~8~

Here's Chapter 8! I'm trying to get in another chapter or two soon, so we'll see! :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Haikyuu nor any of its characters.

Mei POV (gymnasium in Tokyo):

It all went downhill. Shoyou's not in it at all and everyone's on edge because of it. The game flashes by in a blur, the score's not even worth caring about.

I didn't talk to anyone for the rest of the day and the day after. What could I say? I'm completely at a loss, honestly. These past few losses have just my feelings towards our team worsen. I don't even know...am I even suited to be their coach? Can I give them the advice they need, the training they deserve? I don't know how to belong; I never have. All the teams I've been on hated my ass but they had put up with me till they broke. God, I'm such a hypocrite: I've been spending all my time yelling at Tobio for being so selfish but I'm being so self-centered and emotional. All I do is run away from responsibilities, because I don't know what else I can do.

"You don't look so good."

"Gee, thanks. I'm just tired."

The blonde sits beside me on the bench. "Yeah, that excuse is getting old. What's up?"

"How's Shoyo?" I change the subject. Yeah, because I want to go into a conversation concerning FEELINGS. Very fun.

"I can tell he's hungry. Hungry for improvement, which can generally be a good and a bad thing. Good for him, bad for those around him that need to adjust, I suppose. Says he wants to spike with his eyes open and Kageyama's not letting him." He watches for a reaction from me. "I had him sit out the rest of the day. Today too."

I scoff. "You're so weak-willed. You basically did the opposite of what he wants," I say.

Ukai glances at me. "Well, what would you have done? It's not the time and place to figure out what we should do. The week before we return to training camp is when we'll discuss what we want from him. Kageyama too."

I shrug, hating how he was right. "I feel bad for the kid though." Ukai raises his brow at "kid", but doesn't interrupt. "He has so much potential bottled up in him and he just wants to release it in a game. He doesn't know how to utilize his abilities and reach that full potential."

"Spoken like someone who's been through that before," he comments.

I punch him in the gut. "I'm not going to got there and you won't mention it to a single person on this team," I say under my breath.

"Scary," replies he in a sarcastic manner. But he walks away, leaving me to bathe in the sunlight of the day.

Karasuno Gym that evening:

"See ya!" I call half-heartedly to the departing third-years. They smile tiredly and wave, making their way down the street.

The all-too familiar bounce of a volleyball against the gymnasium floor sounds, along with the squeak of volleyball shoes on the shiny floor. Who the hell is playing-a frustrated yell interrupts my thoughts. And it sounds a lot like...

"Hinata! Kageyama-kun!" Yachi cries.

I burst into the gym.

Shoyo and Tobio are practically at each other's necks, grabbing at the skin of the other's face. Their faces are covered in minor scratches and purpling bruises.

"OI!" I rip the two apart and Shoyo's nail brushes against my cheek. Ouch. I wait till they stop struggling to get at each other. Afterwards, I punch them each in the stomach.

"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?! Someone better get talking or else this isn't going to end pretty," I scream.

Tobio folds his arms over his chest defiantly. "This stupid idiot thinks he can hit my toss with his eyes open! I'm trying to freaking tell him that he should hone the quick with his eyes closed but he won't damn listen!" he rages.

"But the one with my eyes closed gets blocked!" Shoyo protests.

"WHICH IS WHY YOU NEED TO PRACTICE IT MORE! You don't have the skill to keep your eyes open and hit it! I've let you try and you've proven to me you can't! Just shut up and follow my toss!"

Shoyo cries, "But if I work at it with my eyes open and you actually tried to help me learn, I could actually get it and we'd have TWO quicks!"

I groan. I can already tell that Shoyo does have a point but I'm not in the mood to deal with my dictator of a brother. "Look, Tobio," I say carefully. "I think if you try some different tosses, then maybe you can do that quick with Shoyo's eyes open. Come on, you guys are the crazy Karasuno duo! You two cooperate to make this work. And it's true: the spiker is the leader. Your toss has to be perfect for what he wants."

He glares at me. "Are you trying to tell me to LISTEN to him?! That what he bades is my command?!"

"Hardly. Shoyo's working hard too but you're not letting him. You're asking him to do what you want and that's not right." I sigh. This is hopeless. His expression is telling me he's holding on to this, just as stubbornly as Shoyo. "I have idea. There's no practice tomorrow so come with me. We're going to pay a visit to someone who I think will solve your problem."

"No," comes the steady response.

I look at Tobio, pissed. "NO? Pray, do tell me why you're refusing so damn stubbornly," I say, fighting to keep my voice calm.

"I think you're wrong about this one. I'm not trying to be the dictator I was then, but my tosses are what's making him strong. Good bye." And he stalks away, brushing past the frightened Yachi.

I shrug, beginning to pick up the stray volleyballs on the floor. The blonde quickly recovers and starts to help out.

"I'll go."

I glance over my shoulder. "Go where?"

"To visit the person you wanted to take Kageyama and me to. I'll go," explains he.

I smile a little. "Alright."

Normal POV; The next day after school:

"Hey, shortie."

Everyone stares as Kageyama Mei ushers a flustered Hinata into a sleek, white limo.

"Isn't this a bit flashy?" he asks before stepping inside.

She shrugs in response, tucking a stray strand of dark brown hair behind her ear. "I think it's funny how people gape. Don't get the wrong idea; I'm not trying to be flashy." She gets into the limo, facing him. "Let's just say I'm not on very good terms with my dad. Sending limos to pick me up from school is just one of the many ways he tries to win my favor back."

"Why don't you like your dad?" Hinata blurts out. Immediately regretting it, he apologizes.

"Don't worry. It's really him who's mad at me." She pauses, unsure whether to continue. She messes with a few buttons on the arm rest and a shield, likely sound-proof, pops up between them and the chauffeur. "I threw a hissy fit at nationals and got kicked off the team. Boy, was my dad angry. He has some emotional issues so once in a while, he'll get upset at anything related to volleyball. Normally, he's pretty nice and all. But God, he really gave it to me. Now he's back to normal but I resent him." She looks out the window, staring at the gawking passerbys indifferently.

"Why was he so mad about you getting kicked off the team? It couldn't possibly cost much since your dad's rich enough to have limos as hand," Hinata presses, evidently curious.

And surprisingly, Mei answers, "Well, you're about to find out, I guess."

As if right on time, the limo stops. Right in front of Ukai's shop.

Hinata looks out the window, seeing Ukai close the shop door and head their way.

"You'll see."

Sorry, it's kinda short. Hope you liked it! :)