CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

      To say that Yuki was not stressed out would be a clear lie.

      As the month of October began and the Spring High prelims drew closer, Yuki found herself drowning in school work and assignments. She hadn't meant to procrastinate on them...but yeah. Her math homework had to be done and she had to revise for a chemistry test that was taking place in two days. There was just a lot to be done and Yuki was pretty sure her brain had become mush.

      And then there was work with the team too. Keeping an eye on the players, making sure the medical tape and salonpas patches were in stock, staying late at school with the team...she liked it all, but sometimes, Yuki wondered if she, as the junior manager felt this stressed; how was Misaki feeling as the main manager who was also in her third year.

      But in the time Yuki had come to know her, Misaki was really really good at making things work. And she was extremely good at solving problems. If only Yuki had the courage to ask her for help...She yawned softly as she entered the girls' changing room. It would be best to get changed and hope the practice wouldn't go on for too long. Otherwise, Yuki was going to be pretty much screwed.

      Misaki was already there and changed into her gym uniform when she entered, staring down at her phone with a slightly dazed smile. As Yuki stepped inside, she looked up, offering her a warm smile.

      "Hiya, Yuki," Misaki greeted, her voice sounding rather lighthearted.

       "Hello, senpai," Yuki greeted in return, bowing slightly as she made her way to her locker. After a moment's pause, she asked. "You seem to be in a good mood today. Did something happen?"

      "Nah, I'm just laughing at this stupid photo Toor-I mean, Oikawa just sent me," Misaki turned her phone around. Yuki stepped closer, peering into the screen to see a rather normal photo of the captain.

      "I don't see anything stupid about this?" Yuki said, feeling a little confused. The photo looked fine. "But maybe Oikawa-senpai could stop doing the tongue-stuck out thing. It feels a bit silly for him to do it all the time."

       Misaki snickered, as she returned her phone to her pocket. "Yeah, he should. But I kind of like it, you know? He's cute when he does that."

       A moment later, she started blushing. "Oh god, I'm sorry! I've totally become like one of those lovesick girls that talk about their boyfriends the whole time. It definitely must be so weird for you"

      Yuki immediately shook her head. "No, no! You don't have to apologise for that. It's just the part of being in a relationship, I guess. I think? I'm not too sure, since I'm a noob when it comes to this kinda stuff so..."

     "It's okay," Misaki said, standing up from the chair. "I'm new to all of this too. But anyway, I think we've gone pretty off-topic today. You should get changed quickly. We don't wanna be late."

     "I guess," Yuki replied as she stepped back to face her locker. She opened the locker, taking out her jacket and put it on rather sluggishly. Something that was not missed by Misaki.

     "You okay there? You look pretty tired," Misaki said, crossing her arms as she leaned against her own locker.

     "Oh no, it's nothing," Yuki immediately said. "I'm just a little bit stressed about a chemistry test. Nothing besides that."

      "Uggh I get that. Chemistry's just a horrible subject," Misaki said with a frustrated groan. "I'd help you out with that but it's just not my thing."

      "That's okay, I'll manage," Yuki mumbled. 'Manage how though? Chemistry is literally killing me right now. And mom and dad will be too busy to help out. Gah!'

      "Ah! But I know someone who can help you!"

      "But I don't-"

      "Ask Iwaizumi! He's somehow insanely good at chemistry and he can explain things really well too. You can ask him to help you after practice today."

       "Misaki-senpai, I really don't-"

       "Don't worry!" Misaki said, putting her hand on Yuki's shoulder. "He won't say no to you like he says no to me or Oikawa."

      'I mean, I kind of understand why he would say no,' Yuki thought, staring at Misaki's over-enthusiastic grin. 'Misaki-senpai and Oikawa-senpai studying together...somehow, I know that would be chaotic.'

     Out loud, she said, "I guess I'll ask him after practice."

     "Cool!" Misaki said with a bright grin. "And don't worry about the test or anything else. It'll go fine."

     "Sure, I guess," Yuki replied. 'If only I can believe that.'

     'Iwaizumi-senpai, I'm completely relying on you now.'

      "...And so that's the issue. I would really appreciate it if you can help me. But you don't have to say yes if you're busy, which I'm sure you must be."

      The level of awkwardness Yuki was currently feeling was unlike anything she had ever felt. And she was not exaggerating at all. She had never been the type of person to ask someone, especially one of her senpais, for any kind of help. But now, after listening to Misaki, she awkwardly stood in front of Iwaizumi, wringing her hands together.

      The practice was over early today and the sun still remained in the sky. Almost everyone had gone back home and the gym was empty, except for the two people standing outside the closed doors.

      "Sure," Iwaizumi said. "I don't mind helping you out. At least, I won't have to watch Shittykawa and Misaki being all lovey-dovey."

      Yuki's eyes shot up to meet his. "Wait, really? Are you sure? Is it really okay, senpai?"

     "It's fine, Yuki," Iwaizumi said, grinning slightly. "And besides, you've been doing a lot for the team. It's only fair that I help you in some way."

     "Oh, thank you!" Yuki bowed her head, probably a little too low. "You're really the best, Iwaizumi-senpai!"

     "Ahh no need to thank me," Iwaizumi said, scratching the back of his head and ignoring the light flush that was currently spreading across his cheeks. He was not very good with compliments, especially ones said with Yuki's level of honesty.

      "There's this cafe near the school, I don't know if you know it, but we can go there," Yuki said, as she tightened her grip on her backpack. "Or if you have a better place, we can go there too."

