Chapter 12

Doubts


Disclaimer: I do not own anything Haikyu! related. I only own the story written here on this website and the original characters associated in the timeline.

A/N: Anything in [bold, italic, and in brackets] like so are Rei's personal thoughts in the first portion. Otherwise they will return to this example. Thank you and enjoy.


Cold.

Dark.

Quiet.

They were all Rei had sense. It was eerie and unsettling for how empty it felt, how it clawed at her very being and chilled her whole body inside out.

She didn't like it [honestly who would] and her teal eyes squinted into the inky blackness and searched... searched for something - anything - that will give away where she was.

It became fruitless; only the void ahead of her and the sound of a single water droplet [one that kept on hitting the ground in a consecutive pattern] were apparent.

Then Rei went to open her mouth, expecting her voice to fill the empty air. However no words fell from her lips, not a single letter. She tried again and nonetheless, was muted in her second attempt and the growing vexation was clear on her face.

Great. She couldn't see in the dark nor speak.

Like as if adding more confusion was impossible, a small chill then brushed past her neck and caused goosebumps to trail up her bare arms, freezing her to the bone. It came from behind and Rei's blue green gaze didn't hesitate look around [because if there was wind, then there was a way out of there, right?].

[Nope, of course not -] there was nothing. Just the darkness. Again.

Her shoulders slouched, a grimace marred her face, and Rei wanted to scream. Those thick eyebrows were pinched together, truly expressing her aggravation and she was tempted on marching around in the dark for the answers rather than standing there any longer, even if she had no clue where she would've been going.

But the breeze gave away its hiding spot a second time and kept blowing at her bangs, pushing them upwards. Rei soon squatted into a crouch and placed a hand out before her, fingers sliding across the marble smooth, pitch-black floor. The wind felt stronger although there were no holes or slits to explain the phenomenon.

Disbelief gnawed at Rei's bottom lip.

[Well, there goes finding a way out... ]

"Rei."

Then the winds unexplained source was quickly placed on the back burner and she spun up behind herself, almost too fast where she nearly tripped whilst looking for the whispered voice that called her name.

A voice that could help her answer questions. Many questions.

"Rei."

It was much closer the second time, as if it was right in front of Rei, and the teenager grew more frantic, trying again for the one who spoke her name with such familiarity in the empty void.

"Rei."

On the last spin of her heel, Rei was surprisingly face to face with a brilliant white figure, a silhouette of a woman's body, yet nothing else stuck out on whom it was, perplexing Rei furthermore.

She attempted speaking but was immediately reminded she had lacked a voice, her lips only moving and nothing spoken. Although no words were exchanged, the bright form sweetly faked a smile in a way that struck a nerve in Rei. On any other day, Rei would've sneered. Except the nostalgic expression had her utter one word that finally broke the silence.

"Mom?"

Whether she was right or wrong, an unrecognizable force tripped her backwards, pulling her down toward the winds that were once brushing her bangs, now rushed past her ears as she fell into the black void of a hole. Loud winds whip her hair around, the blonde strands contrasting harshly against the dark surroundings. Her 'mother' was definitely long gone by then, but the uncanny feeling she was still smiling had Rei shutter involuntarily.

Her fall began slowing, the indication given by how the winds quieted down and her hair was not hazardously flying in her sight or her mouth. Rei soon felt gravity shift slowly back to her feet, her landing more graceful and less painful than she predicted it would've been [and gladly accepted it]. She steady her footing and stood once more in the black void.

Until a door shape entrance open and blinded the blonde.

She blinked away for a moment and her arms shield as much as they could. Soon large hands engulfed her small shoulder frame and teal eyes fluttered back open to another figure, leveling to her height. She could not tell much on who it was right away, even with them so close and the light from behind settling down at a casual rate.

So instead, Rei couldn't help but sink in the details of the room, spotting a familiar comforter on a twin sized bed and the mounds of stuffed animals that littered the room. She attempted to place her finger where exactly she was until she spotted an old Dutch rabbit chewing away on his lettuce in his cage tucked into the corner of her bedroom, seven years ago.

"I'm sorry, my little Rei," the same words that were shared years ago, the very words that came from her father's lips and his sad smile revealing the parental figure to the girl. "I hope you don't hate mommy or daddy for not telling you until now."

Rei's head moved, shaking and it mentally alarmed the girl when words escaped on their own accord. "No I don't! I love you and mommy much!"

It was a moment before Rei realized it was just a memory replaying inside this world she was bearing witness too. It was odd, yet if she had some sort of will power over this memory, she would've wished for a second chance and would've said differently. And done more than hug her father for the last time before he moved out from their home the next day.

"We'll miss you, Rei!"

Her landscape this time phased rather than flash to somewhere she knew right away - her front yard from America. It was another memory, one where her few friends were surprising her one last time before she got in the taxi for the airport with her mother for Japan.

"Don't forget about me, okay?" Rei joked at the time, unaware on how easily they would lose contact after her move, as if she never existed.

The one guy friend blew raspberries with his tongue. "How could one forget their favorite math buddy?"

"Wow," Rei drily said, holding back a smirk. "Is that what I'm really remembered for?"

The other male laughed. "Hey, you Asians know how to number crunch really fucking well."

"Way to be stereotypical," finally her female friend chimed in, hands folded across her chest. She even bumped him aggressively with her hip. "Don't worry Rei. I like you for you, not just the brains." But she leaned in to whisper to Rei, "But you were my hero in geometry."

Rei chuckled at that.

Her best girl friend then made sure to give double the hugs and kisses since her guys friends had sucked at public displays of affections [which they thought were punching my arm and sharing those smart-ass remarks].

That memory had her smile despite how the tears felt just as hot running down her cheeks and how the final goodbyes were even more heartbreaking as she experienced it for a second time in the dream induced state she was in.

Driving away as they got smaller in the distance was probably the worst of it. She still had a chance at that time to tell her mom no - that she could've lived with her one best friend until she was done with high school.

But she hesitated [again].

And it was a regret Rei will never forget.

