Pact

2

You get up around 8 in the morning. You go to take a shower, doing your morning routine. Once you feel that you're presentable, you slowly gather everything you would need, including a tablet to organize notes from the team. You pack it into a bag that you sling over one of your shoulders, heading out of your apartment and locking the door behind you. You walk through the town, heading right to the building that the Black Jackals usually practice in. Since you weren't needed at the office, you had no reason to head there for the week.

When you arrived, you stand still in front of the large building. It's been years since you were in sports center. This would be the first time since high school that you were involved with volleyball. Taking a deep breath, you slowly walk into the building.

There was no one in the hallways, so you had no clue where exactly the gym was. You weren't given any details on where to go for these interviews. Hell, you didn't even know who you would be talking to throughout the day. You kind of just stood in the building awkwardly, trying to look for any signs you could follow.

After a few minutes, a man walks into the area. He notices you and smiles, walking over. "You must be L/n-san."

You nod, smiling awkwardly. "Yes. Where am I supposed to go for the interview?"

"You're in luck. I'm the coach of the team. Follow me, I'll take you right to where the players are. Unless you want to start your interview with me."

"Ah, that would help. Can we head to the gym, so I can get a feel of everything? I find the atmosphere and my surroundings make it easier for me to write."

The coach nods, turning in the direction the gym is. "Follow me. I'll get you right to where you need to go." He starts walking away.

You keep up with him, walking through the building. "The team knows I'm here, right?"

"Of course. We made a big announcement yesterday once the deal was made. Some of the players are big fans of yours, Meian especially. He says he really likes all your work. Though, our setter, Atsumu, apparently read some of your novels because of his brother and mother. I think Hinata and Bokuto read some of your shorter works. I have no clue about Sakusa, he seemed familiar with you, but never commented on it. Are you familiar with any of the players on the team?"

You shake your head. "No. I haven't paid attention to volleyball since high school. I think I've heard of Miya Atsumu back in high school, his brother too. Sakusa sounds familiar, but I can't quite place it. A few of the others you mentioned I think I might've heard before, but I'm not sure."

He opens the door to the gym. "No harm. You'll get to know the guys this week. I just hope they're on their best behavior." You two walk into the gym, the door closing behind you.

"Heads up!"

You barely have enough time to jump out of the way of a ball that was flying towards you. You tightly clutch the tablet in your arms, keeping it close to your chest so it wouldn't get hurt. With wide eyes and slightly messy hair, you turn to face the tall, muscular men on the court.

All eyes were on you, but a few of the guys started murmuring amongst themselves.

The coach sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Be careful! You nearly hit our guest!" He gestures to you with a hand. "This is L/n-san, the author that'll be doing the interviews with you this week. Please don't harm her. Try to be on your best behavior. You'll do extra laps if you bother her too much."

"Yes, coach!"

You slowly release the breath you hadn't realized you were holding. With one hand gripping your tablet, you fix your hair with your free hand. You smooth your locks, trying to look neat and presentable. You mumble under your breath. "What an impression."

Atsumu grins, holding a ball in one hand. "Hey, there. Ya better talk real good with me. I bet I can be a good model for a future character ya can write about." He sends a wink your way.

You blink a few times, slowly turning towards the coach. "Is this normal?"

The coach runs a hand over his face. "More or less. I wish you the best of luck with this team."

"Talk to my boss about giving me a bonus for this."

"Will do." He sighs once more, leading you through the gym. "This current team is probably the strongest we've had in a long time. I think you'll be impressed on the days you watch them play."

You take a seat on a bench with the coach, looking at the court. "I see." You unlock your tablet, opening up your writing app. "Tell me about some of the things they've accomlpished, including how they started working together. Whatever details you think would be important for an article."

"Of course. I know exactly where to start."

***

"I see. So these guys are some of the best in the country currently." You finish typing up the last of what you were being told. "Is that all?"

The coach nods. "That's all I can tell you. You should probably talk to a few of the players now."

"Actually, I'l start talking to them tomorrow. Mind if I record and take pictures of them during the rest of their practice today?"

His eyes widened slightly. "Oh, well, go ahead and do what you think would be good for this article. Um, if you don't mind, may I ask how you plan to interview the players?"

You hum, pointing your tablet's camera at the court. "I think I'll pull them aside one by one. I'll do a few each day, then take some time to watch them practice. I think getting some photos will help add to the article."

"I trust your judgement."