Hello, everyone! I'm back with a new chapter. I hope you've all enjoyed Christmas.
During chapter 35, everyone gave Noa a surprise party for her birthday. Jiro, the manager, who has always been very mysterious about his whereabouts, has definetely confirmed that he's like that because he's indeed hiding something. Chizuko has noticed this and she's willing to find out what it is.

HTMLfreak: Ah... The pairings... Each one of you have a favorite. This isn't a love story, but I wanted to give some hints about certain relationships. I already have my plans, bit I can change my mind. Let's see what happens. On the other hand, sorry, this chapter you won't know yet what Jiro is hiding, but Chizuko is sure that there's something going on.

rycmika: awww, thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed last chapter! You'll need to be a little bit patient to know what's going on with Jiro, but it will be soon!

Enjoy the reading!

I do not own Haikyuu or its characters

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
The real Jiro

Some breath escaped her lips as she ran through the streets of Sendai. The first rays of the sun began to appear through the low houses. She stopped at a red light, but kept moving until it turned green. As she crossed the street, she came across Kageyama, who seemed to be going in the same direction as her.

"Good morning, Kageyama," she greeted him, but the setter only huffed in response.

Both of them ran in silence until they reached one of the parks of the city. They progressively slowed down their pace until they stopped completely. Noa put her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath. Then, she stretched her arms up and closed her eyes briefly, feeling great after doing some exercise.

"I didn't know you like go running," she told Kageyama, who was already stretching his muscles on a bench. Noa approached him to stretch as well.

"Yes"

"I used to run sometimes in the United States, but since I started training with Ushijima-san I do it more often. He also likes to go running." Kageyama hummed. "Do you want something hot to drink?" Kageyama glanced at her. "What? Don't look at me like that," she giggled. "It's cold and I'm thirsty"

"I didn't bring any money"

"It's my treat"

"Okay," Kageyama shrugged.

The two left the park to enter a nearby cafeteria. Kageyama was the one who came up to the bar to order two take-out cups of hot tea. Noa waited patiently for them to be served while she watched absent-mindedly through the shop window. Among the people who walked past it, she saw Nagisa, who carried some shopping bags.

"Noa-san, the money"

Nagisa turned his head toward the window and their eyes met. Noa smiled at him and took a step towards the door to go out the cafeteria to greet him and maybe treat him also to something, but he looked away and kept walking. Noa startled. Had he ignored her?

"Noa-san, the money"

"What?" Noa turned around to look at Kageyama. He had his hand on her shoulder to catch her attention.

"The money. Did you bring, right?"

"A-Ah… Yes," Noa took out the money from the pocket of her sport jacket and gave it to Kageyama.

Noa stared again at the window. Nagisa couldn't have ignored her, could he? Surely he wouldn't have seen her. It had to be that. Otherwise, the idea that he had looked away because he didn't want to say hello provoked her an uncomfortable stomach pain.

"Here," Kageyama handed her the cup of tea and the two left the cafeteria.

Noa put her hands around the cup, trying to warm them up.

"Thanks for the treat," he took a sip. "That guy who had passed in front of the cafeteria isn't your friend?"

Noa flinched. So Kageyama noticed too…

"I know because I think I've seen him with the girls' volleyball team"

Noa nodded. "He's Nagisa-san, Jiro's, our manager, friend"

Kageyama glanced at her while sipping. "He blew you off"

Noa's jaw dropped. Why couldn't he be a little more subtle!?

A few days later

"Now, you have to add this result to this one. And that's all. The exercise is finished"

"Thank you, Noa-san. You're very intelligent"

"It's not a big deal. I'm just good at numbers. The best way of understanding Math is to solve problems"

"Well, I'm stupid so…" Tomone giggled nervously.

