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There was absolutely nothing in this world that meant more to Nobara than volleyball. So why was she running over to Maki who was lying limp on the court instead of saving the ball? In the back of her mind, she vaguely registered that she could have easily reached it if she had tried to. But she could barely even think about the ball.
All she could feel was fear. Not the dull ache in her muscles that came from already playing a full game and another nearly three sets. Not the shouts of her teammates. Not even the mildly shocked stares that came from the other team.
The fear that came from hearing the echoing thud of Maki’s body hitting the court over the cheers of the crowd. The fear that came from the deafening silence when Maki didn’t get up. The fear that came from finally reaching her and seeing the blood that covered the ground.
The fear that came from the fact that the score was tied 23-23 in the third set and she had, without a second thought, willingly given up a point to run to a girl.
O
Sitting on the curb next to Nobara Yuuji let out something closer to a whale call than a yawn. It was 6 am and the entire team was sitting out in front of the gym waiting for the bus to pick them up for their tournament later in the day.
The matches today were incredibly important not only would they determine who would go to nationals this year but they were also playing their biggest rivals, Kyoto Tech. Nobara had a particular bone to pick with one of their players so she was eager to kick their asses later that day.
Of course, the bus needed to get there first before any of that could happen. Nobara stretched her legs out from her seat on the curb and shivered from the cold. A warm body sat themselves beside her, “You cold?”
“Not anymore,” Nobara hummed as she leaned into Maki, laying her head on her shoulder and hugging her arm. “Is everyone here now?”
She felt Maki nod her head, “Yea, just finished checking everyone in. We’re all ready to go, the bus should be here soon.”
Nobara could feel the barely-there flutter of excitement in her stomach. Or maybe that was because of how early it was. She felt Yuuji wiggle next to her before getting up and practically skipping over to Megumi behind them with a mischievous glint in his eye.
“Are you excited?” Maki asked as Nobara watched Yuuji suspiciously out of the corner of her eye.
She cuddled closer into Maki, burying her face in her neck, “Ugh, ask me again after my nap. It’s too early.”
Nobara heard suspicious shuffling behind her and turned back to squint at Yuuji who only grinned mischievously. He giggled and started making kissy faces in Nobara’s direction. She sent the fiercest glare she could possibly summon at him, which wasn’t very harsh considering he just broke out into more giggles. Maki shifted next to her, turning to look at Yuuji who of course was now innocently talking with Megumi, “Why do you look like you’re planning on pushing Itadori in front of the bus?”
“Because he’s an idiot.” She huffed like it was all the explanation in the world. Maki only chuckled and wiggled out of Nobara’s hold causing her to whine in protest and try to hold onto her sleeve futilely. “The bus is here, I have to help Gojo load all the gear.” She stood and shrugged her jacket off, tossing it at Nobara, “Here, can’t have our star libero catching a cold before the game.” She winked with a smirk before jogging away to find Gojo.
Nobara blushed fiercely and pulled the jacket on. Of course, the captain patch on the sleeve made it very unsubtly not hers. The teasing grin coming from Yuuji made that very clear. He trotted over, dragging Megumi with him to join her once again on the curb.
“Sooo…” Yuuji drew out the word and looked at her expectingly, puppy dog eyes on full display.
“What?” She asked, smacking him upside the head.
“Hey!” He whined and rubbed the spot tenderly, “What was that for?”
“Making those faces!” She held up a threatening hand, ready to hit him again, “You idiot what if Maki had seen you?” She hissed.
Yuuji giggled and leaned into her side and whispered conspiratorially, “So are you guys dating yet?” Completely ignoring her question of course.
Nobara’s face lit up in a bright blush and pushed him away, “What? No!”
Megumi leaned around Yuuji to give Nobara a pointed look at the jacket she was wearing, “Oh really?”
Her blush deepened as she crossed her arms, “She was just being nice, I was cold.”
Yuuji turned to face Megumi, “I’m cold,” He whined.
“Then go get your jacket.” Megumi deadpanned.
“See!” Yuuji pouted.
“She was just being nice! She’s captain of the team she would’ve done it for anyone else!”
Yuuji and Megumi both gave her a pointed look but didn’t bother to argue with her. “It’s okay Nobara,” Yuuji started in a sing-song voice, “We both know you like her.” He grinned teasingly and poked her lightly in the cheek.
She swatted him away, “I don’t! She’s one of my best friends and team captain that would be super awkward.” She huffed.
Yuuju gave her a sad look, even Megumi was frowning at her. “But-”
“Time to get on the bus guys!” The loud voice of Gojo calling them interrupted Yuuji.
“Volleyball is more important to me than a relationship, I can’t have any distractions, it’s fine seriously. I’m happy with how things are.” She started gathering her bags to board the bus and left without waiting for the boys.
She got in line to board the bus behind Inumaki who teetered slightly and seemed like he was about to fall asleep standing up. Maki was up ahead checking everyone off as they boarded the bus to make sure everyone had all the gear they needed. Eventually, Yuuji and Megumi joined her in line, Yuuji mumbling excitedly while Megumi yawned tiredly.
Quickly she found herself in front of Maki, “Alright Kugisaki, do you have your uniform?” Nobara nodded, “Shoes? Knee pads, elbow pads?”
“Yup, I have everything,” She patted her backpack that she had slung in front of her.
“Good,” Maki smirked, “You know my jacket looks good on you.”
Nobara blushed deeply, “I know it does. Maybe I’ll keep it for myself.”
“You do have a habit of stealing my clothes,” Maki laughed and tugged on her jacket sleeve to move her onto the bus.
