“𝑲𝑶𝑻𝑬𝑰 𝑲𝑰𝑳𝑳𝑬𝑫 𝑺𝑯𝑶𝒀𝑶-𝑵𝑰𝑰 ! 𝑲𝑶𝑻𝑬𝑰'𝑺 𝑮𝑶𝑰𝑵' 𝑻𝑶 𝑱𝑨𝑰𝑳 !"
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𝟏
" Koteii !!"
The little girl shivered as she hid under the table. She could see her brother's feet pass by as he surveyed the house like a madman.
" Okay, that's it ! I'm gonna count till three ! If you don't come out till then.....I am gonna disown you !" He yelled from the kitchen.
That was the last straw. Kotei wiggled out of her hiding spot and with shuffling feet, dragged herself to where her brother was. This is the day. She stood before his tall, looming figure with a confident (she tried to) look." Big brother can't disown Kotei. Because big brother doesn't own Kotei !"
" So, you're talking back to me, now ?" Kageyama had an intimating smile on his face as he cracked his knuckles, together.
" K-kotei says Kotei will complain to Miwa-nee that big brother's bullying Kotei!!" She yelled, taking a step forward.
" I dare you to do that, punk !" He took a step forward too which frightened her as her brave facade slowly started to crumble apart."There's still time. Tell me where you hid the balls."
Yes, that's what she did. Since morning she was not getting her brother's attention at all. He went on practicing by himself in the yard. Kotei was sick and tired of it. Miwa was out on work and there's no one to play with her. So, when her brother went to use the bathroom she diligently picked up the balls and hid them somewhere safe.
" Kotei's not scared of big brother anymore-"
" You-"
" Big brother doesn't play with Kotei at all. Kotei will not back down, now. Kotei fights till the end !"
" Then I have to do it the hard way," he said as he proceeded to give her a good beating but surprisingly she dodged." How dare you defy your brother ! You're becoming rebellious at this age ?!"
" Kotei doesn't have a choice !" She turned on her heels and ran towards the entrance.
" Kotei, wait-"
" Kotei doesn't hear ! Kotei's gonna leave!" She got out of the house and stepped on the streets. Peeking behind her, once, she got to take one good look at her beloved abode. Goodbye, everyone. Kotei's now all alone. Kotei has to search for her new identity. Goodbye, Miwa-nee ! Goodbye-
" Kotei, stop your nonsense this Instant !" She saw her brother running out of the house too.
Okay, then this it.
Wiping away her imaginary tears she turned back and ran ahead with all her might, never looking back for once. She heard her brother screaming behind her but that didn't stop her. Although the scenario was not happy at all she felt excitement run through her veins and her lips slowly stretched to form a contented smile. What's this ? Running away from home is fun !
" Fine then ! Be that way ! I'll not let you enter my house, later ! Do whatever you want ! Kageyama scoffed loudly before entering his house again. There's practice later so he has to finish all his chores before leaving." Stupid little brat."
Kotei ran and ran and ran to run some more before stopping near the neighborhood playground to catch her breath. With the adrenaline rushing, her heart beating crazily, she stooped down to rest her hands on her knees. This was the first time she had gone against her brother and crossed the borderline of her home, alone. Disobeying brother is really fun, was what she was thinking.
Finally, she's free. And there's no one to tell her off.
Happy with herself, she entered the playground and sat on one of the empty swings.
" Kotei !"
The girl perked up at the familiar voice. Looking up her eyes met a pair of brown ones.
" Shiro !"
It was a short boy, around her age, with dark brown hair and tan skin. Many small bandages adorned his knee caps and elbows indicating how often he got hurt while playing . He was wearing a red shirt and black shorts. He grinned at his friend whom he ran into, so unexpectedly . A ball was tightly held under his right arm.
Both Kotei and Shiro goes to the same kindergarten and got to be friends as such. Shiro lives with his mother and grandparents. Both the families had close ties and the boy often said how he was gonna marry Miwa when he grew up. For some reason Kageyama didn't like him and the feelings were mutual. They absolutely loathe each other.
" Why you alone, Kotei ? Where'z your shitty brother at ?" Shiro asked looking around. She's always with her brother when she's outside school. It got on his nerves. According to him, her brother has a sister complex and it's toxic for them to stay together any longer.
" Kotei says stop calling Kotei's brother shitty. Only Kotei calls brother that," she stuck out her tongue.
" Why you badmouthing your brother? It'z weird !" He leaned on his side as he supported the ball with the other hand.
" It's cuz.....," she looked straight into his eyes with a cool gaze," Kotei ran away from home."
The boy dropped the ball in shock. His lips remained parted as his eyes literally twinkled. His respect for his 'useless' friend, whom he had viewed as nothing more than a brother-maniac, shot up.
