A/N: Hello everyone! I'm finally back. It's been a long time. I've been very busy lately, but when I have some free time I spend it writing fanfics. This week I'll start my Christmas holidays, so I hope I can share the next chapter sooner.
Anyway, last episode Noa started to better understand Ushijima and she ended up receiving a text from Kuroo.
Valen Goncalvez: I'm glad you're following this story.
OTrizy: hahaha I guess at first everyone hated Noa's dad, but he's trying to improve and he's starting to be more affectionate towards her daugther (you'll see it in this chapter). The problem is that he doesn't know how to approach Noa because they don't get along well because they have similar personalities and their past is still a heavy burden. Instead of talking honestly about it, they're avoiding the topic and hiding this from each other, what will turn out to be crucial as the story progresses.
Enjoy the reading!
Disclaimer: I do not own Haikyuu or its characters
CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE
For other people's sake
They all waited in silence. Ayaka was sitting on the floor, staring at the ceiling. Beside her, Noriko stretched her muscles. Yui and Yoshino were sitting on one of the gym benches. Chizuko and Mayu waited patiently on their feet, arms crossed. Tomone, on the other hand, watched Noa come and go as Ayako, leaning against the wall, snorted with exasperation.
"Can you stop?" She finally barked. "You are getting on my nerves"
"Sorry, but I can't help it"
"You will not get anything by getting so nervous," Chizuko said. "Why don't we talk about something while we wait?"
"Where's Jiro-kun?" Ayaka asked.
"He is ill," Yui informed. "He texted the coach"
"Again?" Ayako frowned. "He better not give me a cold"
"Maybe we could visit him?" Chizuko suggested. "He is also a member of the team"
"He'll be fine. It's probably the flu or something like that," Noriko reassured her. "It's Jiro-kun after all"
Chizuko nodded even though she wasn't much sure about that.
"This looks like a funeral," the coach entered the gym. As soon as they saw her appear, they all stiffened. "Don't look at me like that," the woman approached them. She raised her hand for them to stay where they were.
"Did you talk to Fujibashi-sensei?" Ayako asked impatiently.
"Yes, I did," she made a brief pause. "I'll be honest, things aren't so rosy. The club doesn't have enough funds"
"But we have to go! Kuroo-san has kindly helped us get this!" Noa clenched her fists. It was unfair. It was a good opportunity to keep improving.
"Wait, Noa-san," Yui spoke. "First, the coach must explain everything. We don't know anything since you told us that Nekoma wanted to play a practice match against us before Nationals"
"Yesterday I spoke by phone with Ogawa-san, the coach of the Nekoma girls' volleyball team and what she proposed me it's not exactly one practice match like the one we played with Itachiyama when we were starting. They propose a training camp"
"What!?" Ayako's jaw dropped.
"That's so cool!" Ayaka's eyes sparkled.
"Not so fast. Let me explain the situation first... We do not have much time, so the dates they propose are from December the 26th to December the 31st. We would leave on the 26th first thing in the morning and return on the 31st first thing in the morning as well so that you can celebrate the end of the year with friends and family. Nekoma plans to train with us and invite other teams to play matches, so everyone can benefit from the experience and be well prepared for the championship"
"A training camp…" Yoshino smiled. "How fun! We've never been invited to one"
"It would be a great experience to strengthen ties and get good memories, since we have little time left to graduate," Noriko added.
"That would be ideal," Hatsue continued. "But, as you know, we do not have enough money to go to Nationals. We haven't get enough money yet. A five-day trip to Tokyo is unfeasible for us"
Everyone whined.
"I know, I know," Hatsue sighed.
"Maybe our parents would pay for the trip?" Mayu wondered.
"They already paid our trip to Tokyo to play against Itachiyama. I don't think they will be willing to pay again, let alone one so long," Chizuko said.
