Lue was clutching her clipboard to her chest as the match continued on. It was Nekoma vs Fukurodani and the last set, Fukurodani took the first so if they took this one they'd take the game. Her dark eyes were focused on each player, bouncing from one to another as the ball was passed around. She took in a deep breath when Bokuto slammed down another a shot. Naoi called a time out.
The team gathered around the coaches and manager. Yaku and Lue locked gazes and shared a small smile. "Let's start intentionally cutting off his a shots." Kenma suggested. The team all nodded with confident smirks. As everyone else continued to discuss their plays and who was messing with them on the other team, Yaku slid next to Lue's side. His hand slipping into hers and giving it a squeeze. She looked at him and kissed his temple sweetly. "I will never stop being amazed by your receives, it's always so mind blowing!" She giggled holding his hand back. The libero's eyes shined, feeling himself rebuild up his confidence.
The whistle blew signaling the end of the timeout. The two shared a quick nod before he ran back out into the court. She sat beside Nekomata as he was mumbling about Akaashi. "He really understands that Bokuto," He chuckled lightly. Lue's eyes shot over to the opposing team. Watching Akaashi start to analyze Bokuto's growing aniexty. She couldn't help but smile, "He's a really good friend to him." It was true. Akaashi has like a six sense when it came to Bokuto.
Ultimately Fukurodani took the game. Lue hung her head low feeling the tears welt up in her eyes. A small pat to her head made her head turn, "We still have one more shot, don't be so down." Naoi grinned. Lue perked her head up and nodded confidently. With her clipboard clinging to her chest she walked beside Naoi over to Nekomata to congratulate the other team. "You played very well, it's no surprise to see how amazing your team is." Nekomata nodded softly as he smiled. Lue agreeing with his words. She scanned the team until her eyes landed on a pair of green ones. She gave Akaashi a toothy grin as a sign of congratulations. She looked away as soon as they were dismissed, missing the red tint that was covering Akaashi's face. But a certain libero noticed it.
Yaku walked passed the taller male and gave him a side glance, Akaashi giving him the same look. It ticked Yaku off a little to see another man obviously having feelings for his girlfriend. But the feeling of arms wrapping around his neck and a body plopping onto his back had all those irk marks evaporating. "You did so amazing out there Yaku!" Lue cheered into his ear. "Well of course I was." He said with his head held high. He heard Lue scoff and latch off of him, "Your confidence never fails." She said with hands at her sides, her face flat as she held back her giddy smile.
Lue loved how confident Yaku was, it was adorable. But she still loved to give him a hard time about it. Yaku's mouth hung open as he watched Lue saunter away. A hand clapped his back, Yamamoto chuckled "You sure know how to impress the ladies!" His little joke only made Yaku glare at him. He went to chase after the mohawked boy but was pulled back by his tall friend. "Relax Yakkun~" Kuroo teased with his arm draped around him. The instant Yaku heard the nickname he got hot. Images of a few nights ago popped into his mind. His body tensed and his hands started to shake, Kuroo taking full notice of Yaku's reddened face.
The captain gasped before leaning close into the libero's face. "Did you stop being a boy?" He almost sounded giddy. Yaku's eyes almost popped out of their sockets from the question. He opened his mouth to shout at his taller friend, reminding him to keep his mouth shut and dirty thoughts to himself but before he could a whistle was blown. Both of their attentions were pulled towards their coaches. "Alright, if we can beat Nohebi we'll be able to pull a spot into the spring high tournament." Naoi grinned, feeling confident in his teams abilities. "Just do what you do best, win." Nekomata cheerfully grinned with his arms crossed. The team shouted in unison before being dismissed for their break.
Yaku wasted no time grabbing Lue away. Not just because he wanted to relax alone with her but to keep her away from Kuroo and his prying words. Lue was speaking with some of the first years when she felt a hand clasp on hers, not at all startled. "Can't those two stop rubbing their perfect relationship in our faces?!" Yamamoto groaned with a large pout. Inouka shrugged with a wide smile, "I think it's pretty sweet seeing Yaku all lovey dovey. It's sure a lot better than him always yelling." He chuckled lightly sending Lev a small smile.
"Finally!" Yaku sighed out in relief as he laid on the grass. "Why'd you drag us to the way back of this place? You know you have to get back to the courts in like ten minutes." Lue giggled taking a seat beside him. The boy ignored her questioned for the time being and moved his head onto her lap. "It was too noisy in there, and being outside clears my head." He said softly. His body feeling light with each second that passed by. He wasn't sure if it was from his body completely relaxing or because he was laying on Lue's lap with her hand moving through his hair, but either way he was in bliss. The two sat in quiet for a few minutes until Lue retracted her hand slowly. "Lue?" Yaku hummed sensing something was on her mind.
