Number 11

Chapter 2- Doshisha v Isui

FEBRUARY

It's been 1 full month since I began my managerial duties for the Doshisha University Rugby Team. I was slowly familiarising myself with the game with the help of my childhood best friend Natsusa.

At this stage, I was still performing menial tasks such as filling water bottles, packing away equipment and cleaning dirty uniforms (I didn't realise how smelly 23 men could possibly be).

It was Monday, February 3rd 2020. The twenty-three rugby players were gathered on the pitch. The beating sun was strong, causing me to break into a light sweat. Natsu, Mashiro and I stood before the players.

"Okay ladies, get your shit sorted". "It's time for an intra-club match!" "Y/N, you'll be practicing your pre match duties". "Follow me".

The players seemed excited, hurriedly rushing over to the sidelines to begin the pre match preparations.

I carried over the twenty-three blue plastic bottles. Each bottle was labelled with a different name.

'God these men are so picky with their drinks'.

"Koreeda, here's your 'Moka-chan' bottle". "I made sure to fill it with cold water for you".

"Ah, L/N, thank you so much", Koreeda responded, hugging the bottle close to his chest.

Yuuki Koreeda was a strange one. An otaku if you will. He was adamant that the only bottle he would use before matches was his "Good luck Moka-Chan bottle"''. So I always made sure the bottle was clean and filled with fresh water for him.

'Didn't wanna make anyone mad'. 'It was only my 2nd month on the job after all'.

"Y/N, please come over here". "I want to show you how to tape up the players". Natsu beckoned me over.

He was kneeling in front of a sitting Shingyouji.

"Here, I'll show you how I wrap Sei's ankles and you can give it a go yourself". I nodded, nervousness snaking through my stomach.

I watched closely. "You take the tape and start from the top of the ankle". "Wrap it around like this and then under like this". "Once done, double check it's nice and tight and then you're good to go". "Make sure you get the player to give it a test before heading to the field". "Sei, if you will?"

Natsu motioned to the grass beside him. Shingyouji stood from his sitting position and began to slowly roll his ankles in place.

"It looks and feels good to me", Shingyouji responded with a stone, expressionless face.

'Does this guy ever smile?'

"Wonderful!" "Yasunari get your butt over here!" Natsusa yelled, motioning for the red head.

'Crap, it's him'. 'The asshole'.

"Yasunari, I would like Y/N here to practice her taping on you". "She's still learning so I'm counting on you to teach her".

"WHAT!?" We both yelled, glaring at each other.

Natsu just smirked as he left the two of us alone.

Silence.

"Whatever, let's just get this shit over with", Tsuru huffed, sitting on the ground. He stretched out his legs and looked away as I knelt before him. I could just catch a hint of pink coat his cheeks before it disappeared all together.

I slowly removed Tsuru's boot, causing him to flinch. Pulling down his sock, I shuffled closer. Lifting his foot, I placed it gently on my lap.

Tsuru glanced my way quickly.