Silently Pining

The Managers

You get separated from Terushima while he becomes rowdy with some of the other guys at the party. You end up finding Hana and stick with her. She smiles at you, carefully helping you over to where the other managers were sitting. She introduces you to the girls and they take turns introducing themselves to you.

Kiyoko smiles as you take the seat beside her. "So, you're also from Miyagi, Y/n?"

You nod. "I was surprised to find there were more managers from Miyagi here than there are managers from Tokyo."

Yukie huffs. "That's because Fukurodani is the only team in Tokyo with any female managers. The other teams seem to have trouble with finding managers."

Mika sighed. "True, but it's nice that I'm not the only team girlfriend to be dragged to this thing. Welcome to the world of volleyball, Y/n-chan."

You smile at the older girl. "It's definitely interesting to be around all these different guys. They're so... chaotic."

Kaori nods. "You get used to it."

Yukie nods. "You should be used to it by now, Y/n. I mean, you are dating Terushima."

Nametsu Mai, the manager of Datekyo, looks at you with a brow raised. "How did that happen, anyway?"

You shrug. "Yuji asked me out one day and I said yes, we've been dating for about a year. I didn't really know why I said yes, but I feel quite happy to be around him. He's actually a nice guy when you get to know him."

"Hard to believe with all the rumors surrounding him. I heard he's a playboy that flirts with any and every girl he finds attractive."

You look at the second year manager. "Yes, I'm aware of that. But he won't do it while dating me. My family would make him pay for hurting or defiling me. He has to walk on pretty thin ice with my family around."

Yachi's eyes were wide. "Is your family really that powerful?"

You nod. "We're the top tech company in the whole country. It's hard to find a family that holds more family than my own. It actually surprised me to find out that almost no one here knew who I was. But I guess it kind of makes sense, my family tries to keep me out of the public eye as much as possible. They want to keep me safe, since a lot of trouble can surround our family at times."

Kiyoko nodded. "I can only imagine. You must also have connections all over, right?"

You nod. "We do. Even within the Tokyo police force, my family has some connections. It helps to have them around if I ever get into any trouble."

Mai sighs. "Must be nice. And, at least you don't have to deal with some of the guys on these teams. They're more trouble than they're worth."

You look over at some of the chaotic boys. "I'm sorry you guys have to deal with them on a daily basis. It must be pretty hard work."

Kiyoko nods. "It can be. But it's worth it to see them happy whenever they succeed with their goals. It's amazing to watch them improve over the course of their high school careers."

"I get that. I always like seeing how happy Yuji is to be involved with volleyball. It keeps him busy and he seems to really try hard to be a good player."

Hana snorted. "But he's a huge pain. He's so loud and obnoxious. And half the time, he's just gloating about having a relationship with you, Y/n. You don't understand how unbearable he is to deal with."

"I have him cling to me most of the time. I think I have a few ideas of how he can drive someone crazy."

"You must be a bit crazy to be able to deal with him the way you do. Why do you give into him so much?"

You sigh. "To keep him happy. If he's happy, there's no way he'd even think of doing something that'll end up hurting me in the end."

Kiyoko looks at you in concern. "Do you think he'd do something bad, like cheat on you?"

You look at her, visibly upset. "With his reputation, I can't put it passed him. I have a feeling that if he finds someone more willing to give him what he wants, he'd go for her in a heartbeat. I'm just behaving in a way that'll keep that from happening."

The manager with glasses gave you a pitying expression. "If that's how you feel, then I suggest that you get out of that relationship."

"I've thought about it, but I don't think I'd be able to. I genuinely care about him and don't want to be the reason he becomes upset or starts doing stuff he shouldn't."

Hana huffed out a breath. "The man has a tongue piercing. He already looks and acts like a delinquent. You can do much better. Leave his ass before he actually cheats on you, if he hasn't already."

"What do you mean, Hana?"

"I saying, he's still flirting with girls from time to time. He brags to the team about being able to get anyone and anything he wants. I've heard him say that he doesn't have to limit himself to you, but he does because of your family. He's only gonna hurt you, I suggest leaving his ass while you have a chance."

You let out a breath, briefly glancing a your boyfriend. "I want to trust him. He tells me that girls flirt with him, but never that he flirts back. I want to believe he acts well when I'm not around, but...."

Kiyoko gently grabs your hand. "He's even hit on me before. I want you to not be with someone that's gonna hurt you. You deserve someone that loves you and will treat you right. Why don't you break up with Terushima?"

You sigh, looking into the girl's eyes. "Because he's my first boyfriend and I really love him. I don't want us to break up. I even hope that we can get married one day."

Kenma overheard the conversation. And what he heard broke his heart. He knew that if you and him dated, he'd treat you much better. He knew that you would be the only girl he'd ever look at, the only one he ever loved. And yet, you loved someone that wasn't him. Someone that was bound to hurt you. He wished he could do something, but he's not that type of person.

Once again, Kenma felt useless. He couldn't help you, especially when you really needed it. He thought he might be able to say something to the other guys, but it would also be unusual for him to speak out against someone else. Not only would the other guys be surprised, but Kenma could imagine how mad Terushima would be. And the last thing Kenma wanted was a fight.

There was nothing he could do to help you. At least, that's how Kenma felt.