SETSUNAI ☁ HAIKYUU

02: HIRED

UKAI LED [Y/N] INTO HIS OFFICE, AFTER LEAVING TAKEDA, A BLACK-HAIRED GIRL WITH GLASSES, AND ONE OF THE OLDER-LOOKING PLAYERS IN CHARGE. 

"No, I'll sit here-- You sit on my chair." Ukai ordered, taking a seat on the uncomfortable plastic chair that was usually meant for students. [Y/N] sighed, not wanting to argue about something minor, and sat on Ukai's large, cushy chair.

She looked around curiously, seeing medals and trophies lining the walls and shelves, their golden color glinting in the corner of her eyes. A portrait of her uncle Ukai and her great-uncle was perched on the smooth wood desk. In the corner were large, cardboard boxes full of what seemed to be team gear. At least that's what [Y/N] assumed from the look of the large, beige hoodies that said "ICS" on them.

"As I said before, [Y/N]," Ukai started, pulling said girl out of her curious thoughts, "I don't think it's a good idea for you to become a manager. And you know why. It's dangerous for you to be somewhere like a gym. I mean, you almost got killed just walking in!"

"I wouldn't have been killed," [Name] rolled her eyes. "Just a few broken bones, probably."

"[Y/N]." Ukai said. [Y/N] looked into his eyes. They were serious. "You say that like it's not a big deal. Your condition is worsening. Your mother's told me all about it. Your bones are getting weaker."

"The physical therapy's working." [Y/N] said defensively, although the words from her uncle were quite an awakening, and were, even though she didn't want to admit it to herself, true.

"[Y/N]..." Ukai sighed. "I'm sure your mother wouldn't allow me to let you on the team. It's too dangerous."

[Y/N] clenched her jaw as she suddenly stood up. Ukai widened his eyes as she slammed her hands down on his desk, wincing slightly at the sharp pain that seared through the tips of her fingers to her knuckles. 

"I don't have much time left. We both know that. And I love my mother, but she's overprotective. I barely get to go out anymore. I never got to have a normal childhood. No sports, no school, no friends- Please, Ukai. Please. I can't die alone." [Y/N] teared up. "I don't want to die without living."

Ukai stared at his niece with pain in his own eyes for a few seconds, then sighed and shook his head. He rose from the corner of his chair and walked to the cardboard boxes in the corner, rummaging through them.

"We don't have any manager jackets left, so you'll need to wear one of these." Ukai said, tossing [Y/N] one of the tan sweatshirts that she had been eyeing earlier. "It may be a little too long for you because we accidentally ordered an extra for one of our new players, Sugawara..." 

The [h/c] haired girl caught it with a happy, sparkling look in her eyes, running her fingers over the embroidery. 

"Now," Ukai sighed. "I'll talk to your mother. You need to go meet the team."

___

[Y/N] walked to the gym, with Ukai trailing behind her. The ICS sweatshirt hung around her thighs, and she nervously traced the footprint embroidery with her finger as she contemplated what she had impulsively gotten herself into.

Ukai gave her a look of reassurance and slammed the door open. A loud 'bang' echoed throughout the gym, seemingly amplified by the high-vaulted ceilings and cold air. The dull chatter of talking, shoes squeaking against the waxy gym floor, and volleyballs hitting the ground stopped almost immediately. Everyone in the gym –11 people, [Y/N] had counted earlier– went silent once more and turned to face the two.

[Y/N]'s heart pounded as she blushed from embarrassment, struggling to look any of the team members in the eye.

I didn't know Uncle would direct so much attention to me! Did he have to slam the door? What if they're typical, mean high school boys? What if they're annoyed that they'll have to be extra careful around me? [Y/N] hopelessly thought.