Kageyama Tobio.

It is a name so widely popular that even the children of today know of his name alongside the other famous names in the previous decade. He is still Japan's pride and gem at the age of thirty-five.

Before his fame, the name Kageyama was only known in the medical field. Kageyama Reika and Kazue are both doctors in Sendai, the latter being the son of a coach in a local club years ago. But since this man named Tobio, the name resonated and skyrocketed in the volleyball world.

There is Kageyama Sawako. A local teacher and author using her maiden name, Harukaze, as her pen name. Her young adult fiction: A Letter to Megumi, became popular and was even adapted to an animated film. She is his wife and is currently thirty-eight.

Now, the famous child from MSBY Jackals and Schweiden Adlers', Kageyama Megumi added to this family's reputation. Upon her debut since Elementary, the girl made a name for herself, following her father's footsteps in the world of volleyball. Although it was the name of Kageyama that carried her fame, Megumi isn't just riding on it. Her volleyball skills are remarkable enough that anyone could say that she is indeed Kageyama Tobio's daughter. Also, the fact that they don't play the same position says otherwise. Megumi is currently playing as a libero as a third-year in her junior high school – Niiyama Middle School.

It wasn't that long before Kageyama Kento surprised the public. At the age of twelve, he accumulated three Tezuka Awards. Now, while studying as a first-year student in Shiratorizawa Academy as a middle schooler, Kento is working part-time as a mangaka whose series is promised to be serialized once he starts high school. He is expected to move in Tokyo as well with his aunt, Harukaze Kirin who works as an editor in Shounen Jam and a mangaka herself. No one saw the sudden turn of path of this young lad when Kento can also play volleyball like the rest of his family in the house.

Then comes the twins.

Kageyama Tatsuki and Taiga (That's me!) shared the same birthdate as Japan's one of the best defenders – Hinata Shouyo, who was in the same high school as Kageyama Tobio. These two, despite their division differences, was hard not to notice when the twins played volleyball as Elementary schoolers in Aoba Junior Volleyball Club. They're both hitters and they're another Kageyama who is not a setter. Even then, Kageyama Tobio's legacy in the sport is continued by the twins and Megumi.

Because Mama wants us to be a spiker!

Yes. That's what it was.

Aunt Hitori told them before that their parents used to banter on what position Megu-nee will play. Unfortunately, Megu-nee likes receiving that she wants to be a libero and there she was. The setter, middle blocker, and spiker were left but for Ken-nii, he didn't really care. Nii-chan preferred drawing after getting inspired by watching Aunt Kirin working once. Papa's drawings were put to shame! And Tat-chan doesn't want to be like a carbon copy of Papa. He wanted to show off and landed on the spiker position. He made Papa frown when he said setter's rarely shine on the court.

But he really didn't have to play the same position as I do. Tat-chan just happens to be older than me and I don't wanna play middle blocker. I want to hit lots, too!

Taiga peeked below. Her blue eyes found a ball covered in a baby blue blanket making her eyes shine with excitement. She decided to climb down their double bunk bed to wake the sleeping figure she has shared a life with since fetus stage.

"Tat-chan, wake up!" She shook the ball she swore was his arms. "Com'n!"

A grunt and the ball moved. Taiga took a step back and watched how the ball slowly unfolds, showing her twin brother in a sleepy mess. "Let me sleep…"

She pouted. "No way. We have a special visitor today, remember?"

But Tat-chan didn't move and even tried to cover his head with a pillow.

"Onee-chan's boyfriend will come today. Com'n. you better wake up." She decided to continue shaking him, repeatedly chanting, "Wake up, wake up, wake up."

It wasn't that long before the young boy glared at her and sat up. She even received a pillow in the face while he did so, making her chuckle in her successful attempt. She smiled upon throwing the pillow back at her twin before she left with her clothes to shower.

Two nights ago, Megumi-onee-chan announced in one dinner that she's seeing the guy she's infatuated with since her second year in middle school. It meant that she's started dating him and Papa was so shocked, he choked on his food. It was the first time that they've seen him like that, it was worrying and funny at the same time. Ken-nii wasn't different either. He has dipped his karaage in the water, instead of the mayo in the saucer he prepared. Tat-chan dropped his chopsticks and Mama immediately gave him a replacement.

