Volleyball League Practice Catch-all

[bluecastleace]

Who: primarily those who signed up to participate in the Void’s new volleyball league, but anyone and everyone is welcome!
What: volleyball practice for the new Void volleyball league
Where: the underground gymnasium
When: early December
Content Warnings: none yet, but will update if necessary!


((ooc: this log is gonna be used for a few practice sessions, as well as a practice game and other such things! Iwaizumi will be sharing his knowledge with everyone and acting as a coach of sorts until the practice game, so feel free to use the TLs to interact with him, or make your own TLs under the sections to start your own threads with your teammates or others participating! also, if you are not a player but want to be in the audience or are playing another role, feel free to make TLs reflecting that! everyone is welcome (walk/ins included!) If you have questions or want to plot, feel free to add me on Plurk at pantheraliam))

Comments

[hightouch]

[At this point, it's practically a ritual for Shouyou to greet the ball with his face or some other, unfortunate part of his body when he's someplace new. He's just standing off to the side, working on his ball control and minding his own business when something slams into his face.]

Gwah! [With a yelp, Shouyou goes flying. To add insult to injury, the ball he'd been practicing with bounces off his chest and goes rolling off, too.]

[bluecastleace]

[Oh no. A familiar “gwah!” from the other side of the court - and who should it be coming from but none other than his would-be kohai, Hinata Shoyo? Iwa’s eyes go a little wide, but even as he’s crossing the net to check on the poor kid, he’s laughing.]

Hey Number 10, you know you’re supposed to receive the ball with your arms, right?

[True, Hinata was not even playing with them, so naturally he wasn’t expecting this, but Iwa can’t help himself - this kid is like a ball magnet!]

Shake it off, nerd. You okay?

[He doesn’t even stop to consider how cruel he might sound to Haru right now.]

[bazooker]

[As soon as Haru saw the ball hit someone, she immediately rushed over toward this new person!]

Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hit you! Are you okay? [She said to Shou before looking at Iwa. She didn't know why he was so mean toward him but Haru couldn't help but speak up.]

Iwaizumi-san, we need to get this person to safety! We need to make sure he is well enough to stand up!

[hightouch]

[And this is why Haru immediately becomes one of Shouyou's favorites. As needed as her concern is, when Shouyou's already pushing himself off the floor and shaking the hit off, it's appreciated anyway.]

I'm okay! [He grins up at her, looking no worse for wear.] This happens a lot during practice.

[Not exactly the most reassuring thing to say, but he's already turning toward Iwaizumi and sticking his tongue out.]

I know that, Iwaizumi-san! I just wasn't looking this way or I would've got it.

[bluecastleace]

[Iwaizumi flusters a little when Haru looks to him - it’s not the most approving look. Then he tosses a hand behind his head and gives an encouraging laugh.]

He’s fine, see? Like he said, this kind of stuff happens all the time - especially to this—-

[He pauses. He should be nice, at least in front of Haru. He drops his hand and smiles - he can’t help it, it was funny!]

Especially to Hinata. [He sticks his tongue out back.] You’re okay, right doofus?

This is my kohai. It’s all in good fun.

[That’s right. Hinata may not be his kohai back home, but what else is he to call him here? He’s a snot-nosed little first year who Iwaizumi, the upperclassman, is guiding. Kohai! He’s gotten pretty used to the idea even in Hinata’s short time here (and besides, he’s in a good mood right now).]

Get off the floor and introduce yourself. You’re getting me in trouble here.

[bazooker]

[Even with his words, Haru wasn't sure how to feel about it.]

Even so, I would much rather have him be on sit on the sidelines for a moment. I don't want another ball to hit him.

[Maybe it was during her time in Mementos that made her fully aware of what happens when one pushes themselves. Or maybe it was how she felt guilty for accidentally hitting Hinata with the ball but she would much rather have him be safe than sorry.

That being said, she turned toward Hinata.]

Even if getting hit is common, I still want to apologize for what I did. Do you need some rest?

[hightouch]

[In any other situation, Shouyou would probably be pleased that Iwaizumi's claimed him as a kouhai, but frankly, when someone as nice and pretty as Haru's fussing over him, his fluster just overwhelms everything else.]

N-no... [Sudden flashbacks to his first few interactions with Shimizu-senpai, complete with the obvious blush. Shouyou scoots back an inch or two, then scrambles to his feet.]

I'm fine, I promise! I don't need to rest or anything. [He shoots Iwaizumi a pleading look, not caring if this is going to result in more teasing later.] Right, senpai?

[bluecastleace]

[Iwaizumi’s rampant homosexuality leaves him immune to such female interactions, so much so that for a minute he can’t figure out why Hinata is suddenly blushing and stammering like a moron. He’s about to say something about it when realizes, but then—-

[Oh yes, he is definitely going to be teased about this later. He should feel damn lucky that they’ve only known each other for a short time or he’d be teased right now in front of Haru.

[Instead, Iwaizumi walks over to him and gives him a decidedly rough slap on the back, grinning a bit.]

This Number 10 is a fighter, Haru. He’ll be fine. If you’d seen him on the court during a game, I don’t think you’d worry a bit.

In fact...[He turns so that only Hinata can see the wicked grin on his face.] I bet he’d probably play with us right now.

[Back to Haru, sweet as an angel.]

You’re doing a good job getting the ball over the net. We should see if you can keep it from making it to the opponent’s hands. [Or heads.]

