Childhood friends

33: Is Everything Ok?

Tuesday rolled around. You kept the conversation with Kyoutani in mind. You were hoping for the best, but started mentally preparing yourself for the worst. You had a feeling that the guys would either ignore you, or make it clear that they don't want you around. You weren't expecting anything to go well. You were currently trying to keep yourself from crying while you changed into your track suit.

You slowly walk out of the changing room, making your way to the gym. You hesitate outside the door, not wanting to face the team. You slowly and quietly open the door, slipping into the gym before silently closing the door behind you. There was no one else here yet, so you decided to act normally. You set up the nets, grabbed the ball carts. Everything was ready for practice, the only thing missing were the players themselves.

When you hear the door open, you turn with wide eyes as you were met face to face with Iwaizumi and Oikawa. The setter looks at the ground.

Iwaizumi pushes him forward. "We talked about this, Oikawa. She's here, so speak up."

Oikawa took a deep breath. He started walking over to you, slowly looking up to meet your gaze. "Y/n-chan, about what happened the other day, I'm sorry. I was out of line. I shouldn't have said all those horrible things to you. I was upset cuz we lost, and couldn't control myself when the Shiratorizawa team acted so close to you. I forgot that your boyfriend was a part of their team, and I overreacted when it was brought to my attention."

Iwaizumi pushed him down, causing the setter to bow. "Sorry for not hitting some sense into him. I was a bit upset by it, and didn't control him properly. We don't hold this against you. We blame ourselves for our behavior. You're your own person, and you decide how to live your life. We have no right to try controlling you." He bows down. "Please forgive us!" He nudges his friend.

Oikawa bows down even more. "Please forgive us!"

You just stare, shocked. This was the last thing you were expecting from them. "You don't need to bow." You hold your hands in front of you, trying to figure out what you should say to them.

Oikawa didn't straighten himself up, just remained bowing to you. "Yes, we do! How I behaved was unforgivable!"

"But you're asking for my forgiveness." You were confused, now he's contradicting himself.

Iwaizumi stood straight. "Shit, she's right."

Oikawa slowly straightened himself out, looking at the ground. "Still, we want to make things right with you. I acted horribly for no good reason. It was petty of me."

You blinked. "To be fair, you're a pretty petty person."

Oikawa sighed, holding his face in his hands. "I know! I just - I feel really bad for blowing up at you like that. I made you cry. I can't forgive myself for that. I'll do whatever it takes to make it up to you, Y/n-chan." He uncovers his face, looking into your eyes.

You sigh, shaking your head. "Look, it's fine. Kyoutani and the guys from Shiratorizawa made sure I was ok after all that shit happened. I'm over it. I just want things to go back to normal with all of us."

Iwaizumi quirked a brow. "You talked to Kyoutani?"

You nod. "Yeah. He's going to be coming back to practices soon. He just needs a little time to get things sorted out."

Oikawa looked hopeful. "Mad Dog-chan is coming back?"

"Yeah. He and I made a deal. If he keeps up his end of the deal, then everything will go back to how it was last year. Kyoutani will be back and should play with everyone else. I can't promise he'll behave himself or get along with everyone, but he'll be useful in matches."

Iwaizumi walked over, patting your back. He gave you a kind smile. "Well, it's good too know that we not only get to keep you around, but we'll have another member coming back. I think our chances of going to nationals are going up."

Oikawa beamed. "Alright! Everything will be perfect from here on out!"

You raise a brow at him. "Are you sure about that? I'm not forgetting what you said to me after you lost. That hurt. You'll have to make it up to me."

The captain deflates, the other members of the team walking in. "What am I going to do to get your love back, Y/n-chan?"

"Maybe it wouldn't hurt for you to get to know Taichi."

Everyone gasps.

Oikawa looked like he was struggling to believe what you were saying. "You want me to spend time with someone from Shiratorizawa?!"

You grin. "I think I'll forgive you if you spend a day with him. Maybe you can learn a thing or two about me."

Iwaizumi bursts out laughing, needing to hold his sides. "This is why I like you, L/n! You're the best!"

Oikawa took in a deep breath. "Ok. I'll spend a day with your boyfriend. As long as you forgive me, I'll do anything."

"Good. Now, get to practice, boys! If you don't start before the coaches get here, they're gonna be mad! Start showing me why we're one of the powerhouses of the prefecture!"

"Yes ma'am!" They all salute you, speaking in unison. They all rush to the courts, splitting up and starting with stretches, warmups, and drills before the coaches arrive.

You take a seat on a bench, smiling as you watch the boys work hard. 'I didn't make a mistake by letting my parents choose this school for me. These guys are great, I couldn't have asked for better people to surround myself with. Next time, they'll beat Shiratorizawa for sure.'

As the boys continue practicing, the coaches show up. They make the boys stop what they're doing, calling them over to instruct the team how practice should go for the day. The boys happily do as they're told, giving everything they got to get better.

They were determined to get stronger. They weren't going to lose the next time they face their rivals.