Well, if you get it into your head, what could I possibly do to stop you?
In all seriousness, I can't imagine any of those guys NOT getting the same protective instinct as soon as they meet him Even now that he's an honest to god teenager, he's still got that baby animal effect on people
[If anyone on the team was inclined not to feel protective of Kenzo, it may help his case that he arrives at his first practice with a pronounced half-moon bruise under one pale green eye. Standing a full inch under five feet tall with the sleeves of his school sweater wrapped around his hands and his backpack sagging nearly to his knees, Kenzo looks he should be about to start middle school, not leave it.
He trails slightly behind Tsukishima and, when Yamaguchi runs over, uses both boys to shield himself from the rest of the team. Sure, everyone he's met up until now has been nice, but he knows from watching nationals on TV that some of the others are downright terrifying - the famous one with the oni mask face, the bald delinquent one, the small but foghorn-loud one.
Koushi-nii's coming right before the end of practice to see how he did and walk home with him, so he just needs to survive that long. He can do it.]
[Yachi strikes Kenzo as kind but nervous - the sort of nervous that gets louder instead of quieter, unlike his own quailing terror in the face of social interaction - and he's oddly relieved that she isn't just effortlessly friendly. Hopefully that'll make her a bit more forgiving, or at least understanding, of his own awkwardness.
He bows respectfully and manages to lift his eyes to meet her gaze for a whole two seconds before looking back down.]
I'm... Sugawara Kenzo. Koushi's brother. [Ugh, she probably knows that, doesn't she? Undoubtedly they all know why he's here. He should just stick to answering any questions directed at him and not say anything else.]
[Okay! She didn't mention the black eye or the swollen nose! Even though they're obvious, poor guy. Maybe she should get him some ice, though? Or keep quiet about it -
Tsukishima huffs. Clearly amused.
"Kenzo, you're sticking with Yachi. You'll be fine with her."
[O-oh. He touches his hair at that, cheeks going a bit pink.
It's very thoughtful of Tsukishima to hand him off to someone else rather than just leave him alone, but Kenzo's still struck with terror at the older boy's words. He has to spend the whole practice with someone he just met??]
Ah - right. Okay. Thank you. [He nods at Tsukishima and Yamaguchi in turn, then sets down his bag - and immediately starts to twist his too-long sleeves in his hands.]
Yachi-san, I - you should know - I'm not very good with new people. I'm sorry if I seem rude.
[And just like that, Yachi and Kenzo become friends.]
Me too. [A grin plays on his lips for a moment before finally taking hold.] My brother can be kinda... hard to live up to.
[He looks out at the players horsing around, exchanging pleasantries and jibes like none of them have faced a single self-conscious moment in their lives. Koushi definitely belongs in a place like this, but Kenzo doesn't know if he could ever get used to the rowdy energy.]
While the players don't (obviously) (right now) show any hesitation, Yachi's cut from different cloth. She balls both fists in front of her. Willing herself to be strong]
But all that hard work won't just disappear! We won't let it!
[She's already pretty impressive as far as Kenzo's concerned, the way she keeps bouncing back from those moments of nervousness and doubt much faster than he could ever manage. And considering how much Daichi and Asahi intimidate him as well, it's easy for Kenzo to nod his agreement.]
Some of the first years are really gifted players, right? That's what Koushi-nii says.
[Ah! A topic she can speak more confidently about! Yachi beams.]
That's right!
Kageyama - The one with dark hair over there - won the Best Setter at Nationals. The one he's talking to is Hinata. They're amazing partners! You wouldn't believe how high Hinata can -
[Kageyama lunges, trying to put Hinata in a headlock. Hinata squawks and squirms away. Ducks behind Tsukishima, who just steps out of the way. The pair go racing around the gym.]
Ehheh... they still... have a lot of work to do....
[Once he hears those two names, Kenzo immediately recognizes them as teammates his brother spoke of a lot throughout the year. He's pretty sure he remembers seeing them hurl insults at each other during a couple of the games at Nationals, too. Even though he knows that neither of them are actually dangerous, Kenzo still shrinks into himself a bit simply because of all the ruckus.
Then Hinata screeches to a halt in front of Kenzo, goggling at the sight of a boy near his age that's so much smaller than him, and Kenzo's shoulders curl even further inward.]
Eeehhhh? Did we get a new member already?! You're even smaller than me AND Nishinoya-senpai!!
[Kenzo doesn't answer, just prays inwardly for Yachi or Oni-face (Kageyama, he's got to use their actual names now) or Tsukishima or someone to save him.]
"Gah! Sugawara-senpai's little brother, That's right! Do you want to play? it's really fun! I'll be happy to give you tips!"
Kageyama catches up. Fingers digging into Hinata's scalp as he grouses, "Who the hell wants tips from you? You still suck at receiving!"
Steeling herself, Yachi breaks in. It feels so rude! But their seniors are across the gym. If someone doesn't intervene, Hinata and Kageyama will keep yelling! And scare Kenzo!, And that would be much ruder!
YOU SHOULD PRACTICE! I mean, I can toss for you! Come on, Sugawara, we'll get a cart!
