reluctantsetter | For Boogiedown~

For Boogiedown~

Kenma was standing in the hallway next to the gym, phone in his hand, playing some game to keep himself busy before his match was scheduled tos tart. He never really felt nervous very often, but he was today for some reason. Maybe it was because he knew Manami going to be there?

Of course, he had never really felt nervous when he was playing against Shoyo, even as he watched his friend evolve as a player. He never felt nervous when anyone he knew watched him play, but here he was, feeling a little anxious about his game. Maybe it was because Minami hadn't ever come to a game before. He didn't want to fail at his game the first time someone was seeing him play.

He was still in his tracksuit, standing against the wall, semi-watching others on his team as he played a game on his phone. He was watching the battery die slowly but surely, and that was okay. The only people messaging him was Shoyo, and he let him know that he was about to be out the rest of the day because games.

He heard Kuroo and Lev's voices as they approached him, and Kuroo swung an arm over Kenma's shoulder. "Hey hey get ready to play! You're starting."

Kenma nodded, shifting away from the touch. He sent Minami a text. Game about to start. Hopefully it isn't boring.

He shifted, tugging off his tracksuit, and stood there in his uniform - red and black with a number five on him. He had on his kneepads, ready underneath the warm suit.

He felt cold. And a little annoyed. He usually felt that before a game.

He moved into the gym beside Kuroo. Behind him was Lev. Both were considerably taller than him.

He looked down at his phone and sent another message: Number 5.

Not that he didn't think Minami would recognize him. He put his phone at his side in one hand as he looked up into the crowd.

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The crowd is already raucous, but Minami's yell cuts through the racket anyway. It's a gift.

"KENMA! GOOD LUCK!"

He's grabbed a seat close to the front. Holding a banner painted with... what's probably a cat? Judging by the whiskers he's also painted on his face? Look, he's not an artist, but at least it's red and black. No question which team he's here for!

Minami's voice was unmistakable. His attention shifts towards it, and he sees the sign, and the painted face. It was... more than he expected, honestly. Kuroo and Lev both tapped his back, trying to get attention. He hadn't really realized he was staring up at Minami for so long - he thought only a few seconds had passed. His face got hot. Oh god. He brought one hand over his mouth, attempting to hide the incoming blush.

And lifted his other hand, with his phone in it, in greeting to Minami.

He heard his name being called from his coach, and turned on his heel, walking towards his team to take his spot in the huddle.

He made his way towards the court after they met, starting as setter for his first game. He really hoped it would be at least an interesting watch, although he anticipated a win. They were facing schools that they had beaten before.

Kuroo and Lev were to his right and left, prepared to spike anything he would set up for them.

On the court, Kenma seemed to take volleyball seriously. He talked about it, often, like it was a bothersome social activity that he thought was simply... okay. He played like he really liked it. Gold eyes focused on the ball, no matter where it was.

He was putting every effort into the game. Occasionally, he'd glance up into the stands at his friend. He was careful this time, don't stare. Don't let his eyes linger too long.

His teammates would notice. His coach would notice. Kenma's been called out for zoning before (but mostly because he was bored, staring out into space), but not staring. He wasn't about to have that start today.

Wow. Okay, so: Minami is also not a volleyball expert. He's spent the last week frantically researching, and he's got the general idea. But even he can tell Kenma's good. There's a flow to the play. It's the same on this court as it is on the ice -

There's a particularly nasty spike, and Minami jumps up with the crowd.

"GET IT!"

Kenma's fast and calm. He moves, with Lev and Kuroo, as the three of them form a wall against the spike. He jumps up, the ball hits his hands, and he knocks it down onto the court on the opposite side of the net. His eyes are locked onto the ball, making sure it hits the ground before he relaxes.

The buzzer goes off, one match down. He sighs deeply and moves off the court, the team stands together and as they get off. He retrieves a water bottle and starts drinking from it. He looks around, up to the crowd. Minami's voice stood out the entire time. Was that weird?

His face was flushed from the activity.

He moved, walking to the steps to go up into the stands. He moved towards Minami there. He lifted one hand in greeting.

Edited 2017-02-05 03:22 (UTC)

Minami waves both arms. Just to make extra extra sure his friend spots him.

"KENMA! That was SO COOL!"

He bobs and weaves to the end of the row. Not even pausing for breath.

"The way you all jumped up together like you were a flock of geese and then BAM!"

Minami's excitement, and the way he talked about things, very much reminded Kenma of Shoyo. It was a good thing, he was one of the few people Kenma liked. "T-thanks," Kenma said. He was...embarrassed, a little, from the praise and excitement behind it. His eyes drifted away, looking past Minami.

