"For the last time, Miss (L/N), we are not allowing pets inside our school! Especially a lion! Is that even a pet??" Our principal sighed, looking at Ricky who is sitting obediently on the floor. I stroke his fur that I washed a while ago morning. "Sir, I told you already, he doesn't bite! Please sir, there is really no one in our house to take care of Ricky. He's really kind.. see?" Ricky nuzzled his cheek with mine, still trying to convince our principal. He sighed for the nth time.
"If the men's volleyball agrees to let your pet "lion" stay there, then we will have no problem." He smugs. It's known that since Nekoma's men's volleyball team is a powerhouse, they don't usually allow visitors or welcome concerns not related to volleyball. I shrugged and started dialing Kuroo's number. "Oh.. alright. thank you for your approval, Sir." I gesture my other hand to come with me to Ricky and the principal sat there dumbfounded. He should have known that the captain is both my ex and my best friend.
I hope he's doing alright, because I am ever since Ricky came into my life.
"Hello?? (Y/N)!?" I hear Yaku's panicked voice instead of Kuroo's lazy ones. Something doesn't feel right.
"What up? Where's Kuroo? Is he alright?" I asked calmly. In disasters or any situation, Senku always tells me to calm down because if you're calm you can think properly.
"Kuroo got a terrible sprain! Can you come by right now?" Yaku asked, I also hear everyone in the background panicking. With my other hand, I grabbed a pen and a scratch paper that I always have in any of my bags and started writing the things needed for first aid. I gave the piece of paper to Ricky, he seems to know what's going on. "I'll be there as soon as possible. In the mean time, place Tetsurou in a comfortable position." I quickly hung up the phone and patted Ricky's head.
"Ricky, I'm going to leave you my bag for you to put the things needed in the paper. Go to the volleyball gym of the boys once you have the supplies. I'll be waiting!" Ricky obediently nodded and started running while I dash through the halls, apologizing every time I hit someone.
Wait a minute, does Ricky know where to go?
~ ~ ~
I made it to the gym in 10 minutes. On the way I bought 2 water bottles in a vending machine. I saw them gathering around Kuroo who is in pain. I immediately checked his sprain, and boy it is already bruised badly. "I thought we won't be seeing each other for a long time, but here we are you seeing me in my painful moment." followed by a smug on Kuroo's face with a mixture of feeling pain as well. I shrugged and carefully examined his sprain once more.
"Missed a landing, huh?" I hear everyone stifle a laugh which made the bed haired man whine. "We'll start when my assistant comes here.." I smiled, thinking about Ricky.
These days Ricky has been taking care of me, following my orders, and also helping out Senku in the lab or in anything. Afterall, Senku is gathering all the data that he can have with Ricky and not to mention, even if Senku doesn't admit it out loud He likes Ricky to be his assistant. There are times that he couldn't keep up with Senku's vocabulary in chemistry and other fields of science, but Ricky is reliable whether at home or in the lab.
"What assistant?" Kuroo asked.
On queue, Ricky appeared in the doors of the gym with my bag filled with the first aid supplies. I looked at everyone's faces that drained all their melanin. I laughed at their reaction and went towards Ricky, smiling at his accomplishment.
"Good job, Ricky. You have a good sense of direction and a smart lion." I kissed his forehead which made him blushed so hard that he covered his face with his paws. I giggled on how cute his reaction was. "It's alright guys he doesn't bite!" I reassured them, grabbing the bag from Ricky's mouth while chuckling.
He doesn't bite.. hehe. looks at my arm.
"(Y/N) just got a lion?? does that make you a lion tamer?" Tora said, amazed with the scene he's seeing right now. I shrugged just accepted that fact that I also got from Senku.
"I guess-"
"You traded our relationship for a lion??" Kuroo pretends to be hurt while I playfully rolled my eyes.
"You decide. Accepting my relationship with my lion or I'll crack your bones next?" I ball my hand into a fist. Kuroo sweat dropped while I smiled in victory.
No one messes with me or Ricky.
And Senku. hmph.
"W-well I don't have a choice.." Kuroo stuttered while I chuckled and started patching up his terrible sprain.
You see, Coach Nekomata isn't around for a vacation and the boys are preparing for the International tournament which will happen in two months. Back then, I am their manager, but I quitted after Kuroo and I broke up, which made me back on having more time with Senku and myself. Senku is turning to college like Kuroo and the other two, Kai and Yaku. However since Senku is taking advance classes for his terribly enhanced knowledge in the field of mathematics, science, you name it. Uncle Byakuya is more than proud to have him as his son even if he's only adopted.
And I am proud of him as well.
~ ~ ~
"There, that should temporarily help it. Go to a doctor later to check up your injury there may be a broken bone or not.. just to be sure. No playing for a week.. I know it's your last tournament and you wanted to train hard but you are definitely pushing your limits, Tetsurou. And next time be careful with your landings, don't want this to happen to another person in this situation." I lectured the boys like how I used to with their heads low. I crossed my arms and sat beside Ricky who is staring around the gym. It's like he knows this place. I arched a brow at the volleyball team.
"What's wrong, guys? Still not used to my lectures?" They all sighed and Inuoka starts tearing up. "It's just.. it feels so quiet without you and Lev around. It felt like we're defeated.. that we wanted you back but it's your choice of leaving and we really respect that.." My smile faded, now filled with concern.
"Wait, who's Lev?" I asked, everyone looked each other. He's probably a new member that I didn't know. I felt Ricky flinched, I patted his head to soothe him.
"Haiba Lev.. he's incredibly tall because he is half Russian.. not to mention a simpleton and very straightforward.." Yaku said with a sigh. For some reason, Ricky started to growl not in a bad way, more like protesting or something.
I may be an animal tamer from my mum but I can't definitely interpret their language.
Anyway going back..
So that's his name, Haiba Lev.. better tell Senku about it.
"Ohh.. I see.." I turned to look at them, followed by a sigh. "You know the fact that I can't be a manager here anymore because of.. reasons.." I looked at Kuroo who seems to look down because of it. "But please don't blame yourself! I also wanted to spend time with my very own best friend because he doesn't take care of himself to begin with.. It's not that I don't like my job here because I really had a lot of fun with you guys.. every memory, every scolding I gave you.. I miss it a lot.." I sadly smile at them, I could head some of them crying.
I'm really sorry.
"But don't worry, I'll be visiting from time to time to be with you.." Every head plopped up when I said this.
"If you guys welcome Ricky over here to stay.." I finished with a sheepish smile on my face. Most of them agreed already, but Kuroo..
He's hard to convince.
"How can we be sure that he won't eat any of us? And what's that injury on your arm huh? Why is it bandaged?" I gasped, looking at it with a chuckle while Ricky felt guilty again and started licking it.
"Just a scratch when I found Ricky scared because he was being hunted.. but he's a smart and kind one.. trust me!" He's still not yet convince with words. I sighed and gestured Ricky to go near Kuroo. Since Kuroo can't move he starts to squirm around like a worm, the others chuckling in the background when they're not supposed to. Once Ricky is near Kuroo who's in a now frozen position, He licked his cheek which I really find it so cute and nuzzled his head on his hand.
And the friendship grows.
"Told you he doesn't bite. He's the one who brought the first aid kit for you." I crossed my arms with a victory smile on my face.
".. Fine, the lion is welcome here in our gym.. just don't get in our way.." Everyone cheered and I as well, since Ricky has a place to wait for me when I'm in school. Everyone gathered around Ricky who seemed to be comfortable that they're petting him and giving him their snacks.
Welcome to your other new home, Ricky.