Rei began on wiping away the tears and sadden thoughts, returning in the endless void, and the bitter sweetness of her friends goodbyes washed away when a white curtain came into view. The cursed water droplet even started back up from earlier, except it's began to morph more into a ticking clock.

The change of scenery startled Rei and she avoid approaching at first, trying her voice out of habit instead. She should've known in this dark world, that nothing would utter out. Not even when she used 'mom' not too long ago [or was is a while ago - time in there was unreadable, even with an invisible clock's ticking].

In the end, she willed herself towards the mystery drapes.

Fingers reached out as she near the curtains and they slightly trembled before curling around the scratchy cloth. Then in a one fell swoop, Rei torn it back and the sounds of metal rings clinging on a rod brought her inside a hospital room with her grandfather in bed.

He was wide awake, his gaze focus out the window and a small smile blessing his lips. Rei's own instantly grew on her and she couldn't stop herself from running over to the side he was viewing, happy and delighted he was alive and well.

But, as she caught his attention, the look of pure curiosity graced his patched up face. Rei had stumbled into a stop at the sight and slowly dropped her grin.

'What's wrong, Pop-pop?' was what she wanted to ask. However, her muted self only mouthed it. The old man titled his head.

"Are you lost?" Ren had asked in her silence. Rei shook her head and that caused him to blink her way.

'No, no, no!' She shook her head a second time, faster and firmer. 'I'm your granddaughter Rei!' She gestured her hand against her chest, eyes speaking volumes of hope and desperation.

Yet he couldn't read minds even in her own world she was stuck in.

But he could read nonetheless, right?!

Rei frantically searched the small room and found a conveniently placed paper on the table beside his bed and a pen, quickly scratching her name in and handing it over not a second later. She watched her Pop-pop squint his eyes, reading the note as she apprehensively chewed her bottom lip.

"Rei..." Then the old man weakly smiled. It revealed some sadness in it while he return the note to Rei. She may have visibly relaxed, but as the old man made no move or sound, only his smile growing more weary, she began to worry.

Although Rei shouldn't; like really, who would forget their own family members, disease or not?

The self encouragement eventually made Rei move to grab the paper slip he soon offered back, the clock uncontrollably loud when her fingers touched the crinkled paper and eyes locking on each other before he uttered lowly with;

"I don't know a Rei."

Initially, everything froze; the infamous clock and it's annoying ticking on the wall, the dropping note which stopped in mid-air, and even Pop-pop's breathing.

Rei suddenly felt so cold.

Colder than the void had brought previously in her weird placement of her imagination or dreams or whatever she was lost in. Her heart tighten as if a boa constrictor was wrapped around it, squeezing out any life in her lungs. She dropped to her hands and knees from how hard it was to breathe and the tears in her vision had Rei unnoticed the switch to the dark world once more.

The air was dense and heavier that time. So thick, so hard to move, it just became easier for Rei to just kneel there rather than fight it, her arms weakly wrapping around herself as her forehead and bangs kissed the marble floor.

Be it a dream or a new world she had inhabited; the empty darkness, the coldness and silence were all too much at once. Rei just wanted it to end.

[What was the point of fighting at all when no one remembers you?]

As the last warm breath was about to leave her, something tapped her thigh ever so softly and was surprising on its own that it had caught Rei's attention away from her negative thoughts.

Tired teal eyes peeked from her slouched form and out from the black inkiness there was a green, red, and white blob. Rei blinked the blurring tears away, and she lifted her heavy head, realizing the colorful circle near her leg was no other than the generic volleyball from her club.

[What is that doing here?]

Rei unraveled her arms and slowly sat up, eyes never leaving the volleyball. She believed if she took her gaze off it for one second, it would disappear, as if it was never there in the first place. Then warmth emanated from the volleyball and it beckoned Rei with a pleasurable shiver up her back, the void's icy clutches melting and the dense air burning away with the darkness that surrounded her when her hand inched closer towards it.

"Rei-nee-chan!"

The second time when Rei opened her eyes, a ginger mane and a bright morning sun graced her. Rei was a bit disoriented from the sudden switch of lighting, the glow being such a huge contrast to the previous surroundings of the mental void. It took quite a bit of time for her sleep addled mind on playing catch up and as she blinked for adjustment, the familiar voice of Hinata filled the space between them again.

"Uh, are you alright?"

Rei could blame her exhaustion when his concern wasn't registered, and instead when she took interest of the outside, next to the closed doors of the gym where their practices were usually held. Rei slowly figured she had fallen asleep there after sneaking out last night from her home.

Oh. Home...

A grimace was not far behind, the twisting on her lips were impossible to miss. And neither were the two brown eyes staring into her when she finally return her wandering gaze on the first year.

"Oh, sorry. Good morning," Rei popped her feign smile on over the frown. She really hoped Hinata wouldn't read to much into her odd behavior. Or her lack of responses.

Lucky or not for the interruption, Kageyama appeared from behind the shorter of the two, sucking down a milk carton he bought from the nearby vending machine. His eyes narrowed. "You look like crap."

A thick brow twitched and her fake smile slipped off her face.

"Kageyama!" whined the smaller boy, giving one of his glares back, which in short was just too adorable to Rei. He even puffed his cheeks and waved his arms around like a child would.

Sooo intimidating - but his attempt was appreciated.

The setter only shrugged and squeezed the last bit from his drink before tossing it in the garbage, so nonchalantly. His aloof air irked Rei, yet she had welcomed it - it was distracting her ire opinion of home and she needed that. Honesty over lies, she persuaded herself. Even her smile return as she lifted herself on her feet, one that was more willing than forced.

"Like you're so good looking yourself," she joked and earned a not so happy scoff, in which made her playfully continue to mask her troubled mind. "While you were wasting time on your unachievable beauty sleep, I'd beaten you here." Then a small snort from Hinata only fueled Rei to add, "Getting lazy before the preliminaries, huh?"

Kageyama may have said nothing in return, but that undeniable huff he expressed was enough for Rei's smugness growth.

Rei then proceeded getting onto her stretching in which cued more delicious cracks in her stiff shoulders and legs. She duly noted next time she'll be sure to lay down to avoid such discomfort, no matter how cold and hard it was on cement. She gave a twist and blinked around before she brought her arms overhead for the finality of her stretching routine.