"You're not stupid," Noa frowned. "You are good at arts, for example. You can sing and draw. I can't do any of those things. In fact, I'm terrible at singing"

"But that's not useful at all"

"That depends. If you want to become an artist, you already have the talent"

"I'm not sure if I want to work as an artist or something related to that," Tomone sighed. "And if I go to university I have to study a lot, what I hate the most. It's boring"

"Don't worry," Noa tapped her back gently. "We still have plenty of time. We'll figure out what we want to do"

The two girls picked up their things. They left the library and crossed the campus when Noa spotted some orange hair she knew very well.

"Oi! Hinata!"

The boy turned around and, when he saw her, greeted her effusively waving his hand. As she approached him, Noa realized that he was not alone, but with Kageyama.

"Are you two competing again?" She raised an eyebrow.

"No. I was tossing to him," Kageyama replied grumpily.

"Whoa!" Hinata exclaimed. "She is huge!" He pointed at Tomone, who blushed.

"I thought you already knew her," Noa tilted her head. "But you were competing during the relay race during the Sports Day, so I guess you didn't notice her"

"She goes to the class next to mine," Kageyama stated. "How couldn't you see her!? She's big and much taller than you! It's impossible not to see her" Kageyama barked to Hinata.

"Okay, stop right now," Noa looked daggers at them. "You are being rude"

"Sorry," Hinata apologized instead of Kageyama.

"I-It's fine," Tomone giggled nervously. "I'm used to that kind of comments"

"But it's so cool! She's really tall!"

"Right?" Noa replied enthusiastically. "And she has joined the volleyball team!"

"Really!?" Hinata's eyes sparkled.

"She's still learning, but she's a good middle blocker"

"I'm a middle blocker too! I'm not gonna loose!" He pointed at Tomone in an accusing way.

"We are not competing against them, you dumbass"

"K-Kurumizawa Tomone, Class 2," she bowed.

"Oh! Right! I forgot to introduce you," Noa rubbed the back of her neck innocently. "She's Kurumizawa Tomone. Tomone, they are Hinata and Kageyama"

"Yuss!"

"Can we join you?" Noa asked. "We've been studying in the library and now we are free"

"I don't think Kageyama-"

"Sure," the setter cut Hinata off.

"Hey! That's not fair! I almost had to beg you!"

"Okay, okay…" Noa tapped Hinata's top of his head. "Are you in, Tomone?"

"Huh," she hesitated. "I'm still terrible"

"Hinata and I could spike and you could receive, so you can improve your receives"

"Then," Hinata grabbed Tomone's arm and dragged her to the other side of the area, so she could get ready, "let's start!"

As soon as Kageyama began to set up the ball and Hinata and Noa took turns to spike, the first-year boys realized that, indeed, Tomone had just started playing volleyball. However, instead of getting depressed, Tomone felt more encouraged by Hinata, as he gave her some advice to improve her receives.

"Why are you giving her advice!? Your receives were much worse!"

"Shut up, Kageyama!" Hinata blushed. "You've said it. They were. I've improved, so I can help her!"

"You still suck!"

Hinata and Kageyama started to argue. Noa laughed, but that situation only stressed Tomone more.

"P-Please, don't fight," the girl moaned.

"Don't worry!" Noa put her hands on her hips as she watched Hinata and Kageyama bickering. "They are always like that"

"They are as noisy as their second-year senpais"

Noa and Tomone turned around. Nagisa was standing behind them.

"Watanabe-san!" Tomone blinked confused.

"Sorry. Did I scare you?"

"No! W-We were playing volleyball"

Nagisa glanced briefly at Hinata and Kageyama, but he didn't change his expression a bit.

"I'm glad I met you," he followed. "I already have the documents that your parents must read and sign in order to consent to the use of your image. Can you give them to the rest of the team when you see them?"

"Sure!" Noa answered, but it was Tomone who took them.

"We still need the consent of the school. It's a very sensitive issue and it's never been done before, you're aware of that, right? "The two girls nodded at Nagisa's question.

"Hatsue-san told us that she will talk to Fujibashi-sensei to convince her"

"All right. I hope everything goes well," he turned around to start walking away.