      "No, that place is fine," Iwaizumi said. Out of nowhere, he ruffled Yuki's hair. "Let's go then."

      "Y-yeah, let's."

       *

        When they arrived at the cafe, it was barely crowded. Only a few people milled about, sitting at the other tables. Yuki and Iwaizumi ordered their drinks, before sitting at an empty table near the window. Once seated, Yuki awkwardly glanced at Iwaizumi, who was sitting opposite her. A second later, she finally spoke up.

      "I guess we can start now," She said, with a rather stiff smile. Taking out her chemistry textbook and notebook and her pencil pouch, she put them all on the table.

      "You know, I think Oikawa has a similar pouch," Iwaizumi said, with a half-mocking grin. The pencil pouch was a pastel blue, with a single butterfly at the corner. Even the zipper of the pouch was a butterfly design.

     "Wait, really?" Yuki stared at her pouch. "Wouldn't that be a bit girly for him?"

      Iwaizumi cackled with laughter. "That's what I've been telling him for a while now. He's a loser."

     "I guess," Yuki said. 'What a strange friendship they have.'

      "Now, instead of talking about Loserkawa, let's concentrate on chemistry."

      "Ughh, I don't wanna. Chemistry's a pain."

      "Don't worry, I'll make you memorize everything."

      "How, Iwaizumi-senpai, how?" Yuki put her head against the table, a sullen look on her face. "I'm gonna fail this test."

      "It'll be fine, kiddo," Iwaizumi said, reaching over the table and squeezing her wrist. "Now, let's just get this over with."

       Yuki pressed a hand to her temples as Iwaizumi opened the textbook and started explaining the topic. Chemistry? More like hell on earth. Math was fine, but chemistry? Nope. She hated it with a burning passion. The problem was she needed this subject, especially with what she wanted to do in the future. This subject was just a major pain in the ass.

      But, at the moment, Iwaizumi was explaining things really well. Much better than her teacher, actually. It felt like she could actually understand it and the names and the formulas weren't going over her head.

      "Wow, you're really good at this, senpai," Yuki said in amazement. "You're definitely so much smarter than Oikawa-senpai or Misaki-senpai."

      Iwaizumi could feel his cheeks grow warm at words. Reaching over the table, he ruffled her hair. "Shut up and pay attention."

     'Stupid,' Iwaizumi thought. 'It's stupid to be flustered at just a few words. And besides, it's Yuki. My junior.'

      'Yeah, but she's kinda cute, you have to admit,' His conscience whispered to him.

      'Maybe,' Iwaizumi instantly thought. A second later, he felt his cheeks grow warmer as he realized the words he had said.

     'Stupid! Just concentrate on helping her.'

      "Everything okay, senpai?" Yuki asked, looking at him with mild concern.

      Iwaizumi looked at her, giving her a thumbs-up. "Everything's fine. You focus on your work."

     "Yes, sir!" Yuki said, jokingly saluting him, finally feeling a little less awkward and a little more comfortable. Now, a bit more relaxed, she allowed herself to be fully engrossed in Iwaizumi's chemistry explanations. Hopefully, these would remain in her head and not slip away by the time the day was over.

     One and a half-hour later, the chemistry textbook was closed. Only empty glasses remained on the table. And the two that had been sitting at the table were outside the cafe, standing under the light of the setting sun. The conversation between them had been utterly random up until that moment.

     Yuki bowed her head, still low, but much higher than last time. "Thank you so much for your help, Iwaizumi-senpai. I really owe you now."

      "Don't worry about it," Iwaizumi said. "Like I said before, you do a lot for the team. You should let us do things for you sometime."

     'Oh you'd like to do everything for her,' His conscience whispered to him (and it sounded suspiciously like Oikawa). He promptly ignored it.

      "I guess so," Yuki said, scratching the back of her head with a half-smile. "Maybe I'll ask you for some more chemistry help later. If you're not too busy that is."

      "I won't be busy for you," Iwaizumi said without thinking. A second later, he could feel himself turning red. "What I meant is, you are free to text me and ask for help whenever you want."

      "Uh sure," Yuki said, now blushing herself. 'That was...'

      This day had ended up on a surprisingly good note, she thought. And something told her that today was just the start. Of what? She had no idea. But it was the beginning of a newfound friendship.

     That was the amazing thing. 

Listen...if Iwaizumi tutors me, you bet I'm gonna pay attention

jk jk. I'd just be distracted all the time because of the person tutoring me.

I have a couple of things to say for this chapter. Number one is this; I had decided on Yuki's anime faceclaim a while ago but I never posted about it, so here she is. 

Yuki will be played the very adorable Tohru Honda from Fruits Basket! And as for the other thing, I will be writing an Iwaizumi fic with Yuki as the OC hehe. And that leads me to the last thing, I'm writing a Haikyuu series!! I blame JustSav  for this but hey, I don't mind writing for all my  faves hehe😜😜

Here's the fics that are currently planned:

Fault Lines; Tooru Oikawa x Misaki Katsuragi
11:11; Hajime Iwaizumi x Yuki Nohara
Untitled; Tetsurou Kuroo x Rin Suzuki
Untitled; Kita Shinsuke x Sumire Kitahara

And there might be a potential Atsumu fic too, but I'm still not sure about that. But yes, I'm eventually gonna have a full-on Haikyuu series lol.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Let me know your feedback in the comments!