"We can't rely on your parents anymore," Hatsue put her hands on her hips. "I have talked to Fujibashi-sensei about this. Needless to say, she doesn't like the fact that we plan to continue with this until the end. In any case, she has been quite cooperative and, unfortunately, the budget of the club is what it is. If we want to go, we will have to look for funds"
"That's nothing new," Ayako huffed. "Some storekeepers have donated money, but rather symbolic amounts so that we do not give up. It's not enough"
"We should do more, but we have run out of ideas," Mayu sighed.
"And Jiro-kun, who is the one that talks the talk, has been absent many days because he's ill," Noriko crossed her arms.
"Watanabe-san said he was going to help, right?" Tomone said shyly. "That's what Noa-san said"
"Yes. He told me he had something in mind"
"We should trust Watanabe-san then. He's very reliable"
"Girl, it's a pleasure to hear you talk about him," Ayako teased.
"He's been very kind to me," Tomone blushed and looked down, not noticing the setter's teasing tone.
"I don't want you to be disappointed yet," Hatsue added. "I want you to be realistic about your situation. I understand that, if we can't finally afford to travel to Tokyo, it will be a disappointment for you after all the effort, but unfortunately that possibility is there"
"We just have to keep trying," Mayu tried to cheer everyone up as the atmosphere was kind of depressed. "At least we have to try"
"Okay," Hatsue clapped her hands enthusiastically. "Let's keep working hard"
During the following days, they progressively increased the level of their workouts. They completed more physical sessions and other more technical ones in which they improved their individual skills and, subsequently, they put into practice different rehearsed moves before they finished their time of use of the gym or Noa went to Shiratorizawa to continue with her personal training.
On the other hand, the classes progressed as usual. During lunch, Noa sometimes spent time with Tomone, who had started to share the lunch time with the second-year teammates -with whom she felt more comfortable after spending more time training with them-, and sometimes with Hinata, Kageyama and Yachi. Unlike what happened with her teammates, with whom the conversation was lighter, the presence of Kageyama and Hinata always led them to volleyball. The boys were very excited about the arrival of the national tournament, for which they had planned to play a friendly match against Dateko. Unlike the girls' team, they already had enough funding to go to Tokyo and both Hinata and Kageyama, and even Yachi, volunteered to help the girls in any way they could.
The last days of November, the temperature fell drastically. The days and nights had become much colder and people were already wearing hats, scarves and gloves. The first snow was already announced for early December.
Noa hopped a little bit to warm her body up. That Saturday she had come to school to train, but she didn't find anyone in the gym. She called her teammates, but no one picked up. She sighed and put again her sport bag on her shoulder. Maybe she could start earlier her training with Ushijima, so she looked for his contact and call him.
"Moshi, moshi, Ushijima-san", she greeted cheerfully as soon as she heard someone picking up. "Are you busy now?"
"No," he answered simply.
"Great! I thought we had practice today, as usual, but there is no one in the gym," she walked towards the main entrance.
"Okay"
"I won't be able to change my clothes until I get to Shiratorizawa, so instead of running I'll go by bus"
"Okay"
Unlike the previous answer, Noa heard Ushijima's voice like an echo. She frowned and exited the school. Ushijima was on the other side of the street, holding his phone. Noa blinked confused.
"What are you doing here?"
"I came to pick you up"
"You were in the area? You've been fast!" Noa noticed that she was still holding her cell phone and hung up. So did Ushijima.
"Let's go," he added and turned around to start walking.
Noa was used to Ushijima lack of replies most of the time, so she did not reply and hurried to catch up with his pace. Noa glanced at him. He wore casual clothes and didn't seem very prepared for a sport session.
As usual, they walked in silence through the streets of Sendai. However, Noa noticed that, unlike when he was running, Ushijima was taking a different route. They went through several streets until they reached a place Noa found familiar. She stopped and looked around her.
"This is my neighborhood. Why are we here? Are we going to my house?"
"Follow me," Ushijima ordered.
