Winner [Haikyu!! x OC] (Completed)

Advice

I turn the corner into another hallway, checking the label of each door as I walk quickly past. Every coach has an office. Coach Roku's has to be here somewhere.

I've been internally panicking ever since my talk with Oikawa after the Tongue-piercing Boy incident. When he told me I need to be a better teammate. And he's right. The truth is, I have no idea how to be a team manager. I've always been a player. And sports teams in America don't usually have managers. At least not at the high school level. I need someone to help me out. I need someone to tell me what I'm doing wrong and how to fix it.

The match yesterday distracted me from feeling bad about myself. I'm still reeling from the action. Shiratorizawa is an incredible team. Ushijima himself was intense enough to stun me. I'm so mad we lost.

Well, mad might not be the best word. But it sure doesn't feel good. I cried with Kindaichi on the bus ride back to Aoba Johsai. Yahaba, Watari, and I ate our lunch together today in silence. But I've also got this odd excitement bubbling up inside me about playing them again.

Or maybe that's my anxiety about my failings as a team manager coming back in full force. I'm pretty sure Iwaizumi could tell something was wrong during English, but he probably figured it was due to our recent loss and I didn't give him a chance to ask when I bolted out of there as soon as class was over.

I reach the end of the hall. I still haven't found his office. "Ugh," I groan. I don't want to check the gym and present myself to the boys basketball team for more profane teasing, but I might have to. It's the most probable place for the boys basketball coach to be, after all.

I peek my head around the corner of the basketball gym and spy Coach Roku at the other end of the court. So much for hoping this would be easy. I take a deep breath, then slip into the gym, trying to walk close to the wall and go unnoticed by the teenagers on the court.

But of course they notice me.

I brace myself for obscene insults.

But they don't come. The boy who started the jokes last time picks up his ball and bows. His teammates follow suit, and then they go back to practicing.

Huh. Coach Roku must have some magical coaching tactics.

I let myself watch their practice for a moment. They're decent players. Better than decent. I'm glad to see that their sportsmanship is finally catching up with their skills.

"Coach Roku," I bow.

"Miss Kara," he smiles at me. "What can I do for you?" He doesn't mention his team's sudden appearance of manners, so I don't bring it up either.

"Coach, can I ask you a question?" I blow out a breath when he nods. "Coach, how... How do I be a good team manager?"

Coach Roku smiles again. "What do you think, Miss Kara?"

Of course he wouldn't give it to me easy. "That's the problem," I cry, making some of the basketball boys glance my way. I lower my hands and my voice. "I have no idea. I've never been a manager— I've never even had one. I'm not sure what my place in the team dynamic is. And it seems like the boys aren't very happy with what I'm currently offering them as their manager." I look down as I finish my rant.

There's a moment of silence before Coach Roku answers me quietly, "Well, Miss Kara, I have a question for you."

I straighten. "Okay."

"How would you react if a teammate told you to keep your dribble close? Or to hold your follow-through?" Silver hair and dark eyes bore into me, manifesting the perfect Coach presence. The kind that makes you a little afraid and tells you that you already know the answer to your question.