Another Manager (Akashi Seijuro x OC)

1.2 Karasuno High School's Volleyball Club

Ai held back a sneeze while handing out samples of the bitter matcha tea. Unbeknownst to her, Sugawara and the others were talking to Hinata and Kageyama about how they and one of the managers had seen their game last year.

It took her a while to finish her duties. Apparently, there was a lot of commotion in the Second Gymnasium, and to be honest, Ai was a little worried about her volleyball team; especially, her classmate Tanaka. However, Ai fulfilled her other commitment first.

Around sunset, she was able to go join their practice: Karasuno High School's Volleyball Club. She knew Kiyoko would already be there, dressed in her sports jersey, so she wanted to hurry. When Ai arrived in front of the sliding doors, two boys were loitering outside, seeming troubled.

"Hello," she called out. "May I help you?"

They whipped their heads around.

"Uhhh..." the shorter boy stammered.

Ai smiled politely and stood in front of them with grace. Her long, pitch-black hair fell straight down and cut off at the small of her back, and she had a rather curvy body.

She wore the school uniform to club practice, as she felt more comfortable in it; skirts and casual formal was more of her style than sportswear. Her very presence was embroidered with elegance, and her magenta eyes glittered rather reddish.

"Ai's here!"
The door opened as Ennoshita motioned for her to come inside. "Come on, Captain's orders."

She bowed her head respectfully and made her way inside, the doors slamming shut behind her by Sugawara. "What was that about?"

"Some heated rivalry, apparently. They're to stay outside until they learn to get along." Ennoshita shrugged.

"Oh," Ai contemplated, shedding her blazer and handing out filled water bottles.

She worked with her supervisor for a couple more hours as managers of the volleyball team. They checked in on their orders for the official jerseys for the new members and made plans to research other teams. They also took notes of exercises the players could do for practice, drawing up a rough draft of a training menu. She wrote in her notebook the fabricated schedule of practicing block follows and serve receives.

It was more work for them, the captain, and the vice captain because they didn't have a coach anymore.

Ai finished for the night by helping the guys clean up and with a promise of a three-on-three that weekend.

She covertly insisted that Tanaka leave as soon as he could, knowing he would have a series of extra early mornings until the big day. Just as she bid her three other fellow second-years goodbye, her phone began to ring. Ai pulled it out of her bag and looked at the caller's name, smiling. "Hello?"

"Ai."

"Seijuro," she greeted, and started to walk home.

"How was the first day?"

"It was... interesting. A lot of commotion with the two first-years in volleyball, but a good first day. ...I think."
If the incident with the vice principal's toupee hadn't been too bad, like Sugawara had told her.

"Hm, I see. Is the sadō club going well, too?"

"It is. Thank you for asking." Her normally cool heart swelled at his consideration. "How are things on your end?" she asked tentatively.

"It's going well. The student council helped greet and guide the freshmen students around campus today. And, the basketball club looks like it'll gain many new members, thanks to our publicity last year. I believe the others are still bathing in their fame, too."