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Yachi wasn't quite sure how she got into this situation, but perhaps if she went back she could find a common thread that caused these two to become rivals for her heart…
Back when Yachi was a first year at Karasuno, she was a shy and easily startled girl. Often she'd ask herself why exactly she'd agreed to take the position? Was it so that she'd have a club to put on her applications to university? Perhaps. Or was it that she was so stunned that someone as beautiful as Shimizu-san was the one asking her and out of reflex Yachi had said yes? Also a valid hypothesis.
“HEY ARE YOU THE NEW MANAGER? WHAT'S YOUR NAME?”
Yachi jumped startled by the loud voice pulling her out of her thoughts.
“Boke Hinata boke. Look, you startled her.” A slightly sweaty raven colored haired boy knocked the back of his knuckles on the back of a shorter tangerine haired boy's head.
“I was just trying to introduce myself...” the bright smile on the tangerine haired boy’ face fell and changed into a slight pout. “Bakeyama…” he muttered under his breath only to get another rap on his head from the raven haired boy. “Owww…” rubbing the spot on his head that had been hit twice.
Yachi stared at the exchange unsure of what to make of it. She believed them to be in her year at Karasuno as she remembered seeing them in similar hallways, but she couldn't place their names. As the two continued to stare at her, she realized that they were still waiting on her to answer to the enthusiastically loud boy.
“Y-Y-yachi.” She paused to tuck a strand of hair she'd missed when pinning her bangs out of her eyes as she inhaled and exhaled a breath slowly. “My name is Yachi Hitoka and I'm your manager in training under Shimizu-san since she'll be graduating this year.”
“So cool! I'll call you Ya-chan!” The tangerine haired boy grinned wide again with eyes sparkling before the wide smile caused them to close. “My name is Shoyo Hinata.”
“And I'm Tobio Kageyama.” The raven haired boy added with a silent nod. “Hinata, Captain Sawamura is calling us back to practice.” Tobio nodded in the direction of the rest of the team at the other end of the gym.
Shoyo's eyes shifted to catch Sawamura-san's stern look and his smile faded.
“Sorry, we gotta get back. Nice to meet you, Ya-chan.” Shoyo added with a wave as he then looked to Tobio with his smile changing into a smirk.
Yachi joined Shimizu-san just in time to see the two boys racing each other back to the team. Hinata was grinning while Tobio was frowning slightly wanting to protest that he won but Sawamura-san cut the two of their arguing off and practice began.
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The next time Yachi spent any significant time with Hinata and Tobio was around midterm exams. Sawamura-san had a strict policy with all of his club members that his team had to pass their classes in order to participate in training camps during the breaks. Yachi was tasked with ensuring that the first years passed theirs.
She knew from her interactions with Yamaguchi and Tsukishima that she didn't have to worry about their grades. However, when it came to the other two, the only thing those two ‘studied’ was volleyball and nothing else. Not even one subject was at an above average level. Yachi was going to have her work cut out for her as she looked around her living room wondering if she should have taken up Yamaguchi’s offer to help with the tutoring. Hinata was currently arguing with Kageyama about the answer to some English question. The two were growing heated with each other convinced both were right.
Looking over their shoulders as the two continued angrily stating their points as she brought in snacks, Yachi shook her head with a sigh of exhaustion. At this rate, she was wondering if passing the classes were a lost cause for these two and that remedial classes during the break would suit them better.
“I believe the correct answer for that question is My name is James. Don't you see the kanji for watashi and for wa?” She coughed as if clearing her throat trying to remain calm. She was trying her best not to start panicking as it appeared these two didn't even seem to have a basic understanding of the language that they grew up learning.
The two were quiet only looking from the notes in front of them to Yachi and back a few times before nodding slowly still not saying anything. Hinata grabbed one of the cookies that Yachi had brought to the table for their study snack break. He chewed slowly, brows scrunched together in deep thought. Kagayama had yet to grab a snack, but he was the first one to finally comment.
“Huh…so I guess we both were wrong…” Kageyama sighed, writing down the correct answer in his notebook in the hope of remembering it on exam day. He spun his pencil in his hand a few times as he looked hard at the new notes he just wrote.
“Yeah, it looks like we were, Bakeyama,” Hinata agreed, finally done chewing and swallowing the bite of his cookie. “It’s good that we have someone as smart as Ya-chan to help us pass all of our exams. We can’t miss training camp!”
