A/N: Hello everyone! First of all, thanks for the favs and follows and welcome to all the new readers! I hope you're all enjoying this story. Many things are happening in this chapter, so I hope everything is clear. Anyway, you know you can left you reviews, opinions and suggestions if you want to. All feedback is much appreciated.

Finally, I don't know when I'll be able to update this story. In the next days I'm having some important exams and then I'm having holidays, but I'll try to post the next chapter before July begins.

I do not own Haikyuu or its characters

CHAPTER TEN
Never ending dream

Jiro stared at his friend imploring for some help, but Watanabe Nagisa didn't change his face expression, even though when their noses were almost touching. It was as indifferent as always.

"You're too close", he finally spoke.

Jiro sighed and took a step back, "Come on, Nagi-chan! I need your help!"

"I told you, Jiro-kun, that you were being too nosy. What you have done is inexcusable, so you have to accept the consequences. Don't make me take side for you"

Jiro clicked his tongue. His best friend used such a complicated language for him. He understood what he meant more or less, so he scratched his head. "You know they'll only listen to me if you come. Actually, I think you should speak in my place"

"Don't use me like if I were some kind of toy", Nagisa took his backpack and headed towards the door to leave the classroom. Jiro followed him closely, still trying to persuade him. When the two of them left the room, they caught a bunch of girls sticking their heads through the class door. Although Nagisa didn't pay them any attention and kept walking, Jiro did. All of them started giggling as their cheeks turned red. He, however, stared at his friend and couldn't help but think what made him so attractive.

Watanabe Nagisa was a second-year, but he was already the vice president of the student's council. Everybody knew him, especially girls in Karasuno. He was tall and thin and, although he didn't like sports, he had a well-shaped body. He had flowing peach-blond hair and amber eyes. He was handsome and, since Jiro had known him, he has been able to win the hearts of all females everywhere he goes.

Jiro and Nagisa met when they were at kindergarten. Their parents were neighbors and friends, so Jiro spent most of the time with Nagisa. While Jiro was a lively child, Nagisa was quite the opposite. He was quiet. And they didn't change, not a bit, during all these years.

Jiro didn't have any other friends, only Nagisa. They only had each other, although Jiro was much more open-minded about making new friends. Yet, Jiro knew Nagisa better that anybody. Every girl in Karasuno dreamt about dating Watanabe Nagisa, even a couple of them were brave enough to ask him on a date, but Nagisa's answer was always the same: No. He was so blunt sometimes that even Jiro felt sorry for those poor girls. Nagisa used to tell him that he rejected all those girls because his life was perfect at that moment, but Jiro thought that, actually, his friend was searching for something in particular. He could have all the girls he wanted. Maybe the right one didn't show up yet.

"I know you don't like it, but it's obvious that you are charming. If they see you just standing by my side, they'll say yes without even thinking about it carefully", Jiro insisted.

"Don't use me for you own purposes"

"Well… Actually, it didn't always work. Yesterday, I talked to Furi-chan about you, you know, I told her that I was your friend, so I could introduce you to her". Nagisa looked sideways at his friend. He seemed skeptical, but Jiro kept talking. "I know. It was a bad move. I should stop using you to get anything I want… But you won't believe it. She didn't know you. In fact, she thought you were a girl"

Nagisa stopped in his tracks. Jiro smirked. He had finally caught his friend's attention, but the answer wasn't exactly what he expected. "I guess it's normal. It's a common name for girls"

Jiro sighed, "You are impossible, but I think you should meet her"

"First of all, try to fix everything you've done and apologize to her"

"You're starting to talk like my sister"

Nagisa showed him a light smile and Jiro grinned. Nagisa always looked so serious, but Jiro was the only one who was able to make him laugh. He looked over his shoulder to know if those girls who were spying on them were following them and they were, indeed. He then stared at his friend curiously and smiled. Jiro was sure that those girls would kill only to hear Nagisa's beautiful laughter.

"Okay. You win", Jiro sighed. "I'll talk to them all alone"

"Good luck then"

Nagisa turned left and waved at him while he kept walking without looking back. Jiro clicked his tongue and turned on his heels to walk in the opposite direction. The third-years area was upstairs and he was hoping that the people he wanted to talk to hadn't left yet.

