Karasuno's Mangers: Little Ukai and The Runaway

33: Girl Problems

When it came to playing with others, Yaotome was the least of Karasuno's worries. He didn't get provoked as easily as Shoji did and his will to play in an actual game was more apparent than Takita's.

"Can we practice again like last night?" he asked.

Noya's eyes lit up. "You betcha! Oh, but I noticed that you didn't try the rolling thunder in any of our games."

"Noya," Tanaka said as he shook his head, "if he's not careful he could hurt his shoulder doing that."

"I forgot about that. Then we'll just have to practice somersaults! You carry your weight on your shoulders so make sure to properly stretch."

He followed his upperclassmen out of the gymnasium. The sun had set a half hour ago and the air outside was much cooler. Some of the first years from the other schools were doing passing drills on the pavement, others were lying down on the grass and eating snacks.

"T-Bone, hey!"

Tadashi turned around, waving as they entered the gymnasium. "Hi guys. Did you already eat dinner?"

The boys shook their heads no.

"Mirae will bring us something later."

"Yeah," Tanaka snorted, "as if she'd let us continue practice hungry."

Tadashi felt like he should tell them to stop adding to their Manager's stress but chose against it. It was their third night at Shinzen but Mirae had already established her reputation as the overbearing mother, threatening to spoon feed them if they didn't eat their meals.

Tsukishima learned that the hard way.

Tanaka and Tadashi took turns serving to 'Tome, and Noya stood near him, critiquing his technique and offering advice. Ten minutes passed before Mirae called their names.

"Dinner," she narrowed her eyes.

"Oh beautiful goddess, I would love to take you out to dinner."

"I think she meant we have to eat our dinner," Tadashi chuckled. He tossed the volleyball into its cart and went to change into his outdoor shoes.

"I am getting hungry," as if on cue, Tanaka's stomach growled. "Alright, we can come back after we've filled up."

Noya slung his arm over Mirae's shoulder, a dream-like expression on his face. "You'll still have dinner with us, right?"

The corners of her lips lifted. "Of course, I do have to make sure that Tsukki eats. Oh, 'Tome, I'll bring you a light snack later on if you get hungry."

Yaotome smiled gratefully. He had little to no appetite for dinner and Mirae was quick to notice this on their first day. At first, she thought he was being picky. If it were anyone else, she wouldn't believe them. But they came to a mutual agreement that he could skip dinner if he promised to eat a light snack that she brought him.

"That damn Tsukishima," Noya growled as Tadashi and Mirae walked out. "I'm starting to think he's doing it on purpose."

"Doing what on purpose?" Tanaka asked.

"Things that would make Mirae focus all her attention on him. He's a scheming and smart little bastard, it's only a matter of time before he pulls a move on her."

"You think he would?"

"I know he would. I see the way he stares at her."

"We're talking about the same Tsukishima right?"

The third years continued to debate as they walked outside.

There wasn't much that 'Tome could do to practice alone so he walked back and forth, bumping the ball on his forearms. He was getting bored and considered leaving to find someone else from Karasuno he could practice with, when two other boys ran into the gym.