I have to say, I am proud of myself. My internship at the kindergarten is going really well and the kids are just amazing. Especially their gramma. I fell that I am really improving in using my knowledge from school. Kids are amazing. It's just a shame that some parents just don't give their children any rules or teach them that being lazy is okay.

I don't know how old you all are, my dear readers, but please turn your kids into fighters (so they believe in themselves) and not into couch potatoes!

Anyway, rant over. Let's get going.

LilweenGalatrass: Oh, you shouldn't be reading in class. The yaoi book is mainly the joke that all anime fan girls enjoy a yaoi once in a while xD The book Semi got her is explained in this chapter :)

PandaHee: I am glad you like it and there is moooore~

Chapter 26 - An approach

That night, Tamiko lay awake for a long time. She had the honour of sleeping in Semi's room while the boys were all downstairs in the living room. She grumbled to herself as she stared holes into the ceiling. Thirsty. After minutes of an internal discussion if she should go downstairs for a drink, she gave into her bodily needs. As quietly as she could she sneaked downstairs. The manly snores reverberate through the space of the house. She smiled to herself and quietly closed the kitchen door so that her rumargering wouldn't wake them. A heavy sigh escaped her when the cool water rushed down her gullet and hydrated her throat. She swallowed a few more gulps of water and then left the kitchen. A short glance into the living room stopped her from going upstairs. She had to suppress a giggle. They were all over the place. Ushijima, Semi and Tendou had taken over the sofas and couch. Goshiki, Shibaru, Kawanishi and Soekawa were sleeping in the kotatsu while Ohira and Yamagata were sleeping on the floor. The motherly instinct sparked in her as she made sure all of them were under their blankets and warm.

"Yeah, I got it," Goshiki mumbled in his sleep.

She gave him a loving pat on the head and he smiled in his sleep. Cute, she thought. She stood and paused at the couch on which Ushijima was sleeping. He was sleeping like a corpse, not moving a muscle, not making a sound. She crouched down and looked at him closely. His stern expression was soft, everything relaxed. Only when she listened closely could she hear his breathing. Without thought she ran her fingers through his hair, gently scratching his scalp, it's lingering warmth warming her fingertips. A long sigh escaped his lips, as if he had reached a new level of relaxation. She smiled to herself and then stood, leaving to go to bed herself. Little did she know that she had been watched.

The following morning was quiet and slow. Most of them slept until 9am but Ushijima and Tamiko were the only early risers. Tamiko was already in the kitchen, enjoying a hot tea when Ushijima walked past the door in his winter jogging outfit.

"Oh no, you don't." she interfered and pulled on his collar

Not wanting to know where he even got the idea from, she made him change his clothes again and then held him prisoner in the kitchen. Like a disobedient child she sat him down on a chair and made him a cup of tea. They sat there, in silence, an awkward yet pleasant silence, the clock steadily and loudly ticking in the background. A sudden buzz caught her attention.

From: Oink-kawa

To: Tami

Merry christmas~ (^з^)- hope you have a great day~

Tamiko couldn't help but smile at this message. Oikawa would never change. She typed back a reply and put her phone on the table. Her mug gave her some warmth for her hands as she held it, rubbing one finger over the other.

"So," she started and Ushijima looked up from his tea. "I heard you got a lot of invitations to some volleyball clubs.

Ushijima nodded and took another sip of the tea.

"Have you thought of where you want to go?" she asked, dreading the answer for some unknown reason.

"I was thinking of going to Tokyo, but I am not entirely sure yet." he answered.

"I see." she mumbled against the rim of her cup. "Three months left."

He didn't make a sound, nor did he look at her. It was subtle, but his muscles tensed. As if he was afraid. Three months could be over in a flash. He was afraid of time. His eyes moved from his tea to the girl before him. And then pain shot through him. Would he even be able to see her again when he goes to Tokyo? Probably not. Should he risk staying here? Everyone would most likely tell him otherwise, but would she advise him against it? He looked at her again and swallowed.

"Ta…," he started.

"Good morning!" Tendou called through the house, abruptly waking the others.

Moans, groans and complaints echoed through the living room. Tamiko looked past Ushijima to the doorway when Ohira walked in. He was a little surprised when he saw the two sitting opposite each other at the kitchen table.

"Did I interrupt something?" he asked.

"We were just talking," Tamiko informed him. "But Tendou already did the interrupting."

Ohira chuckled and walked over to get a drink, giving Ushijima's shoulder a friendly pat and a squeeze. He drank some water when he saw the weather outside.

"It looks nice outside. Maybe we can all go for a walk." he suggested.

After breakfast they all did go for a walk around the park that was close by. It was cold but the sun was shining, enough to warm Tamiko's cold face. All the boys wore the scarves she had knitted for them. She smiled towards the sun as they continued their stroll around the lake. While hyper Goshiki and Tendou walked at the front, Tamiko walked next to Ohira at the back. The spirits were high and Tamiko mentally prepared to misuse the kitchen for the dinner she had planned to cook.

"Tamiko-chan, your thinking-face is scary." Tendou grinned.

"Hmm?" she looked up, confused. "What?"