Jiro didn't spend a great night after what happened with Noa. He thought that everything he did, he did it for the team, but, after explaining the whole thing to Nagisa, his best friend had opened his eyes. He had crossed the line. He made his own plans without having anybody in mind and, probably, he had made Noa's burden heavier. He was willing to fix it. He needed to fix it. But, as selfish as he could seem, he wished he could become the female volleyball team's manager. Although he wished that team could compete again as well.

Jiro checked the class number a couple of times and, then, he poked his head round the door. There were already a lot of people in the class. Probably, they were students who preferred to study at high school. Nobody noticed his presence, so he cleared his throat before speaking out loud, "Is Michimiya Yui here?"

Everybody turned around to fix their eyes on him. Jiro smiled and then he spotted a girl with short brown her who was standing up, "It's me"

"Oh! Great!" Jiro went into the classroom and he approached her. He took the girl's hands and shook them eagerly. "My name is Aoyama Jiro. It's a pleasure to meet you, Michimiya-senpai!"

"Huh… Yeah…" Michimiya Yui blushed as everyone in her classroom was staring at them curiously. "May I help you?"

"Of course you can!" Jiro rubbed the back of his neck. "Are you alone? I mean… Are Niimura Yoshino and Nagano Noriko with you? I know you are in different classes…"

"Well, I'm Niimura Yoshino. How do you know our names?" Jiro looked down. A girl who had mid-length pale brown hair was staring at him, still sitting on her chair.

"Can we talk in a more private place, please? It's something important"

The two girls exchanged looks, but then they nodded. Jiro's presence caught everybody's attention and they didn't like to be in the spotlight, so they went out the class to talk in the hallway. As Jiro turned around to face them, the two girls crossed their arms. They didn't like the situation at all.

"As I said, my name is Aoyama Jiro. I'm sixteen and I'm a first-year. I'm so sorry for bothering you, especially when you are studying for your exams, but I have a favor to ask you"

"Oh…" Niimura Yoshino rolled her eyes. "You asked for Noriko as well… Has this something to do with the volleyball team? Because we have already talked to a girl more or less like you and we've already told her th-"

"This has nothing to do with Furi-chan", Jiro cut her off. "Well, not entirely. I mean… I want to be part of the team. I want to be the manager, but she rejected me. Actually, all the team said 'no'. I know Furi-chan is working hard because she wants the team to compete again, but her teammates seem to be making things much more complicated than she thought at first". Jiro made a pause. "Well… That's something I suppose because she hates me now", he smiled sadly.

"That has nothing to do with us", Niimura Yoshino frowned.

"Wait", Michimiya Yui raised her hand to stop her friend from talking. "Keep going"

"I have done something bad. Really bad. I get the team a practice match against Itachiyama Academy"

"Oh", Minishimiya Yui's eyes widened. "That's impressive. They have such a good girls' volleyball team"

"I know, but Furi-chan got mad at me"

"Because the team hasn't got enough members to compete", Niimura Yoshino stated.

"That's right. And that's what I came here. To ask you, no… To beg you to help them"

"Hold on a second… Are you suggesting that we should come back to the team?"

"Not exactly", Jiro shrugged, but Niimura Yoshino gave him a death glare. "Okay… Yes! But it would be okay if you don't want to come back. I was only wondering if you would be willing to just help the team this time"

"Why don't you just call to Itachiyama Academy to cancel it?"

"Because I can't! I've even spoken with the current captain and I promised her that I was going to do anything I could to remember them how much they love volleyball. And I've committed with Itachiyama Academy already".

Michimiya Yui and Niimura Yoshino kept quiet. The former captain looked down and bit her bottom lip. Jiro knew it. She was doubting. "Please", he mumbled.

"That's stupid", Niimura Yoshino spat.

"Come on! It's just one match! Afterwards, you can forget about volleyball if you want to", he stared at Michimiya Yui, but she looked away.

"Let us think about it", she finally murmured.