Besides, Hinata could stand to work on his receives.

[bazooker]

[Haru was no stranger when it came to crushes. She had her fair share with it herself. What was surprising was how fast it came to be when she just met Hinata. When she saw his blush, she knew right away.

It was Haru's turn to feel flustered as this wasn't what she intended on doing! What a strange thing for someone to act this way around her!]

I-If you say so! As long as you are okay, then there is nothing more I can do!

[She mumbled before clearing her throat. As she looked back at Hinata and then back at Iwa, she just wanted to continue practicing!]

Then let's continue, I wish to improve on how to play volleyball! I want to be an asset to the both of you!

[hightouch]

[Haru makes the right call to divert Shouyou's attention back to volleyball; his love and enthusiasm for it tends to overwhelm anything else, even a potential crush.

He lights back up again--after giving Iwaizumi a stink eye for his comment, because wow rude--and practically bounces in place, embarrassment forgotten.]

Don't worry, there's a lot I need to work on, too! And your spike was really good! [He's already edging toward the court, impatient to start.] Besides, Iwaizumi-san's right, I really need to work on my receives. I'll play ball boy for you two!

[bluecastleace]

[Hinata ceases to be flustered to Iwa’s grand disappointment, but at the very least they’ll have a ball boy now. It’s still a win. He gives Hinata a playful nudge and jogs back over to the other side of the court, gesturing for Haru to follow.]

Come on, then! We’re gonna win that next practice game, but only if we keep drilling! You’re up, Haru!

[bazooker]

Right! I'll keep it up!

[Crisis averted! With the volleyball on their minds, she made sure to work extra hard on this practice session! As she continued to play, it made sure to focus mostly on how she hit the ball. As she continued to hit it above the net, it was a lot more challenging than she thought.

However, she didn't seem to mind as she felt that she was improving. Was this what it was like to play sports like this with a bunch of friends? How odd and yet, fun at the same time!

After trying to spike the ball once more, it barely went over the net. Placing her hands on her knees, it was clear a break was needed as she started to pant a little. And yet, there was a part of her that wanted to keep going.]

I'm sorry, I really should have tried a little harder on that one.

[hightouch]

[Treating her like any member of his team comes easily when they've been practicing together like this. Shouyou's quick to approach her when she tires out, words of encouragement already waiting on his lips.]

No way, you've been doing really well! [He tucks the volleyball he'd caught under his arm, grinning.] You're way better than when I started, you know! I could barely hit the ball without my setter's help.

[Though he himself looks barely winded even after dashing around the court, Shouyou glances over at Iwaizumi meaningfully.] Maybe we should take a break, senpai. We've been practicing a long time, right?

[bluecastleace]

[Iwaizumi isn’t looking too winded either, but he and Hinata are both pros at this compared to someone who is just now playing for the first time - and Hinata’s right! Haru has been doing a great job. Iwaizumi approaches them both with a smile, nodding.]

There are some water bottles over there already loaded up. Let’s call it a day, or at least take a break. [He has a feeling Haru may not want to quit altogether, which is awesome, but she shouldn’t push herself too hard.] You’re a total bad ass, Haru. You deserve it!

[bazooker]

[These people were much too kind to her. She wasn’t doing anything and yet, they were praising her for an effort well done. With that, she had to shake her head.]
You really think so? I’m still learning but I’m just glad you think I’m doing well! You two are really nice. [It was certainly a lot better than the verbal harassing her father (and some people) would give her should she do something wrong. She didn’t want to think such thoughts as she made her way to the sidelines.

As she grabbed a water bottle, she got two for her new friends.] Um...this is where I say a job well done? Or good game?

[How does she end a game when she never played one before??]

[hightouch]

"Good job today" works if it's just practice! [There's a tilt of his head as Shouyou takes the water bottle she's offering him, his expression thoughtful.] Eheh... we're not nice, that's just how teams work!

You've never been in a sports club before, right, Haru-san?

[It's not just that she's quicker to tire, it's also the questions she's asking, checking with the two of them for confirmation.]

[bluecastleace]

[Iwa accepts a water bottle as well, and gives Haru a quick nod in thanks before drinking. When he pulls the bottle away from his lips he’s laughing a bit.]

Hinata may be nice, but I’m plain rotten. Thanks though.

[With that he’ll let her answer the younger player’s question, though he already knows from previous conversation.]

[bazooker]

No, I'm afraid not. I've only seen people participate in sports so this is my first time playing volleyball!

[That and Haru taking part in sports would be considered unladylike in the eyes of the idle rich. But as she looked at the water bottle and then back at the two, she gave a small shy smile.]

I wouldn't say that, I've dealt with worse people before. I would consider you two a lot nicer than you think!

[hightouch]

[No sports at all? Can't relate.]

Well, you're doing great! [Haru's small smile gets a huge one from Shouyou in return.] And you can totally play more volleyball with us if you're having fun so far.

Right, senpai? [The smile quickly turns into a pointed look, as if Shouyou would bring his wrath upon Iwaizumi if he disagreed--not that Shouyou thinks he would.]

[bluecastleace]

[Iwaizumi very nearly rolls his eyes, because it is so very obvious that his little kohai here has a major crush on Haru, but he refrains.]

Of course. [No “duh” like he wanted to say. He’s gotta be nicer around Haru, he thinks - her presence just sort of demands it for him.]

Any time you want - seriously. And don’t forget we’ve got that practice game coming up too. We’ll all need to keep working to win.