A/N: Once again, credits to the owner of the picture~!!
Happy reading!!
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"There is no point in holding back anymore. Holding back will only widen this gap even more...and I don't want that" Ayame thought as she ran to the direction the freckled teen went to.
It actually hurts to be distant with the person she loves and trusted the most. Loving and be in a relationship is completely alien to her, so it really shocked her that having a fight with him really hurts. It even hurts that she can't face him properly and be awkward with him. She didn't know what to respond to what the freckled teen was feeling yesterday when she was only thinking that she didn't want them, especially him, to worry for her. That's why she didn't tell him about the player hitting on her because of that.
She didn't realize that she was being selfish, and she now realized her mistake. Yamaguchi naturally cares for her and he just wanted to help her. It's not like she had to tell him every single thing that happened to her. What he just wanted was for her to tell him about things like some random guy hitting up on you persistently and other things, such as her health and what she's feeling.
Oikawa already gave her a push, and it's up to her to settle it with her boyfriend.
She paused when she heard his voice in a corner.
"I'm sorry for wasting my chance!"
She hid behind a wall and listened to their conversation. She already knew that the person he is speaking to is their coach because the sign points to the smoking area, where the man usually smokes in his free time.
""How effectively you serve will determine if you can win or not." I heard your direction during the Fukurodani match and understood it...and I understood my role" he started "And then I thought I wanted to be able to fight, too. But... I ran away at the last minute"
He added in a more determined tone "Please. Give me one more chance"
"No more running away" he thought "I have to face it. I have to face my fears and bravely take the risks. So then, I can also be someone confident enough to be a better player...and to be a better boyfriend to Ayame"
Coach Ukai pressed the cigarette to the bin to put out its light and threw it down "You know, Yamaguchi, I'll still give you a chance to prove yourself and do your role even if you didn't come to me. However, giving you another chance when you don't even believe in yourself is a waste"
He blinked and nodded "Hai. I know"
"The problem is that, you don't believe in your own strength much when the real game is happening" he told him "You have to believe in yourself just as much as Ayame believes in you. This is just based from my observation but, Ayame can bring out your true strength, and if you also believed in yourself"
The freckled teen looked down and recalled the look in Ayame's violet eyes. He always knew that she deeply believed in his strength and she had helped him drew it out from him. Yet, he still hasn't fully believed in his self.
"It's okay if you're feeling a little scared, but don't hesitate in doing your best in your serve" the man told him "No one holds back a winning serve, eh?"
"Hai" he made a fist and looked at the man with determination "I'll do my best. Ayame believed in me. I don't want to put it to waste anymore. Thank you very much, Ukai-san!"
He bowed and left the area to go back when he felt someone hug him from behind.
"...I'm sorry..."
Ayame whispered on his back.
"Ayame?"
She removed her arms around him and he faced her. She looked up at him and the two of them looked at each other's eyes.
"Tadashi-kun...I'm sorry...for not talking to you again after last night..." she told him "I...I'm sorry for being selfish and pushing you away... I'm sorry for not telling you about that guy and for keeping it a secret...I'm sorry for making you mad!"
She bowed a perfect 90 degree angle in front of him, which surprised the freckled teen. He rubbed his nape as he looked at her before sighing.
"Me too..." he told her "I'm sorry as well..."
She looked up and grabbed his arms, which made him flinch from both the contact and the way she would look at him.
Sometimes, Ayame can be pretty bold in some things.
"Why are you apologizing?!"
"Eh?"
"You shouldn't...You shouldn't be apologizing to me, Tadashi-kun!" she blurted out before she maintained her composure "I-I'm sorry for yelling. It's just... I... I don't want you to apologize when it was my fault for keeping it a secret from you. It was selfish of me when you were just being worried and...I even tried to push you away, even though you're trying to help me. I'm sorry. I...I realized that I cannot handle some things like that on my own, and...I need your help for it..."
She looked up at him "I-I want to talk to you again. I-I d-didn't know it really hurts trying to ignore you or not talk to you. I don't want to have a fight with you, Tadashi-kun. I'm sorry if I messed it up-"
He embraced her and buried his face on her hair "That's enough. Your apology is enough, Ayame"
"But-"
"I said it's enough" he told her "Both of us were actually at fault. I know you don't want me to worry but, I got carried away by my emotions and overreacted. I'm sorry"
"Me too..." she clutched his shirt and buried her face on his chest "I...I also got carried away and tried to push you away. I-I didn't really mean it"
"I know" he whispered "I...I don't want this to happen again. Not talking to you and ignoring you...I'm not used to it and... I don't like it...."