Noa walked slowly behind him. As far as she knew, Ushijima didn't know where she lived. Who had told him and why? She felt nervous, afraid that something bad was happening.
"It's your house," Ushijima stopped in front of the door.
Noa raised an eyebrow, he was stating the obvious. "I know it's my house. I'm not that stupid"
"Open the door"
Noa hesitated for a bit before searching her keys in her bag. "You know? You always act weird, but today even more" Noa opened the door. "I'm home!"
They went inside the house. Noa took off her sneakers and left them at the entrance. She peeked into the corridor, feeling a bit uneasy as she got no response from anyone, especially Miyoko. Since she collapsed at work, the doctors had ordered her to take absolute rest, so Noa knew that it was rare for her to leave without telling her or Daichi.
Ushijima walked through the corridor so casually that Noa couldn't help but stare at him surprised. It was as if he had already been there hundreds of times. But, despite his strange behavior, Noa followed him into the living room.
As soon as she entered the living room, Noa heard a loud noise and felt how something fell on her.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
Noa, who had flinched from fear, opened her eyes slowly. She was covered by serpentines. Puzzled, she looked around. Everyone was there: her teammates, the coach with her daughter Megumi, Jiro, Nagisa, her father, Miyoko-san and even Tendou. The room was completely changed. The sofas were set aside and there were balloons decorating the walls. In the middle of the room they had put two tables together that were full of food.
"W-What's this?" She asked still confused. "We are almost in December. My birthday was on November the 6th"
"And you didn't tell us!" Ayaka pointed at her in an accusing way.
"Why?" Chizuko demanded.
"We are busy training. We should focus on improving and getting some funding not celebrating"
"Are you serious?" Ayako put her hands on her hips.
"Of course I am! This is important for the team!"
"But it's important not to get too obsessed too," Yoshino reprimanded her.
"This is all my fault, then," Yui said. "Jiro-kun has been ill, so Mori-san gave me our profiles to hand them to Fujibashi-sensei, so she could sent them to Nationals. And I couldn't help but have a look," Yui blushed. "That's how I knew it had been your birthday. I told the rest of the team and everyone agreed that we had to do something to celebrate"
"And we prepared this surprise party!" Jiro chirped happily.
"Mayu-chan asked me if they could do it here," Miyoko explained.
"All we needed was for you not to be at home and for that I asked for help from Ushijima-kun, who has done his job nicely," Hatue smiled innocently.
"It's been a success because we all helped," Tendou added proudly.
"What are you talking about? You haven't helped at all!" Ayako spat. "Since you arrived, you've been eating!"
"My presence is more than enough," he grinned.
"You've got some nerve"
"Come on, sit down," Miyoko ordered.
Everyone rushed to take a sit and start eating. Noa, however, remained motionless, still unable to believe what was happening. How long had they been planning that? How was it possible even someone like Ushijima had participated in the plan? Noa suddenly felt someone taking gently her hand and squeezing it tightly. She startled, noticing that Mayu was smiling softly at her, as if she could read what was going through Noa's head.
"Let's have a seat, Noa-san," she guided her towards the table.
Although she was still puzzled by the situation, Noa little by little joined the dynamics of the rest. Her father and Hatsue talked quietly. Miyoko-san, although participating in their conversation, was more aware of little Megumi. Tendou was teasing the twins and the third-years, while Chizuko, Jiro, Mayu, Tomone and Nagisa chatted about superfluous topics like the latest gossip in school. Ushijima, next to Noa, ate in silence. Noa, on the other hand, occasionally took part in the conversation or just nodded. It was strange to see Tomone so talkative. The girl seemed to have opened up definitively to the group, she stuttered less, smiled more and dared to give her opinion. That made Noa happy, but it also saddened her because she would have wished to have spent more time with her. However, her training didn't allow it.
"Are you feeling better, Jiro?" Noa asked.
"Oh, yeah! Much better!"