Nobara settled by herself somewhere near the back of the bus and a few moments later Yuuji and Megumi joined her on the seat next to hers. Yuuji leaned over the seat to grin knowingly at her. Nobara sent a foot in the vague direction of his face causing him to yelp and fall back into a grumbling Megumi.
She flipped the two of them off and got her headphones out of her bag to get ready for the long drive. The last players took their seats on the bus and Maki cleared her throat at the front, “Okay everyone, we should be there in about five hours,” Groans sounded around the bus, “I know I know, it’s a long drive but it’s going to be worth it when we win the tournament and get tickets to nationals.” She grinned dangerously for a moment as cheering sounded around the bus, “Make sure to stay hydrated, eat a bit, and get some sleep if you can. Remember when we get there we’ll only have about an hour and a half before our game starts so don’t eat too much.” She sent a pointed look at Yuuji who shrunk down in his seat. Flashbacks to Yuuji puking on Megumi during warmups at the last tournament made Nobara shiver with disgust.
A few whoops sounded throughout the bus as it started and pulled away from their home gym. Nobara rearranged, using her backpack as a pillow, and propping her feet on the boys’ laps in the other seat. She put her headphones in, snuggled into Maki’s jacket, breathing in the comforting scent, and settled down for a long ride.
A few minutes later she felt something jostle her leg, she grumbled in response not bothering to open her eyes. Her eyes shot open a second later when she felt someone sit on her. She pulled her headphones out and looked up at Maki with a halfhearted glare, “I was trying to fall asleep.”
Maki chuckled, “You already did, it’s been two hours already.”
“Oh,” Nobara’s mouth dropped in surprise, she peered around Maki and saw Yuuji and Megumi asleep in a heap. The rest of the bus was quiet save for the sounds of the road, it seemed like everyone was napping.
Maki stood up again and tugged at Nobara’s sleeve making her sit up and slide over on the seat. She settled with her back against the window and pulled Nobara into her. “I wanted to nap with you the rest of the way.” She breathed out in a contented sigh.
Nobara blushed and smiled happily, “Okay, just don’t drool on me,” She teased as she settled more comfortably against Maki’s chest as it rumbled with a light laugh. Nobara handed one of her earbuds to Maki and once again closed her eyes. She fell asleep even faster than before in Maki’s arms.
O
Nobara woke up again to the jostling of the bus driving over speedbumps just a little too fast. She grumbled and pushed her face into Maki’s neck wanting to go back asleep again. She pulled Maki’s arms around her tighter accidentally waking her up.
Maki breathed deeply and nestled her nose in Nobara’s hair, “Good morning.”
“Shh, don’t say that. That means we have to get up soon.” She whined as she closed her eyes even tighter.
Maki laughed lightly and tightened her arms around Nobara, smiling, “We still have a couple of minutes. I don’t think anyone’s really awake yet.”
They both looked around the bus at their teammates, everyone was asleep except for their coach, Gojo, who was chattering at their athletic trainer, Shoko, who looked even more tired than normal. Then there was the pile of limbs that was Yuuji and Megumi. A bit of drool hung from the corner of Yuuji’s mouth and threatened to fall on Megumi’s unsuspecting face. “That’s disgusting,” Nobara murmured.
Maki barked out a laugh and swung a leg out to wake the boys up. All it managed to do was scare poor Megumi awake who slammed his head up and into Yuuji’s jaw causing both to groan in pain as they both startled awake. They both giggled at the boys’ antics until they heard Gojo call in a sing-song voice, “Maaaki!”
Nobara could feel Maki’s chest rumble gently with the light groan she let out. “Alright, duty calls.”
“No,” Nobara drew the word out as she tried to hug Maki closer, “You’re so warm and comfortable don’t leave me,” She pouted trying to convince her to stay.
“I know, I don’t want to go either, but I need to help Gojo get everyone off the bus and unload everything.” Maki kissed the top of her head and wiggled out from underneath her.
Nobara pouted as she watched Maki walk to the front of the bus. “We’re totally not dating,” Yuuji imitated in a terrible high-pitched Nobara voice. “We’re just best friends,” His voice cracked at the end making Megumi wince.
“We are!” Nobara insisted.
“Fushiguro, come here let me give you a kiss since we’re best friends,” Yuuji made grabby hands and kissy faces at Megumi as he desperately tried to push him away.
“Don’t touch me,” Megumi grunted holding his face at arm’s length.
Eventually, he gave up and turned back to Nobara, “I don’t know, Kugisaki, I think she likes you.”
“Okay everyone off the bus!” Gojo’s voice called from the front of the bus.
Nobara launched out of her seat shoving her backpack into Yuuji’s face for a couple of seconds, mildly suffocating him, before dashing off without her backpack away from the scene of the crime. Behind her, she could hear him gasp for breath dramatically and complain about having to carry her things.
She dodged past Inumaki who gave her a curious look as he stretched from his nap. She hopped out of the bus and snuck behind an unsuspecting Maki. She peered around her making sure there would be no retaliation.
“What did you do?” Maki asked suspiciously.
“Attempted murder.” She grinned mischievously. Maki only shook her head in mild disappointment, trying to hide her smile before leaving when Gojo opened the storage compartment of the bus.
Nobara stood around for a couple of minutes, checking her phone idly while their teammates slowly filed out of the bus and half wathcing Maki and Gojo unload their gear.
Once the bus was cleared out Maki walked over and sat on one of the nearby benches to retie one of her shoes. Nobara plopped onto the bench and wrapped herself around her. “Carry me,” She pleaded, resting her chin on her shoulder and putting on her best puppy dog eyes.
Maki only lightly grumbled in protest and wrapped her arms around her legs, carrying her on her back. Nobara buried her face into Maki’s shoulder and closed her eyes, smiling happily. Maki walked them back over to the rest of the group to walk into the large Kyoto school gym together. After a few moments of Gojo running around making sure everyone had everything, the team made their way over to the entrance.
