Winner [Haikyu!! x OC] (Completed)

Competitive

I stand frozen in the doorway to the gym, staring at the boy seated on the floor, leaning against the wall.

He is dressed in a t-shirt and athletic shorts and is angrily eating a granola bar.

None of those things are surprising to see in a volleyball gym. What has me stunned is that the boy has two dark stripes in his bleached hair, and that he's the first one here.

I didn't expect Mad Dog to show up to practice today, and I definitely didn't expect him to be the first one in the gym. I thought that if he showed up at all, it would be late, as if to show off his reluctance.

I shake off my surprise and walk forward to greet him. "Mad Dog!"

Mad Dog shoots to his feet, his fists raised defensively.

Crap. I didn't mean to startle him. I stop a good distance away so I don't seem like a threat and put a smile on my face. "Hi! You remember me, right? I was at the city gym last night."

He scowls at me, then plops back down to the ground to finish eating his granola bar.

"My name is Lily. It's nice to meet you. I'm glad you came today!"

My welcome is met with silence as Mad Dog glares at the ground. I wait for a second, but it's clear that he has no intention to respond to me. This is going to be tough.

"Whoa, is that...?" Watari walks up beside me, gray eyes wide in disbelief. "It is." He lifts his hand in a hesitant wave to the boy seated on the ground. "Hey... uh, how have you been?"

Mad Dog doesn't spare him a glance.

"Um... it's good to see you," Watari tries again.

No response.

Watari gives up and turns to me, his expression still disbelieving. "Lily, this is crazy. This is the guy we were telling you about at lunch—"

"I know," I cut in. I don't want Mad Dog to think we were gossiping about him. Which is true, in a way, but Mad Dog doesn't need to know.

"Oh, you know?" Confusion clouds Watari's eyes, but understanding slowly lights them. "Oh. Oh, I see. That's why you... Well, it's good to have you, Mad Dog."

This time, Mad Dog abruptly snarls at him, leaving Watari to beat a hasty retreat.

"Yes, uh, it really is good to have you, Mad Dog," I stammer. I feel like I shouldn't leave him alone, but I feel more awkward just hovering over him. "If you need anything, let me know. I'm going to start setting up for practice."

He shoves the rest of his granola bar into his mouth, not acknowledging that I said anything at all.

As I go about my duties, several more of the guys wander in. Some of the third-years toss distasteful glances in Mad Dog's direction, but Oikawa must have filled them in on his plan, because they don't say anything.

Kindaichi, however, speaks up as soon as he notices a stranger on the court. "Who are you?"

I run over to him and Kunimi, hoping to avoid any unnecessary altercations. "Kindaichi-kun. Kunimi-kun. This is—" I don't even know his real name, I realize with a start. Though it's much too late for me to ask now. "Um... Mad Dog. He was on the team briefly last year, and now he's back. I hope you'll help him feel welcome!"

"Oh, really?" Kindaichi looks back at Mad Dog, his eyes no longer accusing. He and Kunimi bow slightly as they introduce themselves. "I'm Kindaichi Yutaro. I'm a middle blocker."