Who says you need to be a certain age to officially grow up? Naoko-nee grew up when she was my age. So why won't she let me grow up with her? Then we can share the burdens we carry. The burdens she carries.
- Sumire Makoshima


"Stop. You're not doing it right."

Naoko resisted the urge to wince at her tutor's sharp voice. She moulded her face into an icy mask and stoically regarded her violin teacher.

"That note you drew just then was too long and mourning. Do it again. Make sure that it's perfect this time."

"Yes, sensei."

The girl did not smile when she completed the piece, even when her teacher begrudgingly praised her music. Instead, she only nodded and listened out for what her tutor had to say next.

It was mid-afternoon when violin lessons were over and she was left alone in the house. She was packing her violin back into its case when the door opened and a dirty figure stepped in, splattered with mud.

Naoko's arm shook as she closed the case, never letting her eyes wander from the person who had just entered. "Ta... Tadashi, what happened to you?"

"... Nothing, Naachan." He smiled despite the bruises littering his face. Naoko's eyes followed him until he disappeared upstairs.

The girl slumped against the wall, tears forming in her eyes. She did not allow them to fall down her cheeks. "Nii-san... who did this to you?"


Naoko closed the door behind her and relished in the cold air hitting her face. She caught up with Tadashi, who was a few strides shy of the rooftop railing.

"Do you know their names, nii-san?" Naoko demanded, her brows furrowing. "The boys who hit you?"

"... No."

"Damn." Growling softly under her breath, she took out her bento and chopsticks. "I... I made you your favorite lunch today. Open it up."

Glancing down at his own bento for a moment, Tadashi squared his shoulders and opened up his lunch. Succulent pork curry and rice glistened under the sun. "Oh."

"Tadashi, what is it?" Naoko hugged her knees. "It... It's not just those boys bothering you, is it? Nii-san, you have to tell me what's wrong. How can I help you if you don't?"

Tadashi did not reply.

"Tadashi - "

"I saw him," her brother blurted, effectively cutting her off. "I saw Oikawa Tooru."

Who? thought Naoko, searching for a face to match the name. Now that I think about it, I've heard some of the girls in my class mention him from time to time... "Did Oikawa say something to you to make you feel bad?" From what she gathered, she doubted that he could be very pleasant.

"No. I-I don't know if he remembers me, but... I remember him. Kind of. He was in kindergarten with me. But you know... I don't remember much from childhood... but I think I remember him."

"Yeah? And?"

"I... I think I stole his toy spaceship once. Then he cried."

"That... That's it?" When Tadashi nodded, the corners of Naoko's mouth twitched upward. "Silly Tadashi. No need to get worked up over something so small. You were children. I doubt that he even remembers it."

"Oh, okay. That makes sense. Thanks, Naachan."

"Anytime, nii-san."


"Kyaa! Oikawa! Nice serve!"

"Eek, so strong!"

"It's okay, Oikawa-san!"

"Don't mind, don't mind!"

Iwaizumi gave Oikawa a withering glance. "Screwing up that jump serve is one thing, but what happened to our 'no fangirls at practice' agreement?"

"I don't tell them to come," defended Oikawa, raising his hands in surrender. "I made sure to lock the doors to the gym as well."

"They're Oikawa's rabid fangirls," Makki added from the side. "Not even locked doors can keep them out."

As practice continued, Iwaizumi grew increasingly frustrated at Oikawa's lack of attention. Missing that jump serve had already been an alarm bell for the ace, but Oikawa never botched a set.

"Oikawa."

The Captain turned to his ace. "Hmm? Did you need something, Iwa-chan?"

"Yeah; just where is your head today, Trashykawa? Your plays are shit."

"Sorry, Iwa-chan," Oikawa said, though he didn't sound at all sorry. "But something happened today that I just can't forget."

Iwaizumi blinked, as much surprise as he would show. "We can talk about this later. Just try to focus more, Bakawa."

"Ah! Iwa-chan, no need to be so rude!"

Fortunately, their brief exchange managed to get Oikawa out of his funk to some extent. At the end of the practice, when the rest of the team had gone for ramen and the girls had been escorted out by irritable coaches, Iwaizumi lingered in the gym with Oikawa, locking up the store rooms.

"Well?" Iwaizumi elbowed Oikawa. "What's on your mind?"

"Do you remember the new transfer student from this morning?"

"Hah? Is that what this is about? Don't tell me she's distracting enough for you to perform so badly today."

"That's the thing, Iwa-chan, she never showed up. I don't know where Emiko's information screwed up but the transfer student was no cute girl."