The reaction of the men in their household was funny. They composed themselves a moment later.

"Boyfriend…?" The words almost died from Papa's lips as soon as he drank the water Mama gave him.

Megu-nee nodded.

"For real?"

"Tobio-kun…" Mama sighed.

"Why?" Papa turned to her with a little pout.

Mama just sighed once more looking amused before turning to Nee-chan beside her. "When will we meet him?"

Surprise flashed in her older sister's eyes. "Is… that okay?" Megu-nee excitedly asked.

"Of course. I'd like to meet him. Kojuro-kun was it?" Nee-chan nodded. "Can you tell him? Ask him what his favorite food is, too."

Nee-chan smiled so wide, it was obvious that she was very happy. She ate her meal with a smile on her face. "I will!"

"I'm looking forward to it!" Mama chirped.

And that settled it. Mama was excited for that day despite the pout that was on Papa's lips. Taiga could only shrug her shoulders when her siblings exchanged glances, mentally asking one another what their father was brooding about. But it was after dinner, when she and Megu-nee washed and wiped the dishes they used that they heard their parents talking.

"Why are you surprised?" Mama asked Papa. They were by the yard, sitting in the engawa while watching the moon together. "She told us before that she likes someone, y'know."

"A boyfriend…" Papa mumbled.

"You were sixteen when you had a girlfriend. You're no different."

He grunted.

"And you were fifteen when you met Mama."

"But she's still fourteen…"

"Oh, you. She just happened to be a year younger than you at that time. Let her."

Taiga blinked at the nails that dug on her shoulder. Holding back the blush, she saw her older sister sharing the same reaction as her upon watching their Mama lean on Papa's shoulder. She resisted the urge to squeal at the lovey-dovey couple.

Wah… love is… beautiful.

In the following morning, Megu-nee told them that Kojuro-kun agreed to meet on the weekend where both Papa and Mama had a day-off. Today is that day-off.

"Good morning!" Taiga greeted, popping inside their big living-dining-kitchen area where Mama and Papa wore the same color of aprons and cooking.

"Good morning." They both greeted each other behind the kitchen counter.

Taiga smiled and went to the small altar where the photo of their maternal grandfather was now placed. She saw her Megu-nee lighting up the incense and she joined her. Ken-nii was in the living room, sitting on the floor with his drawing tablet and pen. Like any other day, her nii-chan is working hard in his own way.

"Where's Tatsu?" Megu-nee asked, turning to her.

"He's–"

"Here." The person in question appeared by the door, looking prepared and clean.

Taiga blinked at the twin before sighing. She then headed to the cupboard and prepared the plates. Tat-chan joined her silently, greeting their parents, good morning. It didn't take that long for Megu-nee to join and they settled down in their seats. Even Ken-nii who was absorbed in his drawing has taken his drawing tablet aside for his own chopsticks.

"Miki-ba?" Ken-nii looked up, eyebrows raised that were usually hidden with his bangs and eyeglasses.

"She already left. Today's her flight to Indonesia, remember?" Megu-nee answered his question.

"Oh." Ken-nii blinked.

Together, they ate. Breakfast was their favorite salmon fillets, omelet, miso soup, and natto accompanied by a banana and their favorite daily refreshment of milk. Papa influenced them on that and Mama encouraged them to drink tea in the afternoon.

"Are you going to submit for this month's contest?" Mama asked.

Ken-nii looked up. "Yes. Jam's NEXT!"

"Eh." Tat-chan paused. "That Jam's NEXT?"

"What's Jam's NEXT?" Papa asked, cheeks stuffed with rice and fish.

Ken-nii hummed. "Manuscripts submitted to the magazine called Jam's NEXT. Then… ah… they're reviewed through questionnaires that's given to those who purchase. We get rated by early reports and real deal. There's ranking going on. Stuff like that, I guess. Ran is more knowledgeable in that area."

Taiga blinked. That's the longest Ken-nii said something, amazing. She chuckled to herself but decided against it when the information sank in. Huh? Does that mean…? "Ken-nii, I thought they're gonna wait…"

Her nii-chan's bluish-green eyes slid to her direction. "Ah, that… the editor told us it'll promote our debut if we continue and join…"

"That's cool…" Tat-chan whistled.