"What!?" Niimura Yoshino couldn't believe what her best friend said. "Don't you remember how much we suffered after losing the first match of the Interhigh preliminaries"

"I know", Michimiya Yui clenched her fists, "but I think we owe something to the team. Maybe having a practice match against Itachiyama Academy would be a great goodbye. I know they are going to crush us, but I don't think that's the point. They are one of the best teams in Japan"

Niimura Yoshino scratched her head. "You've been acting weird since Furihata Noa tried to persuade us to come back to the team"

"I know…" Michimiya Yui sighed. "It's just… I want to play one more time"

Niimura Yoshino smiled and nodded, "Then it's settled. You were the captain, so whatever decision you make, it'll be fine", she looked at Jiro. "We'll play, but only this time. After that, we don't want to know anything from the volleyball team"

"Really?!" Jiro's eyes sparkled. "This is so great!" The boy jumped full of excitement and he hugged the two girls by surprise.

"Aoyama-kun…" Michimiya Yui mumbled, feeling how her cheeks turned red.

"Sorry, sorry", he smiled sheepishly as he stopped hugging them. "This is going to be great! They're going to freak out!" He yelled, so the two other girls tried to calm him down trying not catch everybody attention. "Anyway, I thought the third-years were three"

"Oh! Yes!" Michimiya Yui smiled. "We are forgetting about Noriko and she is one of the most important players"

Jiro blinked in confusion, so Niimura Yoshino followed, "She is the ace", she smirked. "I think you should start to study how volleyball works", she tapped Jiro's back.

He chuckled. "And where is she?"

"Maybe I can call her", Muchimiya Yui took her phone and searched for the number in her agenda.

"By the way", Niimura Yoshino turned around to face Jiro while her best friend was calling Nagano Noriko, "where and when is the match?"

Jiro grinned, "Don't worry. I have everything planned"

…

Noa looked up, watching how the clouds changed shape. The weather was great, so, after classes, she lay down in the campus grass. She didn't have anything better to do. She wouldn't go to practice.

She was done with volleyball.

Noa sighed. Maybe it was better that way. She couldn't force her teammates to follow her wishes and she didn't prove either that indoor volleyball was her thing. Although that didn't mean she had to give up completely. She glanced at Kageyama. The setter was lying next to her while he tossed the ball over and over again.

"Kageyama, would you toss the ball for me?"

Kageyama grabbed the ball firmly when it fell into his hands and he looked at her raising an eyebrow. Noa giggled. They had spent almost thirty minutes lying in the grass in silence, without saying anything and ignoring the curious glances the students gave them, so Noa guessed that breaking the silence took Kageyama by surprise. "Sure", he finally answered. Noa smiled and got up. So did Kageyama.

"What?" Noa asked when she realized the strange expression on Kageyama's face.

"You're wearing the uniform", he pointed out.

"So what?"

"Skirt", he answered as his cheeks turned red.

Noa smirked and approached to him. "Well, don't look" She touched his cheek playfully with her index finger, trying to tease him. Kageyama huffed and looked away, so Noa giggled. After all, he was going to toss the ball for her anyway.

Kageyama's set-ups were truly amazing. His technic was extraordinary and everything seemed much easier. He was different from Sugawara. But, if she had to be sincere and although she thought Sugawara was adorable and a good setter, Kageyama was much better than the third-year.

"Be patient!" he shouted.

Noa put her hands on her hips as she watched him picking up the ball once again. She wasn't spiking the ball as well as she expected. In fact, she was rushing her moves. "Maybe I'm not being patient, but you have to adapt to the player's style as well". Kageyama groaned, but he stopped when Noa took his arm and squeezed it affectionately. He looked down at her and blinked in confusión feeling his annoyance disappear when he saw her face expression. "Let's continue, okay?" She smiled brightly and he nodded eagerly.

Noa liked spending time with Kageyama, although they didn't talk much. Actually, they didn't talk very often, but he was a completely different person compared to Hinata. The setter was as passionate as his teammate when it came to volleyball, but Kageyama wasn't as loud as Hinata. Noa and Hinata were too alike, so Noa sometimes needed to be with someone like Kageyama.

"Is it true that you are going to give up the team!?"

The ball which Kageyama had just tossed hit Noa's head as she couldn't move when she heard that question. Hinata ran towards them and he jumped again and again between Kageyama and Noa, trying to show how upset he was with Noa.

"Hinata-kun!" Yachi arrived after Hinata. The girl had been running after him, but the orange-haired boy was faster than her.

"Have you told him!?" Noa looked daggers at her friend.

"I'm sorry", Yachi apologized as she tried to catch her breath.