"Are you sure?" Chizuko insisted.
"She's right," Mayu added. "You've been missing many classes"
"And you still look pale," Tomone muttered.
"I relapsed a couple of times, but I'm much better!" He said proudly. "I'm so glad you are all worried about me, but you don't have to"
Chizuko stared at him intently, but he only grinned happily, so she finally gave up.
Noa hadn't felt such a festive mood for so long. That year, after her move to Japan, she had celebrated her birthday with her father, Miyoko and Daichi. They had eaten Noa's favorite food and that had already been much more than Noa had ever done with her mother. In the United States she celebrated her birthday with her best friend Lizzie and their coach Gabriel and, although those moments had made her immensely happy, they could not compare to that feeling. At that moment, Noa felt that her life was complete.
After eating, some of them helped Miyoko to clear the table. The woman already had a round belly. Once the table was cleared, Miyoko came in with a cake with candles. They all sang 'Happy Birthday' to Noa and then told her that she had to make a wish before blowing the candles. After thinking about it for a few seconds, she only asked for one thing: to perform well in the National Championship.
But what probably surprised her the most was that her father hugged her. Noa felt a little bit uncomfortable because he wasn't that affectionate, but Noa appreciated the effort he made. And even though he didn't say anything, Noa could understand why he was doing it: to make easier for her the absence and the lack of news from her mother. She didn't talk much about it, but she truly hoped she was fine.
"My parents are divorced," Ushijima said when Noa returned to her seat. She glanced at him, not very sure about what to reply. "I know how it feels"
Noa felt her cheeks blushing and nodded slowly, a smile showing up on her face. She truly liked the person Ushijima was, even though not everyone could see through him as he let her.
Afterwards, they gave her some presents. Her teammates in the volleyball team had bought her some winter clothes and beautiful hair ornaments.
"Nagi-chan has also participated," Jiro chirped.
"It's nothing," Nagisa said. "I think I have a better present, Furihata-san"
Jiro blinked confused. "Did you buy her something else?"
"Not exactly," Nagisa stood up. "I have an announcement to make. Actually, it concerns you all, the whole volleyball team." As soon as he said that, everyone went silent. "I've found a way to finance your trip to Tokyo for the National Championship"
"WHAT!?" Ayako's mouth dropped.
"I've been waiting until everything was confirmed and I wanted my sister to have been here to tell you in person, but she couldn't for work reasons"
"What are you talking about?" Jiro muttered, puzzled by what was going on.
"As some of you may know, my sister works for a hotel chain in Tokyo. She explained your case to her bosses and they are willing to sponsor you"
"The team?" Hatsue asked. "I don't think that's allowed"
"They won't give you money. They will provide you with accommodation and food. In return, they can photograph you and put your images on social networks"
"You mean some sort of advertising agreement?"
"That's it. They would insist on the fact that the team has chosen them because they are the best option to stay in Tokyo and because they have all the comforts," Nagisa made a brief pause. "There's only one problem for this agreement to be effective: you have to get to the quarterfinals"
"That's too much," Yoshino held her breath.
"Be more positive," Noriko sweat dropped.
"But this is good, isn't it?" Noa's eyes sparkled. "We have funding! We can go to Tokyo!"
"If this works, we will have money to rent a minibus to go to Tokyo in December," Hatsue said. "The girls from Nekoma already know about our situation and offered us accommodation"
"It's decided then!" Jiro raised his fist enthusiastically.
"I'm going to call Ogawa-san before they change their mind," Hatsue quickly stood up and left the room with her mobile phone in her hand.
"I must assume that this is all good news?" Miyoko asked, not sure about what was happening.
"Yes!" Noa chirped happily.
"But, wait a moment!" Chizuko spoke. "What will happen if we don't get to the quarterfinals?" It's not that I want to be negative, but I'm trying to be objective and their proposal sounds too good to be to true"
"I'm afraid they won't take care of your stay there and you'll have to pay for it if you don't reach that goal," Nagisa confessed.