As they rounded the corner, they saw another team lurking outside. The home team, their rivals, Kyoto Tech. Immediately the atmosphere around them changed. A girl from the other team stepped out of the huddle they were in. Even from a distance Nobara could see the confrontational smirk on her face. She felt Maki tense beneath her at the sight of her twin.
Nobara tried to wiggle off Maki’s back but she only tightened her grip in response. Of course, Maki knew that if she set her down Nobara was going to pick a fight with Mai. After a few more futile attempts, she stopped her squirming. Stupid Maki with her stupidly strong arms.
“What do we have here?! Is your poor little libero out of action?” Mai taunted with an almost predatory look in her eyes.
“I’m just fine thanks for worrying about me,” Nobara bit out, sarcasm lacing her voice.
Mai barked out a laugh, “And here I thought Maki was whipped before.”
Nobara attempted a futile kick in Mai’s direction that only resulted in Maki pinching her leg in a warning and taking a half step away. “You sure talk a lot for someone who misses half of their serves.” There was an almost teasing tone in Maki’s voice.
A dark look came over Mai but whatever response she was going to throw in their direction was stopped by Gojo skipping between them, calling in a sing-song voice, “Utahime! Where are youuu?”
There was an obvious sound of panicked shuffling feet, no doubt Utahime looking for some sort of escape route and a small whispered, “ Shit .”
There was a collective groan among the team, embarrassed by his actions. Though he did successfully break the dangerous tension that had begun to brew. The whole team seemed to make the same collective decision to walk faster into the building in an attempt to avoid the embarrassment that was Gojo.
“He’s such an idiot,” Maki whispered under her breath, full of mirth, quiet enough that only Nobara heard it.
Nobara pushed her cheek against Maki’s, whispering back, “He totally is. His only redeeming quality is how good he is at volleyball.”
“Yet, I still always question if it’s worth it to have him as a coach.”
There was a rhythmic thumping of footsteps as they walked through the doors of the gym. Yuuji slid to a stop next to them, backpacks slung over both his front and back and pout on his face. “How come she gets to have her bag carried and be carried through the gym.” He whined.
Megumi shuffled up behind Yuuji and grabbed hold of the back of his bag in order not to lose him again. Nobara stuck her tongue out at Yuuji, “Cause you all have long legs and Maki likes me best, obviously.”
“She’s not wrong,” Megumi mumbled out behind Yuuji.
Maki grinned and shrugged, not even trying to deny it.
Yuuji let out another whine but was quickly distracted by one of the vendors selling food. The only thing that stopped him from going over and most likely puking again during warmups was Megumi who tightened his hold on his backpack. Megumi yanked Yuuji back and away from the tempting food, “You can have some after we win. You are not going to puke on me again.” Yuuji turned around to look at him with guilty puppy dog eyes but Megumi only pushed him forward again. “You can have my protein bar if you’re that hungry.”
“Deal!” Yuuji snapped out of his sulk and turned on his signature bright smile.
Nobara made a face, “Those bars are disgusting.”
Megumi nodded solemnly in agreement but Yuuji only shrugged, “I think they’re pretty alright.”
“That’s because you’d eat out of the trashcan if we didn’t stop you,” Maki grumbled.
“That was one time!” Yuuji protested, “It was still in the takeout box and everything… It would’ve been fine.”
A collective, “No!” Rang out between all three of them causing Yuuji to sulk.
They finally made it to the stairs of the stadium where they would watch a few games before going to warm up. After a few steps, Maki started dramatically breathing heavily with a barely concealed smile.
“Stop that!” Nobara smacked her arm, grumbling, “I know I’m not that heavy unless you’re getting weaker?” She gasped teasingly, “Maki! Are you losing muscle?!”
Maki scoffed in fake offense, “Of course not.” She ran up the last few steps to emphasize her point, making Nobara giggle.
As soon as they stepped out of the stairwell, they could hear the roaring of the crowd. There must have been an exciting game going on. The rest of the team filed into the stands while Maki went over to the railing and let Nobara slide off her back.
The game in front of them was in the final set and tied up near the end, 17-17. Megumi and Yuuji also lagged behind with them to watch from the railing. “Which team is that?” Megumi asked.
“I’m not sure,” Maki muttered, confused, “Might be one of the new ones that got seeded in?”
Yuuji fished a paper out of his backpack to check the tournament seeding, “I don’t recognize the team but whoever wins this match will be the team we play.”
Nobara watched as Maki frowned in thought, she could practically see the gears turning in her head. Maki started shooing them toward where the rest of the team had found some empty seats, “Common, I wanna watch the rest of the game.”
Yuuji shoved Nobara’s backpack into her arms before quickly dashing up the stairs. She protested flutily but he was already too far away. Maki was the first one to take her seat, then Yuuji and Megumi, leaving Nobara with… No seat. She peered down the line to see if anyone was able to move down.
With no seats in sight, she ended up just tugging on the boy’s shirts until they scooted enough to make room for her to sit between Maki and Yuuji, practically in her lap.
Maki chuckled, “If you wanted to sit on my lap all you had to do was ask.” She grinned cheekily. Nobara’s face lit up in a fierce blush as she repeatedly swatted at Maki in embarrassment. Maki only grinned wider and pulled Nobara completely onto her lap so she wasn’t sitting on the crack between the seats. “There, more comfortable right?”
“I hate you,” She huffed in response.
“Mhmm sure,” Maki only kissed her lightly on the cheek and refocused on the game.
