Just because I'm a girl

The game

5 a.m. Today's the day. The game between the first years, and the day I get into the team as a libero.

It's been a long week, lunchtime practice with Ryu and afternoons with Asahi, and homework in the evenings.
I am going to wow them with my libero skills. Beanpole, I mean, Kei, has the height for a blocker, and definitely strong enough to serve and spike.
His friend, apparently this Tadashi, would be good with receives and tossing.
It'll be my job to keep the ball in play.

I leave a note for Dad saying where I'll be and when I'll be back, grab a piece of fruit and a toaster waffle and head out, jogging to the school in my gear.

I reach the gym at 6:30, and start with some stretches while I wait for the senpaii to open the gym.
I hear some voices approaching, and turn to see Beanpole and his friend. The boy looks something like a fairy. Freckles and soft hair. Don't think like that, he's scared of you.
I wave to the two boys, and they stop in shock.
"You're the Aki we're going to play with?" Kei asks incredulously.
I sigh. "Yes, Beanpole. Get used to it."
Fairy-boy stifles a laugh, but quickly shuts up when he recognizes me as then one who beat them up. I sense his nervousness, and turn back to my stretches.
After a few minutes, the third years Suga and Daichi show up.
"Excuse me, Captain," Kei calls. I can't hear what they're saying, with my hands over my ears and my eyes closed. I can't lose it today. Deep breaths, deep breaths. Calm down. Inhale, hold, and exhale.
I'm good. I'm okay.

I stand up and walk into the gym with the others, helping to set up. Then it's time to get ready. I hear a commotion, and turn to the door. The King and the Sun are fighting over who gets to come in first, while Ryu is looking done with their antics. I almost feel sorry for him. I roll my eyes. Boys can be so stupid sometimes.
The two fall over themselves, and get back up. The rest of us have already finished warming up. Daichi calls us all onto the court.
"Alright. This game is to determine your playing skill, including teamwork," he glances at me and then glares at Tobio. "We do this every year with our first-years, so I don't want to see any selfish plays, bragging, or big egos in general. Got it?"
We all nod in understanding.
"Good. Now let's play!"

**********

After the game

We did our best, but our best wasn't good enough. Shoyo, Tobio and Ryu won the first set 25-23, and the second set 25-21. We managed to read their playing after a bit, and Kei was able to block them. But once they figured out a new play, in both sets, it was all over for our team. I mean, Tadashi did give us a few pointers, and that got us a bit of momentum. It just, wasn't enough.

"Hey, guys," they turn to me. "It was a good game, and we'll win the next one."
They are not convinced.
"Kei. You're a good blocker. Alot of blockers jump on instinct, but i saw you almost waiting for the ball. You jump on what you know. That can be used to our advantage in the future. And Tadashi," I turn to the fairy boy. "Your strategy is really something else. I'm not sure I could have thought of receiving Ryu's spikes the way you suggested." Crap. I suck at encouragement. Meanwhile, the other side of the net are celebrating their win.
"Like I said," I continue. "We came close on this game, but with the whole team playing together next time? We. Will. Win."
Tadashi smiles. Kei doesn't. Ok, he must have taken a hard blow. I'm not so sure I want to tell Dad that my side lost, either.

Daichi calls attention, and Ryu puts his shirt back on.
"Ok, team. That was a good game. Now, we made a deal at the beginning of the week. If Kageyama's team lost, he wouldn't be the setter for the year. However, they won. A deal's a deal, Kageyama. You're a setter, next to Suga. And Aki," He turns to me and I freeze. "Where did you learn to play like that? You said you only decided to do volleyball on the day. And that was only a few days ago."
All eyes turned to me, and i felt myself shrink. What do I say? The truth.
"My Dad taught me. He used to do volleyball as well, and got his team to nationals." They all look impressed, except for Kei. Oh well.
I feel Daichi's eyes burning into me. He finally speaks.
"You did a good job receiving all those drop balls and out balls. Our advisor has set up a practice match against Aoba Johsai High school. Because you've never been in a real game, you'll be watching. By paying extra attention, you'll be able to find holes that the libero could fill."

It takes a moment for his words to sink in. When they do, it's all chaos.
Shoyo's eyes shine at me, Ryu is arguing with Daichi and ranting about someone named Noya, Suga has his ears covered.

"Thank you, Captain," we all say in chorus.

The duo hand Daichi their application forms and he he turns to the manager, the girl I bumped into on Monday. "Kiyoko! They should be here by now, right?"
She nods and sets down a cardboard box.
I head over with Shoyo and Tobio and, as she opens it, excitement spreads.
Shoyo is fangirling, honestly.
Kiyoko digs to the bottom of the box and hands me mine. The jackets are black with the school name on the back. "Oh, yeah! This is niiice!" I slip mine on.
"I'm fairly sure I got the right sizes," Kiyoko says as she hands out the rest of the jackets. "Let me know if you need replacements."
"Thanks, Kiyoko-senpai!" I shout. "They're perfect!"
"Come on," Suga baits Kei. "Just try it on."
"Nah, I can just try it on later." Tanaka comes up behind Kei. "Just put in on, bro. Get over yourself, would ya?"
"Put it on, put it on, put it on," the chant echoes, until a clearly ticked off Kei puts on his jacket.
The first years line up. "Looking good, my man!" Ryu praises a modelling Shoyo. I have to admit, these jackets are awesome.
I smile to myself.
"I got it! I got it!" We turn our attention to a person in the doorway struggling to catch his breath. He straightens and I recognize him as the faculty advisor for the club.
"I got us a practice match with Aobo Joshai!"
Oh no. My face falls as I realize who I'll have to face.