The Unfamiliar Player | Kei Tsukishima

11 (十一): Barbecue

5/3/2020 (67 Days Cont.)

Tsukishima couldn't help but become impressed as he watched the girl's save in the video. The way she was able to hit it back to her team made him swell with envy. He wished he was devoted enough but he knew he wanted to change, that's why he's been practicing with Bokuto and Kuroo.

"I'm putting you with [Name]." Kuroo said, as he wrote down the team members for each team.

"Eh? Why?" Tsukishima asked and earned a shake from Kuroo.

"Well, she did ask for you yesterday, so it seems that she's comfortable practicing with you." He replied with a wink before walking off and ignoring Tsukishima's protests.

The game had started and he was against Hinata, Bokuto and Kenma. Hinata couldn't do any quicks as Kenma refused to try, saying that he would never be able to pull off Kageyama's pinpoint tosses.

Akaashi knew Bokuto easily and lead Tsukishima with him to block most of his attacks. He also informed [Name] about his postures and the direction he would hit the ball. So [Name] would be stationed to easily receive Bokuto's spikes.

Hinata was still pretty hard as he was still able to figure out where to hit the ball as Bokuto gave him many tips. Kenma tosses the ball and both spikers ran before switching directions, having Bokuto spiking the ball. Tsukishima tried to receive it but the ball went flying back.

"[Name]!" He shouted, looking at her.

The girl nodded and ran after the ball, it was far too ahead of her and she knew her arms couldn't reach it. Sliding her right leg, forward.

Everyone watching gasped as the girl did a front split to save the ball, as Hinata and Bokuto were stood still, trying to comprehend [Name]'s save, Akaashi did a straight dump, the ball falling on the other side of the net.

"[Name], that was amazing!" Nishinoya shouted from the sidelines, giving her a thumbs up, which she gave one back in return.

"Nice receive!" Tanaka joined in, the two goofballs making a heart with their arms.

___

[Name]'s team won by five points. 25- 20. Although they lost in the second match against Kuroo, Lev and Suga. Nonetheless, everyone had fun and the coaches couldn't help but feel happy for the kids. The winners of the mini tournament was Asahi, Yaku and Nishinoya. Even after the tournament was over, everyone continued to practice and do 3v3 matches.

Everyone started to gather around as the female managers were cooking and prepping for the huge feast. Eri cried as she chopped the onions while Yukie laughed, chopping lettuce beside her as Kaori brought green peppers to the table. Kyoko placed plates and tableware around as [Name] cooked the meat alongside Takeda and Keishin- sensei.

They had sirloin, shrimp, corn, skirt steak, kalbi, tripe and a lot more presented on the tables that had the guys practically drooling.

"Ahem. Well done on the week long training camp, everyone. Nothing put's a smile on your face more than filling your stomach with good food! Eat all the meat that you can!" Coach Nekomata said, smiling widely as a roar burst through out the ravenous group.

"Tabemashou~!" It was as if the guys had nothing to eat for years, they all devoured as much food as their mouths could hold. Hinata stuffed as much as he could, holding his rice bowl. [Name] watched as Akaashi ate a whole box of rice balls. 'Jeez! These guys can eat!'

Tobio ate just as much as Hinata before he started to choke, thumping his chest to get the food down his system as Akaashi turned away from his food to give him a glass of water.

Kuroo and his teammate had an conversation about their next play as Bokuto sneakily looked at the meat in front of them before quickly taking and eating them all in one bite. Kuroo noticed the action too late but he managed to grab the ace's color.

"Hey!" He shouted, clearly angry.

[Name] couldn't help but laugh at everyone. They all seemed as if they could eat for hours and still not have enough. 'Boys will be boys.'

Walking around, she finally sat and found a nice place to eat. By a tree. Even though she would've sat with the other female managers, they would've still asked her about who she found attractive. Since whenever it she went into their room, it was constantly nonstop.

Eating her food, she noticed a boy with brown hair that faded into blonde. 'Nekoma' his shirt said as he sat there, facing her from afar as he was busy playing on his 3DS. 'That must be Kenma- san.'

Soon, a familiar middle blocker sat, facing to the right as they both sat on the steps.  

Yamaguchi stood next to his lifelong friend. "Why is Nishinoya the leader?"

"Apparently he's the only one that's been slapped by Kyoko- san." 

Tsukishima replied, staring off before hearing his name get called.

"Tsukishima! Eat more!" Daichi called, holding out some rice balls, his own cheeks stuffed with food.

"Er.. I can't eat that much.." Tsukishima responded, looking at the food.

"C'mon! Eat some veggies too!" Kuroo added, walking up to the blonde with a tray filled with vegetables and food. Slowly, Kenma made eye contact with [Name] as he slowly tried to walk away and towards her.

"You too, Kenma!" Kuroo ordered which made the setter, freeze.

[Name] giggled at the sight.

___

[Name] couldn't believe that camp was over, saying good bye to the managers, she stood next to Kyoko and the team, and bowed. 

"Arigatōgozaimashita!" Karasuno said, facing the Tokyo teams.

As everyone went on the bus, [Name] didn't know where to sit. Looking around, Kyoko apologized as she had a single seat. Walking to the back, she sat next to Tsukishima.

"Why are you-"

"Because I can."

[Name] looked at Tsukishima as he frowned before putting on his white headphones and looked out the window. The girl looked down at her phone and watched a movie. After a while, she felt her eyelids slowly droop as she yawned. Closing her eyes, she drifted off into sleep.

Tsukishima noticed as she slept and looked at her peaceful expression. Sitting up, he saw that everyone else was asleep except for Takeda- sensei who helped Keishin- sensei with the directions.

Looking back at the girl, he saw that she had goosebumps on her arm. Slowly reaching out, he touched her cheek. [Name] smiled softly as she leaned into the warmth of his hand. Tsukishima felt a blush rise to his cheeks before he pulled away. 

Taking off his jacket, he slowly covered her with it. The jacket covered her like a blanket. After a while, the bus went over a bump and [Name]'s head fell onto Tsukishima's shoulder.

The middle blocker froze before realizing that she was still asleep. Sighing, he looked out the window before resting his head on-top of hers. Falling asleep as well. 

****

Nishinoya: Vote and I'll happily guard you too! I'm Karasuno's Guardian after all! ;)