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

Chapter 23 - You Did Well

Akira's POV

We were 20 to 18. It was my match point. I felt a sharp pain in my ankle, probably from how I lunged towards Jun to push him out of the way. It was a very dangerous thing to do, but it had to be done.

Jun stared at his racket like it was a murder weapon. He was shaken up, probably guilty.

"Hey!" I yelled at him. He looked up at me with a blank stare. "Shake it off, dammit! I didn't work my ass off for so long just to win by default!"

"But-"

"We're both on our feet. We fought up until this point to get on this court and win. Don't let that all go to waste."

"But I-"

"Just play!"

He looked back at his racket once more. After a moment, he took his stance. He nodded, but he still looked unsure.

"As long as the ball is in up in the air, we'll fight," he said. I nodded and prepared to serve as well. The rally was long and we fought hard. He scored a point and so it was his turn to serve. The look in his eye was fierce as he picked up the ball.

He was back in the game, for real this time.

He shot a long serve. I went back and hit it hard to the other side of the court, making Jun run for the corner. He nearly didn't make it in time and the strength in his hit was taxed by the speed of his run. He lost power in his swing, sending it close to the net. I immediately dashed and sent it to the opposite front corner from where he was standing.

Everything started happening in slow motion.
I could see the panic in his eyes as he ran towards the net. The ball was falling slowly and then it hit the ground.

The whistle blew and everyone started cheering.
Jun sighed and walked up to me, stretching his hand out for a handshake.

"That was a match well fought," he said. "Congratulations, Ishikawa Akira."

He smiled at me as we shook hands. The referee and officials congratulated me. I was still trying to process what was going on as my team attacked me on the court, yelling cheers and jumping up and down.

“I won,” I muttered. My chest felt heavy and tears were welling up in my eyes.

“Oi, don’t go crying after you acted all cool awhile ago,” Jun said, letting out a laugh. I couldn’t help it.

The doubles team had won as well. Karasuno was taking home was taking home two championship wins, and this was our first ever tournament.

“Come on, we have to line up for the declaration of winners,” coach said with a really big smile.

We lined up and shook some officials’ hands and were asked to stand up on the podium as they gave us bouquets of flowers and medals for our individual wins. They handed me a trophy for our overall championship win.

The event ended and we headed out to the parking lot to meet with the others. The volleyball clubs stood by the buses, waiting for us.

“Congratulations!” they yelled at the same time.

“You guys weren’t rooting for your own teams?” Jiro-kun asked Oikawa-san and the others.

“Not really,” Kuro-san said. “Your team was amazing out there.”

“Aki-chan! Congratulations!” Hinata and Yachi yelled, giving me a huge hug. Noya-san joined in as well.

“Oi, give Tsukishima some space to make his move!” Daichi-san said jokingly and I couldn’t help but blush. They broke away from the hug and backed off a bit, putting me and Tsu-kun in the middle of a circle.

“You did great for someone pretty small,” the giant said with an annoying smirk. Which reminded me…

“By the way,” I said after taking a deep breath. “How dare you tell me that I’m the smallest one out there, you overgrown freak of nature!”

“Aah, you’re still not over that? It was the truth!”

“Gah you’re so annoying!” I yelled back once more, stomping my feet in frustration this time. My tantrum was interrupted by the giant suddenly carrying me over his shoulder.

“Alright, let’s go get some food, I’m starving~” he teased.

“Oi! Put me down!”

“They’re so good together~!” everyone said at the same time. All I could do was sigh and wonder what got me into this situation in the first place. But I have to admit…

I like how my life is right now…

Tsukishima’s POV

“Oi, just go to sleep already,” I told Akira as she kept trying to keep herself awake on the bus ride home. We were riding with Seijo as they had plenty of space for us.

“But that would be rude,” she said before stifling out a yawn.

“Aki-chan, you’re really tired,” Oikawa-san said. “Feel free to get some rest.”

“Why are you acting so familiar, Stupid Oikawa?” Iwaizumi-san said.

“She kind of feels like a little sister at this point,” he answered, shrugging. “Besides, I can’t help but be concerned over such a small and innocent girl-“

“Pervert,” Kuro-san said, earning a couple of laughs.

“Well, there she goes,” Sugawara-san said. Aki was now leaning against my shoulder, lightly snoring. I let out a sigh and wrapped my arm around her shoulders so she was resting her head against my chest comfortably.

“And Tsukishima makes a move!” Tanaka-san teased.

“How’s her leg?” the King asked.

“It looks like a bruise is starting to show,” Yachi said. “That was such a reckless move! To use her own body to push that boy away from the pole!”

“That kid’s kind heart could just be the death of her,” the badminton team’s coach said. “She deserved those victories.”

“Tachi-senpai, just how much work has she been doing all this time?” Yachi asked their advisor. “She would always come to school looking absolutely exhausted, we were even scared she would suddenly collapse in the middle of the hall.”

“Well, other than her training, she still has to report for her night shifts at the restaurant, and she would do some extra work on the side during weekends,” she answered. “Ever since she got the club up, she’s been working twice as hard to afford healthier meals.”

“Looks like she took your advice,” Daichi-san said to Shimizu-san. She nodded and showed a small smile.

“Kyaa! Kiyoko-san’s smile is as beautiful as ever!” Tanaka-san and Nishinoya-san said. Aki shifted in her sleep, earning the two lover boys a glare from Daichi-san.

Everyone fell silent as people fell asleep one by one. Aki gripped the hem of my shirt, snuggling up to me. I sighed and held her tight.

You did great today, Short Stuff.