CHAPTER FIVE

Kei

"You'll-"

"Aella-chan, coach is looking for you!" She immediately looked at the door where Akira is standing. She nodded, then Akira left. Aella looked at Kei, then lowered her head.

"Let's just talk in my dorm, around 7 or 8 in the evening." She then left Kei standing in the laundry room. Kei followed her, but slowly.

She walked towards the gym, and they saw the coach of their team talking to the coach of the other team. Kei looked at the opposing team, and he saw how they looked at their beautiful manager.

He walked towards his team and drank water from his water jog. Akira and the others are talking about the strategies they should use in this practice match.

"Maybe we should use what Aella-chan said. First, second and third tempo?" Ouji suggested. Akira looked at him, and shook his head.

"That could be dangerous, since we haven't practiced it yet. We'll slowly learn it, for now we'll stick to our usual game." Akira said. Aella was listening to them in the corner. She can't help it but give a small smile to the group. "Yumehara Academy! Fight! Yaaaahhh!"

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Aella observed the strength and the specialties of the opposing team which is the Mirai High School while they were warming up.

"You already fought against Mirai High School, you know that their weak spots are strong spikes but they tend to receive it." Coach Takahashi said. Aella was only listening it. As she was still observing the team.

"Yes!" The boys said in unison.

"Calm down, and play according to your strength. Keep in mind that this is like an official mind, also keep your mind clear so that you can keep the ball up. Good Luck." Aella said. They all smiled and huddled up.

They all went to the court and lined up according to their numbers.

"Let's have a great game!"

They all went back to their coaches. Coach Takahashi, chose his regular players which are, Akira, Hayata, Kido, Kei, Ouji, Hiroshi and Kensuke as our Libero. It was a good choice that coach Takahashi chose the best receivers or in defense are the third years. They have to, since the other team looked like they would serve in a short ball.

"Can I talk to you guys?" Aella asked.

"Yes?"

"If the other team served with a short ball, Akira make sure you receive it." She told them. Akira looked at her confused.

"How sure are you that they will do a short serve?" Akira asked.

"Well, its obvious because most of the good receivers of our team are at the back row and they would definitely aim it in front. And also, if Ouji, Hayata and Kido can run faster in front to receive it that won't be a problem." Aella answered. "And that is only an 'If' situation. And if that really happened, Akira, can I count on you?"

"Of course." Akira smiled.

"Can I learn to spike with both my right and left hand?" Kei asked out of the blue.

"What?" Aella furrowed her eyebrows in his question.

"I saw you earlier - you can serve and spike with both your right and left hand. I thought it would be a great advantage, since their players won't get used to the balls rotation." Kei answered. Aella stared at his olive orbs. She bit her lower lips and nodded.

"Let's talk about it soon. Also, I have a technique for you guys. Since you all are great spikers, maybe use spikes for the first 8 points, then use a 'feint'. It will lure the players from the back row to give an open space in the center. Then after 8 points, use spike again since they were able to adjust in the center making the back unguarded. Good Luck!" She smacked everyone's back and winked at them.

Most of the players blushed on how cute their manager is. She walked to their coach and sat beside him. Kei was still staring at the girl who gave a cute and flashy wink. It was unusual for them since Aella speaks with a monotonic voice, she only has stoic facial expression and she's a reserved girl. She sometimes speak a lot, but only about information that can help them improve their skills in volleyball.

"She really is interesting ..." Akira spoke out of nowhere. Most of them are currently staring at their manager. She is currently talking to their coaching, showing her tablet something. "Maybe she haven't discussed it to coach yet."

"Coach will definitely agree on that." Kei said. Everyone was looking at him. "He was the one who suggested that we should pursue her as our manager, he'll definitely won't let her go."

"Yeah," Ouji answered.

"Game start!" The referee from the Mirai High School served first.