"How come you don't have bags under your eyes? You're making me jealous." Megu-nee said, making Mama giggle.

"Oh? I sleep early and wake up early like fine."

"Geh. Skincare routine?"

"Hm… regularly washing my face with body soap. Ah. I used the one with 99.9% germ-kill."

"Seriously? Body soap?"

Ken-nii nodded.

"You are your father's son, indeed." Mama chuckled. "That's how your Papa did back then until he had to use the gifts from endorsing Carnegie Japan."

"Ah…" Papa blinked, already finished with his meal. "It took me a month to finish one bottle. And they gave me three."

"Papa doesn't like that? Why didn't you share it with Mama?" She asked, turning to their mother.

"The products they sent are for men. We gave some to your Uncle Keishin, Daichi, Koushi, and Suzaku. But it's quite a lot when product endorsements are after him one by one."

"I wanted clones that time."

Taiga snorted after hearing that from Papa. Mama was quick to give her a narrowed eye and she immediately turned her focus on her food. And that concluded the talk over breakfast. Each and everyone of them proceed to do whatever they want before they start cleaning. Taiga helped on that one, and volunteered to clean the second floor. Excited at the prospect of meeting her Megu-nee's boyfriend.

The idea of love flowing in their house was making her giggle.

It may not look like it but Taiga is a romantic person compared to her almost apathetic twin. Everyday, she would notice her parents having a world of their own when they're alone. Being in their mid and late-thirties does not hinder them from acting as if they didn't even grow up. Her parent's story is her favorite and for Taiga it's romantic. She only knew of the gist, though. Stuff like Mama was Papa's senpai when he's a first year in Karasuno. Then it took them so long to get closer with the help of their friends. Sho-chan's story of how Papa failed to give Mama his love letter was somehow getting old after hearing the video clips found in YouTube from 2018's interview.

I'm really curious about the details!

She quickly swept the floor with the broom in her hand. Next, she took a bucket of water and a clean towel to wipe the floor squeaky clean. Only then did Taiga curiously glanced at her parent's door where they shared a room. It was their Mama's old room.

Her short-bobbed hair swayed from left to right while blue eyes narrowed into spaces. Finding no one beside her on the second floor, she took a peek at the stairs to see if anyone in her family would go upstairs anytime. As far as she knows, Tat-chan is cleaning the toilet and he usually wears headphones when he does. Ken-nii is in the living room while Megu-nee left to fetch her boyfriend in the city. Mama was tending their garden as usual every weekend while Papa cooks.

Yes. Details! Determined, Taiga silently placed the bucket of dirt wide in the side. She smiled to herself as she touched the door and silently slid herself inside.

"Infiltration success." She nodded to herself but paused when she saw the room.

The room barely has space because of the bookshelf and books covering it. The large number of books was incredible, it was almost like Mama kept a portion of the library to herself. There are traces of Papa in the room, too. Such as his dumbbells and spare volleyball on the floor. But what grabbed her attention the most is the bulletin board full of scraps of paper. When she looked at it, Taiga realized that they were ideas for Mama's novels. The few pictures pinned…

"P-Papa…?" Her blue eyes narrowed at the old photo of Papa in his teens. It looked like a stolen photo and he's not even aware of it.

But other than that, there's nothing interesting. There's not even a shred of erotic magazines that Papa would hide. But knowing his Papa, he's not that kind of person after all. Papa could have a pervert bone or something… She decided to scan the title of the books on the shelf, hoping she'll find something worthwhile there. Something like… secret.

But there was something.

"2012, 2013, 2014, 2015… huh?" She took out the one that's written in 2016 and flipped a page. Her eyes widened in surprise to find a gem. "This is…!" Mama's journal!

She could only blush after reading an entry in June 2016 and return it back. Only to take 2017 out. Her brows narrowed before shooting up to see her Mama's journal entries on her first pregnancy. There was a picture of Mama's belly-bump that's almost the size of a volleyball.

So, this is how big one-chan was in her tummy…

She read the passage of the old writing in an old page:

Megumi (恵) means blessing. It is a symbol of how Tobio-kun is in my life. Little did I know, he thought of the same thing but not once he told me directly.

