Getting to know You (Oikawa Tooru )

34.

The last days on Aoba Joshai were torture. Oikawa wouldn't even look in my direction, but I couldn't blame him. I hurt him and in a way I deserved it. It had only been a few weeks since he first really began to talk to me and yet it felt like I had known him forever. That only seemed to make the pain feel worse. So I continued to push it aside to deal with when I got home.

The team. The one that had been behind my back when I was with them, was now just as gone from sight as he was. If anything they had been gone since the day that I walked off that field. That somehow hurt less than Oikawa.

When it was all finally over Saturday came along. I had to go to Shiritorizawa and make my first appearance with the team and getting a tour of the school.

I woke up early, packed my bag and made my way to Shiritorizawa. It took longer then I was used to but I was still there in plenty of time. Part of why it took longer was probably because of how large the campus is.

I chained my bike to a nearby rack next to the track and made my way onto the field. No one else had arrived yet so I did what I always did, I practiced.

I did a few laps to warm up and some stretches before i began doing drills. I had been there about fifteen minutes when I heard a voice call out to me. I turned, pushing my bangs from my face.

"Are you the new player we picked up?" A girl asked, a hand on her hip. Her bright red hair in a high ponytail.

"Yes I am." I said with a smile. "I'm Hachiko Miyumi. It's a pleasure." I said as I stepped toward her and extended my hand.

Immediately her cold exterior broke down and she let out a loud laugh. "Well I'll be damned." She reached my hand and shook it strongly. "I'm captain Suzuki Chiya. It's a please to make your acquaintance!"

I laughed as we let go of one another's hands.

"You always show up super early?" She asked. I nodded quietly.

"Always. I like to get myself in the right mindset before the team shows up so I can be ready to get my butt into gear."

Suzuki nodded, agreeing. "I get that. I'm usually the only one here at this time so it's nice to have some company." She gave me a pat on the shoulder with a warm smile. "Now as long as you work hard and drag your own weight I don't care how long you've been on this team. Some of the other girls might be a little more hesitant, just a warning." She said with a wink.

I nodded. "I kind of expected that since I basically ditched my old school that I'd have to prove my loyalty here."

"Well a lot of the younger girls look up to you so at least that's a start." She shrugged.

"Wait, you know me?"

She laughed, nodding her head. "Of course I do. Everyone here knows you from all the magazines." I let out a sigh because of course they did. "Plus I may have done my research a little before you arrived."

I smiled and she gave me another hard pat on the shoulder. I bet we'll become good friends."

~*~

"Welcome everyone, I know you all hate these morning practices but it's time to introduce our new teammate." Sensei motioned to me and I stepped forward beside him. "This here is Hachiko Miyumi." I saw the stares and heard some of the whispers. Just as I expected, I was going to have to work hard to earn their trust.

"She transferred here from Aoba Joshai to play for this team and today I will be giving her the reigns for this practice to see exactly how her leadership fits with the team. She's done this many times before so this will run smoothly. Keep an open mind and be prepared to work hard. Now I'm going to let her introduce herself before we get started."