CHAPTER 7 : Fukuroudani VS Aoba Jousai

'Hmm? Where's Sorano-chan?'

Iwaizumi and Izumi stared at the brown-haired lad in confusion. Oikawa blinked at them. 'What? Why are you two staring at me like that?' he questioned.

Iwaizumi opened his mouth to speak. 'D—'

'Did you just add –chan to her name?!' Izumi cut his boyfriend off, exclaiming at Oikawa who flinched in surprise at her high-pitched query.

Oikawa tilted his head. 'Yeah I just did.'

Iwaizumi gave Oikawa a nonchalant applause then he leaned forward. 'Did you apologize for asking that stupid question?' he hissed.

The lad flinched and shivered upon Iwaizumi's murderous look. 'I-I haven't, but planning to do so, that's why I asked for her!' Oikawa replied and put up a defensive stance in case Iwaizumi hits him.

Izumi laughed. 'Hajime-kun almost went to kill you. For real.'

Oikawa moved away from his best friend. 'I can feel it even now.' He murmured.

'Akayuki is at the Karaoke.' Iwaizumi informed.

• Oikawa Tooru •

'We got separated and she's with the other group. Before you ask, no, you can't go to the Karaoke's place. It's forbidden because they're cleaning it. It has been closed since a long time so if I ever find you sneaking around there, I'll keep in you in the freezer.'

Even if Iwa-chan said that, the more it's forbidden, the more people want to enter. After descending down the stairs from the pub, I turned left and entered the convenience store right below the pub.

As usual, the cashier would greet me with a sweet, "Welcome to the store!" but I frowned when a male's voice greeted me instead.

'Welc—'

The cashier and I made eye contact. My eyes widened and so did his eyes. 'O-Oikawa-san...!' he gasped.

I exhaled sharply and glared at him.

'What are you doing here?' he asked.

'To buy things, obviously,' I replied nonchalantly and headed towards the drinks section. I reached out for the chocolate milk can and placed it on the counter. My junior from middle school scanned the item before I handed him the money. In return, he gave me the receipt and thanked me for coming.

'Oikawa-san!' he called out. 'I'll be watching your match with Fukurodani.'

I looked away and headed out muttering an "okay".

Kageyama Tobio. Was it a coincidence that he worked there? Oh—wait! I spun and entered the store once again. 'Welcome—Oikawa-san?' Tobio frowned.

'Tobio-chan,' I leaned forward and lowered my voice. 'Does this convenience store offer delivery?'

He frowned. 'Delivery? No, I've never even heard of any convenience store making delivery—'

'That doesn't matter, I need you to make a delivery to the pub upstairs.' I held his shoulders.

His eyes widened. 'P-Pub? But pub is—'

'It's fine, do it!' I urged.

'Uh...'

-

The bell chimed when Tobio and I entered. I brought a plastic bag full of chocolate milks and Tobio brought a plastic bag of melon breads. I had a cap over my head (borrowed from a customer) but Tobio didn't have any disguise on.

I was gambling whether Iwa-chan would be at the bar or in the kitchen and I was correct when Shino looked up from whatever she was doing and saw him. I pushed Tobio's back gently and he took a step forward.

'D-Delivery!' he stuttered and held up the plastic bag. 'From the convenience store downstairs!'

Shino's face lightened up. 'Delivery from a convenience store?! Wow I never knew such thing existed!'

'Uh, we recently decided to do this for a few shops around here.' Tobio retorted and I nodded in agreement behind him. It seemed that Shino hadn't noticed me just yet.

'I see, so who's that delivery for?'

'Sora...' Tobio tilted his head. 'Sorano...san.'

'Akayuki? Oh, she's in the Karaoke section. Turn left from your spot and walk straight until you find the signboard written "Karaoke". She's somewhere in there.' Shino smiled.

Tobio and I nodded. We left after Tobio thanked her.

'What's wrong?' suddenly I heard Iwa-chan's voice from the bar. I gulped inaudibly and pulled Tobio to walk faster towards the section.

∞

'What's wrong?' Iwaizumi exited the kitchen and approached Izumi. She turned to face him.

'Nothing. The convenience store downstairs began a delivery system. Two of them just came by to send the delivery.' Izumi replied.

He frowned. 'Delivery from a convenience store?'

She nodded.

'No matter how you slice it, it's ridiculous.' Iwaizumi retorted.

Izumi rolled her eyes and turned away. Iwaizumi touched her shoulder. 'Whose it for?' he asked, serious.

Izumi smirked. 'Sorano Akayuki.'

'That bastard...!' Iwaizumi hissed and she giggled as he stomped towards the Karaoke section.

