Chapter 28: Observing From The Stands

In a matter of seconds, Hinata spotted (y/n) and began waving frantically, his exuberant voice echoing across the gym. The rest of the Karasuno team attempted to calm him down, while Kageyama, Daichi, Yamaguchi, and Tsukishima glared in the direction of Oikawa and his teammates, their disapproval evident.

Oikawa, unable to contain his astonishment, turned to (y/n) with a mix of disbelief and curiosity. "Wait, you know the Karasuno team?" he asked, his tone laced with incredulity.

"Yeah, I actually go to Karasuno," (y/n) replied nonchalantly. "Takeda-sensei asked me to gather some notes on Date Tech for their first match. I'm not sure why he picked me, but it's a task I'm happy to undertake."

Iwaizumi chimed in, adding, "So you're not here solely to support your own team?"

"Well, I am cheering for Karasuno too, but I have a responsibility to fulfill. It shouldn't take long though. It's pretty obvious, even for me, that Date Tech has a formidable blocking presence. I mean, they're like giants out there!" (y/n) explained, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Internally, (y/n) couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of pretending to have no knowledge of volleyball. She knew deep down that her grandfather, a former volleyball player and coach, would be disappointed in this act. However, for the sake of maintaining a neutral position and fulfilling her task, (y/n) played along, determined to observe and learn from the match.

As the three Aoba Johsai members nodded in understanding, they made room for (y/n) to sit. Intentionally positioning herself away from Oikawa, (y/n) settled between Kindaichi and Iwaizumi, feeling a sense of comfort and camaraderie in their presence.

Curiosity sparked within Kindaichi, and he ventured to ask (y/n) a question. "By the way, if you don't mind me asking, why does the entire Karasuno team address you by your first name?"

Smiling warmly, (y/n) shared her story. "Well, during middle school, I actually studied abroad in (country). It was a common practice there to address each other by our first names, so I got used to it. When I returned earlier this year to start high school, I simply let people call me by my first name. It's a small way of embracing the cultural experiences I had while away."

Kindaichi nodded, appreciating the insight into (y/n)'s background. Meanwhile, Oikawa couldn't resist interjecting, unable to resist the opportunity to tease.

"Wahh, (y/n)-chan, you're so sweet. I can't wait to hear your cheering for me," Oikawa exclaimed, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

With an exasperated sigh, (y/n) muttered under their breath, "Insufferable."

Oikawa's face contorted, as if he had been stabbed by (y/n)'s one-word response. Kindaichi and Iwaizumi snickered at their captain's expense, patting (y/n) on the back in appreciation of her retort. Amidst the laughter, Kindaichi accidentally kicked (y/n)'s bag, prompting a yelp to escape. Startled, Kenta, (y/n)'s furry companion, poked his head out, whimpering softly. Sympathetically, (y/n) scooped up Kenta in their arms.

"I'm sorry, buddy. Kindaichi didn't know you were hiding in there," (y/n) apologized, her voice filled with warmth and affection.

"Oh, damn. Sorry about that," Kindaichi immediately began apologizing, his eyes filled with concern. He scratched his head and gently checked Kenta's side for any signs of injury.

"It's okay, you didn't know," (y/n) reassured him with a smile, appreciating Kindaichi's empathy.

Kenta wagged his tail, eager to go over to Kindaichi, squirming in (y/n)'s arms. Amused, (y/n) let the puppy go, shuffling over slightly to make room for Kenta to sit close to Kindaichi. In the process, (y/n) inadvertently found herself closer to Iwaizumi than anticipated, causing the third-year to sputter nervously. Perplexed by Iwaizumi's reaction, (y/n) quickly realized the reason for his unease.

"Oh! I'm sorry, Iwaizumi-senpai!" (y/n) apologized sincerely, bowing her head in acknowledgment.

Picking up on the awkward tension, (y/n) gently placed Kenta on her lap, ensuring he still received the attention he sought. Iwaizumi continued to steal glances at (y/n), his cheeks ablaze as he recalled their proximity.

