kiddo

chapter three

"Yū, I swear, just tell me what the surprise is," I plead, as my brother dances around our living room.

    He sticks out his tongue, "I'm not telling you! You'll find out later."

    I can't wrap my head around the fact that Yū is 26 and still acts like a toddler.

    "If you ruin any of my personal belongings for a prank," I mutter angrily, grabbing my school bag from the floor, "I will slit your jugular."

    He just laughs and opens the front door, calling out to me as I head down the street, "Have fun at school!"

    The thought of a surprise haunts me throughout the day, but as I head to the Karasuno gym I finally push it out of my mind, realizing that there is nothing I can do to hinder it anyways.

    I hear a flurry of footsteps approaching, and I turn I around two masses leap up, attempting to hug me.

"Koda!" they yell as they run.

I step backward, letting the two boys crash into each other.

Shaking my head I rub my temples, "I already told you two, call me Takinoue."

"Sorry about them Taki," I hear a deep voice say from just inside the gym.

I step onto the waxed hardwood floor, eyes gazing at the empty court.

Glancing to my right I see Daichi and I smile, "It's fine, they're harmless."

"Did you hear that Noya? Koda said we're harmless!" I hear Tanaka yell.

They screech and I roll my eyes, walking to talk to Daichi.

"Anything new I should know about?" I ask inquisitively, getting out my notebook, "Has Takeda heard anything about new practice matches?"

"No, I haven't seen him yet," he says shaking his head.

Then with a smile, he pats my head, "You're doing a great job. Manager suits you well."

"I learned from the best," I insist, thinking back to my second year.

My face falls as I reminisce about Kiyoko, still not understanding why she had to transfer.

Daichi nods, "I miss her too."

"Miss who?" Suga asks as he approaches.

I smile, "It's nothing, we were just talking about Kiyoko."

"Ah yes," he sighs, "My wife."

I burst out laughing, the mood instantly lifted. That was Suga's gift, making everyone happy the instant he appeared.

Daichi grins and then looks around the gym.

"Is everyone here?" he bellows, his voice filling the entire room.

"Yes!" everyone shouts, quickly assembling in a half-circle around him.

Daichi nods and continues, "Okay, let's warm up!"

The group splits in two, each moving to opposite ends of the court. One group grabs balls while the other readies themselves for the oncoming serves.

I sigh and go sit on the bench, legs on either side of the wood, notebook laying in the middle. I bend over slightly and start writing diligently in my notebook, waiting for Takeda to show up.

The gym door flies open and a familiar voice shouts, "Suprise!"

My eyes shoot up, hoping I heard the wrong person.

"Yū-" I gasp, "Yūsuke, what the fuck are you doing here?"

"Do not fear!" he announces with a smile, "For the Neighborhood Association Team is here!"