kiddo

chapter seven

"Okay, so if no one has any questions, we'll head into the gym and warm up," Ukai says sternly, addressing the rest of the bus as they patiently wait to step out onto the concrete.

I stand up from my seat and clear my throat, "If anyone has food allergies, please let me know before you go in to warm up."

I look at all the boys in their seats and they nod in response, looking slightly nervous, so I add, "Do your best! I know you all will learn one thing or another, so good luck and remember to have fun!"

I glance at Daichi and he smiles brightly back at me, letting me know that my comment was not in vain.

"With those wonderful words of encouragement, let's go," Ukai grins as he motions for the team to disembark.

I wait for the guys to shuffle down the steps as I pick up my bag. Looking up and down the aisle I check to make sure no one left their belongings behind, and with a huff I step off the bus, the warm sunshine hitting my face as my eyes adjust, leaving me temporarily blinded.

"Koda!!!" I hear someone yell.

A smile creeps on my face as I recognize the tall silhouette against the horizon, "Tetsu?"

With swift steps I run up to him, warmly embracing the boy dressed in a red tracksuit.

He chuckles after a moment, setting me back down as he mumbles, "Didn't know you missed me this much chibi-chan."

"Shut up," I scoff, punching his chest as I smile up at him, but the figure next to him catches my eye.

"Kozume, come here. I swear I'll only hug you for a moment. I haven't seen you in months, I deserve one," I plead, eyes meeting his downcast ones "Please?"

He rolls his eyes and nods reluctantly, and with a wide grin I embrace him, whispering, "Thank you."

"Mhm," he hums, his bleached hair soft against my cheek.

I pull back quickly, trying to not make him uncomfortable. 

Glancing back and forth from either of them I shake my head with a smile, "You two haven't changed a bit, it's like I never left."

"I can't say the same for you," Kuroo mutters, his eyes narrowing and analyzing my hair, "Did you bleach half of it and chop some of it off? Koda, you know I like girls with long hair don't you?"

"It's colored like Narcissa from Harry Potter, and it was getting too long so I cut it. Why am I even justifying myself?! You're the last person I'd think of when making decisions about my hair," I say, clearly annoyed, as I turn and walk to the gym.

His arm quickly loops around my shoulders and his steps fall to match mine, "Hey- no need to get so sensitive. You know I'll always like you Koda, even if you were to shave your hair. No one could make me hate my chibi-chan."

I can't stay mad at him for long. I chuckle in response, having missed his slight quips and remarks.

I look up and ruffle his hair, snarkily remarking, "And your hair is as rooster-like as always."

"At this point, you'd expect him to wake you up at the crack of dawn with a nice yodle, but sadly, that doesn't seem to come with his package," Kenma sighs, having joined my side quietly.

"What?!" I exclaim, "Tetsu! How dare you disappoint Kozume. C'mon, give us a little 'cock-a-doodle-doo'. I know you can do it."

He clicks his tongue, but a small smile betrays him as he mutters, "Shut up guys."

I burst out laughing and Kuroo joins in not long after, his hyena laugh ringing through the open space, Kenma smiling in tandem.

"Takinoue!!!" I suddenly hear Ukai yell, his serious tone sending shivers down my spine.

I halt and turn around slowly, Kuroo's arm falling to his side as I do. My team is gathered a few meters away, eyes glued on me. A blush heats my face as I realize I was just walking off with their rivals, my motor memory betraying me.

"Sorry!" I shout embarrassed, and I turn to Kenma and Kuroo, mumbling a quick farewell, "I'll see you guys later."

I rush over to them and stumble over more apologies, but Keishin cuts me off, "Okay, now that everyone's here, go get changed and then meet in the gym, we'll begin warm-ups in 15 minutes."

The group disperses and I turn to make my way to meet the other manager, but his voice stops me in my tracks, "Takinuoe, stay a second."

I nod and a sickening feeling rises in my stomach, twisting and turning my insides as anxiety riddles the rest of my body.

He doesn't smile, instead, his eyes only seem to darken, "Who were they?"

"Um," I mumble, still embarrassed and flustered, "That was Kuroo Tetsurou and Kenma Kozume, the captain and setter of the Nekoma team. We were middle and high school friends, and I just got distracted and caught up in a sense of nostalgia. I swear it'll never happen again."

"You and the tall one, what's going on there?" he asks, his arms coming to cross his chest.

"Tetsu?" I ask, slightly shocked, "Well, we're friends? I don't know what else to tell you."

"He's not your ex? Or former fuck buddy?" he barrages, eyebrows raised.

A small smile returns to my face as I finally realize the situation I'm in.

"Keishin~" I hum playfully, eyebrows raising at his stern face, "Are you a little jealous?"

He scrunches his brows in dismissal, but after a moment he admits, "I didn't love seeing his arm around you. He also got way too close to you, I swear his face was on yours."

I chuckle, shaking my head lightly, "Well, you have no say in who I get to hang out with, so you'll have to deal with it since he is one of my closest friends."

"I have no say huh?" he repeats, taking a step towards me, towering over me as he mutters, "Then I'll just have to show him who you belong to."

I laugh and reply, "Sure Keishin, realistically what the fuck could you do to me at an away game?"

He glances around and smirks, leaning down to brush my hair behind my ear, whispering, "Didn't you use to go to high school here? We have fifteen minutes, which is enough time for me to batter you up a bit. Tell me Koda, where's somewhere we can go to resolve this?"

I grin and avert my gaze as I think.

"Okay fine, come with me," I mumble as I walk towards the school.

He smirks and follows, mind jumping far ahead as he walks into the red-bricked building.