The embarrassing incident made Kiyoko forget her fear . She quickly stepped aside, her face turning red.
"Ugh… my whole body hurts," Jin groaned, sprawled on the ground like he'd been struck by lightning. He stayed there for effect, rolling his shoulders as though even lifting himself up was too much effort.
Kiyoko blinked and crouched beside him, clearly concerned despite her embarrassment. "Are you… all right?"
Jin immediately grabbed her arm, clutching it like it was the only thing keeping him alive. He pulled himself up with exaggerated effort. "It's fine, really. Just a little sore. I'll manage it," he said, putting on a brave face.
"Serves you right," she muttered softly, the words quick and clipped.
Jin pretended not to hear, leaning into her shoulder as she supported him. On the inside, he was grinning like an idiot. 'Kiyoko personally helping me walk home? Not bad, not bad at all.'
They made their way slowly toward her place. When they reached the gate, Kiyoko slipped inside to grab her things. Jin leaned casually against the wall outside, scanning the quiet street.
That was when he spotted a group of boys hanging around across the road. Their sports jackets read North Sendai High School, a school Jin can't recognized. Maybe just a nobody school from the prefecture.
The moment Kiyoko came out with her bag, the group perked up.
"There she is! Shimizu-san!" the one in front called loudly, his voice grating. He was tall, with a hooked nose and a cocky grin that made Jin's fingers twitch.
Kiyoko froze for half a second, then her face soured. "What are you doing here again?" she asked, voice sharp and cold.
His friends snickered behind him, nudging each other like children. "Our senpai just wanted to see you! Don't be so harsh, Shimizu-san!"
"Yeah, come on, he thinks about you every day," another chimed in, earning a round of laughter.
The leader waved them off and stepped closer with a smirk. "Karasuno's training during Golden Week, right? We're staying nearby too. The practice just ends, we've got nothing to do. So let's have dinner."
"I don't have time." Kiyoko's answer was immediate.
"Tch. That's cold. I've been by five times already this month." His grin widened, his voice dropping lower. "Not even one meal?"
Jin's brows rose slightly. 'So that's why she was nervous. It wasn't about being scared of the dark, she just didn't want to run into this clowns.
Before the boy could step closer, Jin moved. He place an arm over Kiyoko's shoulder and pulled her right up against him.
Kiyoko startled, eyes wide, then looked up at him. His grin was sharp, cocky, protective. Something in her flustered expression shifted, her embarrassment softened into a flicker of relief.
"Oi, eagle-nose," Jin said, his tone a perfect mix of mocking and serious. "You trying to ask my girlfriend out? Try asking me first."
The group froze for a beat. Then the leader snarled, ripping the bag off his shoulder and tossing it to the ground. "Hands off Shimizu. Or see what will happens."
Kiyoko's cheeks turned crimson. She hesitated only a moment before slipping her arms timidly around Jin's waist. Her voice shook, but the words came out clear: "He's my boyfriend."
"What? Him? Why him?" the boy demanded.
Kiyoko panicked, the heat rising to her ears. Then, desperate, she blurted. "Because… he's Karasuno's ace."
The street went silent for a heartbeat.
The North Sendai boys all stared. Then their leader let out a laugh, but it sounded forced. "Karasuno's ace? Don't make me laugh. That team can't even fly anymore. Ace of a fallen team? Hahaha."
The insult was heavy. Karasuno's reputation had dipped over the past couple years, and anyone in the prefecture knew it.
Jin stepped forward, patting Kiyoko's shoulder as he pulled away from her just enough to face the group. His grin didn't fade, but it sharpened, dangerously. "You're in a volleyball club too, huh? Good. Tell me where you're practicing, and I'll drop by to educate you."
The other boys erupted in mocking laughter.
"Educate us? You?"
"Hah! We are in third gym, our senpai's the ace spiker, he'd crush you in seconds."
"Don't even bother showing up. You'd just embarrass yourself."
Kiyoko tugged on Jin's sleeve nervously. "We've got all-day training tomorrow," she whispered urgently. If he picked a fight now, Coach Ukai would kill them.
But Jin only tilted his head, eyes narrowing with a predator's amusement. "Third gym, right? Perfect. I'll crush your court tomorrow. Don't run away."
The group faltered at the look in his eyes. They laughed again, but it didn't carry the same confidence as before.
Their leader spat on the ground, glaring. "Fine. We'll see you there."
"See you," Jin said cheerfully, but the glint in his eyes promised something sharper.
Beside him, Kiyoko's hand was still clutching his sleeve. Her face burned, her heart pounding, but she didn't let go. Jin glanced down at her, his grin softening for just a second before he turned back to the retreating group.
(PS: This chapter is troublesome, makes me put much effort just to clean and match it in Haikyuu's vibe. This is as far I can clean, I removed bunch of poisons but still poisonous.)