(chapter xxxix)

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Yuna furrowed her brow and scrunched up her nose as she glanced down at the clipboard in her hand. A couple of weeks had passed since she officially started managing the team, and although she had expected to adapt quicker, there were still moments when she felt unsure. She had no trouble understanding the intricacies of the sport itself—it was the different dynamics and the reasons behind altering their routines that were more difficult to navigate. Every change had its purpose, and understanding those reasons was something she was still learning to fully grasp.

The sound of her name broke her out of her thoughts. "Sugawara-san," a voice called from behind her, soft but firm. Yuna blinked, surprised, and looked up from her clipboard. Standing before her was Akira Kunimi, a first-year on the team. He was the type of person who had a reputation for being quiet and somewhat reserved, often distant from the others.

His demeanour was calm, and he didn't seem to fit in with the typical energetic personality of the team. It was often said by the upperclassmen that he reminded them of Yuna when she first started—distant, quiet, and a little aloof. It was an observation that had caught the attention of many, and so now, the two of them were often the subjects of curious whispers whenever they spoke to each other.

Yuna had noticed this dynamic too, especially in the moments when she would greet Kunimi. Their exchanges were typically brief and quiet—just nods, polite smiles, and a few short words. But what others didn't always see was that they shared more than just a few similarities. Both of them dealt with their own insecurities, struggles they didn't often show on the surface.

Kunimi's apparent lack of energy had made him a target for some comments from his teammates, while Yuna, despite her calm and collected exterior, had her own fears and doubts. There was an understanding between them, an unspoken bond because both had experienced the isolation that came with being misunderstood.

Tooru always seemed to have a reaction whenever Yuna interacted with Kunimi. When they were alone, he would pout, and sometimes, he would even complain that she wasn't paying enough attention to him. It was a side of Tooru that Yuna had learned to recognize—his occasional need for reassurance. She didn't mind his clinginess.

In fact, she understood it. Tooru had his own set of insecurities that, at times, would manifest in small, jealous outbursts. It was something Yuna had come to expect, and it was something she had learned to navigate. For her, Tooru's insecurities were as familiar as her own, and she knew that, deep down, it came from a place of wanting to feel valued.

With that understanding in mind, Yuna looked up at Kunimi and gave him a gentle nod. "Hello, Kunimi," she greeted him, her voice warm but calm. She patted the bench beside her. "Come sit, we need to talk for a moment."

Kunimi stared at her for a second, his expression unreadable, before he sat down next to her. "You wanted to speak with me?" he asked, his voice as quiet as always.

Yuna nodded, her fingers tapping the clipboard thoughtfully. "Yes. There are a few updates I need to go over with you." She turned the clipboard toward him, showing him the details she had written down.

Kunimi raised an eyebrow, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. "You're not going to lecture me, are you?" he asked, his tone flat and neutral.

Yuna couldn't help but smile softly at his question, though she raised an eyebrow herself. It didn't take long for her to realize what he meant. Kunimi had a reputation for being a bit lazy—something his teammates often pointed out.

He was notorious for skipping practice and not putting in his best effort during games. The older members, especially his seniors, had made it clear to him that they expected more energy and dedication from him. Yet, despite these critiques, Yuna didn't feel it was her place to lecture him.

She tilted her head thoughtfully. "Well, despite what you may think, I'm not here to lecture you," she said, her voice even but reassuring. "Sure, your teammates might say you need more energy, but the captains don't seem as concerned about that. In fact, they've seen your potential, especially after your performance during the last game." She nodded in the direction of Tooru and Hajime, who were standing off to the side, observing the team's progress. "At first, we were worried, but then we realized that you've got an asset that rivals some of the more seasoned players—Hanamaki-kun, for instance."

Kunimi's eyes widened slightly at the mention of Hanamaki's name. "Hanamaki-senpai?" he asked, surprised.

Yuna smiled and nodded. "Yes. That's why I'm not here to lecture you. Despite what others might say, both Tooru and Iwaizumi-kun believe in your skills. Just keep working hard, and you'll be fine."