NOVEMBER 2017

Around 10pm, I am officially a mother to a healthy baby girl. Tobio came while I was in the delivery room and fell asleep. He woke up as a papa.

There was even a photo of a tired Mama and Papa carrying baby Megu-nee pasted to the page. There was another picture of just Mama and Megu-nee. And another of Mama, Megu-nee, Papa, Miki-ba with Tadashi-kun and Hitoka-chan. It was a group photo and it looked like they're the only visitors during Mama's labor. There was a smile etched its way on Taiga's face. It reflected the happiness floating around the photographed memory. Mama and Papa looked tired but they're happy.

The dates followed and there are photos of Megu-nee that weren't included in the photo albums. Most of the photos attached are Papa (A young Papa!) holding baby Megu-nee. I see… Mama's secret! It looked like they're taken candidly and for some reason, Taiga understood why the photos were not with the rest.

"Papa is shy." That's what Mama would always say which makes the man being talked about, embarrassed.

And throughout the journal of memories was her one-chan's growth from the baby to toddler as well as how Papa took care of onee-chan. There are notes and a few quotes of what looked like Papa's words at that time. Mama likes to write that kind of stuff especially when Papa said something funny, embarrassing and iconic.

"Onee-chan is cute…" She couldn't help but to cheekily grin. Onee-chan was always strict, even to herself. But she surprisingly has a cute side that only Mama and Taiga could understand. Megu-nee is like Papa, though.

Taiga returned the journal back to its place between 2016 and 2018. Her blue eyes traced the years going back in time. The farther she gets from 2018, she feels like her Mama is getting younger, too. That's how she found out that her Mama started doing journal stuff in 2004 – when she was ten and a fifth grader, too.

But 2012… looks so different. Somehow, she felt like she's being pulled by that year as if there's something very special. Entranced and attracted, she took the journal out.

FEBRUARY 2012

It's Kicchan, Torin and Succhan's entrance exams in Karasuno today. I believe they'll do well. everything would be in peace and in sync once they passed. This is for the better, too.

Today as well, I met a boy with dark hair and blue eyes.

"That's… Papa…"

APRIL 2012

I saw that boy again. He passed as well and for some reason, it made me happy. I wonder why. He never left my mind since I first saw him. He looked scary but that scowl was really cute. Is it a trademark? Signature? He's going to be popular for sure.

She giggled.

"What are you doing?"

She froze. From her peripheral vision, she could see the dead blue eyes filled with disinterest and disbelief. Her head whipped immediately to the side, surprised and wanting to shriek from her twin's unnoticed arrival. She watched his blue eyes glanced down at the notebook in her hand.

"Tat…chan…"

Her twin entered the room, sliding the door closed behind him. His identical blue eyes looked around, interested and amused at the contents of their parent's room as hers. "Megumi-nee told us they're coming soon. So, you better return that dirty bucket back clean." He paused and gestured at the journal. "What's that?"

She grinned. "Mama's journal."

He blinked, looking interested as he came closer to read, too.

"It's Papa, isn't it?"

He nodded and said, "Obviously." And scanned the entries below. "See. Here." He pointed at the passage below.

APRIL 2012

I know now.

The boy back then and the name that frequently escaped Koushi's mouth in his daily report – all this time is the same. I never knew but I know now. Life is mysterious. It's a never-ending routine that I must admit, it was getting plain and uneventful. But it became interesting and I'm getting excited at how you colored it with your brooding self, Kageyama Tobio.

"Ah!" Her giggles erupted as she read. "What is this… Mama already loved him then." Fufufu…. Mama's spring is with Papa.

Tatsuki turned to her. "You better hide that bucket before they arrive, y'know."

With a happy bubble flowing and getting larger in her chest, she complied without complaints despite Tat-chan repeating what he said. She returned the journal as if nothing happened in the room. Tatsuki left first and she followed. But before she closed the door, she eyed the rest of the journals, enchanted, and eager to read the detailed story of how Mama and Papa became together.

With that in mind, she began to look forward to chances as she had today. Softly, she slid the door closed.