" A-a-a-awesomeee !!!"
" Hm....right." Kotei puffed out her chest, smirking as her nose protruded longer in pride. She got off the swing and stood in a brave posture as she rested her hands on her hips." Now bow to Kotei, peasant!"
" Y-you are The man...," Shiro said dropping to his knees and bowing before her. Kotei laughed loudly as the boy could see the light.
" I want to run away, too !" Shiro begged on his knees." Please teach me, master !"
" Hahaha..bow properly ! Maybe then Kotei can consider..," the girl gave him a sly look." Kotei's a grown up now." She smirked.
Shiro raised his head and stared at her face for a while. The look of envy disappeared from his eyes as he sighed." First get your pronouns right. You still a kid ?"
Kotei pouted and pointed at him, accusingly." Shiro hasn't yet run away from home. Is shiro a kid ?"
" Shiro uses his pronouns right. So Shiro's a grown up."
" Kotei can-'me' can use pronouns too!"
" Wrong."
She grumbled and suddenly yelled again." Shiro, dumbass ! Why was Shiro praising Kotei till now ?"
" It'z great you ran away. I could neve'. Mom would kill me. So, I respect you for that." He shrugged." But what'z next ?"
" Wh-what does that mean ?" She asked, fearfully.
" You're all on your own now. That means you have to find a place to stay, buy clothes to wear and have food to eat. You can't live without these. Besides, you have to work to get them. You have to steal--earn money to get those. Of course I'll not keep you in my house..."
As he went on listing the adversities Kotei's face paled. What ? She didn't think of any of these things while she was running away ! Wait, doesn't that mean she'll never get to watch her brother spike ? That's the worst ! She'll never get to taste Miwa's delicious food? That's a lie ! She'll never get to meet any of the other volleyball players ? That's bad ! Moreover she'll not get to watch her favourite anime ? That's hell !
With tears threatening to fall, she tugged on Shiro's sleeves and muttered," Kotei says wha-what should Kotei do now ? Kotei did big mistake !"
" Don' ask me. I'm off to play. See you !" Saluting, he ran off leaving her all alone.
" Shiro ?" She called out." Shiro ! Don't leave Kotei alone !"
" Shirooo !!"
She went still.
A breeze passed by disturbing the dry leaves on the ground.
But Kotei just stood there, all frozen.
" Oh ! Is that Kotei ? Kotei-chan !!" Her face turned like a rusted gear to look at the new face. It was Yamaguchi and Tsukishima." What're you doing here, Kotei ?"
She stared at their faces and the duo stared back at her confused.
" Kotei ?"
Her tears soaked up and immediately a proud smile stretched across her face as she stood in a brave stance, again.
" Kotei ran away from home !"
𝟐
" Your brother is not here, yet," Daichi said as he unlocked the gym. He was the first one to arrive.
" It's okay. Let's wait inside." Yamaguchi smiled at Tsukishima who was holding the whining kid by her arm.
" Let Kotei go ! Kotei doesn't wanna meet big brother ! Kotei's gonna get killed !"
" I take back my previous words. She's just like her brother. Annoying," the tallest scoffed as he literally tossed her inside.
" Okay, here." The Captain closed the doors and stood before it like a gatekeeper." Now Kotei can't escape."
" Kotei's gonna take revenge ! In Kotei's afterlife!" She dropped to her knees, dramatically." Be prepared.."
" Where did she learn that ?" (Yamaguchi)
The three boys went on to set up the net and everything as Kotei huffed because she was pulled along to help them.
" Can you push it ?" Daichi asked concerned as he observed the girl stomping angrily towards the volleyball push cart.
" Kotei Superrr Saiyan mode !" And with extraordinary strength she pushed it hard across the small storage room as the thing wheeled past Yamaguchi who barely dodged it.
" Kotei !"
" Not done !" She yelled again and running towards it, gave it another big push with her head, increasing its momentum.
" Hey everybody ! The best decoy ever is here-"
" Hinata ! Watch out !"
ᏴᎪᎷ !
The poor boy got hit.
Hinata collapsed on the floor as it hit him straight in the stomache and his entire body absorbed its momentum. Few of the balls tumbled down and one of them dropped on his head producing a small 'ouch' as he clutched his tummy in pain.
Kotei finally realised what she has done and ran towards the fallen boy with panic-stricken steps.
" Shoyo-nii !" She cried loudly as she shook him by his shoulders. He didn't move. Her face turned white as milk."Shoyo-nii's dead ! Kotei's goin' jail !! Waaaaahh !!!"
" Calm down, Kotei ! He's not dead," Daichi quickly approached them and supported Hinata's upper body weight on him." Hey, wake up. Someone toss me a water bottle ! Fast !"