She adjusted the clipboard once more and tapped it. "But there's one thing I need to go over with you—there's a play you missed during the last few practices." She leaned in a little closer, beginning to explain the changes that had taken place in the team's routine. As she did so, she didn't notice the way the proximity between her and Kunimi seemed to attract the attention of a few of the other team members.

From across the court, Tooru's eyes narrowed as he saw them leaning in close. He muttered under his breath in frustration. He could feel a sense of unease bubbling up inside him, though he didn't quite understand why. As he watched Yuna and Kunimi interact, he felt a familiar twinge of jealousy.

The team all watching their captain's jealousy snickered and shared amused grins.

He suddenly whistled sharply and glared at his team, his voice rising above the murmurs. "Five laps!" he barked. "All of you, now! I want to see five laps around the court for not focusing!" His order was met with groans and grumbles from the team, who started running their laps reluctantly.

Hajime, ever the voice of reason, crossed his arms and shot Tooru a look. "Should I be concerned about your jealousy?" he asked dryly. "You do know that Yuna's just doing her job, right?"

Tooru glared back at Hajime. "I'm not jealous," he said, though his tone didn't match his words.

"Sure, tell yourself that," Hajime said with a smirk, not buying it for a second.

With a huff, Tooru turned his attention back to the team
And then Hajime. "Laps!" he repeated, pointing at them childishly. His childhood friend rolled his eyes but obeyed, jogging off to join the others.

As the team ran their laps, Hajime slowed down in front of Yuna and Kunimi. He smirked at them both, getting their attention. "Hey, do me a favour," he said casually, looking between the two of them. "Can you both smile for me?"

The request seemed odd, and both Yuna and Kunimi gave him confused looks, but neither questioned him. They did as asked, though their smiles were clearly a little forced. Tooru, who had been watching from a distance, let out a frustrated sigh and turned away, clearly irritated. Hajime, laughing to himself, continued his laps.

Kunimi muttered under his breath, "That was weird," though for a brief moment, he felt an unsettling sensation—like someone was watching him closely. He couldn't shake the feeling that someone was glaring at him from a distance. Yuna, however, was oblivious to the tension and continued explaining the changes in the routine.

As Hajime ran past Tooru, he couldn't resist teasing him. "Careful, Tooru. Your jealousy is starting to show~," he sang mockingly.

After practice, Tooru managed to keep his composure, but once it was time to head home, Yuna was once again met with his clinginess. As they walked together, Tooru seemed unusually quiet, until he finally spoke up, his voice low and hesitant.

"So, Kunimi-kun..." he began, his tone somewhat casual. Yuna glanced at him, her curiosity piqued. "Kunimi? What about him?"

Tooru hesitated for a moment before asking, his voice slightly pitched higher than usual, "Do you think he's cute?"

Yuna blinked in confusion, not quite understanding the question. "Excuse me?" she asked, genuinely perplexed.

Tooru chuckled nervously, his voice rising slightly. "Just asking~," he replied, his teasing tone evident.

Yuna raised an eyebrow, realizing what was going on. She smiled playfully, looking ahead as she answered, "Oh, Kunimi is just so adorable."

Tooru's face scrunched up in disbelief. "What?! How and why?" he asked, utterly baffled.

Yuna fought the urge to laugh as she walked a little ahead, making sure to stay just out of his reach. "It's the sound of his voice, and the way he smiles," she explained, her voice light and teasing.

Tooru couldn't believe what he was hearing. "That is—" he started, but was quickly cut off by Yuna's laughter.

Yuna then stopped and, in one swift motion, reached up and pinched his cheek. "Listen," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "I was just explaining to Kunimi the things he missed. But don't worry," she said, her tone softening, "You are by far the most adorable one in the world." With that, she stood on her tiptoes and pressed a quick kiss to his nose.

Tooru's face immediately turned bright red, and he let out an embarrassed, squeaky sound, a mix of a squeal and a breathy laugh. He was completely rendered speechless.

Yuna continued to tease him, listing off other reasons she found him endearing, which caused his jealousy to vanish in an instant.

Sometimes, Tooru wondered if Yuna realized just how much she affected him. She had this ability to make his heart race with her boldness and honesty—two qualities that had only deepened his feelings for her. More than he could ever put into words.