"Are we still waiting for the doors to be unlocked?" Rei slightly yawned out, a vague memory of the night slowly creeping back with her few attempts breaking into the gym to escape the cold. But now, since she was outside all night, the frigid morning air numbed her senses of the current temperature and it didn't bother her as much anymore. Maybe that was why she felt so stiff like the rusty, unoiled tin can man in an old movie she watched way back when she was little.

Whistling soon broke its way around the corner of the gymnasium, her question answered as her teal eyes gazed at Tanaka whom made his entrance. He was spinning the keys on his index finger, twiddling to an unknown tune before a rather loud yawn bellow out, one that was sure heard from the gates if one aimed to.

Rei grin couldn't stop from growing. "Any wider, and you'll be soon tasting some flies." It was too cold for any bugs, but it was the perfect opportunity on yanking his leg first thing in his day since her disappearance.

And be it Tanaka to comically freeze in mid yawn when he heard the temp-manager's voice. Rei held her giggles back, placed her hands on her hips in a matter-of-fact motion, but only for a short second before Tanaka flung himself to her legs and dramatically praised the mighty Gods for returning his favorite classmate - which in reality Rei knew he only said that since she was his homework buddy; his saving grace in academics.

Always like his senpai, Hinata followed and flung onto her waist, of course not without the dramatic flare. Although Rei almost fell over with one clung on her knees and the other into her waist, she didn't yell or wag them off. She simply patted their heads and eased out of their grips before clearing her throat awkwardly. "Let's not get sentimental or anything. I was just sick like any other human being."

A little bit of guilt ate at her for the white lie and her stomach clenched from it, the nausea having paled her face. It had worked in her favor when Tanaka - once over his incessant praises to the Gods - asked if she was okay being out of bed from the sight of the white. Rei played the farce and nodded, color returning to her cheeks once pushing away the shame.

"Of course! But enough of this and let's open up the gym!" she ordered with a clap of her hands. And at last, Tanaka unlocked the doors and onto work they went; setting up nets and poles then changing into more comfortable gym wear, and finally, off for quick warm ups before Rei got involved with setting balls to spike.

It had to been a good forty minutes before some more of the team trickled in, not at all surprised by the three teammates already up running around and sweaty, but obviously taken at the sight of Rei flushed in the face from collecting the flying balls the players were serving. She had no clue anyone else came in until Nishinoya practically darted over the sideline next to Rei and happily yelled out.

"Rei-chan! You're back!"

She jumped, all the balls in hand flew out of her grasp and Rei's heart nearly leapt out of her throat in suite. Her narrow gaze snapped on the chuckling culprit whom was smiling so brightly, it quickly had Rei flushing with ill-timed memory of his declaration on winning her romantic favor. She forgot about that since her grandfather incident happened literally right after she ran from the libero and two other teammates.

Pathetically, a nervous smile and weak wave was all Rei could muster up before her attention tried focusing on the balls she threw. Yet as she reached for one, Nishinoya own fingers brushed against hers when he had the same idea. Reeling back her hand, Rei felt the annoying heat creeping on her neck and ears. Rei's mind cursed her stupid reaction an yet, at the same time, Rei couldn't get too mad herself for being so awkward and embarrassed since she had no experience in the romance pool of life nor any clue on how to deal with a determine club member after denying his approach.

Did one just ignore it and pretend it never happened? Or avoid the person altogether?

It seem Nishinoya didn't give her much more time to analyze when he tapped her arm, the ball out for her to take. In which she did but remain in silent turmoil.

Nishinoya rose a brow from the uncharacteristic response. "You seem a little quiet. Are you okay, Rei-chan?"

Ah, shit. She was being too obvious with her internal distress. Past Rei would've scolded him by now for scaring the shit out of her. Now she was too awkward to even give him eye contact and the warmth on her cheeks was getting all too familiar. "I-I'm fine. Just need to get some water. It's getting a little warm in here," she then placed the ball into the cart and quickly excused herself away from the second year. She even walked past the third years, barely acknowledging their morning greetings with a weak nod of her head as she slipped outside into the early day chill.

In her haste, Rei was short from running into the beauty on the other side of the door and apologetically rubbed her arm from the near colliding incident.

"Good morning, Rei," Kiyoko smiled. "Looks like your cold is gone. How are you feeling?"

Still in escaped mode, Rei was thrown off from the innocent question. "Uh, um, good?"

Rei then cringed at the terrible reply that came out more as a question than an answer and Shimizu gave the look she knew something was off. However Rei wasn't going to allow any investigation and bolted away, far away to the blue rooms in refuge and shutting the door behind her.

A heavy sigh fell from her lips and Rei deemed she needed her head together. She maybe tired and hadn't eaten in a day or so [honestly she lost track when], but it was no excuse to stumble around because Nishinoya and his dumb confession or whatever she would call it.

He had acted like nothing happened, as if it was all made up in Rei's memories. She had no reason for her distant attitude, especially with any other club member. Brushing it off seem like the b-.

The sudden vibration from the bench reached Rei's ears and her thoughts switched to her school bag. It was a consistent humming and Rei knew someone was calling her cell phone, but unfortunately she fish it out on the last ring and received a missed call.

From Mom.

Not a second later a voicemail was left and the notification had Rei immediately go to caller ID. Her mother's voice soon came after the automation.

"Good morning, Rei. I guess I missed you on your way out. I wanted to say thank you for going back to school. I know it's tough with my father in the hospital, but stay strong and everything will be fine. I-"

Click.

The voice message was quickly cut off and her phone found the wall as it's new friend when Rei chucked it away from herself. She then dropped to the ground, hands buried in her blonde bangs, those angry thick tears running down her cheeks and chin.

Not again. Not again. Not again.

It was like a mantra repeating in her head, high in hopes it would settle her shaking form. She wasn't in the mood to hear anything from Kanna [pretty much why she slept out] nor wanted to be reminded of what was causing her so much grief days before. Rei needed school and the club as her distractions.

