Winner [Haikyu!! x OC] (Completed)

Betrayal

"Alright, finish your practice and clean up! Oikawa is buying everyone pork buns!" Iwaizumi's voice rings through the gym.

"Hey! I never said I would do that!"

I snicker at Oikawa's shrill response, knowing that even though Iwa pulled that lie, Oikawa is going to buy us food anyway. Only Iwaizumi can rope Oikawa into something like that successfully. Or maybe our team captain is just a pushover after his breakup.

I jog over to Mad Dog. "Are you going to come with us, Mad Dog?"

He looks at me and huffs.

It's been a few days since he's been consistently coming to practice, but there hasn't been hardly any progress in helping him get along with any of the team members. He obeys Oikawa, though only when Iwaizumi is there to enforce the commands, and he acknowledges me, but seldom with spoken words.

I understand why Oikawa recruited him. His powerful spikes have blown through the blockers enough times to prove his ability. They are definitely an asset to the team, but they'll only be effective if his part in the social dynamic of the team is allowed to develop.

That's where I come in. The other boys obviously find it difficult to approach him. Which is understandable. Mad Dog's very presence is off-putting. But I know what it's like when nobody around wants to talk to you, and more than anything, I want Mad Dog's place on this team to be a success. So I'll do what it takes to help him bond with us.

"Come on," I pat his back. "It's free food!"

He scowls.

"You like pork buns, right?"

His brows lower and he looks away. "Yeah."

I restrain myself from doing a victory punch at him saying a real word to me. "Sweet! You have to come then. I've actually never had pork buns before."

This time, he doesn't respond, walking away to pack his bag instead of continuing the conversation.

I sigh. Trying to be Mad Dog's friend isn't getting any easier.

Watari walks by me on his way to grab his bag and puts a hand on my shoulder. "Good job, Lily-kun," he says quietly.

I set my face into a determined grimace and run to walk next to Mad Dog as we file out of the gym. I'm still not convinced that he'll stick with the team as we head into town. But physically sandwiching him between Iwaizumi and I so as to leave him with no option but to follow is a tactic that I am not above employing.

I do my best to maintain a steady stream of chatter so that Mad Dog doesn't feel like he has to talk. Not that he would anyway. He seems constantly irritated by other people and what they think. Not exactly the type to like small talk. My incessant talking is likely more annoying than anything, but I don't know what else to do, so I keep it up.

"Kara-san!"

Oops. I'm definitely talking too much. Yuda is probably telling me to shut my trap. I start to apologize, but all the guys are looking to our left. I turn to see three of Coach Roku's basketball boys bowing. Huh. They must have been practicing late too. Did they seriously just greet me though? I didn't think we were on good enough terms to greet each other. Maybe they're just being polite. I should return the gesture. If their sportsmanship is improving under Coach Roku's mentorship, then I should support them.