Winner [Haikyu!! x OC] (Completed)

Mad Dog

"Iwa-chan, Lil-chan, can you stay to help me with something?"

I pause packing my bag after practice to see Oikawa bowing with his request.

Everyone has already left except for Watari, who stayed to help Iwaizumi with receiving.

I frown, confused at his extra show of politeness. Oikawa is always polite, though I've learned that he often uses charm as a facade. But he's asked me to stay longer after practice without bowing plenty of times.

Iwaizumi simply nods his agreement.

I follow suit. "Sure thing, Captain," I assure him and start to pull my tennis shoes back out of my bag.

Oikawa's hand stops me. "Don't worry, Lil-chan, you won't need those. We're going somewhere."

"Oh," I wait for him to explain, but he doesn't. "Okay."

Watari waves goodbye after we lock up the gym and I fall into step beside Iwaizumi, following Oikawa. The ace and I chat about school and the team, Oikawa chiming in occasionally, though he's quieter than usual.

After having walked for a good 10 minutes with no signs of stopping, I uncomfortably check the time on my phone. Mom will be expecting me soon. "So, uh, how far are we going to be walking in the dark?" I laugh a little.

Iwa just looks at me.

Oikawa doesn't even acknowledge my question.

They probably think I'm complaining. "It's just that my family usually eats dinner together after I get home from practice..."

"Do you need to head home, Lily? I can walk you," Iwaizumi offers.

"No, please!" Oikawa's plea comes fast, and suddenly he's right next to us after walking ahead. He's bowing again, this time with his hands pressed together in front of him. He stands and looks us in the eyes. "I need both of you. Please."

I stare at him in shock. What is going on that would make Toru Oikawa so desperate?

"Will you help me?"

I stir from my shock when I realize that my silence is making him nervous. Oops. I smile. "Of course, Captain. I'll tell my mom that I'll be late."

He breathes a visible sigh of relief and we start walking once more.

"Where are we going?" I ask.

"I've been working hard to get my tosses on par with Tobio-chan's."

Both Iwaizumi-san and I scowl at Oikawa's comment.

I hate that he sets his expectations for himself based on a different player's performance. Of course, I understand why he does. I've done the same thing countless times. Seeing it from a different perspective as the player's manager, however, helps me see why it's such a horrible thing to do. I wish he could see what an amazing player he is— in a real way, and not with the cocky arrogance he exudes to act like he's the best.

At the practice match the other day, he set perfectly for a team he had never played with before. A college team. He was completely synchronized with each player, as if he'd played with them for years. That's unreal. Nobody can do that, no matter how experienced a player they are. I open my mouth to tell him so, but he continues before I can get a word out.

"Iwa-chan is practicing his receives. Watacchi is working on his plays. Kindaichi is drilling his blocks. Each of us is improving individually. We're building strength as a team. Unique talents coming together to become something greater. Seeking to be the strongest six on the court." His hands move, illustrating everyone coming together and becoming strong. "But we need more weapons in our arsenal."