She was tired of crying. Tired of being frustrated and mad.

It just... couldn't everything just stop bothering Rei?

Obviously she was asking too much; Rei hadn't heard through her sniveling and loud chaotic thoughts when the door of the blue changing rooms was swung open. The silent visitor quickly made themselves known as a warm hand touched Rei's shoulder in care and the blonde was instantly jolted out of her breakdown. She snapped her head up in which knocked into Shimizu nose, the poor manager's small cry in pain definitely waking Rei out of her dreary mood.

"Oh my god! I-I'm so sorry, Shimizu! Let me get-" Rei, despite the redness and tears in her eyes, sobered up at the small trickle of red that fell from Kiyoko's nostril, the instant dread dropping in her stomach. The blonde rushed on standing up, on looking for find a tissue or paper towel or anything at that point, yet Shimizu ushered Rei back down on the bench and sat next to her, but of course not without pinching her nose.

"No, no - don't worry about me."

On any normal day, Rei would've made fun of her nasally voice. Right now, she felt worse than before, her gaze unable to look away from the blotch of blood on the beauty's pinched fingers. "But I-"

"Was caught off guard and it's only a small bit of blood," Kiyoko insured and fished a small cloth from her bag, the light blue handkerchief taking over on her nose. "May I ask if you're okay?"

Those words must have pressed some internal button or something because the moment Rei heard them, heard the true honesty and concern behind them, she couldn't stop her tears' return in full force. She bit her lower lip, a hand on her mouth mitigating the sorrow, but Shimizu smiled ever so gently - sincerely - as she pull Rei into an hug.

The action emit a loud sob from her and before she had the thought on stopping herself, Rei broken down into a crying mess. It was embarrassing, made Rei feel useless - way too dependent - and terrible as her tears and snot were soaking the beauty's uniform shoulder. She hated how she failed at keeping her mind together. Failed at staying strong and resilient with her own life situations.

It was impossible for Rei; she was weak - a weak sixteen year old, half-Japanese girl who couldn't even get herself to stop crying on her older friend. If Rei was unable ceasing the dramatics, how was she supposed to get through the day and be useful for the team. The freaking tournaments are tomorrow and there she was; bawling, useless, and distraught thanks to home and her stupid mother secrets.

A soothing hand on Rei and Kiyoko's shushing silence her mental chaos. "I don't need to know if you don't want to share, but please know I'm here to help in anyway."

Rei reeled back, face ugly from snot and red eyes, brows furrowing in discontent. "You've helped enough! How are you not tired of it? Of me?!" Hell, if she was in Shimizu shoes dealing with someone like herself, she would've ran a long time ago or been clueless on what she could approach a sobbing mess.

Kiyoko had frowned.

It was rare, Rei feeling rather off witnessing it. And the more Rei stared, she realize Kiyoko was possibly upset. "Don't you understand, Rei!" Ah, not upset - she was pissed with her and it made Rei flinch. "I'm here because I want to be! I'm your friend! I can never grow tired of you, even if you grown tired of yourself. So don't ever think I'm going to leave you alone, especially when you're like this!"

Pulled into another hug, Rei had no words to retaliate. She was lost. Well, figuratively speaking. The beauty's loyalty and determination was unexpected after she cried. But that was what's great about Shimizu. She was real. She was actually there for Rei.

The temp manager sniffled and squeezed the embrace back, grateful at the warmth from Kiyoko shared. Grateful to Kiyoko in general.

A couple of minutes passed and they both seem to have settled in comfortably as they separated. Rei felt much, much better and surely enough, the third year noticed the small positive change and was first to break the quiet.

"Don't make me chase you again if you're feeling like this." Rei nodded. "Good." She paused and weakly chuckled, shy in her voice. "Sorry. I didn't mean to get bossy there."

Rei felt herself really smirk, unfamiliar to the feeling initially. "I'm rubbing off on ya, by the looks of it."

Kiyoko giggled some more and kindly offer her extra handkerchief. "I'm glad you're back. Now clean up and I'll see you later after classes, right?"

"Sir, yes, sir!" Rei mock saluted before taking the cloth. Shimizu rolled her eyes playfully, but not without one more quick glance towards Rei before she return to her own bags.


It was off to home room, although she was pretty early considering Rei would normally get there ten minutes [give or take a minute] prior to the warning bell. She wanted to return to practice, but with still swollen eyes and red nose, Rei didn't want anymore attention on herself. Over time, she'll look more suitable and while waiting, she could read up on some chapters she missed. She had stark responsibility on her homework since the hospital visit and had known what sections they were on thanks to the weekly syllabus her teachers gave out.

Given how much was passed out, Rei internally groan at the idea of makeup work. But on the bright side she didn't have any missing quizzes - that definitely picked her spirits up.

Just a bit.

Motivation in Rei had her delved into her History the second she sat, and was proud of her concentration up to the first bell. That was when some of her classmates began to pile in, a few acquaintances saying good morning out of etiquette. She wasn't blessed with Sakura and her group until moments after she finished up her last chapter in history.

"Rei-san! You're back!"

Rei waved. "Sup."

"I thought you ran away on us!" Amari humored.

"Tempting," the blonde smirked as she closed her books. "But even if I try, I couldn't run fast enough."

Sakura laughed, propping herself comfortably in Tanaka seat, elbows set on Rei's desk. "You're right about that!"

The more quiet one, Kimiko, smiled. "I'm glad you're better. Tanaka told us about your cold. It must have been terrible."

Rei was proud of masking her true guilt for the lie and boastfully scoffed. "A mere cold like such was nothing!"

Of course, Sakura readily scoffed back. "Three days absent and it was nothing?"

The girl deflated at the comment, the lacking of a comeback having them all laugh. It was Amari who broke it with her epiphany.

"Oh! Here are the notes you missed on!" She quickly snatched out of her bag a small pile of papers and the sight of it made Rei feign tears.

"My saviors!"

Sakura winked while the other two smiled. "You owe us! If Kimiko didn't see Tanaka attempting his notes for your stake, you'd be stuck with this mess of I-don't-know." She made it clear when handing the scribbles of her club member's notes over and Rei paled at the terrible handwriting.

