The walls of Karasuno could barely withhold the buzzing and vigour that was the boy's volleyball club. The team had gained new momentum after a handful of first years had joined. The team went from one many had pity on, to one that everyone was curious about. The crows were finally flying again. With the interhigh matches around the corner, the boys were putting even more practice in.

Mina Saito, a foreign third year, had only joined Karasuno the year prior. She became tangled with the team after meeting her next-door neighbour – Sugawara. It did also help that she was a volleyball prodigy back home too. But cheering on and aiding the team was the highlight of her days. In her second year (first year at Karasuno), she was too timid to engage with the others. But with Suga as her best friend, it was impossible to avoid the others. And somehow, in her third year she found herself an unofficial groupie of the Karasuno High Boys volleyball team.

Today, when the bell rang, Mina jumped up out of her seat and sprinted to the gymnasium. On her way there, she was greeted by Nishinoya who joined her sprint. Once they reached their destination, a grin was settled on their lips.

"Let's go!" They cheered together.

Nishinoya jogged inside and began stretching with the others, while Mina walked over to Coach Ukai.

"So Coach, I have some ideas." A suggestive eye wiggle accompanied her words, earning a laugh from the coach.

"Listen everyone, we have one week before the interhigh matches. So we need to –

His words were cut off as Takeda burst in, holding a single paper in his hand. His breathing was staggered, but his words could not be clearer.

"Aoba Johsai wants a practice game. Tomorrow."

The entire room went silent, confusion on every single face. Hinata was the first to break the silence.

"Why would they do that?"

"I… don't know." Daichi responded, turning to face Coach Ukai for guidance.

Coach Ukai brought his fingers to his forehead, rubbing against the scrunched skin.

"It's a power play. They are testing the waters before the interhigh matches to see if we're a threat. And clearly, they think they have less to lose. Even if they do expose any new techniques."

Kageyama dropped his gaze to his hands, bringing his fingers to dig into his palm. Really, Oikawa? He thought bitterly to himself.

"It's fine, guys. A match is a match, we can benefit from this." Sugawara's reassurance shifted the atmosphere. Mina could not help but smile at her best friend, plus she thought he was right.

"Yeah, we can use this for practice! A taste before the real thing." Noya bounced, thrusting a fist in the air.

"Yeah, okay! Let's do it." Hinata joined him, and his words prompted the others to exclaim their own determination.

The next day

Upon reaching Aoba Johsai, the team had entered the school, receiving cold glances from the students. It was clear that they were not the welcoming kind. Daichi led the group, smiling regardless of the atmosphere.

"It's alright guys. We're here to win." He reminded the others.

Mina, who was curious since it was her first time at Aoba Johsai walked a bit slower than the group. She was wearing Sugawara's spare jacket, which was a bit bigger on her with a pair of black tights. Her auburn coloured hair was tied into a high ponytail with a red ribbon. She stuck out, to say the least. Students whispered questions about her identity and ethnicity. She was mixed – Japanese and French. Not that many people could guess it.

"Is she their new manager?" One girl questioned.

"Nah, she looks more like a lost puppy." Another replied.

Overhearing the comments, a gentle laugh rose from her throat and out Mina's lips.

"I'm actually their groupie." As she responded, she shot the pair a wink. The response earned her an embarrassed expression from the girls.

"Oh sorry." The first one quickly bowed.

Mina shrugged in response.

"Don't worry about it."

Turning her back to the girls, she suddenly realized the group had vanished from sight. Great job, you lost them, she taunted herself.

"Guess I gotta find them on my own now." She mumbled to herself, while beginning to speed up. After a few minutes of walking, the brunette texted the group chat, hoping someone would answer. However, since all her attention was on the phone she paid no attention to the fact someone was walking her way. Well, she had to pay attention once she walked smack into them.

"OWWW." The phone dropped from her hand, as she instinctively grabbed her forehead.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I must have not noticed you." The person ahead of her commented. His voice was coated in artificial sympathy.

Mina surveyed the person, he was slightly taller than her with mocha coloured hair. His eyes were not on her while he spoke, rather it was on the phone on the ground. When his eyes finally met hers, they widened in surprise.

"I'd expect better from Seijoh's captain. But I guess we can't all be observant." She jested while reaching down to pick up her phone.

Oikawa took the insult to heart, which was indicated by a dramatic gasp. "Excuse me? Me? Not observant?"

"Uh huh. But I guess you must get a pass because you're cute." At this point, she was purposefully trying to get under his skin. It was not because of the game though – it was because his reactions were entertaining. A grin was plastered on her face, as she brushed some stray strands over her shoulder.

For a second, Oikawa's eye twitched. It was a bothersome thing to be complimented but dissed at the same time. It did not help that she was also gorgeous. But before he could respond, Kiyoko had appeared behind the brunette.

"Saito, the boys have been asking about you. Come on." Kiyoko paused when she realized the odd expression on Oikawa's face. Realizing her odd friend must have said something, she bowed and apologized on her behalf. A pout fixed on Mina's lips, she did nothing to apologize for.

"Now come on, Saito." Kiyoko was clearly impatient.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry." Before the brunette turned around to follow Kiyoko, she tossed Oikawa a wink.

The captain of Seijoh stood there, with a hand on his hip, trying to process what just occurred. That was until Iwaizumi came out and began dragging Oikawa by the collar of his shirt.

"Why are you always so annoying." Iwaizumi huffed out.

"It wasn't my fault this time!" Oikawa whined, allowing himself to be dragged.

A/N: Hope you guys liked it! Just keep in mind this is AU. So it won't follow the timeline perfectly.