Childhood friends

20. Seijoh's New Members

"Y/n-chan~!" Oikawa called for you, a sweet expression on his face.

You look at the captain of the team. "Did you need something, senpai?"

The brunette shook his head, still smiling at you like a child. "Just curious, what did you do while we had no practice?"

"I went on dates with my boyfriend. He even let me watch his practices, and his team let me act as their manager. I think they really like me. Their setters especially enjoy having me around. The second year setter enjoys it when I come over for study dates."

Oikawa groans. "Ugh! Don't rub it in that you're in a happy relationship with the boy you've known for your whole life. You spend so much time with your boyfriend. What about me?" He pouts. "I'm your senpai, friend, and someone in the same club as you."

"Yeah, we already hang out plenty. I don't even go to the same school as Taichi. We already have limited time, and it's not fair to either of us if we don't spend any time together. In order to have a good relationship, he and I need to try using whatever time we can get to be around each other." You watched as all the other boys started gathering around you two.

Oikawa frowned, then perked up in curiosity. "Have you two had sex yet?"

Iwaizumi hit the setter's head. "That's not something you just ask!"

Your face was burning with how much heat had built in it. "W-well, n-no. I don't see how that's important."

The door to the gym opened before this situation could escalate. Two boys walked in. One had hair spiked up, the other had his hair flat against his head with it parted straight down the middle.

The one with the spiked up hair bowed 90 degrees. "I'm Kindaichi Yutaro, year one, class five!"

The other held a bored look on his face. "Kunimi Akira, class 1-6."

You smiled, walking over to the two boys and giving them a bow. "I'm the manager. L/n Y/n, second year. It's nice to meet you, Kindaichi-kun, Kunimi-kun."

Oikawa walked over, spreading his arms wide. "Kindaichi-chan! Kunimi-chan! How have you two been?"

Iwaizumi walked over, a smile on his face. "It's been a while, you guys. Is Kageyama not with you?"

Kindaichi frowned. "Kageyama goes to Karasuno. We don't talk to him anymore, we didn't exactly get along while playing last year."

You clapped your hands, trying to diffuse the building tension. "Moving on! Let's get practice started. We need to see what you first years got!" You walked over to where the coaches were.

The two older men gave you a grateful look, happy that you can get the boys to focus and get shit done. The coaches truly appreciated having you around, and were extremely happy that you stuck around even with how the guys on the team can be.

Oikawa beamed, removing his eyes from your figure. "Alright boys. Let's separate into two teams and have a mock match. We'll play the full three sets, or cut it after one team gets two sets. Kunimi-chan, Kindaichi-chan, I have high hopes for my middle school kouhai. Don't disappoint me." He gives them a smile, but it was sort of intimidating.

You watched as the boys formed teams. In the end, the team that Oikawa was on won both sets, after giving away the second set. You looked over at the coaches. "The two new first years are pretty good. I think they have potential to be starters."

Coach Irihata nodded. "You may be right about that. How about you chose how they form the next teams."

You nod, turning your attention back to the players. "Ok. We're gonna do that again, but this time I'll be assigning you to teams. On one team, I want Oikawa-senpai, Iwaizumi-senpai, Hanamaki-san, Matsukawa-san, Watari, Kunimi-kun, and Kindaichi-kun. Yahaba, you'll be the setter for the other team. I'll let you gather what players you can have on your team."

Yahaba forms his team, and the boys get back to practicing. You noticed how well the team you picked out was playing. They barely allowed Yahaba's team to get any points in.

You turn to the coaches. "I don't know about you, but I think we've found our new starting lineup."

The coaches nodded, murmuring their agreements. They trusted you opinion. You seemed to never be wrong when it came to volleyball, so if you believed a certain lineup would work, they were more than willing to go with it. The three of you sitting on the bench jot down some notes, while muttering amongst yourselves to start planning ahead for the future of this team.

When practice starts wrapping up, Oikawa comes over to you and engulfs you in a hug. "Well, are you impressed by us, Y/n-chan."

"Yes, actually. The coaches and I were discussing who should be the starters. We've begun planning for how this team will run this year."

Oikawa raises a brow. "Oh? Do enlighten me with your wisdom, my precious manager."

You grin at him. "It looks like your two kouhai are gonna be starters. Just do your thing with the team, and there won't be any problems."

Oikawa tips his head to one side. "So, the team you assigned during practice, is that gonna be our starting lineup?"

You nod. "The coaches and I thought that would be the best course of action. You all worked well, and we sensed some serious potential. Possibly even the potential to finally take down Shiratorizawa."

The setter smiles, hugging you once more. "Oh, what would we do without you, Y/n-chan? You support us, help us, even give all your energy to us. There's no way we can lose to Shiratorizawa, not when you believe in us so much."

"Don't get cocky now, Oikawa." Iwaizumi walks over. "We have to work hard in order to beat Shiratorizawa, but there are other teams we'll need to beat before we get there. Don't lose sight of what's right in front of you to only focus on a bigger goal. Take things one step at a time."

You smile at the ace's words. "Iwaizumi-senpai is right. We may be strong, but we can't underestimate any of our opponents. Always give your all to the game, that's the only way we'll have a chance to get to nationals."

Kindaichi walked over to you, his companion behind him. "Um, L/n-san?"

You look over to the younger boy. "Yes, Kindaichi-kun? Did you need something?"

The spiky haired boy took a deep breath. "Do you really think it's a good idea to have first years like Kunimi and I play as starters?"

You give him a serious expression. "Of course I do. You two have potential, and I think you have just as much skill, or even more, as the rest of the team. We're gonna keep trying out having you two on the starting lineup. We'll only replace you if you don't live to our expectations. Just keep working hard, you two. I know you probably don't wanna hear someone tell you to give it your all, so I'll refrain from saying such things. All I care about is that you put in your best effort, and stay true to your own playing style while functioning well as a team. I have faith that things will turn out well."

Kunimi chuckled. "I hate when people say things like 'give it everything you've got' or 'put more effort into it' or anything along those lines. I'm glad to know we have someone that fully believes in us without knowing us well. May I ask why you decided to be a manager, L/n-san?"

"Oh, well I used to play volleyball. Then I tore my ACL in middle school, so I decided on helping out by becoming the manager for the boys' volleyball club. It's really fun and I seem to really help out the coaches, to which I know they appreciate. And I really do think you two are good players. I know you'll act how you think is best during games. I'll leave you to it. All I expect is that you get along with your teammates and show results. Other than that, I can't really ask anything of you. Now, it's getting late. Let's clean up and go home."

The boys nodded, walking off to help with clean up. When the gym was cleaned up, you walked out of the gym and started making your way home. You smiled to yourself, knowing that today had been a good day, You had high hopes for your team.