-

'Oikawa-san, is this, uh, Sorano-san your girlfriend?' Kageyama asked as they walked through the corridor, opening every door they could find in hopes they'd meet Sorano.

'No, I need to apologize to her. It's urgent.'

'Is she the girlfriend who dumped you back in high school?'

I flinched and glared at him. 'That was a long time ago. I think she's dead or something. Or probably married.'

'I think I've heard of that name. Sorano...'

'Oh? What's this?' a voice said. Oikawa and Kageyama looked in front.

'Bokuto-san!' Kageyama gasped and bowed his head.

Oikawa bowed at him briefly then took off his cap. 'Is Sorano-chan here?' he asked.

Bokuto blinked and tilted his head. 'Sorano-chan? Oh, she's in the washrooms with Akaashi. At the end of the corridor there.'

Oikawa saluted him and gave the plastic bag to Kageyama. 'Thank—' he began.

'Oikawa.'

The said person flinched and stood straight before turning around slowly. 'I-Iwa-chan! Hi there...' he murmured.

'Don't "hi there" me!' Iwaizumi yelled and hit his head. Oikawa yelped in pain. 'I told you not to barge in here!'

Before anyone could say anything, a sneeze was heard. They turned to the source of the voice. Oikawa smiled a bit. 'Oh? Oikawa-san? And... Kageyama-san!!' Sorano exclaimed from far. Akaashi glanced at her. 'What are you two doing here?'

'Ignore these two, Akayuki. They're intruders. I'm kicking them out.' Iwaizumi said and literally dragged the two away from Bokuto. Bokuto just blinked in confusion.

'Wait! Wait!' Oikawa yelled, trying to get away from Iwaizumi's harsh grip. He snatched the plastic bag from Kageyama's hand and held it up. 'F-Free melon breads for everybody!'

Bokuto gaped and his eyes went wide with excitement. 'Free melon breads!' he yelled. Kuroo and Takaguchi exited a room and looked at him.

'Free?' Kuroo blinked.

'Melon breads?' Takaguchi added.

Iwaizumi sighed. 'Akayuki, come here with me.'

Sorano blinked in confusion. '... Okay.' And she trailed after Iwaizumi who was heading out from the section. As he neared the corner, he called out. 'Trashykawa, you too.'

Oikawa followed him, walking beside Sorano silently. They exchanged a glance and shrugged. He opened the dressing/locker room and gestured to the inside with his forefinger.

'You two, get inside and settle things. Trashykawa, make sure you do it right.' Iwaizumi ordered.

Sorano gasped loudly. 'Hajime! What kind of punishment is this?! Why am I being forced into S&M?!'

Iwaizumi slapped the back of her head and she yelped in pain.

'Iwa-chan, your orders came out wrong. It sounds like you're asking us to—' Oikawa began but Iwaizumi quickly slapped the back of his head as well. The brown-haired lad winced.

'Go.' Iwaizumi said and left.

Sorano and Oikawa entered simultaneously and she closed the door behind her. 'What did he mean by "settle things"?' she began.

Oikawa rubbed his nape nervously and avoided her gaze. 'Actually, I was going to apologize. I'm sorry for asking you such a ridiculous question.' He retorted.

Sorano stared at him for a long time and Oikawa returned the stare. Her lips curved up into a small smile. 'Was it about the transgender question?' she questioned.

Oikawa nodded shyly.

She giggled and patted his shoulder. 'Don't mind. I was considering the fact that you're correct!' she winked then left the room.

Oikawa's eyes widened.

∞

I had a grin on my face when I exited the room immediately. I was really satisfied that he didn't think of me as a weird freak and that the transgender question was not serious. Taking a deep breath, I failed to notice Izumi smirking at my sight from the bar.

I turned and rushed back to work.

∞

From: Yellow Prawn

Our game will be held on Saturday instead. All ticket buyers have been notified. 3pm don't be late, Sora-cchi! Bring Tooru-cchi along! Drag him if you have to >v<

I read the message for the fifth time. I was informed three days ago but I re-read it just because I'd not look awkward in the crowd. You know, that moment when you pretend to look at your phone because you're like a clueless chicken in the middle of nowhere?

I clutched the ticket on my hand silently as I scanned the packed entrance of the Sendai City Gymnasium nervously. Why won't Oikawa-san or Hajime fetch me?!

'No one's going to remember you if you fall at the entrance anyway.' I murmured and began to walk.

'Sorano-san?'

I got startled and spun just to see Kageyama behind me. My eyes widened and my heart leapt in relief. 'Kageyama-san!' I exclaimed.

He was caught by surprise as I rushed to him and pulled his arm. 'You're going to watch Hajime's game, right? Let's go with me!' I said.

'O-Oh, okay.' He stuttered and we walked side by side into the gymnasium. 'Sorano-san, how did you know Oikawa-san?' Kageyama began the conversation.