“Definitely not.” Kageyama nodded in agreement.
Both boys turned to look at Yachi; one with a wide beaming smile and the other with a barely visible smile on his face and in unison they added with a seated bow, “Thank you, Ya-chan for tutoring us!”
Yachi felt her heart skip a beat and cheeks warm slightly at not only the appreciation showered on her, but also the smiles catching the poor girl a bit off guard.
“Y-you’re welcome.” she half stuttered and half squeaked out still trying to recover from the image in front of her.
This was especially strange across Kageyama’s lips as he was relatively stoic and did not show any emotion often; let alone a smile. This image of the two very different smiles lived rent free in Yachi’s memories for many years to come. Though she didn’t realize it then, that was also the catalyst for their platonic relationship of manager/classmate and club volleyball player to slowly transform into feelings of attachment that could be considered love. However what sort of love it was wasn’t discovered for many years later.
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Yachi had been right about the boys’ ability to pass their exams, however, they were all able to graduate together. Due to them all joining the Karasuno team at roughly the same time, the five first years all stayed pretty close through all of their years at Karasuno High. Their third year team photo of the five of them was Yachi’s lock screen and printed on her desk in her dorm at university. After their graduation, the five kept in touch through group text chat originally created in their third year. On rare occasions, their schedules all aligned to have the occasional video call. Though those became less and less frequent once Hinata and Kageyama went abroad to play volleyball. However, it never failed that one of them would try to call her.
“HEY! YACHAN!” Shoyo waved with a wide smile on his face with Yachi viewing the whole thing through her small smart phone. She could not help mirroring Shoyo’s smile whenever he did. His joy was something that was infectious.
“Hey, Shoyo. How is it in Brazil? I want to go, but poor college student and all…” she giggled nervously despite feeling her nerves eased by just seeing Shoyo’s face on the screen.
“Oh it’s pretty good! I got to play beach volleyball with lots of people. Even the great Sejoh king. He wasn’t very good at it though. I think it was because he’d never done it. I’ve had fun, but it will be good to be back soon.”
“Oh yeah, that is coming up soon. When do you get back again?”
“The 16th of next month.”
Yachi looked and made a note in her calendar of the date. Nodding before looking back up at the screen.
“Hey Yachi…” Shoyo’s tone at the end of her name was almost as if he was asking a question, but he didn’t continue with what he was wanting to ask.
“Yeah, Shoyo.?” She replied to show him that she was listening. It wasn’t like Shoyo to be quiet. In fact the tangerine haired young man was usually a chatter box that Yachi would have to tell to let her have a turn speaking.
“Did you think you’ll have some time that week when I get back to hang out?”
“I may have the stray group project or an exam to study for, but it’s not something that I can’t make time for you for.” She paused to take a look at her calendar to be sure. “Tobio should be back from Italy too. Do you want me to invite him as well as Kei and Tadashi? You know it’s been a while since the whole gang has been together.”
Shoyo took a few moments to ponder his reply. Though the screen was small, Yachi thought that she saw Shoyo’s smile fade at the mention of meeting with the others.
“I mean if you want to, I won't stop you.” He paused as she wondered if she saw his lip quiver slightly. “I was kinda hoping for it to just be the two of us though…”
“Oh. I see. Well, we can definitely just hang out just the two of us.” She added, trying to remember if they had ever just hung out without any of the others. Yachi couldn’t remember a time.
“Perhaps you and I could meet at the airport. It would be nice to have a familiar face to welcome me home.”
“Isn’t our family going to be there, Shoyo? I don’t want to intrude on your family time.”
“They have already told me that Natsu has a volleyball match and I’d have to return home by myself anyway.” He sighed softly.
“Okay just give me the details and I’ll try my best to be there.” She offered a soft smile in the hopes of returning his familiar one to his face.
His face lit up upon hearing her words. “Thanks, Ya-chan. I can’t wait to see you!” He said with a wave before hanging up, knowing that it was late for Yachi.
She stared at the phone wondering exactly what the end of that conversation exactly was. Shaking her head a few times to clear it, she sighed and then turned off her light and headed to bed.
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Txt Message from Tobio 15:43 27/08/2018: Hey Yachi! I’m back in Japan. I’ve got some time before my first practice with the Adlers. I know It’s short notice, but do you have time tonight to meet up?
