𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐒𝐓 | OIKAWA TOORU [UNDER CONSTRUCTION!]

━━━━━ PROLOGUE

I WON'T FORGET ABOUT YOU !
❝—あなたことを忘れない.❞

YOU BOW YOUR HEAD DEEPLY. You're glad that Michimiya can't see your face—you're currently blinking away your tears.

"Thank you for everything, Captain!" you shout, hands clenched, "I'm so grateful to have been on your team!"

There's a brief moment of silence before Michimiya gently lifts your chin up. Rubbing your eyes, you hand her your uniform and plaster on a smile. You don't want Michimiya to see you like this. You want to end things on a good note.

"Y/N, you don't have to do this," she says, frowning, "It's not your fault. You shouldn't have to leave the team because others are being toxic."

You shake your head, biting your bottom lip. She's right, but you don't want to prolong the inevitable.

"Volleyball is a team sport, but I make the girls uncomfortable. How can I continue to play when I bring everyone else down?" you ask, looking at the floor. Your mind replays the snide remarks that the bench players have said to you. You wince just thinking about the last game at the Spring Interhigh. The girls refused to sub in while you were on the court, and your team ended up throwing away the entire game to the opponents.

Michimiya grabs your hands and holds them with a firm conviction. You blink rapidly. You've never seen her act this aggressive. With furrowed brows, she tells you, "Don't throw away your talent, Y/N. You're too good for the girls, so why don't you try out for the boys' team?"

Your eyes widen at the idea. Is that even allowed? Michimiya stares at you with an intense gaze, and you gulp. She's serious.

"Say sike right now."

She shakes her head.

"You're on their level! Your jump serves are out of this world!" Michimiya comments, "I can also try putting in a good word about you to Daichi."

As his name tumbles out of her mouth, her face immediately flushes a bright pink. You can't help but giggle at her flustered state. Anyone who's close with Michimiya knows about her crush on Daichi—it's so blatantly obvious. You nudge Michimiya on the shoulder and poke fun at her, "I see how it is. I bet you're using me as an excuse to talk to him."

You feign hurt, and she pouts.

"Shush! You know it's because I care about you!"

Grinning, you continue this back-and-forth with her until the custodian cuts the conversation short and explains how he needs to lock the gymnasium up. You search around, making sure that you're not leaving anything behind, and you steal a glimpse at Michimiya. Your heart swells. She's the best at comforting others; you feel so lucky to have a friend like her.

Michimiya grabs her water bottle from the bench, and you toss your bag over your shoulder. As you two leave the gymnasium, Michimiya peers at you expectantly.

"So, are you going to do it?"

You take off the elastic hair tie from your ponytail and let your hair flow down. Rolling the band onto your wrist, you shrug.

"We'll see."