Chapter Text
Yachi had decided that she enjoyed the thought of being Karasuno’s Vollyball manager. Her first trip as manager in training had gone pretty well, regardless of Hinata and Kageyama getting into a fight after they had returned from their first training camp.
She was now ready to embark on their second trip to Tokyo – this time at Shinzen High School. She really doesn’t think of herself as someone that stands out in a crowd, always choosing to fall behind Kiyoko, but being with someone as energetic as Hinata has started to rub off on her and she feels herself evolving into someone with confidence and the abilities to be a good manager to the crows of Karasuno.
She’s also found herself being more and more curious about a certain captain of an opposing team. His cat like reflexes and demeanour similar to that of villain. But she can tell behind that piercing gaze is someone that’s always mistaken of being the villain but in reality, is just a pretty mellow guy. It helps to go unnoticed sometimes, you get the chance to properly sus out people and their personalities.
Yachi had first noticed Kuroo when they arrived at Nekoma, his eyes wondering over her as Daichi had introduced the two. She had obviously blushed at the attention, mumbled something about having to help Kiyoko and scurried off. His gaze was intimidating but she couldn’t help but also feel exhilarated by the feeling that swept over her body when he did look at her.
For the rest of the trip she couldn’t help but look over to Kuroo from time to time. The way he played volleyball was something else. Yes, Hinata and Kageyama had their freak quick attack, but it’s erratic and unpredictable. Whereas with Kuroo, there is something calculating, like a cat waiting to pounce on their prey. She felt a shudder go through her body and noticed Kuroo staring back at her. Those eyes, those golden orbs, gauging her. She blushed and looked away, engulfed by her own embarrassment of being caught.
He probably thinks I am a weird stalker person, she had thought to herself as she was filling water bottles later on in the day.
She was excited, it was an opportunity for Karasuno to grow, and get in a bunch of practice matches. Hinata had explained how devastated they had been after their loss To Aoba Johsai and how they planned on avenging themselves at the Spring High Preliminaries. Initially she had no idea what Hinata was going on about but after a few conversations with Kiyoko and gaining a better understanding of Volleyball, she understood his hunger to win, she understood all of their hunger and she wanted to be a part of it. Seeing Kuroo play was just an added bonus.
And so, here she was – at Shinzen high school being shown around by Shinzen’s manager, Mako.
“So, the summer training camp happens at Shinzen, it’s nice and cool here.” She explains as they pass by the gyms and into the school. “This is where we’ll be sleeping, you can drop off your bags and join us in the gym when you are ready.” She shows them the makeshift room with a smile and bounces off towards the gyms.
Yachi and Kiyoko quickly unpack and head towards the gym, where the guys are getting warmed up for their first match. Their first match is against Fukorodani and can be explained as something similar to a chaotic car crash. Hinata and Kageyama’s new quick attack hasn’t really synced up yet and the third years synchronised attack is a complete disaster.
“It’s alright.” Kiyoko says smiling down at Yachi. “They are crows, and they are evolving. I think by the end of this training camp everything will be different.” She gives Yachi a reassuring smile and the small blond cannot help but feel invigorated by her words.
They lose against Fukorodani and their penalty is a dash up a very steep looking hill. Yachi silently thinks to herself that if she tried to run up such a steep hill, she would certainly die from exhaustion.
“Let’s take the water bottles outside and get ready for them once they come back down the hill.” Kiyoko instructs her.
Once they boys come down the hill, the two of them are ready with the water bottles. “Here you go Yamaguchi.” She hands him a bottle and wipes off some sweat from her brow, Shinzen really wasn’t as cool as Mako had said.
“Can I get one of those?” Someone asks from behind Yachi.
“Sure thing.” She says while turning around, immediately freezing when she matches the unknown voice to it’s owner.
“Crow-chan – you don’t have to get so startled everytime I speak to you.” Kuroo says smiling at her. “I promise that all us city folk aren’t as scary as we seem.” It’s a reassuring smile and it puts Yachi a bit at ease.
He’s so tall, so freaking tall. She has to crane her neck to look up at him. It’s a wonder to Yachi and she realizes that he’s still growing. She smiles a bit to herself.
Kuroo notice Yachi smiling to herself and shots an inquisitive look at her. “What are you smiling at crow-chan, share the joke.”
Yachi chuckles. “It’s just that you’re so tall Kuroo-san.”
Kuroo lets out a heartful laugh and notes that he likes the way she says his name and the way she looks so small and cute next to him. She’s so flipping cute. The thought creeps across his mind and he has to look away to hide the redness creeping up his neck. “Thanks crow-chan.” He hands back the water bottle, intentionally letting his fingers brush against Yachi’s. She immediately blushes and snatches the bottle away from him.
He smiles coyly and jogs off towards the gyms, calling out to Bokuto.
She really is cute – he muses to himself.