22| Keio University Volleyball Club

                                    

                                          
Ayame's POV:
                          
   "Ugh, I don't feel like eating school food tonight," I complain to Sato, walking through the hallway with my hands behind my head. School food is so bland, "Maybe we can bother Mi-Mi-chan at work again and pick something up there," I speculate. 
                          
   The halls are fairly empty since most classes are in session about now. Our shoes squeak as we walk along the shiny floor. Outside the windows is a cloudy sky, and all the leaves have turned orange, red, and yellow. 
                          
   "I don't know if that's such a good idea," Sato says, rubbing the back of his neck, chuckling nervously. 
                          
   I grab onto the sleeve of my sweater, skipping along, "Geez, you're always so considerate of Mi-Mi-chan. When are you going to accept your crush on her?" I ask, smirking up at the now flustered boy. 
                          
   "Huh!? I-I don't have a crush on her," he blushes. 
                          
   I giggle, "Sure you don't. It's not like you constantly make it a point to sit next to her. Or like you always bring her food when you go out." 
                          
   "I-... That doesn't mean anything," he defends. 
                          
   I sigh, "Man, you're hopeless," I say, looking out the large windows. Autumn is my favorite season by far. All of the colors are so pretty. Maybe I can force Mi-Mi-chan to go on a walk with me later.
                          
   As Sato and I make our way to the exit, a series of footsteps approach us, getting louder and louder with each passing moment. 
                          
   "What are we gonna do, captain? We don't have anyone that can fill in for Tsuji, and the game against Tokyo is coming up soon. We can't win without our setter," a desperate voice sounds as three upper-classmen come into our view. 
                          
   "Volleyball team?" Sato asks.
                          
   "Yeah, I think so," I respond, watching them closely. 
                          
   So they're down a setter. Setter...setter...setter. I feel like I know someone like that. 
                          
   The girl with long red hair tied up in a ponytail sighs, "That's why we're looking for a replacement. If worst comes to worst, we can always take a player off the bench," she sighs. 
                          
   I slow down my pace, forcing Sato to slow up as well. 
                          
   Those girls are tall, I think. 
                          
   The one with short olive hair rubs the back of her head with a frown, "True, but none of the benchwarmers are trained as setters. This game could end up being one big embarrassment," she says. 
                          
   Setter, setter, setter... MIA! 
                          
   As soon as girls pass us, I zip around, "You're the volleyball team, right!?" I shout, causing them to jump and Sato's eyes to go wide. 
                          
   They stop, looking over their shoulders, and the tallest one with fiery red hair says, "Yeah, what's up?" 
                          
   I smile, "If a setter's what you're looking for, then you're in luck. One of the girls in my dorm hall played setter for her high school team!" I exclaim, putting my hands behind my back with a big smile. 
                          
   The three girls exchange glances with each other before turning around completely to face me. 
                          
   Sato has a dumbfounded expression, "Um, Ayame, I don't think this is a good idea," he says, a bit panicked. 
                          
   "Shh, it's fine," I reassure him. 
                          
   The one with red hair, who I'd assume is the captain, "Really? Is she any good?" she asks.