Childhood friends

10. Something's Changed

You turn to look at Oikawa. "Well, it looks like after practice on Sunday, and before our team dinner, I'll be at Shiratorizawa."

Oikawa frowned. "Be careful. Those guys are mean. If they try anything with you, let me and Iwa-chan know right away. Then, send your location and we'll be there asap. We'll always come running to help you, right, Iwa-chan?"

Iwaizumi nodded, heading over to the two of you. "Yeah. We got your back, L/n. You won't have a thing to worry about."

You smiled, looking at the rest of the team. "Kyoutani! Do you need help with anything?" You remained sweet, hoping to get on the scary first year's good side.

Kyoutani shook his head, the traces of a smile on his face. "I'm good, but thank you for offering, L/n."

You give a friendly smile to him. "Any time. If you ever need or want anything, don't hesitate to come to me." You knew the boy didn't exactly get along with the rest of the team, so you went out of your way to be extra kind to him. You really wanted to give him a reason to actually like coming to practice, other than for the reason of just being able to play volleyball.

Kyoutani was skilled. His only problem was that he acted quite rude to his upperclassmen. He seemed to have no respect for anyone, except maybe you since you'd show him unconditional kindness without expecting anything in return. "I will. Thanks again, L/n. I'm gonna head out now."

You wave at him, still smiling brightly. "Have a good night, Kyoutani!" And he left, waving at you as he walked out of the door.

Oikawa sighed. "You really have a way with Mad Dog-chan. I think he actually likes you."

You huff out a breath, giving a fake pout while crossing your arms over your chest. "I sure hope so. I'm doing everything possible to be a good person to him. The least he can do is treat me as if I'm his friend. Which I hope that I am, at least I hope he sees me as a friend."

Iwaizumi raised a brow. "He probably does. But, what was with that phone call of yours? You seemed unhappy as you were getting closer to hanging up."

You sigh, uncrossing your arms and letting them fall at your sides. "Taichi seems different. Maybe you guys were right, Shiratorizawa really does have an affect on people. He seems almost like a different person, and this is the first time he spoke to me after I told him I wouldn't be going to Shiratorizawa."

Oikawa gently pat your head. "I'm sorry if he's changed. I hoped that for your sake that your best friend will be the same person you've always known. I think he's already had too much influence from the current guys on the team."

Iwaizumi nodded, a somewhat sad look on his face. "Him being around people like Ushijima, Tendou, Semi, Yamagata, and Reon probably won't help you with him any."

You groan, covering your face with your hands. "I was hoping that with time I'd grow to realize my feelings for him are the same as his feelings for me, but that might never happen if he changes so much. I thought that he'd always be the same old Taichi I've always known. Do people really change so much when they're surrounded by new people?"

Oikawa hums, thinking about your question. "Maybe your friend thinks the same way about you. I mean, did you ever act the way you did or say the things you had to him before?"

You shook your head. "I guess not. Maybe he and I are no longer the best friends we've always been. Maybe I belong here, while he belongs at Shiratorizawa. That kinda hurts. We've always been there for each other. I don't want to see him and feel like I can't recognize the boy I've spent my entire life with." Tears cascaded down your face as you thought about you and your friend changing.

Oikawa panicked for a moment before quickly wrapping his arms around you. "Don't cry! Please don't cry, Y/n-chan!"

You sobbed, trying to stabilize your breathing. "I'm sorry. I just - Taichi has always been kind to me. But ever since middle school he started being ruder to other people. I've heard that he's absolutely nasty to girls that confess to him. He never looked at anyone that wasn't me. He rarely even talked to his own teammates outside of practice and matches. He loved me this whole time, and I didn't know it. There's so much about Taichi that I don't know. And I'm scared that if I fall for him, I'm gonna find out that I blindly fell in love with someone I never even knew." You continue to cry into the setter's shirt.

The brunette rubbed your back soothingly. "It's ok, Y/n-chan. Do you know how you feel about him as you currently know him?"

"I like him a lot. I don't know specifically what kind of like. All I know is that I could never hate him, or at least I don't think I'd ever hate him."

Iwaizumi pat your shoulder gently. "Don't worry too much about all of that. Do you want some of us to come with you to meet up with your friend?"

You try drying your tears, looking at the ace. "I appreciate the thought, and I would normally take you up on your offer. I just don't want you all to start fighting or anything. I'll go by myself and let you know if something bad happens."

Oikawa smiles at you, using his hands to help you dry up your tears. "That's better. You're much prettier with a smile on your face. It hurts me to see you cry, Y/n-chan. And don't worry. Iwa-chan and I will be there for you the moment something happens. I promise, we'll always protect you."

You giggle quietly, enjoying the presence of your upperclassmen. "Thanks, you two. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have amazing senpai like you around."

Yahaba runs over, worry written all over his face. "Are you alright, L/n? Were you just crying?"

You nod. "I'm fine now, Oikawa-senpai and Iwaizumi-senpai helped me. You don't need to worry about me, Yahaba. Thank you for your concern, though. I'm glad I can be friends with all of you."

Yahaba smiles softly, glad to know you feel better. "Anytime, L/n. You're our manager, and we care about you. We're all friends here."

You nod, taking a deep breath. "Yeah. I do feel kinda bad for Taichi, though. He really seems to wanna hang out but we have practice and already made plans to go to dinner to celebrate me getting off my crutches."

Oikawa leaned close to your face, but made sure not to get too close so he wouldn't make you uncomfortable. "Speaking of which, how is your knee doing?"

"I doesn't hurt anymore. I think I'm just worried about hurting myself again. I think being a manager will be nice to keep me from harming myself anymore. And I know how to play the sport, so I can always receive balls that come flying my way." You let out a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.

Iwaizumi nodded. "That will come in handy. Just, even when you're off the crutches, be careful. We don't need to risk you getting injured. If you can't receive it or something in time, dodge the ball. None of us would be able to live with ourselves if something happened to you."

"I promise I'll be extra careful."

Iwaizumi smiles. "Good, now let's clean up the gym so we can go home."

"Alright." You frown. "Too bad Kyoutani left early, I was hoping he'd like to join us on our walk home."

Oikawa shuddered. "I think it might be a good thing that Mad Dog-chan already left. I think I'd be too scared to walk all the way to your house with him. I'm worried he might punch me or something."

You laughed. "I wouldn't let him, senpai. I'd keep Kyoutani on a tight leash and have him be on his best behavior."

The setter grinned at you. "Oh, what would we ever do without you, Y/n-chan?"

Iwaizumi rolled his eyes, grumbling just loud enough for you all to hear. "Knock it off Oikawa. Learn to behave yourself."

"Mean, Iwa-chan!"

You and Yahaba laughed as you worked together to help clean up the gym. Tonight was interesting, but you felt happier after talking things out with some of the members of your team.

You smile to yourself. 'Things will go well with Taichi and his team. I just gotta act like nothing serious has changed. I need to show him my kindness, and make sure he knows just how I much I miss being by his side.'