“You wish,” Nobara grumbled but pulled Maki’s arm around her waist and settled heavily into her side. Maki only chuckled and wrapped her arm tighter around Nobara who leaned her head on her shoulder. She hummed contentedly, closing her eyes.
A few moments later her eyes flew open as she felt Maki jab a finger into a ticklish spot between her ribs. She squawked indignantly in surprise, startling back awake. In the process, she even woke up poor Inumaki who was dosing with his head against the seat on Maki’s other side. She leaned away from Maki, into Yuuji’s side, sending her a glare.
Maki grinned teasingly, “No sleeping,” She tsked, “You’ll be too sleepy during the game if you fall asleep now.”
Nobara pouted but she knew Maki was right. She nearly fell over into Megumi’s lap when Yuuji launched out of his seat excitedly, her butt landing in his now vacant seat, “Oh! Oh! Oh! Nobara, you can come help me find the water fountain, I’m out of water. Maybe that will wake you up.”
She squinted her eyes at him suspiciously, but he didn’t wait for her reply. He grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the seat and down the stairs without giving her a second to think.
Behind them, Maki sent a questioning glance to Megumi who only shrugged. Even he didn’t understand what goes on in Yuuji’s brain half the time.
The last straw was Yuuji pulling Nobara down the last couple steps so fast she ended up tripping and nearly falling on her face. Her patience immediately wore off as she kicked a leg out nailing Yuuji in the back of the knee. Immediately he crumpled with a yelp, his arms even flying into the air comically.
She toed at him while he staggered back to his feet, “What’s your problem you spaz!?”
“I told you I wanted help finding the water fountain!” His eyes shifted suspiciously.
“Then why didn’t you drag Fushiguro with you instead?!”
He pouted, “Because I wanted you to come with me?” He said it uncertainly as if it were a question.
Nobara rolled her eyes, “You don’t even have your water bottle with you, you idiot!”
Yuuji’s eyes widened as if he got caught with his hand in a cookie jar. “I’ll be right back!” He bounded up the stairs three at a time, back to where their stuff was. Nobara huffed quietly in annoyance while she waited. A few moments later he bounded back down the stairs with a scowling Megumi in tow.
“Do we really need this many people to go will fill up a water bottle?” Megumi grumbled.
Yuuji wrapped his arms around the both of them, pulling them in conspiratorially, “We’re staging an intervention,” His eyes sparkled.
Immediately Nobara tried to wiggle out of his hold to escape at the same time Megumi asked obliviously, “We are?”
Nobara escaped just enough that Yuuji wrapped an arm around her waist, half-carrying her down the hall. “Yep! This is for your own good!” He sounded like a parent lightly scolding a child. She only huffed and crossed her arms, refusing to acknowledge him. “Okay, okay, hear me out. Please?” He looked down at her with the softest puppy dog eyes. How was she supposed to say no to that?
She sighed, “Fine. But that doesn’t mean I’ll do whatever you’re scheming about!” She poked him hard enough in the ribs he dropped her with a yelp.
He grinned a second later, he gestured between himself and Megumi with his water bottle, “We both know you’re in love Maki.” She let out an indignant squeak, “Don’t freak out! Don’t,” He pointed an accusatory finger at her, “I know that face, Nobara stop! You said you would listen! No, don’t run from me!”
He caught her by the waist as she tried to escape down a stairwell. She gripped the railing with all her strength while Yuuji tugged on her desperately lifting her horizontally off the ground. Megumi had an entirely disinterested look on his face while he walked over and poked Nobara in the armpit. She let go of the railing with a screech causing her and Yuuji to fall backward into a heap. “No! We are not talking about that.”
Megumi grabbed them both by the back of their shirt, hauling them back to their feet and back in search of the water fountain. “Nobara, it’s getting ridiculous.” Megumi scolded, “One of you going to end up hurt if you don’t talk, whether you like her like that or not.”
“See!” Yuuji skipped ahead of them so he could walk backward in front of them, “Plus it’s sad watching you pine over her.”
“I don’t pine over her! I just do-”
“Don’t want to get distracted from volleyball.” Both Megumi and Yuuji repeated at the same time.
Nobara pouted at them. Yuuji’s voice softened, “Have you ever thought maybe you’re already distracted… Or that maybe it’s not a distraction at all, just a really good thing.”
Megumi side-eyed her, “You guys are already practically dating, would it really make that much of a difference if you put a label on it?”
“Yes!” Nobara cringed, she was just being stubborn. She knew he was right.
“I mean I totally understand if you just don’t want a relationship right now or really do just want to focus on volleyball,” Yuuji scratched the back of his head sheepishly, “I just want to make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons, you know?” He stumbled over his own feet and went back to walking by Nobara’s side, “I don’t want you to stop yourself from being happy.”
Nobara pursed her lips, “I just… What if she doesn’t like me? What if it doesn’t work out and ruins the whole dynamic of the team? We’re already so close to nationals what if this screws everything up.” She asked quietly, half burying her face in Maki’s jacket.
Even Megumi’s face softened at her words; Yuuji pulled her into a side hug. “I can’t imagine why she wouldn’t. And we all know Maki’s not like that, she wouldn’t make it weird. And you guys are crazy about each other, we can all see it.”
She scrunched up her nose, “I just get really intense about volleyball sometimes, you know? Most people don’t get it, and it puts such a strain on relationships.”
Megumi chuckled and gave her a crooked half smile, “You both do. You’re perfect for each other, seriously.”
Nobara tried and failed to hide the smile forming on her own face. “Whatever let’s just find that stupid water fountain.”
Eventually, they found the water fountain, allowing Yuuji to fill up his water bottle. Only to then find out that he had just chugged half the bottle in order to have an excuse to get Nobara alone. She lightly smacked his arm in amusement, “You’re dumb, I wouldn’t be surprised if you throw up on Fushiguro again.”
