First Impressions (Haikyuu Fanfic)

Chapter Eight - Ace Mistake!

"Wow, look at this place!" Hinata said to me as we walked through the foyer of Sendai gym. I have to admit it is pretty impressive. There are also a lot of teams that have come to participate in the preliminaries. Tanaka has already almost fought with a few other teams, but, luckily Daichi was able to pull him off them. Also, there was some talk about Asahi being a delinquant of somesort. It was funny to hear, since the boy isn't at all scary. We have worked very hard the past few days, practicing and practicing nonstop. I have to admit, we have improved in our skills greatly. . . I am a little nervous since today is the first tournament I am in as 'Hina'. Everyone here thinks I am the manager though. Some of the other teams pointing that out while I was standing talking to Kiyoko. I wanted to thank her for her inspiring words the other day. She had wished us all the best, it was very touching. Tanaka and Nishinoya had put a quick stop the other boys gawking by making hissy noises and swirling around the two of us like ravenous dogs. It was quite the little show. I let out a slight surprised noise as I had nearly run into someone. I looked at their uniform jacket and it read Dateko. . . They are a very good team and they also shut down our team last year. The big brute with white hair at the front of the group slowly raised his arm, pointing directly at me. My team made small gasps of surprise. "You got a problem?" Nishinoya asked, going to step forwards but Asahi stopped him with his arm. "Hey, hey, hey. Stop that." A shorter black haired boy said to the tall one with white hair. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." He then apologized to us. "Futakuchi, help me out." The boy begged while pulling on the white haired boys arm, trying to get it to lower. "Sure. Sorry about that." A brown haired boy said, putting a hand on the white haired boys arm and trying to get it to lower. "This guy targets our opponent's ace whenever he sees them. . . But you're a manager right? He must have made a mistake." I laughed and stepped forwards, taking the pointing boys hand and raising it so that it was pointed at Asahi. "Make no mistake. I am a player, however, he is our ace." Dateko looked at me like I had five heads, I don't think they believe that I am a player. Actually, Daichi is letting me play in this first match. I'm so happy about this, I've only ever got to play for the last few points. The white haired boy glared at Asahi then turned and walked away, the black haired boy chatised him for being rude. "That was jarring." Sugawara said, scratching the back of his head while Tanaka stuck his tongue out at the backs of the retreating Dateko. "Yeah." Daichi agreed. "I'm amazed that you stared back at. . ." Sugawara stopped short when he looked at Asashi, who is sweating. "That was nerve racking." Our ace sighed, thankful that the encounter is over. "Why are you such a wimp off court?" Nishinoya asked. I laughed then waved my hand back and fourth. "Don't mind it. You'll do great today Asahi - Senpai." I told him, patting him on the shoulder. "I am surprised how well you took that, however, I don't think they believe that you are a player." Daichi told me. "Have they cleared you to play in official matches?" Kageyama asked me. "Yes. Ukai - Kun cleared it with the pannel of. . . whatever." I replied, not remembering the name of the council that Ukai had spoken with. It wasn't too hard to convince them to let me play apparently. "Sawamura." I peered around Tsukishima and saw a brown haired boy standing there, looking at Daichi. "Long time no see." "Hey, Ikejiri." Daichi greeted, they must know each other from middle school. His jersey is from a school I've never even heard of. "Sorry guys, I'll catch up in a minute." Daichi told us, leaving the group to go with his friend. "Okay!" We called, making our way down this hall to the gym. We should get warmed up, our match will be starting soon.

"Hey is your stomach upset again or something?" Kageyama asked Hinata who was slightly shivering beside me. "Tumbling with excitement!" The ginger replied, straightening his back. I laughed and bent forwards, stretching my legs out. "What?" Kageyama said. "I think he meant 'trembling with excitement'" Sugawara said, coming over to us with a few others. "No, he's shaking with fear." Tanaka countered, looking down at the boy. "I know. You got intimidated by Dateko right?" Nishinoya asked, crouching down to look at Hinata better. "O-Of course not!" Hinata exclaimed. "Which is it?' Tanaka asked, not understanding. Hinata seems a little overwhelmed. "Asahi's cowardly too, but he doesn't seem nervous." Sugawara said, looking at our ace. "Cowardly?" Asahi asked, turning to look at the lot of us. "I have a trick to calm my nerves. I try and remember the scariest experiences I have ever had. The scarrier the better. Then I think to myself, 'Whatever happens, it can never be as scary as that'" I pulled my legs into a crossed position as Hinata thought about the scariest feeling he has ever had. It was funny because after a moment of thought his face became very calm. "Hinata?" Sugawara asked. "I'm fine nwo." The ginger said. I laughed and covered my mouth. I know exactly what he is thinking about. "What? Hina?" Sugawara said, looking worryingly at me. My giggles subsided as my phone rang, I couldn't answer it laughing. "Hello?" Hinata said, picking it up while I was trying to calm down. There was a silence as whoever had phoned spoke, but Hinata smiled. "Ohhhh, yes. She's here." Hinata held the phone over to me and I took it gently. "It's Kurooo - Senpai." He told me as the others got up to go onto the court. "Hello?" I asked, standing and leaning against the wall. "Hey." Kuroo's voice greeted, he sounds a little sleepy. "What's up?" I asked, watching as my team looked up at the banner than Kiyoko had cleaned for us. Our logo says 'Fly', which is very fitting; since all the other teams say that we are 'flightless birds'. Ukai made a motion to me to hurry up with my phone call as he wants us to start warming up. I nodded, then turned my attention back to Kuroo. "Are you going onto the court soon?" He asked as he moved about his home. I could hear his younger brother yelling about something in the background. "Yes. The team is waiting for me." I told him. "Ah, then I won't keep you for too long. I just wanted to wish you good luck." I smiled at this, he can be nice when he wants to be. "Thank you. I'll do just fine. Oh, and thank you for the phone strap and your sweater." When I'd gotten home and unpacked, I'd found his sweater and a little gift wrapped on the inside of it. The phone strap is a little black cat. I think it is supposed to be a symbol for him and his sweater was definately so that I had a piece of him here with me. I never really expect him to be the romantic kind, since he usually calls me names and is mean to me, but I suppose everyone has a side that you don't get to see until you are pulled closer. "No problem. I thought you'd like it." I laughed as Hinata came over to me. "Come on Niko - Kun!" The ginger said, pulling on my shirt. "Alright, alright. I'll talk to you later Kuroo - Kun." "Yeah, call me after." He said as he hung up on his line. I felt like he might have had more to say, but it stopped short as Hinata interrupted. I threw my phone into my bag and followed Hinata onto the court to where Kageyama was waiting for the two of us. "Hey, it's turnip head." Hinata said as he saw some of the Seijo players come into the rafters. I laughed and turned my attention to Daichi who is motioning for me to recieve. "Turning head? What's that?" The boy asked, looking around for the source. "It's you, who else?" His friend told him. "What?" I shook my head and recieved the ball that Daichi had thrown for me. "Yoohoo! Tobio - Chan, Shrimp - Chan. How is the freak duo?" Oikawa's voice asked. "It's the great king!" Hinata exclaimed. "Eh? Who's that?" Oikawa asked, probably pointing at me. "That's. . ." Hinata began to say but Kageyama managed to hush him. "Hina. She's our teammate." "Oh? What happened to Niko - Chan?" He asked. Daichi chuckled and threw me another ball. "Not here. He left the country." Kageyama said, turning and coming to practice with the rest of the team. "Whaaat?" Oikawa's voice echoed through the gym. The boy got quickly shut up by his friend, who was embarrased that everyone turned to look at him. This is going to be a good game, I can already tell.