I shrugged. 'No exact "how", just an embarrassing incident I had with him in the pub. Why were you with Oikawa-san nights earlier?'

'He asked me to make a delivery to you so I had to do it because he looked like he'd serve a ball into my face if I wouldn't. Besides, it was thanks to him I became quite successful with volleyball.'

'Whoa, wait! Where are you working at?' I frowned.

'The convenience store below the pub.' He answered.

'What happened to the usual worker?'

'I don't know. I heard she got admitted into a hospital but the manager told me that she'd gone back to her hometown so a new worker was needed. I have some time before job interview at some companies so I decided to work there.'

'Wow,' I nodded. 'Now that you've done it, I suggest you make the delivery system come true.'

'What? But I'm the only worker for night shifts.'

'Just for the pub, will you?' I tiptoed to look into his eyes, verbally begging him.

He flinched and nodded once. 'I'll try to ask my manager.'

'That's how you do it, Kageyama-san!'

We arrived at the auditorium and searched for our seats. 'I'm F-36, and you?' I asked.

'G-47.' He replied then pointed at the neighboring set of seats from mine.

'Too bad, see you late—' I trailed off then smiled. 'I've a free ticket beside me. Want to come?' I offered.

'Really?' his eyes widened. I nodded vigorously and so we sat side by side.

'To think that they rent this gym just for a match, that's kind of ridiculous... but meh, Hajime's rich as hell so I bet he could afford as much.' I shrugged.

'That reminds me,' Kageyama said. 'How much are you all paid for working in the pub?'

I glanced at him. 'Our pub is different that the others. If let's say you make US dollar 230 per night, which equals to around 25, 000 yen, Yozora offers around a million yen per month.'

Kageyama gasped and stared at me wide-eyed. 'O-One million...!'

I shook my head. 'This is a secret. Our manager is a very rich man and as he sees we are potential to bringing the pub to a higher level such as organizing parties for companies' celebrations, he agreed to pay us as much as one million.

'I failed three times during the job interviews and there are only 10 workers in the pub. When he saw how determined I was to take up the offer, he hired me and turned out to be I did well being a bartender. Although we're paid a million, half of the money is kept by our manager and can only be withdrawn upon requests. The manager is like our second father. He takes care of us really well.'

Kageyama nodded in understanding. 'That sounds really cool. I might consider working there.'

'Unfortunately, Kageyama-san, you'd have to wait until any one of us "back down".' I smiled.

'How come I don't see many people going there?'

'Hmm, let's see. As you observed, there aren't many people in the pub because our services cost a lot. Those who came are mostly rich bastards and sometimes Yakuza. How we make money? Companies usually hire us to organize any celebrations, so we bartenders fly here and there. Although I was always excepted.'

'Meaning, most money you make aren't from the local pub, but from the reservations and whatnot?'

'True.'

'Why are you always excepted?'

'In the day, I work as a manager for a famous model. Not sure if you've heard of him but he's Kise Ryouta, he recently modeled for the new CK jeans so his face must be everywhere.'

'Isn't it tiring?'

'Of course it is. But I enjoy every bits of it. I'm still studying too. You might say I can ditch it because the pay for my bartender job is high enough to sit on a pile of money however, I don't like doing work half-assed. I'd finish my studies and then focus on my jobs.'

'You're a successful lady.' Kageyama clapped slowly.

'Not yet.' I giggled.

-

[Fukurodani] 37 (1st set) 36 [Aoba Jousai]

The tension was building. It was only the first set but none of them had reached a set point. Aoba Jousai would catch up with Fukurodani as fast as they could. I was torn between Fukurodani and Aoba Jousai.

I might be an alumnus from Seijou but one must admit Fukurodani is really good so I had a hard time cheering for whom. Both of the team was tired. Kageyama and I shared a glance.

'I'm considering whether I should go home rather than watching this stressful match.' I told him.

'I'm not even sure if any would reach a set point soon.' Kageyama replied. I nodded in agreement.

-

[Fukurodani] 42 (1st set) 44 [Aoba Jousai]

The referee whistled, indicating the end of Set 1. I breathed out a sigh of relief. 'That was like a disaster in slow motion.' I sighed.

'Oikawa-san's...' Kageyama spoke and I searched for the brown-haired lad wearing the 1# jersey.

I saw him right then. He was at the bench, one hand wiping his sweaty face, and one hand on top of his right knee. Of course I couldn't see his face but I was sure he was in pain. I frowned and remembered. His knee was injured since high school and battling intensely against Fukurodani must've taken a toll on him.

Hajime approached him and Oikawa waved his hand at him, grinning. He must've asked if his knee was okay. Knowing Oikawa, he'd just wave it off. But knowing Hajime too, he knows his friend really well.

