ため野矢の: Because of Noya

落ちる Fall

"Are you sure the nets are in the boys locker room? I could have sworn I put them in the shed yesterday with Yamaguchi-san...."

Once again, the morning began with texts. This time, it wasn't from Amari-san, nor concerning Nishinoya or love in any way (Thank the stars. At least I get a leeway once in a while to clear my mind of that). Instead, it was to another usual and expected topic- volleyball.

"There must have been a mistake. The last few are right on the floor near the entrance."

The text was immediately sent right after I made mine. It was typical of Kozume-san, after all. He spends most of his day on either his phone or portable play station, so typing and hand-eye coordination is a breeze for him. I, on the other hand, trained mercilessly to keep up with Amari-san's quick pace.

"You're the only one in there, right? And clothed?"

I asked, hesitantly walking up to the tainted red door of the boy's locker room. I turned both ways hastily and nervously like a child trying to steal a snack before dinner. Either way, I was extremely skittish about entering out of the blue for VOLLEYBALL NETS that were in there! Wouldn't pinnies be a bit more reasonable? Yamaguchi-san was tired yesterday, I'm sure he must have left them there accidentally.. A very odd one at that, when the shed is outside of the gym. Maybe he expected me to take care of it? But I can't en-

"Come on, Nakemura-san! Practice starts very soon and the coaches would be confused as to why we're here this early."

A ding jolted me out of the anxious trance as I fiddled around in a black-clothed pocket for my phone. Although, I frowned upon reading it. This tone want very familiar to Kozume-san's regular, straight-to-the-point talk. It was more in a carefree tone that didn't fit his profile at all, more lighthearted and filled with a personality I couldn't pinpoint. Hey, maybe I was overthinking it. I couldn't judge, anyways. If Kozume-san only knew what goes through my head throughout the day..

"Yes. I'm coming now."

I took a few shaky, deep breaths and shook my hands free of jittery feelings before gently pulling the latch of the door, only to quickly release it and slam the door behind me afterwards when I was inside. It left a painfully echoing sound into the locker room and a queasy feeling in my stomach at the embarrassment- though thankfully, nobody but Kozume-san was there to hear it. Right?

Yosh, I was in. Now, Kozume-san should be behind the brick wall, waiting f-

"TANAKA! YOU THERE? I HAVE YOUR SNEAKERS YOU LEFT YESTERDAY!"

A voice carried throughout the large room, causing my heart to practically palpitate out of my chest. I stumbled over my feet trying to to hit the solid wall, almost throwing my self off balance and to the ground in the process. Putting a pale hand over my mouth, I huffed into it in short, raspy, hot breaths- careful not to let anyone here or know of my presence.

Now that I heard Sugawara-senpai's voice in here. Expecting me to be Tanaka-san.

Speaking of which, if I could strain my ears properly.. Are those more clothes rustling? And chit-chat at the far end of the room? THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE?!

Kozume-san, what on earth have you done to me now.....

"Tanaka? Helloooo?"

Sugawara-senpai's voice echoed as light footsteps shuffled out into the middle of the hallway, looking for the second-year.

I prayed with every single drop of faith left inside of me that he wouldn't come to the door, so I quietly shuffled to the solid surface so my back could graze against the wall, allowing me to slide down quietly and curl up with my knees tucked solidly into my chest.