"Stop. You're not doing it right."

Naoko resisted the urge to wince at her tutor's sharp voice. Schooling her face in an icy mask, she stoically regarded her violin teacher, waiting for whatever criticism she had.

"The note you drew just then was too long and mourning. Do it again. And make sure it's perfect this time."

"Yes, sensei."

The girl did not smile when she completed the piece, even when her teacher begrudgingly praised her music. Instead, she merely nodded and became alert, once more, for whatever her teacher had to say next.

By the time her lessons were over, it was mid-afternoon. Her tutor bade her farewell and left promptly, leaving her alone in a big, empty house. She was packing her violin back into its case when the front door opened again, and Tadashi—splattered in mud—stepped inside with his gaze dropped.

Quickly, Naoko abandoned her menial task and stumbled forward him, her hands shaking. "Ta... Brother! What happened to you?"

Despite the forming bruise on his cheek, Tadashi merely smiled, reaching out a hand to pat her head before realizing how dirty it was. He withdrew it quickly. "Nothing, Nacchan," he reassured her, toeing his shoes off and hastily heading up the stairs.

Naoko's eyes followed him until he was out of sight.

Then she slumped against the wall, tears forming in her eyes. She took a deep, shuddering breath, refusing to allow them to fall. "Brother... Who did this to you?"

As the door creaked closed behind her, Naoko relished in the warm June wind blowing against her cheeks. Then she caught up to her brother, who was peering over the edge of the rooftop as far as the metal fencing would allow him. "Brother?" she called. "Are you alright?"

"Huh? Oh! I'm fine, Nacchan." Tadashi chuckled. "I'm just enjoying the view."

"Well, okay. Can you tell me who those boys were?"

"I don't know their names..."

"Damn." Gesturing him over, Naoko sat down cross-legged. Then she put the lunch that she had packed (which she had collected from her classroom before coming up to the roof) down in front of her. "Here," she said as her brother sat, too. "I... I made you your favorite. To celebrate the first day." A snort. "Some first day this turned out to be..."

Tadashi tried to smile. "It's okay. It could've been worse. A l-lot worse..." Sighing, he opened up his lunchbox, perking up almost immediately when the smell of his sister's homemade lunch hit him. "Pork curry! Thanks, Nacchan. Let's eat." But his good mood quickly faded, his shoulders sagging as he took the first bite.

"What is it?" Naoko asked worriedly. "Is it not to your liking?"

"No, it's not that—"

"Then what? Those thugs?" She started to stand. "I swear, I'll find them and I'll beat the sh—"

"No, Nacchan! I saw..." Tadashi swallowed. "Don't worry. Forget about it."

"Brother."

His grip around his chopsticks tightened. "Nacchan, please drop it."

"How can I?" Naoko scowled. "Brother, you know you can tell me anything—"

"It's nothing!"

No, it isn't! Naoko wanted to shout. But she thought the better of it, merely opening up her lunchbox. "Fine," she said shortly. "It's nothing."

"Nothing," he echoed.

Naoko exhaled sharply, jabbing her chopsticks into the succulent pork. "Let's eat."

"Kyaah! Oikawa-san, nice serve!"

"Nice serve, Oikawa-san!"

"OI!" Iwaizumi turned back and snapped at his best friend, who was waving at the girls on the balcony. "Hurry up and serve already, you bastard!"

"Ack! Okay, Iwa-chan! Geez." Grumbling under his breath, Oikawa threw the ball up in the air.

And smacked it straight into the tape of the net.

"Don't mind, don't mind!" his fan girls cheered.

"That guy could shit his pants in the middle of practice and they'd probably lick it up," Matsukawa deadpanned.

"They wouldn't waste it like that," refuted Hanamaki. "They'd probably scoop it into a little baggy and sniff it before bed."

"Don't be so crude, you two," Yahaba scolded mildly, giving Kindaichi a quick high-five as their side rotated for Kunimi to serve. "I did not need to hear that after eating the cafeteria's curry for lunch."

"What's up with you today?" Iwaizumi demanded when Oikawa messed up a play that he had been doing for years already. Oikawa never messed up a set. Not like this. "We've been doing that combination since middle school."