"What are you implying, Shittykawa? That you're too shallow to appreciate her - "

"Eh?! No, of course not, Iwa-chan!" Oikawa said hurriedly, not wanting a volleyball spiked into his face. "The transfer student wasn't a girl at all. His name is Tadashi Makoshima."

"Makoshima..." Iwaizumi echoed, his brows furrowing. "Sounds familiar."

At that, Oikawa couldn't help himself. He just had to snort. "It would. You'd never believe who he is. Especially since he acts all shy and bashful."

"Hn? Did he do something to you?"

"Two words, Iwa-chan: White Monster."

"White Monster?" Then; "Wow, shit. Him?"

"Yes! It has to be! He looks exactly the same, just taller and lankier!"

Iwaizumi nodded slowly. "He was a real dick in elementary. But he got scared away easily when I was around. Tch, coward."

"I'm the one who has to deal with him since he's in my class," Oikawa whined.

"He didn't try anything, right?"

"No. It was weird. I realised who he was halfway through first period and stopped speaking to him after that. And then he has the nerve to look confused the rest of the day."

Iwaizumi said something in reply, but Oikawa was only half paying attention. He got a taste of his own medicine today. Serves him right. Sure, he had felt guilty when he couldn't bring himself to intervene. But Makoshima deserved it, right? It was his punishment for what he had done in the past.

What goes around comes around.

"Oi! Shittykawa, are you listening to me?"

"Ouch! What was that for, Iwa-chan!"

"Pay attention when people are talking to you!"


Putting on her jacket, Naoko placed the keys to their house in her shirt pocket and headed out quietly.

Upstairs, Tadashi was quietly doing his homework. Naoko had finished all of hers within the first half an hour of arriving home. Studying the second year curriculum fervently for the past few months certainly did come in handy when she couldn't afford to spend her afternoons and evenings stuck at home doing homework.

There were better, more productive things that needed to be done.

"Nee-chan?"

Naoko stiffened and turned to face the music.

Or rather, a younger girl standing at four foot eleven dressed in a sailor style uniform, her black hair tickling her collarbones.

"Sumire."

"Nee-chan, where are you going? You don't work on Mondays."

"I do now," Naoko replied. "I requested an extra evening shift."

Sumire shuffled her feet. "Oh. Um, nee-chan!" She paused, as if she didn't know what to say. "You don't have to work again. You already work five times a week. It can't be healthy."

Naoko waved her off. "I'm fine. Thank you for concern, Sumire, but I'm really fine." She checked her watch. There was still time to kill. "How is violin practice going?"

"Good," Sumire answered, starting to smile. But that smile quickly faded away. "It's so expensive though. Nee-chan, I don't want to continue my lessons if it's too expensive for us to afford."

Sighing, Naoko put down her bag and drew her younger sister into a hug. "It's not. Sumire, I'm working hard just so you can enjoy yourself. It's like my job, you know? If I don't work hard and get money then you won't be able to have fun. And our parents left us their life savings when they passed. It's how we bought this nice house, remember?"

"I'm twelve, not five," Sumire said ruefully. "... Are you sure you're okay, Naoko-nee?"

"I'm sixteen, not five," Naoko teased, ruffling her sister's hair. "And I'm well aware how old you are, Sumire-chan. You're my little sister, how could I not know something like your age? Anyway, I have to get to work now, so I'll see you later."

When she was gone, Sumire flopped on the couch. "Naoko-nee," she addressed the air. "If you really know so much about me as you claim... why don't you remember that it's my birthday today? I'm thirteen... not twelve. I was hoping you'd correct me.

"Naoko-nee. I'm thirteen today."


Girls her age normally got their money by either working in some sort of customer service or undertaking compensated dating. In Naoko's case, it was most definitely the former. Waitresses were usually more respectable members of society, after all. What she wasn't fond of, however, was the fact that the establishment she worked in was your stereotypical maid cafe.

"Ah!" Naoko's overworked manager came up to her. "Thank goodness you're here, Naachan! Mika called in sick today and we are so understaffed!"

"Calm down, Umeko-san," Naoko soothed, thinking that her manager looked ready to go into cardiac arrest at any given moment. "I'm here now. Let me change and then I'll start right away."

"Thank you! You're a lifesaver, Naachan. Oh, I recognize him! Welcome, Yamada-sama!"

As Umeko went off to serve the customer a coffee, Naoko quickly got dressed in the staffroom and came back out in all her maid glory. Her cheeks flushed red when she realized just how short the skirt was. She wasn't one to get embarrassed so easily but dammit she had pride too.

