***

After a week has passed Shoyo's ankle finally healed, sadly. Now Shoyo can't laze around and he has to do work now.....Sigh....Maybe I should twist my ankle again.....Shoyo thought but then gets interrupted by Inuoka.

"I know what your thinking! Don't you dare try to twist your ankle!" Inuoka said to Shoyo with a frown.

Shoyo: ".................."

Shoyo just looks away without making eye contact at Inuoka who was glaring at him.

'....Scary..' Shoyo sweatdropped.

"Hey guys!! Are you ready to go now?" Asked Shibayama.

"Yep! I was just making sure that....." Inuoka looks at Shoyo with a 'smile'

"Shoyo won't do anything stupid"

Shoyo flinches at the mention of his name, he then suddenly hides at Shibayama's back. Shibayama was surprised, he looks at the shaking Shoyo....The reason why he's hiding behind me is because he wants to be protected from Inuoka! Sibayama thought excitedly. Shibayama then guards Shoyo.

"Cut Hinata some slack...He won't twist his ankle on purpose now, right Hinata?" Shibayama looks at Shoyo sideways.

Shoyo just nods his head a plenty of times. Shibayama looks back at Inuoka.

"See??" He smiles.

"I'll still keep an eye on Shoyo" Inuoka squints his eyes.

'Damn....Didn't know Inuoka could be scary...' Shibayama sweatdropped.

Shoyo tugs Shibayama's uniform.

"..We should go now...We have a practice match right...?" Shoyo said softly while looking back and forth at Inuoka and the ground.

"Yeah! We should go now! Come on guys!" Inuoka smiles brightly then started leading the way to the gym.

"It seems that Inuoka is back to normal.." Shibayama whispers and Shoyo just nods.

----

They arrived at the gym and they saw the team preparing for the practice game later. Kenma was the first to spot them, he ran towards Shoyo and greeted him.

"Hi Shoyo."

"..Hello...Kenma."

Shoyo did a small smile at Kenma making Kenma blush a bit. Inuoka was shocked! When?? How?? Since when did Shoyo started smiling at others?! He thought quite surprised.

"Let's play, I have a new game downloaded in my phone"

Kenma walks towards a nearby bench followed by Shoyo who is holding the tip of Kenma's jacket. They sat down at a bench and Kenma started playing while Shoyo just watches.

"Oi oi oi!! Kyanmaaa~ Chibi-chan~ We have to practice before Fukurodani gets here!~" Kuuro said while patting Shoyo on the head.

"Shut up Kuuro, and don't touch Shoyo."

Kenma slaps Kuuro's hand away from Shoyo's head then he continues to play. Kuuro rubs his slapped hand.

"Chibi-chan!! Look! Please tell Kenma we have to practice" Kuuro looks at Shoyo in a pleading manner

"Lazy." Said Shoyo with a deadpan expression.

"Chibi-chan!!.." Kuuro sobs.

"OI! YOUR NOT DOING A GOOD JOB ON BEING A CAPTAIN. WATCH AND LEARN ROOSTER HEAD!"

Yaku walks towards Kenma and Shoyo then he stands infront of them.

"Oy! You guys! If you don't move I'll kick your asses! But I'll be gentle for you Hinata of course"

Shoyo and Kenma then started to move, they don't want to be in Yaku's bad side..

"Yaku-san..." Kuuro sobs.

"Shut up rooster head your annoying!" Yaku kicks Kuuro.

"OUCH!"

"Wassup Hinata?!?! How is your ankle doing huh?" Yamamoto asked while pointing down at Shoyo's ankle.

"..Good." Shoyo answered.

"Ahhh! I see, good to hear then! I wouldn't want to see my precious and cute kouhai hurt again!"

"Thanks."

Shoyo nods then he did a small smile but it disappears quickly because he is too lazy to hold in the smile. Yamamoto froze in place cuz of shock, Shoyo then continues serving the ball while Shibayama recieves it.

"Nice serve Hinata!!"

Shibayama thumbs up and Shoyo just nods in response. Yamamoto snaps back in reality when the gym door opens revealing the Fukurodani Volleyball team!