"It would be a very risky move on our part," Chizuko shrugged. "Just qualifying has been a miracle for us"
"You're too harsh," Mayu sweat-dropped.
"No, but she's right," Yui pondered. "Losing could get ourselves into a mess. Isn't it too risky?"
"It's the only option we have," Hatsue spoke to them, standing next to the living room door. Everyone turned to look at the woman, who was still holding her cell phone. "You have to go to Nationals, you have worked hard for it"
"I'm sorry to interrupt..." Miyoko cleared her throat. "We won't mind paying for Noa-chan's trip if they don't reach their goal, will you, darling?" The woman elbowed her husband, so he agreed with her, but he only scowled. "But I don't think all parents are so understanding"
"Mine wouldn't allow this," Chizuko crossed her arms.
"I consider myself a responsible adult," Hatue added. "I wouldn't agree with this if I didn't believe that you can get to the quarterfinals. It is acceptable for the team"
"But as much as we've improved, it's not enough," Chizuko insisted. "The rest of the teams are way ahead of us"
"Shiraiwa-san, you will be a worthy captain next year," Hatsue smiled. Chizuko opened her mouth but any sound didn't come out. She wasn't sure what to answer. "We will go to Tokyo, to the training camp with Nekoma, and I will show you that you can do it. I don't ask you to dream the impossible, you must be realistic, but I don't want you to be so negative either. You have improved a lot, you grow as a team in leaps and bounds, and you learn fast. I hate that you can't see it for yourselves"
"Nekoma?" Tendou blinked in confusion, not fully grasping what was happening because he lacked information.
"The Nekoma girls' team has proposed us to go to a training camp during the winter holidays," Noa explained.
"When did you know them?"
"Actually, we don't know them. We haven't even met in person. We met the boys' volleyball team by chance and Kuroo-san was kind enough to arrange this," Noa grinned.
Ushijima frowned. "I don't like them"
"Why?"
"He doesn't understand them," Tendou explained instead of Ushijima. "He doesn't like people he can't understand, like that Karasuno orange-haired shrimp"
"You mean Hinata?"
"That's what I said," Tendou smirked.
After that, Hatsue informed them that she would take care of everything, so they didn't have to worry. For the time being, she encouraged them to have fun on the birthday party and to forget the Tokyo trip. As she was managing everything, she would tell them, but she also asked them to let their parents know that from December 26 to December 31 they would be away from home.
Although it was difficult to forget all the commotion caused by the news given by Nagisa, they enjoyed playing board games. Little Megumi stayed with them in the living room and, although she was too young to understand some of the games, Noa told her to team up, so Megumi could also play. Tendou, much more cheerful than Ushijima, was in its element. He and Ayako started a rivalry that made them raise their voices more than necessary, making everybody else laugh.
When Daichi opened the door and heard several voices coming from the living room, he could not help but be surprised. After leaving his sneakers at the entrance, he walked to the living room followed by Asahi and Suga, who were just as surprised as he was. When they appeared at the door, their mouths dropped and everyone went silent. It was strange how, without having anything against each other, the atmosphere became uncomfortable when the boys from Karasuno exchanged glances with those of Shiratorizawa.
"Ah~ You are already here~," Miyoko, who had been in the kitchen with Hatsue and Hayate came over to greet her son. "And you have come with Sugawara-kun and Azumane-kun"
"Good afternoon," both of them bowed.
"W-What's all this?" Daichi asked, looking around and barely recognizing the living room.
"Oh! We didn't tell you, but Noa-chan's friends wanted to make her a surprise birthday party"
"Is it your birthday, Noa-san?" Asahi asked.
"Friends?" Suga wondered, glancing at Ushijima and Tendou.
"We are leaving now," Ushijima stood up.