Yuuji whined fearfully as Megumi shivered at the memory.
Finally, they made their way back up the stairs to where the bleachers were. “So,” Yuuji started, “You going to ask her out?” He bumped her shoulder playfully.
Nobara glared at him, “Not before our games.”
“But-”
“No!” She hissed, facing forward and promptly ignoring Yuuji’s complaints.
They made it back to their seats, Maki smiling at their return. “Warm-ups start in fifteen minutes.” They all grunted their acknowledgments. Without much warning Nobara plopped down on Maki’s seat between her legs, settling against her chest. She grabbed Maki’s hands and wrapped them around herself causing her to chuckle, “Did you have fun on your adventure?”
Nobara glared at the boys who continued chatting together innocently. “They’re annoying.”
Maki laughed and squeezed her tighter, “That’s okay I’ll protect you.” She kissed the top of her head then rested her chin there.
O
It felt like just as soon as Nobara got comfortable again they were all being ushered over to the locker room to get ready for warmups.
They were waiting around for the last game before theirs finished up so they could go out onto the court. Maki sat on the floor in front of Nobara who sat on one of the benches. She was typing away at something on her phone while Nobara gently braided and unbraided her hair, trying not to get too nervous before the game.
Next to them sat Yuuji who whined miserably, “The water feels like it’s sloshing around my stomach.”
Megumi cringed, “You shouldn’t have drank so much,” He rubbed his back comfortingly.
“Itadori I’m begging you please don’t throw up again. I don’t think we have a spare uniform this time.” Maki said without even looking up from her phone. Yuuji sulked and slumped into Megumi’s side.
“Whatcha lookin at?” Nobara leaned forward, lightly resting her chin on the top of Maki’s head so she could see her screen.
Maki lifted her phone up higher, “Some highlights from the team we’re about to play against.”
Nobara hummed in thought, watching the video, “Are you worried?”
Maki shrugged, “Not really. They seem to like to do a lot of back row spikes, but with a libero like you, they’re in for a rude awakening.”
Nobara grinned, “Perfect I get to show off some of my new tricks then.”
“Oh? And who are you showing off for?” Maki looked up at her and smirked teasingly, “Do you have a crush on someone?”
A deep blush immediately lit up her cheeks as she panicked. Fortunately, she was saved by Gojo strolling into the locker room to tell them it was time to clean up and head onto the court.
Nobara took the opportunity to hastily gather her things and scuttle away from Maki with nervous deflecting laughter. She bolted for the door but before she could escape Gojo stopped her with a questioning glance, “Nobara are you okay? You’re all red.”
She could hear Maki’s light laughter behind her causing her to blush even harder, “I swear to god,” She whispered, holding her water bottle up threateningly, “If you say one more word, I’ll make it look like you pissed yourself.” She hissed. It wasn’t the most threatening thing she could have said but to be fair Gojo still had a look of horror on his face at the thought.
“What did I even do?” He whined.
A few moments later the rest of the team filed out of the locker room, creating a loud mess in the hallway. Nobara’s mind was spinning, stupid Maki making stupid comments like that. She felt tenser than she usually felt before games.
Together Gojo led them down the hallway to where the courts were located. Distantly she could hear Yuuji excitedly yelling about something beside her, but she wasn’t paying attention. She was completely caught up in her head. She watched her feet in thought, looking at the familiar volleyball shoes that had been with her so many games. Would it really be so bad if she went out with Maki, would anything change all that much?
Nobara nearly jumped a mile in the air when she felt hands grab her shoulders. “Jeez, Nobara you need to pay better attention you almost ran into the pole,” Maki teased her.
She looked up, startled to see she had narrowly been stopped from walking face first into the pole that separated the entrance doors. Silently she chastised herself for getting so caught up in her head. This was stupid, being so worked over some stupid lame feelings.
Maki steered her by the shoulders around the pole and dropped her head by Nobara’s cheek to look at her face better. “Why are you so nervous? Is it because of what I said in the locker room?” She grinned mischievously.
Nobara glared at her, “You know exactly what you did,” She pointed an accusing finger at her.
Maki gasped mockingly, “Do you have a crush on me?” She laughed lightly and grabbed Nobara’s finger pulling it down to lace their fingers together. She started to say something but stopped, her voice softened a second later, “Don’t worry about it okay? I promise. I was just teasing you.” She squeezed her hand reassuringly.
Nobara glanced away, embarrassed she had gotten so worked up over something so dumb. “Whatever, I knew that! I see what you’re trying to do. Trying to throw me off my game so you can steal the spotlight.” She pinched Maki’s cheek teasingly, “Well it won’t work, you’re going to have to try harder than that to be better than me.” She grinned and danced away out of Maki’s reach when she tried to poke her in the ribs.
“Well I have to get an advantage somehow, you already stand out with your uniform,” Maki grinned back at her.
Nobara stuck her tongue out in response, the stiffness in her muscles slowly began to relax as she finally began to focus on the game. She closed her eyes breathing in and taking in the roaring of the crowd, the distant sound of spikes being hit and received, the squeak of shoes of the court. She breathed out.
It was time to play.
She opened to eyes, meeting Maki’s gaze. A small secretive smile pulled at her lips for a second before she called for everyone to gather on the court to begin their warmups. Nobara puzzled over the smile for a moment before following the rest of the team onto the court.
She left everything behind the moment she stepped onto the court. Here there were no feelings, no distractions, only volleyball.
A few serves from her teammates were hit in her vague direction for her to receive. She received each one perfectly, sending the ball to where the setter would generally be with a precision that came from years of practice.
