"Wow you have some fast reflexes!" I hear someone yell and look to see a girl awing in amazement.
"Oh it's nothing, you should've seen what happened to me before," I awkwardly laugh off as I think back to getting hit with a volleyball face first.
The girl then walks up to me the smile never leaving her face.
"I'm Hina Sato, year 3 class 4. Setter and captain of the team!" She gives out her hand to shake and I accept it enthusiastically.
"Hi Sato-Chan, I'm Ren Nakamura, year 3 class 5 and an opposite hitter!"
"Ohh a spiker, I can't wait to see your skills. Also call me Hina," She kindly tells me.
"Alright I will, you can call me Ren then since my last name is quite long," I smile looking at the cheery girl.
Hina's eyes then begin to widen at me as if she figured out something. "Wait Nakamura sounds familiar. Did yo-,"
"Who's this Hina?" An older lady cuts her off looking directly at me.
Before she could answer I beat her to it.
"Hi I'm Ren Nakamura. I moved from Tokyo and I'm here to join the volleyball club," I introduce myself bowing in the process.
"Ren Nakamura..." She thinks to herself.
I begin to fidget on the hem of my shirt praying that she doesn't know.
"I'm Coach Tanaka. What school did you play for before?" She asks.
Oh that was close.
"Nekoma," I state not wanting to talk much more about it.
"How about position?"
"I play opposite hitter," I hum in happiness.
Coach Tanaka nods and turns around to face the other players. "Girls come over here!"
I watch as they all jog up to us forming a semi circle. Some send me glares whereas others smile.
"Girls this is Ren Nakamura and she will be joining the club. So please treat her with respect," Coach Tanaka states as her eyes wander around all the girls.
"Yes coach!" They shout back.
"Alright Ren let's see what you got," Hina says her eyes wandering from me to the volleyball court.
"Gotcha captain!"
β-
"Chance ball!" Sakura the libero yells as she receives it perfectly.
Right now were in the first set with our team at match point and the other team being 3 points behind.
"Hina send it here!" I call as I begin to run up to the right side of the net.
My eyes watch as the ball comes directly towards me and jump as high as I can.
I notice two blockers on me and begin to see my choices.
Eyeing the possible places to hit I see an opening in the far left corner putting in all my force for a cross shot.
My team watches as the ball lands on the ground making a loud "bang" noise then bounces back up.
Landing on the floor I smile in satisfaction as my team cheers.
"Wow that was a great kill Ren! I didn't know you were a lefty!" The middle blocker and vice captain Akari exclaims still amazed.
"Uh yea I'm actually able to hit with both hands, my right being a bit stronger," I laugh scratching the back of my neck.
"Ahh I knew I recognized your name from somewhere!" Hina exclaims looking at me.
"Uh w-what do you mean?" I stutter my heart beat begging to quicken.
"Your the only girl in the league who can spike with both her left and right hand!" She says.
Letting out a sigh in relief I give Hina a small smile. "Uh yup that's me!"
"Alright girls let's continue!" Coach Tanaka yells blowing the whistle to continue.
After playing a total of three sets our team takes the win after a great spike from Akari.
"Alright girls that's it for today! After cleaning up the gym you can all leave," Hina emphasis getting a room full of cheers.
As I'm picking up the volleyballs I feel a tap on my shoulder to see Coach Tanaka.
"You did great today Ren I see great potential to making it to nationals this season with you on this team," She tells me bringing a smile to my face.
"I won't let you down coach," I state saluting.
She nods in response and turns around but speaks up once again before leaving.
"Also Ren, your just like him, maybe even better," And with that she walks away saying her goodbyes to the other girls.
I'm stuck in my spot as I feel my legs go numb not being able to move.
She knows. But didn't mention it to the others.
"Ren let's go!" Hina calls out causing me to flinch at her voice.
I let out a huff as I jog to Hina and walk towards the exit.
"You sure you're getting a ride Nakamura-Chan?" Aoi one of the first years ask.
I look to her giving a smile in reassurance. "Uhuh my mom just ends work a bit later so I'll wait in here. Also call me Ren or Naka, were teammates after all."
Aoi's smile widens at my words and gives me a firm nod. "Alright then, Ja Ne!"
I wave at her and the others as they begin to walk home together.
Watching them disappear in the distance I decide to take a small stroll around the school to get a better sense of where things are. My mum wouldn't come for another 30 minutes so I had time to spare.
