Chapter Text
I let out a long sigh before using my crutch to help me up the few steps. I opened the door to the gym, and my brother and his teammates were already warming up. Daichi slowed his pace and called my name. I gave him a wave as I closed the door behind me and went to the bench where Kiyoko sat. “How did the practice match go?”
Kiyoko nodded, flipped to another page in her notebook, and handed it to me. She had made notes on how each of the boys played. “The Neighborhood Association won. Are you officially at Karasuno now?” Asahi, Nishinoya, and Sugawara played on that team. Way to go, boys.
I nodded. “My transfer finally became official Monday. It’s easier since Ryu goes here after all – and better than trying to live in the dorms.” I missed those dorms with my teammates, though. I massaged my right thigh. I watched as the boys split into trios to run exercises.
“I’m glad to see you up and about,” Ukai laughed as he turned away from the team. “How’s the leg?”
“Sore,” I shot him a smile. “Let me know what I can help with though.” Ukai nodded, turning back to the team. It was painful watching them practice. Kiyoko pointed out each of the new players to me. Kageyama expected someone to hit every ball he set, while Hinata tried to go after every ball but with his eyes closed. Granted – Kageyama was able to plant the ball precisely in front of another, and Hinata had unrivalled speed. Tsukishima was super tall and great for a blocker, but he moved so lazily that he missed a bunch of blocks. Yamaguchi lacked confidence. He had some good moves but always second-guessed himself when it came to what he should do. They stopped for a water break after their first maneuver.
Hinata cocked his head as he stared at me. “Aren’t you the new girl in my class?”
“You haven’t been introduced yet?” Nishinoya popped into the spot beside me, rattling the bench. He introduced me to everyone, “this is Sora Tanaka!”
“Wait – Tanaka? Like him?” Hinata pointed to Ryu.
Ryu placed his hands on his hips as he glared down the first years. “Sora’s my sister, and I’ll hurt anyone who tries to mess with her.” I stole Kiyoko’s pen from her clipboard and tossed it at my brother. It hit him in the center of his forehead. He crouched, holding his head. “Attacked by my dear baby sister!”
“Let’s work on receives next. Sora – think you can serve a few for them?” Ukai rubbed the back of his neck. Ryu and Daichi exchanged apprehensive looks.
“If you chase your own ball, absolutely.” I grinned.
The tall blonde, Tsukishima, eyed me apprehensively. “You can serve?” Nishinoya snapped at him for that question. His new teammates did not know my abilities like he did.
“I’m still recovering from an injury, but I’m a half-decent player.” I winked, standing. I used my brother to help me onto the court as the boys lined up on the other side. Asahi was up first. Ryu tossed me a ball, and I spun it between my fingers. I let out a breath. I could not do my more powerful serves since that involved a jump – my leg was not ready for that. I took a step, tossing the ball into the air and served overhand. Asahi bumped the ball to Ryu, who set it back to me. It felt good to have the ball in my hands again. I served low for Nishinoya and high for Daichi. I served them varying degrees of difficulty in practicing receiving. I wish I could have served them fast and hard, though.
[Set]
I laid on my bed, an icepack on my leg. I pulled up the video of my last match. Shiratorizawa Academy’s Junior High Team against Yamagata Middle – the finals for the middle school national. I tapped my screen and the video played. I started as an outside hitter, and Rei was our setter beside me. We were leaps and bounds ahead of Yamagata in skill, and we quickly racked up the points. I swallowed hard as we neared the middle of the second set. Rei set the ball and I leaped, spiking it down in their court. We were awarded the point before my feet hit the court. I watched as my tibia shot out of my shin and I crumpled to the ground, just catching myself from landing on the exposed bone. My coach was on her feet and at my side before the camera moved away from me and to the shocked expressions of my teammates as they took a knee. Then, to the opponents and the crowd. Paramedics ran onto the court, loaded me onto their gurney, and rushed me out of the arena.
I closed the video and rested my phone on my stomach. “If only it had been just a break.” I sat up and removed the ice pack from my residual limb. The scar where they had amputated was sore and red. It was long healed, but I did too much today. I sighed, sitting up, and pulled open my bedside table. I pulled out my painkillers and placed a tablet under my tongue, letting it dissolve. I fell back on my bed with a groan. Would I ever be able to play Volleyball again? Or would I be relegated to coaching?
“Sora!” Saeko slammed the door to my room open. “Mom wants to know how your first day back went.” I threw my pillow at her. She lifted her hands in defeat and left, closing my door behind her. I turned and hugged my other pillow.
My door opened a few moments later, our mom entered and sat on the edge of my bed. She set the pillow I had thrown at Saeko under my residual limb. “Hurts today, huh.”
“It’s fine for most of the day – but my socket pinches if I try to do anything that isn’t walking. Stair’s suck.” I spoke into the pillow.
She rubbed my back. “I’ll see if we can get you in to have it adjusted. I do have some good news for you though. Dr. Miyamura got your latest labs back and they’re clear.” She gave my hip a squeeze, adjusted my icepack on my limb, and left my room.
[Set]
I walked the track, working through the exercises that my physical therapist had given me to rebuild my strength, balance, and agility on my new leg. I caught glimpses of the rest of my class playing soccer together.
“Sora! You’re walking without a crutch today,” Sugawara smiled as he fell into step with me. Asahi jogged behind us.
“Oh yeah. Your class is out for gym now too?” I gave them a smile as I side stepped, working on my lateral weight shifting. Asahi and Sugawara faced me, grape vining their own steps. “Showoffs much.”
“We just finished up in the weight room.” Asahi smiled, slowing down his stepping. “Are you not playing soccer with the rest of your class?”
I pointed down to my leg. “I’m not there yet. I could maybe kick the ball around leisurely, but definitely not for a game.” Ryu had brought his friends with him to visit me when I was in the hospital and at home recovering. Asahi and Sugawara had been such big supporters of me in middle school games, they were utterly devastated with what happened.
“Speaking of games – are you going to be with us for our training week? We have a match against Nekoma lined up.” Sugawara smiled down at me as I switched sides.
I shrugged. “I don’t think so. The first years don’t know about the extent of my injury yet, and I don’t want them to find out yet. I’m already the late transfer who wears pants as it is. They don’t need to know.” If they saw my prosthetic – they would know how much of a failure of a player I really was.
“You should at least come to see the game – cheer us on in our first rematch against Nekoma in years.” Sugawara pouted. “Please?” I shrugged as their teacher called them back.
[Set]
I rolled my eyes, kicking the volleyball back to Ryunosuke. Daichi sat on our back deck, sipping on his juice box. “I think my knee is all kicked out.” Ryu caught the ball under his foot. “Can we be done?”
“Quitting on me now, little sis? I thought you wanted to head back to Shiratorizawa – not gonna happen if you don’t keep up with your rehab!” Ryu sneered, kicking the ball back to me. I had to stretch to reach it but caught it with my prosthetic. I frowned. The foot did not bend. I maneuvered the ball in front of me using the heel, then hit it back with the side of the foot. This time, Ryu did not wait and immediately kicked the ball back to me but to my left side. I reached with my good foot – immediately losing balance and falling back on my butt. I groaned, lying in the dirt. “Need a hand?” I gave him the middle finger.
“You were doing really well until that one.” Daichi spoke. He grabbed my arm and pulled me onto my feet. “Just need to work on that lateral movement while relying on your new leg to support you.”
“Thanks.” I frowned, brushing myself off, “I’m done for the day though.” I limped back inside my family home to my bedroom. I collapsed on my bed, took off my socket, liner, and shrinker. I rolled onto my face, screaming into my blankets.