effervescent (nishinoya yū)

CHAPTER TEN / the blue castle

"Wait a second!" you protested, watching as your mom tried to get in the car. You could see her legs trembling with every step she took and her breaths fogging up her oxygen mask. "Mom, you're sick, you shouldn't be going outside--"

Your dad put a hand on your shoulder and carried his keys with the other. "I called her doctor and he said it was fine," he said. "As long as she doesn't get too excited. If she does, I'll be sure to bring her straight back home, alright?" After a moment's pause, his eyes boring into her back, he added, "She needs this. Karasuno was her home."

You worked your jaw and finally nodded. "Okay, fine. Let's get there soon though. I don't want to miss a single second of this match!"

He laughed and walked over. He took your mom's hand and she flinched, looking up at him with wide eyes, but all he did was open the door for her and help her in. She muttered a quiet "Thank you" as you climbed into the backseat. Your dad got into the driver's seat and began the drive over to the Sendai City Gymnasium.

When you got there, you saw a few people glance in your direction, as though surprised you had come back. More of them seemed more concerned about your mom, leaning heavily on your dad but still walking on her own two feet. You gripped your mom's hand and squeezed it tightly. She managed a little smile and squeezed yours back.

You entered the building and walked down the hallway to the gymnasium holding the match. Sawamura and Oikawa had just finished the coin toss and walked back to their respective teams. Your mom watched Karasuno intently, her eyes moving to each individual face before flitting to the next one.

"Which one was that boy you've been hanging out with on the weekends?" she asked.

Once again, you couldn't be bothered to feel embarrassed or hide the truth. "That one," you said, pointing to Nishinoya who looked fired up and ready to beat the shit out of someone.

Your mom grinned and nudged you. "He's cute," he teased, and you couldn't help but agree with her.

"Oh, hey guys!"

Your dad perked up and bumped fists with Shimada and Takinoue as they walked over to you and your family. The pleasantry of the meeting was soon interrupted by Oikawa's fangirls, but before you could shoot them a glare, Sawamura interrupted them.

"Karasuno...fight!"

Your mom pressed her hands together and watched everyone rotate through spikes and receives, Sawamura punctuating each hit by shouting, "Fight!" Even though she'd never played volleyball before, her eyes were shining.

"They're amazing," she said. "I can't remember the last time Karasuno was this powerful, save for when they had that impressive Tiny Giant on their team."

Shimada laughed a little. "They've got enough enthusiasm, that's for sure."

Takinoue glanced at Shimada. "Oh, that reminds me...has your apprentice improved at serves?"

You looked up as well. "'Apprentice?'" you repeated.

"What do you mean by 'apprentice?'" Shimada asked with an exasperated smile. He looked back down at the court and you saw him focus on Yamaguchi as he lined up to serve. "It's only been a week. I'm sure he can pull off the occasional fluke, but he's got a long way to go before he can summon a non-rotation ball."

"No way." You gawked at Shimada. "You've been trying to teach Yamaguchi how to do a jump float?"

He nodded and leaned on the railing as Karasuno switched out with Aoba Johsai. "He came to my store about a week ago and asked me to teach him. He said that he knew he wouldn't get it in time for this match, but he never wanted to be the only first-year on the bench ever again."