The Newbie ~ Tsukishima Kei

Chapter 25 ~ Unmotivated

Trust me, this is a chapter.

Signature Sentence: You're better than most of us, you know it!

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Akiko showed up late to volleyball practice, which was unusual. When she arrived, nobody really noticed. Except for her boyfriend.

Akiko sighed, noticing nobody looked over at the entrance.

Covering her ears with headphones, she laid down on a bench. Lately she's been feeling unmotivated. Last match, she didn't do much at all.

It's new, since she always outshone the rest in all the other sports she's tried. 

Baseball, best pitcher. Basketball, best point guard. Football, best goalie. Tennis, just best. She's been the best since her third year of grade school.

She closed her eyes, sighing. Volleyball, the only sport she's been a reserve. 

Lost in her thoughts, and trying not to cry, she opened her eyes when she heard the blow of a whistle.

Guess the current segment's over.

"Koizumi, you came." Crossing her arms behind her head, she smiled. "I'm offended you just noticed." Everyone could tell something was off.

Akiko always was a little louder than others, smug, and cocky. But with that smile they could tell was fake, and by that souless remark, they knew something happened.

Closing her eyes again, everyone looked at her. 

Feeling these stares, she opened one eye. "Something to say?"

"Something's off about you."

She snickered, though that was souless too. "What, the fact that I haven't flirted with someone yet?"

"Koizumi, tell us the truth." She opened her eyes and sat up, taking off her headphones. "Alright, judge, I swear to say the truth, the whole truth,  and nothing but the truth."

"Akiko, we're not joking." Akiko met Sugawara's stern gaze. Frowning, she leaned back against the wall.

With a sigh, she looked at her classmates, and stood up, crossing her arms. "I've been feeling... unmotivated. I know I played last match, but... I didn't do much. I'm not better than many of you at all. I didn't change much in the match. You'd be better off with Daichi or Tanaka."

Her breath hitched as Tsukishima slammed his hands on either side of her head at the wall. "Don't say that!" He shouted, shocking everyone.

"You're better than most of us, you know it!" Akiko stared wide-eyed at her boyfriend. "I can't stand you being souless."

They stared at each other for a few seconds, before Akiko broke down and wrapped her arms around her boyfriend, sobbing into his neck. Tsukishima wrapped his arms around her waist. Looking at Yamaguchi, Tsukishima nodded.

Tsukishima took Akiko outside while Yamaguchi looked at the club.

"They've been dating since... Honestly I forgot, but they've been dating for a while." The club stood shocked, staring at an emotionless Yamaguchi.

Coach Ukai rubbed the back of his neck, "I think you all deserve an early end to this practice..."