A thud resounded at the entrance and everybody looked up to see the newcomer.
Yachi.
She was trembling.
Oh no !
" Oh my god ! Hinata's dead ! Ambulance!" She shrieked and quickly fumbled for her phone in her pockets.
" Wait, Yachi, it's a misunderstanding--"
" THAT'S RIGHT !! KOTEI KILLED SHOYO-NII ! KOTEI'S GOIN' TO JAIL !" She wailed as she walked towards Yachi, tears streaming down her face.
" Kotei did ? A child murderer ! That means...a conspiracy ?! Oh my gosh !!" Yachi gasped loudly as she dialed a number, stepping away from Kotei." A child can't do anything ! That means someone forced her to do it ! Ah !" A look of realisation crossed her face."Of course, I know ! It's Seijoh ! Hinata won against them in yesterday's practice match and so-"
" STOP, YACHI, STOP !!"
" I'M GONNA CALL THE POLICE !!!!"
" YACHI, HINATA'S ALIVE ! HE JUST GOT HIT BY A PUSH CART !!"
" A CONSPIRACY !!"
" NO, IT'S NOT !"
" KOTEI'S GOIN' JAIL ! KOTEI ROTS IN PRISON ! KOTEI HOPES THEIR FOOD IS TASTY !!"
" IS THIS CHILD FOR REAL ?!"
" POLICE-"
Suddenly Hinata sat upright and everybody stopped amidst the chaos.
" Guys ?" He looked around before showing them a thumbs up and said,"I'm fine," with a smile.
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" HINATA'S GHOST JUST TALKED !"
" YACHI, I'M CONCERNED OF WHAT GOES ON IN YOUR HEAD !!"
" Shoyo-nii, not dead ?" Kotei stared at him dumbfounded. Her crying immediately stopped and a happy grin brightened her countenance."Okay ! Round 2 of Super Saiyan !!"
" Stop right there !"
...
" Don't you think you have something to say to him ?" Daichi gestured to Hinata who was smiling nervously." I even warned you not to do it. But you didn't listen to me at all. Is that a way to behave?"
Kotei was sitting in front of the Captain, her head bowed down, ashamed as she was forced to sit by folding her legs underneath with ankles turned outward as the tops of the feet are lowered.
" It's okay, Daichi-san. I'm fine."
" As long as we're in the gym, I have the authority as the captain." Daichi shot him a look which made the latter shiver.
Scary.
" Now, what should you say here ?" Kotei was trying not to fall as her ankles were starting to ache from sitting in that position." Kotei !"
" Kotei's ankles hurt !"
Daichi sighed. Tsukishima muttered something offensive under his breath before walking out towards the rooms to change. Yamaguchi followed but not before sparing the girl a disappointed look. Kotei noticed it. She looked around confused. Wait. Hinata is alive. So, why was she still being accused of murder !
" It's no use. I'll have to complain about this to your brother," Daichi said rubbing his temple.
As soon as the word 'brother' reached her eyes, her throat dried up and the soul left her body. Bursting into tears she jumped over Daichi's laps and wrapped her tiny arms around her waist, thinking that it'll prevent him from going to Tobio.
" Nooo !! Please, no !!!! Don't tell big brother ! Kotei don't wanna die, yet !" She begged him.
" Kotei--"
" Kotei will do anything ! Kotei will be Daichi-nii's slave !!! Let Kotei free !"
" Why does it sound like I'm the culprit?" Daichi sweatdropped as he pushed her by her shoulders." So will you apologise?"
" Kotei's sowyyy !"
" That won't do. You're just apologising out of fear. You have to really mean it," Daichi explained.
" Mean it ?"
" Yes, mean it."
Her head snapped towards Hinata who flinched under her gaze."Shoyo-niiiiii !!"
Hinata had already spread his arms so that he could catch her as she leaped upon him (almost kicking him in the process) and buried her face in his shirt." Kotei's sowwyyyy ! Kotei apolo-apolo.....,” she looked up thinking for a moment.
" Apologise ?" Daichi helped.
" Right ! Apologee !! Forgive Kotei ?" She peeked up at Shoyo giving him 'the look'.
Secret weapon: Puppy eyes. Has 99% chance of working on first try.
Hinata gulped as he tried to look away to avoid her lazer beam gaze but failed, miserably. This will not do. He's gonna lose.
" Ahem !" Daichi cleared his throat loudly and Kotei broke out of her trance.
" Oopsie. Force of habit." She stuck out her tongue. But with another angry look from Daichi she got off Hinata's lap and instead kneeled before him bowing at 90°.
" Shoyo-nii. Kotei understands her mistake. Kotei should've listened to Daichi--no, boss-"
" Please don't call me that. People will get the wrong idea."