"Wait". Kageyama picked up the ball and stared at Noa. "You haven't told me anything", he frowned, feeling kind of betrayed by the girl.

Noa clicked her tongue, "Yes. I'm quitting because I've realized I was wrong about volleyball"

"What!?" Hinata pointed at her. "That's not true! Why would you change your mind!? You like volleyball and you are good at it!"

"That's not the point, Hinata", Noa sighed. "It's so tiring when you try to get something, but people don't support you"

"We support you!"

Noa grinned, "I know, but my teammates don't. I tried and I failed", Noa rubbed the back of her neck. "We had an argument yesterday and, well, they told me some pretty bad things. I'm just being a burden, so it will be better if I don't show up in the gym never again"

"Noa-san…" Yachi expression saddened. She already knew the whole story because Noa had told her, but she didn't like seeing her friend like that. And Hinata and Kageyama either. The orange-haired boy clenched his fists and he bit his bottom lip. He was searching for something comforting to tell to Noa, but he didn't come up with something.

"Anyway…" Noa smiled broadly. "Have you finished copying Yachi's notes, Hinata?"

Hinata nodded eagerly in response, but his expression changed when Kageyama spoke. "You're too slow!" And that's how they started having an argument as always. Yachi and Noa exchanged glances and laughed.

"Okay, okay". Noa intervened between the two boys. "Are you nervous about the exams? They're tomorrow"

Kageyama and Hinata relaxed and turned around to look at Noa. "A little bit", Hinata confessed. "But if we passed, we'll go to Tokyo!" He added, raising his right fist eagerly in the air.

"That's so cool", Noa sighed. "I wish I could go. I'd like to know how the teams you're going to play against to are"

"Yeah…" Hinata looked up at the sky. They all remained silent, letting their imagination go wild. Kageyama and Hinata already knew Nekoma, so they were truly excited about getting to know better other teams, especially if Karasuno would be heading to Nationals. Their trip to Tokyo was going to be a good exercise to improve their skills and their work as a team.

"Furihata Noa!" Everyone turned around. Noa's eyes widened when she saw the twins, Harada Ayako and Ayaka, running toward her. They seemed really upset. "What are you doing here!?" Ayako yelled at her.

"Huh…" Noa tried to say something, but Ayaka cut her off.

"We had practice! We have already warmed up!" She put her hands on her hips.

"Skipping practice!? Ha! Chizuko won't kill you, but we will"

"I thought you quit, Noa-san", Hinata mentioned.

"What!?" Ayako looked daggers at Noa. "Yeah… Keep dreaming, American girl", she took her by the arm. "You won't leave this team so easily, not if we don't allow it"

"What do you think you are do-"

"Go, go", Ayaka pushed her while Noa tried to defend herself. Noa looked over her shoulder, begging Hinata, Kageyama or Yachi to help her, but they didn't move or say anything. They seemed puzzled by the twins' behavior. Noa didn't know what was going on, but the twins were acting weird, even though they were as harsh as always.

Noa thought her teammates didn't care about her. They made it clear, so why were they doing all that? They told her that they wanted to enjoy volleyball and they couldn't do it if she was around. Maybe they changed their minds, but Noa couldn't help but feel skeptical about it. The twins waited patiently outside the changing room while Noa put her tracksuit on. She really wanted to ask them what was happening, but she preferred to remain silent and she did as they pleased.

When they got into the gym, Noa's eyes widened. Oka Chizuko and Shiraiwa Mayu were already waiting near the gym door and, when they saw her, the two girls smiled brightly. But that wasn't what caught Noa's attention. There were more people inside and they were much older.

"What is this?" Noa mumbled, a little bit nervous.

"Well", Oka Chizuko approached, "as a captain, I can't allow what happened yesterday and I'm sorry". Noa blinked in confusion. "We've been through a lot and we understand your position, but I think you should try to understand how everyone else feel as well. I know you didn't do anything on purpose and I'm sure you're a good person, but that's not how things work here". Noa nodded as her cheeks turned red.

"You can't ask some…" Mayu thought for a few seconds, trying to find the right words.

"Creepy guy", Ayako stated.