He is acting weird, Noa thought, worried. The other day, when she was with Kageyama, he ignored her and at that moment she thought he was being too blunt to her. Was he mad at her for something?

"Who is he?" Hinata asked curiously.

"He's the guy we saw the other day, right?" Kageyama asked. "The one who completely ignored you"

"Watanabe-san ignored you?" Tomone seemed surprised.

"Wait! When did you two see you out of school!?" Hinata demanded.

Noa smirked. Why couldn't Kageyama shut his mouth instead of rubbing in that wound?

"Kageyama-kun," she said softly while grabbing his cheeks, "could you please shut up?"

"What's wrong with you?" He grumbled. "It's the truth!"

"Then save it for yourself"

"Oh! He's coming again!" Hinata chirped.

Nagisa was approaching them again. However, he stayed a couple of meters away. He took a quick look at Kageyama and then set his eyes on Noa.

"By the way, Furihata-san. Are you free tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow we don't have class," Noa answered a bit confused.

"I know. That's why I'm asking," despite talking to her, Nagisa was looking forward, as if something on the girl's back had caught his attention.

"During morning I have practice with Ushijima-san, but after lunch I'm free. Why do you ask?"

"I need you to help me with my English. I'll explain later. I'll treat you to something," Noa opened her mouth to reply, but he was faster. "See you tomorrow at 4 in the park in front of the station"

Noa blinked confused as she watched Nagisa quickly walking away.

"How fast…" Hinata mumbled.

"Oi!" Tanaka appeared suddenly to put his arm around Noa's shoulders. "What did Watanabe want, huh?" He grimaced.

"Now we know why the poor boy has almost fled," Suga crossed her arms and sighed.

The rest of the volleyball club members joined them. Noa was even more confused, especially because of what Sugawara had said. Were they the ones who had caught Nagisa's attention? Had he left so fast because they were approaching them?

"He better not get close to Daichi-san's little sister," Nishinoya added with determination.

"Stop intimidating people," Daichi dragged Tanaka away from Noa.

"He only came to deliver some papers that our parents have to sign," Noa explained.

"And he asked her for a date!" Hinata blurted out.

"That's not true! He didn't ask me for a date!" Noa flushed.

"You are going to meet tomorrow!"

"Because he has asked me for help with English!"

"We don't have English homework this week," Nishinoya said.

"And how do you know, huh? You don't even go to the same class," Ennoshita sweat dropped.

"Hold on a second!" Tanaka said. "Are you saying, Hinata, that Mr. Perfect has asked Noa-san for a date!?"

"It's not a date!"

"Cause I won't allow that!" Tanaka continued, completely ignoring her.

"What are you talking about, Tanaka?" Daichi frowned. "Noa has already told you, it's not a date"

"But Daichi, Noa's innocence and purity…"

"She's only going to help him studying English," Asahi followed.

"I'm sure it's an excuse," Nishinoya said.

"He'll trick her with his charms," Tanaka added.

"You are only jealous because he gets all girls' attention," Ennoshita pointed out.

"He's just a pervert," Nishinoya crossed his arms. "We have to protect Noa-san!"

"You don't have to protect anyone!" Daichi barked.

"Stop it! You are embarrassing me!" Noa yelled.

"W-Watanabe-san is kind and honest," Tomone said shyly, scared of addressing directly to people older than her. "If it's a date, he would have said it"

"Don't give them any more explanations," Noa took Tomone's arm and pulled her away from the boys. "They are idiots," the girl turned and stuck out her tongue.

When both girls were far enough, Suga smirked and leaned towards Daichi to whisper in his ear. "It's definitely a date"

"Please, not you too," the captain rolled his eyes.

…

Chizuko hesitated for a moment. She closed her eyes and breathed in. She opened her eyes again and breathed out, gaining the courage she needed to knock on the door. She put her finger on the doorbell and pressed. She waited patiently, feeling the beating of her heart speed up. However, who opened the door was not who she expected.

"You are Chizuko, right?"

