Transparent [Tsukishima Kei x Reader]

P 06

You sat outside the building, adoring the sky as you waited for your hair to dry. The wind was a little cold for a July but it was bearable. You exhaled through your lips— a habit you happened to do whenever you had to think through things that concerned yourself.

'I know I made a decision not too long ago to stop pretending to be an athlete but I think deep down I knew how much I didn't believe that I was just pretending.'

"There you are!"

You did a quick turn and looked at who was calling you.

"Noya-san?" 

"I was wondering where you were, you know!" Yu exclaimed, taking a seat beside you.

"I can tell," You said, smiling at him. "Why were you looking for me anyway?"

"As your senpai, I had to make sure you were okay!"

You laughed a little with how Yu looked while pointing to himself.

"Also, I was gonna ask why you weren't playing like usual," Yu added, putting away his hand.

You looked at him with a confused expression.

"I didn't have any calls on who was going to play earli-"

"No, I mean," Yu started, cutting you off. "Not just that. Ever since the match with Seijoh, you acted different."

"Different?"

"Like you weren't playing volleyball like how you did before," Yu said.

"Oh. That different," You said, looking down. "Yeah, I guess I did."

"So I wasn't wrong, huh?"

"Yup," You said, nodding.

"Why?"

"Why, huh?" You mumbled, repeating his words as a question to yourself as well. "I guess it's simply because I don't think I should even be part of the team, more so as a libero."

"But-"

"I'm wrong," You said, cutting him off this time. You turned your head towards Yu and said, "That's what you were going to say, right? Or something similar to it."

You looked away from him and stared at the small field in front of the building.

"The thing I've always told myself ever since that match is that I could help the team by not being in the matches anymore," You said. "Noya-san, you're by far a way better libero than me. You should be the one always standing behind them. Don't even try to give any more chances for me."

"But without those chances, how can you improve as a player?" Yu asked.

"Why should I even?" You asked as well, looking at him.

"What are you saying?" the second-year asked. "When I graduate next year, you're gonna be the official libero after that. That's why."

"Noya-san, I...."

You didn't know what to say. How were you going to explain that you weren't even gonna be with them next year or maybe even by the time the team finishes the next tournament.

"I think there's something you should know," You said.

"What is it?"

"There's a big chance I won't even be in Karasuno next year."

This time, Yu asked with a slow pace as if in disbelief, "Why?"

"My family moves around a lot," You said, lying effortlessly. "So I have to pack and go a lot of times."

It wasn't true but it fit with the narrative and that's all you needed. Plus, you had this reason to say now by the time you actually have to leave. That is if you are even given the chance to say goodbye.

"That's why I can't use that motivation to continue practicing because I don't even know how long I'll be here," You told him.

"Then just play in the team from the school you'll transfer to," Yu said. "No one from the team would hate you if you do that. They'd understand."

"I know they won't," You said. You knew that the team were a bunch of understanding people. "But when I move, I probably won't be able to even play volleyball competitively anymore."

"Why?"

"That's just how it is," You said.

"I don't get it," Yu admitted. He didn't understand how moving would stop you from playing volleyball. "But if that's how it'll be, then shouldn't that be more reason to play more right now?"

"Huh?" You said.

"Since you know that you probably don't have the chance to continue next year, then you're left with making the most of it this year, right?"

"But you-"

"I'm still gonna be a libero even if you play," Yu said, cutting you off for the second time.

"If I play, it's gonna be like I'm taking the time to be a libero from you," You told him. "It's not right."

"Why?" Yu asked.

"Don't you feel that way?" You asked back.

"No."

"But a  newbie taking your place," You said.

"I recommended you to take my place, remember?"

"Yeah, but still the point stands. You've played volleyball longer," You said, trying to make him see why you didn't want to play in matches anymore.

"Does that matter?" Yu asked.

"I think it does," You said, a little unsure yourself this time because of how the second-year responded.

"I don't," Yu said, shaking his head a little. "So what if I've played longer, does that make it wrong to let you play? What's wrong with letting someone new have a chance when you know they love volleyball as much as others do."

You didn't know how to respond to that, maybe you didn't even want to respond. Maybe because you actually wanted to hear a reason on why you shouldn't stop playing.

Maybe that's why you just let him talk.

"If I'm being honest, you may not be like Kageyama— a genius but libero version— but you also have advanced talent. You move fast, your reflexes go well with having to receive balls that are close to dropping. You said I have more experience than you but you have the skill to catch up if you wanted to, you know?"

Yu placed a hand on your back and patted it.

"You're a natural libero, Shin," he said.

You smiled at the second-year.

"Thank you, Noya-senpai. Really, thank you."

"No need to thank me. That's my job as a senpai!"

You chuckled as Yu stood up and said how he was such a good upperclassman. The small brunette then turned to you.

"I'm not telling you that you should do what I told you but I hope you give it some thought," Yu said.

You smiled softly.

"I will," You said. "I think deep down I don't really want to stop. But, I didn't want to bring down the team because of how weak I am as a libero. I still want to play though. Even if it feels wrong. I want to play."

"I don't see how it's wrong but you better practice hard because I'm not gonna hold myself back from improving."

"You really shouldn't or else I'm gonna catch up to you soon," You said, with a grin.

"I'm looking forward to that," Yu said, holding out his closed fist while grinning at you as well.

"You better," You replied, hitting his fist with your own.