"Sorry, sorry!" Oikawa put both hands together apologetically. "I'll do better next time."

Iwaizumi grunted. "We'll talk more about this later. Just focus for now, dumbass."

"Ah! Iwa-chan, no need to be so rude!"

Fortunately, their brief exchange managed to snap Oikawa out of his funk, and the rest of their practice went smoothly. Cruelly ignoring Hanamaki's pleas for after-practice ramen with practiced ease, the team split up at the front gates.

"Well?" prompted Iwaizumi, bouncing his volleyball on the concrete as he walked. "What's on your mind?"

Oikawa hummed. "Iwa-chan, are you some sort of mind reader?"

"Even if I were, I wouldn't waste it on your brain. Now stop stalling already, Shittykawa."

"Fine, fine." Oikawa glanced back once to appreciate the view of the sunset sky behind the school. "Do you remember the new transfer student from this morning?" At Iwaizumi's nod, he continued, "Turns out 'she' is actually a 'he'."

"Huh. Okay. And?"

"And? And?" Oikawa smiled, but it was not a kind or a happy one. "His name is Makoshima Tadashi."

"Makoshima... Tadashi... Wait a second—"

"Right?!"

"Him?! No fucking way."

Oikawa couldn't help it—he snorted. "You'd never believe it. He lost a ton of weight, and acts all shy and bashful. But that's what it is—an act."

Iwaizumi nodded slowly, eyebrows raised. "Uh huh. Right. He was a real dick in grade school, wasn't he? Wouldn't leave you alone until I beat the shit outta him on multiple occasions. Tch, coward."

"Yeah, well, I'm the one who has to deal with him now," Oikawa grumbled.

"Does baby need his milk bread to feel better?" Iwaizumi said dryly when he realized what direction Oikawa was steering him in—toward his favorite maid cafe.

"I am so glad you asked, Iwa-chan!"

The plate clattered on the kitchen counter as Naoko put it down, finishing up the slice buttered toast she had made herself for an after-school lunch. After putting on her jacket, she swiped the keys to their house from the dining table and dropped them in her shirt pocket.

Upstairs, Tadashi was quietly doing his homework. She'd finished half of hers within the first hour of arriving home, having studied ahead in the second year curriculum so that she would not spend her afternoons and evenings poring over homework.

More productive things beckoned her.

She was sitting down on the edge—her bag half on her shoulder—of the genkan and reaching for her shoes—a pair of worn sneakers—when a gentle footfall reached her ears.

"Sister?"

Naoko glanced over her shoulder. "Sumire." Still wearing her school uniform, she was shorter than Naoko by a few inches, and her hair was cut so that the ends tickled her collarbone. Inwardly, she sighed. She knew what this was about—what it would be about once the right questions were asked. And Sumire always did have that annoying penchant.

"Where are you going?" Sumire's lips pressed into a thin line. "You told me you wouldn't work on Mondays."

"I know, but there was a last minute change in the rotation. A coworker is down with a serious flu, so I'll be working the Monday shift for a few weeks. And," she added with slight warning in her tone, "I might request Umeko-san to let me keep working the evening shift."

Sumire shuffled her feet. "Oh. Naoko-nee, you don't have to work again. You already work so much, and...! Aren't you tired?"

Naoko waved her off. "I'm fine," she assured her. "Thanks for the concern, but I'm not gonna keel over from working." She rolled up her jacket sleeve, checking her watch. There was still a good amount of time before her shift started. "How's violin practice going?"

"Oh! Pretty good," Sumire replied, starting to smile. But it was short-lived, quickly fading into nothing. "Naoko-nee," she said solemnly, "My violin lessons... They're expensive. If we can't afford it—"

"Don't be silly." Sighing, Naoko dropped her bag and drew her younger sister into a hug. "It's not. I work so you two can reward yourselves. We both know we can't live on our inheritance forever. So don't worry about it, Sumire."

"I'm not five," Sumire huffed. "I get it." Then, tentatively, she asked, "Are you sure you're okay, Naoko-nee?"