"A-Ah, yeah!" Chizuko flinched. Hikari, Jiro's little sister, raised an eyebrow. "I-Is your brother at home? I-I mean… Jiro-kun"

"My brother is not here, but you can come in," Hikari stepped aside to let Chizuko get inside. The middle blocker hesitated for a moment, but finally agreed. "Make yourself comfortable," the young girl said as she put on her shoes. "I'm going out for a moment to bring him back"

"He isn't at home?" Chizuko was a little bit confused. "I thought he was ill"

Hikari blinked slowly. She seemed upset for some reason. "He'll be here in five minutes". And then she closed the door with a smacking sound.

Even though Hikari left, Chizuko kept staring the door a few moments more. She wasn't very comfortable with the idea of staying alone, even if it was only for a few minutes, in a house that wasn't hers. She looked around, everything seemed to be silent.

"Nee-chan!" Little Takaya came running down the hall and, as soon as he saw Chizuko, he stopped. "Nee-chan?" He asked in a trembling voice, not knowing where his sister was.

"Takaya-kun!" Chizuko smiled gently. "Your sister will be back in no time. She is looking for your brother. Can I come in?"

The boy nodded, feeling a bit confident after Chizuko being nice with him. "You haven't visited for a long time," he said. "Iyo has told my brother many times to invite you home, but he doesn't want to." Chizuko followed the boy to the living room. "I think he likes you"

Chizuko almost chocked. "W-What?"

The little boy laughed. "You like him too!"

"N-No!" Chizuko felt her cheeks reddening.

"It's fine. I won't tell him," he shrugged. "But you sure are weird, you know? You like my brother…" He grimaced.

"Jiro-kun is a good person." Chizuko flinched. She didn't like him, so why was she trying to justify herself!?

"If you say so…" he shrugged again.

They heard the door being opened again and two voices coming from the hall.

"I'll work in the shop today"

"No, Hikari. You're 13"

"The old man won't mind. He know me. Stay with her. She has come to visit you"

"Can you listen to me for once!?"

"Stop it! You are hurting me! I'm doing what I want, Jiro. Take some rest and stop exerting yourself. We are all worried!" Her voice broke.

"Hikari," there was a brief silence. "Hikari!" And then a slam.

Chizuko and Takaya exchanged looks. A few seconds later, Jiro appeared at the door of the room. Takaya and Chizuko watched him curiously.

"Oh, you two are here," he seemed surprised at first, but then his mood changed and he glared at his little brother, who flinched. "What did you say to her!?"

"Nothing!"

"I'm sure you've told her something inappropriate. Chizuko-chan seems uncomfortable!"

"I told you I didn't!"

"It's true. We've only been chatting," Chizuko said.

"And where's Shun?" Jiro asked.

"In the bedroom"

"How many times I have to tell you that you can't leave him alone? He's only 2!"

"Okay, okay," the little boy stood up.

"Play with him. If something happens, anything, tell me"

"Yeeeees…" Before leaving, the child stopped. "By the way, Chizuko-chan, I'll keep the secret." Takaya winked at her, so Chizuko blushed.

"What secret?" Jiro asked, furrowing his brow.

"N-Nothing!" Chizuko giggled nervously.

Both then went silent. Jiro stared at Chizuko. The girl was standing in the middle of the room, fiddling with her fingers.

"Why are you here?" He demanded bluntly.

"You haven't come to class for two days, so… I asked for your homework to give them to you"

"You didn't have to"

"It doesn't matter," Chizuko fumbled in her backpack and left his homework on the table. The girl cleared her throat before continuing. "I thought ... Well, you have missed many classes these last weeks and you will need help to catch up. I can help you study"

Jiro's expression, which had been sharp since he had arrived home, softened and he smiled tenderly. "Thank you, Chizuko"

Chizuko blushed. He had dropped the honorific.

Jiro went to his room to take his textbooks and pens. When he returned to the living room, he left everything on the table and then went to the kitchen to serve them both a little juice and take something to eat. Chizuko also took out her school stuff and started doing her own homework, although she was actually keeping an eye on Jiro, making sure that he understood everything.

