, since she's so pretty!"

"I wouldn't have thought you'd be a model, it doesn't seem like your thing."

"You know Aoki Mai!?"

"Oh my god! You did a photoshoot with Kise Ryota too?! Lucky!"

"He's so hot."

"Can you set us up?"

Noriko wished more than anything for the ability to disappear, but instead, she remained right where she was, awkwardly laughing at their comments. God, why did Mom have to force me to do that stupid photoshoot? As if I'd switch to modelling just cuz I couldn't play volleyball anymore.

"Hey, can I borrow her for a sec?" A deep voice asked.

I can't decide if I wanna say Thank God or Someone help me.

The gaggle of girls nodded, sending teasing looks to Noriko that went unnoticed. Noriko followed Kageyama out of the class with her head down.

"Thanks." Noriko muttered.

"Daichi told me you were injured. And that the whole team would beat me up if I didn't make things right with you."

Noriko snorted out a laugh, finally making eye contact with him. "I don't doubt that. They're an energetic bunch, you'll fit right in."

Kageyama's serious expression didn't change. "Why didn't you just tell me, idiot? We're friends."

Noriko's breath caught. It wasn't often than Kageyama admitted that they were friends, he mostly did his best to stay aloof and pretend he didn't care.

"I..." Noriko looked down. "I didn't wanna admit that I had to break our promise. Telling you makes it real, that I'll never make it to Nationals again."

Both of them remembered that night just about a year before, during Noriko's first super volleyball sleepover of the year, after both teams had won their first practice matches. The others were all passed out in the two rooms, separated between girls and boys per the parents requests, and the two of them were both awake in the kitchen, sipping on glasses of water. 

"Let's make a pact." Noriko said in a sleepy voice. "When we're in different high schools, we'll see each other at Nationals."

"Deal. Obviously."

Kageyama's hands fell on her shoulders heavily. He was so close, Noriko had to look up at him; she usually barely had to tilt her head to see anyone, being slightly taller than average for a girl. 

"We're still going to Nationals. Even if you can't make it there yourself, I'll bring you there. I promise." Kageyama swore, no hint of a lie on his face. He's so close. How can he promise something like that so easily? Noriko did her best to fight the blush filling her cheeks.

"Thank you, Kageyama. I'll do my job from the bench to make sure that happens, too. And I'll make the best cheerleader." Noriko felt her spirits rising, and her cheeks almost aching from her wide grin.  

Kageyama's cheeks flushed a light pink and he stepped away from her hastily, clearing his throat. "Yeah, we're making it."

Unable to hide her blush any longer, Noriko hurried back in to the classroom, where the teacher had started taking attendance, sending disapproving looks to the semi late pair of students.

As class began, even the everlasting history lecture and the open magazine with her face on it in Momo's lap, the smile on Noriko's face couldn't be chased away.

"I'll bring you there."

The words repeated endlessly in her mind, her confusion hidden in her flushed cheeks and the smile she kept trying to push down. It's just Kageyama, it's not a big deal.

"Hirose! Pay attention!" The teacher snapped.

Noriko jumped. "O-oh. Sorry Yoshi-sensei."

Opening her books to the correct page, Noriko forced herself to focus, completing exercise after exercise absent-mindedly, but that moment kept returning to her brain. How the hell did he do that so calmly as if it was completely normal? You don't say that type of cheesy thing in real life! Right. Math. Focus on math. Not Kageyama, just math.

"So... Hirose." Momo whispered, making Noriko send a quick prayer to the gods that this was something relevant. "Do you think you could, you know, introduce me to Kise? Or one of your other model friends?"

"Umm, I'm not really in contact with them anymore, it was a one time thing. Let's just focus on this exercise." Noriko mumbled, picking up her pen and pointedly starting a new question.

"Come on, Hirose. Don't keep all the cute boys to yourself! At least introduce me to that cute guy you were talking with earlier. He's on the volleyball team, right?"

Noriko took a deep steadying breath to avoid lashing out at her. Does she literally only think about boys? "I'll think about it. Let's just finish these up."

Momo, unfortunately, did not take the hint, and decided to continue listing guys from the volleyball team, knowing Noriko was their manager. Noriko's only thoughts were, Can I shoot myself? Literally, shut up, I'm not setting you up with one of my friends. Someone save me.

Unfortunately, this time, Kageyama did not rescue her form the dreaded conversation, and as class ended, all the girls hoarded around Noriko without letting her leave until she was already late for practice. This is why I never should've done that stupid photoshoot.