—003.

Unfortunately, Coach Yonezu didn't allow him to practice even though his nose was better on Monday. He expected it, but it didn't make him feel any better. A small frown formed on his face as he lightly touched the tip of his nose. Shimizu winced. It still hurt, and his absence from practice was extended to another day.

Y/N sat in the stands in front of the track as he ate his lunch, his mind void of thoughts and his expression blank. He never had people to talk to outside of track, but it never bothered him. It was the fifth year in a row like this so he'd gotten used to it, as depressing as it looked— he liked the silence.

The downside was that he had to be conscious of the time. He wouldn't hear the bell from this distance so when he finished eating, he packed up his bento and walked back to his classroom, putting the box in his bag and sitting at his desk.

He looked at the clock. Only thirty more minutes until lunch was over. The boy sighed, resting his cheek in his palm. He'd just wait out the thirty minutes, no issue.

"Score! Little Shimizu, you're here!!"

...what?

Tanaka-san and two other people approached his desk, pulling up chairs to sit with him.

"We didn't get to introduce ourselves because Hinata, Kageyama, and this guy took up all your time." The guy with brown hair said, jabbing his finger into Tanaka's side to emphasize his point.

"Ennoshita Chikara, nice to meet you."

"Kinoshita Hisashi!"

Shimizu nodded, fixing his glasses and bowing as much as he could in a seat. "...u-um, my name is Shimizu Y/N, it's a pleasure."

Tanaka claps his hands excitedly. "Cool, everyone knows each other now! Enough talking, I worked up an appetite trying to find you."

Y/N's expression faltered slightly. He didn't mean to worry him, he didn't even know Tanaka and the others would like to eat lunch with him. "...I-I'm sorry, I didn't know you—"

Ennoshita shakes his head. "Don't apologize. Tanaka makes impulsive decisions like that on a whim. It's okay."

Shimizu hesitantly nodded. "...s-sorry, Ennoshita-san."

Ennoshita was about to say something but held back after noticing how on-edge Shimizu was. Hisashi noticed it too with how he intently stared at the other— but kept quiet.

"Hmm?" Tanaka stopped eating and looked around Y/N's desk with a confused expression. "Where's yob food?" He asked with his mouth full.

"Mind your manners, Tanaka."

He swallowed as he placed his bento down, pointing his chopsticks at Y/N accusingly. "Where's your food? Don't tell me you plan on coming to practice with an empty stomach!"

Shimizu picked a cuticle. "...I already ate it, s-sorry, I didn't know you three wanted to eat with me."

"Huh?" Kinoshita took a bite out of his onigiri. "Lunch started fifteen minutes ago, though?"

Tanaka nodded. "Yeah, that's suspicious little Shimizu. You aren't lying, are you?"

Y/N waved his hands around frantically. "...n-no!" He quickly reached into his bag and brought his bento, showing them the empty container in hopes it would dispel their worries.

"Oh, so you're just a fast eater?"

He's never thought of it that way. In theory, it sounds accurate, but he doesn't see the point in eating slowly. If he enjoys his food, he'll eat it; simple as that. "...I-I guess?"

Sighing, he returned his bento to his bag and checked the time— only twenty minutes until lunch was over.

He watched the three talk and tease one another as they ate, deciding to work on his math homework until lunch was over. It wasn't like he could join in on their conversation, he wasn't their friend— and speaking out of turn was disrespectful.

"Oh! Chikara, Hisashi, you won't believe what little Shimizu told me on Saturday!" Tanaka exclaimed as he struggled to open his juice packet– a bright smile adorning his face when he broke its seal.

Kinoshita rolled his eyes and kept eating while Ennoshita decided to humor him. "What was it?"

"Kiyoko-san talks about me! To her little brother!! She thinks about me at home!" He smiled as a warm tint of red flew to his cheeks, resting his cheek in his palm and sighing.

Tanaka's friends shared a knowing look, sighing in feigning annoyance. "Wow. Are you sure it's not because you embarrass yourself in front of every day?" Kinnoshita's sarcasm caused Ennoshita to chuckle and Tanaka to gasp.

"Nuh-uh! You're just jealous!"

"Unlike some people, I'm capable of holding a conversation with Kiyoko-san without looking like an idiot."

"That's targeted!" Tanaka pointed out.