Nijimura Kojuro. A tall, handsome young man who began to date her onee-chan. Apparently, he is the older brother of her onee-chan's kouhai in the volleyball team. Much to Ken-nii's surprise, Kojuro-kun studies in Shiratorizawa as well and plays in the team her older brother rejected. This made Papa's brows raise with interest.

Taiga met him before when she was playing volleyball in the park with her friends. He was with her onee-chan and it looked like he's walking her home. Kojuro-kun gave her a chocolate bar that day. Basically, he got her approval. And Ken-nii looked like he liked him, too and has been asking questions purely unrelated to volleyball that Tat-chan would contribute a thought or two. Papa was surprisingly pouting but even at her age of just ten, Taiga could see that Papa looked less reluctant than the nights before.

They even played volleyball in the yard moments after they ate their lunch together.

She joined, too, finding it hard to escape and continue her greatest discovery so far.

It was a weekday that she got another chance once more.

That day, Ken-nii left with his best friend, Katakura Ran-kun, to Tokyo for Jam's NEXT. It may not look like it but despite Ran-kun's loudness, the other boy is the author of the story they're working on together and Ken-nii is the artist. Together, they worked as a pair. Megumi-onee-chan was going to be late because of training, being the vice-captain of the club while Mama and Papa… they went on a date in the city. And Tat-chan, well… Tat-chan knows her new secret so he's not a bother.

So, she sneaked into the room again.

I wonder what Mama and Papa do every night… Nothing changed in their room as if nothing has been touched nor as if no one slept in the bed. Casting such thoughts aside, she giggled to herself on how Papa would do things she has never seen before with Mama. After all, Taiga has three siblings.

She took 2004 out and began to read, finding the floor comfortable.

APRIL 2004

First day of class. Starting today, I'm a fifth grader now. I bought this notebook in Auntie's store, finding the cover of Sailor Moon cute. I like Mercury.

I shared a class with Daichi. He's my best friend and we've been together since first grade. He was really cool. We talked a lot about Gundam and Naruto and I think he is my soulmate.

Taiga smiled. Mama and Uncle Daichi, huh. She did hear that their friendship started way back in childhood. The youngest of the Kageyama siblings never thought that it was that early as first grade. Her mother and Uncle Daichi were six years old. So young!

JUNE 2004

[photo of calligraphy award]

I won first place and 50,000 yen. This covers up our school supplies for a year. I saved it with my favorite piggy bank. It was getting heavy. I think it's time to open a bank account.

Her mama's writing and entry was short in the first journal. It's filled with her achievements in the competitions she joined namely: Slogan-making, Calligraphy, Short-story, and Essay writing. Her entry also included a note where the money went. Uncle Suzaku (now a lawyer), Auntie Hitori (now in Russia playing for a professional tennis team), and Aunt Kirin (A mangaka in Tokyo), were always mentioned as well as Grangran Ikkei and Uncle Keishin.

Because of her short and blunt entry in the year 2004, it didn't take that long for Taiga to finish reading the year. It was just in time for Megumi-onee chan and Ken-nii to arrive home. She quickly returned in 2004 and headed downstairs.

"Welcome home!" She greeted her elder siblings.

Going to her parent's room became a secret Tat-chan ignored and decided to keep from their parents. Everyday, they're alone and the first ones to be at home and Taiga would take it as her chance to sneak inside and read her newfound guilty pleasures. She always makes sure that she and Tat-chan are alone and as much as possible, she reads a journal a day.

So far, she's successful in this strategy, she reached 2009 without any event.

APRIL 2009

This year, I'm going to be separated from Daichi. For middle school, he chose to attend another school in another town. It was a little lonely without my buddy.

I met someone. Sugawara Koushi. He looked like a nice guy, which he is, but he's not! The phrase, "looks can be deceiving" fits him perfectly.

"Mama and Uncle Koushi?!" Her nose twitched with steam and a blush painted her cheeks at the idea of pairing her Mama to her uncle in their middle school years.

Their shenanigans together were gold, she never thought that Mama actually did a doorbell prank before. If anything, they're perfect for best friend-turned-lovers. But it wasn't that long after three days. She reached, finally, 2012 and after reading one passage the other day, Taiga knew that it's Papa's time to shine.

No wonder 2012 looked different.