It turned out I was correct because in the 2nd set, Oikawa didn't play. He was subbed with Yahaba Shigeru, a setter.

-

[Fukurodani] 34 (2nd set) 32 [Aoba Jousai]

That confirmed the 3rd set. Everyone was out of breath. 'Isn't it time for them to die?' Kageyama spoke.

I nodded, agreeing to his statement. 'The 3rd set will be a battle against mental strengths.'

-

The whistle was blown and the crowd cheered.

[Fukurodani] 36 (3rd set) 34 [Aoba Jousai]

I gaped. 'How did they even go over 30 points?!'

Oikawa played at the half end of the 3rd set, going in as a pinch server but they still lost. All of them are going to sleep for a week.

∞

It was Team 2's turn to guard in front. Manager excused Hajime for 2 days because he said he knew Hajime's tired and that he watched the game—but I bet Kanzaki-san said that so he'd look cool.

Even so, Hajime came to the bar to survey Team 1 in the karaoke section. Izumi snuck out and approached me. 'What happened to Hajime-kun?' she whispered into my ear.

'3 sets with Fukurodani, set points are either 40+ or 30+, hell I could bet it was tiring.' I replied.

Izumi gaped. 'I've never seen him play, though. Did he win?'

I shook my head. 'Nope. Oikawa-san was subbed out in the 2nd set because of his injured knee.'

'Izumi!' Hajime's voice echoed from far. Izumi stood up straight and sighed. 'Captain's calling. See you!' she waved at me then ran back to the karaoke section. I smiled slightly.

'Akayuki-kun.'

I turned my head to see Kuroo. Both Bokuto and Akaashi were, too, excused from work for 2 days so Takaguchi was struggling in the kitchen alone. Pity him.

He rested his chin on his palm. 'Did Kanzaki made Team Alpha call each other by the first names?' he questioned.

'Yeah, he did. I see Team Delta did not.'

He tilted his head. 'He did ask but it'd seem like a group of gays calling each other by their first names.'

I laughed. A-Awkward... I don't know what to reply to that...!

The bell then chimed. We looked up and saw Oikawa dragging his feet towards us. He sat down in front of me and landed his head on the table. 'Drinks? Foods? How's your knee, Oikawa-san?' I asked.

'One mineral water please,' he raised one hand, still facing the table. 'My knee is killing me... wait... how did you know about my knee?' he lifted his head and frowned at me.

I quickly spun and poured him a glass of water, ignoring his question. Kuroo laughed. 'How do you feel battling against that annoying loud owl, Oikawa-kun*?'

'We could've won but luck's not on our side,' Oikawa shrugged. I handed him the glass and he drank it quickly. 'Is Iwa-chan here?'

'He's in the Karaoke section surveying his team.' Kuroo answered.

'That owl and the setter are here too, right?' Oikawa queried.

'Unfortunately. They are excused from work for two days. So did Hajime but he still wanted to come.' I said.

'Iwa-chan likes Shino-chan too much I guess.' Oikawa chuckled.

'Whoa, wait!' Kuroo interrupted. 'Team Alpha's captain is dating the private 1st class?!'

'Yup, award-winning for the cutest couple on Earth.' I retorted. Kuroo wow-ed.

Oikawa laughed.

'Did you receive the message from Kise, Oikawa-san?' I asked.

'About tomorrow?' he tilted his head then nodded once. 'I did.'

'And you two are dating?' Kuroo raised a brow.

I put up one hand right in front of Kuroo's eyes. 'No. You go out with Kenma-san a lot but that doesn't mean you're dating, right?' I protested.

Kuroo removed my hand and frowned. 'But your eyes clearly—'

'Captain Kuroo Tetsurou!' I yelled and said man smirked as if saying, "I understand the situation now."

I averted my eyes and blushed. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Oikawa tilting his head in wonder.

**** WRAPPED ****

Note:

Nekoma have never faced Seijou. Nor did Fukurodani and Seijou. The match between Fukurodani and Seijou is a complete prediction of mine, and it might 100% be wrong.

Sendai City Gymnasium is in Miyagi prefecture so spectators and players have to travel a bit from Tokyo's main city.

Oikawa-kun*= I have no idea how Kuroo would address Oikawa so Oikawa-kun might be fine. HAHAH

A/N:

Sorry for the late update, the internet in my campus is shitty as fucc. 

When I did a research on how much a bartender gets per night, I almost shit my heart. 230 dollars WTF!? PER NIGHT, AT THAT! What does a bartender do besides being a waiter anyway?! Do they provide a one night stand or something?!

I might consider being a bartender in Las Vegas but no; it's illegal for me.

By my leave, mortals