"Yes, yes. I'm not five either, you know." Naoko gave her a side-smile as she bent over to pull her shoes on. "I'll see you tonight. Leftovers are in the fridge—make sure you heat them up for dinner. Tadashi had a stressful day at school, so he'll probably tell you he's hungry at six." She stood to leave, but Sumire grabbed her wrist. "Yes...? Sumire, I'm going to be late if you don't—"

"Um! Do you have everything? You're not... forgetting anything, are you?"

Naoko frowned contemplatively. "No, I don't think so. Later, Sumire." With that, she was gone, the door clicking shut.

Blankly, Sumire stared at the door. Then she got up and moved to the living room, groaning as she flopped belly first onto the plush couch. "She totally forgot my birthday's today... didn't she?"

It wasn't too unusual for people her age to have a part-time job while studying—she was one of them, after all. Perhaps she would have gotten a more dignity-saving job, but this was all she could get for weekdays at the moment.

"Ah!" Umeko, the cafe manager, was hurrying to open the door for her before she even touched the handle. "Nacchan!" The over-worked woman all but grabbed her and dragged her inside, chattering, "Quickly, go get changed! Mika called in sick half an hour ago, and we're severely understaffed!"

"Calm down, Umeko-san, I'm here now," Naoko soothed as she ducked into the back room to get changed. When she came back out in her maid uniform, Umeko was hastily working the coffee machine for a customer ordering takeaway.

"You're a life-saver," Umeko acknowledged quickly before turning to her next customer at the register. "Welcome back, Yamada-sama!"

As Naoko carried a chocolate shake to another customer, the bell above the front door dinged, and two boys wearing the Aobajosai walked in, deep in conversation. "Welcome," she greeted them without turning her head, rather bland and hurried in her delivery, after putting down the coffee. Another customer from the other side of the restaurant called for her, insisting upon a coffee refill. "I'll be with you in a minute, masters."

"I'm telling you Iwa-chan," Oikawa was saying as he pulled his seat from the table and sat down, Iwaizumi doing the same opposite him. "I'm gonna expose his true nature before the year ends."

Iwaizumi heaved a sigh, putting his bag on the floor. It sagged against the table leg. "Look, Oikawa, I know he's a prick, but this is a shitty idea. Don't tell me you forgot we have entrance exams and nationals this year? The Spring High is our last chance."

"I know, Iwa-chan. Just think of this as... a side quest! There we go. That guy's gonna regret being such an asshole to me. He acts like such a nice guy, but I know what he's really like—" Oikawa cut himself off with a muffled gasp. "Iwa-chan! It's her! The girl who stopped stupid Makoshima from getting lung cancer." He nodded toward the coffee machine, where the only waitress working in the restaurant tonight was exchanging brief words with the manager. Then she brought someone's coffee to their table. "I didn't recognize her when we came in, but..." He smiled. "Kinda cute, isn't she?"

"Don't even," Iwaizumi deadpanned, but Oikawa had already lifted his arm slightly. "Are you sure it's her? I doubt she stood up to a bunch of tough guys—"

"Excuse me! Yoohoo, maid-chan~!"

"Stupidkawa!"

The girl's gaze turned to them, and Iwaizumi stiffened a little at how dull her storm-grey eyes seemed to be. The ceiling lights gave her irises an almost oyster-shell sort of look. Then she nodded toward them before her eyes shifted away, beginning to speak to one of the older male customers.

"Ooh, she's coming," Oikawa said, grinning. "I wanna know what her deal is with Makoshima." He laughed airily. "Seems not even Makoshima's defender can resist my charms, Iwa-chan."

"Maybe she's just doing her job. You ever consider that, huh, Shittykawa?"

Before Oikawa could retort, the waitress was already at their table, her notepad out and prepared to scribble down their orders. "Good evening, masters," she said plainly. "Sorry to keep you waiting for so long. How can I help you tonight?"

Shamelessly, Oikawa picked up the menu and pretended to search when Iwaizumi knew he had already decided before even entering the store. "I don't know. Do you have any recommendations, maid-chan?"

"Our melon soda is incredibly popular," the girl said, reaching toward the menu and flipping it to the beverages section. Oikawa shifted his hand subtly so that their palms would brush, but she somehow avoided the skin contact with effortless ease. Not even looking up from the menu, she added, "We're also known for our pizza. We have four selections—plain cheese, supreme, meat bonanza and vegetarian."