"Ahhh hello, glad you could make it Coach Yamiji"

Coach Nekomata goes to the Fukurodani Coach and shook his hands.

"Yeah" Coach Yamiji smiles politely.

"HEY HEY HEEYYYYY KUUROOOOO MY BROO!!!" An owl looking person shouted.

"HEELLOOOO MY BROOO!! GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN!" Kuuro also shouted and the two guys did a fist bump.

"Bokuto-san, please don't be so loud." A handsome guy said to Bokuto the owl looking person.

"AGAASHEEE!! I'm sorry!"

"It's alright Bokuto-san."

"Woahh, is that guy one of the top Aces??! He looks so strong!" Inuoka had sparkles in his eyes.

"So cool! I wanna try and recieve his spikes!" Shibayama also had sparkles in his eyes.

Shoyo wobbly walks towards a nearby bench and he lays down there and started sleeping. And nobody noticed! Except for a guy with light brown hair and green emerald eyes. He just noticed him because Shoyo's hair is quite eye catching.

"Hey! Been awhile Yaku!" A short guy waved his hands towards Yaku.

"Yeah yeah, it has been Komi" Yaku smiles cooly.

"Yooo Fukunaga! Yamamoto!"

"AAHHHH!!! SARUKUIIII!!! YOOO!!" Yamamoto smacks Sarukui's back.

"Augh!!-"

"Long time no see." Fukunaga greeted.

"Hn?? Where's Hinata?"

Teshiro started searching around him. Shibayama also started looking for Shoyo. Then the guy with light brown hair walked up towards them pointing at a direction.

"You mean that guy over there?"

"Huh?? Oh! Yeah! Hinataaa!!!"

Shibayama and Teshiro ran towards Shoyo who was just sleeping peacefully. The two then kneels down and looks at Shoyo's sleeping face.

"Wooow....He's like waiting to be kissed, like that one movie where the princess wakes up after the prince kisses her" Shibayama whispers.

"Hinaatttaaaaa wake upppp!"

Teshiro started shaking Shoyo but he wouldn't wake up. Shibayama told him that he'll take care of this. He switched places with Teshiro and Shibayama pinched Shoyo on his side making Shoyo jump up from the sudden pain.

"..Ay!!" Shoyo rubs his side then looks at Shibayama with a tear.

"Ah!...Sorry Hinata! Did that hurt..?"

Shibayama apolagizes to Shoyo and also started rubbing Shoyo's side in comfort.

"WOAAAAHHH!! AGASHEEEEE!! LOOK! A CUTE GUY!" The owl looking person points at Shoyo with a gasp.

"...Ugh.....So loud.." Shoyo covers his ears then lays back down on the bench.

"Oy Bokubro! Lower your voice! Chibi-chan really hates loud people 'cause it annoys him" Kuuro pats his bros shoulder.

"Ah! Sorry Kuurobro!" Bokuto apolagizes, his hair went droopy for a second there but it gets back up.

"I'm sorry about Bokuto-san."

Akaashi suddenly appeared infront of Shoyo out of nowhere, he kneels down and apologizes to the tangerine. Shoyo looks at Akaashi with tired eyes and he closes it back after he gave him a nod.

"Waahh! I'm so jealous Kuurobro that you have such a cute kouhai!" Bokuto whines.

"Hahaha! As you should!"

"Shoyoo!! Wake up! Don't go back to sleep! Even if you are not playing, watch me play!!"

Inuoka started shaking Shoyo like crazy making Shoyo irritated.

"..Alright! Alright!! Just stop already!" Shoyo had a tick mark.

"Yayy!!" Inuoka celebrated.

Shoyo rubs the bridge of his nose, he just couldn't get angry at Inuoka....He sighs.

"Shall we start the practice game now?" Coach Yamiji asked.

"Yes, we should" Coach Nekomata nodded with a smile.
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Shoyo was looking both at the teams play, but he mostly focuses on Bokuto. He was admiring him, as expected of one of the top Aces.

"Agasshhheeee!!! Did you see that? Did you see that??? The cute guy is looking at mee!!!" Bokuto said happily.