Let's say she was lucky to be spared on deciphering it.

The warning bell broke up the conversation and the three excused themselves after Rei graciously thanked them. Maybe they weren't so bad after all the teasing they've put Rei through in the beginning.

Tanaka and Nishinoya soon were heard outside the door and Rei was even more thankful when only the shaved headed member entered. Not like it was a big deal if Nishinoya came in - because it would've not been one! [Or she like to tell herself that.]

He took his seat and Rei didn't forget his attempt for notes for her absence. She wanted to thank him despite the handwriting issue presented on the papers. "Hey, Ryū. I wanna thank-" but as she went to tap his shoulder, her hand was nearly taken out at how quickly he twisted in his chair.

Tanaka wide eyed stared at her and Rei shifted in her seat at his initial silence. "What are you-"

"You used my name."

Rei cocked her head. "Well yeah, you have a name and why wouldn't-"

He interrupted again.

"My first name."

Rei snapped her mouth shut at the clarification. But tis was too late - Tanaka smile grew ten times bigger than she had ever wanted to witness. And maybe she was imagining it, but she swore flowers and all things happy emitted from his obnoxiously pleased aura.

Shit. She was not going to hear the end on that one. Damn American tendencies!

It didn't help when she couldn't pull up excuses as the teachers timely presence marked the beginning of classes. And even as they started Tanaka's worst subject first, his blissful aura only remain ever vigilant throughout the teaching.


"Say it again~"

"No."

"Please~"

"No."

"Just one more time~"

"N. O."

"Rei-chan~"

"I said no the last eight times. What makes you think I'm going to say this time, hmm?"

Tanaka sung in a singsong voice. "Pleaseeee say my name~"

She facepalm herself. Rei had still quite a bit to catch up on and she was lucky Sensei gave half of one class some free time to study for an upcoming quiz. However one can see the problem there; Tanaka was butting into said free time.

"Can't you see I'm busy here," she tried switching the topic.

He didn't fall for that. "Nope~"

Rei groaned. "Fine. If I say it once more, can you leave me be?"

"Maybe~" She glared and the pencil in her white knuckle grip made a creaking noise - as if it so close to snapping in half. "I mean-Yes!"

Like a band-aid, she didn't hesitate and pulled it off. The quicker the better.

"Ryū. Leave. Me. Alone."

Annoyance was hot on her tongue yet he literally melted on top her desk in pure happiness and Rei couldn't get that upset if she tried. He had help her, or try so with note taking, for her academic sake. Rei was allowing the happy moment as her thanks toward the wing spiker.

Once she was able to shoo him off her papers, she was quick on finishing her Math work and became relieved all she had left was Science and English as the lunch bell call. She could get it done right there, however her brain needed a break. A small headache was developing anyway and she was sure most of the notes were legit from Sakura, so all she had to touch on were the questions at the end of the chapters.

But man. What a progress she made in one day. Rei was proud of herself and stretched her arms above in content. She felt a lot less stressed than yesterday on how quickly she climbed back and laughed at the big deal she made. When one placed their mind to it, anything could get done! Rei felt victorious with that thinking and nothing could stop her now, not even her mom or a war or-.

"Yo, Tanaka! Rei-chan!"

Rei instantly stiffen, all confidence draining away.

Except for him.

Rei froze like a deer in heights and barely missed Nishinoya tilt his head when neither responded. Unfortunately for Rei, he must have deemed she was ignoring him as usual and forced his presence into her proximity, leaning down to her eye level and gesturing to his guy friend [whom was still a happy puddle] in confusion. "What's going on with him?"

Rei was startled, squeaked and flew her chair back. She should've been graced with the floor but Nishinoya with his quick reflexes prevented her from being acquainted so. It only made her irrationally blush at how much closer he was now, steadying her chair back on the four legs.

"Jeez, Rei-chan. Why are you so jumpy today?"

Because of you, idiot. Rei instead looked down in her lap, a failed attempt at hiding her stupid blush. The temp manager thought she could swallow the awkwardness she made for herself, brush off the thoughts of his stupid.. whatever. Well, she thought wrong when her warm face didn't cease one bit. Probably didn't help he was so close and she couldn't get her mind off of the damn challenge he proclaimed in the past.

"Oh, Noya. When did you get here?"

How can he be so obvious? There was Rei ever so hyper aware of the libero since he made his entrance and Tanaka was off in la la world.

Nishinoya huffed at his best friend and crossed his arms with an exaggerated pout. "Been for a while. Where were you?"

A playful jab and Tanaka took the bait to Rei's misfortune. "Ah! You won't believe it! Rei-chan said my first name!"

"Ackk!?" Both manager and Libero gaped, each to their own reason. And Rei must've sense his pleading stares because the girl dumbly turned her teal gaze onto him out of habit. Wrong move.

"Rei-chan! No fair! Now you have to say mine!"

He was closer more than ever, leaning an arm on her desk and his face a few inches away despite Rei melding into her chair.

"Uhhh-" she weakly counter, ears red, and her stomach doing a small and rather unnecessary back flip. "Er."

Come on Rei. Don't make a big deal. Sure it might go to his head like Tanaka, but he's not gonna let it go if you don't. Rei grimaced at her inner debate. But that's exactly the problem; he won't let it go afterwards either.

Stuck in a stalemate, Rei knew she had to run. And fast.

Although her sudden chair screeching back caught all eyes, she used the moment of shock as her diversion to get the hell out of there. Rei was grateful no one followed her to the courtyard because man was she tired and out of breath. Her headache was a dull throbbing then compare to her thunderous heart gasping for oxygen, the blonde cursing her three day vacation.

There was an empty spot near the bare shrubbery and Rei claimed the seat with an ungracefully plop.

"Dammit. I'm getting lazy," Rei spoke out loud, her breath deep and a small bead of sweat rolling down her temple. She wiped it away, arm heavy and face hot. She wasn't that tired during practice, but it maybe because she had used up the last bit of adrenaline. She better take it easy or she could really overwork herself into a real cold.