Volleyball was her everything. It was her ticket out of her small countryside town and her way to ensure she would never have to go back there. To never be one of the people who spent their whole lives there, who grew up and died never seeing the world. That would never be her. She was going to play professional volleyball and travel the world after she graduated.
Everyone back home had laughed at her they said she would never make it. Yet here she was within reach of nationals. It didn’t matter that nobody understood.
But then she met someone who did.
Maki.
And now she feared how lonely she would be if she ever lost her.
Maki eyed Nobara from across the court, silently asking if she was ready to receive another ball. She readied her stance watching her closely. Maki slammed it over the net, sending it flying to Nobara’s right. She darted over to get under it only for the ball to ricochet to the side. Nobara gritted her teeth, she had enough practice against Maki to be able to receive her serves, but that still never made it any easier.
Maki was one of the only people she had met who had the same drive and dream as her. It may have been for different reasons, but they still shared it. Most of the team was there for the athletic scholarship, not many had dreams of playing professionally, so she had felt instantly drawn to her.
She had no idea their connection would turn into the complicated dance they were now doing around each other.
Minutes later the whistle was blown, and Maki left them to do the coin toss for who would serve. They all lined up ready to start the game. Maki jogged back a moment later telling everyone they would be receiving first.
Nobara grinned, good, she was ready to get the ball into the air. Both teams readied themselves on the court, their side tensing ready to receive the ball wherever it would land.
The serve was launched with a boom that sounded throughout the court. Nobara immediately moved to get under it and received it with practiced perfection. The ball sailed off her arms right to Inumaki who moved to set the ball for their first attack. She watched the split-second decision-making process as his eyes flickered around the court taking stock of everyone. In a blink of the eye, he set the ball zooming across the court. The blockers on the other team squared up against Yuuji, jumping with him but no spike came. The ball sailed over his head and straight into the waiting hand of Maki who slammed it over the net and into the floor on the other side.
The rest of the game went similarly after the first point. They won the first set 21-25 and were now leading in the second set 23-24. One last point.
Megumi served the ball over the net, the other team received it without too much difficulty. Nobara readied herself and they lined up for the attack. Her eyes flickered around the court watching the movements of the other players. She watched their blockers readying to jump and the movement beyond the net.
Before she knew what was happening, she was already moving, the spike slammed through the blocker’s arm and over to the corner of the court. This was it, this moment was the entire reason she played volleyball, why she was a libero. She dived for the ball feeling the hard impact of the floor, barely managing to get a hand under the ball to send it back into the air.
She turned just in time to see Megumi bump the ball for Maki who spiked it into the ground on the other side of the net. She grinned as she heard the cheers of victory from her teammates.
She could already feel the bruises that were starting to form on her body, but it was absolutely worth it. She pushed herself off the floor onto her knees only to get scooped up by Maki in a massive hug. Giddy laughter poured out of her as Maki spun her around.
Maki set her down gently as Yuuji skipped over to them, “That last save was insane Kugisaki!”
Nobara giggled and put on her cockiest grin, “I know, I’m pretty amazing aren’t I.” She glanced at Maki who had a soft look on her face. Their eyes locked, neither of them looking away, sharing a silent moment to themselves.
Gojo came between them, wrapping his arms around both of their shoulders, completely ruining the moment. Stupid Gojo with his lack of brain cells and personal space. He grinned innocently at them and the rest of the team, “Great game guys! Since your next game isn’t until this afternoon, I think that calls for a team lunch on me!” Maybe he could live another day, he wasn’t that bad.
O
Nobara felt bad for the employees of the restaurant the team had chosen. Everyone was still high on their win and practically vibrating with energy. As crazy as everyone was this is where Nobara felt most at home, the team was her family.
Their food was brought out and a chorus of cheers and thank yous sounded around the table. Gojo spoke up above everyone, “Alright, my children eat up so you can be nice and strong for your next game!” Everyone fell silent and Nobara cringed, maybe family wasn’t the best word.
Yuuji broke the awkward silence, “Thank you Gojo daddy.”
Immediately Megumi spewed soda out of his nose at Yuuji’s comment and started coughing. Nobara couldn’t hold back the full-bellied laughter. She laughed so hard she had tears mixing with her mascara streaming down her face which in turn made Maki laugh so hard she snorted. Poor Inumaki was the only one who had the composure to clean up the mess they had created on the table.
They were a mess, but they were the best friends Nobara could ask for.
O
The tension in the air was so thick that it could be felt pricking on her arms every time she shifted. The bubbly atmosphere from their last win was gone, replaced with an intense focus on the team opposite them.
Kyoto Tech.
They had to win this match in order to move on in the tournament and go to nationals. Easier said than done when they had been consistently trading wins and loses with Kyoto the entire season.
The only ones who seemed to not be affected by the tension in the room was Todo and Yuuji who were talking excitedly as if they were old childhood friends. Even the stands were quiet, everyone knew their rivalry and history. Today they were the main game to watch, practically the biggest game of the tournament even if it was just the first of two days.
Maki was unusually quiet; she always had a different air about her when they played Kyoto. It seemed as if there was a heavier burden weighing on her shoulders. Something Nobara could never quit place or figure out.
She tugged on Maki’s shirt to get her attention and whispered, “Are you okay?”
Maki seemed to snap out of wherever she had gone. She smiled, “Yea,” She sighed and grabbed her hand, squeezing it reassuringly, “I’m okay.”
Nobara hesitated for a second then impulsively wrapped her arms around Maki’s neck in a hug, “We’re going to win and go to nationals. I know we are.”
Maki immediately grinned and squeezed Nobara back, “We definitely will. Now let’s beat these losers.”
They lined up on the court once again receiving the first serve. Nobara took a deep breath to center herself as each player moved into their positions. She glanced over to Maki who seemed to have shaken off her slump from earlier.