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Aella

Like Aella expected, it was a short receive and Ouji was the first to received it. She peeked at the other team, and they smirked since the team's setter was the one who received it. Akira sets it up as a high toss, near the net. Kei hits it, but he was blocked. Akira received it since he was near the ball, Ouji sets it up again but it was Hiroshi was the one who spiked it. No one was there to block him, so it was our point.

The team looked at Aella and gave her a thumbs up about the talk they had about the short ball serve. She wasn't wrong. She observed the opposite teams serve, and most of them are aiming at the front row. Only two from that team were able to do jump serves, while of their team does jump serve.

Kei was now at the service area and he did a jump serve. Aella looked at the poise he had, and it still needs work. But he was able to make it a service ace. Making it, 2 - 0, in favor of their team. And the rally continued.

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The game lasted up to 5 sets, since it was like an official match but it isn't. It should've ended when their team got the first and second set, supposedly ending the match but the other academy insisted on continuing the game, not until they take a set from Kei's team - but sadly they didn't win even a single set.

Aella went out to the water fountain to refill the teams water jogs, but there were players from the other school refilling their water so she waited from a far.

"Their school is one of the best here in Tokyo aside from their great team line-up, outstanding education system, they even got a beautiful manager. Aren't they so lucky?" A player from Mirai High School, and if Aella wasn't mistaken it was the team's captain.

"I know right. Their manager also looks like a daughter of a rich family." Another player spoke, and it was their ace.

"She had this beautiful purple eyes, and snow white skin. Damn, if she has a boyfriend - he must be very lucky!" The captain replied again.

"Excuse me, mind if I use the water fountain?" Aella asked. It was obvious that they were already done refilling theirs, since they're already talking about her.

"Speaking of the angel." They both said in unison. She furrowed her eyebrows on what they said. "Y-Yes. You can use it."

"Okay." She walked to the water fountain and refilled the teams water, four at once. The two young man were checking her out but she didn't bother. She has to give them to the team since they're all thirsty.

"What's your name, manager-san?" The captain asked. "I'm Natsuki Raquel." He introduced and handed his right hand to shake her hands.

Aella didn't bother to shake his. "Aella." That was her only reply.

"So cold~~~~~Aella-chan." The captain said.

"I never said that you can call me 'Aella-chan'. Leave me alone." She glared at the two young man, trying to hit on her.

She sighed when they left her alone in the water fountain. She continued on refilling the water jogs, up to the last jog. Putting in the bag, and walking back to the gym.

She used the back door to enter the gym. The teams are currently doing their hundred serves, as a sign of end of their practice. She left the waters on the bench. Aella went to the laundry room to ready the towels that the boys will use to wipe their sweat.

After their hundred serves, they all sat on the floor and rested as they cool down. Aella stood beside the coach, as she writes every important details that the coach will say to the team. - Everything was about the team's performance, and it was a great idea that they listen to Aella's suggestions and techniques from time to time in their timeouts.

Their coach also informed the team that they will start practicing their individual practice and team practice at a different schedule. He included using the tempos, everyone learning in tossing, greater receives.

"I'll also take my leave during the whole month before the Interhigh." Coach Takahashi informed. The boys and even Aella looked at him, waiting for him to continue who'll teach the boys. Aella wrote a note saying the coach's leave. "Coach Kisaragi will be the one to coach you during those times."

All of them shifted their gaze to Aella. There was a deafening sound happened when she dropped her pen.

"C-Coach, is it Coach Kisaragi Sora?" Aella tried not to stammer when she called the coach's attention but she failed. She was so stiff when she heard the name.

"Yes, my dear. Do you know him?" The coach gave her a meaning look, making her avoid the question.

"Well, if I'm not mistaken ... He's a national player here in Japan, with his jersey number #11. He's left-handed. He studied here in Yumehara Academy from Junior High up to High School, and he has the nickname 'Mr. Sky' since ever since, he was unreachable. He's married to Kasugano Misato, she's still a volleyball player and she is sometimes a sports wear model. They have a daughter named, Kisaragi Mizuki. That's all I know." Aella answered with her eyes on the ground. She was like a human wikipedia, but she has to give the boys basic information about the coach.