"Is it that we have to be somewhere, Wakatoshi-kun?" Tendou asked, smirking. "Because I'd prefer to stay a little longer. This is getting interesting"
"We were not going to be able to play anyway," Daichi said. "We have other plans. We have to study"
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before," Miyoko apologized. "With all the noise you won't be able to concentrate"
"I-It's fine!" Yui quickly stood up. Her cheeks were red. "We will leave now! We've been here all day and we don't wish to take up any more of your time"
"Oh, Michimiya, you don't have to-"
"It's fine!" She cut Daichi off. "Right?"
Everyone remained silent and it was finally Nagisa who spoke. "Sure, Michimiya-san. You're right." Nagisa stood up and walked to the door to pick up his coat. "Shall we go?"
Everyone nodded and followed the second-year, who began to put on their coats.
"Then we're leaving too, Megumi," Hatsue grabbed her daughter's coat.
"Let's stay a little longer…" the little girl whined.
"Were you having fun?"
"Yes! I teamed up with Noa-chan!"
"That's great," the coach giggled.
"Sorry, Noa," Daichi apologized. "They don't have to leave because of us"
"Don't worry," Noa smiled. "Now I'll have to clean all this up. You three go upstairs and study. You have to pass your exams!" The three boys nodded eagerly. "I'm going to say goodbye to them"
"Even if you go to the entrance door, wrap yourself up," Miyoko said from the kitchen.
"Yes~"
Noa put on an old jacket and went outside with the rest of the group. From the entrance door, she said goodbye to everyone one by one, thanking them for coming and giving her that surprise.
"Nagisa-san," she especially addressed the vice president of the student council. "Thank you very much for your efforts"
"You don't have to thank me, Furihata-san. I've done it because I wanted to"
When they started to move away from the Furihata house, Jiro leaned towards his friend to whisper in his ear. "Liar"
"I don't know what you mean," Nagisa replied, apparently remaining indifferent.
"Since when do you like Furi-chan?"
"I'm not interested in Furihata-san"
"You're a good liar, but you are forgetting that I've known you since we were children, Nagi-chan," Jiro smirked and looked over his shoulder. Before turning the corner, he glimpsed Noa at the door talking to Tendou and Ushijima.
"I've done this because I wanted to. I haven't lied to Furihata-san"
"Are sure about that?"
"Of course I am," Nagisa put his hands in the pockets of his coat.
"Mmm..." Jiro mused. "I must be wrong then. It seemed to me that by doing all those things you sought her attention, so she would recognize you," Jiro shrugged. "I must have made a mistake"
"What role are you playing, huh?" Nagisa frowned. He was upset with his friend. He didn't understand what his friend intended.
"Why are you angry, Nagi-chan?" Jiro asked innocently. He wasn't provoking his best friend out of malice or because he wanted to fight with him. He was doing it because he wanted Nagisa to be honest with what he felt and not repress his emotions as he always did.
"Me? Lying?" Nagisa huffed. "If I'm lying to myself or Furihata-san, then what are you doing with them?"
Jiro froze. Nagisa turned around and kept walking. As soon as he noticed that Jiro wasn't following him he realized that he had hit where it hurts. Jiro, however, bit his bottom lip, but then hurried to catch up with his best friend's pace. He knew Nagisa well to understand that he didn't pretend to hurt him.
"I'm doing it for their sake," Jiro confessed.
"Their sake or yours?" Nagisa glanced at him. Jiro didn't answer, he didn't even look at him. His eyes kept staring forward and Nagisa couldn't help but wonder what was going on his mind. Anyways, and even though he didn't agree with what Jiro was doing, he was going to be there for him. That's what he always did since they met in kindergarten and that wasn't going to change.
This chapter is a bit shorter than the previous ones, so sorry. I'm enjoying writing all this part of the story and I can't wait for you to read what's going to happen next. Jiro's hiding something and Chizuko knows that something's going on.
Next chapter: The real Jiro
See you next time!