"Yes, Bokuto-san. I see it." Akaashi nods his head.

"Aaaaah!! I have to play my best so that he'll think I'm the coolest!" Bokuto smiles widely as he clenches his fists in determination.

"Yes Bokuto-san."

At the Nekoma's side

"Shoyo isn't looking at me!..." Inuoka said sadly.

"The owl head is getting all my kouhai's attention!! How dare he!" Yamamoto clenches his teeth.

"Calm down everyone geez!" Yaku sweatdropped.

"We'll just have to make them not score points! And crush the Ace!" Kuuro smiles with his usual chesire cat smile.

"Yeah, let's do that. I hate it when Shoyo doesn't pay attention to me" Kenma said in an annoyance tone.

"Us, You mean" Kai corrected.

"Right..Us" Kenma frowns his brows.

And the games continue.
Nekoma has been stopping the Fukurodani team from earning points and also shutting down the Ace making Bokuto go into emo mode.

"Oh no....This is bad...Bokuto has gone to emo mode!" Sarukui sweatdropped.

"Bokuto-san, it's okay, we will get it next time!"

Akaashi encourages Bokuto. But Bokuto was STILL in his emo mode...Akaashi doesn't seem to know what to do..But he got an idea.

"Bokuto-san.."

Akaashi called, making Bokuto look at him.

"You wanted to impress Hinata-kun right? So you gonna have to do your best! So he'll admire you" Akaashi said.

Bokuto's eyes shone and he looks at Shoyo who was looking at him, but actually Shoyo wasn't looking at Bokuto he was just staring blankly in space.

Bokuto then straightens his back and stood tall infront of the Nekoma team. He smiles widely and started doing his "HEY HEY HEEYYY"

"YOUR RIGHT AGAASSHEEE!! I'M GONNA SHOW HINATA THAT I'M THE COOLEST ACE EVER!" Bokuto shouted happily.

"Yes Bokuto-san" Akaashi nods in response.

"Phew....That was really close.." Konoha sighs in relief.

"Nice save Akaashi-san!" Komi thumbs up.

------

The practice game ended at Fukurodani winning. But everyone in Nekoma wasn't mad, they just thought that they'll have to train harder than ever! And it made them fire up!

Since the practice game ended, Shoyo finally can sleep, so he slept at the bench he was sitting earlier. He was waiting for this moment patiently and it finally arrived!

"Hey hey heyy!! Kuurobro!! Is Hinata always like that??" Bokuto asks.

"Yes, he's always like that. I don't know why tho, ask Inuoka that guy over there, 'cause the two of them are childhood friends" Kuuro points at Inuoka who was talking to Konoha and Sarukui.

"Ohhhhh" Bokuto nods.

Kenma walks towards Shoyo, he lifts Shoyo's head and he sits down, then he puts Shoyo's head on his lap as he continues playing his game.

Akaashi who was close by walks towards them.

"Hello Kenma-san" Akaashi greeted.

"Hi." Kenma replied without looking up at his game.

"May I sit here?"

"Sure."

Akaashi sits down beside Kenma as he looks at the others talking to each other happily.

It was silent between them, but it was quite comfortable. Just the two guys presence made Shoyo go into a deep sleep 'cause he was too comfortable.

Inuoka looks at his phone and he ends the conversation between him and Sarukui and Konoha. Inuoka runs towards his bag and took out a meatbun.

Shoyo always eats little food 'cause he was always too lazy to finish it. That's why Inuoka makes him eat at certain times.

Inuoka walk towards Shoyo and he looks at Kenma. Kenma understood and pinches Shoyo's soft cheeks. It made Shoyo uncomfortable so he woke up.

"Shoyo! Its time to eat!!" Inuoka smiles at him.

"......*yawn* nahh...I already ate.." Shoyo said softly as he just woke up.

"That was at lunch, and you ate very little! So come on now!"

Inuoka made Shoyo sit down and he started unwrapping the meatbun. He then brings it to Shoyo's mouth.

Shoyo slowly opens his mouth and bit into it and started munching slowly.

"You have to finish this whole meatbun okay?"