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In all seriousness, I can't imagine any of those guys NOT getting the same protective instinct as soon as they meet him
Even now that he's an honest to god teenager, he's still got that baby animal effect on people
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They'll just think he's another Yachi
Oh my god
Kenzo as a MANAGER can you imagine
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Being manager did help bring her out of her shell, didn't it?
She's not at all the same person we first met
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I never heard her TALK until she joined
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Would this be a terrible idea or THE BEST idea??
He's never had much to do in music club and Karasuno's probably won't be any different
Skip to practice?
Okay?
[If there are expectations on it, Kenzo might be even more nervous. Which won't work out.
Tsukki still sends a heads-up to Yachi.
She won't mind.]
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One step at a time
[If anyone on the team was inclined not to feel protective of Kenzo, it may help his case that he arrives at his first practice with a pronounced half-moon bruise under one pale green eye. Standing a full inch under five feet tall with the sleeves of his school sweater wrapped around his hands and his backpack sagging nearly to his knees, Kenzo looks he should be about to start middle school, not leave it.
He trails slightly behind Tsukishima and, when Yamaguchi runs over, uses both boys to shield himself from the rest of the team. Sure, everyone he's met up until now has been nice, but he knows from watching nationals on TV that some of the others are downright terrifying - the famous one with the oni mask face, the bald delinquent one, the small but foghorn-loud one.
Koushi-nii's coming right before the end of practice to see how he did and walk home with him, so he just needs to survive that long. He can do it.]
Surprise!
She's going to do her best!
Yachi's waiting on the bench as the group walks over. Stands as Tsukki makes introductions. She's barely taller than Kenzo - maybe half a centimeter?]
Hello! I'm Yachi Hitoka - Assistant - Oh, no, Manager! I'm the Karasuno Manager. It's nice to meet you!
A BABY
He bows respectfully and manages to lift his eyes to meet her gaze for a whole two seconds before looking back down.]
I'm... Sugawara Kenzo. Koushi's brother. [Ugh, she probably knows that, doesn't she? Undoubtedly they all know why he's here. He should just stick to answering any questions directed at him and not say anything else.]
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[Okay! She didn't mention the black eye or the swollen nose! Even though they're obvious, poor guy. Maybe she should get him some ice, though? Or keep quiet about it -
Tsukishima huffs. Clearly amused.
"Kenzo, you're sticking with Yachi. You'll be fine with her."
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It's very thoughtful of Tsukishima to hand him off to someone else rather than just leave him alone, but Kenzo's still struck with terror at the older boy's words. He has to spend the whole practice with someone he just met??]
Ah - right. Okay. Thank you. [He nods at Tsukishima and Yamaguchi in turn, then sets down his bag - and immediately starts to twist his too-long sleeves in his hands.]
Yachi-san, I - you should know - I'm not very good with new people. I'm sorry if I seem rude.
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It's - fine! Really! You're not! Not rude, I mean, not not-good -
Eheh.
Sorry.
I'm nervous!
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Me too. [A grin plays on his lips for a moment before finally taking hold.] My brother can be kinda... hard to live up to.
[He looks out at the players horsing around, exchanging pleasantries and jibes like none of them have faced a single self-conscious moment in their lives. Koushi definitely belongs in a place like this, but Kenzo doesn't know if he could ever get used to the rowdy energy.]
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The Third Years were amazing...
[The smile wavers.
While the players don't (obviously) (right now) show any hesitation, Yachi's cut from different cloth. She balls both fists in front of her. Willing herself to be strong]
But all that hard work won't just disappear! We won't let it!
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Some of the first years are really gifted players, right? That's what Koushi-nii says.
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That's right!
Kageyama - The one with dark hair over there - won the Best Setter at Nationals. The one he's talking to is Hinata. They're amazing partners! You wouldn't believe how high Hinata can -
[Kageyama lunges, trying to put Hinata in a headlock. Hinata squawks and squirms away. Ducks behind Tsukishima, who just steps out of the way. The pair go racing around the gym.]
Ehheh... they still... have a lot of work to do....
[Boys.]
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Then Hinata screeches to a halt in front of Kenzo, goggling at the sight of a boy near his age that's so much smaller than him, and Kenzo's shoulders curl even further inward.]
Eeehhhh? Did we get a new member already?! You're even smaller than me AND Nishinoya-senpai!!
[Kenzo doesn't answer, just prays inwardly for Yachi or Oni-face (Kageyama, he's got to use their actual names now) or Tsukishima or someone to save him.]
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Remember?
[Hinata pauses. Then lights up.
"Gah! Sugawara-senpai's little brother, That's right! Do you want to play? it's really fun! I'll be happy to give you tips!"
Kageyama catches up. Fingers digging into Hinata's scalp as he grouses, "Who the hell wants tips from you? You still suck at receiving!"
Steeling herself, Yachi breaks in. It feels so rude! But their seniors are across the gym. If someone doesn't intervene, Hinata and Kageyama will keep yelling! And scare Kenzo!, And that would be much ruder!
YOU SHOULD PRACTICE! I mean, I can toss for you! Come on, Sugawara, we'll get a cart!