The Half-assed Prince

Mid-term exams are coming

It was less than a week before the start of our midterm exams. I couldn't help but get excited, it was now my time to shine. Seeing how determined the volleyball team was to win, it made me want to do my best too, to be the number one in school. I felt like I was the only one celebrating. Everyone looked stressed and problematic. It almost made me laugh when I remembered Nishinoya and Tanaka's faces when I mentioned the word "exam" yesterday.

On my way to class, these guys in the hall who looked like they were fighting caught my attention. The two of them were arguing, while their companions were trying to stop them. That was when I realized that they were Kei and Kageyama who were fighting, while Hinata and Tadashi grabbed both of them by their arms in an attempt to stop them. Panicking, I quickly rushed to them.

"What are you guys doing?" I asked. Both of them stopped as they saw me.

"Akira, thank goodness you arrived," said Tadashi.

"What's going on here? Are you fighting?"

"Kageyama and I just came here to ask Tsukishima to help us study for the exams, but he refused. Kageyama's pride was broken and they started fighting." Hinata explained.

I slowly turned my head to Kei. He probably felt that I was glaring at him because he looked uncomfortable.

"Why do I have to help them?" He then suddenly said.

"They are your teammates. You should help one another." I said.

"Help one another? You should tell that to someone who always rules the court and plays as if he is alone! Right, Ōsama?" Kei said, turning to look at Kageyama.

Kei could be insensitive sometimes. Kageyama had always wanted to forget that memory and yet he made him remember it again.

"Kageyama is not like that anymore!" Hinata suddenly blurted out. "And he isn't the Ōsama anymore!"

Kei's eyes widened, surprised to see that Hinata was defending Kageyama. I didn't like how Kei acted, so this time I wouldn't side with him.

"If Kei doesn't want to help you, I will." Four heads turned my way. "You don't have practice today, right? After class, come to our room and I will teach you."

Kageyama and Hinata's eyes lightened up and sparkled, totally pleased with what I said.

"Yes," they said as they both nodded their head.

I sneaked a glance at Kei before entering the classroom, and he looked annoyed. Somehow I regretted what I did. What if Kei got mad at me again?

The class ended but Kei still ignored me. I knew it, he was mad. But I just couldn't tolerate what he did. Kageyama and Hinata had lowered their pride for him, but he still refused to help them.

I quickly ran to my locker to get the books I needed. When I came back to class, I was surprised to see Kei and Tadashi waiting in their seats.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"We decided to help, if that's fine with you. Although I won't be of much help, to be honest." Tadashi said.

Kei remained silent in his seat, and I waited for him to speak. He suddenly turned towards me and met my eyes. Instinctively, I averted my eyes from his. It was only yesterday that I admitted to myself how I felt towards Kei. Now that I made him mad, I just couldn't look into his eyes.

Luckily, Kageyama and Hinata finally arrived. Their face quickly contorted when they saw Kei.

"W-What are you doing here?" Hinata asked.