JUNE 2012

I received a mail from Koushi containing Kageyama-kun's contact information.

I'm panicking. What should I do? Should I send a message? But that would be weird, don't you think? For me to have his mail without him knowing and all. Ah, my heart is beating fast. I couldn't stop looking at it and I'm afraid I might click on the call icon and unintentionally call him for real.

So, never mind!

And so, Mama spent the summer at Granran Ikkei to take care of him and tending to the farm. That was when Granran was newly released from the hospital. At the same time, she tutored the kids whom Grangran was teaching that summer. It was no wonder that Mama and Papa didn't meet. To Taiga's amusement, Mama still didn't message him but even so, she receives updates from Koushi.

Reading the entries full of Mama's thoughts and feelings, she couldn't stop squealing, sighing softly, and giggling to herself being in love with their love story. It may not be stated but Papa was also in love with her.

He was, indeed, shy. But what is this progress? So slow! And it took them ten months?! Her grip on the journal tightened at the frustration. Why are they playing cat and mouse? Is this hide and seek?!

But when she reached 2013, in february, she grinned so big. Especially, March.

"The vending machine near the Karasuno gym…" Her eyes shone at how simple the fated location was.

"Tai-chan?"

Hearing the voice, she immediately turned and hid the journal in her hand behind her. Her heart began to beat fast, surprised and disbelieving at how she didn't realize that she lost track of time. There and then was the couple in the journal.

"Mama… Papa…" She blushed and stood up immediately. I… got caught. "What're you doing, Papa?" She stared at the man whose jaw was on Mama's head.

Papa's narrow eyes lazily slid to her and hummed.

Wah… Papa was acting… How clingy.

"I'm tired." He answered.

Mama sighed. "Your daughter is watching."

"… Don't care."

"Are you a child?"

He didn't answer but tilted his head and cheeks laid flat on top of Mama's head. The blush on Taiga's cheeks deepened at how lovey-dovey the scene was before her. But it was gone too soon when her Mama's bluish-green eyes slid over to the thing she's been hiding. There was a curious smile on Mama's face.

Slowly, she showed her the cover of the journal in 2013. "I'm sorry… I read it without permission."

"What is?" Papa asked, and looked at the journal. "Ah… that."

"Papa knows?" She raised a brow, interested in his familiarity with Mama's journal.

"Obviously."

Geh. Her brow twitched at his snarky answer. She held back a snicker when Mama flicked his nose.

"Don't be a sass."

Papa pouted and took his cheeks off from Mama's head. He rubbed the poor nose and crossed his arms. He stayed like that before smirking.

Huh?

And he went to bed.

HUH?!

"Exchanging journals was a thing before." Mama said, and Taiga shifted her eyes to the woman.

I've heard about that.

Mama flipped a page with a smile on her face. The memories must be coming back to her and nostalgia embracing her that moment as she read an entry from a random page. "Even though smartphones became popular, that didn't stop us from trying that culture." She giggled. "Your Papa's journals were his volleyball logs, though."

She let out a small laugh. Does that mean that they tried a lot of things? Taiga eyed the journal in her Mama's hand. What things? I want to read more. She pouted.

Her mama smiled. "I am not mad." Mama gave her the journal, making her blink. "You can read them."

"R-Really?"

Mama nodded. "Yes."

OMG. She beamed. "Mama, can I read the others, too?"

There was a blush on Mama's cheeks immediately and her bluish-green eyes looked at the side. It happened too quickly before her gaze returned to her. This raises a question within Taiga on what's with her mother's reaction just now.

"Of course." Mama said, kissing her cheek.

"Can I read them in the room?"

Once again, Mama Sawako nodded. This made Taiga to giddily skip towards the shelf and took 2014 to 2016 out. She was so happy she missed the uneasy look in her Mama's face which turned to a deep red when the woman happened to look at her husband who was looking at her. Now with the journals in her hand, she can read them without feeling guilty afterwards.

As she was about to leave, Taiga looked at her Papa that was still laying on the bed. To her surprise, papa was looking at her. She waited. Taiga received what seemed like a nod in his direction, making her smile and leave the room.

But before she could close the door, she caught sight of her Papa pulling Mama to the bed.

