Chapter Text
Osamu
Not many people were around at this time. The only real sound was the ball bouncing off the wall while I practiced on my own. Normally I would have stayed at the gym doing extra practice with the rest of the team if it wasn't for that stupid idiot who I share a face with.
~
"HEY! You suck today, get your head right! How many times are you planning to miss my set?!" My brother screamed as I missed another of his sets.
I just wasn't at my best today, but he could stop being such a tyrant. "Then how about you adjust to me instead? Things won't always go your way, you know?" I suggested rolling my eyes. But I seemed to have said the wrong thing because he came towards me and grabbed me by the collar.
"Why are you even on this team if you won't put in the effort?" This ticked me off. My pulse quickened and I grabbed him by the collar as well, pulling him closer towards me. We were now so close, our noses almost touched.
"Listen here you tyrannical pig! You think you are the best, huh?! Get off your high horse!" We had always done similar or even the same things in life being twins and naturally started volleyball at the same time.
In moments like these I wish we could just be different. Not the Miya twins. Not the talented volleyball duo of Inarizaki.
The next moment I felt his fist against my cheek and a fight escalated between us. It lasted till our captain Kita came and broke it off. He told me to go outside to take a little breather since I seem to be off my game today.
He wasn't wrong but I was so pissed off that I just left for the day.
~
Now it was late afternoon. Heavy clouds hanging on the grey sky and blocking out the sun. The weather seemed to mimic my mood. Brooding, a storm approaching. The ball bounced off the wall again and was at a perfect angle to be spiked. I ran up and jumped, hitting the ball with all my might, putting in all my frustration. With a deafening sound the ball hit the wall and went flying past me. But then it seemed to have hit something behind me as I heard a small voice.
"Ouch..."
I snapped around and saw a girl kneeling on the ground holding her head.
'Ouh god... I didn't mean to hit someone with it. She will probably be mad, I hope she's not injured. This just screams trouble for me. As if my mother won't already yell at me enough for fighting with Tsumu...' I cautiously approached her, bending down to look at her face. She slowly lifted her head and her eyes searched mine. For a moment my breathing stopped. I seemed mesmerized by the brown haired girl with bright hazel eyes.
"Uhm... are you okay?" I tried to get a grip of myself.
"Oh..." She exclaimed. But then her lips formed a wide smile. "Please don't worry. It's nothing. I'll be fine."
'What a cute smile... What am I thinking?' I took another step towards her and planned to offer her my hand but I stepped on something. There was a book in a mud puddle, completely ruined. Her eyes seemed to have found the book as well and they became almost as big as saucers.
"Oh no!" She reached for the book and pulled it out. It was quite dirty and soggy but I mean, it was only a book. I could just give her money for a new copy.
"It's fine. I'll pay to have it replaced."
"It's not the book... It had my favourite bookmark in it. A friend once made it for me. I had it for years.... It doesn't look like I can save it..." I saw her shoulders sink a little bit in a dejected manner. But then she got up and exhaled. "Well... there is nothing I can really do about it. But are you alright?"
'What...? Why is she asking me that?' She looked up at me and her eyes showed sincere worry while I just looked at her like she was some sort of alien.
"You got hurt. Your face is swollen." It surprised me. Just how considerate can a person be towards a complete stranger? She just got hit by a ball in the head and lost a sort of keepsake and she's worried about me?
"Just got into a fight with my brother earlier. That's why I was practicing volleyball on my own. I'm sorry the ball hit you. I'm Miya Osamu by the way." Her eyes widened in realization.
'Here it comes. She's probably going to my school and will now fangirl or some stupid shit.' But I didn't quite anticipate her next words.
"That's so cool. My brother used to play volleyball in Middle and High school. I helped him practice loads of times. Want some help?" Her eyes sparkled and she smiled so brightly it could light up a room.
"Why would you help me?" I was still suspicious of the fact she didn't know me. And on top of that she had absolutely no reason for offering.
"Hm? Well... Isn't it lonely practicing by yourself? I can at least throw the ball for you. I still have time before my grandmother gets worried about me." She walked over to the ball to pick it up and chuckled delighted. "It has been a while since I last held a volleyball. I always liked watching my brother play." Then she remembered something and quickly spun around to bow to me.
"I forgot to introduce myself, Miya-san. My name is Souma Hanako. But just call me Hanako. I live a few towns over but I often stay here with my grandmother whenever I have the opportunity. I would be happy to help you practice if you let me but it's fine if you say no." I had to suppress a chuckle as she kept rambling on.
"Fine. You can help me, Hanako." I saw her skip to her position and a tiny smile appeared on my face. I quickly got rid of it and started practicing again while chatting casually.