'She was pressed right against me. Usually, girls flock to Oikawa, but she completely ignores him,' Iwaizumi mused, lost in his thoughts.

While the ace was lost in his musings, (y/n) was engrossed in finding a way to keep Kenta comfortable during the game, collaborating with Kindaichi to come up with a solution.

"Here, let's wrap him in my jacket. That way, if he barks, it'll be muffled," Kindaichi suggested, his eyes filled with determination to ensure Kenta's happiness.

Nodding in agreement, (y/n) watched as Kindaichi carefully cradled Kenta in his arms, expertly concealing the pup while still allowing him to see the game. Once satisfied with their arrangement, Kindaichi nodded at (y/n), his expression neutral, indicating he had something to say. However, before he could speak, Oikawa playfully poked his head between the two.

"So, if you go to Karasuno, that means you know Tobio-chan," Oikawa stated, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

"Hmm? Yeah, I know Kageyama. I help him and Hinata with their homework sometimes," (y/n) replied casually, maintaining a friendly tone.

"Cute and smart! Is there anything you can't do, (y/n)-chan? If we were the same age, I'd probably purposely do badly, just so I could ask you for help," Oikawa chirped, accompanied by a sly wink.

'He really is the most infuriating person. Sure, he may be attractive, but his arrogance knows no bounds. But there's something about him, a hidden depth perhaps. I'm a little curious. After all, my brother did mention that Oikawa-senpai is a smart player. Well, for now, I'll play nice. After all, I can't help it if he's received too much ego from those clueless girls,' (y/n) thought, contemplating her response.

"Oh, thanks, Oikawa-senpai," (y/n) replied with a polite smile, choosing to express gratitude for his compliment rather than engage in a battle of wits.

"Wuah! You didn't insult me! Iwa-chan, (y/n)-chan likes me," Oikawa proclaimed with exaggerated enthusiasm.

"That, or she simply decided to thank you like any normal human being would for a compliment, Asskawa," Iwaizumi retorted, clearly annoyed by his friend's advances.

"Iwa-chan, you're so mean!" Oikawa whined, feigning hurt.

Unable to contain her amusement, (y/n) giggled at their banter. To her, it appeared more like an older brother scolding his younger sibling for being a brat. The two boys looked at (y/n) with confusion, prompting (y/n) to whisper her observation to Kindaichi, who promptly burst into snickers.

"Oi, what's so funny?" Iwaizumi asked, slightly frustrated by their laughter.

"N-nothing, senpai!" Kindaichi quickly straightened up, his face assuming a serious expression.

"I just said you seem more like Oikawa's older brother scolding him. It's just kind of funny," (y/n) explained, a small pout forming on her face as she glanced at the blushing third-year.

"Oh," Iwaizumi stammered, his cheeks growing even redder, caught off guard by (y/n)'s observation.

Meanwhile, Oikawa's persistent attempts to catch (y/n)'s attention continued unabated. Casually, he slung his arm around her shoulders, snickering at her response to his friend's comment. Without hesitation, he slipped closer to (y/n), nudging Kindaichi aside, a move that elicited a low growl from the first-year.

"Relax, Iwa-chan, she was just joking around," Oikawa chimed in, dismissing Iwaizumi's concern as he settled down next to (y/n).

As Oikawa drew her closer, (y/n) felt a blush creep across her cheeks. Feeling flustered by the sudden proximity, she squirmed out of Oikawa's grasp and positioned herself next to Iwaizumi instead. In that moment, a low growl emanated from behind Oikawa. Turning around, the setter found Kenta snarling at him from Kindaichi's lap.

The small canine was far from pleased with this male figure hugging (y/n). To Kenta, he was worse than Kageyama – at least the reserved setter had a sense of courtesy, unlike this guy who seemed oblivious to personal boundaries. Kenta could detect the lingering scent of perfume from the numerous girls who had flocked around Oikawa earlier, and he didn't want someone like that near (y/n). He much preferred individuals like Sugawara or Inuoka, or even the newcomer, Kindaichi.

