AU: Regular/University
Word Count: 3k+
•──────⋅ ☼ ⋅──────•
The wind blew quickly through the trees outside the Sendai City Gymnasium. Boys of various statures stood in groups around the area wearing distinct uniforms that separated them from the rest. Amongst the mayhem of excited volleyball players, a girl stood gripping a binder to her chest. As she typed quickly into her phone the girl's nose scrunched before looking around the main lobby of the building. Walking up to the fold-out desk by the entrance, she approached the two girls handing out pamphlets.
"Have either of you seen a group of adults, wearing the same jacket as I am?" She asked, pinching her white jersey.
The girls pause for a moment, their brows pushing together before handing her one of the pamphlets from the table. On the inside was a map of the building as well as a list of teams that would be participating. One of the girls stood up from her seat and leaned over the table.
"Ya, I think I remember them talking about going in the middle of the stands to see everything," she said pointing to the East side of the building.
The girl nodded and gave the two a nod of thanks as she tucked the map into her binder. Huffing, she walked past the bustling players in the direction of her group.
"Coach! You said to meet you in the park!" a yell rang above the voices in the stadium grabbing the attention of players and viewers alike.
"Ah, (L/N). Sorry about that. The wind started to pick up and we decided to head inside. At least you found us. Do you have the info?" the man said. He wore a matching white jacket with the word 'coach' trailing down the side of his arm in red letters.
"I do. A thank you would be nice, I'm the one that called all the schools to get their student information. That's your job, Ito!"
Ito chuckles but says nothing more as he leads (L/N) to their seats. With the binder tucked under her arm, she slips her hands into her pockets and takes a seat next to the other coaches and administrators to watch the players warm-up. As the whistles blew for their minute warning before the started, the head of the program spoke up.
"Johzenji doesn't have any third years, but keep an eye on their players for next year. Do you all have their papers?" Kawasaki asked as he spun a pen between his fingers. After receiving confirmation he went on, "Okay, one person per team for today. (L/N), you go with Ito. We will all watch the last game together and discuss it later when we go to eat."
•──────⋅☼⋅──────•
"Eh? Wakatoshi, do you recognize those jackets? I haven't seen them before."
Wakatoshi looked to where his teammate was pointing. A group that dispersed themselves along the edge of the stands were wearing white and red jackets that he wasn't familiar with.
"I'm not sure, Tendou. Go ask the coach."
Pouting, the third year swung his legs in the direction of his coaches, humming a dejected tune as he went. They sat on their designated bench talking to each other slowly as they watched their opposing team warm up. Washijo's stare deepened the lines on his face and as he shifted his gaze towards the spiked redhead the teen shivered. Instead of speaking to the old man directly, Tendou turned on his heel to look at the team's assistant coach.
"Hey, Saito," he started, swinging his arm to point at one of the people in the jackets. "Who are those guys? I've never seen them before."
Saito adjusted his glasses before staring up into the stands.
"Ah," he paused, "I believe they are the ones from the volleyball program at Miyagi University. They're scouting."
"Scouting?" Tendou blinked.
Washijo tightened his arms across his chest with a huff, "Those idiots don't know what to look for, they search for outliers."
Saito let out a weak laugh wincing internally. I went to Miyagi U.
"Washijo, you do know Miyagi U is home to one of the top teams in Japan. It wouldn't be wise to put incorrect information in the minds of your subordinates."
Tendou slouched, waiting for the younger coach to continue.
"Tendou, they're looking for talented players to give scholarships to. If someone gets one they either get to pay less for university or get to go for free so long as they abide by the rules of the scholarship."
Tendou didn't say anything at first but gave a small grin with a huff as he bowed to his coaches, "Let's be sure to with this round then, hmm?"
•──────⋅☼⋅──────•
"So, (L/N), what did you think of the players today?" Kawasaki asked before taking a bite from the meat that was laid out in front of him.
The group ate in a small restaurant with people talking loudly over their meals about whatever was going on in their lives. Separated from the crowd -as per the admin's request- they all sat lazily around a table with their shoes off and jackets draped across their shoulders. The thin paper wall didn't do all that much in terms of blocking the sound from coming into their little alcove but muffled it enough to decrease the likelihood of distractions.
Unzipping the top of the collar of her jacket, the girl smiled. "Everyone was amazing, so I'm really happy I got to come and watch. I wrote down some of the players that I thought stood out."
Reaching for her binder, the (H/C) pulled out a small notebook. She flipped the pages before handing it over to the volleyball admin. As he turned through the pages, Kawasaki took note that the student in front of him had taken during the girl's tournament as well. Looking at the list of players of the boys she had seemingly kept her eye on, one seemed to stand out.
"Tendou Satori from Shiratorizawa? What made him pique your interest?"
The girl rubbed her thigh, letting her tumb dig into the muscles that froze in position. Taking a bite from the food on her plate, she used the opportunity to think of a justified answer.
"Satori is sharp, he may not be a prodigy but he's honed his reaction time to the point of a sword. Outstanding middle blockers are hard to find because they blend in so much. They aren't flashy like most of the people you scout. But when you find a passionate blocker or any player for the matter, even if you're just observing from the sidelines their energy becomes contagious."
