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Going to work after school had become habitual for two months that Akaashi had to remind you about practice when you were leaving early.
Nothing changed significantly, except for the fact that Bokuto trained harder and obviously better when you were around to monitor the team. Other than that, he was particularly thrilled about an upcoming practice match with Nekoma.
You all walked home together after practice. Bokuto stopped at a nearby store to buy ice cream and dragged Akaashi with him as usual. The other third years partook in the afternoon snack hunt. They came out a while later.
"All right! I can't wait to play with Kuroo again."
"It's been a while since we saw Nekoma, right?" Sarukui added.
"I heard from Kozume that Nekoma went to Miyagi for another training camp with Karasuno," Akaashi stated.
"I miss training camps," Bokuto walked with his hand behind his head.
"You just say that because you want to escape school," Konoha kicked his butt with the knee.
Bokuto laughed, wrapping a hand over Konoha's shoulder, "It's all part of the spirit of youth my friend."
If you remembered clearly, things would get a little competitive when it comes to the team captain of Nekoma and Fukurodani. Of course, all that just happened due to their sense of winning in the match while they were actually close friends off the court.
Still, it didn't rule out the possibility that they wouldn't make a trivial matter a competition. As far as Akaashi acknowledged, they shared the same brain cells after all.
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Nekoma's bus was parked in the school parking lot. The team had all gathered in the area, each carried a duffel bag across their back.
They walked over in your direction and waved their hands as a friendly gesture. You knew all was going normal when you saw Yamamoto lunged himself at you.
"[name]!"
You had anticipated this kind of situation so you successfully dodged it at the perfect timing. The poor guy fell on the ground behind you.
"Yamamoto! Behave yourself please for the sake of the team's image." Yaku admonished the second year.
Fukunaga hunkered beside Yamamoto like a curious cat and poked his tenuous limbs. Yamamoto squirmed in the dirt. He raised his head with a sob.
"I- I want a manager for Nekoma. Please, please!"
Ignoring his childish whining, Yaku gripped his collar jacket and hauled his body away from the spot.
"Sorry about that. Kenma did tell me to buy a leash before we arrive. I guess I should have listened to him."
The tall and spiky black-haired captain greeted you, "It's great to see you again, kitten."
"It's nice to see you again, Kuroo-san. I thought we're over with the 'kitten' name."
"Yeah, but it fits you so well," he grinned.
"It doesn- Oh, good afternoon, coach Nekomata."
He fondly smiled at you and reached for your hands, "Good afternoon, [surname]. Oya oya. You are getting prettier ever since the last time I saw you."
"T-thank you, coach."
He gave the back of your hand a light tap, "Let's do our best for today's practice match."
He left with Naoi, one of the coaches of Nekoma, while you were meeting more members of the team. This time, he was a foreign colossal character with a Chesire cat-like smile.
"Yo! Remember me?"
"Of course!" You put a hand on your chin and snapped your fingers once you got your answer, "Shibayama, right?"
"What- no! I'm Lev!"
You playfully slapped his broad shoulder, "I'm just kidding, Lev. How are you doing? Have you practiced your techniques yet?"
"Ah, you remember! I have practiced really hard with Kuroo-san and Hinata during the training camp. You just see in today's match, I will finally prove to Kai-san that I'm Nekoma's number one ace!"
He enthusiastically shared his progress with you while Kenma was seen rolling his eyes behind him.
Lev had taken a liking to you because you helped him get through his benching era in previous practice matches.
For most of the reason, he and Kenma weren't the best pair on the team so most of the time coach Nekomata had to bench Lev and keep the better player on the court.
Since the setter didn't like him as much, he isolated himself from the team. You comforted him from time to time and he would listen to you wholeheartedly because you reminded him of his big sister.
You weren't sure how he handled himself during matches against other schools, but he got back on his feet and he thanked you for it.
As you were walking to the gym, you saw Lev was able to talk jokingly with Kenma, even if the second-year setter paid no mind. It was a major improvement, to say the least.
"Hey, Hey, Heyy! Welcome back to our humble sanctuary. Prepare to lose again, hahaha-ouch-" Konoha took the liberty to chop Bokuto's head.
"Bokuto-san, please be nice to our visitor," you walked past him.
Akaashi turned to you, "You stole my line. But yes, as she said."
The two teams changed to their practice attire. Nekoma wore black t-shirts and red shorts with a blue sports bib, while Fukurodani wore dark blue t-shirts and white shorts with a lighter blue sports bib on top. They took turns on the court to warm up with the balls.
You were moving out of the way to sit on the bench when Bokuto called your name. The team was gathering near you. Seeing them up close made you forget how tall most of them were.
"Do you guys need something before we start?"
"Yes, can you raise your hands like this?" Bokuto instructed you to raise your hands about the same height as your shoulder.
After that, he gave you a delicate yet encouraging high-five. His lips formed into a smile.
The rest all lined up behind him to do the same thing in turns. Each who moved forward to you cheered the same 'Yay!' that brought a smile to your face. Then Akaashi came last with only a passive expression.
You tugged his shirt before he marched to the court, "Mind filling me what was that about?"
"Bokuto wanted to cherish you as the team's good luck charm in order to win today."
"Aww."
He giggled faintly seeing your reaction, "Wish us good luck on the game, manager-san."
"Always."
Regardless of hadn't been lucky yourself for the majority of the time, you were honored that the team considered you as their lucky charm. You were happy that they thought so highly of you.
You sat on the bench, gazing at the two teams divided by the net. They had their pride and confidence worn on their faces. Spirits determined and unswerving.
"Fukurodani Academy versus Nekoma High. Practice match, begin!"
