One Moment-IwaOi

13

                                                                          Eight Weeks Later

"I think we're all ready for this aren't we, Kai?"

"You might be, but I know me and some of the crowd out there isn't. We haven't seen Aoba-Johsai beat Shiratorizawa in many years, and it's even more surprising since their captain is on the sidelines."

"Oh yes, I forgot about that. He got hurt many months ago and is still recovering, but he's still here!"

"Let's turn the camera's on Yiko, she's about to interview this captain."

"Thank you, Kai. Now, I'm walking over to where the coach and the team captain of Aoba-Johsai are sitting, waiting while the team warms up for their match against Inarizaki High."

The reporter, I guess her name is Yiko, turns to me and says, "So, Oikawa, how do you feel about your team coming to nationals without you?"

"Um, well, I'm proud. I'm happy to see the first years on the court, since I wasn't able to practice with them too much. And I don't think of them as 'Going To Nationals' without me, I think of it that I'm they're biggest fan. I can still give tips and ways to beat down the other team, I just can't be on the court."

"How nice. Now, what injuries are making you stay handicapped in a way?"

"If you can see, I have both of my arms in braces, my leg in a boot, and I still have stitches in my stomach. But before you ask, I'm not going to show you those."

The reporter seems disappointed.

"How do you think this match is going to go? I've heard that Inarizaki is a major powerhouse school."

"I've heard that too, but I also know that my team is just as strong."

"But, you're not on the court, so how do you think they'll be able to handle it."

"They'll do it just fine."

"Aren't you the setter though? Won't the wing spiker have someone new to set for them?"

"Iwaizumi has practiced for weeks with the other setter, I know they'll be okay."

"How do you think the crowd is going to take it? I've heard that a lot of people bought tickets to nationals before your match against Shiratorizawa, so they were planning to see them, not you."

"Well, that's their fault for assuming."

"How do you think the team will handle all the booing? I've heard that the Inarizaki cheering squad is very loud and tries to annoy the other team."

This reporter is really getting on my nerves, "You've heard a lot, but not seen a lot. My team will crush Inarizaki, and our cheering squad will annoy the hell out of the other crowd. That's what fangirls are for."

"But,"

"I think you should leave now, the game is about to start," Coach Irihata steps in.

Yiko turns around and walks over to the other team.

"Thank you, Coach."

"She was annoying me and making fun of my team, so she had to go."

"Most of the interviewers I've talked with have always been kinda rude. I just wish I could find one that actually is interested in our team's well-being."

Coach Irihata nods and then a referee walks over, holding a gold coin.

"Excuse me, but could I ask if the team captain could toss the golden coin to start the game off? It would be great because you are the captain, but you're hurt and can't play."

Before he rambles on, Irihata holds out a hand.

"It would be an honor for my captain to flip the coin."

"Oh, good," He lets go of a deep breath. "Well, the game is going to start in five minutes, so get your team ready and then I'll call you over," He jogs back to where the other referee stands.

The whistle blows to single practice is over, and my team drops the ball and rushes over.

"What was the referee talking to you about?" Iwaizumi wipes his brow.

"Oh nothing. . .I'm just going to flip the coin to start the game."

He looks at me and rolls his eyes, "You can't do something normally, can you?"

"Hey! I thought you would be proud I would be doing this!"

"Sure."

I huff at him and turn to Mattsun.

"Mattsun, do you think it's an honor that I'm gonna flip the ceremonial coin?"

"Not really, usually the refs just do it, so it's not that important."

"Uh! Wow, what about you Takahiro?"

"Oh no, do not drag me into this."

"How did I get stuck with such horrible friends."

Iwaizumi stands next to me and leans down.

"I think it's an honor, don't worry," He whispers it, so I can only hear.

"Really?"

"Oikawa, it's an honor to have you here and not in the stands with all the fangirls."

"Guys! Stop all your flirtatious whispering and get ready, the game is about to start."

"I wasn't flirting, I was smacking some sense into his thick skull," Iwaizumi stands and squeezes my shoulder.

I don't understand him, but I just smile and laugh.

The ref comes back and motions me to come over. I roll my wheelchair to where the side of the net is, where the score board is, and wait while the announcers start to talk.

"Well, look at that Kai, it seems that the Aoba-Johsai's captain, Yiko released that his name was Oikawa, is going to flip the coin to start the game! I wonder how Inarazki is going to take this honor."

"It doesn't matter now, it looks like he's going to flip it right now!"

Once the announcers stop they're jabbering, I hold out the coin and look at it from all angles. On one side is a crown and the other is a fox. Whichever side it lands on, that's the team that will start the game off.

I say a silent pray for my team and flip the coin up in the air.