A/N: I'm trying to relearn how to use past tense instead of present so this following chapter is a product of that. Please forgive me if the writing is unsightly.

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"That's the kid's reading room, open until 6PM but we sometimes keep the doors open until 8. Next door is the study hall, and across over there is the senior activity center. We're short on volunteers so if you ever feel up to helping the elderly do origami, you're always welcome," Nanoka frantically tried to absorb all the information that streamed out of the community center staff's mouth. He also had a fast gait that had Nanoka huffing to keep up as they flew through the hallways on their tour.

It was Sunday, Nanoka's only non-school day, so she was in her own clothes, which consisted of shortalls over a heart patterned blouse with beat up sneakers. "Over there is the staircase to the second floor which I'll show you later, and down the hall is the community gym where he hold events and gym classes. There's a class scheduled in a few minutes so it'll get noisy soon," The man continued to ramble, approached a door, and tinkered with the doorknob until it opened with a click. "This is the office supply closet sans storage. You should find everything you need here and what you still need you'll need to bring up with the chairman. Her office is on the third floor." Nanoka squinted her eyes in an attempt to peer into the darkness of the closet and jumped when the employee turned the harsh light on without warning. She blinked away the black dots in her vision before honing in on a ratty cardboard box labelled 'Brushes and Ink'. She pulled it out and looked inside. There were calligraphy brushes mixed in with a pile of acrylic and watercolor brushes, but there seemed to be a lack of ink stones. I might have to buy liquid calligraphy ink for the kids anyway since I can't let them use a hotplate yet.

"Are they still usable? Our last art class was last year so they were untouched for awhile." The staff member inquired. Nanoka hummed while closing the cardboard flaps of the box before hoisting it into her arms.

"I think they're salvageable. I still need calligraphy ink though." The man nodded and they both continued their trek through the building.

The center employee showed her the washitsu*s used for traditional activities where she dropped off her supplies and breezed through the second and third floor with her before disappearing to do his own thing. Winded by the long tour, Nanoka decided to take a breather before heading back home. She bought a peach soda from the vending machine, she wandered down the same hall she just jogged through. The squeaks of soles against wood and the excited noise of children nearby had her gravitating towards the gym, curiosity piqued. Quietly opening the double doors, Nanoka snuck into large room. The layout was basically the same as her school gymnasium; stage with heavy curtains on one end, basketball hoops hanging from the ceiling, bleachers tucked into the walls. The floor here looked a bit more beat, and Nanoka wasn't surprised as this gym probably saw more activity in a week than the gym school saw in a month.

Children of various ages but no one taller than her shoulder height ran the length of the gym back and forth, some of them shoving at each other to get ahead.

"Takeru, I saw that! Stop it!" Nanoka freezed at the familiar voice and unconsciously started to sweat, an uncontrollable response when she finds herself in an unexpected position.

Oikawa was standing a few meters away from her, wearing a light green polo shirt with their school gym shorts. He held a red plastic whistle in his hand, hovering it a few centimeters from his pursed lips. The aura around him was the same as when he was on the floor with his volleyball teammates, authoritative and strong.

Nanoka didn't like dominating people.

Nanoka started to shrink away like a slug that smelled salt but it was a futile escape as Oikawa noticed her the moment she moved. He looked just as surprised to see her but she saw the gears turn in his head as he plastered on his Oikawa© smile. It reminded Nanoka of spoiled ink. Gross.

"Nana-chan! What are you doing here? Are you starting your calligraphy classes today?" Nanoka narrowed her eyes at him and frowned. How does he-right, he was the one who introduced this place to Chiharu.

"No. I start next week," She gave him a once over. "What are you doing here?" Oikawa puffed out his chest and smirked.

"I'm teaching the local kids how to play volleyball. Real volleyball, not the kind they're learning in school." He scoffed. Nanoka rolled her eyes at his elitist language.

"Right." The conversation died and Nanoka had no desire to revive it. Oikawa was fine with that and he turned back to the children.

"What lap are you guys up to?" He asked. A cacophony of numbers flew back at him. He laughed. "Okay, one more minute before I want you guys to stop." There was a chorus of cheers that followed. Nanoka migrated and stationed herself by the bleachers sipping on her soda while observing the children. Once the minute was up, Oikawa separated the children into pairs and handed off volleyballs. He demonstrated the proper way to serve and pass a ball. The serving style he showed them was simpler in its nature compared to how Oikawa usually served, and Nanoka wondered if he spent his own time creating a serving form that children can use more easily than the standard form. Touched by his thoughtfulness, Nanoka watched him in earnest. Oikawa went down the line as the children passed the balls back and forth between partners, most not making the mark (some not even close), corrected their stances and pried open their fingers only to fold them over each other the proper way. He was infinitely patient with each child and Nanoka imagined he would be a good father.