"You don't listen when you think, do you." he pouted.

"Maybe my thoughts are more interesting than your talking." she remarked.

The boys laughed and Tamiko smiled to herself. She was basking in the moment, walking with the team that she had grown into. But soon they would disperse and pursue their goals. She was starting to dread graduation. But coach Washijo wanting her to stay as the manager gave her a little hope. At least she could accompany the current first and second years a little longer. Although she would miss the third years, Tendou's flamboyance, Ohira's gentle smile, Semi's motherly nagging, Yamagata's teasing, Soekawa's jokes and Ushijima's….What would she miss about him? His whole self? She wasn't sure. Her glance wandered over to the grand ace as he walked before her. His shoulders were so broad and strong, his figure looming. But she had never been scared of him. On the contrary, the more she got to know him, the safer she felt in his presence. Would she even be able to manage the team without him? Didn't he turn out to be her source of confidence? Ever since the start of their friendship had she focused less on her studies and more on herself. You are strong, he had always told her. Now she realised that she had never helped him, never supported him.

"Are your thoughts still more interesting?" she heard Ohira ask.

She looked and him and was met by his smile. Her eyes moved back to Ushijima's back.

"What will you do after we have graduated, Ohira?" she asked him.

He looked at her but read between the lines. After the two years of knowing each other, he had started to know her well.

"It's not like we will disappear off the face of the earth, Tamiko." he told her. "We live in a connected society, we will all stay in contact. You don't have to worry about never seeing us again."

Semi and Ushijima, who were walking before the pair turned around to those words. With eyes on her she grew ashamed of her fear. She pressed her lips together when Tendou called from the front.

"What's that, Tamiko-chan?" he grinned. "You are gonna miss me?"

To that, Tamiko stopped and they all looked at her, a little confused. Tendou froze, expecting her to burst into aggression, but she didn't. Instead she looked at him and then a sad smile played on her lips.

"Yeah," she half smiled. "Especially you."

She grinned at him and playfully punched his arm. They all laughed as they left the park and headed back to the house. Ushijima was lost in his own thoughts. It seemed that the others understood her more than he did, and that bothered him a little. Doubt started to seep into his mind. Am I even good enough for her? Would I make her life more difficult? He had already told himself that he wanted to be a part of her life, but weren't friends the same? No, he wanted to be more than a friend. He wanted to be the first person she would turn to, the first person to comfort her, the first person to see her smile after she had shed tears. He wanted to be her foundation. When they reached the house they all drank some tea and resided in the living room. They played a lot of games while Tamiko mainly kept to herself to read. The book Semi got her, probably imported from the USA since it was in english, was now her new focus. A book about Maria Montessori. Now she could learn even more. She did join in on a few games but then went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

"We'll help." the big boys offered.

It was a strange chaos in the kitchen but all that resulted in a very good meal. They were all very proud of themselves. They are quickly, all eager to watch a planned movie or two.

"I'll wash the dishes." Tamiko said.

While some decided to play a few more games until everyone was ready, Tamiko cleaned the plates. Ushijima and Tendou carried the dirty plates and cutlery into the kitchen, helping her as much as they could. When they walked out of the kitchen, Tendou nudged him.

"Now is your chance." Tendou whispered.

The ace just looked at him, confused. Tendou sighed, knowing that Ushijima wasn't very receptible to innuendos.

"Ask her out." Tendou added.

Ushijima didn't say anything while he gathered the rest of the plates. Tendou knew that Ushijima just needed the nudge. And he was sure that the ace wouldn't be rejected. He had seen how Tamiko was towards the blunt captain, how they relationship had changed over the last two years. And he had seen a glimpse of her feelings last night, when she had lingered by his side.

"Don't miss this chance, Wakatoshi-kun."

The ace looked at the middle blocker who gave him a rare serious nod. But Ushijima didn't think much of it. Instead, he gathered the last plates and carried them away. When Ushijima walked back into the kitchen, Tamiko was still busy with the dishes, the radio quietly playing some english music in the background. She was slightly swinging to the music and humming the tune to herself, lost in her own thoughts. The rattling sound of the plates placed on the table made her look over her shoulder.

"Is that the rest?" she asked.

"Yeah." he said.

"Good." she said as she turned to the dishes. "I'm glad no food was left. I hate to stuff remains into the fridge."

He nodded to himself but stayed where he was.

"Where did you get the receipt from?" he asked, mainly to keep the conversation going.

"The internet." she grinned. "I cooked it last year as well. Tobio-kun really like it so I thought I'd do it again."

"It was good." he agreed.

"I'm glad you liked it." she smiled. "Nobody complained. I guess I really would make a good wife." she joked.

Ushijima remembered coach Washijo mention this in the summer holidays. Look before you loose them. Women are precious things, he had told them. Behind every strong man stands a strong woman. The words floated through his mind. Don't miss this chance. His chest tightened and he watched her as she cleaned the last glass, focused on getting it cleaned.

"I like you." Ushijima said after a while.

Tamiko paused in her activity and gazed at him, with those big blue of hers.

"More than volleyball." he added.

Please don't murder me :P