"Yeah..." she nodded "Tadashi-kun...About earlier, when I nearly had a breakdown... I forgot to thank you. It may be a little late but...thank you for pulling me to my senses. Thank you for saving me again"
He broke their hug and held her hand in front of their faces "I also want to thank you, Ayame. For still believing in me, even though I ran away at the last minute earlier. I'm not going to run away anymore. I want to fight again and this time, I'll believe in myself. I'm not going to put your faith on me to waste"
His serious and determined face made her heart skip a beat. She didn't know why but every time he would make that kind of face, her heart would beat really fast and she would blush beet red. She's too dense to realize that she thinks that his serious face is really cool and handsome.
She smiled and nodded "Yes. And this time, I...I'm going to tell you everything that happened to me and I'm not keeping it a secret anymore. I don't want it to happen again"
"Not literally everything" he smiled in amusement "I just want to let you know that you can always lean on me whenever something is troubling you. You don't have to hold back"
"I understand, Tadashi-kun" she nodded "So...we're all good?"
"Yeah" he nodded before rubbing his nape "Ano...C-Can we kiss before we go back?"
"Hai" she replied instantly before realizing what she just said and her face exploded red in embarrassment "I-I'm sorry! Was I too straightforward?"
Yamaguchi looked away to hide his extremely red face "N-No, you're not...It's just...I'm kinda embarrassed...for some reason..."
He finally faced her with his still red face and he lowered his head while Ayame slightly tiptoed to reach him.
And the two kissed inside the empty hallway.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Oh yeah, Coach Ukai is still inside the smoking area so he heard everything the two were talking outside.
"Hurry up and leave already!!" he mentally screamed in embarrassment while looking outside.
Must be awkward for a man his age.
***
Meanwhile, the other members of Karasuno were watching the current match. Sugawara scolded Hinata, Kageyama, Nishinoya and Tanaka not too eat too much, since the four were munching and drinking food like there is no tomorrow.
"Ayame-chan's still not here?" Daichi asked "She said that she wanted to watch Seijoh and Date Tech's match"
"Daichi-san! We're willing to look for Ayame-chan!" Nishinoya and Tanaka instantly raised their hands.
"Not you two" Ennoshita told them "You're still eating and besides, Ayame already has a boyfriend and it's not you two"
The two froze from his word attack and they meekly sat back and continued munching wordlessly with a gloomy aura.
"Ennoshita so savage as ever..." Narita and Kinoshita sweat dropped.
Sugawara looked at Tsukishima "Tsukishima, isn't Ayame with you guys earlier? Yamaguchi is not here as well"
"She went after Yamaguchi. She'll be fine" the megane nonchalantly replied, but his lips were curling into a smirk.
"Eh~? Is that so~?" the grey haired setter grinned "Have they made up?"
"No, but I think they are about to"
"Nice, nice"
The whole team was relieved to hear that. They don't want to experience that awkward atmosphere back at the bus when the two were not in speaking terms.
Daichi has no complaints upon hearing that the girl went after the freckled teen.
"I'm sorry for making you guys wait!"
They looked back and saw Ayame with Yamaguchi. Tsukishima smirked and leaned his head on his hand "What took you guys so long?"
"Hush, Tsukishima. Let me ask them" Sugawara grinned and looked at the two "So! Have you two made up?"
"Hai" Yamaguchi nodded "We talked about it-Eh?! Why are you asking us that, Sugawara-san?!"
"Isn't it obvious?" the third year setter pouted "I don't want you two to be fighting and ignoring each other. I've been rooting your ship from the start, you know?"
"As expected..." he sweat dropped "I-Is that so... Sorry about that..."
"I'm sorry for the trouble it caused you guys" the violet eyed girl bowed "It's all okay now, though. Tadashi-kun and I talked about it. I...I don't want it to happen again to us"
"Yeah, me too" the freckled teen nodded in agreement.
"What's important is that you two learned your lessons" he told them "Well, consider this as another step to deepen your relationship with each other. Fighting is fine but make sure you two make-up, go that?"