Rei tiredly chuckled at the irony.

"Afternoon, Murata-san," a familiar voice greeted. Rei blinked up at the tall upperclassman and smiled.

"Sup, Asahi," she weakly waved back. "What makes you grace me with your presence?"

He shrugged. "I was just heading back to class. Saw you over here by yourself. Were you just running or something? You seem-"

"Out of breath? Nah, I'm fine. And just had a little jog to get the brain juices going. All day I've been pounding notes and lectures in to get back up to speed." Not a total lie. She has been studying.

Rei then raised her hands up and him, gesturing assistance. "I should be going back too. Care to lend a hand?"

"Of course," he smiled, easily pulling her up. Maybe a little too easy and too fast since the moment the balls of her feet rolled flat on the ground, her headache return full force and her gaze was blurry as shit. Asahi offered assistance at her stumbling for balance, but instead she waved him off, Rei rubbing her temple for temporary relief.

That done crap for Rei when another shocking headache burst a second time.

Everything around her became blobs. Like watery, misshapen blobs if she tried opening her eyes underwater. And the throbbing in her forehead drown out any coherent sentences Asahi was trying to deliver to the girl before she decided to shut her eyes in silent darkness.


Rei felt warm. And super comfortable. She could just stay wherever she was forever. Well, she was gonna if a loud bell hadn't woke her senses up and made Rei realize she was somewhere she hadn't been before. The teenager forcibly blinked her bleary gaze over the room until she landed on the Nurse's back across the space, whom was organizing shelves and writing things down on a notepad.

She must be in the infirmary. Did she past out? Rei then dully huffed at herself. That's a stupid question. Of course she did. How else it explain the lapse in time from the courtyard and then suddenly laying there in the nurses room. The only thing that was bothering Rei about it was why. Maybe if she asked the nurse, she'll know.

The shuffling of bed sheets were what snapped the Nurse's concentration to the rising student, yet as Rei opened her mouth to get a word in, the older woman stomped over and smacked Rei's head with the notebook.

"You kids with the lack of self respect for your bodies!" Another smack. "Ever heard of a good night's rest? Maybe even food and water? A break now and then won't hurt you!" And a finality with one more bop from the papers, Rei was freed from the scolding woman and her abuse. But she wasn't done lecturing her. "If you keep ignoring your body's limit, you're not only hurting yourself, but make your friends worry too. Think twice whether or not it's best to skip on your health."

She then nonchalantly tossed a small water bottle and an apple at Rei, glaring before returning to her inventory check or whatever she was doing prior. The student pouted at her, nonetheless she took a huge bite out of the red fruit and didn't know how hungry she was until the juices ran down her throat. The apple didn't last long and neither had her water. She really forgot when she last ate but judging by her growling stomach, it was a long while ago.

The nurse huffed over her shoulder and shook her head. "Your friend that brought you here told me you were just back from being sick. And at the club early this morning, he noted you didn't look too well. Still don't with those bags under your eyes." Rei puff her cheeks in embarrassment from the lady's comment. "But I see some improvement after your little 'nap'. Here - have this." Despite her blunt attitude, she walked over with a small bag of pretzels and tossed them on her bed. "They might be stale, but it's better than nothing."

Rei mumbled out a thanks when grabbing for the snack.

"Just don't make it a habit. This is my first time seeing you and will be my last time, especially for something as trivial as this." She was softer in her voice that moment, yet she snapped a harsh, "Right?" at the end.

It was demanding, a tone one wouldn't challenge, so Rei meekly peeped, "Yes, ma'am."

The nurse was definitely satisfied with her answer, a smile and an approval nod was the last she got from the lady before she excuse herself to another room. Rei had sighed wearily after her presence disappeared, the crinkling bag played with until she manage to open it. Although she could just smell faded salt and stagnant dough, Rei tasted a few just to please the nurse even if she was not nearby. Rei wasn't in the mood for more abuse and lectures. She wasn't even in the mood to think about how much more she was setback in classes from her little fainting. Any whole pretzels in the bag were crumbled as she fisted her hands together.

"I'm definitely cursed or something since I can't get caught up, huh."

She was talking out loud to herself, just to kill the silence, yet was startled when another voice spoke in return as well.

"Not without the help of your friends, you can't."

Graced by the trio of teasing, Sakura and her gang were at the doorway, the leader waving Rei's notes in hand. "I gotcha back girl."

Exaggerated tears shone in Rei's eyes. "I really do owe all of you big time. Thank you so much Sakura, Amari and Kimiko." Sakura poised a thumbs up and a wink while the other two smiled in acknowledgement.

"You don't owe us anything, Rei-san," Kimiko opposed. "I don't mind helping out a friend in need."

Rei smiled until Sakura 'tsk tsk' at the end of the bed. "Now don't go speaking for all of us now, Kimi-chan. I'll cash in my bill when the time comes." Another wink and Rei noted that one was less innocence from before.

The blonde wouldn't say however panic surged inside at Sakura's future intentions with said bargain and Amari noticed her pale face.

"Don't worry too much. We'll try to keep it from anything insane."

Sakura smirked. "No promises though!~"

Even with the good-nature threat, Rei nervously chuckled while the three of them laughed and giggled. Kimiko then handed her bag over she left in class and Rei was relieved she had such great friends looking out for her.

The thankful exchange was brief as more voices, louder and rising, slipped into the nurse's office in haste and stole her attention away. It was her 'favorite' three loudmouths, then some third years following behind the trio that stumbled to Rei's bedside. Sakura still sat on the edge of the bed, however Amari and Kimiko were buried behind the voices of fear and concern bombarding Rei.

"We came as soon as we heard!"

"Are you okay!?"

"What's wrong!?"

"Rei-nee-chan! You're not dying, are you?!"

A small bubble of laughter breathed out from Rei at the last one and their captain couldn't stop himself from stepping in at that point.

"Calm down team. Rei is obviously fine," Daichi then gave a pointed look at Hinata. "And not dying."

A wave of relief washed over the room. They must had their doubts thanks to highly active and imaginary minds they were blessed [and Rei was cursed dealing] with.

