WildFire

36

Interhigh was coming up soon.

The big volleyball tournament was always a worthy conversation in Aoba Johsai, since their school was known as a power house, and had been to nationals several times–though they haven't gotten to go in a while due to Shiratorizawa's superiority these recent years.

The third and second years of the girl's volleyball team had been particularly enthusiastic about winning this year, since until this year, they had always been beaten because of one particular ace of Shiratorizawa. Now that she was gone, the chance of going to nationals was higher than ever. And so was the enthusiasm.

You hadn't been able to find a right moment to give Kunimi your gift, nor a suitable time to confess.

Both of you were so caught up with Interhigh even though there was still two weeks more to go, you hadn't had a proper time to talk to him. Obviously, like now, you had no trouble eating lunch with him, Yui, and Kindaichi, but it never felt right to confess in a cafeteria full of loud and especially nosy students—so you had refrained.

"You guys have a whole special volleyball tournament coming up, right?" Yui asked.

"Yep—Interhigh," you said, fidgeting with your food nervously as you thought about the volleyball tournament. "Sumiko's determined to win—all of us are. She thinks Shiratorizawa won't be much trouble now—without their previous ace."

"Oikawa, too," Kindaichi agreed passionately. "He's really bent on beating Shiratorizawa and going to nationals this year—since it'll be his last chance in high school."

"Yeah." Hesitating, Kunimi added, "He also wants to play with Kageyama and his team, since we lost to them in the practice match. He literally will not stop whining about it."

Yui snorted, and you laughed at this, "he can hold a grudge."

"He's a child," Kunimi complained. Then, with a smirk he added, "kind of like you."

"Seriously!" You glared at him playfully, letting out an exasperated shout, "you know what? Screw school spirit! I hope Hinata beats you all in the tournament!"

Kunimi narrowed his eyes and shrugged, "if he even makes it that far."

You felt a surge of indignation at Kunimi's attitude towards the ginger boy, crossing your arms defiantly, "He will. It's you I'm worried about—the lack of enthusiasm you have sometimes during games is not reassuring."

"It's called saving my energy," Kunimi corrected. "Slow and steady wins the race, remember?"

Yui rolled her eyes at Kunimi, muttering to herself as you two continued to bicker, "Of all the tales you choose–honestly..."

"Fast and spontaneous can win too," you protested. Then, with a pout, you added, "Besides, that story is dumb. The hare would probably win in real life. Also, what if it's a 50 meter sprint? How is being slow going to help you win?"

Kindaichi laughed at your response, though he quickly stopped at Kunimi's glare.

"It isn't a 50 meter sprint though," Kunimi pointed out. "It's a volleyball tournament that consists of three total sets—five, if you count the finals."

"Humph."

Kunimi smirked triumphantly, that is, until Yui asked you innocently, "Are you saying you want Hinata to win, [Name]-san? You're in different schools though, so why would you want him to win?"

"I–I never," you sputtered, finding trouble with your words. You had claimed that you were going to neglect school spirit, but after all, you were also in the volleyball team–just the girl's one. Shouldn't you want Kunimi and the others to boost Aoba Johsai's stats? "I–I mean, yes? Why else would I decide to 'screw school spirit', right?"