"Sugawara, there's no need to remind Ayame-chan and Yamaguchi. They are the type of people who doesn't need to be told twice. Let them be" Shimizu said, which surprised the boys.
The first year couple looked up to the third year manager "Shimizu-senpai~"
"Our goddess spoke the words of wisdom~" Tanaka and Nishinoya swooned. The second years could already tell what the two were thinking without even asking.
"Looks like Shimizu dissed you, Suga" Daichi chuckled.
He raised his hands in defeat "I know. I know. Shimizu has a point"
"Uwa! You're-!"
They all looked at the retired third year players of Date Tech. Kamasaki was the one pointing to her direction "Karasuno's assistant coach beauty!"
"Why do I always get weird nicknames?" she thought.
"Oi, don't be rude" Sasaya pulled down his hand before facing them "Sorry about that"
"Ah, it's okay" she told them "It's nice to see you again, Moniwa-san, Kamasaki-san, and Sasaya-san"
The three looked at her in shock "You know our names?!"
Daichi cleared his throat "Our assistant coach tends to research more about every player's individual stats and skills from other teams so naturally, she remembers the name"
"Oh, I see. Hearing that makes us feel a bit acknowledged, I guess" Moniwa rubbed his nape and nodded to greet her back "Heyo"
"Heyo" Sasaya nodded and amazingly, Kamasaki greeted her back.
Their focused then went back to the match below. Ayame didn't have to ask to know which team took the first set because based on what she observed; Date Tech still seems to be adjusting with their new team and setter.
"Date Tech's setter is kinda big, isn't he?" she noted "A first year?"
"Based from what the previous captain of Date Tech said, he's their first year setter" the captain told her "Though he is still a baby when it comes to skills"
"Yeah..." she nodded when she saw the setter of Date Tech do a high toss to Aone, and it missed completely to the spiker's point of impact.
"H-He's still learning!" Moniwa told them in a flustered manner "He just became a setter! He'll eventually be a huge deal!"
Daichi tries to make him relax "Th-Those kinds of mistakes happen all the time..."
"Th-That's right. Even the nation's Top 5 spikers do mistakes from time to time!" Ayame added.
***
"Achoo!" Bokuto wiped his nose after sneezing "I feel like someone just talked behind my back..."
"That's just in your head, Bokuto" Konoha told him.
"I really don't get it..." the ace pondered deeply "Hmmm...who was it..."
The rest of the Fukurodani team ignored him since they knew that he'll forget about it as soon as he is hyped up in their club activities.
***
"You're making Karasuno's captain and assistant coach take pity on you, Moniwa..." Kamasaki and Sasaya sweat dropped.
Ayame was intrigued by Date Tech's new setter and observed him from a distance "He reminds me of Hyakuzawa-kun and Lev-kun. If he could hone his setter skills, he'll be a dangerous weapon. I mean, with that height, speed and instincts, then add his fully developed setter skills, Date Tech will be more than just an "iron wall"..."
It soon came into a point where Oikawa received and gave it to Hanamaki, who is preparing for a toss.
Kageyama looked surprised by this. Ayame was not, considering what she saw during Seijoh's practice before. Proves how Seijoh is a strong and well-balanced team.
"Oikawa!" Hanamaki gave his toss to their captain. Aone and Futakuchi moved to the side where Oikawa was about to spike and jumped to block him. In an unexpected moment (probably by instinct), their giant setter attempted to block him, resulting a solid three-man block.
"He's fast-!" Ayame's eyes widened in surprise after Oikawa's spike was blocked. The oddball duo next to her also reacted like her with a matching dropping of their jaw.
Though that impromptu block caused Futakuchi to fall to the floor due to the impact of Koganegawa bumping to them when he rushed next to them for the block.
"That is..." Moniwa started, and the Karasuno members looked at him "...our new iron wall, Koganegawa"
He sounded so proud, and his fellow third years knew that he was trying to cover up his failed attempt of introducing their newest player.
Ayame's violet eyes moved back and forth the court. Date Tech were flailing around and she could understand that much. The team still has room for improvements and their setter hasn't adjusted yet and he is still honing his setter skills. Seijoh, on the other hand, have improved compared to their last match against them. And, much to her slight disappointment, the blonde guy from Seijoh is still on the sidelines.
On the last point, Iwaizume scored by spiking past the three blockers, earning a win for Seijoh.
"I guess we know who we'll face next" Daichi said.
