Alright my little balls of sunshine,

Here's a little update from me. A big message from author-chan.

As some of you might know I live in Germany and since the number of the infected has been rising (even in my town) exponentially my country has put out some drastic measures to stop the Coronavirus from spreading uncontrollably.

Since I'm an early childhood educator and all the kindergardens and schools are closed, I am currently not at work, like many others. Some crazy people have begun buying heaps of toilet paper, you have to keep at least a 1,5m distance from other people outside and playgrounds are closed. Cafés, restaurants and cinemas are closed. You're not allowed to meet with more than one person outside. Anyone who doesn't keep to those terms has to pay a fine. My husband and I are unscaved so far but to avoid spreading the virus to my very old father-in-law (who lives with us) we chose to quarantine ourselves. Nobody I personally know is infected although one had contact with one person and was quarantined for a long time. Bless his soul, he lives alone without a pet. Kept him sane through discord. It is a very strange time right now but on the bright side, I have time to write.

I don't know where all of you are around the world, but please for your sake, stay healthy, avoid social contacts (don't get infected and don't infect others), wash your hands (that kills the virus) and avoid touching your face when you are outside. It is, as I quote the "in a nutshell: Coronavirus" video (which I highly recommend), all in our hands, literally and figuratively!

Aside from the point that a Pandemic is happening, the Haikyuu manga is slowly approaching its end. Also, my dear Tamiko now is officially a character that can't fit into the story anymore.

Kageyama Tobio has an older sister named Miwa (a hairdresser) and his grandfather (a coach) was his greatest inspiration to play volleyball. His bitterness from his last middle school days can be explained by the death of his beloved grandfather.

But I'm undeterred. I'll keep writing as hard as I can to keep you guys company through these hard times. Again I want to say, please stay healthy and if you think the virus can't effect you, please keep in mind that you can give it to your grandparents.

On the sidenote, I want to give a shout out to my parents and all the other countless people who are working so hard to diagnose and care for all the patients

Love you guys. Your comments also cheer me up.

Thank you so much!

starrat: Thank you so much :)

Ranighastly: I like how you thought of that. I know everyone is different. I hope this chapter explains it a little more.

whiteanddark: I'm glad I made you happy. Enjoy the chapter.

sndlr: lol Thanks

Lelemonny: Well here you go :)

Chapter 53 - A graduation

"Make sure to sit straight when you play," Shiyori said.

"Yeah," Tamiko groaned, as she slipped into her shoes.

"And be careful not to crease your uniform when you sit down," she added.

"Yeah," she groaned once more.

"And one more thing before you go," Shiyori added.

"What is it?"

Tamiko turned around to face her mother, frowning a little. Shiyori and Tobio both looked at her. It has been a week since their mother had moved in again. From then on it had become a little livelier in the house. The hum of the vacuum could be heard, even when Tamiko was upstairs. There were conversations done in the house, even when one sibling had bunkered themselves in their bedroom. It wasn't Tamiko anymore who called Tobio down for dinner. The scent in the house had also changed. Shiyori's usual perfume had mixed itself with the scent of the Kageyama household. It was unfamiliar, yet so pleasant at the same time.

Now her mother stood before Tamiko and let her eyes wander over her figure. Her arms were crossed as usual. Shiyori still didn't feel at all comfortable opening up fully to her daughter, to be defenceless and at ease before her. In turn Tamiko wasn't yet comfortable to let her mother close. Yet they did small steps every day.

"I'm proud of you," Shiyori confessed with a small smile. "You've worked so hard for this moment. This is your day. We will go eat something nice afterwards, okay?"

"Sure," Tamiko said, a small smile creeping over her lips. "Thank you, mum, for going to my graduation."

"I have a lot more to do until we are even," she said. "This is just the first step. I want to witness many more of your feats and achievements."

"Then don't be late,"

"I'll be early," she promised. "Now go before you're late."

Sadly Shiratorizawa Academy and Karasuno high school held their graduation ceremonies on the same day. Tobio had to be at his school so he couldn't attend his sister's graduation. But that didn't bring her down at all. She was excited. After today everything about her life would change. She will work as Shiratorizawa's official manager with payment. She wouldn't have to study anymore for a while and on the weekend Ushijima will move to Tokyo.

The last part made her heart squeeze in pain. What they had would turn into a long distance relationship. She didn't know what all of that would entail. How much would change for them, apart from the distance? Her train of thought was interrupted when she spotted Ushijima walking towards her on the street.

"You left early," he noted.

"And I didn't expect an escort," she replied. "You did want to pick me up, right?"

"That is correct," he said. "I wanted to walk to school with you, only once."