He shifted his weight, then turned his attention back on him. "Hey after the game..." he hesitated, "do you want to go get apple pie with me?" he asked. It was particularly specific. "I do that after the games sometimes." He usually went alone, but since his friend was here... he figured he'd invite him to join him.

"YEAH! That sounds great - I'll take a later train!"

Minami does not quite grasp the significance of the event. But he does know this is the second thing Kenma's invited him to! And so close together! It's totally gonna be worth the lack of sleep tomorrow. That is a problem for Future Minami.

He grins and balls his hands into determined fists.

"Okay! Win fast so we can get pie!"

"Alright," Kenma answered, nodding. He heard his name again, and he made his way away from Minami. "I'll see you. If we win the next game, the match is over." And that was his goal. He didn't want to keep Minami out all day and night, and didn't want to become a bother to him.

He waved a little, and then joined his team again so that he could start the second match in the set. Best of three, he told himself. It was a fast moving game, and Kenma had every intention to make it move as quickly as possible.

He started again, same as before, his reliable spikers on either side of him. The other team was serving first. And with a ref's whistle, the game started up again.

The opposing team seems to have taken the break to seriously discuss their weaknesses. Even Minami can tell they're a lot more into this match. Charging into the ball, closing gaps it soared through before. Kenma's team holds lead right now - but it looks like a lot harder work!

Minami keeps clapping and hollering. Determined not to miss a second!

Kenma notices the change in their pace, but it only makes him amp up his activity. He doesn't like to do lots of work, so clearly - he is taking this game incredibly seriously. During one particularly tricky point, Yaku is diving on the floor towards the ball, and he saves it - barely. But it's not in a good spot for his setting. He takes off towards the far edge of the net, "Lev!" he calls out. Lev's arm falls back and he whips the ball with his arm, slamming it to have the other team's libero go after it.

Kenma's panting. This goes back and forth for some time, until the ball falls on the other side of the court.

His coach calls time out, if for nothing more than to give the team a chance to breathe. He's panting, and Kuroo ruffles his hair, walking past him to get water for them.

He looks up, waves towards Minami. Kuroo looks, noticing Kenma's attention is diverted, and waves as well. He asks Kenma a series of questions about Minami, and the last seemed to make Kenma's face light up a shade of red that would have been visible from the moon.

He's grateful when the time out is over to return to the court after a pep talk from the coach.

Minami waves back to the both of them. Wanting to encourage the whole team! He does wonder what the blushing is about - but probably Kenma's just hot from playing? Good thing they're on a water break!

Then both teams are tearing back out. Minami jumps back up, waving the sign.

"GO GO GO!"

His enthusaism's infectious. Soon his whole section is on their feet too, stomping and clapping.

Of course Minami could get a whole section cheering for them. It's soon... Kenma's turn to serve. His face is bright red (mostly from exertion). He glances up to the stands, towards Minami and the group he's gotten excited about the game. He steps forward, swings one arm, and knocks it over the net.

Not being in the front line puts him in a different position, really. He plays more defense back here, and he watches the ball get hit back. And forth. And back, and forth. Despite wanting to get through this match quickly, Kenma was noticing the other team was fighting harder. The points shifted back and forth, back and forth.

They soon hit the required points, but without a two point lead, they had to continue.

His team was starting to get tired. Everybody's plays slowed, but eventually - eventually that buzzer went off when he had made it to the front line with his two reliable spikers at either side. He sighed in relief and immediately dropped to the court, lying on his back.

Soon, he picked himself up to get his water bottle and phone, making his way to the bench.

This game was worth at least 3 slices of apple pie.

"KENMA!!"

Minami's already tearing over. It's unclear if that's allowed. No one seems to be stopping him? (Though there's definitely some raised eyebrows in his wake. A couple of Kenma's teammates maybe elbowing each other.)

Anyway - Minami's not paying them any attention. He's too busy dramatically recreating the game, swinging his arms around and bouncing. The excitement of it all is just too much to contain!

"You were AMAZING! The way you just slammed it across the court out of nowhere!"

His teammates are really curious as to what is happening. There are eyes turned in their direction. Kenma tries to ignore them, but he can feel them. So annoying. Instead, he tries to focus on Minami. "Thanks," he said. "I can..."

He turned to look at his team, Kuroo and Lev waving him to go leave.

"I can leave," he said. He looked right at Minami, his voice was a little quiet, he sounded... a little unsure "They're being annoying. Yeah, let's go."

His team was definitely making faces, whispering, and elbowing each other. They don't often see Kenma interact with someone new.

