Power

13

Kana's POV

"And she does it again! Shiratorizawa's shining first year, Kana Oku, has been on top of her game this set." One reporter mentions as he watches me spike down the ball.
"Looks like Inarizaki might lose the game with how she's playing."
"Whoo! That's our Kana!" Ueno cheers, patting me on the back.
"That's our girl!"Miyaji yells from the sidelines.
The whistle blows before the next play can start. My eyes wonder to see the referee holding up my jersey number: 12. I was able to keep my number from junior high and as much as I was grateful for it in the beginning, it started losing its meaning for me after you and I stopped being friends. Thankfully, I don't need to think about it much anymore because we're about to finish Nationals. Next year will be a completely different year, a completely different team. I'm not who I used to be in junior high. My thought process is different than it was back then. I'll miss my third years but we'll come back even stronger next year.
"Great job, Kana." Mochi nods to me as we both hold the sign to switch out.
"Thanks, Mo. Go kill it out there." I nod back before walking beside Miyaji.
"I can't believe how much you've improved since the beginning of the year! My little kouhai is gonna be a star before we know it!" Miyaji hugs me from the side.
"That's my goal." I smile lightly.
"Are you doing alright?" She frowns, letting go of me once she sees I'm not making the effort to push her away.
"If we win this, they're gonna want to interview me after the game." I groan.
"What's wrong with that? I thought you were aiming to be in the Volleyball Monthly?"
"I am... But the boys are going to want to celebrate by eating out and I don't know how I feel about seeing or speaking to him again." My voice gets slightly quieter.
"Oh, hun, I'm sure your friends will be distracting you too much for you to actually speak with him. Plus, our team would be there too! Nobody will let him even get within arms distance." She winks, before running onto the court and switching out with Mitobe.
"I'm not sure what you and Miyaji were talking about but I hope you don't let it get to you too much. This is the last game for us third years. Remember that." Mitobe slightly scolds.
"I apologize... I'll do better, Mitobe." I bow in apology.
"Good. We only need five points to win it all. Show them what you can truly do."
My eyes wander up to the stands to see my boyfriend and the other second years. Tendou and Yamagata wave their arms around happily while Ohira and Soekawa wave normally with a smile. Ushijima nods in greeting to which I nod back out of respect for my childhood friend. Semi smirks at me, giving me a thumbs up. 'Go kill it.' He mouths, making me smirk back in determination. Turning back to face the game, my coach calls me to switch back onto the court for the last couple of points.
Not even ten minutes later, I score the winning point. All of my teammates run up to me, hugging me tight and screaming happily. Some of them cry while others smile, patting my back. My eyes widen when I feel myself being lifted into the air. Looking down, I see my captain and the other third years holding me up while smiling at me.
"Three cheers for Kana!" Shirai shouts, starting the chant as they throw me in the air slightly.
I can't help but laugh at my teammates due to how happy they are. Once they set me on the floor, I can feel the tears start to rush down my face. Shirai embraces me, squeezing me tight, trying to comfort me. But I feel drops of water hit my jersey and I know she's crying as well. Our captain has worked so hard for this very moment. Even though I've only known her for a year, I know that she deserves this after all she's been through.
Once we receive our trophy and medals for winning, we leave the court and are soon bombarded with cameras and reporters trying to speak with us.
"Oku! How do you feel winning your first nationals as a first year?!"
"Oku! What do you plan on doing to make sure your team comes back next year?"
"Oku! Will you be aiming for Olympic status after doing so well already?"
I make sure to stand to the side, away from the rest of my team to make sure they don't get trampled. Some reporters speak with Shirai and Mitobe a bit away from where I am, seeing as they are the captains of our team. Shirai answers their questions and smiles at the reporters who continuously talk at them. My attention turns back to the reporters on my tail and I smirk. I answer all of their questions with confidence and a bright smile. After what feels like forever, someone places a hand on my shoulder, drawing my attention away from the crowd. Looking up at the person, I'm met with my boyfriend who gives me a nod.
"Alright, everyone. Our buses are leaving to head back home. We must leave." Semi announces to the reporters, placing a hand on my back to guide me away.
"Is that Eita Semi?"
"Why is he touching her like that?
"Are they together?"
"Mr. Semi! Ms. Oku! Are you two in a relationship?!" One reporter tries to stop us as we walk away.
"That's not any of your business-" I'm cut off by the man himself.
"Yes, we are. Now, can you leave us alone, please." Semi sighs as we make our way to the rest of the second years by the exit of the venue.