Nobara smiled, good they needed her at full strength for this game.
The whistle blew and Mai sent her a particularly nasty smirk, obviously in Nobara’s direction, before launching the ball with precision accuracy dangerously close to the line and between her and Megumi. “Mine!” She called out before anyone else could even react to the ball. She knew exactly what Mai was trying to do. She was trying to create confusion between her and her teammates to slip in a service ace.
Nobara wasn’t about to let that happen on her watch. She dove for the ball, getting a hand under it. Mai might’ve been able to serve with pinpoint accuracy, but her serves weren’t nearly as hard as Maki’s.
Inumaki moved quickly to send a quick set to Yuuji who slammed it over the net. A chorus of cheers sounded around her teammates as they earned the first point of the game. Nobara sent a smirk in Mai’s direction, game on.
Megumi stepped up to serve next, hitting it over the net. They bumped it without too much difficulty. In a quick flash, Todo was in the air half a second before Yuuji and Maki could jump to block his spike. Nobara dashed forward to try to save it but couldn’t get there in time. She scowled in frustration, causing Megumi to give her a light pat on the shoulder.
They traded points for the rest of the set until they finally pulled ahead 23-24, at the end of the set. “Common, one more point!” Maki called out trying to rally the team. Everyone was out of breath from the constant running around the court.
Maki stepped up to serve, slamming the ball over the next. The other team was barely able to dig the ball, causing it to fly back over the next. “Chance ball!” Nobara called out and bumped the ball to Inumaki. Yuuji and Megumi both flew to the net as Inumaki moved to set. Instead, the ball flew to the back where Maki was waiting to slam the ball over once again. The diversion worked the blockers were focused on their front spikers, allowing Maki to slam the ball into the ground.
Everyone cheered and ran over to hug Maki. Nobara made her way through the pile, jumping up to wrap her arms around Maki’s neck. “That was such a good spike!”
Maki laughed and hugged Nobara back, “Thank you,” She grinned and teasingly pushed her off of her, “Gross, you’re all sweaty.”
Nobara stuck her tongue at her, “So are you!”
“Hey! I haven’t been throwing myself all over the floor.”
“If I didn’t, we wouldn’t have won the set,” Nobara smiled cockily.
Maki wrapped her arm around Nobara’s shoulders and smiled softly, “I know, you did amazing too.”
The team went back over the bench for a quick water break before the next set started.
O
Wham , the ball whizzed right by Nobara’s head. It was the second set and they had fallen behind 22-24. Miwa didn’t have particularly strong spikes, but she was fast . She somehow managed to get right around the blockers and put the ball into the ground before Nobara could even react.
Yuuji must have seen her face because he called out, “Don’t worry I know you got the next one!” He sent her a thumbs up in encouragement. She nodded at him trying not to let the missed ball get to her.
Todo was up to serve, he slammed the ball over the net with insane power. Nobara was barely able to receive it, causing the ball to go wide. Yuuji chased after the ball, bumping it in the vague direction of the net, “Last touch!”
Megumi jumped up to try to spike the ball over, but blockers were waiting for him completely shutting him out. The ball fell between Megumi and the net, Nobara dived desperately for the ball, coming up just barely short. Their side of the court was quiet while they listened to the cheers of the other team. “We’ll get the next set,” Maki said firmly, everyone nodded solemnly in agreement.
O
Nobara could hear the heavy breathing from her teammates as well as herself. Sweat threatened to drip down from her brow. It was the third set, and they were once again tied 23-23. Everyone was exhausted at this point, they had been trading points back and forth the entire game, drawing it out.
Todo was once again up to serve, he slammed it over the net. Nobara scrambled to receive it, the ball flew off her arms and back over the net. “Damnit,” She cursed under her breath. She was tired and starting to make stupid mistakes.
The other team set the ball over to Mai who somehow managed to dodge the blockers. Nobara watched her gaze in that split second. In a blink of an eye, the ball whizzed towards them and then-
Nobara’s thoughts stopped processing as adrenaline roared in her ears and cold cutting panic set in.
Maki was on the ground.
Nobara’s mind froze. Before she even knew it she had started running.
There was absolutely nothing in this world that meant more to Nobara than volleyball. So why was she running over to Maki who was lying limp on the court instead of saving the ball? In the back of her mind, she vaguely registered that she could have easily reached it if she had tried to. But she could barely even think about the ball.
All she could feel was fear. Not the dull ache in her muscles that came from already playing a full game and another nearly three sets. Not the shouts of her teammates. Not even the mildly shocked stares that came from the other team.
The fear that came from hearing the echoing thud of Maki’s body hitting the court over the cheers of the crowd. The fear that came from the deafening silence when Maki didn’t get up. The fear that came from finally reaching her and seeing the blood that covered the ground.
The fear that came from the fact that the score was tied 23-23 in the third set and she had, without a second thought, willingly given up a point to run to a girl.
By the time Nobara dropped to the ground by Maki’s side who had already shakily raised herself onto her forearms, head still on the ground. “Maki, oh my god, are you okay?” Nobara barely was able to choke out the words.
Nobara leaned her head down by Maki’s to hear her response. She let out a shaky breath, taking a moment to respond, “Yea,” She paused again, “I’m okay.” After a few more seconds she finally sat up, bringing a hand up to feel her face. There was a gash on the bridge of her nose but other than that she seemed to be okay.
Nobara gently grabbed Maki’s face to inspect the damage, turning her head right and left. “Are you sure?” She choked out, throat feeling thick with emotion.
“Nobara…” Maki reached out with her hand that wasn’t covered in blood to gently wipe away the tears that had started to fall down her cheeks. “I’m okay, I promise.”