Skipping through the halls I feel myself following the noise of the volleyballs in the distance causing myself to end up at the gym I was at not long ago.
Being cautious this time I peak through the window to see some of the boys still in the gym practicing. I look down at my phone to see that it's 20:30.
Why are they here so late?
As I turn around as if on cue I hear someone yell my name.
"Nakamura-Chan!"
Oh no.
I turn back around to see an excited Oikawa sprinting towards the gym doors and opening it with full force.
"What are you doing here so late?" He asks giving me his signature smile.
"I could ask you the same thing," I retort back only causing him to smile even wider.
"Well some of us decided to stay back to practice and play a game or two. Do you want to join?"
And at that my face immediately brightens up. "Oh I don't want to trouble you guys, it's co-"
But before I could continue Oikawa grabs my arm and drags me into the gym filled with staring boys.
"Oikawa-Chan what are you doing dragging this innocent girl in here?" A boy with short light brown hair asks with a bored expression on his face.
But before I can speak up he beats me to it.
"Well I was asking Nakamura-Chan here if she wanted to play a game or two with us. Soo will you?" He pouts giving me puppy dog eyes.
I hear some of the boys snicker at the captains face and find it somewhat hard to resist as well.
"Oh why not, I'm still waiting for my mum to pick up anyways," I smile at everyone causing Oikawa to jump up and down with joy.
After introducing myself to the rest of the boys we split up into two teams.
On my team we had myself, Yahaba-Kun, Watari-Kun and Iwaizumi-Kun. Whereas on the other team there was Oikawa-Kun, Hanamaki-Kun, Kunimi-Kun and Matsukawa-Kun.
Their side began with Oikawa serving and we all prepared for the big hit since they told me that he's a great server.
I watch as he observes our side till his eyes land on me sending a small grin.
He bounces the ball three times before he tosses it high in the air and begins to run and jumps up hitting the ball with all his power.
The ball comes in my direction at full speed but seems as though it would go out of bounds.
Myself and the others yell "out" only to see it curve a bit going barely in bounds.
I was left stunned staring at the cheeky setter my eyes wide and mouth open.
"Close your mouth sweetheart, you don't want flies going in there," He snarkly replies acting as if his serve was nothing.
"Be quiet Trashykawa!" Iwaizumi glares at the boy.
Closing my mouth I quietly grumble in response apologizing for not getting the ball.
"It's alright Nakamura-San we'll get the next one!" Watari-Kun sympathizes bringing a small smile to my face.
"I'd like to see you try," Oikawa responds staring at me once again grabbing another ball as he prepares to serve.
Alright I got this.
Watching him perform the same routine as before he hits the ball with full force coming at me once again.
I bend my knees being able to get a nearly perfect receive calling at Yahaba to set it.
"Wow good job sweetheart," Oikawa says with a surprising tone.
Running to the right side Iwaizumi and I both call for the ball and watch as Yahaba sets it in Iwaizumi's direction getting him a clear spike.
"Nice kill Iwaizumi-Kun!" I cheer in amazement looking at the boy as he comes to the ground.
He glances in my direction sending a small smile before looking back at the opposing team.
"Ohh Iwa-Chan you have a fan!" Oikawa swoons pointing at the ace.
Before he could respond I grab the ball and throw it in the setters direction hitting him directly in the head.
"Shut up Oikawa-Kun!" I yell my face heating up.
Iwaizumi snickers in response as he watches the boy on the other side wincing in pain. "Oww Nakamura-Chann!"
"Alright guys let's continue!" Kindaichi interrupts the conversation throwing the ball back to us.
-
After playing for almost 20 minutes the score was 25-24 with us at match point after I spiked a line shot with my right hand.
"Wow Nakamura-San your power is insane!" Yahaba exclaims a look of astonishment on his face.
I giggle in response as some of the others agree with his words. "Ahh thanks practice makes perfect. But let's finish this game first."
The boys on my team nod in response as I get back to serve.
I bounce the ball a couple of times to get the best hand position before throwing it up in the air and running towards it for a jump serve. Hitting the ball with all my power it flies straight to Kunimi who receives the ball.
"Sorry guys!" He shouts as the ball is a bit shaky but able to get to Oikawa to set.
We watch as he prepares to toss it to Hanamaki but get tricked as he himself lightly tosses it over the net making it a setters dump.
"Oh you bastard," I hear Watari mumble as he dives for the ball barely making it. "Yahaba!"
Taking it as a signal Yahaba runs towards the ball tossing it in my direction as I begin to run up to the net.