"So cute," Umeko said approvingly. "I'm sorry for this, Naachan. I know that you normally wear the butler outfit on your other shifts but Mika took it home to wash when she spilled coffee on it."

"That's okay. I only have a two hour shift today anyway."

"That's the spirit! Knock 'em dead, Naachan!"

Hooray, Naoko thought sardonically, her eyelids at half-mast.

Just then, two high schoolers walked into the cafe, talking to each other. Naoko allowed herself to stare at them for a few seconds before she was summoned by a customer looking for a coffee refill.


"I'm telling you, Iwa-chan, I'm going to expose his true nature by the end of the year."

Iwaizumi sighed and rubbed his temples. "And I'm telling you why this is such a bad idea. We have more important things to focus on than getting some petty revenge on Makoshima. Look, I get that he's an asshole, but seriously. What about volleyball and exams?"

"I can fit those in too," Oikawa insisted, choosing a table. "But I want that guy to regret ever crossing me. He acts like a nice guy but I know what he's really like." His eyes widened. "Iwa-chan."

"What?"

"It's her!" Oikawa nodded his head toward where a ravenette was standing at the coffee machine, fulfilling her customer's orders. "The one that beat up all the third years."

"Really?" Iwaizumi raised an eyebrow at her emotionless face. At first glance, she really didn't look like the type of girl to study martial arts. She was short, thin and looked like she could be snapped in two just by getting high-fived. "Are you sure?"

"Yep. I'm gonna call her over and talk to her."

"Wait, Oikawa - "

"Yoohoo~ Maid-chan!" Oikawa shamelessly called, waving at her.

"Bakawa!"

The girl's gaze shifted over to them and Iwaizumi almost shivered at how blank her storm-grey eyes were. It gave her irises an almost oyster shell look. Stiffly, she took the coffee she had made and handed it to the customer she was serving, bowing after she did so.

"Ooh, she's coming. Not even the little fighter girl can resist my charms, Iwa-chan."

"Maybe she's just doing her job," Iwaizumi deadpanned. "Ever considered that?"

Before Oikawa could reply, the girl was already standing there. She bowed to them, something that made Oikawa smirk.

"Good evening, masters," she said dully. "What can I do for you tonight?"

Judging by how suggestive the phrase was, both of the boys had no doubt that it was something that all employees were required to rehearse. But the tone in which she said it in scraped away any trace of sexual connotations.

"A milk bread roll and some warm water please," Oikawa said, flicking through the menu. "What about you, Iwa-chan?"

"Just a bottle of water, thanks."

"Right away, masters."

When she retreated back to the counter to serve up their orders, Oikawa looked like as if he was about to explode from happiness. "Iwa-chan! She's adorable! Like a cat. Why haven't I ever seen her at school before?"

"Lower your voice. I don't think she'd appreciate you comparing her to an animal. And don't call me Iwa-chan in front of strangers. It's weird."

"Eh? But cats are cute. Who doesn't love cats?"

"That's not the point. Cats are still animals. She's a human like us."

"A cute human that reminds me of a cat."

"Yeah, a cat that can easily claw your face off from what you've described."

"Mean, Iwa-chan!"

It took every last drop of self-control for Iwaizumi to not spike the volleyball that he set on the floor into Oikawa's face. Frankly, he didn't feel like being kicked out of a public establishment tonight.


"A cat?" Naoko murmured as she heated up the milk bread roll the brown haired male had requested. "Really? Tch."

"Why the long face, Naachan?" Umeko asked, sidling up next to her. "Is it about the maid outfit? Because I am soo sorry."

Naoko shook her head, placing the milk bread onto a clean plate with a pair of tongs. "Like I said, it's fine, Umeko-san." She smiled wryly. "I thought managers were supposed to be mean and domineering."

Umeko flinched, nearly falling backwards. "Eh?! What's that supposed to mean, Naachan? Do you want me to be mean and domineering?"

"Of course not. But you don't act like a professional sometimes." She paused. "Sorry. That was very rude of me. Please don't fire me." Fuuck. I went too far. Don't get mad, Umeko.

"Hah, it's okay, Naachan!" Umeko's gaze softened. "I'm 'unprofessional', as you imply, because I want to be your friend. Naoko... forgive me, but I think you're the type that likes to say that you're okay when you're not. It's alright to ask for help, you know."

"I'll keep that in mind." Sorry, Umeko, but I can't afford any relationships outside of family right now. I have other things to worry about first and foremost. Tadashi and Sumire need me; I can't afford to be distracted by something like... like friends. She shook her head as she carried the milk bread to where the high school students were sitting. Umeko doesn't know anything. I am okay.

