Chapter Text
"Ouchie..."
Lev winces as he shakes his right hand in hope of cooling his burn even just a little. He was trying to peek at the oven to see his birthday cake which was being made by her beloved sister. He then went to open the faucet and use the cool running water for his poor hand.
"Lyovochka I've been telling you for so many times you should be more careful because your other half might already be sharing your pain!!" Only his sister Alisa can scold him and still sound so loving.
"I know, I'm sorry.." he said, sighing as he dried his hand with a clean towel. He personally thinks that his soulmate is probably younger than him but deep inside, he also knows that he has to stop being clumsy real soon.
"I'm just really excited for my birthday! Starting tomorrow, I'll feel the presence of my soulmate, even just through pain.. but it's like a step closer to knowing the love of my life!!!" His excitement was overflowing and he was practically bouncing from his place. "And maybe someday, we would be just as romantic as you with your soulmate."
It only made Alisa giggle, "You're a wonderful person Lev. I'm sure your dear soulmate would be just as excited and as sweet as you. Now you should get ready, okay?"
Lev prepared by taking a shower and a change of nice clothes while his sister finished decorating the cake. Soon enough, their friends came with their gifts and everything. Alisa’s boyfriend also came which Alisa welcomed with a warm embrace that made Lev smile in huge adoration.
It was more than just a sixteenth birthday celebration; it was also a farewell party to the Haiba siblings since Alisa got accepted at a university in Tokyo and Lev decided to come along which their parents thought would be a good idea so he can get used to the said city, hoping that he'd enter college there too. Tomorrow will be their moving day, that's why Lev's birthday was celebrated early.
"Make your wish, Lyovochka!~"
I wish for the best soulmate to find me as soon as possible.
He wished happily as he blew the candles, making the visitors cheer enthusiastically. The rest of the day was spent chatting, eating, playing games, and just bonding. Soon enough, the celebration was over and they were already wrapping up their stuff for tomorrow. Lev was looking at his new uniform quietly and of course, Alisa noticed it so she went to sit beside him.
"Do you think it's possible that my soulmate would be in there? You know.. since most people find their soulmates in their highschool days. Maybe I'll meet mine there, and we’ll be together a lot, taking care of each other a lot. I can't wait for that moment." He smiled, still grasping the cloth in his hands.
Alisa was in awe. She knows how much of a romantic person Lev was, so it only makes sense to her why he is feeling that way. "I know you're excited, but you know… highschool is more than just finding romance. It's also about spending time with good friends, I think you should think of that too, maybe by joining a fun club or something. Your soulmate will come eventually. Just to remind you that not everyone finds their soulmates early, I only met mine before graduation." She giggled again, patting him on the shoulder before standing up.
Joining a club huh…
It was Sunday when they arrived in Tokyo. They placed all their items in their apartment, and then worked on finalizing their school applications. By the time they got to Nekoma High School, where Lev will be transferring, they passed by a group of students who seemed to be wearing certain varsity outfits. They were loud and chaotic, but it got Lev's interest. He tilted his head to read the words written on their pants. 'Nekoma volleyball'
They also celebrated Lev's birthday once again by eating dinner outside, and it was the time that Alisa got to ask Lev about his soulmate connection.
"So how's the day so far, any pain?"
Lev slowly shaked his head, but he wasn't completely sad. He was eating food like he usually does.
"Nothing from my soulmate so far, but I think I have a club I want to join now."
✩✩✩✩✩
"Hi! My name is Haiba Lev but you can just call me Lev. Yeah, I'm half-Russian but I grew up here in Japan so I really don't know how to speak Russian hehe. I hope we can all get along!"
A week has passed since Lev got to Tokyo, and today will be his first day in the school.
"Thank you for that introduction, Lev-san" the teacher said, "You may take your seat now. Shibayama-san, please make sure to guide him until he's familiar with our campus."
"Hai!" responded a short man with black hair, who looked to Lev, "I'm Shibayama Yuki, nice to meet you." he whispered before the discussion started.
Lev and Yuki got along very well since both of them are friendly enough to have a decent conversation, even though Lev somehow offended Yuki by pointing out their height difference immediately. During lunch break, they walked around the campus, with Yuki describing every building and answering even the silliest question Lev has.
"And here is the last gym, this is where the volleyball club practices too as well. It's quite hectic because walking takes me time and energy." He finally explained with a sigh.
"Woah, you're from the volleyball club? I wanna join there too!!" Lev commented, feeling amazed.
"Oh that would be awesome!! You're really tall so I think you'll be great for the team. I think you'll work on your club application today, but I can inform our captain in advance." Yuki replied nicely, giving Lev a friendly smile.
"Uuuu that's very nice of you, Shibayama-kun!!" Lev was so happy he got a friend to guide him so he couldn't help but give a hug which Yuki wasn't rude enough to push away.
"Our senpais are quite strict though, but I think you can impress them just fine. But here's an advice: NEVER call anyone in the club short." The way Yuki emphasizes the word never made Lev understand that it's something very important to avoid. He even had to gulp first before responding yes.
Class has ended, and Yuki waved to Lev, "I'll see you there!" while Lev goes to a teacher for a club application form. He then wrote his name and volleyball club, and all there's left is the captain's approval.
It was a long walk (it wasn't really a long walk for Lev given that his legs are long, but the cat he found on the way made the journey long) and when he arrived at the place, he was welcomed by Yuki doing a small wave to him. It seemed like he was just talking to another member who had a weird hair style.
"Good afternoon, I'm Haiba Lev and I'm a transfer student! I'd love to join the volleyball club so I hope you can a— OWWWW!!!” His introduction was interrupted when the cat he's holding scratched him. Some were laughing, others were worried, but some were also pissed.
Disappointment was visible to the man with long hair slouching on the bench, while annoyance can be seen from another short man in the club.
"Alright.." the man with weird hair style clapped, so Lev assumed that it's the captain, "Here's what will happen today: we'll do our training as usual but Lev here will have to join after a bit of observation, is that good?"
Everyone agreed.
"But first, let's do some introduction too. I'm Kuroo Tetsurou, captain of the team, an official middle blocker, same for Inuoka here, he's a regular blocker despite being a first year. Kenma over there is our setter, second year, the brain of the team. Then for our spikers, we got Fukunaga, Taketora, both second years, then Kai, a third year. Finally, we have our demon senpai Yaku, a third year, and our official libero." Kuroo points to every person he introduces as some of them do a friendly wave to Lev, who couldn't help but think how a third year could be so tiny.
"So are there any questions?"
"Yeah, is it normal for liberos to be small?" he didn't realize that it was a mistake until he spoke about it."You.." Yaku was obviously gonna kill him but Kuroo stopped him, still with an annoying grin present on his face. "Well, I wouldn't say normal.. I think common would be the more appropriate term. What can I say, they're great with receiving.”
Seems like he will be safe for a while… he hoped.