Yachi’s pocket buzzed while in lecture so she checked it quickly under her desk.
Txt to Tobio: Welcome back! You are in luck. I’m free this evening. What did you have in mind?
From Tobio: I recall you mentioning a parfait place that had just opened up recently during one of our calls. Have you gotten to try it yet? And don’t worry, it’s my treat tonight for dragging you out on short notice.
To Tobio: Sure. Say in about an hour good?
From Tobio: Sounds good. See you soon :)
Just under an hour later, Yachi was standing out in front of the dessert cafe waiting for Tobio to show up. Standing under the awning gave some relief from the late summer heat but only a little as the sun had yet to fully set. Reflecting a bit on the past, Yachi knew had always been close with both Shoyo and Tobio since midway through their first year at Karasuno, but she had yet to hang out with either one of them alone. She hadn’t really thought too much of Tobio’s invitation to meet up as Shoyo was still in Brazil for a few more weeks. She just wasn’t sure how to bring up that Shoyo only wanted her to meet him at the airport to Tobio. Perhaps as the evening went on, she’d find a way to bring it up.
“Hey, Yachi,” a voice caused her to look up.
When she spotted the man behind the voice her heart skipped a beat. A slight smile was on his lips as he waved with one hand and the other held something in it…Was Tobio holding….flowers?! They couldn’t possibly for her…could they? Why? She was thinking her eyes were playing tricks on her until Tobio got closer. The raven haired young man wrapped his arms around Yachi, nearly picking her up and spinning her before releasing her from his hug. She was stunned for a few moments unsure of if this was the Tobio she remembered. Italy had changed him, but perhaps for the better in her opinion. She could feel her heart flutter slightly around this Tobio.
“Oh and these are for you. Sorry if I crushed them a bit just now.” He added holding the small bouquet out to her.
Yachi took the bouquet and she couldn’t quite place the flowers in it but the colors all complimented each other nicely. She looked up to see Tobio holding open the door for her. She couldn’t help but smile softly at all of his gestures. She was still stunned as he pulled out her chair and let her sit before he sat.
“Again order anything you like. It’s on me.”
She nodded, opening the menu to skim over its contents.
“I’ll have the strawberries and cream parfait. What are you getting, Tobio?”
“I’m not the most fond of sweets, so perhaps I’ll just try a bite of yours. I mostly wanted to go to some place I knew you’d been dying to go to for you to make time to see me. Before you start worrying about inconveniencing me or something. You aren’t. Actually far from it. It’s rather nice to see you, Yachi.”
He said softly that she had to hide her reddening face behind the menu until she felt it was less warm. She wasn’t sure if that was possible to do. Finally she set down the menu to signal that she was ready to order. She decided to try conversation while they waited on their order.
“So what’s new since we last talked, Tobio? I mean other than the obvious of being back home.” She giggled lightly.
“Nothing really. Didn’t we just video call a few days ago? It’s just boring being between teams. Not much for me to do until the Adlers are ready for me. I went back to my apartment and checked to see that it was how I left it. I was a bit stir crazy when I sent that text.” He chuckled back.
Yachi blinked, not fully recognizing this Tobio that is jovial. She’d only seen him like this when they won a match to get them closer to the national title. Even in that example, this Tobio is five times more.
“I’d probably go stir crazy too if I was in your shoes, Tobio. However, I’ve had a bunch of studying to do outside of keeping up with everyone.”
“So anything new with you, Yachi? Any crazy confession stories to share since last time?”
Yachi reached across the table to gently punch him in the arm.
“Stop teasing me! It was only that one time, and Bokuto was drunk. You know that he wasn’t serious.”
She shook her head at the memory of a training camp where Bokuto came back during Yachi’s third year and he’d confessed his undying love for her. No one took him seriously. However, looking back on that night. Shoyo and Tobio had insisted on Yachi staying in the girls room that night and not come out until morning.
“The only other news I have is that Shoyo is coming home on the 16th. I assume that he told you during one of your calls.”
“I do remember him mentioning that and that the Jackals had recruited him.” Tobio added his smile, fading slightly. “Have you made plans to meet up with him yet?”
“He asked me to pick him up from the airport as his family is busy at one of Natsu’s games.”
“Oh, do you want me to go with you?”
“Don’t trouble yourself. I’d hate for you to be in trouble with your new team for skipping out on practice. We can hang out all together once he’s settled a bit more.”
