catnip ; k.t

04 | skills

"I don't know. I only asked her about spiking but not about playing. All right. Line up, you guys!"

Kuroo watched as Michiko climbed up and grabbed a ball with her. He watched as Michiko spinned it in her hands. As if familiarizing with the ball.

"Ohoho~? So our manager's going to spike? This should be easy." Kuroo said, waiting a reaction from her.

But instead of being irritated or riled up, Michiko only smirked. "Let's see about that, bedhead." And that was the nickname she created for Kuroo when he was teasing her about being too small.

Fukunaga was the first in line. He watched as she brought the ball in front of her, tossing it a little bit and hitting it perfectly against her hand.

The ball was so fast and from the looks of it, it seems powerful too. Fukunaga tried to save the ball but it had already hit the ground, close to the line.

Everyone's jaw went slacked as they stared at the ball and Michiko in disbelief. Sunohara was the first one to react. "Oi what was that?!"

The girl only shrugged and picked up another ball from the basket. There was a small smirk plastered on her face. "One more time."

This time, the ball went across. It was slower than the first one but it was still incredibly fast. Fukunaga was finally able to receive the ball after diving for it.

"That's one successful receive. One more."

Kobayashi Michiko, just who the hell are you?

ー ー ー ー ー

It took them thirty minutes rather than their usual ten minutes receiving practice. Michiko's right arm feels like they're gonna fall off. She grabbed a water bottle and drink it until it was empty.

"Michiko, ano.."

"Yaku? What's the problem?"

"Can you help me practice receiving?"

"Eh?" Michiko was shocked to hear those words from the libero.

"Well, it's because normally whenever we have receiving practice, I never miss any spikes. But it took me two missed ones before I got accustomed with your spike's speed. And it was powerful, too. I never knew you were this good at volleyball Michiko!"

Michiko beamed at the compliments but before she could reply, a certain black haired guy appeared in front of her.

"Oya? Good at volleyball? Heh, I admit she's good at spiking but can that be said at the others too?"

A vein popped at her forehead because of annoyance but before doing anything rash, she calmed herself and just smirked. "Says the guy who missed five balls before successfully receiving five."

"Dang. Our manager's really cool." Sunohara awed.

"Hora. Are you two fighting again?" Akito said.

They didn't notice but the members started to circle them as a certain aura surround the two of them.

Kuroo raked a hand in his bedhair before saying, "That was just luck, Shortie."

Her lips trembled in annoyance as she heard the nickname. Ever since that day in the storage room, Kuroo have always called her shortie whenever they were arguing.

Michiko continued to stand on the tip of her toes as she tried to reach the towels that have been placed at the top shelf.

Sure, she was taller than the average height of girls at her age but still not tall enough to reach the top shelf which have been placed closely to the ceiling.

The tip of her fingers have touched the fabric but before she could pull them, a tall shadow loomed over her.

Kuroo casually reached the towels as if they weren't almost past six feet high.

The vice captain have this smile in his face, a half grin, half smirk before offering the towels in his hand.

"Here you go, shortie."

"Thank y–WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?!"

"Shortie because you're short."

"Oi! My height is 165 cm (5'5ft)! It's not short. You're just freakishly tall!!"

Kuroo bursted out laughing after her rant before finally giving the towels.

The sound of Kuroo's laughter haunted her that night.

"You want me to prove that that wasn't just luck, bedhead?"

"Hmm. Then I suppose a match would be a good idea, huh? Let's see these great skills you have, Kobayashi."

Michiko arched a brow. "Game on, Kuroo. I'll be sure to buy you food for your pity party after you lose."