If someone would've told Hayami that she'd became the manager of a volleyball team she wouldn't have believed them.
And there she was.
Becoming a manager, a teammate, a friend, a sister.
But mostly, an ice skater.
A strong one.
A National Star.
She...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Kenma was following Hayami's moves like a vulture on a possible prey.
She had the power to keep people's eyes on her while on the ring; the crowd must be under some spell when she was skating, or he couldn't explain how it was possible.
Sports events, others' lives, and political stuff going on around him weren't something Kenma usually finds enjoyable or intriguing, but that time was different because Hayami was the one doing it.
When he was just a kid, his only buddy was Kuroo, and he cared about him and only him. He started playing volleyball 'cause Kuroo convinced him, he needed him in the team, he told him he was smart enough to be the setter and he was right.
Kuroo was the only child who believed in his potential since the start and, despite the annoying side of his personality, still was his best friend. No one before got him like he did until Hayami Yukimura appeared.
She and Kuroo had a lot in common, so maybe that was why he was so invested in her life. He would never admit it to her, but he did some research on figure ice skating, hungry to know more about that side of her heart. For the second time in his 16 years alive, his mind wandered, and was curious about another person. That was a big surprise for both Kuroo and the rest of the team.
Kenma liked the guys, he was happy to play in an environment both calm and chaotic, 'cause he needed that to keep his interest high enough to keep playing; but now that the manager's element was there he was almost happier. The boys tried their best to understand him, but he was still half a mystery, so having both Kuroo and Hayami with him was comforting.
So that was why he accepted without complaints to walk with her 'till the ice ring, sat on a cold stand-alone, and watched her perform for two hours straight.
Usagi brought him tea half in the practice, complimenting him for the cute hairstyle.
Kenma replied with a soft 'thanks', both for the nice gesture and the little praise, knowing damn well that she recognized Hayami's touch.
"Sorry if you were forced to come here alone," the coach apologized, approaching him once Hayami stopped twirling, "I must report everything to the National Team before and after her training, so the calls are damn long."
Shaking his head, he hid his chin inside the zipped-up jacket, "I wasn't forced."
"You sure? I know she can be convincing!"
Yeah, she can, he thought, thinking about how she practically pleaded with him to go with her, promising an apple pie for the last day of transfer.
"This silence is all I need to hear", the woman pinched his cheek, embarrassing the poor boy completely.
A sweet laugh came to their ears.
"Look at you! All matched with your tracksuit!", she stuck her tongue out, making fun of him.
Kenma rolled his eyes, "Shut up", he mumbled, looking at her and going towards the exit to change clothes.