"Tobio – wait."

Smooch.

She really didn't see what happened but she heard it. She shut the door and rushed to the room immediately, not wanting to disturb their lovey-dovey atmosphere.

This happened sometime while she's in the middle of reading 2017. It was an afternoon of one fine weekend when Papa was not in training. The sun was really warm and being in the engawa felt so nice that time that she joined her father there with a plate of dango. But from what she has been reading, some steamy and sexy entries, she became curious about her Papa's input.

Her Mama really loves him.

"Papa." She called. "How did you know you love Mama?"

Tobio glanced at her. "It just happened."

She raised a brow, wanting to pry for details.

"I just know I want to see her every day with a smile and be one of the reasons why."

She cheekily hummed, "That's it?"

She almost pumped her fist in victory when Papa blushed and looked away. "I want her by my side while growing up. That's it."

Her cheeks went a little warm at his answer and Taiga couldn't bring herself to look away.

Indeed, growing old together is the superior thing when it comes to love – setting unconditional love aside. She has seen Reika-ba and Kazu-ji working together in the same field of professions and they still love each other. She has seen Aunt Hana and Uncle Eita who have been together longer than her parents, both are happily making music together. She has seen Miki-ba who never fails to lovingly smile at the photo of Niko-ji every night despite the years being apart by life and death. And she has seen her parents.

But to hear it from her Papa that looked nonchalant most of the time…

"That's… cheesy."

"Chee…sy…?" He blanched.

"But I never heard you say those three words, Papa."

Tobio raised a brow, taking a stick of dango from the plate. "You don't have to say it all the time." He said, "The right people would pick up your love language and everything will connect."

"Just like in volleyball?"

Papa nodded. "Like volleyball." He frowned, a moment after. "Why are we talking about love? You're young for this."

She blushed. "I got curious!"

Papa narrowed his eyes. "Really." He has a look of disbelief.

She pouted, taking the last stick of dango he had been saving and eating it. "Mou!"

"Wah – Why?!"

It took her ten days to catch up and finish reading everything in the past. For a week, Taiga treated her Mama's journal as something similar to a novel and devoted herself to reading two years a day. Despite the thickness of each year as she gets closer to the present, it felt like her Mama's life flashed and played in her mind. It felt nice to read her Mama's written thoughts – a first despite their family's practice of open-ness. Even so, she felt very loved and lucky that she has parents like Sawako and Tobio.

But a journal has made her really blush hard. Because journals are personal, Mama didn't hold back writing everything that happened including steamy sessions. Her ten-year old was tainted, just a little, at the description of her parent's activities back when they're living together in Tokyo. Still, she could not imagine her Papa that active and she kept on reminding herself that she has three other siblings.

Reading the journal made her understand her Papa in ways that their Mama could only do before. And after that talk with her Papa, her view on love and what kind of love she wants to have… became something similar to what her parent's have: the love that supports and pushes each other to be the best of themselves. The kind that has no doubt but faith and full understanding.

Inspired and desires that similar kind of love, Taiga was determined to meet someone on the same wavelength. But of course, that won't happen even if she met that person. She has to be emotionally and mentally prepared and successful in her own way like her parents.

Taiga engraved those in her mind and heart. Not until the Golden Week of that year.

Golden Weeks are spent for volleyball training camp and the last day is saved for family reunions. This is one of the official days that the Ukai, Harukaze, Kageyama and friends gather together for family-related activities. The venue changes every year and this time around, it's in their house – Harukaze.

Ever since Taiga read that journal, she also became more aware of her parent's interaction. Whenever Mama and Papa think they're alone, they're lovey-dovey. And even if they – the children and fruits of their love – were there, their eyes would show everything.

Taiga looked at the huge family portrait hanging on the wall in the living room. It was older than her and had been around before any of the Harukaze siblings reached high school. It was the Harukaze family portrait of when Mama was young. Beside the portrait, a little smaller, was the new Kageyama family portrait. It was taken when she and Tat-chan were a baby. Below it was Mama and Papa's wedding photo.

Both of them looked so painfully beautiful. I want a love like them, too. She grinned to herself and turned on her heel to head to the yard where the people are. But the air was caught in her lungs when her blue eyes met dark eyes that were owned by a pink-haired guy Taiga had never met before.

