𝑺𝑨𝑽𝑰𝑶𝑼𝑹 ᵏᵒᶻᵘᵐᵉ ᵏᵉⁿᵐᵃ

十一

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"Today, you'll be doing mixed duos. Everyone group by genders, I'll be announcing the team." Itachiyama's badminton coach, Mazawa Ippei announced as he stood in the middle of the court, a clipboard in one hand.

"Who do you think you'll pair up with, Natsume-san?!" Nishinoya Miake quizzed, jumping up and down.

"I'm fine with anyone except Tsukasa. He's just going to laze around and make me do all the work." She bluntly stated, not caring if the bubblegum-haired boy heard her.

"I see! But he's an excellent player when he actually puts his all in a match!" The first-year chirped, stealing a glance at the tall third-year. The boy caught her gaze and just furrowed his brows slightly before shrugging his shoulders.

"Alright, first up. Iwaza Takumi and Sugimoto Kyomi."

The team captain cheered loudly but Kyomi could only freeze in her spot, her eyes widening. She didn't expect to team up with the team captain and that easily made her flustered. She only recently joined the badminton club after being persuaded by her brother, Ohira for months. She was still nervous and shy around others, even with the happy go lucky, Nishinoya Miake.

"Let's beat all these incompetent players together, Kyo-chan!" Iwaza Takumi beamed, lifting his palm up for her to slap it.

"S-sure!" She stammered, their hands now in a high-five.

"You're going to regret saying that, Takumi-san," Atsuko responded, placing a hand on her left hip.

"We'll see about that, Ichiko-chan." He smirked, knowing that made her irritated. She irked an eyebrow, her nose flaring up in anger.

"Don't taunt each other. You guys can fight on the court instead." The coach reprimanded, before listing the next pair. Atsuko nodded her head but not without showing him a finger when the coach wasn't looking. Takumi gasped dramatically, placing a hand on his chest.

"Next up, Natsume Rin and Sugimoto Ohira."

Rin could only smile menacingly at the plum-haired boy, her light blue eyes darkening. Ohira shivered instantaneously as he wrote his will internally in his head.

"You know what happens if we lose, Ohira." She stated, tucking her hair behind her heavily pierced ears.

"Y-yes! I'll do my best!"

"Narisago Tsukasa and Nishinoya Miake."

"What?! They're like the complete opposite of each other!" Atsuko interjected, wondering why their Coach would do such a pairing. Tsukasa was the laziest in the team whereas Miake was the most energetic one.

"Yeah... but I know why Coach did so." Takumi answered to which Atsuko cocked an eyebrow, crossing her arms as she did so.

"Miake-chan will learn how to limit her movements and how to preserve her energy by watching Tsu-chan. He, on the other hand, will learn how to keep up with her and increase his stamina." He explained nonchalantly as if he could read Coach Ippei's mind.

"You're right, Takumi." Coach answered, slightly impressed. Then again, this was Iwaza Takumi — team captain of the Badminton Club. Takumi was good at analysing his teammates' strengths and weaknesses and how to improve them. This was one of the reasons why he is one of the badminton representatives for the under-19 national Youth Championship.*

Miake only jumped up and down, excited to play. She didn't mind playing with anyone as she equally liked everyone. The bubblegum-haired boy just nodded his head, a blank expression on his face.