The hour passed quickly and the lesson came to an end. The children quickly made themselves scarce the moment they were dismissed, except for one. He had a buzzcut and a farmer's tan that stood out with his tank top. He almost came up to Nanoka's collarbone. Oikawa started collecting the stray balls that did not make it to the wire storage basket, and Nanoka moved to help with the balls closest to her as she was taught her to be helpful whenever possible. It was also rude to just let Oikawa do all the work.

"Are you Tooru's new girlfriend?" Nanoka choked on her spit and Oikawa drops the armful of balls he had. He immediately distracted himself by chasing after the balls, pretending not to eavesdrop. Nanoka turned to the boy and narrowed her eyes.

"It's not any of your business." She stated. Taken aback by the strong reaction, the boy quickly backtracked, his boldness falling apart.

"Um, I just, it's because the last girl was, so, uh…" The boy started to flush. "Sorry." Taking pity on the boy, Nanoka deflated. It was childish of her to project her frustration on the innocent boy.

"It's ok. I'm not his new girlfriend," Nanoka informed. She rose from her squat, cradling a worn volleyball in her arms. When she tilted her head, a stray lock of hair fell out of her loose ponytail and cradled her cheekbone. Oikawa resisted the urge to reach for it and and put it back in back behind her ear. "What's your name?" The boy smiled shyly.

"My name is Oikawa Takeru," Nanoka's eyes widened and she immediately looked between the boys back and forth. They looked absolutely nothing alike and Nanoka struggled to say something.

"W-wow...cousin?" She guessed feebly. Takeru shook his head.

"Tooru is my uncle." He corrected. Nanoka was once again surprised. She always thought Oikawa was an only child with how needy he was.

"Is senpai a good uncle?" Nanoka asked teasingly. Oikawa immediately turned to them, abandoning his faux ball polishing.

"I happen to be a really good-" Takeru cut him off expertly.

"Tooru sometimes leaves me alone to practice volleyball when he's supposed to be watching me but he buys me ice cream so I guess he's an okay uncle." Oikawa spluttered and dove after Takeru with his hands shaped like claws-perfect for grabbing naughty children. Takeru squaked and hid behind the tittering Nanoka. Oikawa was now flushed, and Nanoka finally saw a resemblance between the boys in the way redness blotched their cheeks and nose. How cute.

"Ugh, Takeru! Stop saying unnecessary things or no snacks today!"

"That's not fair! You promised!"

"Promise revoked!"

"You can't do that! I'm telling mom!"

"You aren't telling Aiko shit-"

"OHHHH TOORU SAID A BAD WOR-"

"TAKERU!"

Nanoka couldn't take it anymore and burst out laughing. This side of Oikawa-this caring, honest, Oikawa, she liked. This Oikawa was different from the Oikawa she knew at school, the selfish sleazeball, not-funny jokester. Nanoka wondered why he hid him away at school.

Oikawa was stunned at the full on laughter that escaped out of the usually quiet sheep. She hid her snorts and heaves behind her delicate hands. Her eyelids crinkled and eyebrows furrowed, cheeks tinted a hint of pink. Her slightly crooked canines peeked out of her stretched lips.

Oikawa did not realize it before, but Nanoka was cute when she smiled.

His heart stuttered.

Oh.

Oh no.

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Washitsu: a traditional room with tatami mats instead of wood. Many modern Japanese homes have at least one, used for lounging usually.

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Super short chapter to release into the wild before I head off to Korea for a week and spend my life savings. I am currently awaiting replies from the vet schools I applied to last year and my anxiety is driving me insane. I was rejected by my top choice but I still have two more schools to go.

I have changed the title, The Daily Struggles of Nanoka Arakita to The Fall of Nanoka Arakita. It sounds super ominous but I promise nothing crazy dark or traumatic will be taking place. This is only so I can eventually upload a sequel called The Rise of Nanoka Arakita lmao

I hope everyone enjoyed their winter break/weekend, and happy early Chinese New Year to my Chinese friends.

donut