And from the distant look on her face he was right. Getting into a sitting position, he laced his fingers with her and moved his head to locked gazes with hers. "What's in your mind?" He spoke lightly. "Do you plan to continue playing vollleyball after graduation?" She said just seconds after he spoke. The question was so quick it made him stumble a little but he nodded his head. "I don't know what I have planned for after graduation..I don't know what I'm good at.." Lue mumbled on softly until her words faded. The first thing Yaku wanted to shout was a question that's been playing on his mind the past few days. Since the day they said they loved each other.
But he knew that's not what she needed to hear right now, plus it'll only make her more conflicted on what to do next. Instead he gently squeezed her hand and smiled sweetly. "You're amazing at inspiring people, you can seriously motivate someone into becoming the best they can be." Lue turned to him with an adoring smile. "You'd be an amazing coach, or teacher honestly." Yaku beamed, his mind thinking about a grown up Lue in a pencil skirt. Lue's eyes twinkled when he mentioned a teacher. "Do you really think so?" She whispered. Yaku couldn't help but think about how cute she looked asking him that. He leaned forward and kissed her gently before pulling away. "I really do."
➳ ➳ ➳
"Wait Yaku-" Lue shouted from the bench when she saw him leap over the half wall to pass the ball back. Her eyes widened in fear seeing him stumble down. She was too focused on her boyfriend to notice Lev slamming the ball down on Nohebi! "Yaku that receive was-" Lev froze seeing Yaku's pained face. Lue's heart dropped and she quickly ran to his side, letting her clip board clatter on the ground. "Didn't Yaku step on someone's foot?" Shibayama announced asking another teammate. The sentence made Yaku freeze in fear as he instantly turned around to face the owner of said foot.
He bowed deeply and apologized, the on-looker waved him off politely. Yaku stood back up and faced his team, "I'm fine—" The instant his foot connected with the ground his face twisted with pain. Lue rushed to his side and wrapped her arm around his torso, nodding to Yamamoto that she could take over. Yaku clenched his face together tightly to hold back the tears, his hand gripped Lue's black tee so tightly that it caused wrinkles. "Shibayama!" Nekomata called, letting the first year know he was filling in for Yaku. The sound of himself being replaced shattered Yaku's heart. His tears mixed in with his sweat, "I've never been sick or injured all year.." He whispered in a shaky voice, "Why now!" He looked at Lue as she helped sit him on the bench, "Why!" His warm eyes shook with pain. She stared back at him unsure of what to say, not thinking there was anything she could say to help him feel better.
So instead she threw her arms around his neck and held him for a few seconds, his arms not leaving his side. "I can take over from here." A medic on sight came over and tapped Lue on the shoulder. She nodded giving Yaku a final look. She frowned seeing how he had draped a towel over his head. "I'll be right here if you need me," She said softly to Yaku, but also to the medic.
As the game went on she kept taking glances at Yaku. Who seemed to have calmed down on his own after hearing Kuroo and Kai tell him to let the rest of the team shine for once. Yaku understood that this was a minor sprain and he'd just need a few days to heal. Maybe it wasn't so bad not to have too carry the team on his shoulders. "YES!" Lue's loud and girlish cheer made him whip his head around. She grinned seeing her so enthused at Lev and Shibayama's teamwork. "If you're so thrilled for them why not get closer?" He said with a small hint of jealousy. Lue turned to look at him and playfully stuck her tongue out. As she turned back around he could only think about how much he loved her.
Moments later the final shot was made, Nekoma won. The team rejoiced together. The third years had shared a meaningful hug with tears and loud shouts as the rest of the team did a group hug. Lue felt the tears prickling at the corner of her eyes but wiped them away as soon as they came. The two teams bowed and thanked each other for the game before dispersing. Lue stood behind Kai, Kuroo, and Yaku with Kenma and Yamamoto, slightly laughing at the way Yaku limped between his tall friends. "Your phones ringing." Kenma notes softly with his eyes glued to his own phone.
"Oh!" Lue jolted and tucked the stray volleyball under her arm. Her eyebrows furrowed seeing a seventh missed called from Isogai. Just as she was about to call him her screen lit up with her brothers name. "Hey Iso! We just finished-" Her voice cut off after hearing her brothers words.
Without a single squeak from the dark haired girl she let the volleyball drop from her arms and made a break for it.
"Kitten?" Kuroo noticed as he looked over his shoulder to see Lue running away. Yaku quickly turned on his good foot and saw a glimps of her figure before she disappeared down the long hallway. "What happened?" He demanded towards Kenma. The smaller second years shook his head, "She got a phone call from someone named Iso?" Kenma tilted his head trying to recall the name she used. Yaku's eyes widened fearing that she recieved horrible news.
"Why not try calling her on the bus?" Kai suggested. Yaku hesitantly nodded, agreeing to go back towards the bus, the opposite way that Lue ran off from.