𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍'𝐒 𝐀𝐂𝐄

03; dinner

"nice shot!"

seishun groaned and ran a frustrated hand down her face. "why does dai always have to bench me?" she complained loudly. "doesn't she have any sympathy for me? it's my last year, too!"

takemi subaru, the team manager, laughed. "i'm sure it's nothing personal," he said. "i'm pretty sure dai just wants to make sure you're well-rested before nationals begin."

"i guess," seishun muttered. when she noticed other team members glancing her way, she quickly covered her face. "this is embarrassing."

the score against the other team had just gotten to the point of twenty-four to five. unexpectedly, dai called for a substitution. "Thirteen for two!"

"oh, that's me," seishun said. with a grin toward subaru, seishun stood up and high-fived her teammate. at last, she was on the court, where she belonged.

"look who's finally here," miu murmured with a grin.

seishun scoffed and stretched her neck from side to side. "imagine kumi doesn't even set to me."

the point started with dai as the server. with a simple overhead serve, they easily received it and attempted to score a point against niiyama. of course, as their defense was as good as their offense, the ball was immediately given to kumi, to set.

seishun's eyes were stuck on the ball, with a sense of anticipation. "seishun!" kumi called. seishun jumped, her hand smashing down on the ball.

and just like that, the point was over.

;;

"stop sulking," dai scolded seishun. "i told you, you need to be well-rested for nationals!"

seishun continued to sulk, pulling her hoodie over her head. "why is it only me who needs rest? what about miu, kumi, or you? why just me?"

dai put her finger on seishun's forehead and pushed her. "because you're injury prone, stupid. you're always tripping and falling everywhere, i'm not letting you get hurt before nationals," she explained. "not to mention, there's only one more game until we secure our spot for first seed."

"it'll be okay," miu said, patting seishun on the back. "don't cry, ryuen."

seishun pouted. her phone vibrated in her pocket, and she pulled it out.

oto-san

oto-san: shun, i've scheduled a dinner with my msby boys, so you better show up!

seishun's expression dropped. kenjiro was always making plans last-minute, and always forced seishun to participate in them. she always tried to get out of them, yet it never worked.

seishun: so last minute...why do i need to go?

oto-san: because! you're going to be meeting with them almost every day, might as well get acquainted, right? you better show up, though. if you don't, i'll take away your allowance for three months

seishun: man...you know how to hit where it hurts.

seishun pocketed her phone with a groan. her teammates looked over at her with a tilt of their heads. "something happen?" kumi asked with a hint of concern.

she shook her head and stood up, hauling her bag over her shoulder. "nothin', just my dad being his spontaneous self, again," she sighed. seishun then lifted her hand to wave goodbye to her teammates. "see you guys."

"don't forget, there's no practice tomorrow!" dai called after her. seishun responded with another wave of her hand, and she left the gym.

seishun grabbed her bike from outside and threw her leg over. she began pedaling, beginning her journey home.