The reporters go wild after hearing the news, trying to chase after us. Ushijima and Tendou block the path we walk, causing all of the people to cower at their presence. Tendou smirks at them as Ushijima stares them down with a harsh, stone expression. A smirk makes its way onto my lips as I watch my friends, or bodyguards at this point, shoo away the press. Semi wraps an arm around my shoulders, grabbing my attention.
"Congratulations on winning nationals, beautiful."
"I couldn't have done it without your guys' help, seriously." I smile, "And I'll continue to work hard for next year's team."
"Time to celebrate?!" Yamagata appears in front of us with an excited grin.
"Absolutely."
Both Shiratorizawa Volleyball teams enjoy some delicious bbq, laughing and talking as we eat. Shirai and Ushijima bug each other, well more Shirai bugs Ushijima. I've never seen her so competitive and be happy about it. All she wanted was to beat the "Super Ace" and she did that by winning nationals. Why she's continuing to pester him, not sure.
Miyaji and Tendou throw food across the table at each other, sticking out their tongues. Ohira and Soekawa laugh with Mitobe and Ueno at everyone's bickering. Semi pretends to feed me some meat before turning the chopsticks last second to himself. He smiles at my shocked expression, making me hit his arm and call him a 'jerk' jokingly. He laughs at my reaction before leaning towards my ear.
"I'm just kidding, beautiful." He pauses, "I love you."
My body tenses at the words. Did he just say what I think he just said...? Semi stares into my eyes, waiting for my response. After a moment, I come back to my senses and give him a closed lip smile. My hand reaches for his cheek and I giggle.
"I love you too, Eita." I whisper.
A loud holler comes from beside us, causing me to jump in surprise. Tendou smirks at the two of us, wiggling his eyebrows. He pokes at us, teasingly.
"Lovey dovey, aren't we?"
"Beat it, Sa-to-ri!" I mimic his famous line.
"Did you just say you love each other for the first time?" Tendou smirks, shaking us slightly.
"Were you eavesdropping?" I deadpan, staring him down with a scary expression.
"Whoa, what's with the scary look, Oku? I just wanted the scoop on the Semisemi and Oku love feast. It's very entertaining in my opinion."
"Get out of here, Tendou." Semi grumbles, pushing his face away with his palm.
"What was that? Dinner's on Semisemi? That's awesome!" Tendou announces to the whole group.
Everyone cheers, thanking Semi and hollering happily. Semi's mouth drops, looking at everyone with shock. None of them notice he struggles to get words out of his mouth to defend himself. I face palm at Tendou's devious plan, sighing that this was his motive all along. Patting Semi's shoulder in empathy, I smile at the boy as he buries his face in his hands.
Other than Semi going completely broke that night, I'd say it was a very successful day. Between all the festivities and celebrations, I didn't seem to notice you didn't even attend the team dinner. Everyone was just so happy to have won nationals that the thought didn't cross my mind that you weren't even there. Now that I think about it, I don't think you even showed up to the last game. After all we've been through and the arguments we had, I still thought you would've come to support me doing what I love since it was the sport you introduced me to.
It doesn't matter anyways, I've been avoiding you like you are a disease I don't want to catch. It's gotten to the point that I've been taking a different train in the morning, walking the long way to get to class after morning practice, eating lunch with the second years in different spots every week to change it up, and even when going home I make sure you've already left so I take a different train than you. Even when you tried to figure out my new schedule, I was always one step ahead of you. The second years, especially Semi, tried to never leave me alone unless I forced them to. I know it's because they don't want to see me hurt again after what you've done to me, but they've become a bit too protective.
Once I started gaining more attention from reporters and other schools, even people at Shiratorizawa seemed to know who I was. I had never been so noticed before for my talents, not even in dance, and it's honestly overwhelming. Sometimes I have to take a deep breath and remember this is what I want to do in the future and I'll have to get used to the attention. I have to fight for it.
~
"Are you sure?" Aone gives me a stern look, his arms crossed.
"I'm absolutely sure." I give him a firm nod from my seat.
He grumbles, not believing me. Ushijima sighs from beside him, frowning a bit.
"Oku, the reason you dyed your hair in the first place is because you hated the attention it gave you." He points out.
"I-I know. But it's different now. I'm more confident and... I'm getting lots of attention now anyways ever since qualifiers. There won't be a difference." I ball my fists, looking down at my lap, "I just want to be my natural self. I'm sorry I dyed my hair in the first place, Takanobu... I shouldn't have taken away our main family characteristic."
A hand gently falls onto my hair and pats it a couple of times. My head raises and I meet eyes with my cousin. He nods, giving me a thumbs up. The corner of my lips lift slightly, a feeling of relief rushing over me.
"Gosh, thanks for coming alone today, Takanobu. I would've been on edge if you had brought Futakuchi with you. He would've been completely supportive of this and I didn't want to hear that to be honest."