Mayu clicked her tongue. That wasn't exactly what she was thinking, but she followed anyway, "You can't ask someone to try to convince us. That was inappropriate and…"

"No, no, no", Noa interrupted the libero. "Oh gosh… You're talking about Aoyama Jiro, aren't you?" Mayu nodded. "I don't know him at all. He told me that he wanted to be our manager, but I explained him that I couldn't make such an important decision"

"Oh"

"I guessed you thought that he was part of my plan, but, seriously, that's not true at all", Noa followed. "I've even spoken to him yesterday". Well, that wasn't exactly true, but Noa thought her teammates didn't need to know the whole story. "He arranged a practice match against Itachiyama Academy's female volleyball team, so I warned him. He has crossed the line"

"He did what!?" The twins said in unison.

"I told him we won't go because we haven't got enough members to compete. The match is his problem, not ours"

"Anyway…" The captain fiddled with her fingers. "We should apologize too and that's why I called the Housewives' Association", Chizuko pointed at the group of women who were already lined up in the court.

"Is this real?" Noa couldn't believe it. She was wrong from the beginning, but she was sometimes too arrogant to admit her own mistakes.

"Of course it's real!" Ayaka patted Noa's back.

"You have to stay on the team", Mayu took Noa's hand and squeezed it affectionately.

"Yeah", Ayako grinned. "Next time, if you skip practice, I'll haunt you". Noa swallowed hard and giggled nervously.

After warming up, Noa could participate in the match. They were only five members, so two women of the association played with them, but, despite that, that was something Noa had been looking for for a long time. Maybe, if she had handled better her wish of getting the team to compete again, there wouldn't have been any misunderstanding between them. Yet, her teammates were showing that they were interested in Noa being part of the team and they thought that granting Noa's whish of playing a practice match was the best way of fitting in.

And it ended up being a good experience. An experience Noa would never forget. She felt grateful and lucky because, for the first time since she had arrived to Japan, she felt part of something and, as weird as it could be, sharing that moment with her teammates was the best part of it. They had still a lot to improve, especially Noa. She should try to get to know better her teammates, but she was going on the right track.

The match against the Housewives' Association wasn't as easy as they thought at first. The women were skillful and they knew what they were doing. They had to endeavor to win the first set against those women, so, during the second set, Chizuko made clear that they should never underestimate their rivals, although they were amateurs.

They needed to improve a lot as a team. Given that Noa hadn't played a single match with her new team, she wasn't used to their dynamic, so she crashed more than once with her teammates. Noa felt ashamed by that, especially because most of the time she invaded their space and, although Ayako was the one who yelled at her when that happened, Mayu and Chizuko tried to cheer her up. As they played more matches together, they were sure that Noa would assume her role as a wing spiker.

"Great match", one of the women said as she shook Chizuko's hand.

The captain nodded and smiled, "Thank you for coming. We have a long way to go, but I think this match has help us to smooth things over", she said while she walked the women to the door after they had picked up their things.

Noa smiled as she sipped some water. Her captain was right. They'll have to work hard in order to be a better team, but they did a lot of progress in just one day. Everything seemed natural at the moment.

"Why are you smiling like a fool?" Ayako was watching her carefully.

Noa jumped a little bit and then giggled, "I feel truly grateful. Thank you so much. This is all I ever wanted. Chizuko is such a great captain"

Ayako furrowed her brow, "Chizuko? We are you senpais, you little runt!" The setter put her right arm around Noa's shoulders and, using her left hand, she ruffled Noa's hair.

"Okay, okay. I get it!" Noa laughed as she tried to get free from Ayako.

"I won't stop until you call me Ayako-senpai!" She chortled. The two girls' behavior made the rest of the team laugh. Finally, Noa gave up and did as Ayako pleased.

Ayako and Tanaka were alike, although the setter was much ruder and she seemed to be upset with everyone. It was hard to tell when she was joking or when she was being serious, but, at that moment, Noa didn't care about it because, for the first time she had met the setter, Noa thought they could get along well despite their differences.

"Knock! Knock!"

The girls turned around when someone knocked the gym door. "Oh no…" Ayako mumbled. "This must be a nightmare". But it wasn't. Aoyama Jiro was coming into the gym, smiling brightly.

"Did you play a practice match? Ahhh… And I missed it!" He jumped excitedly.

"Aoyama-kun", Chizuko stepped forward, "what can I do for you?"

