Another Manager (Akashi Seijuro x OC)

2.8 Illusionary Hero (part two)

Reference:

Karasuno High School:
Coach - Ukai Keishin
Teacher Advisor - Takeda Ittetsu
Manager - Shimizu Kiyoko - 3
Manager - Akatsuki Ai - 2
Manager - Yachi Hitoka - 1
#1 Sawamura Daichi (Captain) - 3 - WS / Opposite Hitter
#2 Sugawara Kōshi (Vice Captain) - 3 - S / Pinch Server
#3 Azumane Asahi (Ace) - 3 - WS / Opposite Hitter
#4 Nishinoya Yū - 2 - Li
#5 Tanaka Ryūnosuke - 2 - WS / Outside Hitter
#6 Ennoshita Chikara - 2 - WS / Outside Hitter
#7 Kinoshita Hisashi - 2 - WS / Pinch Server
#8 Narita Kazuhito - 2 - MB
#9 Kageyama Tobio - 1 - S
#10 Hinata Shōyō - 1 - MB
#11 Tsukishima Kei - 1 - MB
#12 Yamaguchi Tadashi - 1 - MB / Pinch Server

Metropolitan Nekoma High School:
Head Coach - Nekomata Yasufumi
Coach - Naoi Manabu
(Borrowed Manager - Akatsuki Ai)
#1 Kuroo Tetsurō (Captain) - 3 - MB
#2 Kai Nobuyuki (Vice Captain) - 3 - WS / Opposite Hitter
#3 Yaku Morisuke - 3 - Li
#4 Yamamoto Taketora (Ace) - 2 - WS / Outside Hitter
#5 Kozume Kenma - 2 - S
#6 Fukunaga Shōhei - 2 - WS / Outside Hitter
#7 Inuoka Sō - 1 - Former MB / WS / Opposite Hitter
#9 Teshiro Tamahiko - 1 - S
#11 Haiba Lev - 1 - MB
#12 Shibayama Yūki - 1 - Li

Fukurōdani Academy:
Head Coach - Yamiji Takeyuki
Coach - Takizawa Yoshifumi
Manager - Suzumeda Kaori - 3
Manager - Shirofuku Yukie - 3
#2 Washio Tatsuki - 3 - MB
#3 Sarukui Yamato - 3 - WS / Outside Hitter
#4 Bokuto Kōtarō (Captain & Ace) - 3 - WS / Outside Hitter
#5 Akaashi Keiji (Vice Captain) - 2 - S
#7 Konoha Akinori - 3 - WS / Opposite Hitter
#10 Anahori Shūichi - 1 - S
#11 Komi Haruki - 3 - Li
#12 Onaga Wataru - 1 - MB

Ubugawa Private High School:
Coach - Nakazaki Jyunichi
Coach - Akita Yōsuke
Manager - Miyanoshita Eri
#1 Gōra Masaki (Captain) - 3 - WS
#2 Ashiya Yōhei
#4 Nanasawa Kengo
#5 Sengoku Shingo
#7 Isehara Yūji
#9 Yukawa Kōji
#12 Nakagawa Toshimi

Shinzen Private High School:
Coach - Sasagawa Yoshiki
Coach - Aragawa Shinpei
Manager - Ōtaki Mako
#1 Ogano Daiki (Captain) - 3 - WS
#3 Naguri Shōta
#6 Shimafu Noriaki
#7 Chigaya Eikichi - 1 - MB
#8 Kodama Masaru
#11 Akitani Yū
#12 Yoshikawa Kazutaka

***

Just a club, the middle blocker kept telling himself. To not get hurt... the way he had when he found out that his dear brother had been lying to him, and the way his brother had cried in the dark bedroom with frustrating despair. An illusionary hero.

Some people would reconsider going to a powerhouse school if they didn't even get to play, much like in the match against Tokonami that Tsukishima had gone to watch years ago; on the left side was a third-year with a different name, and the ace had been a second-year dubbed the Tiny Giant. It had been Akiteru's last tournament of his third year, but he wasn't on the court or in the warmup zone downstairs.

Volleyball and being the ace for his team seemed like it was everything his brother stood for. It defined him, his identity. And, it made him tell pointless lies.
In truth, Akiteru was probably trying to believe in it himself, as if he could become it if he tried hard enough.

But, as he tried... Would it be worth all of that trouble and desperation?

.

Yamaguchi had been envious of Tsukishima's confidence from the day they first met. He wanted to be brave like him. The taller middle blocker had always done everything in a cool, smart way, and he was jealous of his friend's admirable qualities.