Just because I'm a girl

Against Dateko: Part 1

With the first game out of the way, Coach had said we had an hour and a half break until the second match and to keep warm. I sought out Dad, and found him still with Coach Nekomata.

"Ah," the Coach stated when I approached. "So you're this man's daughter. I should have been able to see from the way you played at Golden Week." I blushed with pride at the comment.
"Thank you, Sir."
"Well, I won't keep you from your lunch. I've got some things to run by Kuroo before our game." He leaves, and Dad turns to me.

"So, where should we sit for lunch?"
I scan the map, trying to find a good spot. It's not easy, but I find one on the other side of the carpark, with a table to sit at as well.
"How about here?" I point to the spot on the map, and Dad nods. We walk outside, and Dad branches off to the car to get the food while I snag a table at the picnic area.

"Well, well, look who it is." I don't need to look up to know who owns the voice, and my stomach churns.
"What do you want, Trashcan?" I put as much venom as I can into my words. He just sits down in front of me and leans over casually.
"Now, that's no way to talk to an upperclassman, is it?" His ease of manner just grates me. I hate it, and I hate him.
"Listen," he says. "We both play volleyball now, right?" What is he getting at? "Because we play different positions, I can't propose an on-court battle. That's between me and Tobio-chan. So here's what I was thinking. You-" I put up my hand and shut him up.
"Whatever you have planned, Oikawa, I'm not interested. And in case you've forgotten, I nearly killed you and Yutarou. I hate you, and I won't hesitate to do it again." The only thing stopping me right now is the fact that I could get taken out of the team if I get caught. Lucky for me, some of his fangirls arrive and i can move to a different table. Dad arrives with the food. As we eat, we talk about volleyball. Strategies, my team, his team, Shoyo. All too soon, it's time to head back inside for round two. Dad walks me back inside, and I meet up with the team at the court.

The atmosphere is incredible. Everyone is cheering for Dateko. They have a strong presence, and want everyone to know it. The captains are called, and we begin warming up. I'm right behind Nisha, so I have full view of him making a fool of himself. Again.

"Rolling....THUNDERRR!!!" He dives, receives and rolls back up. "Perfect." You moron, that was just a regular rolling receive. Kei and Tadashi are laughing, Asahi is nervous, Tobio is confused, Daichi looks mad. Only Shoyo wants to learn it.
"Alright guys, listen up!" Yes, you have our attention. "You guys have nothing to worry about! You all just keep looking and moving ahead! Because," he pulled me in with an arm over my shoulder. "Aki and I have your backs!" Yes, it's annoying that he always drags me into his promises to the team. I just smile and go along. What else can I do? The team relies on the libero. It's our job to let them know, on and off the court, that they can rely on us.

The whistle blows, signaling the end of the warm up.
"Gather up!" Called Daichi. 3 minutes to game start.

~~~~

We are standing at 3-1, to Karasuno. Shoyo scored our first point fair and square, but the Iron Wall blocked Ryu-san and Asahi. We got those two points because when they blocked Ryu, Aone touched the net. When they blocked Asahi, the ball landed out.

Their number 6 spikes, and Shoyo gets a one-touch.
"Nice one, Shoyo!" My voice carries onto the court. It's a chance ball! Nisha receives, and it goes to Tobio. The second he tosses, I know the point is lost. Blocker number 7, Aone, is already there. Read blockers. Right royal pains. Dateko gets a second point. Hey, we still have a one-point lead. I know it's not much, but it's something. Besides. We haven't played the freak quick yet.
And there it is. The crowd is silent for a moment. And then, it's not. Loud cheers echo through the gym, and I find Dad in the stands. We have a quick sign-language conversation.