"Actually, you just have to listen to what I'm going to say". The twins rolled her eyes and Noa huffed, but Mayu gave them a death stare and the three girls crossed their arms. Then, Chizuko nodded, so Jiro knew he could continue talking. "I came here to apologize. I know I've been too stubborn and I've invaded your space. I don't know if Furi-chan has told you", Noa felt a shiver running down her spine. God knows how much she hated that nickname, "but I arranged a match against Itachiyama Academy. I should have asked you first, but I'm not going to cancel it. You're going this weekend to Tokyo"

"What!?" Ayaka eyes widened.

"So it was true…" Ayako followed.

"Aoyama-kun, we appreciate your effort, but we can't compete anymore", Chizuko's expression saddened. It was clear that she was wishing to play that practice match, but they couldn't afford it and that made it much more painful than it already was.

"I haven't finished yet", Jiro grinned. He seemed too proud and Noa didn't like it a bit. "Girls, you can come in now!"

The girls' mouths opened. Three more girls came into the gym. Noa knew two of them. They were Michimiya Yui and Niimura Yoshino. The third one was tall, probably the tallest member of the team. She had dark blond hair which was tidied up in a long ponytail and honey-colored round eyes. She had a self-confident aura around her and, although Noa didn't know her, she already admired her.

"Wh-What are you doing here?" Mayu mumbled. The second-years couldn't believe their eyes.

"Jiro-kun begged us", Yui blushed as she remembered the whole conversation, "so we decided to give it a chance. We are not coming back to the team, but we'll help you this time. You don't have the chance of playing against one of the biggest teams in Japan everyday"

Noa's eyes sparkled. "This is so great!" She ran toward the third-years. "My name is Furihata Noa and I'm wing spiker!" She introduced herself, although Yui and Yoshino knew her already.

"I'm Nagano Noriko", the tall third-year simply said. Noa raised her eyebrows as she was expecting more information about her.

"She is our Ace", Yui explained while smiling sheepishly.

The Ace. Noa's cheeks went red. Yes, they would only play with them just one more time, but Noa felt too excited about the news. At that moment, they were a team.

"Jiro-kun, could you please explain the rest of the team what you have told us?" Yui demanded.

"Yeah! Sure!" Jiro blushed a little bit. He rubbed his neck embarrassed, but, when he opened his mouth to speak again, he was interrupted by someone.

"And how are you supposed to compete against Itachiyama Academy if you are so poorly trained?" Noa knew that voice and, although she was seeing it with her own eyes, she couldn't believe Mori Hatsue was standing, arms crossed, a few meters away from them.

"Mori Hatsue", she murmured.

"Who?" Yoshino asked looking at Noa. They needed answers. Who was that woman? Why did Noa know her?

"You haven't talked to them about me?" Mori Hatsue raised an eyebrow.

"Well", Noa scratched her head, "we've been through a lot in just a couple of days", she giggled nervously. "Girls… And boy, I guess… She's Mori Hatsue. I asked her if she wanted to join us as our coach, but she refused my offer"

"May I ask then why are you here?" Jiro glanced at the woman curiously.

Mori Hatsue looked away. "Noa-san seemed committed with the team, so maybe I reconsidered it after watching you play against those women…" She mumbled.

"Are you serious!?" Noa jumped, full of excitement.

"Hold on, you little monkey!" Mori Hatsue spat.

"Little monkey?" Ayako and her twin sister tried not to burst into laughter, but it was really difficult not to do it. Noa looked daggers at them, but she couldn't help but blush. That was how Mori Hatsue used to call her when she was still her mother's friend.

"You looked at me with those puppy eyes and I couldn't resist", the woman put her hands on her hips. "But I'll make things clear! First of all, I don't know anything about volleyball, but I'm an expert when it comes to physical condition and yours is terrible". The girls swallowed hard. Mori Hatsue seemed to be very tough. "If I'm your coach, you'll train hard and I don't want to hear any excuse. Not even from you", she pointed at the third-years. "I haven't seen you play against the housewives, but I guessed your physical condition is as bad as theirs"

"No… We are not going t-"

"We'll see that", Mori Hatsue didn't let Michimiya Yui finish. "We'll have practice tomorrow. I'll test you, so I can prepare a proper plan for each of you. We have a short squad, that's why it's important you are all prepared to resist a whole match. We can't afford many substitutions", Mori Hatsue gave Jiro a card. "You are the manager, aren't you? It has my number written on it. Text me". She headed then to the gym entrance and before leaving, she looked over her shoulder. "I'll see you at eight and you'll explain me later how you are planning to go to Tokyo. Don't disappoint me". Although those last words seemed to be addressed to everyone on that gym, Noa felt Mori Hatsue was especially talking to her.