"Hmm..." Oikawa flipped through the menu, quite aware that she had purposefully dodged his efforts to make direct contact. "I'll just have a milk roll and some water please. What about you, Iwa-chan?"

"Just some water, thanks."

The girl collected the menu and bowed. "Right away, masters."

Once she was behind the counter again, serving up their orders, Oikawa broke out into a wide grin that had Iwaizumi's eye twitching. "She's cute, right? The way she glares reminds me of Mad-Dog-chan! I can't believe I've never someone with her kind of... dog-face around before."

"Lower your voice, idiot," Iwaizumi hissed when he caught her looking frostily their way. "And I doubt she appreciates you calling her a dog-face."

"Eh? But dogs are cute." Oikawa twisted in his chair to catch another look at her. Then he turned back to face Iwaizumi, reporting his new opinion a little quieter, "I take it back, she looks more like a cat, no?"

"Thanks for your utterly useless input."

Oikawa chuckled, resting his head on his palm as he continued to observe the girl. "Anytime, Iwa-chan."

Did that peacock just say I look like a dog? Naoko's brow twitched irritably as she opened a new bag of coffee powder and shoved the scoop in it with more force than required. Seriously? "Tch."

"Ah, you looked annoyed." Umeko's voice sounded from somewhere behind her. "Is this about the maid outfit? I know you usually wear the butler suit, but Mika took it home to wash."

Naoko shook her head. "It's fine, Umeko-san," she said, a wry little smile appearing on he lips. "Just some... particularly unpleasant customers. You told me we'd get them all the time before I started here, so it's no trouble." Her ire against the peacock simmering down a little, she pursed her lips and asked, "Mou, I always thought managers would be mean and domineering."

Umeko snorted, waving a hand. "That's just a stereotype, Nacchan. Or... do you want me to mean and domineering? Hm?"

"No, not really. I hope I don't push my boundaries, but you make the work environment a lot more... homely than I thought it'd be."

"Hah! It's fine, it's fine. Sure, it's always good to maintain some sort of professionalism in the workplace, but in a place like this, I like my workers to feel more comfortable, especially around me. Besides, you're an interesting girl—I'd love to be your friend as well as your boss, Nacchan. Those two things aren't always mutually exclusive. You know," she said, a little more gently, "It's alright to ask for help when you need it."

Brusquely, Naoko nodded. "I'll keep that in mind. Thank you, Umeko-san." Sorry, she apologized silently, But the burdens I have right now aren't something you can help with. Everything is falling on me—Tadashi needs to focus on his studies, and Sumire isn't old enough to work yet. The inheritance won't last forever, especially with grandmother's—

Taking a deep breath, Naoko picked up the warmed up roll of milk bread that Umeko had placed in front of her on the counter just seconds ago.

"Order up," the manager said cheerfully, much more relaxed now that most of the customers had gone.

"Mm." Naoko picked up the plate with the milk bread and a tall glass bottle of water with two upside-down cups stacked on the orifice and hugging the neck. Without looking directly at the peacock and his more tolerable friend, she put their food and drinks down. "Enjoy your meal, masters."

"Thank you, maid-chan," the brunet said, smiling gratefully at her. It was rather disarming, that smile of his—used for charming and talking his way out of conundrums.

Narrowing her eyes slightly, Naoko stepped back. It was a little infuriating, actually—and it was a feat in itself that such a small thing could press her buttons so easily. "You're welcome, master. Is there anything else I can do for you tonight, master? We have a special offer, actually, on our dog-faced banana bread."

The peacock blinked, seemingly at a loss for words when his friend scoffed. "I told you, Shittykawa." He turned to Naoko. "Sorry about him, he can be a dick sometimes." A beat. "A lot of the time."

"Iwa-chan! Just whose side are you on?"

"My side."

"Look," Naoko cut in, making both of them turn to her. "You obviously have something to say to me, sir, so please say whatever you need to and leave me in peace. Please," she added as an afterthought. Annoying he might have been, but they were still customer and waitress.

"Wow, you've got me." The boy smiled again, but this time it was a little sharper. A little crueler. "Does the name Makoshima Tadashi ring a bell to you?"

