Just because I'm a girl

Golden Week

It's been two weeks, training camp starts today. I let Dad know I'd be going, even though he'd be away for another week afterwards.
I told Yurio I wouldn't be home for the weekend, and that I'd be at a camp. He was upset, but let it go. I really feel sorry for him, living with his grumpy coach and his ex wife. Oh well, not much I can do about it.

I'm standing in the gym with the rest of the team. Coach reminds us that the game against Nekoma is in four days, as if Shoyo hasn't been counting down since the match against the neighborhood team.
"The Inter-high preliminaries are coming soon, and we don't have a lot of time. But you guys are full of holes. Since that's the case, the only way to get better is practice, practice, practice." I shift my weight uncomfortably. I get the feeling he wasn't impressed with me showing up, and I'll have to outplay everyone to have so much as a chance at being put in the lineup.
"Save the ball, even if you have to barf!"
Are those words really wise? Shoyo will throw up over anything.

It's just passed 6 in the evening, we're working on receives. Coach is giving Tadashi a hard time, but he gets through it. How it goes, is Kiyoko passes Coach a ball, which he spikes. The person at the front of the line has to receive perfectly 5 times to move on. It goes well, except Coach doesn't let me practice. What do I have to do to get noticed?! I am on this team, too! I'm still in a red haze from two weeks ago, which means my irises are still red. Maybe he's avoiding me because I look scary? Of that's it, why not just tell me? No. I am a valid player for this team. I don't care if you think otherwise, Coach. I will find a way to get your attention somehow.

It's after dark now, and we've just arrived at training camp.
"Wow!" Exclaims Shoyo. "This is where we're staying?" Took the words right outta my mouth.
He and I run through the building, opening every door and marvelling at every room.

"You two need to calm down," says Tobio. Why must you be a party pooper?
"But this is our first time at training camp!" We shout back.
"Unbelievable," a monotone voice comes from behind. "I have to hang all day with this slovenly bunch." First of all, Kei, you collect dinosaur figurines. You were talking in your sleep the night you and your boyfriend stayed at my place.
"Tsukishima, you bastard!" Scolds Ryu, Nisha right on his tail.
"Kiyoko-san is within a 500-meter radius of us, how can that be slovenly?" I mentally facepalm. Why are boys like this? Some are decent, like Daichi and Suga, others smart or kind like Kei and Tadashi. But the majority are just idiots.
"How pitiful," continues Ryu. " That you don't understand how refreshing this space is!"

"Shimizu's home is nearby," says Suga. "She'll staying there." Ryu and Nisha faceplant on the floor as Suga walks away. Wow. Do your damage and leave. How touching. I still can't believe I'm related to the shorter of the two idiots on the floor, he was so much cooler when we were kids. Why.

The cafeteria doors opened, and Taketa-sensei appeared, wearing a cap and apron.
"What are you guys doing?" He asks, upon seeing the two second-years.
"Take-chan," whimpered Ryu. "We can't...go on.."
Suddenly, Kiyoko appeared. The colour came back to their faces.
"Come on," she says. "Dinners ready."
"Alright!" Why are boys so loud?

After dinner, we took turns in the bathroom. Sometimes though, the girls team hosts training camps here, so because I'm the only girl on the team, I took my time in the second bathroom. And I could, too.
I got out and dried off, running my towel through my freshly washed hair and pulled on my nightgown.

It's my favourite.

On my way back to the room, I decide to grab a snack from the vending machines. I hear Ryu and Shoyo talking.
"What's up, Hinata?"
"There...is a stranger among us."
"Not possible." Your voice doesn't match your words, Senpai. "We're the only ones staying here."
"It's...a child." Shoyo must not read any ghost stories or watch horror films of any kind.
"It can't be. You probably saw your reflection in the window, or something."
"Yeah. Probably. I made a mistake."
"Yeah, see? It was...just a mistake."
I grin evilly. Time for a prank. My hair is still wet, so I arrange it to look like a ghost. I mean, what's more ghostly than a short Asian in a white gown with stringy hair, in a dark hallway, right? This is gonna be so good...
Suddenly I hear them scream, before a third voice joins.
"What's with all the racket? Daichi-san will get mad."
"It was just Noya, you idiot!" Ryu scolds Shoyo like he didn't just scream, himself.
"Noya-san? B-but...Noya-san grew shorter!"
"That's true!" Chortles Ryu. "Your hair adds to your height!"
"Ryu, you bastard!" Nisha shouts back.
I make my entrance, dragging my feet and hanging my head slightly.
"Who dares wake me?" I hiss in a Gollum-voice. The boys lose it. "If you persist in Making noise," I continue. "Your leaders shall become angry."
"You wanna fight?" Nisha challenges me, and I break character. I double over laughing.
"You guys should have seen your faces! Absolutely priceless! But seriously," I drop my voice to a whisper as I make my selection. "You guys need to keep it down." I leave them all in silence, chuckling internally. Oh My, that was fun.