Greetings my little balls of sunshine,

I firstly want to thank you for the positive responses here and on Wattpad. Makes my chest swell with pride. Hope it doesn't stoke my ego too much.

Secondly, the next chapter might take a while. I'm off to Japan soon and the last hurdle of school is approaching. It pains me to say that you might only get 3-4 new chapters this year :(

But life is good. I'm getting there :)


Review Replies:

Eilimakk: Yeah, there are a few things people don't know. But that info is available online. I'm excited for Japan as well. Glad that she is still in your heart.

eunoiapaint: Well, here you go :)

Heartdiamong: :))))

starrat: Here you go :)

13rini: Thank you very much :)

LaughterLove98: Well, it's still rated T. I might do a seperate "story" so you can enjoy it ;)

ktbelle1313: Glad I got it right despite not being able to emerse myself in it lately.


Chapter 50 - An alliance

"Mr. Nobuteru," Tamiko carefully urged. "I know it's a difficult decision to make but I kinda have to go to my next appointment soon."

The Seijoh coach looked up from the sheet of paper which Tamiko had placed before him about 15 minutes ago. Her offer was intriguing but he wasn't sure how the boys from the team would react to it. From a coach perspective it was very logical to take up that offer. Since she had revealed herself to be the official manager of Shiratorizawa it made the offer even sweeter. The student before him seemed to sense his difficulty.

"Let me put it this way," she offered. "The third years would most likely jump at the opportunity to play against my boys one last time."

Nobuteru mirrored her smirk and reached for the pen. After he had signed it they shook hands, Tamiko mentioning that he wouldn't regret putting his signature on it. Then she headed to the next school on her list. All students had a day off lessons today since exams were over but that didn't mean that the clubs were resting. Many were preparing for the next season. Preparing for the next year of members. Preparing their advertisement for the next school year. Current captains were working in their successors and she even caught a quick glimpse of Oikawa doing that regrettable job. Her steps quickened before he could spot her.

It was strange being on the grounds of Aoba Johsai. She could've ended up in this school and many of her former classmates from middle school were still here. The boys from the volleyball club weren't the only ones. Izumi and her had been the outsiders, the only ones to go to Shiratorizawa. And she was glad. There weren't any big friendships that she lost.

When she reached her car she wasn't alone. Iwaizumi saw her when he returned from his jog. The ace was in the presence of Kentaro Kyotani, the second year who was presumably the next ace for the team. She remembered seeing him play. A good choice.

"Congrats on the court thing," Iwaizumi told her through the car window. "I'm glad you're all staying here."

"Thank you," she said and waved, telling him that she was running late.

The next school wasn't a challenge at all. She had already worked with coach Anabara before and he was more than eager to sign when she explained herself. He even introduced her to the team. Question after question was thrown at her. The boys from Johzenji were as bouncy as ever and Tamiko even exchanged a few words with their own manager. It turned out that she was a third year just like her. The captain's eyes lit up like fireworks when the coach revealed why she was there and he even voiced his excitement and support. Tamiko left with her heart swelled with pride.

It was already late in the afternoon when she dropped on her bed with a pile of paper, some signed and others rejected. But there was still a considerable number of signed sheets. Still dazed from the fact that she got so many signatures in the first place she stared at the ceiling and then began to smile. This was going to be the biggest surprise she could ever think of for the boys and now she could even set it in stone. Her brother also noticed her good mood.

"What made you so happy today?" he asked.

"Oh, nothing important," she grinned.

"Really? You look a little too happy."

When she turned to him he wore his sceptical look. Since he had just come back from training himself he was already showered and in joggers. He and his team were also preparing for next year. So was she.

"Just a little surprise for my boys," she told him. "If the coach agrees I can tell them tomorrow."

Satisfied with that answer he returned to whatever he was doing upstairs. It was then when her phone buzzed.

From: Izumi-chan

To: Tami

Bored. Wanna come over?

To: Izumi-chan

From: Tami

Sure. I'll be right there.

It wasn't far to Izumi's place. The girls have always lived in close proximity to each other. Izumi's mother offered the usual tea and cookies and the girls eagerly accepted. The smell of nail polish soon filled the room. Izumi was a big enthusiast for nail art and always had painted nails. She had offered Tamiko a make over countless times and countless times Tamiko had refused. Now, it was different. Instead of talking about all sorts of stuff, Tamiko was silently watching the little brush paint the nails.

"How about a pale pink?" Izumi asked her absently. "It isn't flashy but looks cute."

Soon enough, Izumi was painting Tamiko's nails. The brunette stared at her reflection in the mirror next to the bed. In the past few years she had become more feminine. This was probably because of Ushijima being in her life now. For his sake she wanted to try it. It was a weird feeling, like a pink cloud filling her.

"So, what did you do all day?" Izumi asked when she was done.

Tamiko inspected her now unfamiliar hand.

"I took a first step towards my manager job," she vaguely explained.

"Did you get a contract yet?"

"I'll get it tomorrow," she revealed, grinning from ear to ear.

"That's amazing," Izumi squealed and then leaned towards her. "And what will Ushiwaka do?"

"He has accepted a contract from a team in Tokyo," she said.

"Are you alright with that?" Izumi asked and their eyes met. "You will be separated and wouldn't be able to see each other regularly."

"I know," Tamiko exhaled loudly. "I was actually the one who made the decision, since he asked me."

"He asked you to chose for him?" Izumi asked in disbelief.

"Yeah he did," she admitted and then giggled. "It was like a job interview. This or this."