"How come? Isn't that why you asked the two of us to come?" Ushijima asks, blinking in confusion.
"But it's the same reason I didn't ask Semi to come. I knew he'd be completely supportive as well. I knew you two would ask me if I was sure and how I responded would be how I truly felt about doing it in the end."
Aone cracks a small attempted smile, but it's enough to make me feel his way of supporting me. It makes me feel loved and I'm grateful for him being family.
"Have we officially decided then?" My hair stylist walks over to the three of us.
"Yes, I would like my natural hair back please."
"I'm proud of you, orange." Ushijima nods in approval.
"Thanks, Ushi Sushi." I look at the hair stylist through the mirror, "I'm ready."
~
"Whoa! Who is that?!"
"Is that who I think it is?"
"K-Kana?!"
The second years rush up to me immediately the next day. Yamagata and Tendou play with my hair, staring at the strands in awe. Semi pushes the two out of the way, causing them to yell at him. My boyfriend ignores them and stares into my eyes instead, causing my heart to pick up its pace. I clear my throat awkwardly as he steps closer, feeling a bit nervous that he's getting so close when our friends are here.
"Kana..." Semi bluntly says in a deep voice.
"Y-yeah." I gulp at how intense his gaze is.
"How in the world did you get more beautiful with your natural color?" He whispers, groaning slightly.
"Ooh Semi's got game, eh?" Tendou wiggles his eyebrows.
"Oku, is that really your natural color?" Soekawa asks in curiosity.
"Yes. My cousin also has this color hair. It comes from my dad's side. His dad and my dad have the white as well."
"Wow! It looks very good on you!" Yamagata excitedly compliments.
"Thank you, I appreciate that." I give him an eye smile.
His cheeks redden at how I responded and he awkwardly coughs. Ohira smiles at me, giving me a thumbs up in approval. Ushijima nods, ruffling my hair a bit.
"Oi, Ushi Sushi why'd you do that?" I pout, fixing my hair.
"It's always looked great on you, orange. You just needed the confidence."
My eyes widen at his comment. I didn't think he'd notice that was the main reason I dyed it a more natural color. Guess I wasn't that slick when we were kids.
"I'm lucky you're mine." Semi whispers in my ear loud enough for only me to hear as he slips his arm around my waist.
My face heats up at the comment but I smile anyways.
Later on in the day when classes start, Kawanishi's jaw drops when I walk into the classroom. He points at my head, but no words form. Some noises sort of escape but he can't seem to say what's on his mind.
"Taichi?" I tilt my head at him.
"Your hair..." he finally says, "It's different."
"Yeah." I giggle, "I dyed it back to what I was born with. I was tired of hiding it."
He stares at me for a second, processing the information given to him. He laughs through his nose a bit before looking at the board.
"Just wait until he sees."
~
The rest of the school year passes by quickly and before we know it, the start of my second year comes. During spring break, I was able to get the job back that I previously had in order to earn the money for college that I'd like to save. The second years came to visit me pretty much every day after they practiced.
Speaking of that, after the third years- Shirai, Mitobe, Ueno, and Yuki- graduated we chose our captain for the upcoming season. Mochizuki became the new captain with another third year by the name of Himari Sasaki. Sasaki was part of the second string last year and mainly played as our pinch server. This year she'll be taking the role of our first string setter and she seems to be quite excited about that. On the other hand, I think Mochi was very surprised to have been chosen as captain when the announcement came. Since Miyaji is a libero, she isn't allowed the position of captain plus she's too wild to be the leader. The best option was going to be Mochi in the end.
Along with Mochi, Miyaji, Sasaki, and I, we have two other second years in first string. Unlike last year, we have no first years this time. Ichika Yoshino is our other wing spiker while Fuyuko Minami is a middle blocker. It already seems like an interesting team.
On the first day back, I actually completely forgot my old schedule of avoiding you. I take my time getting ready and eating breakfast at my house. It feels like nothing can stop me from feeling this great. Until I get to the train tracks. Normally, I don't pay attention to the other people on the platform with me. We mind our own business for the most part. Today is not the case. A large gust of wind from the passing train causes my hair to float all over the place. I spit some strands out of my mouth, making a disgusted expression at the inconvenience. Once I flatten out my hair, I look around to see if there's something I can use to see my reflection. As my eyes scan the area, they suddenly meet yours. My body tenses and I can tell yours does too. We stare at each other in silence, neither of us knowing how to react to seeing each other for the first time in months.
"K-Kana? Is that you...?" You speak up first, eyes slightly wide.
I press my lips together, relaxing a bit. As my shoulders loosen, I give a small smile to my ex best friend.
"I'm sorry who are you?"