Shoko appeared beside them with a towel and medical bag, “Can you stand?”
Maki nodded, “Yea I’m fine.” Nobara grabbed her arm and helped her to her feet and over to their bench. Nobara crouched on the ground as Maki sat on the bench and had her face inspected by Shoko.
Maki winced as Shoko felt a particularly sensitive spot. Nobara grabbed Maki’s hand protectively and rubbed her thumb over the back of it comfortingly. “Well, good news,” Shoko breathed out in a sigh, “Your nose isn’t broken at least. But this will probably need stitches.” Maki nodded, “Do you think you can still play?”
Maki looked over at the scoreboard and at the other team. Mai seemed to be eyeing them with an unreadable expression. “Definitely.”
Shoko sighed again but gave them a crooked smile, “Alright, I’ll see what I can do.”
While she dug through one of her bags Nobara eyed Mai out of the corner of her eye. She had wandered away from their bench somewhat near the net and was eyeing them. “What happened Kugisaki? You didn’t even try to save the ball?” She taunted with a fake pout on her face, but her words lacked the normal bite they usually had. Maki’s head snapped to stare at Nobara with an unreadable expression.
Nobara ignored it and flashed Mai the nastiest glare she could manage, “I’m going to fucking-” She nearly got to her feet, but Maki yanked her back down.
“Don’t, she’s not worth it,” Maki said warningly. Nobara was about to protest but she felt a soft hand on her cheek, stopping her from saying anything, “It’s okay, I’m okay. It was just an accident, it happens.”
“But-” Nobara started. Her bottom lip started trembling, so she let her head fall and rest on Maki’s leg. She felt Maki start to gently card her finger through her hair.“Nobara-” Maki started, clearly worried, but was interrupted by Shoko coming over with some band-aids.
“They’re going to start the game again soon, so we need to hurry if you want to keep playing.”
Maki nodded, taking the towel away from her face. Nobara swallowed down the tears that threatened to spill over, she felt so stupid, why was she so upset? Maki was fine, it was all fine .
Nobara looked up at Maki’s face, at least the bleeding had finally stopped. A final drip of blood tracked its way down her nose. Well, had stopped for the most part.
Shoko opened an antiseptic wipe and did her best considering the time constraints to clean the blood off Maki’s face before she bandaged the gash together the best she could. “How do you feel? Still up to playing?”
Maki experimentally got to her feet, pulling Nobara up with her. She grinned sharply, “Hell yea.” Maki turned to her Nobara, her grin softening, “Ready to win?”
Nobara shook off the growing ball of nausea forming in her stomach and smiled back, squeezing Maki’s hand, “Definitely.”
They turned to make their way back over to the rest of the team who was hovering a respectful distance away. Yuuji peered warily over Megumi’s shoulder, “Maki! Are you okay?”
Nobara realized the entire team was watching them and sheepishly dropped Maki’s hand with a light blush. Maki turned to look back at her, giving her an unreadable expression. She turned back to the rest of the team, putting on her signature sharp grin, “Of course I am. I’m ready to win this game.”
Yuuji and the rest of the team grinned back at them, glad to see their captain ready to play again.
Behind them the referee blew their whistle, signaling that the court was cleaned off and the game was back on. While they all moved back into position the referee came over to Maki to make sure she was no longer bleeding and could play.
The referee quickly released her and before she knew it Todo was readying another serve for them. The ball flew toward the back of the court with lightning speed. Nobara moved with practiced precision bumping the ball into the air.
The ball seemed to soar in a beautiful arc falling right into Inumaki’s waiting hands. Nobara thought it was possibly one of the best receives she’s ever made. Or maybe it only felt that way because she was desperately hoping to make up for the fact that she had become distracted. That they might not make it to nationals because of her mistake. That this could be it and it would be all her fault.
It happened in a blink of an eye as soon as the ball touched the tips of Inumaki’s fingers it sailed across the court to an already soaring Maki. Time almost seemed to stand still as Nobara watched from her crouched position on the ground, Maki haloed by the stadium lights looking more stunning than she’s ever seen her, arm up and ready to receive the ball and flying at the net.
And then it was all over.
Before she even knew what happened she was being swept off her feet by a screaming Yuuji. Even Megumi was wearing a euphoric grin as he jogged over to them. The entire team crashed around them all too close and bumping into each other but at that moment, there was too much joy for them to care.
Yuuji set Nobara down to grab Megumi’s face and bumped their foreheads together a little too excitedly if his wince was anything to go by. But that was immediately forgotten when she felt arms engulf her, she turned around to find Maki grinning ear to ear, laughing like a maniac.
“We won! We really won!” Maki couldn’t even stop her laughter while talking, the sight warmed Nobara’s heart so much it hurt. Adrenaline still rushed through her ears and stopped her thoughts.
That was the only explanation for why she chose that moment to blurt out over the cheering, “Go out with me!” And without skipping a beat Nobara grabbed Maki by the collar of her jersey and yanked her down into a kiss. Nobara swallowed all of Maki’s laughter as she finally stilled. For one horrifying second, nothing happened, and her heart turned to ice. This was where she ruined everything, this was it she would be kicked off the team-
Her entire thought process abruptly stopped as Maki seemed to snap into action as her arms tightened around Nobara and she began to kiss to back. They pulled away grins plastered on their faces, Maki pulled her close to whisper in her ear, “I should have kissed you ages ago.”
Nobara grinned, “Guess you have a lot to make up for now.”
Maki pulled her into another kiss as she lifted Nobara into the air and twirled her around as the rest of their team cheered around them celebrating their victory.
Nobara smiled into the kiss. They would take on the world together, literally. They were going to nationals after all.