Tamiko smiled and offered him her hand. One thing she was sure of, he must have gotten up even earlier than usual to get to her house after his jog, fully dressed. And since she was one of the only students from Shiratorizawa in this neighborhood, being seen walking hand in hand was not an issue. Although, should it be an issue anymore? This was their official last day at school. After this day it was all over. Should she even care to hide it anymore?

"Hey, Toshi," she started. "If everyone in school knew we were dating, would you be embarrassed?"

Ushijima looked down at her but her eyes were fixed ahead. He did however see a little of her red cheeks.

"Yes," he said. "But at the same time, proud."

Tamiko raised an eyebrow while she glanced at him. Proud? What did that have to do with pride? Because nobody has dated her yet? Because he managed to keep a relationship going for more than a week? Because he managed to get the girl he liked? The last one made her blush again. When she felt her hand being squeezed she looked up at Ushijima again. He was a little red as well and then leaned down to kiss her forehead.

It turned into a blushing disaster. When Tamiko spotted the first other maroon she instinctively let go of Ushijima's hand. But what was the point? They were walking together and that could already raise suspicion. The other maroon was someone Tamiko wanted to pick up along the way anyway.

"My my, using the last day to walk to school together?" Izumi asked. "How very cheeky."

Tamiko mumbled a small shut up while they continued their walk together. Izumi and Ushijima started to converse about their future plans while Tamiko walked alongside them in silence. She knew both of their plans so she just listened. Izumi got into the Sendai Communication Arts College to study manga art and almost vibrated with excitement. It also meant that she wasn't moving away unlike Ushijima, who was set to move in two days.

"I'll look after Tami-chan for you Ushijima-kun," she declared.

When they reached the school it was business as usual. All went to their classrooms but there were no lessons today. The homeroom teachers gave another of their speeches and students had a little free time to converse with each other. After a while the first parents set foot on the premises and the younger students flocked with them to the great hall. Tamiko kept gazing out of the window trying to spot her mum amongst all those people. The last to join were the graduating third years.

The hall was already filled with people, family members and students alike. Amongst the many guests Tamiko tried to spot her mother, one amongst many. It was difficult and she was torn between the belief that her mother wasn't there or she just didn't spot her. While she searched the crowd Ushijima gently pulled on her sleeve, trying to non-verbally gain her attention. When she gave it to him he guided her gaze to the other side of the row of seats. There, almost at the edge of the row of seats a woman waved. It was Shiyori and she wasn't alone. She was in the company of Ushijima's father, who also gave her a small wave. Tamiko's heart made a little somersault, her pulse spiked. Ushijima smiled and lightly touched her elbow and guided her to the seats for their class.

Yamagata sat down with Tamiko and Ushijima and the three waited patiently along with the others. Some girls had already thrown her glares of death. Tamiko grew more and more convinced that sitting between the two volleyball players was a very bad idea but then again, why should she care? It was the last day after all. The headmaster came on stage and gave a long speech about goals, motivation and the future. He also threw in a few statistics, stating that the majority of students are heading to university. Tamiko was also one of those students. She was accepted into a psychology course at the Tohoku University in Sendai. The first lecture would be in two weeks, but her job as the manager for the volleyball club started next Monday. The team would still train during the holidays.

Everyone stood to sing the national anthem. As musically talented as she was, Tamiko hated singing anthems in general. She preferred the nonverbal music to represent something. Language did have its limits but music could even convey unspoken things, which was something the music teacher always conveyed their students.

"We shall now give out the certificates and welcome the students on stage," said the principal.

Classes 5 and 4 were the first to be called up. They worked their way from lowest to highest class, as expected. Each student gave out a loud "yes" when they were called. As tradition would have it, some of the boys began to shout out their "yes" in the loudest and most ridiculous way possible, earning a few laughs and giggles from everyone. It lightened up this rather serious atmosphere a little. When the turn for class 4 came it was Reon who received his certificate. He was the first from the volleyball team to be called up. Vice captain Soekawa along with Izumi were also in the same class. Both received their certificate and returned to their class with pumped up chests. Each class thanked their homeroom teacher for his or her hard work very loudly and stayed at the back of the stage.

"Now Mr. Hagiwara will call forth the students of Class 3," the headmaster announced.

Mr. Hagiwara stood up, straightened his suit and walked onto the stage. Before he began to call out the names he cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses. One by one he called his students up in alphabetical order. It didn't take long for him to read out that certain someone.

"Ushijima Wakatoshi," he read out.

"Yes," he shouted, which made many flinch.

