The atmosphere was thick with tension and hostility. After Mina essentially called 'checkmate', Victor's entourage had tightened the gap between them and her. The four boys loomed over her intimidatingly, yet the smaller brunette held her ground. Behind her, the Seijoh boys (along with Sugawara) were on their toes, ready to proceed closer if need be. The question that hung over each of them was who would initiate the fight?

Use your emotions as a weapon. Use your emotions as a weapon. – Mina continuously chanted the words as her confidence began to stretch thin.

"What's going on here?" Ms. Beauvais's delicate features displayed exaggerated concern. She was originally stood behind Victor's following, and was now advancing to where her daughter was stood. "Oh my, Mina. Please don't tell me you have caused more drama." Her lips parted to allow a sigh to pass.

The black-haired male did not endeavour to veil the pleasure flooding him upon hearing his manager's words. It must hurt, having your own mother pick your ex over you. Not once. But twice.

An invisible weight had caused Mina's eyelids to lower, she refused to cry now. The thick substance was threatening to disperse as her heart began to pound loudly within her chest. She wanted to defend herself, to explain that she did not initiate the confrontation, that Victor had sought her out. Yet her vocal cords betrayed her.

"That's not fair." Sugawara shook his head weakly, his own eyes beginning to sting. He may have not been there for her when the divorce occurred, but he was here now. He refused to stand by idly, watching her fall to pieces. "You automatically assumed it was her fault."

"I have to agree there." Oikawa's voice had a piercing nature, it was one usually reserved for his rivals. "I find it strange how you have more faith in a stranger than your own daughter."

His pointed response had stunned the older woman.

"I hope you're happy with your choices, mom." Mina's voice was barely audible at first, yet increased in volume as she continued. "I used to think I needed you, but I don't. I have dad, and I have my friends. Honestly…That's enough for me." Retreating a step away from Victor and her mother, Mina blinked back her tears as a smile had formed on her lips. "You were the one who told me to let go of the past. Consider this the first step to completing that." Brushing the back of her thumb below an eyelid, she swept away the single tear that hung against her bottom lashes.

"Mina…" Ms. Beauvais had glanced at Victor then at her own daughter, unable to find a suitable response.

"I think we had enough excitement for one day, hm?" Coach Irihata had been lingering in the background, listening intently to the words exchanged. It did not require much deduction to understand what was occurring. Seijoh had become roped in a feud between a mother and daughter. However, despite Ms. Beauvais' notorious intentions, it was still a positive experience for the team.

"Thank you for the invitation, but I believe it is best we leave now." The older male reached out to gently squeeze Mina's shoulder, smiling down at her.

"Yes… I think that would be wise. Thank you all for attending. I will be in touch, Nobuteru." With a hand resting on her hip, Ms. Beauvais returned to a friendly demeanour. Mina had to resist the urge to roll her eyes at the sight.

That being said… An unknown heaviness had been lifted from her chest. She felt free. Even if her mother was against her, she had all these wonderful people supporting her. She had built a new life in Japan and would do whatever she could to protect it.

After she turned her back towards her mother, her eyes naturally landed on her boyfriend. This was it; she could now focus on her future.

Oikawa had spent twenty minutes interrogating Mina on her mental state once they exited the arena. The brunette answered the questions with short responses, she was still in the process of accepting what occurred. At the twenty-minute mark Sugawara began pushing against her back, leading her away from the Seijoh Captain who was pouting. He could sense that she required some personal time and it was time they head home anyway.

"Mina-chan, call me tomorrow?" At this point he dejectedly accepted that they would have to part ways. However, just before she entered the bus, he curled an arm around her waist, drawing her body back towards him. He lightly connected his lips with her forehead, mumbling against her skin, lowly. "I love you… Goodnight, pretty girl."

Those three words still brought butterflies to animate inside of her stomach. "You're so troublesome, Toru." As she broke free from his hold, a gentle laugh escaped from her lips. She was so damn happy.

Sugawara chose to remain mostly silent on the bus-ride. Mina was snuggled against him, resting her head against his shoulder with her eyelids closed.

"Koshi…"

"It'll only be another five minutes." He gently patted her thigh, assuming that she was inquiring how much of the journey remained.

"No. I mean. I love you. Thank you for today. I'm really glad you came." She slowly raised her heavy eyelids. She was unsure whether it was sleepiness or mental exhaustion that was responsible for her current state.

"I'm your best friend, aren't I? This is my job." There was a hint of pride in his voice, causing her to release a titter.

"Oh. Before I forget, did you tell Daichi about Victor?" It surprised her how effortlessly she was able to say his name now.

"Uh…yes? He was worried about you though! I couldn't lie." Guilt had brought his eyebrows to furrow.

"I'm not mad. I was just confused by the random inspirational quote he sent me. I honestly thought he was my aunt for a second."

It was now Sugawara's turn to laugh.

"That's our captain."

"That he is."

When Mina arrived at the Saito residence, her father was sat on the couch with a coffee mug in hand. It was obvious that he had remained awake in anticipation of her return. The second his eyes had confirmed that she was physically sound, a sigh brought his chest to rise and fall.

"Oh my god, dad. Did you think I would get beat up or something?" Her horrified countenance was covered with her palm as she snuck past him to steal a snack from the kitchen.

"You look tired and you have school tomorrow. Go to bed." He followed her into the kitchen then placed the mug into the sink. Mina was stuffing her mouth with cookies which was a signal to him that she was mentally exhausted. Cookies and ice cream were her comfort foods after all.

"Mhmm." Her mouth remained full as she nodded in agreement at his suggestion. "Goon-nought."

Mr. Saito tried to mask his disgust; he would excuse her lack of manners this one time.

"Goodnight."

The brunette did not wait for a second longer, she sprinted up the stairs, her body craving the sweet comfort of her bed. She also promised to call Kuroo once she returned home. Her explanation of what occurred via text satisfied Bokuto but not the Nekoma captain. After settling into her comforters, she tapped against Kuroo's contact and brought the phone to her ear. She was strangely eager to hear his voice, which always seemed to ease her in the worst moments.

When did he become so important?

A/N: Wah, I love hearing you guys enjoy the story. Makes me really happy! Also, I know Oikawa is usually written as v girly or v mean. I personally rewatch eps to try to understand what kind of person he is, but if ya'll feel like he's ever too ooc, sorry! ANYWAY. the story, Mina. My baby. FUck yo' mama.