Things Change (Sugawara x Reader x ??)

Chapter 18

Sitting at the table the dark-haired teen grumbled as she bit into her toast. Yuu had burst into her to room the previous night, waking her up from a dreamless sleep to tell that everyone was staying on to compete in the spring high tournament. (F/n) had been annoyed after the rude awakening and had struggled to get back to sleep, leaving her in a bitter mood that morning although she was relieved the headache had disappeared.

Going through the motions she got ready and headed to school, reminding herself that she had to stop by the art rooms at the end of the day to catch up on the information she missed. By the time the afternoon had rolled around the teen's spirits had lifted... ever so slightly. The day had gone by easily and there hadn't been any issues or unnecessary conversation with certain people.

After stepping out of class she made her way through the crowds of students towards her destination. Arriving at the club adviser's door she raised her fist and knocked twice then waited for an answer. The door opened to a middle-aged man wondering who had knocked, offering (F/n) a smile once he realized who it had come to his office.

"Good afternoon Miss Nishinoya, you missed our meeting yesterday," leaning against the door and casually commenting.

"Apologies sensei I went home unwell yesterday," casting her eyes away from her teacher's observant eyes.

"I hope you're feeling better today then?" running his eyes over the teen noticing she didn't appear as bright and bubbly as usual.

Shrugging her shoulder, "I'm fine."

Pressing his lips together knowing that fine was never a good sign, "then what can I help you with?"

"I just wanted to get the information I missed yesterday," playing with her finger as she explained herself.

Stepping to the side and gesturing for the teen to come into the office, "it shouldn't take long but grab a seat and I'll go over everything."

(F/n) took the seat across from the aging man's desk, "thank you sensei."

Leaving the door open he waved her off, "it's no problem. You are still entering the competition, right?"

Nodding her head, "yeah. I've got plenty to work with but I'm missing a few moments."

"Well, you maybe you could incorporate some "moments" that reflect on your life. if you know you're about to receive a surprise have someone capture it, the same goes for getting news about anything, really. Just trying a capture, a frame that is worth more than words. You want to audience to connect with your images and for it to pull at their heartstrings," he tried to explain to the teen.

Scrunching her brow, "okay... I'll see what I can do."

Giving her a reassuring smile, "good! I expect big things from you and I'm excited to see what you've come up with." Rubbing his chin stubble, "the only important information I gave out yesterday was reminding everyone entries need to be in by the end of August. I told everyone to have their entry pieces completed by the middle of August so we have time to transport them for judging."

"Okay that shouldn't be a problem," mentally trying to work out how long she would need to have the images mounted. "Was there anything else?"

Cocking his head and tapping his chin, "I told everyone next terms projects would be an open topic so you're all free to express yourselves. There are also a few small competitions coming up, I'll give you the details next time though."

(F/n)'s emerald eyes widen at not having a concept to work with, "we haven't had an open concept before."

Shrugging his shoulder, "just trying something different to get people expressing themselves."

"Oh, that makes sense... so is there anything else I should know," hoping she could leave and squeeze in some photography.

Chuckling at her rush to leave, "no that's it."

Standing up and bowing, "thank you for your time today sensei."

"Oh, there is one thing," his eyes sparkled, "after exams, I want to see what you have so far."

Her shoulder slumped as she chewed her lip, "sure I'll come past after exams."

Waving the teen off, "now go and capture some moments."

Giving the teacher a small nod before stepping out of the office and heading towards the volleyball court. Making her way through the empty corridors her footsteps echoed off the walls as her thoughts floated around to the random number that kept messaging her. Scrunching her nose debating if she should reply to his latest text or just ignore it.

Approaching the gym, she could hear the squeaking of shoes against the polished floor along with the sounds of volleyballs smacking into the floor. Grasping the handle of the gym door debating if she even wanted to go in there, to go in there and act like it didn't make the ache in her chest worsen. Closing her eyes and reminding herself that she promised her brother that she would leave her baggage behind when it involved volleyball. Chewing her bottom lip knowing they were only two people in the whole team that she didn't want to be near, two people who she thought were trustworthy. (F/n) stepped back from the door deciding it would be better just to wait another day only for it to be yanked open.

"(F/n)?" Yuu stood there for a second before taking a few quick steps over to her. "I thought you weren't coming today?"

Seeing her brother brightly smiling at her she swallowed back her emotions as best as possible. Her lips quirked up seeing how excited he was to see her, "I'm here now..."

Not taking notice of how torn she was he grabbed her wrist and pulled her inside, "come one you've already missed the first three sets!"

Nodding her head at the coach as she got dragged to the bench, "sorry I'm late. I had to stop past the art rooms first."

Shaking his head, "don't worry about it."

Dropping her bag onto the bench she quickly pulled out her camera and began taking photos as they started the fourth set. Moving around the court she attempted to capture as much as possible. When the sixth set ended she was more than happy to drop to the bench and check over her work.

"Are you still not feeling well?" her brother questioned noticing (F/n)'s tiredness. His question caught the attention of a few other members.

Offering him a lopsided smile, "I'm fine Yuu. it's just been a long day that's all."

Opening his mouth to say something only to be reminded by their captain to stretch. Watching her brother yell out to Asahi before running over to him, letting out a chuckle as the brunette paled for a moment. Pushing herself up deciding to capture a few more images only for her head to snap in the direction of the sliding door and see the Takeda-sensei falling to the floor.

The short female scolded herself for not being fast enough and capturing the fall on camera. Trailing behind the group with her camera ready while listening to everyone question if their sensei was alright. It only took a second for the teacher spring back up, his glasses hanging off his head with a bleeding nose with the look of determination flaring in his eyes. Snapping a few quick pictures half listening to what he was announcing.

Her ears pricked up at the mention of Tokyo and her mind jumped back to the night of the party then to the morning after waking up in a stranger's bed. Shaking the thoughts from her mind she decided to pay attention and see what the teacher was talking about.

After listening to him explain the basics of the training camp and who the other schools involved would be (f/n) pouted her bottom lip remembering a time when she would have been excited for such an event. Rolling her neck debating if it would be worth going to get images of other players. Her mind replayed flashes of the party and the sheer amount of volleyball players that had been there, scrunching her face at the thought of having to face any of them again.