Jiro wasn't a good student. He got easily distracted, so Chizuko had to be constantly calling his attention. He was like a little boy. However, his gaze sometimes got lost somewhere on the wall. When that happened, Chizuko watched him carefully and didn't dare to call his attention, because it seemed that Jiro was somewhere far away and that, wherever he was, she shouldn't bother him.

One of those times, Jiro coughed very loudly. Chizuko glanced at him and couldn't help but worry. Jiro had missed many days of high school, he said he had had some relapses with a flu, but Chizuko was beginning to believe that there was something else he didn't want to tell them. She had tried not to spin around the matter and, perhaps, nobody else would have noticed, but she did: Jiro was very pale since then.

"Are you feeling okay?" She asked, tapping his back gently.

"Perfectly fine," he replied after clearing his throat.

"You should drink some juice"

"I know," he sipped some from his glass.

"Don't you want to eat anything? I'm the only one who's eating all the food you brought"

"I'm not that hungry. Do you want more? I can bring you some more," he stood up.

"No, it's not necessary. I'm skipping the diet for nationals enough"

"Would you mind if we take a break?"

"N-No, sure"

Jiro left the room. Chizuko ran a hand through her hair and, trying to be stealthy, she stood up. She walked up to the door and peered into the narrow corridor of the Aoyama's tiny apartment. She caught Jiro in the kitchen. He seemed to put something in his mouth and then drank some water, so Chizuko guessed that it was a pill. Afterwards, Jiro leaned on the counter. He ran a hand over his forehead and, at that moment, Chizuko realized that it was beaded in sweat. He practically dragged his feet to one of the kitchen chairs and dropped into it, losing his balance. Chizuko came out of hiding and grabbed him, preventing him from falling.

"Jiro-kun, you're very sick. You are pale! You should have told me and I would have left to let you rest," Chizuko put her hand on his forehead. It was burning. "You have a lot of fever"

"I'm fine," Jiro slapped her arm, so she wouldn't touch him.

"No, you are not," Chizuko frowned. "I came because I needed to know how you were, but I can see that I was right. You are still sick!"

"Do not overwhelm me," his voice faltered.

"What's going on?"

"It's only a cold. I already told you"

Chizuko pressed her lips in a thin line. "Jiro-kun, I'm worried about y-"

"Hey, you don't owe me anything because of what I told you after what happened with Shiratorizawa, you know?" Jiro raised his gaze and set his dark eyes on her. Chizuko shivered. He was looking at her as if he despised her. "I did it for the team, not you," he hissed.

Chizuko felt a sting in her chest. However, she remained as calm as possible and swallowed before answering.

"I do it because I want to. I would do the same for anyone else on the team. I just want you to tell me what I can do for you"

"Get out of here"

Chizuko startled. She had never seen Jiro so serious. His expression was different and something in it hurt her a lot, but she couldn't guess what.

"Get. Out," he repeated slowly. "I don't need your help nor anyone's," Jiro stood up, but he staggered a little bit. Chizuko stretched her arms towards him to help him, but Jiro pushed her. "Didn't I make myself clear!? Are you stupid or what!?"

"You are pushing a line, Jiro-kun. Don't talk to me like that"

"Well, get out of here then. You have brought my homework, so you have fulfilled your mission. Leave before Iyo arrives"

Chizuko frowned. She didn't understand that sudden change of attitude. He had arrived tense from wherever he had come, then seemed relaxed, and suddenly, he was tense again, even in a worse mood.

"Don't behave like that," Chizuko returned to the living room and began to collect her things. "I have seen very questionable attitudes of you that I haven't liked, both with your siblings and with me now. I'm going to let it go, because surely that will be the product of the virus or whatever it is that you have"

"These attitudes you don't like are the way I really am." Jiro laughed, what bothered Chizuko even more. "Surprised? Did you like Jiro who was always cheerful? Well, I'm sorry to tell you that most of the time I don't want to be like that"

"Get a grip, Jiro-kun. Stop saying nonsense and go to bed to have some rest," Chizuko put on her shoes and opened the door of the Aoyama house.