Jumping the highest I could I'm met up with two blockers on my toes. Guess this is a good time to use my left hand.
Spotting an opening on the left side I bring my left hand up and swing it at the ball aiming for it go across.
I watch as Hanamaki dives to get the ball but misses as we all watch it hit the floor.
Falling feet first to the ground silence fills the gym as they all stare at me in shock.
My face begins to flush at all of the eyes at me ands I begin play with my fingers at the awkwardness.
"Y-you just spiked it with your left hand," A familiar voice calls out and I avert my eyes to Iwaizumi who is staring directly at me.
Trying to ease the awkward silence as my face even heats up more I lightly chuckle and smile at everyone. "Heh-he yea I'm a lefty too." I look to the ground not wanting to let the boys see my tomato red face.
I then hear footsteps walk towards me and feel as someone shakes me back and forth. "That was so cool Naka-Chan!" I look up to meet eyes with Oikawa who is smiling.
"Oh thanks Oikawa-Kun I couldn't have done it without Yahaba-Kun's amazing toss," I tell him directing the attention to the brown eyed setter beside me.
His face flushes up at my words letting out an awkward laugh "Oh it was nothing."
"How'd you learn to spike with both hands?" Another voice asks and I look to see Matsukawa look at me with a stern expression on his face.
"I-I uh just practiced by myself th-that's all," I stutter avoiding the gaze he was sending me. He nods in response not fully believing in me but also not wanting to push any further.
"Boys what are you still doing here?!" Someone yells causing all of us to look at the voice who came from none other than the coach.
"Sorry Coach! We all bow and begin to clean up.
Saved by the bell.
--
Walking towards the school exit I get a text from my mum saying that she'll be at my school in five.
"How are you getting home Nakamura-San?" A voice asks and I turn around to face Iwaizumi.
"Oh- uh my mom will be here at any moment, you can go you don't need to stay with me!" I rush out not thinking through my words.
You idiot he never even offered to wait with you in the first place!
"Oh it's alright I'm waiting for Oikawa-Chan anyways," He tells me leaning against the wall. I slowly nod in response looking at anywhere but him.
Well this is awkward.
Both of us are silent for a good 3 minutes as I look down at my phone pretending to be occupied.
"You know when I first heard your name I knew it sounded familiar but I couldn't pin point from where," He speaks up caching my attention. "But it wasn't till you spiked the ball with your left hand that I figured it out."
My eyes widen at the statement and I begin to shake. "I-"
"Your Haruto Nakamura's daughter. " He cuts me off looking in the distance. "The best all around outside hitter who was on Team Japan who is able to hit with both his left and right hand."
Oh no...
"You don't really look like him which is probably why no one recognized you but have a similar welcoming aura and also share the same light brown eyes," Iwaizumi adds making me shake even more.
"But I won't say anything if you're worried about it," He says as he pushes himself off the wall putting his hands in his pockets. "I noticed how you began to stutter when Matsukawa-Chan asked how you learned to spike like that. You were scared of anyone knowing."
My face begins to flush as I look down at the floor trying to maintain my cool.
I let out a big sigh and look up at the spiky haired boy giving him a small smile. "Th-thank you Iwaizumi-Kun."
"No problem at all, it'll be our little secret," He grins back at me, making me shiver at his response.
A honk interrupts us both and we turn to see a car waiting outside in the distance.
The familiar car brings a smile to my face as I turn back to Iwaizumi. "Have a good night Iwaizmui-Kun, oh and call me Naka-Chan!"
With that I turn around and skip towards the black car a smile never leaving my face.
"Aww did I miss heβ oh wait are you blushing Iwa-Chan?!" I hear Oikawa exclaim in the distance.
I then hear a loud smack most likely from Iwaizumi and Oikawa groans in response.
Laughing at the grumpy boy I hop into the car a bright smile on my face.
"I see you enjoyed practice," My mum nudges me a smirk on her face.
"Yup!" I exclaim. I turn to her to see her smirking at the school entrance then at the road as she puts the car in drive.
Driving out of the parking lot the smirk never leaves her face.
"Cute boy there," She finally says causing my face to turn red.
"Mumm!" I blush even harder stuffing my face in my bag.
I hear laughter erupt in the car as we drive back home.
--
I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! This one is quite long but I hope you got the sense of a bit of Ren's past. She's obviously hiding more than she says and Iwaizumi seems to be on her tail... Stay tuned!
You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net