"-Kotei should've stopped. Kotei repents. Kotei wants forgiveness. Kotei begs. Forgive Kotei." Her forehead almost touched the floor.
" If that's it then...," Hinata exchanged looks with Daichi who nodded," it's okay. I forgive you. Apology accepted.”
" Really ?"
" Yes."
" Yay !" Kotei got up and cheered loudly throwing her hands up in the air." Round 2 of Super Saiyan mode !"
" On second thought, I take it back.”
𝟑
" What're you gonna do now ?" Daichi looked around as Asahi, Suga and Ennoshita entered the gym." Hm ?"
" Kotei's gonna sit quietly without disturbing anyone," she raised her hand up and answered with a serious look in her eyes.
" Good. I'm gonna keep my eyes on you. No funny business, okay ?"
" Hai !!"
Waving at her, Daichi went to talk with the coach. Shimizu entered next followed by two lovesick boys. Yamaguchi and Tsukishima were warming up, on their own, next to the bleachers. As they were finishing up, Kotei stood beside them.
" What is Kotei doing ?" Yamaguchi asked as she watched her sit down with some sheets. It's really surprising that Kageyama has not arrived yet.
" Let's go, Yamaguchi."
" Kotei takes paper. Kotei takes pencil. Kotei writes." And she started writing some distorted letters watching which the duo cringed.
" What's Kotei writing ?"
" Kotei’s writing lecture to read out to big brother."
" Ah ! Shouldn't he be the one to do that?" Tsukishima snickered and before Yamaguchi could say another word, pulled him towards the court.
At this moment the gym doors slid open with a slam and in stepped the demon. Kotei quickly walked towards Shimizu and hid behind her. The other members minded their own business deciding to stay away from family chaos.
" KOTEI !!"
Everyone flinched at his voice. He was literally giving off ominous aura, his face scarier than usual. Hinata was dying to tell him to toss to him but even a volleyball maniac like him, understood the seriousness of the situation. " Sugawara-senpai, please toss to me for today. I'll probably get killed if he tosses to me."
" You're exaggerating."
Kotei shivered. How did her brother know she's here ? Well, he would have found out either way. But in the alternate scenario he would have taken some time to prepare himself. In this scenario, he's already prepared !
She caught Yamaguchi's gaze who gave her an apologetic look.
She gasped.
Yamaguchi, the betrayer !
" Kotei, I swear if you don't come out I'm gonna kick you out of the house for real!" Kageyama huffed as his keen eyes scanned through the room. Alas, his gaze didn't land on Shimizu because he didn't feel the need to make eye contact with a girl (a beautiful one at that).
Kotei sighed. It's not long her brother will find her. So, mustering up all her courage, she stepped out and walked towards him, keeping her gaze on the floor.
" Uh, Kageyama, we're already late. So, can you do this later ?" Sugawara called out to him.
The taller boy was busy staring daggers at his sister.
" Kageyama ? Kageyama ? Forget it. He's not listening."
" Tell me your last wish before I kill you, dumbass," Kageyama spat angrily.
" Kill Kotei two days later. Kotei still wanna watch Aot last episode," she begged to which the occupants of the gym (minus Kageyama) sweatdropped.“ Because Kotei wanna...tatakae till the last breath!”
Kotei said something cool ! Woah ! She smiled having quoted something great from her favourite anime.
" Boke ! Is that the best you can do ?" He picked her up by her shirt collar and made her directly stare into his eyes. Oops ! Those eyes were the scariest thing in the world after Eren's Titan's form. She was more concerned over the fact whether she would live to watch the last episode of the anime’s season 1. She should have run away two days later !
" Big brother, Kotei's sorry. Kotei begs. Kotei's ready to repent. Because Kotei loves nii-chan ! Nii-chan is the best ! Nii-chan is the best nii-chan in the whole wide world ! Kotei wanna spend more time with Kotei's family ! So, please, let Kotei go !" She panted as she said everything in one breath.
" Done ? It's too late to sugarcoat your words now."
Kotei gulped and resorting to her last hope she turned to stare at the rest of the occupants of the gym. With her timid eyes she sent signals to help her from hell. But to her horror, nobody received her signals. Unwillingly, they avoided eye contact.
Betrayers !
She'll never forget this.
As Kageyama raised his hand, a tiny fist hit him on his lower back and he stopped amidst the action. He gazed behind him to get a glimpse of brown. Kotei leaned over to take a good look at her saviour too as did the other team members. It's not everyday you get to watch free drama.
" Shiro !" Kotei smiled and same as earlier, this time her respect for this useless 'show-off' skyrocketed through the ceiling.
" Let her go, you shitty excuse for a brother!"
𝑇𝑜 𝐵𝑒 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑒𝑑
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“ 𝑇𝒉𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔.”