Short Stuff [HAIKYUU: Tsukishima Kei x OC Fanfic] [Rewriting]

Chapter 19 - Is It Worth It?

Akira's POV

"Aki-chan, your phone is ringing," Tachi-san said while we were watching Jiro's match.

Everything was going pretty great so far. Jiro was crushing Nekoma's player but he did hold up pretty well. They were in the middle of their decision round.

I grabbed my phone and saw the giant's name on the caller i.d.

"What do you want now?" I said as I picked up. I turned to where they were seated and saw everyone waving their hands at me.

"How are you holding up, short stuff?" Tsu-kun asked. "Still nervous?"

"A little bit," I said.

"Well at least we know that I was right. You ARE the smallest one in here."

"I swear, if that's the only reason you called me, I'm going to shove your phone up your-"

"Aki-chan!!!" Yachi's voice suddenly took over, along with the rest of the onlookers.

"Do your best out there!"

"We're rooting for you!"

"Oi! Your shorts are pulled up too high!"

"You're showing too much skin!"

"Why the hell did this turn into a lecture?"

I couldn't help but laugh at how enthusiastic everyone was being right now, and it's all to root for the team.

Jiro's match was about to end with the score at 19 to 16 with Jiro taking over. Everyone was at the edge of their seats to see if the team can get its first win.

At that moment in time, I was focused on the court mat and the lines that ran through it. I was nervous, but why should I?

I worked hard for this, taking several jobs just to come up with the funds to get the club approved. I trained hard and made damn sure that when I came out here, I'd come to dominate. I prayed hard, so hard, asking that no one would get injured and that things would turn out alright.

So why was I so nervous?

Right... This is the part where I get a revelation. This is the part where I finally get the answer to why I really wanted to play badminton so much. This is the part where I find out how things will go for me from here on out.

But I asked that same question to myself before, haven't I?

"What are you going to do now, Akira? You're all alone now... What do you plan to do from here on out?"

Chills ran down my spine. I held my racket in my hand and stared at it and my heart sank.

I was scared.

Jiro's POV

"Congratulations," my opponent told me in a bittersweet tone as we shook hands under the net.

"Thanks for a great match," I told him. We separated and I walked back to the benches where I got attacked smiles and congratulations from my coach and my team mates...

Except for Aki-chan.

"Aki-chan, I won," I told her. She remained seated, staring at her racket that was gripped tightly onto with her shaky hand. She was staring at it frightfully, like if she made a wrong move, she'd die.

"You must be really nervous, Aki," Tachi-san said as she grabbed some of the equipment. "Listen everyone, there'll be a one hour lunch break before the next matches take place. Jiro, try to loosen up Aki, please. She'll be up next."

"Got it," I told her. Everyone else packed up and headed for the locker rooms. Aki and I were left while they all headed out to get some food. We packed some lunchboxes, though.

"What if I make a mistake..." Aki-chan suddenly muttered. She was still gripping her racket tightly, as if she was scared to let go. "What if we don't win? Would all my hard work be for nothing? Could I have been making a huge mistake from the start?"

"Aki, what are you talking about?" I asked her as I kneeled in front of her, taking her hands in mine. "You need to calm down, okay? Let's get this racket out of your hand first." It took a while but her hand finally relaxed and released her grip on the racket.

"Now tell what's going on with you. I know you're nervous and you seemed fine before! What made you lose your composure?" I asked. "Was it the possibility of my ding-a-ling looking like an deflated balloon?"

"It's not that, you idiot," she said, rolling her eyes. "And by the way, eww."

"Just trying to lighten the mood," I said, holding back my laughter as her face scrunched up in disgust. "What is it then?"

She took in a deep breath and let out a long sigh.

"I'm extra nervous. What if I don't win? What if I screw up? Would I be putting all my efforts to waste? Did I even make the right decision, trying to restart a club out of a whim?"

So she's conflicted about whether all of this was worth the trouble?

"Aki-chan," I said, looking up at the locker room ceiling. "I was kind of wondering the same thing too..."

"Y-you were?"

"Yeah. I always see you overwork yourself just to get the club up and running. You work super hard and you're really considerate about the people around you. I always wondered why you wanted to start this club so badly. I know how much you needed the money and you could have used all of it for yourself.. So why use it on a small club?"

"I-it's not just a small club!" she said, standing up in front of my with her hands balled into fists. "We're a team! And we fight together, win or lose!"

"Well, there's part of your answer."

She looked at me in shock and stood still. I guess realization dawned on her.

"Now go find out the rest of your answer on the court."

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I promised you guys I'd update more :) So here's the next chapter! I really hope you guys enjoy this one.

Before I end this here, I want to thank everyone who has stayed tuned to this story and all my other stories. It does frustrate me every time I can't update because I really don't want to disappoint you all. I want to exceed your expectations and I'm still weak when it comes to writing but I do hope to improve soon to please you guys more ^_^

Your support and feedback has been amazing. Thank you all so much, especially to those who constantly votes and leaves comments for me to read. I love you all so so so much!

-Pikaroo