Balancing Act

Chapter 5

Kuroo lay on his futon, staring at the ceiling of the classroom turned into a sleeping accommodation that Nekoma's team shared. His body was tired from the long day of practice, but his mind was still racing. There was something satisfying about watching the other teams push themselves to the limit, knowing that Nekoma wasn't far behind. Especially Karasuno. They were getting stronger, no doubt about it. And that special quick attack of Hinata and Kageyama? Impressive, but not unbeatable. Kuroo smirked to himself, feeling the familiar stir of competition.

But as much as his thoughts wandered to the games and the strategies, his mind kept circling back to Maiko.

He'd been noticing it more lately–how her presence felt more integral to the team than he had anticipated. At first, he thought it would be a typical manager-player relationship. She was smart, capable, and clearly observant, but something about her went beyond the typical. The way she interacted with everyone, the easy confidence she carried, it was all magnetic. He couldn't help but watch her during practice, catching her subtle expressions as she studied their movements.

He shifted in his bed, rolling onto his side to face the window. The moonlight streamed in, casting soft shadows across the room. His teammates were already asleep, or at least pretending to be, but Kuroo's thoughts wouldn't settle.

Maiko. He'd noticed her watching the games closely, analyzing every play, every move with that sharp mind of hers. She wasn't just recording stats or managing schedules; she was absorbing the game, thinking like a player herself. He admired that. More than he cared to admit, probably.

Kuroo's lips curved into a small grin. She's trouble, he thought, already knowing that Maiko was working her way under his skin.

Meanwhile, across the hall, Maiko sat on her futon in the girls' room, leaning back against the wall with her arms stretched out behind her. The room buzzed with the voices of the other female managers, a lively hum filling the space. Kiyoko from Karasuno was calmly brushing Yachi's hair, while the girls from Fukurōdani–Kaori and Yukie–were huddled together on one of the futons, giggling over something on Kaori's phone. Eri, the manager from Ubagawa, sat cross-legged next to Maiko, occasionally joining the conversation but mostly focused on scrolling through her own messages.

Maiko exhaled deeply, letting the events of the day wash over her. Her role as manager had quickly become more than just organizing and recording stats–it was about being part of something bigger, something she hadn't realized she was missing. And today, as she had watched the teams practice and played her small role in helping them improve, she felt... right. Like she belonged.

She glanced over at the Fukurdōdani girls, who were whispering about something while sneaking glances her way. Maiko arched a brow, intrigued by the conspiratorial looks being exchanged.

Finally, Yukie, the quieter of the two, spoke up, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "Hey, Maiko, can I ask you something?"

Maiko tilted her head. "Sure, what's up?"

Kaori leaned forward, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "So, what's the deal with you and Kuroo?"

The question caught Maiko off guard. She blinked, sitting up straighter. "What do you mean?"

"You know," Kaori continued, exchanging a look with Yukie. "The way he looks at you."

Eri snorted softly, nudging Maiko with her elbow. "I noticed it too. He's always hovering nearby. It's like you're the only thing he's focused on."

Maiko could feel heat rising to her cheeks, though she tried to play it off with a laugh. "Kuroo's like that with everyone," she said, waving them off. "He's the captain. He's just making sure I'm settling in."