"Thank you, maid-chan," the brunet said, smiling at her. Had she been any other girl, she was certain she would have swooned or, at least, blushed at that charming grin of his. But she was Naoko Makoshima and she would not turned into a giggling school girl by something as trivial as a disarming smile.

In fact, the plastic quality of it pissed her off. And boy, that was an achievement in itself. Naoko considered herself to be someone slow to anger, the exceptions being Tadashi and Sumire being pushed around in any way. She knew she could get fired for this, but she narrowed her eyes at the brunet. "You're welcome, master." The way she emphasized 'master' was not at all friendly. "Is there anything else I can do for you before I go fetch your water? I hear you like cats."

The brunet blinked in what could best be described as disbelief and his friend snorted. "She's got you there."

"Iwa-chan! You're supposed to be on my side."

"Your side? What is this, elementary school?"

"You've obviously got something to say to me," Naoko interrupted. "So say what you want to say and leave me in peace. Please," she added as an afterthought, reminding herself to try and be as professional as possible in the face of this annoying teenager.

"Fine," the brunet said, shifting in his seat and looking her in the eye. Observing her. Analyzing her. "Does Tadashi Makoshima ring a bell to you?"

Naoko stiffened. Did he see?

The boy grinned, obviously pleased by the reaction he got from her. "I'm waiting, maid-chan~"

"I'm not obliged to answer that," Naoko said coldly. "Do not interfere with my personal affairs."

Without waiting for a reply, she walked away. By the time she had returned with the brunet's warm water and his friend's bottle of water they seemed to have forgotten about what had happened mere moments ago.

But Naoko knew that this wasn't the case. She would definitely be seeing more of them soon. She could only hope that the brunet boy wouldn't stir too much trouble for her or Tadashi.

Especially Tadashi.

God help anyone who dared mess with her brother.


LINE: VOLLEYBALL TRASH

[Hanamaki]: the hell? who changed the group chat name?

[Iwaizumi]: best bet is shittykawa

[Matsukawa] agreed^

[Oikawa]: guilty :P

[Iwaizumi]: figures

[Iwaizumi]: only you could come up with such a stupid name

[Oikawa]: MEAN IWA-CHAN!

[Yahaba]: why did i even agree to this, all we do is spam each other

[Oikawa]: r00d don't talk to your senpai that way

[Matsukawa]: Can you guys all stfu? I'm trying to do homework here

[Matsukawa]: let's all disregard that last comment because hw is boring af

[Matsukawa]: did anyone hear the violin music coming from the roof this morning? people are saying it's a ghost

[Oikawa]: ooh, spoopy

[Yahaba]: Yeah, I heard. whoever that was, it was really good

[Oikawa]: too bad you can't give a ghost a compliment

[Iwaizumi]: Bakawa

[Iwaizumi]: ghosts don't exist

[Hanamaki]: what the fuck even is this anymore

[Oikawa]: BOO! 👻

[Oikawa]: did I scare you Makki?

[Hanamaki]: ...

[Iwaizumi]: just ignore him, Makki, he'll go away soon enough

[Oikawa]: Iwa-chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan

[Hanamaki]: u sure?

[Iwaizumi]: on second thoughts, just turn off your phone

[Yahaba]: yeah bye

[Matsukawa]: night, hobos

[Oikawa]: 💔


A/N: Pfft, I had a lot of fun writing the LINE chat for those dorks. I listened to CLANNAD, CLANNAD After story - Sad Soundtrack Collection while writing this, so listening to that might help while reading this.

Tadashi doesn't remember much of what he did to Oikawa. Just that he stole his toy spaceship once and made him cry. Oikawa, on the other hand, seems to remember a lot... Iwa-chan as well.


OC Character Sheet:

Full name: Makoshima Sumire

DOB: June 14th

Age: 13

Height: 149.86cm (4'11)

Weight: 46kg

Appearance: Short black hair that skims her collarbones (bangs included), normally seen in boyish clothing or her uniform while carrying a violin case. Like her sister, she has gray eyes and pale skin.

Occupation: Student (2nd year in middle school)

School: Kitagawa Daiichi

Favorite food: Any kind of ramen

Current concern(s): Is nee-chan okay? What if she's working too hard? Should I try and get a job to help put money on the table? Are my violin lessons getting too expensive? I hope obaa-chan is okay as well.

Statistics (out of 5):

Power: 1

Jump: 1

Stamina: 3

Strategy: 4

Technique: 4

Speed: 3