It was very uncharacteristic of him to be loud so it was only natural that most were surprised. Tamiko watched as he walked up to the stage and bow when he received his certificate. He stepped back and joined the other students of class 3 who have been called up already. He towered over them all and the girls nervously fidgeting beside him. Tamiko frowned and clenched a fist a little. A few more students were called up until her turn came.

"Kageyama Tamiko," he said.

"Yes," she said and stood.

As confident as she could be she stood and walked towards the stage. She let out her held breath through her nose when she managed to get up the steps without tripping. A little ridgid she walked up to her home room teacher and the principal, bowed and took her certificate. Then she scrambled to her classmates. As she stood on the stage and her fellow classmates received their certificates, her eyes met with her mother. She was sitting at the edge, clutch onto her handbag. Next to her Ushijima's dad patted her shoulder. She was too far away to read the emotions on their faces. Maybe her mum was getting impatient? She didn't know.

"Class 3 says thank you to Mr. Hagiwara," said the class rep.

"Thank you very much!" the entire class shouted and bowed in unison.

Now it was turn for class 2. It always made her boil with shame when she realised the connection between class 2 and Tendou. She was a good student but somehow, Tendou was better. Semi Rita was the last of the third year volleyball team to be called up. He was an exceptionally good student and in class 1. Tamiko was convinced that he was gifted with some sort of huge memory capacity. The things he could recall were endless. It scared her sometimes.

After every third year had received their certificate and thanked their homeroom teacher, they all sat down on their seats again. Now the most boring part of the ceremony went underway. Different messages were read out from guests, graduating students and remaining students. It was the usual best wishes and blessings. Once all messages were spoken out all students sang the school song.

"Before we send our students out into the world," the music teacher said. "The third years have prepared a musical number."

Out of all the classes on stage a few students walked off the stage to the other end of the gym. Chairs and instruments were already waiting for them. Tamiko walked over to the grand piano and sat down, taking in a deep breath to calm her beating heart. Her certificate she placed on the lid of the piano. This was the first time that she was publicly performing and she was nervous, her hands cold.

"For our graduation piece, the music class has voted for a piece that Miyuki has composed for the exam. It is a beautiful piece that she has developed for all of our music students to play a part in," the teacher explained. "This piece is called 'take flight' and she was inspired by the brilliant volleyball final in October. It's supposed to motivate us to try the impossible. A nice farewell piece for the new paths you all must now take."

He waved over to the girl and she nodded. In the silence she began to play. Soon the boy on the drum kit joined in with the violins. Then she quietly played by herself again, slowly building when all, including the bass guitar player joined in. The music built and built and once it died down and all players paused, applause erupted. Tamiko squeezed her hands, which were still cold and let out a puff of air. After all the bowing she closed the fallboard and picked up her certificate.

Now everyone was leaving the hall. Many students gathered in their friendship groups for one last photograph. Families also took photos with their graduating child. Even Tamiko had a picture taken with her mother. Over and over Shiyori voiced her pride in her daughter and held back her tears. The younger students scrambled to their senpais. It was a bustling crowd, all trying to fight for the best photo spot with the school and cherry blossoms. Tamiko wasn't spared of this either.

"Tamiko-chan, you're part of the team as well," Tendou told her. "Now get over here."

Tamiko frowned but walked over to the boys. A few photos were taken and while Goshiki had finally given in and was crying a river, Tamiko looked at the photos more closely. On one photo the boys all pointed at her, as she stood in the middle, not knowing they were doing that gesture. That one was Tendou's favourite. He was also the one to break the secrecy for all.

"You two need a photo together as well," he announced.

It was all over now. Agreeing with the idea, Ushijima grabbed her hand, gently pulled her to one of the cherry trees and turned towards the camera. Tamiko tensed up a little when she noticed how many other students were suddenly watching them. What made them gawk was Ushijima laying his hand around her shoulder. Izumi quickly grabbed her for her own photoshoot before things escalated. This was a lot more enjoyable for Tamiko. Izumi always enjoyed taking photos with her. Both had a little photo book with different photos they took together. These would definitely be added to the collection.

Once the photoshoot was over Tamiko and Ushijima left the school grounds with Takashi and Shiyori. They spent the afternoon eating at a ramen restaurant, enjoying the rest of the day. Tobio joined them later that day as well. Shiyori was quiet most of the time, reading over Tamiko's certificate. But instead of being grumpy she smiled, handled it with great care and gently placed the roll into her handbag. At home she urged Tamiko to send a copy of the certificate to her university as soon as she could. She did so willingly and after all the tasks were done she met up with Izumi. The two girls spent the rest of the evening together, playing games, doing their nails and basking in this new feeling.

"We did it, Tamiko-chan. We have graduated."

Izumi laughed and it didn't take long for Tamiko to join her.

"Yeah, we did it."