“That’s not what these tickets are saying,” Kei butts in. “These are really good seats.”
“He said he has tickets to give out every game. It’s not a big deal.”
“If you say so,” Rodney says with a smirk.
I shove a giant handful of popcorn into my mouth so that I don’t have to respond. Just then, the lights dim and a spotlight shoots down towards the doors opposite where we’re sitting.
“Tonight’s opponents, coming from Scottsville. Please welcome the Scottsville Scouts!”
Music starts to play as an otter mascot wearing a safari outfit runs through the doors. He pulls out a comically large set of binoculars, pointing up at the stands where the Scouts’ fans are sitting. They all roar and cheer. A moment later, the volleyball team is running out, all of them stopping to pat the mascot’s back.
“Everyone, get on your feet for your home team! Please welcome our very own, Nanio Ninjas!”
The three of us stand up, clapping along with the rest of the crowd. I’ve never been much of a sports fan but the energy in the arena is contagious. I find myself whistling as the Nanio mascot leaps through the door, doing a cartwheel on his way out. He throws comically large ninja stars into the crowd before finally, the team starts running out.
I watch all of them, looking for number five. Maki is towards the back and I can’t help but smile when I see him. The entire team runs over to a cart of balls. They line up on one side of the court, starting to run drills with each other as they warm upwhile the away team does the same on the opposite side of the court.
Once the lights go back to normal and the players are no longer in the spotlight, Maki’s eyes drift up into our section. I see the moment he notices us, his face lighting up. I wave down at him and he gives me a little wave before going back to warming up.
Kei snorts. “Not your man, my ass.”
“Shut up,” I hiss out, stealing some of his popcorn.
Maki looks so good in his libero outfit. Everyone is wearing short shorts that are black with an orange accent down the side. Their jerseys are black short sleeves, their numbers and seams orange and an orange collar. Maki’s outfit is the opposite, orange with black accents. He stands out but in a way that makes him look like the star of the team. Everyone is wearing black kneepads but Maki is wearing tall socks that cover his entire lower legs. I like how his calves look in them.
It’s kinda funny that their mascot is a ninja but their team colors include orange. Who thought of that?
After warming up, both teams take turns with the net, doing spiking drills. Above the court, there are giant screens, showing close ups of the action. When we get our first close up on our setter, I can’t help but gape.
“Jesus,” I hiss out. “Our setter is probably the prettiest man I’ve seen? What the fuck?”
Rodney agrees and even Kei nods his head, his eyes wide.
After warm ups, it’s finally time for the team introductions. The screens show shots of everyone’s faces, listing some of their stats and their names. The crowd politely cheer for the Scouts but once it’s time to introduce the Ninjas, once again, I’m swept away in the excitement along with the rest of the crowd.
“And now,” the announcer says, his voice taking on a really upbeat tone to it. “Put your hands together for your Ninjas’ starting lineup! Our team captain, number 1 is Daniel Lorray!”
Daniel steps forward, waving at the crowd before standing across from his team, his back to us, his feet on the outside line. He’s handsome with dark, short hair and the most amazing looking thighs that even I can appreciate from all the way up here.
“Our middle blocker, number 44, Kurstin Oya!”
Kurstin waves at the crowd before jogging over to stand next to Daniel, the two of them clapping hands together. He’s tall with broad shoulders. He has a buzzed head with a rainbow dyed into the short strands on the back of his head. He smiles at the camera, showing off the most luxurious porn-stache I’ve ever seen.
“Our other middle blocker, number 22, Amour Potenza!”
Amour is a bit shorter than Kurstin but not by much. The camera zooms into his face as he waves. He has long, black hair that’s tied back into two tight braids that end in buns on either side of his head above his ears. He’s got little beauty spots in random spots on his face that only seem to enhance how beautiful he is.
Kurstin bumps his hip with Amour and Amour seems to huff with amusement.
“Our opposite hitter, number 11, Bo Clyvedive-Heratoshavicz!”
Bo is the shortest person out of all the starters. He’s got broad shoulders and toned arms. His hair is the shiniest shade of blue I’ve ever seen, styled in the perfect mullet. He excitedly jumps up and down, flashing double ones as he runs over to the rest of his team.
“Our outside hitter, number 10, Ivan Moorestone!”
Ivan walks over to his team. He smiles for a moment as the camera zooms in before going back to his perpetual deadpan expression. He’s got short, spiky hair, gauged ears with black earrings, and tattoos across both of his arms. He gives everyone a high five before taking his place beside Bo.
“Our setter, number 4, Oli Krenz!”