"As you can see, I'm fine, guys."

Daichi turned back at Rei. "We knew that." He gesture to Asahi and Sugawara. "But these three - you know how they are."

Nishinoya bounced over to Daichi, easily pointing the blame onto the ace of their team. "But Asahi told us she looked terrible! How can we not-"

"I only said she looked pale and passed out!" Asahi defended, hoping the Libero's words didn't hurt Rei's self-esteem. For his sake, it had not albeit it wasn't the first time hearing similar words that day.

Sugawara agreed but added to it. "When we walked onto you two in the courtyard, you both looked whiter than snow."

"Well, Murata-chan just suddenly collapse - I was so lost at first."

Daichi must have seen the whole thing comical now because he bellowed out a laugh. "You should've seen his face - like he saw a ghost or something."

Rei could imagine it, even though he was such a huge and scary looking third year, his much gentler and innocent side had been in a loop with a out-cold Rei in his arms. "I believe it."

Asahi whined at the teasing.

"But, Asahi. Thanks for being my hero. I would've probably hurt my head or worst," Rei appreciated, gracing him with a smile.

Tanaka finally got a voice in, however it was directed toward the classmate on the other side of the bed. "When did you get here, Sakura-chan?"

"We-" she thumbed to the other two friends of hers, "been here before all of ya guys."

Nishinoya gaped. "How did you know before us?"

"Woman's intuition." Sakura earned confused gazes from all the males and Rei snorted. Surely she heard through the school gossip. With so many windows and students in hallway, it was probably hard to hide someone as tall as Asahi carrying her to the infirmary.

Rei then presumed her stay was overspent in the bed and she urged the crowd to move aside so she can get back on her feet. Everyone were on edge, waiting for her to fall over again, but Rei crossed her arms. "I'm fine. And I mean it this time. I got some well-deserved rest."

They were still hesitate from moving, but once Rei strapped her school bag around her shoulder, the team and classmates filed out with her.

When she had exited the office, Rei had expected other students walking by and eavesdropping on the group, but she hadn't expect was the rest of the team hanging outside, including the tall giraffe of a player, Tsukishima. The second years - Ennoshita, Narita, and Kinoshita - explained the room was already too crowded and quickly asked how she was feeling. Of course, she said fine, but her engrossment fell on the glasses first year and his freckled friend.

She slid up to them, brow raised. "Actually caring about your senpai?"

Tsuki rolled his eyes, however Tadashi nodded for them both. "I'm glad you're alright, Murata-san. I was worried you were going to be out of school again."

"Phfft. It's going to take more than that to make me miss prelims! I don't want to be told via text message that you guys win!" she proudly stated, purposely announcing to all of the members around.

Everyone smirked and smiled, a loud walloped of cheers echoing down the hallway before they made their way to the gymnasium, pumped and ready to train. Some more than others as Hinata and Kageyama raced away, even when Daichi yelled at them for the reckless disregard to school rules.

The only one not there, Rei had realized, was Kiyoko and saddened by the thought she had not come by to check up on her. But Rei had to stop depending on the third years presence all the time, especially when she had already helped the blonde earlier in the morning. Surely Kiyoko had things to do and Rei can forgive her this time around.

"Oi, Rei-chan!" Out of the throng of team members walking down the hallway, it had to been the shorty second year calling her out. She tensed, but steeled her panicking heart when he jogged up to her side, walking in suite and nudging her willingly with his shoulder. "You sure you're okay?"

Sure she was okay, only if she wasn't having a heart attack from the contact he initiated, Rei might have answered and not blushed like a mad man. She needed to scold him for personal boundaries and just move on. It was so simple. But instead she mentally berated herself for the tight-lipped silence she granted him for the upteempth time and couldn't stop herself twiddling with her fingers.

However she didn't leave him hanging. She had somehow manage a rigid nod and feeble grin.

It wasn't enough for the Libero.

Rei's odd behavior caused Nishinoya to peel a step right in front of her, stopping her in the tracks as the rest of the team was too far ahead by then to witness their exchange. Her teal eyes widen at his determined stance; shoulders back and brows furrowed with his golden gaze, shining like the fiery amber he usually expressed on the court. His eyes told Rei he seen through her façade and Rei inwardly cursed. Nishinoya was totally going to take her blushing out of proportion, over think it was out of reciprocated interest and Rei would have-.

"Are you mad at me?"

She nearly tripped on air at his bizarre inquest.

"W-what?" she intelligently replied, her voice an octave higher than normal and her mind racing. Mad? Why the hell would she be mad at him? Where did he come up with that conclusion?

He held his ground regardless of Rei, whom was openly gaping at his assumption before her brain soon aware of herself for the mimicry of a beached fish. The blonde quickly clear her throat and the faux pas she made between them, although her round brows pinched in utter confusion.

"How- or I mean, why do you think I'm upset with you, Nishinoya?"

"So you're not?"

Rei furiously shook her head, patiently waiting for him to reply to her query next. Rather than doing so, Nishinoya serious demeanor vanished in an instant and he beamed his signature smile before spinning around and tailing after the team. He failed on getting very far when Rei boldly snatched his jacket tail ends in haste and tugged him back. Nishinoya nearly collided with her, but being graced with unnatural balance, he stopped short of doing so, glancing up..

A pique huff was shared. "Where the hell you think you're going? You didn't answer me! Why did you believe I was mad at you?"

"I thought I pushed you to far during break," he stated as if it was obvious.

Rei pursed her lips, thinking back to how he was asking ever so deliberately for his first name to be said. It was clear logic with the facts he had at hand, unaware she was more worried about a stupid little misunderstanding that could evolve out of control.

And with that verity settling in, Rei recognized herself for being so overly melodramatic at it, over an expanse of a past joke, or so assumed it was.

As if all the weight dropped from her shoulders promptly, Rei snorted toward the shorty second year. "Isn't your job to annoy the hell out of me?" And to test out the normalcy settling inside her, Rei was indeed capable of prodding his upper arm with her elbow in a joking fashion, all without a warm blush spreading on her cheeks or ears.

