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„Achoo!“ Shirabu narrowed his eyes at Kawanishi who put out a tissue of his bag, blinking tears away. „It's time again isn't it?“ he asked and sighed when the middle blocker gave no response. He just blew his nose staring ahead and looking slightly concerned. They were on the way to their afternoon practice, the trees and flowers starting slowly to blossom again. „It seems so,“ Kawanishi finally said slowly trying to supress another sneeze. „Alright I'll prepare myself for your sake then.“ Shirabu growled and before Kawanishi could say anything a certain redhead catched up to them putting each hand on a second years shoulder. „Preparing for what exactly?“ he grinned and got another sneeze as answer. „Isn't it a bit early for your allergies, Taichi?“ Tendou teased him and got an annoyed glare by Shirabu. Kawanishi ignored his senpai and went into the changing room. It was true though it seemed earlier this year but he hoped it would be some time until it'd hit him hard. His constant sneezing and eyes tearing up always came at the worst timing, sometimes even that far that he couldn't continue practicing because of breathing problems.
When they all changed into their training clothes and got around their coach he could feel another sneeze coming up. „... and since their college team will come for a practicing game the day after tomorrow you should all train about your serves- Taichi, is there a problem?“ Washijou eyed the middle blocker scowling, mistaken his trying-not-to-let-it-out-now-face with a stubborn pout. „Oh no..“, Shirabu whispered, knowing that face too well. „No, sir, there is no- achoo!“ Everyone took a step back from Kawanishi who looked slightly more concerned than before. „Yamagata, bring him to the infirmary and get him a medical mask or whatever for today,“ Washijou said observing Kawanishi whose eyes started tearing again. „Let's go, bud.“ The libero smacked his hand a little too harsh on the youngers back who could almost feel the air pressed out of his lungs. „Having such bad allergies must suck.“, Yamagata said sympathetic. „It's troublesome.“, Kawanishi shrugged, „but I have them since I can remember so I'm kinda used to it.“ Yamagata raised an eyebrow „Really?“ Kawanishi grimaced. „Not really but I don't want anyone to worry about that. I can handle it plus Kenjirou knows about it and always has emergency tissues and eyedrops for me when I used mine.“ „That doesn't sound like fun, man,“ Yamagata stretched his arms, „but of course we'll worry about you since you're our teammate!“ He smacked a hand again on Kawanishi's back but not as deadly as before and Kawanishi got a whole box of medical masks.
After that his sneezes got reduced so that his practice team could win, even with balls going in when he had to, and a few serves didn't go as planned. His eyes also didn't tear that much anymore. „Hey Taichi, can I ask you something?“ Oohira came in their break and sat next to him and Shirabu. The other followed soon to get their drinks and towels. „Sure.“ Kawanishi said, his voice sounding muffled due to the mask. „How come you play sports with the allergies of yours? They kinda hinder you don't they?“ The others looked at the middle blocker now too, curious about his answer. Kawanishi removed his mask to speak properly and drink a bit. „It's because of my allergies,“ he explained, „Since I'm very sensitive to the sun and get sunburns easily and on top of that have these allergies I can't be outside that much. But I didn't want to stay inside all day and get all pale and skinny so I decided to do sports for my body and immune system.“ He blinked at the others just realising he was surrounded by his team which had listened to his story. „And why did you choose volleyball?“, Ushijima asked interested. Kawanishi shrugged. „I got to learn it in middle school and it was kinda fun since it's an inside sports and I was always taller than the average kids my age.“ He put his mask back on and they finished their break.
The next few weeks it got even worse for Kawanishi where he had to wear the masks the whole day. One time during lunch when he threw one away he noticed it had been his last. „Oh shit,“ he said putting out his phone. „Is something wrong?“ Goshiki asked who sat next to him. „Kenjirou will help me soon, don't worry.“ Kawanishi texted the setter a message and he picked up Kawanishi and Goshiki for their afternoon practice. The third years joined on the way to the sportshall when Kawanishi asked Shirabu about his petition. Shirabu rumbled in his bag and gave him a role of toilet paper. Kawanishi and Goshiki stared at it while Tendou and Yamagata started wheezing. „What..?“ Kawanishi mumbled confused. „The infirmary is closed today and I'm out of tissues.“ Shirabu apologized without sounding sorry. „Maybe we should all have emergency stuff for Kawanishi in our lockers,“ Semi suggested, he looked as if he tried not to laugh out loud. Even Oohira chuckled on the irritated looks on Kawanishi's, Goshiki's and Ushijima's faces while Yamagata couldn't stop laughing and Tendou even cried and holding his stomach. „Thanks guys, that'd be really helpful.“ Kawanishi said. Since that day every Shiratorizawa volleyball club member had a toiletpaper in their lockers much to the dismiss of the sneezing middle blocker. „Between ourselves, Ouhira-san, Ushijima-san and I will also have tissues and medical masks for you.“ Shirabu whispered towards Kawanishi who nodded thankfully. „I appreciate it.“ He tried to remember himself to buy a supply for the things he'd need. „Hope you're feeling well today,“ Oohira smiled when they walked onto the court. Kawanishi's lips tugged upwards a bit „Yes, today seems to be less- achoo!“