Unreadable. Unreachable. Unrequited. | TsukiYama ✓

17

! Contains spoilers for season 2 episode 22-25 !

[Tsukishima]

I couldn't find the perfect time to talk to him before playoffs started. I think that after the cafe things weren't so tense around us and we could still play together, but as soon was practise was over he wouldn't even look at me...

Ohgiminami.
Kakugawa.
Johzenji.
Wakutani South.

We beat them all and were near the end of the second set against Aoba Johsai when Yamaguchi was swapped in. This was the second time he'd been swapped in the entire playoffs, his first being against Wakutani. He'd flunked that and I couldn't help but feel guilty. However... He was looking much more confident than he had during the last match.

The team gave him some words of encouragement as Hinata ran over to take his number card. Nishinoya, Hinata, Sugawara and Ennoshita all stood, one leg raised and a finger pointed at Yamaguchi as they cheered him on.
It was quite entertaining and seemed to lighten Yamaguchi's spirits. I stood in front of the net, arms behind my head for a moment. That was by instinct, so I wouldn't get hit like Kageyama did during the Aoba Johsai practise match. But now... I slowly lowered my arms, holding them out as I dropped my hips a bit, mimicking the stance of the others on the front row.

I trusted Yamaguchi not to serve into the back of my head.

The whistle was blown and the entire court was silent for a few seconds, the atmosphere tense as no one dared to move. Then, we heard the squeaking of shoes as Yamaguchi ran forward and tossed the ball up, drawing his arm back and hitting it so that the ball had little to no spin on it. It flew over the net shakily, then we heard a call from their libero, Shinji Watari.

"It's out!" Watari called as he and Kentaro Kyotani, Mad Dog, stepped aside. However, as soon as they did the ball curved in, hitting their side of the court just inside the line. The court was silent for another moment before our team erupted into cheers.

I looked to Yamaguchi and I could see the joy in his face. He looked so excited and prideful and.. he met my gaze. I smiled at him. He smiled back.

"It's really nothing to be all too surprised about." I murmured, walking over. Tanaka glared at me and started speaking but I cut him off. "These past few months Yamaguchi has been practising his serves more than anyone. It was bound to happen." I nodded to him. Yamaguchi's small smile cracked into a larger grin.

"Snakey little supportive son of a bitch!" Tanaka laughed, an arm around my neck as the other repeatedly punched me in the side. I grumbled and pulled out of his grip, just going back to the front row.
Someone bounced a ball back to Yamaguchi, who copied what he'd done last time and managed another perfect float serve towards Kyotani.

Kyotani looked ready to receive, but the ball swerved and bounced off his shoulder, earning us another point. We cheered for Yamaguchi again and I could see the grin on his face, making me smile slightly in turn. When I faced Aoba Johsai again, I took in all of their stances. Ah.. they were expecting another float serve, they were standing ready for an overhand receive.

I whistled to get Yamaguchi's attention, holding up three fingers behind my back. It was an extra code the team had come up with after the BTEC training camp, especially for Yamaguchi's serves. It was a power meter, going from one to three with one being his float serve. I glanced back at him and he nodded, walking to the serving line.

He tossed the ball up and ran forward, crouching down and drawing his arms back before kicking off on his front foot. He slammed his hand as hard as he could against the ball, eyes narrowed on the spot he was aiming for. The ball flew right past Oikawa's face, just skimming his cheek as it bounced off the inside of the play line. He was staring in shock, standing up straight after he realised he'd missed it.

I stared at him and smirked and he must've caught my gaze because he just glared back.
"What, you think you're the only one with a good serve?" I snickered, turning to congratulate Yamaguchi. When I turned I held up two fingers and he nodded in understanding. A serve to the net, that should throw them off.

The game started up again and he served just that, a float serve to the net. It just skimmed the top, bouncing on Aoba Johsai's side right before someone dived to try and dig it.

Four in a row? Wow.. Yamaguchi sure was amazing.

During the next serve, he chose a float serve that was dug up with an overhand receive a little too early. Hajime Iwaizumi, their ace, spiked the ball in a clean cut shot and I grimaced for the sound of the ball hitting the court. Instead, I heard the ball hitting something harder and a grunt followed after. I turned to see the ball flying off Yamaguchi's shoulder and for Kageyama to quickly dive and keep the ball in play. I watched the ball soar over to me.

"Tsukishima, last hit!" I heard someone call, as if that wasn't already what I was going to do. I followed the ball with my gaze and leaped up, only to be met by a three-person block. I narrowed my eyes, tapping the ball sideways so that it deflected off Oikawa's hand and fell inside the court on their side. The blocking trio stared after the ball before glaring back at me. What children. I picked the ball up as it rolled to me, smirking subtly before drawing up and bouncing it to Yamaguchi.

"Do it again." I murmured, holding up three fingers. He stared at me for a moment before grinning and nodding.

-

We lost that set, but took the third and secured our place in going against Shiratorizawa in the finals.

As we were getting in a group huddle, Nishinoya and Hinata leapt onto us, causing us all to fall down in a giant crow heap. There was lots of chattering and yelling, but the thing I was most concerned about was keeping Yamaguchi's still-injured face and entire body shielded. So I pushed him aside as I stood up, dusting myself down.

"How's your shoulder? You received a spike from their ace with your body, that has to hurt." I asked while we walked to the coach and sensei.

"Don't worry about it."

"Yamaguchi."

"Fine, fine. Yeah it hurts, the ball hit a bruise.." Yamaguchi looked away, grimacing slightly.

"They hurt you.. everywhere?" I asked slowly, unable to mask the concern.

"Tsukki, really don't worry. If you're really that bothered, I'll talk to you later." He nodded to me and I nodded back before we went and grouped up with the rest of our team.

Wait-

He called me Tsukki again.