Shot for Shot

Chapter One

NOYA

"Mine!" I yelled, running to the perfect place to receive the ball hurling towards me. With a slight bend of the knees, I popped up at the perfect moment, bumping the ball right to Kageyama's waiting hands. I watched the set conclude as usual, with Kageyama's insane toss to Hinata resulting in our point, but I couldn't stop feeling the eyes of the server across the net burning into my head. I smirked to myself, already anticipating his shocked expression, which I could savor in 3, 2...

My view of the net was suddenly blocked by the massive player in front of me, sweat beading his tan brow and seeping into his dark brown man-bun. He rubbed the back of his head in exasperation, giving me a perfect view of his well-defined muscles, which was by no means a problem for me. It did, however, momentarily distract me from his charming face, I realized with a start, flushing despite myself as I focused back on him, hoping he hadn't caught me staring. His expression, though, was actually my favorite part of looking at Asahi, even when he was this sweat-drenched and toned. Asahi's eyes were overflowing with warmth, immediately forcing his goodness into whoever he was addressing, which for someone a little rougher on the edges, was not a common feeling. They lit up his face now as he looked down at me, those eyes starting at me under knit brows, his gentle mouth resting in a confused "o".

"Noya..." He mumbled, his eyes roving from my feet back to my eyes, shaking his head in exasperation. My chest tightened at his admiration for something I had done, something I hadn't even had to put much effort into. Still, he gazed at me with awe. "You are incredible. How did you hit that?"

I laughed, my own still-sore hand rubbing the back of my neck. Feeling the sweat there, I removed it quickly, wiping it off on my shorts. "You never make it too easy, Asahi, don't worry about that. Most liberos won't stand a chance to that killer serve."

He huffed, his low voice making the noise guttural and frustrated, but his mouth was curving into his gentle smile. I grinned, taking in him once again because I could—over a head taller than me, muscles that could rival the strength of sharks, hair that could put models to shame, and eyes that could challenge the stars, yet he was the most meek and humble guy I had ever met. I respected Asahi not only for his talent at volleyball, but his gentle giant personality. Despite his stature, which I was always aware of, I firmly believed that his compassionate heart was the biggest thing about him.

"Your receive was great too, Noya," He said, and I blinked sharply, thrust back into the present conversation. Suddenly, Asahi's hand clasped my shoulder. The force of his arm made me jolt, I told myself, even as my traitorous heart quickened at the sight of his fingers around my muscle. "Keep it up!" he bellowed, and I met Asahi's smile. Still, he didn't release his grip. Before he got the chance, Daichi's voice broke through the gym, halting us all in place.

"Listen up!" He said, as stray balls dribbled to a stop on the floor. "We've been doing great in practices all week, and our next game isn't in two weeks. We're all stressed off our asses and working what's left of them off. I think we need a night of fun."

My heart thrummed. A night out was the most exciting thing that had happened to me in months. The thrum of the music, the dancing, the drinks...yeah, I would be down for a crazy evening with my best mates. "Hell yeah!" yelled Tanaka, and my grin widened. If we were really going out, Tanaka would make it a wild night for sure. I still felt a headache from a night we got hammered the summer after our first year. Around us, the other guys were nodding in agreeance, even Suga, though I knew he would mainly be supervising us. Still, I looked to Asahi, still holding my shoulder. He was looking at me, his open-as-a-book eyes murky.