secret gem • haikyuu !!

24 ; Left Behind

*****

[ 2 Years Ago ]

Letting the hot steam from my body battle against the air's chilled breath. I took rigid and sharp inhales and exhales, feeling the array of hairs stand on my skin. My cheeks were hot and my mind was agitated. I bent my body and let my hands plant onto my knees. I needed more oxygen to my lungs, my muscles, my heart, my body. I flickered my eyes towards my teammates, seeing them run across the court and marking their player.

They're doing the most they can to win. But what am I doing?

Watching my opponent run past, I let my body take over before I could think. It was instinctual to follow you player, mark them and keep the ball in sight. Let the ball pass from outside of the court, using it's width and length. That was drilled for hours every week. Hours and hours and hours I practiced and practice.

But why wasn't I good enough?

"Mai!!" My goal attack called out, as my body led me to an empty space.

She threw the ball over towards me and mid-jump I caught it safely. Seeing my team re-adjust into the semicircle, I was able to throw the ball to her. She caught it and aimed to shoot into the hoop. With our goal shooter prepared to catch the rebound, I positioned myself and pinned the other centre to the corner of the semicircle. I kept my eye up there, watching the ball being thrown into the hoop.

It wasn't going in.

As the ball looped over the top of the hoop, the other team's goal keeper was able to grab a hold of it. Within that instant, I followed my centre around. I kept to her as close as I could. Because if I didn't, we would lose. We wouldn't win. Probably because their team was way better.

We knew the outcome, we always lose...

I chased her down to the end of her team's side. She was too fast. But a boost of energy and hated adrenaline pumped through my body. I let it take course and I was ahead. As someone from her team tried to pass her the ball, I jumped up and hit it out of bounds.

That wasn't even a good strategy. I should've caught it instead. Now they have the ball closer to their third. Closer to their net and goal. I felt my body give in, more like around my waist where a sharp pain punched its way through to injure me. I hated this feeling. Because I over excerpted myself, my stamina had decreased. I didn't want to hyperventilate yet. But my slow wheeze alerted me to breathe properly.

I cursed under my breath as my centre positioned herself out of the court. She held the ball as I stood back to mark her. From behind, a myriad of shouting and calling out to her. I tried to keep my arms up, keep the same distance so I don't get called out for obstruction. My eyes continued to follow hers and the ball.

Over head pass? Bounce pass? What is she going to do?

"Anna!!"

With that name, she passed to a player in the second third. Making everyone space out again. I kept my body near her so she couldn't receive anymore passes. But it didn't matter, they knew how to work together properly. Their synergy was there and they never seemed to be out of sync.

Why were we so different of a team?

The ball was passed through from their wing attack and straight to their goal shooter.

She was tall. Way too tall for her age. At least 5'10", maybe even 5'11". She could basically dunk the ball if she hopped on her leg. She was a great shooter as well.