"W-Wow, you really know a lot." Ouji was amazed on how Aella was able to give a basic knowledge on their coach to be.

"It was only natural that you have to know who is who. He's an alumni student here." Aella said like it was nothing. How can she admit that she knows that coach?

"Thank You dear, for that information. Coach Kisaragi is a very strict coach. He adores disciplined players." And then, Aella wasn't be able to hear anything.

Maybe she was tired. Whole day, helping, advising, cleaning back and forth. And then she has to make individual practice drills, team practice drills for them to improve. The coach dismissed them little after.

"Coach," coach Takahashi looked at her. "Can I go here tomorrow?"

"Self-practice?" He whispered.

"No. It's already late for me to wash the jerseys and towels so I'll come by tomorrow to wash it." She explained.

"It's alright. You have the key anyways."

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Aella arrived in her dorm and it was very cold. She didn't turn the AC off in her room, so that it won't feel hot in her room. Though, the temperature was bearable since it was not the lowest degree of temperature.

She headed to her bed room to get an over sized t-shirt and cycling shorts. It was a perfect combination since it's time for her to rest, but before that ...

"Shower♪." She hanged her clothes inside the bathroom. She went to her kitchenette to get a temperature water. It would harm her throat if she drinks cold one, while her tongue is sensitive in cold water.

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After taking a shower, she blowers her hair. She doesn't want to go to the dining hall since she was already exhausted in her all-day babysitting trouble makers.

Aella left the bathroom when someone knocked outside her dorm. When she opened it, it revealed a 6'4.5" man. He was wearing a blue hoodie with a "GARU" design from Pucca with a white basketball shorts and a pair of indoor slippers in their dorm.

'I also have the pair of "PUCCA" design sweater and it's in color black!' Aella thought.

She widened the door for Kei to enter her dorm. Their dorm is like a suite condominium. A bedroom with balcony, a mini living room, kitchenette, single bathroom. It wasn't that large but it can take about 5 or 6 people as the visitor.

"Your living room looks nice and its very neat." He commented.

They looked around to see the living room. Upon entering, it would be the shoe rack. About four steps you'll see the kitchenette consisting a small refrigerator, a single stove, the rice cooker and some cooking utensils. From the kitchenette, there is the sofa up to the corner then a single sofa seat. A guitar was in the vacant corner. Behind the single sofa seat was a window and its room size window. Making it more appealing was the purple colored triple curtain. Across the sofa was the wall attached, flat screen television. With small bookshelf below. There was a coffee table in the middle.

"Thanks. Have a seat." Aella offered. "What do you prefer? Energizer, Water or Juice?"

"Juice." Kei simply answered.

"Okay, wait a minute." Aella prepared a pitcher of Blue Lemonade juice. It was her favorite, and all she can offer. It was her first time someone came over to her dorm. "Here."

"Yeah, about the conversation we had earlier." Kei started the conversation.

"Continue,"

"I told you, that I won't reveal your secret being the one who washed our clothes and towels behind our backs ... You said you had reasons. Spill." Kei said without even hesitating.

"Spill?"

"Yeah. What's your reason behind it?" Kei asked, as he drink a glass of the juice and crosses his arms on his chest.

"I really don't know why I did that. When you all left the gym, you forgot to lock it. When I entered the gym, it was quite neat, but when I went to the shower room, it was a mess, so I washed it. That's all." Aella answered as she drink a glass of blue lemonade.

"That's all?" Kei asked. Aella furrowed her eyebrows on his question?

"You wanted more explanation?"

"No, what I meant - maybe, you changed your mind on being our manager." Aella gave him a faint smile. Kei notices it, and he suddenly felt restless.

"What made all of you pursue me in being a manager? All of you know that I hate sports." Aella asked Kei. As he looked at her purple eyes, it was clear as a amethyst gem. You can actually see your reflection.