"Good job! You guys all did great!" Minami calls to the rest of the boys. Not wanting to leave them out! They're all obviously close as a team, joking like that! Satisfied he's done his full duty, he trots after Kenma. Rolling up the sign.

"Do you need to change?" he asks, catching up. Then there's a smile. Quick and mischievous that shows off his sharp teeth. "Or I'll bet I can just find some Febreeze!"

He's walking beside Minami when the other starts to talk. He almost stops dead in his tracks, when he hears 'Febreeze'. Kenma turns towards him, giving him an incredulous look. "No. I'll change." He continues moving down the gym halls, towards the locker room. He almost passes it, his mind drifting a little bit.

He stops dead in his tracks, reaches out, grabs Minami's hand, and pulls him into the locker room after him. "Almost missed it," he said. Kenma moves towards the gym bags, his teammates belongings are there, too. They are still preoccupied out in the gym, so Kenma figured it was better to get out of here faster than anything.

He rustles through his bag, pulling out black pants, and a red top with a black cat on it. Used to sharing the space with others, he strips himself of his sweaty uniform, already feeling better to have it gone.

Well... that... sure is a lot more of Kenma then Minami was expecting to see! He feels his ears going hot. Realizes he's probably staring shit and wrenches his eyes up to the ceiling.

It's just changing clothes. It isn't a big deal. Except Minami can't shake that brief glimpse he'd gotten of Kenma's chest.

"Your team seems nice," he blurts out.

"They're mostly annoying," Kenma said flatly. But he didn't say they weren't nice, because he knew that they were. Just...bothersome. He slides on his shirt first, then slips into his pants. He still feels a tiny bit gross, so he'd have to take a lengthy shower when he got home. But for now, this would have to do.

He lifts up his hand, brushes it through his hair. He packs up his stuff and turns towards Minami. "Ready to go?"

Minami laughs at Kenma's reply. It's maybe a little shrill, but still affectionate. What reply did he really expect?

" 'Annoying,' 'annoying,' is there anyone you DON'T think is annoying?"

He's still studying the lighting fixtures. Doesn't quite register that Kenma's done.

"Um. Yeah. Whenever you are!"

Kenma, not sure what Minami was looking at, looked upwards, too. He stared curiously for a moment. "What's up there?" he asked, shifting his attention back towards Minami. He puts his bag over his shoulder and walked towards him. It took a lot for him to completely ignore his phone or games. He pat his pocket to make sure it was with him.

He moved, taking a step past Minami. He took another drink from his water bottle, careful to make sure he continued to drink water, since he spent a lot of time moving. "I'm ready."

"Nothing!! Great! Let'sgetpie!"

Minami grabs Kenma's wrist and charges out of the locker room. Trying to leave all the... distracting thoughts behind him. What the hell, brain?

Unless Kenma pulls away, they make it all the way down the school steps before Minami stops short. Realizing he has no idea where he's actually going. And also realizing they're kind of holding hands and lets go with a squeak.

"Um. Where are we going?"

Kenma was used to people grabbing his hands, giving hugs, or sharing spaces. He never really thought anything of it. And then Minami grabbed his hands and a realization shot through him. He didn't pull away, but he didn't have any control over his face and ears turning a deep shade of red - at least until Minami releases his hand.

"I'll show you the way."

He stayed close to Minami, though, as he led him. They had to go a few blocks to get to the place that had the pie he liked, but it'd be worth the short walk.

It's funny, how you can go from being completely unaware of a thing to intensely so. Take, for example, Kenma's hand. The arc of it hitting a volleyball. The small amount of space between his fingers and Minami's...

Minami shakes his head. Trying to get on a different track. It's not as if he has a problem, being attracted to guys. He'sjust not sure how he feels, in regards to it being Kenma. They're friends!

"So... I really enjoyed the game! Thanks for inviting me!"

Kenma barely liked people, so this was an odd place for him to be. It left him a little confused, but he tried to focus on other things. His mind drifted from games, to volleyball, to cats. That helped. He was able to hold a conversation without embarrassing himself.

Not that he ever typically cared about that, either.

"That's good. Sometimes it can be boring. Today's wasn't, though." What to say, what to say as they walked? "Thanks for coming. I don't normally invite people."

Minami grabs on to that topic. Grateful to think about something besides parts of anatomy.

"What? How could it be boring???! The way you guys tear all over the place and dive?! Then bounce right back up?! Like you're rubber!"

He flings his arms out, imitating one of the dives. Of course he's impressed by that. In Minami's sport, you do everything you can not to hit the ground. Falls can end seasons, even careers.

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SO SORRY MINAMI

Stupid sexy setters :3

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