"Satori? Are you familiar with him?" Ito asked as he set his chopsticks down.
The girl gives her coaches an awkward smile, "Ah, not really. We were acquainted with each other in elementary school. He's hard to forget, but I doubt he remembers me."
•──────⋅☼⋅──────•
"Ah, Tendou!" Saito yelled out to the third year as he ran around with his teammates in the large gym of Shiratorizawa, "There's a letter here for you!"
Tendou stumbled as he tried to stop his momentum looking over with a tilted head. His coach wore a large smile as he waved a thin folder in the air. The sight only confused him more. He took hold of the white binder and read the words that were written in bold red print along the front of the cover. His confusion isn't eliminated when he opens the mail up though. He looked up at Saito.
"I didn't even apply. I never planned.."
Saito's smile dropped when he saw the look of distress that tore on the typically happy boy's face, "Satori, I know your plans for when school is finished. But I think that this would be a great opportunity for you. You've always called it your 'paradise'"
"Tendoou," Ushijima had walked up behind the middle blocker with his hands flat at his sides, "why don't you call them?"
Tendou hummed before asking Saito if he could take a moment and collect his thoughts. It was just over a month ago after they lost their match against Karasuno. He remembers laying down on the glossy wood floor of the large gym, twisting his hips and pushing his crossing knee into the floor along with the rest of the team for their cool down.
"I'm going to quit volleyball after high school," he said to Ushijima, "I'll be watching you on TV and brag that we were best buds."
He bit his lip as he looked at the binder in his hands, reading through the various sheets that had been presented to him.
Dear Mister Satori Tendou,
Congratulations! On behalf of Miyagi University, I am pleased to offer you admission to the Volleyball (Athletic) - Competitive Sports and Health program.
He looked at the page on the inside cover.
Dear Mister Satori Tendou,
In recognition of your outstanding academic and athletic achievements, you have been selected and offered a Full-Ride Scholarship award to Miyagi University.
Tendou looked at the personalized contact information at the bottom of the papers and picked up his phone.
The volleyball division at Miyagi U was situated in one building. It had excessively large gym floors, that in all likelihood could hold four courts each when there were only two on either side. Between the gym space for the two teams was a raised flat platform for viewing practices at a higher angle that was supported by a mostly glass room that was used as an office for the coaches so they could still see the players while doing work. On either side of the partial wall, the two teams were stretching after a long day of practice when the phone in the office rang.
"(Y/N)," called Ito as he stood with the other coaches on the platform, "Could you get that?"
(Y/N) sent a thumbs up in the coaches' direction, knowing that they were discussing the applicants they received for the program. Picking up the phone, the player continued with stretches as she talked.
"Miyagi U Volleyball Office, how can I help you?"
"Uh, hi. I received a scholarship from your program when I didn't even apply? I just wanted to ask some questions about it?"
"Ah, of course, could I get your name?" (Y/N) asked as she reached for a pen and paper.
"Tendou Satori."
"Ah! Satori. From Shiratorizawa Academy," she smiled as she quickly noted things down.
"Do you know me?"
"Well, somewhat I guess. I'm (L/N), 1st year at Miyagi U. We met in elementary school, and I was the one that put your name forward for a possible scholarship. So, Congratulations."
At his end of the line, Tendou began picking around stray pebbles as he combed through his memory for the name (L/N). He couldn't remember much about elementary school except the times he played volleyball but Tendou wasn't able to think of a reason to not believe the girl on the phone.
"Sorry, I don't remember much about elementary school. But could you explain this scholarship thing to me?" He asked.
She noticed that his voice had a way of picking up and dropping as if his vocal cords were a roller coaster.
(Y/N) smiled into the phone trying not to laugh at the thought, "Don't worry about it. Anyways, scholarships from my program go out to about six people every year, they are either partial or full-ride scholarships depending on the group. Students don't apply for these scholarships because they are scouting scholarships. They are chosen by the coaches after watching games and deciding who they want on their teams, so no application is required."
"And you put my name forward?" Tendou paused, "Why?"
There was a bit of silence on your end as you thought of an answer. Tendou waited patiently hoping that your response could brush away the stress that had been building on his shoulders.
"Well, I only gave a recommendation. Our school looks for special talents, and it was my coaches that chose you. But, as I watched from the stands, I could see just how happy you were to be playing and the passion you put into it. Like you were in your little world. I want to keep watching you play."
•──────⋅☼⋅──────•
When Tendou's parents found out about the scholarship they were, to his surprise, ecstatic. Although his family wasn't low on money, Tendou had planned to start working after high school and not spend money on university. His parents were initially against the idea.
"What are you waiting for? Accept it!" His mother yelled at him.
So, come April, a week into spring break, Tendou was standing at the main entrance of Miyagi U's campus with a feeling of nostalgia as he remembered his first day at Shiratorizawa. With a suitcase at his side and a bag on his back, he takes his first step onto the school delicately placed bricks.
"Hey! Satori! Glad you could make it!"
Pausing mid-step, he turns his head to the call of his name with his brows pushed upward, "(Y/N)?"