"Coach said before that, it was to help your grades. But as we - boys observe you, you also helped us, like giving us advice, strategies, techniques. Food consumption, and different individual and team drills. That's something that a person who hates sports can do." Kei gave her an honest answer. Aella lowered her head.

"Then, it's good to hear that you thought of me like that." Aella said in a low and monotonic voice. "I never thought of being a help to you at any form." She added.

"And why is that?" Kei asked. She shrugged her shoulders.

"Do you have any specific meal in your mind?" Aella asked back.

"You didn't answer my question." Kei held her wrist. They were both locked in each others gaze. She's looking at his olive orbs, while he was staring at her purple eyes.

"I thought I would be a bother. That's all." Aella answered. She held Kei's hands to let go of her wrist. He slowly loosen his grip.

"I would like Omelette Rice." He casually answered.

Aella nodded. She stood up, and prepared for their dinner. It was her first time having someone in her dorm, so she was a bit nervous. She doesn't know how to make her guest feel at home.

"You can watch something there." Aella pointed at her TV hanged on the wall. Kei gestured his hands as a 'no'. Aella nodded once again, and started cooking the scrambled eggs.

It took 20 minutes to prepare their dinner. She brought the meal on the coffee table. Aella turned the TV on, and it was on a Utube. She searched some volleyball videos so that she can learn more, even though their upcoming coach before Interhigh is a Demon Coach.

"Can you change it?" Kei asked.

"What do you want to watch?" Aella asked again.

"I want to watch horror videos." Kei answered. Aella's facial expression didn't change.

"Instead of watching horror, shouldn't you watch videos about volleyball?"

"We already had a whole day training, spare me with the volleyball." Kei answered. Aella looked at him confused. He didn't bother to look at Aella, as he started eating. "Y-You cook better than the ladies in the dining hall!"

"Thanks."

They quietly ate their dinner. Kei was asking on how she managed to do spikes and serves with both her right and left hand. She lied about only watching her relative do those. Aella said that she knew how to do it since her relative plays with her before. But one day, that relative got injured and she never saw herself again.

"Where is that relative of yours now?" Kei asked.

"Who knows? Maybe he's out there somewhere - in the process of accepting his fate." Aella answered. She stared at her blue lemonade juice.

"What kind of Injury?" Kei asked once again.

"ACL." Aella answered. "He already got a rehab, so the tears in his knee are all better." She added.

"Then? Why won't he return?" Kei asked.

"You have lots of questions. In my opinion, maybe he's scared of repeating the injury. The doctor said that he can still play, but the taste of defeat during that time when he got injured stung deeply in his heart ... making him unable to play." Aella answered. She held her chest as she succumb the tears she's been holding.

"Do you think he's okay?"

"No. He quitted the sports he loved the most. I think, the more he turns his back on the things he loves -" She answered honestly. She looked at his olive orbs, "the heavier the pain is, greater the pain."

"That made you hate sports?"

She nodded. "After that incident, I started hating it. After seeing someone's life got devastated because of giving up his career and dream, made me hate it."

"Most of the players who got ACL, can return playing after the rehab of six to nine months. I know many players. They were really scared about repeating the mistake, but they fought it and now they are stars. I want to meet him, and say that 'Its okay to be scared. Its okay to give up at first. Do you still love volleyball? If you do, stand up once again and start training! The world is vast and full of opportunities and mysteries! You simply cannot give up!' or like that." Kei answered while slightly laughing. He put his right hand behind his neck.

"I'm sure he'll be happy to know that somebody wants him to return." Aella said in a soft voice.

"Why not?"

"He gave up his career on first year middle school. He's known in Tokyo since he brought his team in nationals, but they lost in finals." She answered.

"He's that good?"

"Yeah."

"I'll be better and be the best. No need for him to return, so I can have the spotlight." He answered. Aella covered her mouth to avoid letting out a small laugh.