“Okay.”
The rest of the time at the cafe was spent with small talk and savoring the dessert that Yachi ordered. When it was time to leave, Tobio paid the bill and then stood and opened the door for Yachi.
“I’ll see ya later. I know I have a game next month. I think it may even be against boke Hinata boke’s team too. You should definitely come. I play so much better when you are around.”
“Send me the details and I’ll try to make it. It definitely helps that I can usually get tickets because I know the players.” She winked at Tobio, playfully nudging his arm.
“Get home safe and let me know when you get back to your dorm, Yachi. Okay?”
“Will do. You don’t have to worry though. I can take care of myself.” She waved and turned, feeling Tobio’s eyes follow her as she walked away sniffing the flowers all the way back wondering just what she could use in her room as a vase.
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Yachi stood by the International arrivals at the airport awaiting Shoyo to show up from the other side of the doors. She got a little antsy the longer she waited. She didn't like the look on Tobio’s face when she’d told him that he could not join them tonight. She hoped that Tobio could forgive the two of them and they all stay the close friends that they always had been.
“Yacchan!” A call came loudly as her head jerked slightly, startled at the loud voice.
“Shoyo!” She called out, smiling to match Shoyo’s own smile. “Welcome home!”
She leaned in to give him a hug. As she hugged him, she felt him lean in and kiss her cheek. Yachi felt her cheeks warm, signaling a blush forming on them.
“I missed you.” He gave her one more squeeze before pulling away.
“How was your flight?”
“Long and boring, but nothing I couldn't handle knowing I’d see you at the end of it.” He grinned wide, pulling his bag behind him as they exited the airport terminal and got on the train.
Yachi was stunned by Hinata’s forwardness. Shoyo had always spoken his mind and that wasn't anything new. Just tonight it seemed more forward. It reminded her of how forward Tobio also was with her a few weeks ago. What was going on with her two best friends? She wasn’t sure.
“Well that’s good that the flight wasn’t too bad. I bet that you’re jet lagged though, so let's get you back home.” Yachi said with a nod, still feeling the slight tingle from the earlier kiss on her cheek.
She was at a loss for what else to say to keep the conversation going but luckily for her Shoyo babbled all the way to Shoyo’s stop on the train. Yachi bowed politely to Hinata but added.
“I have class early tomorrow so I can’t really be out late. Tobio already got me a ticket for the Adlers versus the Jackals game in a few weeks. I’ll see you both then if not before. Okay?”
“Okay…” Shoyo pouted slightly before exiting the train with a wave and a wide smile. However Yachi could tell that this one was fake. She sighed wondering what she was going to do about these two’s moods. If she couldn’t fix them soon she felt that a possible fight between her two closest friends. She hoped that this feeling was wrong and everything would be as it always had been.
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Yachi was already running to the court when the two had started yelling aggressively at each other. She knew from her previous experience that grabbing clothes and even physical violence would come next.
“It’s not fair, Bakeyama. You got to go on a date and all I got was a kiss on the cheek and a quick train ride. It’s not fair.”
“Boke Hinata boke. That is why I did what I did. I knew that you would try to do everything by myself”
Tobio was about to yell something back when Yachi stepped between the two.
“QUIET! Both of you. I mean it! This is an official match and what do you think your new teams will think when they see your fist fighting someone from the other team.”
“But Yacchan-” Shoyo whined.
“ Don’t you but me! Now where did my two friends go? You two go away to a foreign country and come back fighting over me. That”s fair from what I want. I’m not the one who wants to be a trophy or toy to win or play with. If you two can’t decide to work this out so that you aren’t fighting over me, then don’t expect me to interact with either.’
She remained where she stood between them, issuing the ultimatum with teary eyes. She wiped them away on the back of her sleeve as she left the court to return to her seat and see if the two could work out their differences. Both young men meant the world to her and she hoped that she had put a stop to the rift between Shoyo and Tobio from growing even deeper.
The game was able to continue on and the two boys met Yachi outside the stadium following the game with both looking sheepishly at their feet.
“Yachi, first off we are sorry for our behavior at the game.” Tobio started.
“The two of us talked it out and we are okay if you are okay with being both of our girlfriend.” Shoyo continued.
“I’d be honored.” Yachi stepped forward to pull the two in for a hug and a kiss on each cheek.