•──────⋅☼⋅──────•
"Okay, Line up!"
Midway through April came the new year and with it came new teammates. Tendou wasn't used to being separated from Ushijima, who was currently attending a school in Tokyo. But despite his immediate qualms about attending university, all his teammates shared a similar goal, making it easier to get along with them. Though a few did occasionally send him teasing glares as retaliation for beating them in previous years.
As he stood in line with the rest of his teammates and listened to his coach -Honda- explain the warm-ups that would be led by their captain, Tendou looked through the glass walls of the office to where the girl's team stood. (L/N), who was now a second year, smiled up to her coach as she went through the same spiel that Honda was doing for their first years. Trying to keep his head tilted towards his coach, Tendou let his naturally wide eyes wander in the direction of the female wing spiker.
"Tendou, pay attention," His teammate whispered as he dug his elbow into the red-heads side, grabbing his full attention. "We're warming up now."
Tendou nodded quickly before looking back through the glass walls. The girls had already started.
•──────⋅☼⋅──────•
Only a few lights were left on in the gym. Focusing solely on the boy's side where Tendou was hard at work. Despite being a middle blocker -and a good one at that- all players need to be well rounded enough to stay on for a full rotation. As Tendou was on his own, he worked on his serves continuously until he had to collect them all again.
"Looks like everybody left for the party. Mind if I join in?"
Coming out of the office, likely walking through from the girl's side, (L/N) stands on the edge of the court with her bag lazily hanging off the tips of her fingers. Letting the bag drop, she lifts her hand, asking for a ball. Catching the ball as it flew in her direction, she ducks under the white line of the net.
"Scared, Satori?" She smiled.
From where he stood in the center of the court, he could see the change in his perspective in his mind. After regular midnight practices in an empty gym with no one but themselves to keep each other company, a once acquaintance turned stranger had transformed into his greatest ally. Looking at her now, the regular gym lights seemed to act like a spotlight giving him tunnel vision. Tendou gave her a curled grin.
"I understand you (Y/N). I have no reason to be scared."
Practicing spikes and blocks gradually turned into a poor attempt at a 1v1 game that ended with them dropping to the floor in front of the net (She had won 17-15). Panting heavily with their limbs spread wide the two of them looked up at the lights that seemed to become brighter as time went on.
"It's 11:48 pm. Jeez Satori, you truly are a monster." (L/N) laughed.
"I used to hate that nickname," He said joining the girl in her fit, "But now I think it makes me even more intimidating."
That didn't help to quell their laughter.
"Intimidating? Satori you are the most childlike person I know, like a cute kitten knocking things over." She panted.
"Cute eh?"
"Shut up." She laughed again.
"(Y/N), what did you think of me in elementary school?"
The girl sat up, crossing her legs with a groan and turning to face the thin boy who still laid flat on the wood floor.
"I didn't know you well, no one did. But, I always thought that your talent and drive to play volleyball was admirable, something to see, you know? Either way, I don't think either of us would be here now if you had never picked up a ball."
•──────⋅☼⋅──────•
"MI-YAGI DAIGAKU!"
The first official game of the year in Miyagi U's official stadium had members from every sports team come out to support the boy's team. Rivalling schools screamed at the top of their lungs, trying to drown out the other team's support with their yells. The girl's team sat in the front row of the seats, leading chants as they pointed fingers across the court to their enemy. (Y/N), although she chanting along and partaking in school spirit, kept her eyes on the game, focusing on a particular middle blocker who was easily staring down his opponents.
The game was at match point with Miyagi U in the lead, but the points kept climbing and with it the chant of players' names grew louder. Every play was a chance to win. The ball soared over the net into arms the opponent's libero, sending it directly to the setter with perfect accuracy. On the other side of the net, the players in Miyagi's white jersey shuffled to their defensive position. Tendou, along with the front line Setter and Wing Spiker, set up a triple block to go against their Ace's accurate spikes. Tendou watched the setter carefully along with the other wing spikers. Seeing his eyes dash across the net, Tendou followed, taking his two teammates with him. Coming off the Setter's hands the ball followed the same path as Tendou towards the Ace's oncoming spike. Mid-air, the spiker looked over the net for an opening only to make eye contact with an ecstatic looking Tendou. The ball hit the court.
As everyone cheered (Y/N) took her vice grip off of the railing before running down to the entrance of the gym. Tendou was celebrating with his teammates, who weren't afraid to smack his back or ruffle his hair within the chaos. (Y/N) easily caught his attention though -along with everyone else's- as she screamed out his name while barreling toward him. Tendou, surprised, opened out his arms to catch the hyper girl before she fell.
(Y/N) threw a toothy grin up at the younger boy as he easily carried her around, "You're a monster, you know that?"
Tendou only held her tighter.
•──────⋅ ☼ ⋅──────•
Tendou is hard to write for, he's so strangely expressive.
I like to think that (Within the AU) players that come from schools with a particular talent, Date Tech and Ubugawa for example, are the ones that typically get scouted to Miyagi U. But prodigies like Nishinoya, or quirky players like Tendou and Hinata do as well.
- Bacon
Posted: 31/01/2020