"Then start taking practice seriously. I'll talk to coach to give you guys a rest day." Aella said as she picks up the dishes that are on the coffee table.

"Why is that?"

"It's bad for the body to exert itself. Go back to your room. It's getting late." Aella said as she puts the dishes in the sink.

"Aella-san,"

"Hmm?" She hummed.

"Your room looks aesthetically outstanding. You also have guitar, next time ... sing for us. Goodnight. Thanks for tonight." He said as he head to the door. He wore his slippers once again then he left her dorm.

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It was a sunny Sunday Morning. She tired her hair into a braided ponytail. She wore a white tank top, and leggings since she's going to clean the gym. She used her drawstring backpack with her extra t-shirt, her phone, tablet, airpods, keys in the gym and ID. She was debating whether she' wear a rubber shoes or a slipper but since it will be messy if she wore slipper, so in the end she wore a white rubber shoes.

Aella arrived in the gym and it was still locked. She opened the gym, and all she heard was a creaking noise. It was quiet as hell, but it was the best condition. No one will bother her as she clean the gym, wash the clothes and do their banner. It was old so she thought of something new and flashy.

She closed the door and locked it from the inside so no one can enter or no one will barge or bother her while she's cleaning and washing the towels, clothes and everything that needs to be washed. She will also wash a very big clothe, it was 12 feet wide and 4 feet tall and color black. That's where she planned to do her calligraphy.

She started separating the colored clothes from white t-shirts of the players. She put in a cup of vinegar and cup of detergents for their clothes to be soft. While washing the clothes, she turned her phone on and started listening to her music in her phone. It was on shuffle.

She started sweeping at the terrace view of their gym since that's where most of the cheer squad stand and its embarrassing if she won't clean it. Next, she polished it. She repeated it to the other side.

She then goes back to the laundry, to wash the colored ones. After putting the white clothes in the dryer, she went out of the laundry room to sweep and polish the whole gym. She even cleaned the benches, the scoring board. After the whole day of cleaning, the laundry is not yet done. After the colored ones, it was the towel.

She started folding the white and colored clothes, then transferred the towels in the dryer. The last one was the large banner cloth. She placed the t-shirts in the clothes drawer separating the white and colored. Then she folded the towels.

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It was already lunch time, so she went out of the gym to buy meal in the near convenience store. While she was walking, bunch of girls blocked her way. She looked at them, and most of them were glaring and furious. She doesn't even know them.

"Can I help you?" She asked. The girls got more irritated. Aella silently did a head count and they were 16 girls, against her. And she didn't even know what she did and why they blocked her way.

"Why are you being close to the boys volleyball team?!" The girl with yellow hair and pink headband asked.

"Why do you care?" She asked back. The girls were taken a back from her question.

"We're the girls cheer squad of the team!" The girl with a blue hair tied in side ponytail answered.

"Did I even ask? I'm the club's manager." Aella answered. "Stop asking about why I am being close to the team, it's my job to know them individually."

"Does that include inviting the ace in your dorm?!" A girl in long brown hair asked. Most of them gasped in her question but Aella stand still.

"Why? Are y'all envious? Go on. Ask Tsubasa Kei if we did things in my dorm dirty stuff. I won't force you to believe me, even if I said what we did in my dorm." Aella answered as she heaved a deep sigh.

"Kasugano!" A girl with custard hair tied in twin pigtails pulled her hair. They made her kneel in front of them. Most of the girls laughed at her seeing how pitiful she looks like.

"W-Wha-?!"

"We thought that you're a disciplined woman! You're nothing but a trash!" A girl with silver curled hair tied in twin pig tails pulled her closer to meet eye to eye.

All Aella did was to glare and all of them pulled away from her. They were all frightened about the look that she gave. She stood up, and tapped her leggings that got dirty.

"Mind your own business." That was all Aella said as she walked away from the girls.

Damn, this is going to be crazy

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