She stiffened. He's asking about... brother? What the hell? What's his problem? "I'm not obliged to give you any details of personal matters," she answered curtly, wiping her hands down on her apron. "Enjoy the rest of your night."

Without waiting for a reply, she walked away, making long, quick strides toward the safety of the counter. By the time she returned to their table to clean up, they seemed to have forgotten about the tense exchange.

But when the brunet left her a hefty tip, she knew this was certainly not the case.

Whatever he was planning—

Harm one hair on my brother's head, and I'll kill you.

GROUP CHAT: Ah! The Mighty Oikawa's Volleyball Comrades!

[Makki]: what a shitty name change

[Makki]: this better turned into something different before I wake up or I'll

[Oikawa]: You'll what, Makki? :D

[Mattsun]: Oikawa Tooru he'll uninstall breathing

[Yahaba]: i'm the one who's gonna uninstall breathing after giving this dumb app a one-star review for not including a mute option

[Oikawa]: aww is poor Yahaba-chan having his sleep disturbed? :(

[Yahaba]: I'm TRYING to do my math homework

[Kindaichi]: same...

[Kunimi]: Yahaba Shigeru Kindaichi Yuutarou lmao imagine doing math homework lmaaaoooo

[Kindaichi]: Kunimi Akira, I know for a fact that you're two weeks behind, WHAT are you doing

[Oikawa]: Kunimicchi always sounds more excited through text for some reason

[Makki]: probably from his gratuitous use of 'lmao' 'lol' 'rofl' and 'hahahaha'

[Makki]: I can imagine his face unchanging while texting

[Kunimi]: lol lmao can you now hahahaha rofl

[Yahaba]: fhiwgfiwgfgfq

[Mattsun]: Yahaba Shigeru you good, buddy?

[Makki]: Yahaba Shigeru ruh roh romerone's raving a stroke

[Iwaizumi]: literally please shut the fuck up all of you and do your homework goddamn

[Iwaizumi]: Yahaba Shigeru If you need help with homework, you should ask a classmate. Now goodnight, everyone.

[Yahaba]: oh speaking of classmates, we have a transfer student in our class

[Oikawa]: wait what rlly

[Oikawa]: same actually

[Oikawa]: there's two?

[Yahaba]: yeah, she's in my music elective too, she plays violin and her name's

[Yahaba]: oh shit gtg

[Oikawa]: YAHABA NO

[Oikawa]: COME BACK

[Oikawa]: YAHABAAAA

[Oikawa]: GUYSSSSS ｡゜(｀Д´)゜｡

[Iwaizumi]: I'm turning off my phone.

[Makki]: Same.

[Mattsun]: Same.

[Kunimi]: lmaaaooo sameeee

[Kindaichi]: Goodnight, everyone!

[Oikawa]: you

[Oikawa]: did you guys just

[Oikawa]: °Д°

[Watari]: ? What did I miss?

[Oikawa]: WATACCHI

[Watari]: Oh, haha, goodnight.

[Oikawa]: NOOOOOO

[Oikawa]: ｡゜(｀Д´)゜｡ ｡゜(｀Д´)゜｡ ｡゜(｀Д´)゜｡

A/N: I did these little character sheets at the end of some chapters in the old version, so might as well keep them, lol. Some of the information has been updated. Sumire is now taller, and the year of her birth is revealed.

OC Character Sheet:

Full name: Makoshima Sumire

DOB: June 14, 1999

Age: 13

Height: 154.89 cm (~5'1)

Weight: 46.5 kg

Appearance: Normally seen in boyish clothing or her school uniform while carrying a violin case. Like her sister, she has pale skin and grey eyes. Her hair reaches her collarbones, and her bangs fall over her eyes a little.

Occupation: Student (2nd year in middle school)

School: Kitagawa Daiichi Junior High

Favorite food: Any kind of ramen

Current concern(s): Is Naoko okay? What if she's working too hard? Should I try and get a job to help put money on the table? Are my violin lessons too expensive? I hope grandma's okay as well...

Statistics (out of 5):

Power: 1

Jump: 1

Stamina: 3

Strategy: 4

Technique: 4

Speed: 3