𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐋. hq

「7th set」: strawberry milk

及川 徹
t o o r u    o i k a w a
— year 3 class 6 —

The first time we interacted was on a Tuesday, during our second year in middle school. It happened during one of our water breaks when out of nowhere I heard a voice tell me, "You're really cool, you know".

It was the first time I heard a genuine compliment like that from a complete stranger. I immediately choked on what I was drinking as soon as I heard her say so. "W-What?" I wiped my mouth, checking if I heard her right.

"Your passion is really admirable. It's just something I thought you ought to know". The girl said it so casually, I almost thought she was being sarcastic.

Right then, I didn't know whether or not she meant to say that with pure intent or whether or not she was hitting on me, but one thing was for sure: it was the first time we ever spoke to each other, considering the fact that we've never been classmates.

I barely even knew anything about the girl other than the fact that she was from the class next door. Even if she was part of Kitagawa Daichi's girls basketball club, whereas I was in the boys volleyball team who shared the same gymnasium for the past year, we never even bothered interacting until then.

And so, as soon as the girl ran off, I was stuck in a daze until Iwaizumi snapped me out of it.

"Earth to Trashykawa" he waved his hand in front of my face.

Once he did, I immediately pointed at the girl at the opposite end of the court, asking "Iwa-chan, Wh-Who is she?".

"How should I know, dumbass? Ask her yourself"

The first time we became classmates was in our third year in middle school, on our first day of class. I immediately held unto the girl's hand to grab her attention as soon as I caught a glimpse of her, only to awkwardly ask for her name, stammering along as I said it. It was the first time I initiated the talking.

"Me? The name's Hoshino Minoru" she said it so calmly, unfazed unlike how I was acting.

"I'm Oikawa. Oikawa Tooru" I introduced myself in return, flustered, only to hear an angelic chuckle come from the girl. God, was I willing to give anything to hear her laugh like that again.

"I know, I've heard your name from a number of people. You're pretty popular to be honest. Well, it was nice meeting you" she smiled before returning to her seat.

I had my way with people. But right then, I immediately knew that this one was the most unpredictable person yet.

The first time I watched her practice was also the last time she did. It was a few weeks after we had become acquaintances, at this point we might as well be known as friends, our club was having a day off and theirs had a practice match. She was working hard as much as everyone else did only to submit her resignation letter soon after.

"Why is that?" I remember asking the girl after I had invited her to walk home with me and Iwaizumi. She laughed, brushing it off as a simple manner, a habit she kept whenever something was more important to her than what she wanted. A habit I hadn't noticed until now.

"Something just tells me it's best to step down as a regular, you know. It's time to give chances to the freshmen. There's this girl who seems like she has amazing potential, I don't want to be the one to hinder that. Besides, it's not like I'm leaving the club, I'll just act as their manager".

Right then I understood that we were two completely different people. Hoshino Minoru placed her junior first without a second thought, I wouldn't give up my position without a fight. It wasn't that she didn't love the sport, it was because she cared for people more than herself.

It was her most charming factor.

▬ ▬ ▬ ▬ ▬ ▬ ▬ ▬

"Don't you ever regret it?" I asked her a few days after she started acting as our manager.

"Regret what?" She asked, getting the drinks ready for our break.

"Resigning as a regular, giving your place up for your junior, being their manager?" I asked her only to receive the same chuckle I heard, the first time I asked for her name.

She really is beautiful, I thought right then, questioning myself on what I did to have deserved her back then.

"Of course not" she says firmly. "That girl I told you about before—did you know? She's winning championships alongside her team".

"I probably didn't have the talent or persistence to play, but it wasn't the only way I could show my appreciation for the sport," she trailed on, "That's exactly why I was a manager. Because I could still continue supporting the team I loved and played with. So, no, I definitely do not regret it."

"Then do you regret joining our team?" I couldn't help but wonder.

"You're asking that now?" She returned the question, "What, do you regret having me act as your manager?".

"No! Of course not" I immediately denied, only to explain further, "It's just—you don't even care about volleyball, and we got you involved. Furthermore, I practically forced you into the position".

"It's the same for me" she says, "even if I have absolutely nothing to do with volleyball, I am more than willing to get involved for this team. I won't do it if I'd regret it".

"In fact, I already told the coach, I'll be resigning only when you guys do. So you better work hard to reach the Nationals" she told me, slapping my back as if to motivate me. "Do a good job, captain".

I smiled, the same way she did, only to have Iwaizumi to lock an arm around my neck.

"Ow—OW! That hurts Iwa-chan!" I exclaimed in pain.

"Then quit slacking off, Trashykawa".