***
Yachi looked around and noticed the air around the players "I-Is everyone on edge for some reason?"
She looked at Ayame worriedly, who is taking deep breaths and clutching her chest.
For the team and their assistant coach, their loss against Seijoh was a painful reminder of how well-coordinated and strong their opponent is compared to them.
Shimizu answered for her "Last time, they gave their all against Aoba Johsai, and still lost"
"It'll be okay...It'll be okay..." the violet eyed girl steeled her nerves and slapped her cheeks lightly "I believe in everyone's strength, and I believe we can do it"
"Y-Yachi-san...."
Yamaguchi approached them while clutching his stomach, his face pale and he could barely stand "D-Do you have any stomach medicine?"
This alarmed Ayame and she worriedly placed her hand on his shoulder "Are you all right, Tadashi-kun?"
"S-Sorry... I'm a little nervous..." he admitted "Even though I said that I won't run away, I can't help but be reminded of that time when I was subbed in... When I think about that happening again..."
Ayame clapped his cheeks with both hands, much to his surprise and Yachi's shock.
"I...I understand if you're scared or nervous but... I want you to stop thinking such negative thoughts. It all happened in the past and, you trained a lot these past five months with the jump float serve. You've worked hard, and those efforts will soon be rewarded"
She held both of his hands and held it in front of their faces.
"It'll be okay. I believe in your strength. Have confidence in yourself, Tadashi-kun. I'm here for you and I'll be cheering for you. We all do" she told him, her violet eyes reflecting his own brown eyes "All of us are tense like you, including me. I also don't want to repeat my mistakes back then. I don't want to be pressured and have a mental breakdown when the opponent corners us; that's why I've also trained myself to become strong. We learn from our mistakes, from our pasts, and we become strong for the present to grasp the future we yearn for"
Yachi was trying hard not to squeal from the shojo manga-like atmosphere the two are giving off.
Shimizu smiled in approval.
Tsukishima was smirking, deciding whether or not to tease them about their cuteness.
Sugawara was grinning from ear to ear when he saw the girl comforting the freckled teen.
Ennoshita patted Tanaka and Nishinoya's heads in pity as the duo cried in envy while watching them.
Daichi liked how the two first years support each other and it made him smile.
She smiled at him "You can do it, Tadashi-kun"
So Coach Ukai was true after all. Ayame had always been the one who helped him drew out his strength and the only thing he had to do...was to believe in his own strength.
He brought their hands a little too close to his face and breathed deeply "Yeah...Thank you, Ayame..."
The violet eyed girl blushed and nodded "Y-You're welcome, Tadashi-kun..."
They both let their hands go and sighed "Uwaaah... the tension left my body..."
"Me, too" she nodded "Could this be...what they call "the power of love"?"
"Eh?"
"I read it in a shojo manga"
"Ah..."
"DAMN IT, YAMAGUCHI!!" Nishinoya sobbed and they all flinched "Don't you know how it feels to us single guys when they saw a guy having a supportive girlfriend holding your hand?! You're so harsh!!"
"Eh?"
"If you're going love-dovey to Ayame-chan, at least do it somewhere else! We've already accepted our losses but don't break our hearts like that!!" Tanaka yelled with tears streaming down his face.
Ennoshita sighed and shook his head "Grow up already, you two"
"Nah, they should move on" Kinoshita said.
"We have moved on!" the two protested.
"It's not showing on your faces"
"Must be nice to have a girlfriend cheering for you" the megane smirked, making sure that the second year duo heard them "It must've felt like heaven and it has given you the power to conquer the world"
"Shut up, Tsukishima, you brat!!"
"Don't break our hearts any worse than this!!"
"I was just complimenting the two~"
"But you're hurting us, brat!!"
"But it was actually nice and refreshing to see Ayame-chan and Yamaguchi supporting each other" Asahi noted.
"Asahi-san, please say no more! Our hearts are already shattering!!"
Yamaguchi was suppressing his chuckle while Ayame was giggling lightly next to him.
The remaining third years watched the situation at hand.
"Looks like the tense atmosphere was gone after Ayame-chan comforted Yamaguchi" Shimizu smiled.
Sugawara grinned "They should do that more often"
"You just want to watch them together, Suga" Daichi sighed.
Oh well, looks the Karasuno team are no longer tense and nervous. Now, how will they fare in their match against Aoba Johsai?