Chapter Text
Akaashi Keiji and Y/N L/N have never gotten a long.
It all started when the two hotheads were in elementary school while they were playing volleyball in gym class. Y/N was very risky when it came to her movements and she often lived in the moment and took risks. While Akaashi was very methodical and disciplined with his decisions he was always thinking three steps ahead.
These polar opposite personalities caused the two to clash over anything and everything. However they both had the same end result, to win.
Eventually their arguments escalated to off the court, and into the classroom. Whenever the two were forced to coexist it always ended up with them being dragged apart. When they both gradated elementary, they assumed they’d seen the last of each other. Yet, fate was not on their side since the two ended up enrolling at the same high school.
And as if that wasn’t enough, when the day came around to pick which club they would participate in, they found themselves standing side by side at the volleyball club table. When the captions of the boys and girls team asked them "Why they wanted to play volleyball?" the two responded with the exact same answer "To make it to Nationals." Now they are both second-years, with a infamous rivalry, that has now spread to the entire Tokyo Prefecture.
When it comes to these two, everyone knows: it’s never just a game.
The sound of squeaky sneakers flooded the gymnasium. The girls were hard at work, training for their upcoming spring season. They had been knocked out of the Interhigh Tournament preliminaries in the fourth round, missing nationals by a hair. The team had been pushing hard all winter, determined to make it to Nationals this spring.
"Alright, girls, I think that’s enough for today!" Coach Eerie raised her hands, signaling us to get in line.
"Now, I have some very exciting news for you all!" The blonde woman was clearly trying to hide her excitement.
"But first, let’s allow our boys’ team to join us."
We all turned our heads as the entire boys’ team made their way over.
I scanned the crowd, which reeked of sweat, when I came across a face I knew all too well.
Akaashi Keiji.
Forcing myself to hide the scowl creeping onto my face, I turned back toward our coaches, trying to guess what the surprise could be.
As everyone settled in, the boys’ coach, Takeyuki Yamij, took a step forward.
"Hello, ladies. I hope you all had a great practice! As you know, Ms. Eerie and I have some exciting news for you.
Every year, Nekoma High invites us, as well as a few other schools, to their campus for two weeks. During that time, we scrimmage multiple teams with one goal in mind: to learn something new.
This year, you all have the privilege of joining us and playing against other girls’ teams in the prefecture!"
Once Coach Takeyuki finished speaking, our entire team was ecstatic.
We all said our thanks, packing our bags. Some girls were already talking about what they’d do when we got there.
I walk up to Coach Takeyuki, personally thanking him for the opportunity.
"The pleasure is all mine, Y/N. I know you girls are determined to make it to Nationals this year. I truly believe this camp is the last push that'll get you there. You’ll be invincible!"
I laugh at his remark and thank him again.
As I start packing up my knee pads and sneakers, I feel an unwanted presence behind me.
"So," a familiar voice says coldly. "Looks like you’re finally going to get humbled by real setters. I can’t wait to see the look on your face when you realize your style of play isn’t just reckless, it’s weak."
I grip my bag tightly as I stand up and turn, now face-to-face with the human migraine himself.
"Yeah right, Akaashi. You're just scared I’ll go to this camp and everyone will finally realize who the better setter at Fukurodani really is." I smirk, knowing exactly how to get under his skin.
His jaw tightens, a small vein surfacing on his forehead. "Y'know what? I hope they do realize it and then maybe they'll stop wasting their time pretending you're even close to my level."
Baffled by his remark, I take a step forward, fully ready to punch the smug look right off his face, when I’m yanked back.
"Y/N, c’mon, it’s not worth it. Let it go," my best friend Kaori one of the boys’ team managers hisses as she pulls me toward the door.
"But Komi!!" I protest, practically dragging my feet as I try to make my way back for round two. She tugs me harder.
"Nope! I am not letting you two make fools of yourselves in front of both teams again."
I roll my eyes and glance back at where the raven-haired idiot is still standing now waving at me with that innocent little smile that’s anything but innocent.
It only makes his face look more punchable.
"Man, Komi! All I wanted was one hit!" I groan, stuffing another rice ball into my mouth.
This is our routine. After practices or games, Kaori and I grab food. Partly so I can rant about whatever Akaashi did to piss me off that day, but also so she can vent too. Being the manager of the boys' team is not easy.
"Trust me, Y/N, I know,” she says, sighing. “But imagine how that would've looked. Coach Takeyuki just gave your team an amazing opportunity, and you repay him by trying to punch his star setter?"
I snort. "I wouldn’t call him a star." I take another bite of my rice ball.
"That’s beside the point," she mutters, pinching the bridge of her nose, trying to find an ounce of patience. "You and Akaashi need to get your shit together. You don’t want to give Fukurodani an even worse look. Bokuto’s mood swings are already enough of a problem."
I roll my eyes. "I didn’t even hit him. I was just thinking about it."
"Yeah, well, one day you will hit him, and then what? You’re suspended? Off the team? No spring season at all?"
"Okay, okay, I get it." I sigh, slouching in my seat like a scolded kid.
Kaori leans back and folds her arms. “Y/N, please. For the sake of everyone’s mental health, try to be on your best behavior at this camp.”
"I’m not five. I know what manners are, y’know?"
"Do you really, though?"
"Fine." I lift my hand, holding it up in a mock-serious vow. "But I—"
"Nope. You promised!" she cuts me off quickly, already sliding out of the booth.
I watch her walk away, still chewing, still annoyed.
Then I mutter under my breath, "I can’t promise I’m not gonna kill him."