Kinoshita lightly kicked him under the desk, and he let out a tiny squeak. "Shit, are you okay? I didn't think I hit you that hard."

Shimizu shook his head as he anxiously dropped his pencil. "...n-no, you're fine sorry for not paying attention. D-Did you need me for something?"

"Yeah, does Kiyoko-san really talk about him at home?" Kinoshita points in Tanaka's direction and lets out another annoyed sigh.

Shimizu fixes his glasses— tugging his cuticle absentmindedly. "...s-sometimes, it's mostly about how he fails trying to talk to her."

"Told you,"

Tanaka tsks, squeezing his juice packet harder. "You guys are such fuckin' haters! Whatever, little Shimizu, why're you doin' homework?"

"He's doing better than whatever the hell you do in class." Ennoshita rolls his eyes as Kinoshita giggles.

"BRO? Is it Bully Tanaka Day or something??"

"You can't call every shot thrown at you, 'bullying' Tanaka."

Kinoshita smiles slightly when Tanaka flips them off, mumbling under his breath about how they're assholes.

"Oh, speaking of bullying, Kageyama said you were comin' to our practice match?"

Kinoshita looked at him with a confused expression. "How does that correlate to bullying?"

Shimizu fixes his glasses again. "...y-yeah, um, my track coach said I couldn't practice because of my nose so it should be okay."

"Score!"

A lump formed in his throat. Tanaka-san wanted him to come? "...a-are you sure it's okay for me to go? I-I'm not part of the team so it might be a bother," He gulped nervously, focusing his gaze on his papers when the three stared without a word.

Tanaka spoke first. "'Course we want you to go, why else would we ask?" He huffed, resting his cheek on Shimizu's desk. "Yanno, for being in class five you sure ask some stupid questions."

"Shut it, baldy."

"...asshole," Tanaka mutters under his breath as Kinoshita giggles.

Ennoshita speaks after. "Unless you don't want to go then you don't have to. I think I speak for the people who've met you, we'd be happy if you came to our game— even if it is just practice."

"...n-no!" Shimizu waves his hands frantically. "...I-I just thought—" The boy bit his inner cheek before shaking his head. "...s-sorry, um, I'll go– if it's okay."

Y/N rubs his eyes under his glasses, continuing to pick his cuticles at the silence stretched. He felt his skin crawl the longer everyone stayed quiet, biting his lip and hoping his eyes wouldn't start to glaze.

"You good, man?" Tanaka asked as he played with Shimizu's pencil.

If he spoke his voice would get weary and he'd start crying, so he nodded– keeping his eyes on his shoes.

Tanaka looked like he was about to say something, but the bell rang before he got to speak. Kinoshita stretched, yawning as he grabbed his bento off the desk. "Alright, it was nice talking to you Shimizu-san. Make sure to be at the game, okay?"

Ennoshita went with him, waving goodbye as they walked off.

"Make sure you swing by the clubroom after school, okay?"

Shimizu nodded, pushing his glasses up his nose bridge. "...y-yes, Tanaka-san!"

He can't help the exhale he lets out when alone, softly sniffling as he wipes his eyes.

The sound of his teacher calming down the class soothed his nerves, reeling himself in with the familiarity. Y/N breathed. He could do it, it was just a practice match. He's followed his sister to other practice matches, this was no different.

Shimizu inhaled. He was okay.

Everything would be okay.

-:-

"Woah, Y/N!" Sugawara-senpai exclaimed when he saw the boy sitting on the stairs leading to the gym. "You're early, Daichi's not even out yet." The older giggled, sighing as he started to unbutton his gakuran.

Shimizu bowed. "...e-excuse my intrusion, Sugawara-senpai."

The older grinned, patting Y/N's shoulder gently. "You're alright. Wanna stay here until everyone's ready? Crowds aren't your thing, are they?"

"...I-If it's okay with you, Sugawara-senpai."

Suga nodded and walked to the clubroom, leaving the boy alone until it was time to board the bus.

...

Shoyou apparently puked on Tanaka during the ride, explaining why Tanaka had shorts on when they left the bus.

Shimizu would say the bus ride wasn't as stressful as he thought it would be, since he was asleep, holding onto his sister's hand the entire time.

"Y/N-kun, could you come here for a minute?" Takeda beckoned him over with a warm smile on his face.

