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Rumors spread.. A new student had suddenly transferred in the middle of the school year,
Tendou approached Ushijima, slithering and standing beside him.
"Wakatoshi-kun!" Tendou grinned,
"Have you heard the rumors? That a new student is transferring here during this time of the year?"
Ushijima faced Tendou before crossing his arms.
"That seems.. inefficient," Ushijima spoke out, though he sounded like he didn't really care about the rumors.
"Why would they do that?" He questioned, with a hint of curiosity this time.
Tendou shrugged, obviously he didn't know either.
"Let's just ask them! If they're even our classmate.." Tendou muttered underneath his breath when he spoke that last part.
Ushijima nodded.
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Ushijima was on the way home, walking silently as the atmosphere around him was peaceful..
Until it was interrupted,
"Ah! I'm s-so sorry for bumping into you!!" The young person bowed apologetically with a panicked expression.
Ushijima brushed it off and nodded,
"It's alright, just watch where you're going next time." He spoke with his neutral tone,
the person was rather feminine.. so it must've been a girl.
with her young golden long pigtails, and cute red glasses.
Ushijima shook off the thought before continuing on his way home.
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The next day.. The new student was going to be introduced,
the teacher called them over, as they walked up in front of class.
Ushijima's eyes slightly widen with surprise before going back to his stoic expression,
It was the same person that bumped into him on the way home.
They bowed politely, before speaking,
"Hello e-everyone!" They spoke out, nervously while stuttering.
"I am Reiko Kisei, I moved from America to here, so I'm half american."
"I'm also a male, I just like styling myself as feminine."
The students silenced down, as they whispered to each other. Reiko fidgeted with his hands as the whispering got to him.
Ushijima and Tendou glanced at each other.
Tendou whispering "he's a cutie!~" while Ushijima slightly rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to Reiko being in front.
"Any questions for him? If you're going to whisper you might as well ask him questions." The teacher spoke out, slightly scolding the students whispering to each other.
A student raised their hand,
"If you're half american, why do you have a Japanese name?"
Reiko faintly smiled, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment.
"My mother wanted me to have a Japanese name, because she's the Japanese one and my dad is American."
The students softly gasped or continued being indifferent with Reiko's statement.
Ushijima continued to pay attention to Reiko,
The more he looked at him.. the more, he looked familiar.
After some questioning, the teacher assigned Reiko next to Ushijima.
As Reiko was walking to his assigned seat, a student stuck out their foot, hoping that Reiko would trip and fall.
Reiko did not see it and almost fell forward,
But just in time, Ushijima quickly reached out his arm to hold Reiko steady.
The teacher saw the scene happening and sent the student to the principal's office.
Reiko bowed, as a thanks to Ushijima while Ushijima nodded again.
"No need to thank me," Ushijima spoke,
"Okay then.."
Reiko sat beside him.
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After class, it was finally club time.
Ushijima and Tendou was walking to their gym, before Reiko stopped them,
"Hello!" Reiko spoke out with an awkward smile.
Tendou greeted back smiling, Ushijima waved slightly.
"Heya, Kisei-san." Tendou spoke out, curious to see what Reiko needed from them.
"You guys.. are from the volleyball club right?"
"Yes indeed, why are you asking?~" Tendou teased,
"Do you wanna be our manager?"
Reikos eyes widened, before going back to his fidgety expression.
"Uhm.. I was hoping I can be.. because.. I don't have a club." Reiko softly spoke, embarrassed.
Ushijima glanced at Tendou using his peripheral vision.
"May I speak with Tendou for just a moment, Kisei?"
"A-ah.. sure!" Reiko smiled, before going to the sides.
"Tendou, you do know that Coach Washijō wouldn't accept Kisei?" Ushijima spoke bluntly,
"You know how he is,"
Tendous nose scrunched, quite irritated.
"Don't be a mood killer, Wakatoshi-kun!" Tendou poked Ushijima with his finger.
"Who knows, Kisei-san might live up to Coach Washijō's expectations!"
Ushijima glared at Tendou, before slightly looking back to look at Reiko.
Reiko as usual was fidgeting with his hands, nervously.
"Does he even know how volleyball works?" Ushijima turned to face Tendou again.
"We'll never know, unless we ask him!" Tendou pushed Ushijima to the side before walking up to Reiko.
"Kisei-san! Do you know how volleyball works?" Tendou smiled,
"Yeah.. my father plays." Reiko looked up at Tendou.
"Okay good! Let's ask Coach now!" Tendou grabbed Reiko's wrist before dragging him to the gym.
Ushijimas eye twitched for a moment, before following both of them.
Tendou walked up to Coach Washijō before bowing politely.
The other members looked curiously at the duo with a new person.
"Coach Washijō.. there's a person who wants to be a manager here."
Coach Washijō stared at Tendou then glanced at Reiko standing beside him.
"Hah? No."
Reiko looked heartbroken, before stepping up.
"Uh- Coach.. please let me atleast try. If you don't like how I manage then.. I'll leave you alone!" Reiko spoke out, a little desperate.
The other members were shocked to see that someone was actually talking back to their own Coach.
Coach Washijō was silent, then crossed his arms.
"Fine, just try out for today!" Coach Washijō spat out,
"Mark your words.."
Reiko bowed in gratefulness before Tendou grabbed his shoulders and jumped around him.
Ushijima looked quite surprised.
The practice went on, and Reiko was at the sidelines taking notes of the players.
When it was break time, Ushijima approached and took a look at his notepad, and taught him how to organize it.
Tendou and Reon gave each other looks, it was shocking that Ushijima actually made the first move to speak to the training manager.
Reiko was grateful for Ushijimas guidance,
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Practice was finally finished.
Coach Washijō told Reiko to come over,
"Kisei."
"Yes sir?.." Reiko spoke out nervously,
Coach Washijō faced the volleyball members, before announcing.
"Reiko Kisei is now your new manager! Behave and treat him well."
They were awfully shocked, but clapped for him.
Tendou skipped happily and approached Reiko.
"YAY!!! You're our new manager now! Congrats!" Tendou smiled, before ruffling Reiko's hair.
Reiko finally gave a wide smile, Ushijimas expression softened by a little.
After that, the players filtered out from the gym. It was just Reiko and Ushijima alone.
Ushijima was still practicing his spike serves, as Reiko was cleaning up whatever was left in the gym.
He approached Ushijima, quietly before standing in place.
"Kisei-san." Ushijima spoke out bluntly, Reikos head shot up to make eye contact with Ushijima.
"I know you, we had been classmates since we were younger."