Guardian (Nishinoya x Reader) 🏐

Chapter 26: Allies

*Y/N's POV*

The car ride back to school was smothered with awkward silence. I shuttered over the immense amount of tension suffocating the air.

To avoid conflict, Sugawara had me sit in the passenger seat up front, while he sat in the back, sandwiched between Yuu and Tobio. Nishinoya stared aimlessly out the car window, his head propped in his palm. A glum, lifeless expression rested upon his face. Tobio desperately tried to lean across Suga to scowl at Nishinoya, who in return paid him no attention. Suga apologetically smiled and shrugged every time I glanced behind me at the back seat.

Ukai reeled into the school parking lot and shut off the ignition. "Alright, back to work all of you," he drowsily commanded us. "Boys, get inside and start warming up. Practice games will start at 7:45. You've got about half an hour left."

The boys trudged off to the gym, clearly still exhausted from waking up at 4am, worrying about me for most of the night, and suffering through that strenuous conversation with Dr. Sohma.

As I was about to trail after them, Ukai stopped me in my tracks, "Little Kageyama." His tone serious, but not threatening.

I turned to face him, surprised by his sudden actions. He rarely talked to me. "Yes, Coach?" I responded, utterly confused.

"The coaches were notified about your incident. We... we know the truth behind your story." My eyes widened, practically bulged out of my head. "But don't worry, please. We only want to help. On top of that, we informed the teams that you just didn't hydrate well enough and passed out from the heat."

I nodded my head, emotionless, still trying to comprehend. I tore my eyes from their drifted staring, connecting with Ukai's. "Thank you," I spoke quietly, but allowed a soft smile to appear on my face, displaying genuine gratitude.

"Kageyama... also know... that we are here for you too," He struggled to let the words out, unsure of how to commence a deep conversation. "Me, Takeda, any of the coaches, if you ever need anything, aren't feel well, or just need to talk things through... we're here too." He rubbed the back of his neck and looked away. "So, uh, yeah. Please don't be afraid to reach out."

My soft smile grew into a light toothy one. "Thank you, coach. I will keep that in mind. I appreciate the support you are all providing me with. It makes me feel... cared for."

"Of course we care about you. You are very important to this team. Not just because you're an assistant manager or that you're Kageyama's sister, but because you provide this team with all the aspects I lack. Moral support. Friendship. Kindness. Motivation. They look to you in time of need," Coach Ukai explained.

Do I really do all that?
Do I mean that much?

Ukai took a step closer and patted me on the head. "You do good kid..." He sighed, peering down at me. "Now, scurry off. The boys have been worried sick. I bet they're dying to see you."

As soon as I pushed the gym doors open, I spotted a flash of orange. Before I knew it, I was sprawled across the floor, a small person lying on top of me. "Oh, hi Hinata," I grunted from beneath him.

He propped himself up, a hand on either side of my shoulders, brightly smiling down at me, "I'm so glad to see you Y/N-Chan!"

"Hey, get off her. Hinata Boke!" Tobio stormed over, gripped Hinata by the collar, pried him off, and tossed him aside. Then, he knelt down beside me and offered his help. Gratefully, I clasped onto his outstretched hands and he pulled me up off the hard wood flooring.

He snapped his head back to Hinata. "Be careful you idiot. She's still recovering," he hissed, glaring intently at the cowering boy.

Before I had the chance to cool him off, a new body pounced on me from behind, except this time I didn't fall. Turning my head to see who's beefy arms snaked around my neck, I was met face to face with Bokuto. Fiercely swaying me back and forth, he nuzzled his face against mine.