"Is she really alright?" Kawaguchi asked as she looked down worriedly at the sleeping [y/n].

"Yes. She's fine. She just need to rest." Akaashi said and looked over to some of [y/n]'s teammates who followed him when he brought [y/n] home. "You should go home, I'm sure all of you are tired."

Hirano shook her head. "We're fine. Please don't worry about us." she said and looked down. "I feel guilty actually. [y/n] did her best and took the first set for us despite of her fever, yet, we still lost."

The other girls looked down. They did everything they could to win. But without their ace, they were unable to win. Taking [y/n] out of the match brought their morale down.

"Don't worry. [y/n] would understand." Akaashi said and looked down to [y/n]. "You guys were on a lot of pressure. Besides, you didn't gave them an easy win. It wasn't an embarrassing match so don't worry."

"Next spring tournament. We'll win the next spring tournament." Hirano declared determinedly.

The other girls nodded, fire lighting their eyes. They'll have their revenge at the next spring high tournament.

[y/n] opened her eyes. "Ugh..." she groaned. Her head was spinning and she still feel hot.

"Oh! [y/n]. I'm glad you're finally awake." It was her aunt Miyu, her mother's younger sister.

"Auntie? What's going on? Why are you here?" [y/n] asked in confusion.

"Your brother contacted me. He said his friend, Akaashi-kun called him and told him you collapsed in the middle of the match. He asked me to take care of you because your parents won't be able to return home again tonight." her aunt explained with a shake of head. "Your parents... Really..."

"The match..." her eyes widened as she finally remembered where she was before she passed out. "What happened to the match?!"

"I don't know. When I get here, Akaashi-kun only told me what happened to you. He didn't mention anything about the match." Aunt Miyu replied.

[y/n] sat up and groaned as she felt dizzy. "Ow..."

"Hey! Why don't you just lie down? You're still unwell." Aunt Miyu pushed her back to the bed gently. "Are you hungry? Wait. No. You need to eat. Then you'll be taking medicine."

"No! Auntie! I need to know what happened to the match. Can you please pass me my phone?" [y/n] desperately said.

Sighing, her aunt took [y/n]'s phone from the table and handed it to [y/n]. "Just one phone call. After that, you're eating and will be taking medicine later. Okay?"

[y/n] nodded. "Okay."

"Good. I'll prepare your food. Just call me if you need something." the woman said and left [y/n]'s room.

As her aunt left, [y/n] browsed on her contacts and searched for Kawaguchi's number. "Found it." she whispered and gave the setter a call.

She put her phone on her ear and listened to the ringing, waiting patiently for the other girl to accept the call.

"Uhmm... Hello, [y/n]-san?" a meek voice sounded from the other line.

"Chiemi-tan! Sorry to disturb you this late! But I need to know what happened to the match."

"..." Silence.

[y/n] raised an eyebrow as she received no reply. "Chiemi-tan?"

"[y/n]-san, I'm sorry!" Kawaguchi apologized. "We did everything! But we still lost."

"Oh." was all [y/n] managed to say.

"You did your best despite of that fever, yet we failed you. I'm sorry!"

"No. I'm sorry." [y/n] said. "I should have listened to the coach and Keiji-tan. You guys were counting on me, yet, I've gotten myself sick. I'm sorry."

"[y/n]-san... Please don't apologize. You didn't want it to happen. Getting sick isn't your fault." the setter said.

[y/n] bit her lip, frustration of not being able to help her team was creeping on her. "Next Spring High. We'll win." [y/n] determinedly declared.

"Yes." Kawaguchi replied back. Next time, she'll make sure to do her best to support her team.

The next day...

"Oh! Akaashi-kun!" Aunt Miyu looked at the setter surprised finding him at the Bokuto residence door, early in the morning.

"Good morning, ma'am. I'm here to see [y/n]-san." Akaashi bowed.

"Oh! I see. She's at her room. She was already up. Just go there if you want." the woman smiled.

"I will. Thank you." he let a small smile and curiously looked at her. "Are you going somewhere?"

"Yeah. I know I should be staying here to take care of [y/n] but I really can't take a leave from my job. I was going to call the caretaker my sister hired to clean the house. I'm gonna ask her to stay with [y/n] until I return." she explained.

"Oh. I could stay here with her if you want." Akaashi offered.

"Eh? Is that really okay? I don't want to trouble you or anything. You already have done much for [y/n] last night when you stayed with her until I arrived." Aunt Miyu said hesitantly.

Akaashi smiled. "It's no trouble. I don't have any club activity today anyway."

The older woman smiled, thankful at the setter. "Thank you. You really are a big help, Akaashi-kun."

"It's fine. I'll go and see [y/n]-san. Please excuse me." Akaashi bowed again and headed inside the house to check on [y/n].

Aunt Miyu smiled as she watched Akaashi. "I hope their relationship blooms into something. [y/n]-chan need a guy like Akaashi-kun."

"Keiji-tan!" [y/n] looked at the door surprised as it opened and Akaashi entered.

Akaashi let a small smile. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

"I think I would be able to return to practice tomorrow." she smiled back.

Akaashi took a a seat at the chair, looking straight to [y/n]. "Have you eaten? Did you already took a medicine?"

[y/n] nodded with a smile. She was really happy that Akaashi visited her.

Akaashi took a deep breath and looked seriously at her. "Did you know what happened to the match yesterday?"

[y/n] looked down and nodded. "I called Chiemi-tan last night. She told me." [y/n] replied. "I'm sorry, Keiji-tan. I promised we will win but-"

"No." Akaashi interrupted her. "Don't apologize." he said and took her hand. "Just... Just promise me you'll never collapse like that ever again."

[y/n] looked down on their joined hands. His hand was cold and gives relief to her feverish body.

"You scared me." Akaashi admitted.

Akaashi just realized something important when he saw [y/n] collapsed yesterday. [y/n] was very important to her. Very. To others, [y/n] needed Akaashi to support her. She needed Akaashi to be there for her. But the thing no one realized was Akaashi also need [y/n] so that he could support someone. Akaashi didn't realized it either until yesterday. [y/n] was the one who made Akaashi feel needed. She was the one who makes Akaashi feel important.

[y/n] grasped his hand tighter and smiled. Akaashi looked down to their hands surprised at her action and looked up to her face.

[y/n] nodded. "I promise, Keiji-tan."

Akaashi closed his eyes and smiled. A peaceful silence followed with their hands joined.

TO BE CONTINUED