Smart Girl | Ushijima x OC

Chapter 2: The Manager

She was the smart girl. In all her time at the school, Hana was never known for her athletics, and especially not her volleyball skills. Hell, she hadn't even played the game once in her life. Wakatoshi came forward and faced her.

"Our coach said we should try and get you on the team. None of us know why, but he said we should try to recruit you. If you can, please come to our practise after school." Hana still stayed silent. Wakatoshi had no facial expression at all, she couldn't tell what he was thinking. He was stoic and blank. After a moment of thought, Hana replied,

"Well I really have no idea why you want me as a manager, I don't even have experience from the game. But if you insist, I'll think about it. I'll come to the practise if I can. Now if you'll excuse me." She turned and walked away from the group, leaving the cafeteria and the boys behind.

They sat back down at their table together and continued eating.
"Wonder why the coach wanted to recruit a girl like that." Tendo pondered.
"Yeah I can't think of anything. All I know is that she gets the highest grades in our year group, but apart from that I've never even talked to her. And by the looks of her reaction I'm guessing she doesn't know why either."

While Tendo and Eita conversed, Ushijima sat silently with his own thoughts. There was something about her that he couldn't understand, and he didn't even know what it was. She confused him, and he didn't like it at all.

                         ~~~~~~~~~~~

Hana made her way back to the classroom and returned to her group. The three girls immediately bombarded her with questions
"What happened??"
"Where did he take you?"
"Are you in trouble?" Hana laughed at their loud reaction.

"Calm down guys, it was fine. Actually it was pretty weird. He was from the volleyball club, said he wanted me to be a manager or something like that? But I have no idea why, I've never even played volleyball before. How did he even know to choose me? I'd never talked to them before." The four of them were all stuck to why Hana was suddenly approached like that.

"Maybe it's because you're smart?" Aya suggested
"I highly doubt that. What does being book smart have to do with volleyball. Seems pretty useless to me." Hana replied
"Who all did you talk to?" Kaoru asked
"Yeah well we went to the cafeteria and there was these two other guys, Tendo and Ushijima. Tendo was weird and hyper, Ushijima was huge and super plain-" Hana was quickly cut off.

"Ushijima?? He's a super popular. Not to mention he's ripped and really hot. Not my type, but I can totally appreciate him from afar." Kaori ranted. Hana did agree that he wasn't the ugliest guy around, but he was so stoic and silent. His personality took a bit of a toll on his looks in her opinion.

                            ~~~~~~~~~~

The day had finally drawn to a close and everyone was packing their bags and ready to go home. Everyone other than Hana that is. She was still torn on whether she should go to that practise or not. On one hand, she was super tired, and had a tv show she wanted to watch as soon as she got home. Yet on the other, the curiosity was killing her. Nothing added up.

"Hana-chan, you've been staring into space for five minutes now, get a hold of yourself." Mari stated,
"Just go to the damn practise. If you think there's nothing there for you, just leave. There's nothing those volleyball dorks can do about it. Me and Aya are heading out now, our moms waiting at the front gate. Make sure to tell us everything tomorrow, see ya!" And with that, the twins left Hana and Kaori in the classroom.

"She's right you know," Kaori said,
"It's not like it'll kill you. Plus it would be better to get this mess cleared up, don't you think? If you feel like leaving them just do it, but at least check it out." Hana turned to her and nodded reluctantly.
"Ugh, fineee. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to see for a bit. I better get going then. See you tomorrow Kaori." Hana waved to her friend and started her way to the school's gym.