Kiyoko looked over before squeezing his hand, pressing a soft kiss on his cheek. "I'll be in the gym to set up, so follow Daichi and Suga, okay?"

He hesitantly nods, waving his sister goodbye as he walks to where Takeda is waiting. Before the teacher could say anything, he bowed. "...t-thank you for letting me come, Takeda-sensei."

"O-oh! It's fine, there aren't too many people on the team anyway, but next time tell me beforehand, okay?" He chuckles, fixing his glasses before sighing. "Since it isn't an actual match, you'll be on the bench with me and Kiyoko. If you need anything, don't be afraid to ask!"

Y/N nods. "...o-okay, Takeda-sensei." He bowed before leaving, finding Daichi and sticking by him as his sister said.

"There you are!" Daichi-senpai said happily, patting his head slightly. "Okay, that's four, Hinata went to the bathroom, Shimizu's in the gym, and..." The captain looks around before sighing, shoulders drooping as if the world weighed on them.

"Where's Tanaka?"

Suga giggled and pat Daichi on the back. "Probably causing trouble. Go get 'im captain!"

Daichi sighed as he went off to look for him and the other first years, Shimizu silently trailing behind.

In the corner of his eye, he noticed someone with green hair wearing the volleyball team's jacket. Curious, he peeked over the corner to see what they were doing.

"—Those elite gentlemen are all frightened now. Poor thing."

"Yeah, you're right. I oughta wait until the game before I start pickin' on 'em."

'They were... bullying the other team?' Shimizu questioned, pushing his glasses up his nose bridge.

"Ah!" Daichi exclaimed behind him, forcing a surprised noise out of the boy– gaining everyone's attention. "I only took my eyes off you two for a second!" He approached them and bowed slightly, apologizing before pushing them with the rest of the group.

Shimizu hastily followed, missing the way the other team's eyes lingered on him for too long.

...

"Dude, didn't you say Karasuno only has one manager who was pretty?" Kindaichi asked, pointing at the pretty boy with glasses behind their captain.

"I thought they did! He doesn't even have the uniform on, don't blame me!" Yahaba said back, tugging on Kindaichi's sleeve with a huff. "Let's go back before Iwaizumi-san gets mad."

...

The team makes it to the gym with minimal effort and Shoyou almost immediately goes to the bathroom after Tanaka's pitiful attempts at comfort. Shimizu walked over to where his sister was, sitting on the bench with a blank expression.

"Hey, Y/N?" Kiyoko called him over, her hands full of water bottles. "Can you help me fill these up? I have to go find the pinnies."

The boy looked at her confusedly as he stood up, taking the bottles from her hand. "...pinnies?"

Kiyoko nods. "The vests they wear for practice games." She takes several towels from a bag and places them somewhere safe before looking for their manager.

Shimizu looked at the bottles in his arms before sighing, shakily fixing his glasses as he looked around for a water fountain. He crossed over to where Sejoh practiced, contemplating if he should ask someone for help.

...

Mattsun paused his stretches, looking over his shoulder at Karasuno's manager (?) who looked very uncomfortable. "Is that guy okay?"

Makki peered over his friend's shoulder with an equally confused expression. "Holy shit."

Iwazumi looked up from tying his shoes, curious at what the two were talking about. Following their gaze, his eyes landed on a man so pretty it put Oikawa to shame. From what Iwa could tell, he was Karasuno's manager— though, it was weird he didn't have their team jacket on — and was looking for somewhere to fill the bottles in his hand.

"Stop staring and continue practicing." The ace reprimanded, getting up with a sigh.

Maattsun and Makki looked at each other before looking back at their friend, Hanamakki had his arm slung around Matukawa's shoulder as sly grins formed on their face. "Oh? Is the oh-so-reliable vice-captain going to help that poor– poor boy over there?" The middle blocker teased, breaking a laugh out of his partner.

"It's almost like that's my fucking job."

The two shared another glance, trying their hardest not to giggle. Mattsun spiked his hair up and frowned. "Are you lost, baby girl?"

Immediately picking up on what Mattsun was doing, Makki stepped back and looked at his partner with doe eyes. "Oh! What's a big and handsome like you doing here?"

Mattsun made a poor attempt at mimicking Iwazumi's voice, letting out a deep chuckle, grabbing Makki by his waist, and intertwining one of their hands together, spinning him around before dipping him. "Trying to help a pretty thing like you, cutie."

