In the middle of the second set the retired members of Date Tech had arrived making a commotion. Mina was unfamiliar with the third years, and so when her friends began engaging with them, she silently excused herself and relocated to where the second years were. She also presumed they would not take her cheering for aobajohsai kindly.

"Oikawa seems very dedicated to the sport." Ennoshita mused after the setter had completed an unexpected setter dump.

"I don't think he loves anything as much as he loves volleyball." A gentle laugh was exhaled by the brunette, it was meant as a compliment although it could be perceived as an insult.

"That's why none of his relationships lasted more than a few months." Kageyama who was sat in the row ahead of them, had not intended to eavesdrop – but found himself drawn to any conversation that involved his prior mentor. "You may be the exception, Saito-san. You love volleyball just as much as he does."

"Oh Tobio, I thought you were going somewhere else with that." The foreign girl sunk her head in relief, causing her bangs to hover over her eyes. The two setters did not have the best relationship after-all.

"I thought you were going to tell her that their relationship was doomed!" Nishinoya added cheerfully, earning him a glare from Ennoshita, who was seconds from smacking a palm over the libero's mouth.

"I wouldn't be that rude to Saito-san. She would try to kill me if I was." The first-year setter squinted, a manifestation of his confusion. He valued his life after all.

"Let this be a lesson for everyone! It is always better to be feared than to be respected." Tanaka lifted a hand to his forehead in a salute, thinking that would solidify his 'wisdom'.

"True dat." It was no surprise that the libero had joined the winged spiker in the irrelevant pose.

"Can we please just focus on the game? Seijoh is at game point and their ace seems to be getting worked up." How would poor Ennoshita manage these crazies after the third years graduated? Would he even survive?

"Oh no. Iwa looks angry. Alright boys. Rest in peace Date Tech." Pressing her lips together, Mina connected her palms in prayer.

On the court below the iron wall had been constructed in front of the Seijoh's Ace, it did not require any mental calculation to determine who the set was for. Oikawa had announced it to the whole arena. The second the Ace's palm collided with the ball; Mina knew the match had concluded. Iwa had aimed directly for their weakest link – the first-year setter. Experience would always triumph over height and power.

"Jeeze. That's rough. But now we know who we're playing against," Nishinoya had shot out of his seat, unable to control the adrenaline coursing through his veins. "Bring it on, great king!"

As the team began to collect their belongings, Mina had fallen into a maze of thoughts. She was happy of course… but she had also never felt more conflicted.

The semifinals were the last scheduled match of the day, and since it was later in the evening, there were many new visitors filling the seats within the spectators' stands. It reminded her of the MSBY practice game she attended. Saeko had graciously offered to save Mina a seat, sothe brunette could sneak a visit with Seijoh before the match. Oikawa had instructed her to meet him at the south entrance since it was the quietest location in the arena. However, when she reached the corridor, she had stumbled onto an unpleasant surprise. A short pink-haired girl was stood in front of the captain, holding what Mina presumed was a lucky charm. Oikawa, who was unaware of his girlfriend's presence, had enthusiastically accepted the present.

"Thank you, Sakura-chan!" The signature smile on his lips had slightly annoyed her. Dating Oikawa meant she would have to accept his baggage aka his fangirls and overwhelming popularity. The issue for her was more that this girl was intruding on her minimal time with him.

Half a minute had passed before the younger girl had taken her leave, fatefully walking in the opposite direction from Mina. It was at this point when the Seijoh captain had learned about his girlfriend's presence.

"Hi, pretty lady." Extending his arms out, the male had motioned for her to enter his embrace.

Mina had a pout on her lips as she reluctantly shuffled closer to him, her eyes would not leave the piece dangling from his fingers.

"What's wrong – oh. This? Mina-chan, are you jealous?" Oh, he was enjoying this. Wiggling his eyebrows teasingly, he brought the lucky charm to hover over her face.

"Are you really rubbing it in? I was going to wish you good luck, but I guess you don't need it." Crossing her arms over her chest, the brunette huffed, averting her gaze.

"Minaaa, look at it, please?" Her name was sung out with an unfamiliar melody demonstrating his amusement with the situation.

"Why are you being such an asshole… OH." Once she complied with his request, she understood why her boyfriend was relentlessly teasing her. The charm had another player's name written on it – Iwaizumi.

"She was too afraid to give it to him herself. I wouldn't accept anything that wasn't from my girlfriend." Reaching out, he lightly poked her nose with his index finger. "You are the one who is a bit too free with others."

"What does that mean?" After scrunching up her nose upon impact, she narrowed her brows and returned to a sour pout.

"It means that you should be a little more affectionate towards your boyfriend, Ms. Saito." Once a smirk had established over his features, the captain had closed the distance between them, allowing his lips to linger over hers tauntingly. What he did not expect was for Mina to seal his lips with hers aggressively. Her hands had claimed either side of his face, with her thumbs caressing his skin tenderly, the complete opposite of what her lips were doing against his. Capturing his bottom lip between her teeth, she provided a gentle tug, prompting him to release a low groan. She then abruptly ended the kiss, and prepared an innocent smile for him.

"You mean like that?"

Oikawa blinked down at her, cursing himself for once again being caught off guard by her actions.

"Why do I always walk into you guys making out?" Iwa grunted to catch the couple's attention. "We're starting soon, shittykawa. So, let's go."

"A kiss is hardly the same thing as making out." Mina playfully stuck out her tongue at the ace, maybe her boyfriend was rubbing off on her.

"Alright that's it, I'm out." Shaking his head in mock disgust, Iwa had turned to leave when his captain stopped him.

"Waaait. Iwa-chan! I have something for you!" Oikawa had finally snapped out of the trance the kiss had placed him in. But before joining his best friend, he had one final comment to make.

"We are going to win." Whether he was provoking her or not was unclear.

"Oh yeah? First, get through Karasuno and then we'll talk." Lowering an eyelid into a wink, she suppressed the titter that wished to spill.

"Just watch us."

A/N: poor iwa lolol.