égoïste [Akaashi Keiji]

raison #14

"I think I've got this down!" Konoha cheered to himself as he successfully got over a good serve. He grinned, pumping his fists into the air.

"Oh!" Yukie clapped her hands twice, "That was good!"

"Thanks! I guess asking Shiori for help was worth it after all." He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"Yeah, she's been teaching a lot of the others, too. Their serves are all improving." Kaori came up to the other manager with a smile, holding a couple of volleyballs. She went next to Konoha, putting the stray balls into the basket.

"They might even become as good as her in the future." Yukie had her usual critter like smile.

Konoha took a ball from the basket and laughed, shaking his head. "No way, I don't think I'll ever be that dedicated to serves to be as good as her." He added, "She's in a whole other league."

Akaashi, happening to overhear this, popped in for an interjection, "Not for power, though. Just control."

"Well, I guess so," Konoha turned to the setter. "Imagine her hiking up in terms of power. She'd be invincible." He went quiet after that, then laughed lightly, no emotion behind it. "Yeah, that'd...be pretty intense, actually."

Akaashi said, "Yeah." He turned to Bokuto, who seemed to have a reignited vigour more so than before. Was it because of his meeting with Arata?

"Ne, Akaashi, why are you helping Shiori with spiking practice, anyway?" Yukie questioned. "I heard you guys talking about it."

"Oh yeah, at the practice game yesterday," Konoha placed a hand on his hip.

"Hm? What's happening?" Kaori asked, puzzled. Yukie filled her in on the details, leaving her with a surprised look when her eyes landed on the setter.

"I wanted to help her spike." He answered.

"Oh?" The three of them formed 'o's with their lips, wanting to find out more.

"AKAASHI! TOSS TO ME!" Bokuto shouted from the side of the court.

"Hai, hai..." The setter let out a breathless sigh and went to the ace. He was kind of glad for the interruption, because he didn't want to elaborate to the others. He wouldn't have known what to say.

-----

"And we're done for the day!" The archery club's captain clapped her hands. Those who were handling bows put them down, placing them back where they were stored, while others rushed to retrieve the arrows on the targets.

Shiori stretched her fingers and arms, making sure that she did it properly to ensure no aches or soreness.

"Shiori-san," The club manager came up to her, "Thank you for always helping us out."

"Nah, it's fine. I enjoy archery." The teen grinned. "I'm glad I can help out."

The manager smiled, taking out a sheet of paper for her, "These need to be signed by your guardian and returned so we know that you can come along for the Inter Highs."

"Oh, yeah, okay." Shiori took it. She went to her bag and put it away when the manager left to go inform some others of the papers.

Shiori helped to pack up the area that they used, and then after, she changed, then checked her phone. It was about 6.30pm, and she was just leaving school.

Yes, they had an indoor archery training centre in Fukurodani.

MiracleBoy: Today I'm going to watch The Ring!

She blinked at his message, stopping in her tracks as she texted him back, moving slowly.

FlyHigh: The Ring? Isn't that a horror movie?