"Wakatoshi!" The energetic Tendou Satori exclaimed as he jumped into Ushijima Wakatoshi's field of view.
"Tendou." Ushijima Wakatoshi acknowledged him with a nod. It wasn't only the two that were walking towards their school: Shiratorizawa High. Ohira Reon, Semi Eita, and Yamagata Hayato. It was their first day of being a Third Year at Shiratorizawa.
"Ne, ne, how was your summer, Wakatoshi-kun?" Tendou pestered and Semi rolled his eyes.
Ushijima answered nonchalantly. "Same as last year." Even at such a tone, Tendou kept asking questions about TV dramas, etc.
Goshiki Tsutomu instantly fired up as soon as he saw the Third Years entering the gates of Shiratorizawa. "Ooohhh! Its them, its them!"
"Oh, wow. Amazing." Yoshikami Hoshi sighed flipping a page of her book. Goshiki pouted at the negative atmosphere emitting his friend.
"Hoshi-chan, you should be more excited! I'll beat Ushijima-san and become the Ace!" He flared, but Yoshikami rolled her red, cat like eyes.
"Someone as eccentric as you wouldn't even come as far." Goshiki did not listen to her as he ran over to the indoor gymnasium where the volleyball tryouts were going to be held. He was never let down by her words because he knew that was how she was. Secretly, he also knew that she was actually cheering him on. And that made him all the more fired up and by her words, he was definitely going to be part of the line up this coming Inter High.
Yoshikami Hoshi followed behind her friend, her eyes not wavering on the book in her left hand.
The third years were chatting casually as they walked towards the indoor gymnasium. Ohira saw something running towards them and catches his friends attention by pointing at it. "Hmm...is that a...?" He was cut off when Goshiki jumped into their view and pointed at Ushijima Wakatoshi.
"I-I-!" The first year began, but a book hitting the back of his head stopped him. Tendou covered his mouth as to not laugh loudly. His dark, red eyes though were on Yoshikami who avoided his gaze, focusing on Goshiki.
"I-d-i-o-t." Goshiki was pierced by such words. Yoshikami glared at her friend while she picked up her fallen book. "If you go running off like that again, next time I won't be as merciful." She stated bluntly and Goshiki nodded. The short girl turned to the stunned third years and bowed. "I'm sorry for this idiot. He was just excited to try out for the team."
Semi smiled. "Its fine. We welcome any excited first years. By the way..." Yoshikami looked up in time as he said the words. "...what's a middle schooler like you doing here?"
"Gah!" Semi jumped at Goshiki's frightened tone. "D-Don't listen to them, Hoshi-chan! Your height is perfectly normal for a highschool student!" Semi's eyes widened at his mistake and opened his mouth to apologize when the short girl sighed. A chill ran down his spine as her eyes glowed in a dark manner.
Yoshikami looked at her friend and said, "No worries, Tsutomu. I am perfectly fine. And you, senpai..." Semi flinched when her voice turned cold. "...you don't have to apologize. I get that a lot." She shrugged. "Anyway, I'll see you later, Tsutomu. I'm going to class."
Goshiki blinked. "Eh, but aren't you trying out for the volleyball club too?" Ushijima, who wasn't interested in the conversation, looked over to the short girl who froze. It wasn't common to have liberos at that height, but if she was good, he wouldn't judge.
Yoshikami snickered. "Me? Join volleyball?" Tendou frowned at the blankness in Yoshikami's eyes. "Funny joke, Tsutomu. Give me the good news after school." She waved walking away, her eyes glued back to the book in her hand.
Goshiki frowned. Yoshikami and he did not go to the same middle school, but they were neighbours. The two would play the whole day and they'd take turns setting with each other. And he knew that she was good. Her jump is almost unbelievable. He thought, remembering the first time he saw her jump. And her spiking power is a bit on the weak side...but she is a girl.
What if she was a boy? Goshiki couldn't think at that. She'd be a threat and he'd never been so relieved that his friend was a girl. He was confused though. Why wouldn't she try out for the club? With her skills, she'll be part of the bench for sure.
"So why..?" He whispered.
"Oi, oi, first year! We're going to start with or without you!" Yamagata yelled out and Goshiki finally realized the third years were already at the gym.
"Waaaiiitt!" He shouted, running. It wasn't the time to think about such things; right now, he needed to be part of the starting line up. And he'll definitely ask his friend later.
*flashback*
A certain red head was leaning against a wall, waiting for his cousin.
"Nii-san!" The red head smiled seeing the little girl run over to him.
"Suta-chan, how was it?" The little girl brightened with a smile, similar to his.
"It was fun! Sensei said I'm really good, but I told her that it was all because of Nii-san's teachings!" Her small arms flipped all around due to her excitement and the tall boy snickered as he patted the girl's white hair.
"Hmmm, that's good. Let's go home and tell Auntie." The girl nodded and took the older boy's hand in hers.
"Can I be one, Nii-san?" The older boy blinked at her question. She pouted. "Can I be a spiker?"
The boy smiled, ruffling her hair with his other hand. "Yep! You'll be the best spiker in the world."
*end of flashback*
Tendou frowned at the memory. After he took his cousin home, the little girl was quick to tell her parents with a huge grin on her face, a blush dusting her cheeks. Instead of cheering her on though, the parents dismissed her and blamed him, the older one, for letting her believe a delusion.
He did not see her again.
"Hoshi..." It was the same name as his cousin, Suta. She had the same eye color and hair. It had been exactly ten years since he last saw her, but she still looked the same.
He frowned again when he entered the gymnasium, his eyes looking at the volleyball net.
Her positive attitude was gone. She wasn't smiling anymore.
His frown turned upside down at an idea. His eyes looked over at Goshiki and he shouted for the first year.
"Y-Yes, senpai?" Tendou grinned as he slung his arm over the stunned boy.
"You're close friends with Su...I mean, Hoshi, right?" Goshiki nodded and this made the senpai's grin bigger.
"She likes volleyball, no?" Goshiki's eyes widened in shock and he stared at Tendou with confusion. "We met...before... So, she likes volleyball, right?" The first year did not notice the suspiciousness of this and nodded vigorously.
"Yes! We played with each other when we had time!"
Tendou leaned closer to Goshiki's ear. "Sooo...I have an idea..." He whispered the plan and Goshiki's eyes widened.
"Are you sure its going to work, senpai?"
"Yep~ Just follow my lead."
Ohira was watching from a distance at the sudden closeness between Tendou and the first year, and he was suspicious. He sighed as his head began to ache. "As long as it doesn't anger coach, he can do whatever he wants..."