"Hey, Chizuko," she looked over her shoulder before closing the door, "don't bring me more homework and don't come back to my house anymore. I don't want you to get involved with my family anymore"

"What are you talk-?" But Chizuko couldn't finish the question, because it was Jiro himself who closed the door in her face.

Chizuko couldn't believe it. That was not the Jiro that she knew. And his attitude had done nothing but give her the determination to get to the bottom of the matter.

If she wasn't wrong, Jiro had said many times that Nagisa and he were friends since childhood because they were neighbors, they even went together to kindergarten. That meant that the Watanabe family must live in one of those floors, so she went from door to door reading the nameplates placed next to each door.

At the end of the corridor she read the plaque with the name 'Watanabe'. Full of determination, she knocked on the door. Soon after, it was Nagisa himself who opened the door.

"Oka-san?" Nagisa didn't seem surprised, but he always had the same stoic expression. "Please, tell me you are not here because I'm seeing Furihata-san tomorrow? Are you going to lecture me about how I have to behave with a girl, especially because she's a year younger than me?"

Chizuko blinked confused. "W-What?"

"What?"

"Do you have a date with Noa-san?"

"So you aren't here because of that?"

"No," Chizuko babblered. "Wait, you really have a date with Noa-san!?"

"No," he replied calmly.

Chizuko startled, but, after thinking carefully about it for a few seconds, she preferred to ignore what had just happened.

The boy opened his mouth to speak again, but Chizuko had no time to lose. Without asking permission, she entered the house, forcing Nagisa to step aside. She stopped at the entrance and looked at him intently.

"I want you to tell me everything and I want the truth. Now"

"What are you talking about, Oka-san? How do you know I live here?" Nagisa was still holding the door open. Chizuko noticed it and pushed it to close it. "Oka-san?" Nagisa had tried to look composed, but the middle blocker's behavior was starting to annoy him.

"Sorry for being rude," she apologized, "but I need to know what's going on with Jiro-kun"

"If I'm not wrong, he has a cold, hasn't he?"

"Don't take me for a fool," she tensed her jaw. "I know something is wrong with him because he's been an asshole with me. I know he's not well, everyone in his family is being very mysterious because he doesn't let them talk. He thinks I didn't, but I have noticed it"

"Since when do you know Jiro-kun's family?" Nagisa raised his eyebrows, kind of surprised for that brand new information.

"Watanabe-san," Chizuko followed without answering the question, "if I'm going crazy and worrying too much, I want you to tell me. With honesty"

Nagisa remained silent. He knew that Oka Chizuko was a quiet girl, but that she knew how to take a step forward and be bold when necessary. And that was one of those occasions. Nagisa stared at her curiously. She seemed genuinely concerned about his best friend and, if he had been in front of him, Nagisa would have definitely scolded him for worrying her.

"Oka-san, are you in love with Jiro-kun?"

"W-What?" She flushed. "W-Why do you ask that all of a sudden? T-That's not the point!"

Nagisa's lips curled slightly upward and he let the girl not answer her question. He didn't need to hear the answer.

"Jiro-kun will kill me if he finds out. He made me promise that I would say nothing to you," he finally confessed. "I will tell you with one condition: you will not talk about this with anyone, not even with Jiro-kun. Do you understand?"

Chizuko nodded, unable to speak. The seriousness with which Nagisa spoke scared her.

"I don't agree with him on this. I told him, that he's making a huge mistake. But he's too stubborn and I know he's too scared to face the truth and say it out loud," he followed. "You're right, Oka-san. There's something he's not telling you"

I'm still keeping the mystery about Jiro, but Chizuko is the only one who knows now!

Next chapter: Noa's protection squad. Noa and Nagisa will have their date-not-so-date, but maybe it won't turn out the way they expect.

See you next time!