"What was that?" Yoshino asked a bit puzzled.

"What a woman!" Jiro said, his eyes sparkling and his cheeks turning red.

"You pervert!" Ayako patted his head

"She's fantastic. I promise", Noa said. She was still a little bit confused for what was happening. "She is like a personal trainer. She works for Japan's volleyball national team, for example. She's in charge of the young talents. She makes sure that they get to the team in the perfect condition"

"Whao… She must know a lot of important players", Mayu stated.

"Anyway", Yui clapped her hands, "we have a lot of things to discuss"

All the team nodded. Before speaking, the girls went to the changing room in order to change their clothes and take their backpacks. Afterwards, Noa suggested that they could go to coach Ukai's family store as it was nearby. Besides, it was the only place Noa knew where they could talk without being interrupted. The boys probably wouldn't be there because in a few hours they would be travelling to Tokyo.

When they got to the store, coach Ukai was smoking a cigarette while he read some kind of magazine. As the girls entered, he stood up and put out his cigarette. "Good night, Ukai-san", Noa greeted him, showing a big smile.

"Oh", Ukai scratched his head. "Do I know you, right? You are friends with some members of the team". Noa nodded. "So, what can I do for you, girls?"

Each of the girls bought something to eat, especially Noa and the second-years. They were starving after practice. Then, they left the store and sat on a bench in a nearby park, although Jiro and the twins preferred to remain standing.

"So, what's the big plan?" Ayako asked before she had a bite of her meat bun.

"Well, as Yui-chan has already explained, the third-years are coming to Tokyo only to help us, but it won't be a next time", Jiro answered frankly and the third-years nodded in approval. "I know this is kind of a sudden, but I think it would be a great experience"

"Yeah, that's beautiful, but how are we going to Tokyo?" Noa insisted.

"Good question!" Jiro winked at her. "Someone can give us a lift there. And before you could say anything, there's someone who has already agreed, so there's no problem"

"You are too mysterious about it", Ayako spat and Jiro grinned in response.

"I don't know…" Chizuko hesitated. "This sounds too easy. I mean, yesterday we were having an argument and today, in just a couple of minutes, our senpais want to play one more match. And we even have a coach!"

"You're right", Mayu followed. "It is too good to be real"

"But it is real", Yoshino smiled. "We just want one more chance. After that, the volleyball thing will be over"

"Are you sure about that?" Ayako asked as she crossed her arms. "Can you guarantee that after the match you will be able to forget about volleyball so easily? Chizuko is the captain now, you know"

"I… I know", Yui mumbled. "I haven't decided to help you because I want to be the captain again. It's just that I want to say goodbye to volleyball in a proper way"

"You don't have to be too over-protective with Chizuko-san…" Noriko clicked her tongue.

"O-Okay… That's enough", Chizuko tried to calm things down as she blushed. Noa stared at her curiously. Chizuko was a shy girl, that was for sure, but Noa thought there was much more. She couldn't notice it all by herself, but she was sure that Chizuko had some serious insecurity problems. "Please, continue, Aoyama-kun"

"We have more or less a five hours trip to Tokyo and we should be at Itachiyama Academy at 10:00"

"What!?" Ayaka exclaimed. "We have to leave at 4:00 if we want to arrive on time!"

"I know… I know… But you sometimes have to make some sacrifices…" Jiro rubbed the back of his neck. "We'll meet on Sunday at 4:00 in front of Karasuno's entrance"

"How am I supposed to walk all the way down to high school at 4:00? It's already night!" Noa wasn't very comfortable about it. She used to be a little bit frightened when she had to walk home at night.

"You could sleep over at my house, Noa-san", Mayu suggested. "I live far from here and I'm a bit worried about being all alone in the street at night as well"

"Then, it's settled!" Jiro exclaimed without letting Noa answer. "We are going to Tokyo!"

~See you next time!