Perplexed, Oikawa looked at (y/n) for an explanation, but she was preoccupied with calming down Kenta, who was having none of it. Shaking his head in resignation, the setter decided to move further away from Kenta, inadvertently closing the gap between him and (y/n).

In a split second, Kenta lunged at Oikawa, teeth bared in warning. Swiftly, (y/n) scooped up the protective pup, scolding him sternly. Ears drooping, Kenta whined, seeking solace in (y/n)'s comforting presence. She continued to reprimand him until both Kindaichi and Iwaizumi realized what was bothering the little furball.

"Oi, Shittykawa, you probably reek of all those girls' perfumes from earlier. Kenta doesn't like the idea of some walking hormone getting close to his master," Iwaizumi remarked, smacking his friend upside the head.

"It makes sense. The moment he sniffed you, he got upset. Dogs can be incredibly protective of their owners when they sense danger. If he believed you posed a threat due to the overwhelming scents of various perfumes, he would react defensively," Kindaichi added, his voice laced with understanding.

Oikawa sulked, his pout mirroring his inner turmoil. (Y/n) was the one girl he genuinely wanted to impress today. While the fangirls were nice, they were all the same—a predictable adoration that held no challenge. (Y/n) was different. She treated him with a mix of harshness and indifference, and he recognized that it was likely a response to his initial arrogance. Now, thanks to his swarm of fangirls earlier, her dog despised him. Glancing up, Oikawa was taken aback to see (y/n) coddling Kenta.

"Aww, you're such a sweet boy, looking out for me. You were just worried, weren't you, buddy?" (y/n) cooed, showering Kenta with affection.

"Arf!" Kenta barked, his tail wagging in response to (y/n)'s tender words.

Deep down, Oikawa realized that he had misjudged the situation. It wasn't just about impressing (y/n); it was about earning the trust and acceptance of those who mattered to her. And in that moment, he resolved to mend his ways and prove himself worthy not just to (y/n), but to Kenta as well. Little did he know that this incident would mark the beginning of a journey, one that would transform him into a more considerate and genuine person, both on and off the volleyball court.

As (y/n) glanced up, she couldn't help but notice the flicker of distress on Oikawa's face. Concerned, she gently placed Kenta down and scooted closer to him, determined to alleviate his worries.

"I'm sorry, Oikawa-senpai. It doesn't mean you're an actual threat. If it makes you feel better, he absolutely hates Kageyama for no reason. At least there's an explanation for him snapping at you," (y/n) attempted to reason with empathy.

In an instant, Oikawa's ego rebounded, shooting sky-high. The news that his despised underclassman was also on the receiving end of Kenta's disdain brought a surge of delight to both Oikawa and Kindaichi. The two rivals found unexpected camaraderie in their shared approval from (y/n)'s loyal pup. Meanwhile, Iwaizumi sat there, bewildered, alongside (y/n), observing the two jubilant figures puffing out their chests in self-proclaimed victory.

"...Idiots," Iwaizumi muttered under his breath.

"Iwa-chan, so mean!" Oikawa whined, feigning hurt but unable to suppress a mischievous grin. The banter between the two friends continued, filling the air with a playful energy that (y/n) couldn't help but find endearing. Amidst the lighthearted exchange, (y/n) couldn't shake off the growing sense of curiosity about the enigmatic dynamics among these three teammates.

he realized that there was more to these individuals than what met the eye, and their initial impression of Oikawa as merely an arrogant player began to shift. Perhaps there was a genuine vulnerability beneath his charismatic facade, a desire to be understood and accepted for who he truly was.

Lost in these thoughts, (y/n) couldn't help but feel a growing connection to the members of Aoba Johsai High School's volleyball team. In a way, she was beginning to understand the complexities and intricacies of each player's persona beyond their roles on the court. Little did (y/n) know that this newfound bond would shape their journey alongside these spirited athletes, guiding them toward personal growth, unforeseen challenges, and unexpected friendships.

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