She gestured left and right, laughed and then her laughter died down. It had been a few days ago when Ushijima placed the offers on the table before her. His unsurety was very strange to witness and when he asked her what he should choose, Tamiko panicked. Her finger landed on the Tokyo offer, since that was the best team Ushijima could be on. The chances from there were endless. Izumi watched helplessly as tears suddenly obstructed Tamiko's sight. The sound of sobbing and crying attracted Izumi's mother into the room.

"And here I thought that after the trail I wouldn't hear Tami-chan cry ever again," she noted as she joined them.

Tamiko managed to repeat the words to Izumi's mother through sobs and tears and somehow, she felt lighter afterwards. Especially when she voiced her reason as to why it made her cry.

"I'm starting to regret my decision," she confessed. "We will graduate soon and then he will be gone."

Izumi's mother smiled.

"Let me give you some advice for long distance relationships," she began and held up one finger. "Keep communications up. Second, try to meet up regularly, even if it's once every two months. Does he have an accommodation of his own?"

Tamiko nodded.

"You could also send him good old fashioned letters," she advised. "There is magic in the the written word."

Those words still lay fresh in her mind as she stared at the ceiling that same night. Ushijima had already texted her goodnight so she had only herself to converse with. Multiple scenarios went through her head, all playing out in the future. Would the two of them ever find the time to meet up? Would he meet a girl there? Would she meet a guy? Would they even be together to have a happily ever after?

She shook her head and slap her cheeks. No, there were more important things to think about and they were happening soon. Rehearsals will only get tougher and she will get her contract tomorrow. Graduation was coming up. It was an exciting time to be a third year.

The next day was the first of many upcoming intense rehearsal days. The school orchestra was practising for 6 hours that day and in the end Tamiko's wrists were aching. Even the half an hour breaks they were given weren't enough to recover. During the breaks she kept to herself. That was easy since she sat behind the grand piano. It was when the end of the rehearsal approached that she got fidgety and restless.

"Alright, everyone," the teacher clapped. "That's it for today's rehearsal. Remember that there are 3 weeks left until the graduation ceremony."

All students of the orchestra voiced their acknowledgment of that warning and began to pack up their instruments. Tamiko had it easy. She only had to gather her music sheets and leave. On her way out she stuffed the music into her bag and made her way to the gym. Today was just a relaxing training session for the boys but that wasn't why she went. Her goal was to speak with the coach today. As soon as the new school year started she would be a paid employee of the school. She would be the official manager and there were a few things she wanted to settle beforehand.

"Alright," she mumbled to herself. "Time go."

Wearing her Manager outfit and not forgetting two signed pieces of paper she entered the gym. Serving training was on the agenda today and the boys were already busy hitting serves and then running around the gym. It was like a conveyor belt in a factory. One after the other without pause.

"Tami-chan," Tendou greeted her immediately before being scolded by coach Washijo.

Despite that, she gave the middle blocker a little wave before approaching the coach, showing him the paper she had brought along. Soon they were conversing, not paying attention to the others. The boys paused for a moment when they noticed how deeply submerged the coach was in their conversation. A nod from the coach made Tamiko smile brightly and she bowed as a thank you.

"Gather round," the old coach shouted. "Kageyama has a little surprise for you all."

This quietened them immediately and they all stared at her in anticipation. Tamiko withheld a smile and stepped forward.

"As most of you know, I watched all of the Karasuno matches in the spring tournament. It took some convincing but you guys can't always compete against college students."

They all looked at her a little confused.

"The teams in the Miyagi Prefecture have grown apart and that is an opportunity that shouldn't be missed. There are new arranged teams that have incredible strategies that you haven't encountered yet, which is why you've lost the finals."

"Ouch, that hurt," Tendou whispered, clutching his chest.

"So I proposed for all the major teams in Miyagi to join together twice a year for practice matches with penalties and training opportunities."

"Wakatoshi-kun, did you know she was planning this?" Semi whispered.

"No," was his answer.

"Kageyama has a good eye that I trust. She saw teams play who we have never encountered in official tournaments and since the finals, I have been convinced that a change is inevitable," coach Washijo announced. "I did, however, insist that it would be named after our school."

"Shiratorizawa Academy Group," Tamiko explained. "The Fukurodani Academy Group have regular practise matches, which is where I got my idea from. It would be good to get to know the other teams."

Every member of the team looked at her wide-eyed. Was this really happening? Was taking over the team? The coach seemed rather taken by the idea. The loss had shown their weakness and now they had to work even harder than before.

"The first practise match will be next week. You will get the chance to have a rematch with all the teams," she informed them. "So, what do you guys think?"

The team was silent and exchanges a few glances. Tamiko threw Ushijima a hopeful glance but it was Tendou who spoke first.

"Tami-chan, you're amazing as always," he grinned.

The other third years grinned. An opportunity to play against Karasuno again. That exciting thought spread from the third years to the rest of the team. Even Ushijima had a big smile on his face.

"You really are amazing," he told her. "Tamiko."

That smile made her breath hitch. Tamiko pulled up the brim of her collar to hide her crimson cheeks. The attention was averted to the coach who continued a motivational speech. No matter how amazing this speech was, no matter the praise she received for her efforts Tamiko swore that she would make Ushijima pay for that later.

After the speech the entire team thanked her with a bow, which made her feel a little embarrassed. Tendou took that chance to make her feel even more so.

"Oh, look at that," he grinned. "I can make Tami-chan blus, too."

This he should have kept to himself. A vein on her temple popped out and she jumped foot first into his belly. The first years and some of the second years cowered in fear as they watched the rest of the third years trying to protect Tendou. Ushijima managed to calm her by holding onto her. Tendou was scolded while Tamiko pouted. Even if he annoyed her sometimes, she was still going to miss him.