"Hey!" Nishinoya swatted her away with his own arm, the typical grin placating his features, and if Rei had not been staring at the curling lips, she would've miss the small dimple that revealed itself in his cheek.

Huh. Never knew about that, she remarked mentally.

"Anyway-" Rei broke out of her speculation. "Better get going. We're gonna be late."

Then a flashing thought lit behind Nishinoya's eyes and he hopped in place, similar to Hinata when he got antsy for a spike. "Race ya there?"

Granted he'll beat her [and she had just recovered from over exerting herself], Rei agreed by bolting ahead without a word, stunning the libero for a short second. It wasn't long before Nishinoya burst past the cheating girl who attempted at least to round the corner sooner than him, yet in all actually she failed by a landslide for that goal.

He was far gone from her sight around the bend and Rei slowed to a brisk walk, a little sore about it despite knowing the results would end like so.

"Pfht. Show off."


A touch of nostalgia sprung into her senses while she retraced her steps back into the familiar gymnasium, not missing a beat on making herself useful from the beginning to the end. So infused with her tasks, Rei was unaware that Shimizu had been absent for the majority of it - well, until she appeared with a paper bag near the Ukai's finishing speech.

"And that's it from me. Make sure you get some solid rest tonight," coach demanded, plainly eyeing the temporary manager on the sidelines and Rei deflated at the short glance. News must have traveled to the adults by the literal looks of it...

"Yes coach," Rei mumbled along with the team, toeing the floorboard self-consciously.

Daichi assume lead for the coach, ready to bellow out the next set of orders. "Okay then I guess it's-"

"Oh, wait! Do we have time for one last thing?" Takeda-sensei piped in, hands pointing to the beauty. "Shimizu-san has something to say."

Rei perked up, along with the few others who knew Kiyoko wasn't one to talk in front of big crowds. The blonde could already see it in her body language; arms clasp in front, fingers picking with the ends of her sweatshirt and her downward gaze cast to the floor from her shyness.

"Um. I'm not very good at rousing speeches.. So instead…"

Shimizu moved her regard to the bag and she rummage through it to pull out a very familiar black cloth. The sight of it made Rei grin, knowing what exactly she had in hand while the rest of the team were looking at each other for answers.

"Sensei, could you please help me?"

Takeda-sensei gladly replied, "Of course!" and took the folded material on his shoulder afore his ascend to the second level. Shimizu, being miss independent women, had told him she could carry it, but Sensei politely decline as predicted.

Rei snickered at their little banter as they got the banner ready for it's show, a few of the members loudly whispering guesses on what they had entail for the club. Their skepticism was silence when the countdown came and on three, the beauty of the banner took it's spotlight and flew out dramatically before resting against the railings to reveal the one and most inspirational word Rei had experience up close in the closet the night they found it.

Fly.

The great unveil gain the expected responses of brighten gazes and elated gasps. Rei prose a thumbs up Kiyoko's way while the team was enlighten, a surge of pride bleeding through the blonde at such an encouraging and thoughtful surprise. Although it hurt landing on her ass the night in the closet, she was glad the accident was a happy one.

"Rei and I found it when reorganizing, so I had it cleaned," Kiyoko stated, passing on some credit to whom was rubbing the back of her neck bashfully. Rei didn't expect any to be honest - like said, she found it during a slip.

"Ahh! I'm getting amped already!" Tanaka blurted out, his energy radiating to the libero next to him who also shared his words.

"Great work Kiyoko-chan and Rei-chan! You two always do awesome work!"

Rei was ready to say otherwise, but Kiyoko wasn't done. Rei internally clapped with glee when she realize the beauty had a speech in hand, despite her self-doubt.

"Good…." she hesitated and Rei caught the anxiety-filled glance her way, the second year quickly propping two thumbs up. It had Kiyoko gain the right amount of courage she needed along with a deep breath.

"Good luck."

However, Shimizu ran as fast as she could after her small message and Rei was quick to join the beauty who shuffled down the ladder faster than humanly possible. Rei tried her best to hold back the growing enthusiasm, but the second Kiyoko's feet touch the floorboards, she glomp the beauty into a big hug.

"You did great!" Rei hushed in a loud whisper so the awe-stricken team wouldn't change their attentions from the banner to the beauty. Releasing her hug, Rei could feel the tension in Kimiko's shoulders and she gave a light smack on them, hoping she would relax. It worked until a chorus of bawling club members had both the beauty and Rei freeze.

"Shimizu! This is the first time!" All three of the third years sobbed in joy, Daichi failing at wiping away his stubborn tears that continue to fall down his face. Sugawara and Asahi were just as bad with their own, their own streams causing puddles on the floor.

Most shocking of all, Tanaka and Nishinoya were speechless - maybe a few incoherent noises bubbling out in complete admiration - and Rei had snorted at the bewildered reactions. Frankly, Rei predicted something of the sort, but not to that level. She couldn't hold back the laughs that erupted from her despite Shimizu worried glances at the mess she unintentionally created.

In spite of the tears, Daichi proudly roared, "Tomorrow, we're gonna win!"

Hinata jumped up excited and Tanaka lifted Nishinoya high in the air, gladly agreeing with their high spirit and passionate yells. They were infectious, so much that it even had Rei hooked an arm around the beauty to bellow out, "Hell yeah!" and heedless to any thought about losing during the prelims.

Because the damn they won't.

They were Karasuno. The once flightless crows eager to fly again.

Soaring high to Nationals.


A/N: Finally. The long awaited chapter. Not much to be excited for. Nehhhhhh! I'm sorry for this trash! I will do better, I promiseeee! And my updates I really am trying hard to keep ontop of! My depression isn't helping with the productive side and all, but Im not gonna let it get the best of me! I have my bunnies to take care of, im developing a comic (or two with my sister), and my family is here to help! Yay!

So please don't be worry about harsh criticism! I can take it! And thanks for your patience. I don't deserve any of you!

-Love, MotorsandCandies


Next Chapter: Prelims (Part 1) - New faces for Rei but old ones for the team, Rei learns more about the team's past during their first battles on the court.

Stay Tuned!~