secret gem • haikyuu !!

13 ; Déjà Vu

Mai's POV

The sun was beaming through the windows. The sky was a golden orange, signalling that the sunset was just ahead. Yet another day of matches. I was positioned on a folding chair next to the two coaches, facing the Karasuno vs Nekoma match. The score was 16 to 24, Nekoma's set point. I examined the opposing team's side of the court, watching the ball being put into play.

"Nice receive." I stated as Kai was able to get the ball up. As the ball was suspended in the air for a few second, Lev started to make his approach. As Kenma was jumping up to do a set he instead he dumped the ball just over the net - which made it hard for Nishinoya to get up.

The corners of my lips curl up a little, knowing that we won 16 to 25, but of course, Karasuno had to face another running penalty. I got out of my seat and started handing out some water bottles to my team. I look to the opposite side once again, seeing the their team head over to the door, ready to run. I dismiss myself from my team and made my way to Yachi, Kiyoko, their team's coach and supervisor. The twelve boys started to line up beside Daichi, who stood around the centre.

"GO!" Daichi yelled out whilst clapping his hands together, initiating the start of their uphill sprint. All five of us stared at the screaming boys, admiring their persistence.

"Man..." I heard the undercut blond haired man say, sighing. "We've lost all of our matches so far."

"Mhm, we can't seem to close the ten-point gap between any teams here." The shorter male with glasses said. Within seconds Kiyoko flipped open he notebook, revealing the scores they had against each team.

"The only school that we're always close to beating is Shinzen, with 23-25." She noted, closing her notebook back up as the line of boys started walking down. She turned around, noticing me besides Yachi, "Oh, hello Mai-chan~ can you two help me hand out water bottles."

"Sure!/Of course!" We responded at the same time. The three of us started to walk away from the door.

"Hey Takeda-san, that girl from Nekoma, do you think that's their manager?" The coach asked, also walking behind us. I tried not to listen in but, it's about me, what else could I do? They weren't that far away either so I didn't have a choice.

"Ah, no she isn't, Coach Nekomata mentioned she was Nekoma's Captain's little sister," He said, then mumbled something after, "Man, that was a handful to say."

"Captain's little sister..." He muttered to himself, "I see the resemblance, minus the hair and all."

I giggled a little, handing, who I thought was Yachi water bottles, "Yacchan, here's two water bottles-" I finally look up to see the tall ace bashfully holding the two water bottles. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" I bowed a couple of times from my mistake.

"Oh no, it's fine don't worry!" He said, slightly panicking. "But thanks for the water bottles. Though, may I have another?"

"Of course!" I say, speedily getting another yellow bottle form their cooling bag, "Here you go."

"Thank you," He said, now carrying all three water bottles, "Y'know, that was a really good dig you did yesterday."

"I- Um, thank you!" I said smiling as he walked back out of the gym. He still remembers that? I don't really think it's that good anyways... What am I saying Mai? Don't think like that, okay...

"I see you've met Asahi," Kiyoko said, slightly startling me - Ahh, so Asahi is his name. As I jumped a little, she gave me a small cute giggle, "He can look quite intimidating at first but he's a real kind soul."

"He's your ace right?"

"Mhm." She noded, soon her words turned into a confused tone, "Mai-chan, doesn't your team have a match right now?"