Who?

The person looked like a university student and older than Megu-nee. He has pink hair, a ridiculous color, and black eyes that look like an abyss. It felt like it's sucking her. Not to mention… he's pretty.

"Hello," The person greeted with a passive face. But it looked like there's a small smile on his face.

"Hi." She found herself greeting back.

Soon, she heard her Mama's footsteps.

"Oh." Mama saw them immediately. "You're acquainted. Good."

She could only look at her Mama in confusion. Acquainted…?

"This is Aizawa Sasuke-kun. He is your Aunt Satsuki's son." The woman introduced with her hand on Aizawa Sasuke-kun's shoulder.

Ai… zawa? Aizawa? Eh?

Aizawa-kun lowered his head in a short bow. "Pleased to meet you…?"

She returned the gesture, almost immediately and in a state of trance. "… Kageyama Taiga."

Aizawa Sasuke… Aunt Satsuki's? She has a son? Since… when?

"Pleased to meet you, Taiga."

"Me, too."

That was an instance she's yet to understand. But for what the youngest of the Kageyama siblings knew, it was her heart that was more alive than ever. So much more that the volleyball matches she's ever participated cannot be compared to this.

Hearing my name leaving his lips sounds really nice.

n o t e:

So, for some reason, the copy and paste in ff is not working and it's driving me crazy! I'm going to make a major edit after this when it's okay.

HI. It took me so long. Let me explain.

I didn't know that I uploaded the previous chapter on the day of the opening ceremony of Tokyo Olympics! I was really looking forward to it and I can't believe that I missed it. As a manga reader of Haikyuu!, I've been waiting for Argentina vs. Japan and the Olympics arc is really special. I've been thinking of Tobio being part of the Monster Generation that took Japan on the top and winning themselves a gold. I AM REALLY THAT EXCITED. THE HAISUTE WAS NOT ENOUGH FOR ME.

So, for the past week, I've been watching the volleyball matches in both division for support and all the while making noise in Twitter. Then, I stumbled upon an Instagram Group Chat and Discord Server that fully supports Ryuujin Nippon and Takahashi Ran. I certainly believe that even though, Ran likes Hinata, he is the real-life Kageyama Tobio.

I got distracted. I fangirled a lot. But I was writing.

Initially, I planned two special chapters before marking this story complete. However, there's a part of me that wants to give more life to the four Kageyama babies my mind created. Megumi has her own in the first special chapter and Taiga has hers in this chapter. Thus, leaving Kento's and Tatsuki's. I felt like I need to give them exposure, too. That's why, while watching the matches, I set aside Taiga's (this) and started writing Kento's.

But it was taking me so long and I missed updating last Friday and Tuesday, I felt bad.

In the end, I threw whatever ideas I had in mind for Kento's story and went to type the details of this chapter. And now, here it is. I don't even know what to say anymore but after this, I'm really going to mark this story complete now. I've been thinking (and decided) that sometime in this series, Kento's and Tatsuki's will be mention as a compensation for my lack of drive to give them life at this point of time.

AND WOW. I never thought I'd see the day that I'm marking a fic as complete. Look at Dulcet, it was discontinued. HAHAHA

But really guys, it was all thanks to you (and Tobio's) that I'm able to finish a story. It may not look like it but I always check my mail and the site if there's changes in the number of favorites, follows and reviews. During the time that I wasn't updating, I'm looking at it as a form of motivation and I'm really grateful that I still receive them! Thank you very much!

To the readers whom I shared months with this story namely bbymojo and aivenir, thank you very much! To samsam200.p, darling, I saw your work and I'm moved that I inspired you to write, thank you very much! To the guest who gave me my first review the day after I posted the prologue, thank you very much! To the guest named Kageyama lover that was quick to leave a review, thank you very much!

I always wondered what kind of note I'm going to give y'all and a long one is not in my mind. But it's been seven months and fifteen days, I've been here updating that long. I never thought that I could make it but here I aaaaaaaam. I'm so happy!

With that said, Superfluous is officially complete. Thank you for being with me in this journey. I hope to see you again from any of the Setter Squad Series project I gave myself.

Thank you!