"Un...." Shoyo nods.

"It must be tiring to always take care of the very lazy Chibi-chan Inuoka" Kuuro said with his chesire cat smile.

"Not really! I'm already used to it, and I enjoy it!" Inuoka happily said as Shoyo bit into the meatbun again.

"How about....We take turns to take care of Chibi-chan? Hm?"

"No." Inuoka immediately refused.

"Oh come on now Inuoka!~ I also wanna take care of chibi-chan!" Kuuro whined.

"Your not fit to take care of Shoyo." Kenma bluntly said.

"KYAANMAAA!!" Kuuro cried.

"I agree with Kuuro-san! I wanna take care of my cute kouhai as well!" Yamamoto suddenly entered theur conversation.

"Same as me." Fukunaga also said.

'Where the hell are they coming from??' Inuoka sweatdropped.

"Ahem! But this is MY job! I know Shoyo the best and I'm MORE fitted to take care of him! Period!" Inuoka said.

"Tell them Shoyo! I'm the best at taking care of you right?? You don't need anyone else right???" Inuoka looks at Shoyo pleadingly.

"...Hnnn.....I don't really care.." Shoyo said as he ate the meatbun again.

"Shoyooo!....." Inuoka cried.

"See?? Chibi-chan doesn't really care! As long as someone can also do your job, then he wouldn't care!" Kuuro smiles.

Inuoka then droops down sadly. Then Shoyo suddenly spoke.

"But I like Sou-chan more. No one can replace him." Shoyo said and he finishes the meatbun with a burp.

Inuoka looks at Shoyo with teary eyes and he jumps on Shoyo to hug him.

"WAAAHHH!!! SHOYOOOO!!! I THOUGHT YOU WOULD ABONDON ME!! I'M SO HAPPY WAAAHHH!!!"

"Sou-chan what the hell is wrong with you today..." Shoyo sighs.

Kuuro and the others were suprised but they just gave up, if Shoyo said no one can replace him then thats periodt.

'It seems that Inuoka is on the number one list of Hinata-kun's favourite' Akaashi thought.

Actually no-

It's actually sleep-

----

Everyone in Fukurodani then said their goodbye's and they went back.

Bokuto was in his emo mode again, why?

Because he didn't get the chance to talk to Shoyo, he was sleeping. So Bokuto didn't get the chance at all! Thats why he's sulking.

Akaashi just sighs helplessly, now he has to take care of the emo mode Bokuto. Konoha and the others just gave Akaashi a supportive smile.
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"Coach! Why didn't you put Hinata in the game?" Yamamoto suddenly asks making the others also wonder why.

"Well...." Coach Nekomata looks at the sleeping Shoyo.

"He was carefully observing all of you. And......I for some reason didn't want to interrupt him" Coach Nekomata said as he shrugs.

"He was?!" Yamamoto's mouth opens in shock.

"No wonder I felt like someone was watching me" Fukunaga said.

"I thought he was just looking at us because he was bored.." Yaku sweatdropped.

"Same!" Shibayama agreed.

"Thats normal! Don't worry guys! He always does that to everyone! When he is awake of course." Inuoka said with a smile.

"Everyone?? Like....As in everyone??? Like...Everyone he sees????" Teshiro asks.

"Yes! Something like that!" Inuoka nods.

"No wonder when we first met he was so intensely looking at me.." Yaku smiles awkwardly.

"Huhh?! I thought I was the only person he was looking at!" Kuuro sweatdropped.

"Hahaha, don't misunderstand everyone! He is just observing you guys so he would know all your habits and other stuff!" Inuoka said like its obvious.

"That sounds kinda scary.." Kai sweatdrops

"You all will get used to it soon!" Inuoka smiles.

"Alright...." Yaku laughs awkwardly.

"Time to clean the gym everyone! You all can go home early after you finish cleaning." Coach Nekomata shouted.

Everyone except Shoyo: "Yes Coach!!"

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To Be Continued!

I was supposed to publish this before yesterday but I completely forgot that I just finished typing this chapter!! 😭

But I hope y'all enjoyed anyways-

Have a great day/evening!!! ★★★