Winner [Haikyu!! x OC] (Ongoing)

Mondays

"If you play all those other sports, why didn't you become a manager for one of those teams instead of ours?" Iwaizumi's question comes out of nowhere after English class on Monday.

"I tried to, but none of the teams wanted any more managers," I mutter, still bitter. Then my eyes widen. He might think I don't actually want to be the boys volleyball club manager. "No offense," I say hurriedly. "Don't get me wrong, I love being the manager for the boys volleyball team. I just didn't think about joining at first because I've never really played volleyball."

Iwaizumi laughs at my flustering. "I wasn't offended. I was just wondering if there was a reason why you didn't join those clubs. I guess there was."

"To be honest, I wouldn't have joined your club if it wasn't for Coach Roku from the boys basketball team. He would have let me on as manager if the boys on his team weren't such punks. Apparently, he put in a good word for me with your coach, and that's when Coach Mizoguchi brought me to practice last week."

"I've never liked those basketball kids," Iwaizumi frowns. "But I guess we're lucky they are punks, because now we get you as our manager."

"I don't know about lucky. More like you have to deal with me and teach me how to play volleyball," I laugh. "Speaking of, I want to try out some serves at practice today. I think that's one thing my tennis skills might help me with."

"Oh, did nobody tell you? We don't hold practices on Mondays."

I start in surprise. "You don't practice on Mondays? Why not?"

He shrugs. "Rest day. Helps to keep us from burning out."

"That's so weird. I mean, I get it, but it's weird." I narrow my eyes. There's a thought right on the edge of my brain. No practice on Mondays...

That's it! I snap my head up and Iwaizumi looks at me, concerned. "Sorry, I just had an idea. See you tomorrow!" I wave goodbye and run off to my next class.

As soon as I get home, I drop my school stuff and grab a blank sheet of paper and a pen. Time to brainstorm.

"Coach! Can I ask you something?" I run to Coach Irihata as soon as he gets to the volleyball gym on Tuesday.

"Miss Kara! What can I do for you?" He smiles at me.

"Well, I had this idea, and I wanted to run it by you. Would now be a good time?"

"Of course. The boys can run practice on their own." Coach waves me off the court and we stand by the door.

I pull out the paper I worked on after school yesterday. "So, you know how we don't hold practice on Mondays? Well, I thought I could start holding optional clinics on Mondays after school, like leading the boys through a workout or holding a study session, or any other team building activity."

Coach considers it for a moment. "The reason we don't have practice on Mondays is so the boys don't burn out. I see where your idea is coming from, but I don't know if anybody would show up to your clinics."

"That's the thing," I say, not discouraged. "Nobody should feel like they have to come. I was thinking anyone on the team could come to me on Fridays and tell me if there's something they've been wanting to put some more practice into, and then I could set it up on Monday for them to come in and work on it. Or if there's a test coming up, anyone who wants some study time set aside can come to my clinic on Monday and we'll all study for our exams. And if no one tells me anything specific they want to do for the next clinic, then I'll plan something on my own, like having some friendly competitions, or going to get food as a team. That sort of thing," I finish.

Coach is looking at me, more interested, it seems like, but not saying anything.

I hand him the paper, wanting to break the silence. "Here's a list of all the ideas I had for possible clinics. If you allow me to try this out, I want to have the boys look at it and mark anything they think is a clinic they'd want to attend, or add any ideas they'd want to see me do." I twist my fingers together. I really want to do my part to help this team. This feels like my first test of my ability to do that.

"I think this is a great idea, Miss Kara." Coach smiles and hands the list back to me.

"Really?" I ask, surprised he didn't question me further. I feel excitement building inside me.

"Yes. This is something that could help the boys bond as a team, and provide opportunities for both academic and athletic progress. I'm proud of you." He gives me an approving nod. "But," he continues, and my breathing stalls. "You'll have to get approval from Oikawa. He is the team captain, and he probably has a better idea of how the rest of the team would respond than I do."

My heart drops. From what little time I've spent watching Oikawa play, I can tell he's a great athlete. But I don't have confidence that he'll recognize the potential of my idea for holding clinics. However, I do acknowledge the importance of having the team captain's endorsement. "Okay." I steel myself as Coach calls Oikawa over.

The team captain jogs to us, looking like a teen model, as always. "Coach. Lil-chan," he greets us.

"Call me Lillian," I tell him stonily.

"Oikawa, Miss Kara has an idea for the team she'd like to implement. I've told her I approve, but we're getting your thoughts before introducing the idea to the rest of the team." Coach gestures for me to go ahead.

I take a deep breath and give Oikawa the same rundown I gave Coach, handing him the list I made. Once I finish, I wait for his response.

"That's a cute idea, Lil-chan. You can tell the team after practice today. But I'll tell you now that I probably won't come to any of your clinics." And with that, Pretty Boy Oikawa runs to rejoin practice.

I blink after him, then growl. "It's Lillian!" I shout.

By the time I've given my Monday Clinics rundown for the third time, this time to the rest of the team, I'm seriously doubting my previous confidence in the idea. Selling it this many times makes me feel like I'm desperate for people to accept it. Not to mention Oikawa flat out telling me he won't come. But the boys nod and tell me they'd be down to come and I feel a lot better.

Iwaizumi gives me an approving nod.

"Awesome," I say, relieved. "Remember, it is optional— I'd love to see you guys there, but don't feel obligated, I won't be offended if there's a week when no one wants to come, it's not a big deal, just something for you if you want some extra time practicing or studying, or just hanging out with the team...." I trail off when I finally notice the guys staring at me blankly, like a line of stunned zombies. Crap. I was rambling.

How desperate.

"I'll come to your clinics, Lily-san!" Kindaichi enthusiastically reassures me, then blushes.

Kunimi rolls his eyes and a couple others snicker, but I grin. I know Kindaichi will drag Kunimi along with him. I've never seen one of them without the other. And some upperclassmen will probably come to keep the first-years in line.

"If anyone has something specific they want to do next Monday, come tell me and I'll set it up," I finish. Now all that's left for me to do is wait and see if anyone will actually approach me with an idea.