"Oh Iwa..."

The two began to make exaggerated kissing noises, mixing in soft 'Oh Iwa's and 'I've got you, baby girl's in their scenario.

Iwazumi grabbed a nearby volleyball, aiming it at Mattsun before throwing it. Unfortunately, the middle blocker ducked out of the way, colliding with Makki on the floor before laughing. "That really must've gotten to you– pfft– you're red as shit dude!"

"Shut the fuck up!"

Before Iwa could do anything to them, the sound of bottles falling on the floor resonated through the gym and a ball colliding with something hard.

"Holy shit, Shimizu-san are you okay?!"

The three third-years paled before looking at Karasuno's manager. His nose was bleeding and there was a small cut on his cheek that was stained red.

Makki looked back at the ace with a blank expression. "You fucked up."

...

Y/N can't believe his luck. As soon as his foot stepped on the white tape around the net, a ball collided with his semi-healed nose, a pain worse than the one Shoyou gave him spreading through his face.

If he had a one hundred yen coin for how many times his face has been assaulted by a ball every time he stepped on a court, he would have two hundred yen— which wasn't a lot, but seeing as he's only stepped on a volleyball court twice, it was unfortunate that it happened back to back.

Someone on Aoba Johsai's team ran up to him with guilt on his face. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hit you— I can help you get some ice and clean up the blood if you're okay with that."

Shimizu sniffled, biting his inner cheek when another string of pain came from his nose. His mind wracked with thoughts he couldn't discern, his heart rate accelerating and his eyes getting wet. He wiped the blood off his face, trying his best not to start crying when that only caused more blood and pain.

Before he knew it, he was the center of attention. Aoba Johsai's players looked at him with pity as more players from Karasuno crowded around him. Voices overlapped and different hands were touching him— too much stimulation at the same time.

Then, the worst possible thing happened. As much as he tried to stop it, he felt a tear slip past his cheek which only caused more noise— too much noise. He can't stop their talking, they won't leave him alone— too close, too many hands— too many people– too many—

"Oh my fucking— everyone back up!"

Sugawara's voice stopped him from spiraling harder, the nerves settling when the voices and hands stepped away from me. The older stepped in his line of sight, gently picking him up by his arms. "Just breathe, Y/N, we'll get you fixed up soon."

Breathe, he could do that.

Unconsciously, he began to follow Suga's heartbeat, trying his best to keep his cries down as the two left the gym.

He couldn't show his face there ever again. The other team probably thought he was a crybaby, sniffling and begging to be pampered by a small nosebleed. Who breaks down just because people are rightfully concerned about him?

"Hey, none of that now." Suga placed him down on the bathroom counter, rubbing his back gently. "You aren't a crybaby, and you can't blame yourself for getting overstimulated. You can't control things like that, Y/N."

Shimizu wiped his eyes, hoping to scrub them red and dry. The grey-haired male noticed and placed his hand on Shimizu's arm, gently putting it beside him. He grabbed a handful of paper towels and dunked them under cold water, using them to wipe the blood off his face. "You're fine honey, just keep holding my hand, okay?"

Confused, the boy looked down and noticed that somewhere along the way, he grabbed onto Sugawara's hand, tightly gripping it as he would with Kiyoko whenever he was scared. Suga must've noticed his nervousness because he squeezed back. "I don't mind, don't worry. You have cold hands, you know?" He giggled, placing a new paper towel on his nose to soothe the pain as much as he could.

Y/N winced— thighs tensing when he felt the chill. "Yeah, sorry honey, I know it hurts. Can you tell me how bad?"

"...h-hurts a lot— 'm sorry S-Sugawara-senpai..." The boy mumbled, squeezing Suga's hand tighter to the point his knuckles turned white.

The other didn't seem bothered by the squeeze, instead, he rubbed his thumb over Y/N's knuckles soothingly. "Don't be sorry, it's not your fault that the balls seem to like your face. Can't blame them either, it's a cute face."

Before Y/N could answer, the bathroom door opened and the same boy who apologized before stepped in, holding an ice pack in his hand. "Are you okay? I'm really sorry, I was aiming for someone else, didn't mean to hit you– honest."

"I brought an ice pack, and some food but it's outside right now." He never made eye contact with either of them, preferring to stare at the floor as he held out the ice pack for them to take.

Suga took it with his free hand, tossing the paper towel and