Starrat: Thank you very much. Took a while but here it is.
Valen Goncalvez: Almost a year later: here it is.
eunoiapaint: And here you are!
Rani: Thank you for your words :) means a lot to me if you enjoy this story.
Guest: Thank you for your criticism. There are a few more mistakes that I still haven't fixed. As forthe JPY to USD, I did check but got them mixed up. But thank you for noticing.
Coolfire30: Sorry for the late update. And I am well enough to continue :)
Emocean: Thank you very much.
Lady Syndra: It is, yes. I was like SMH the entire time.
Jummper: Oh you've read it twice?
bellahatesyou: Yeah that chapter shocked and amazed me. I guess they are made to be buddies.
Sndlr: Thank you very much. Means a lot to me :) Happy 2020 to you too.
whiteanddark: Yeah I heard it was on Netflix now. Very exciting. I hope I can find DVDs of it in shops soon. I'm glad you like my story :)
Chapter 51 - A practise matchOnly a week had passed since Tamiko made her rounds to all the different schools in the prefecture. The trees were still bare when the team members of Shiratorizawa prepared for the arrival of the other teams. Today was the first day of training camp and somehow the boys were more excited than she was. For the third years it was another chance to play against the other teams again and not only once, but multiple times. However, no matter how excited they were there were still a few things Tamiko wanted to go right.
"If I hear anyone interrupt me during my welcome speech, Toshi-kun will flick you," she threatened after explaining the daily routines to them. "I'm looking at you, Tendou."
"What, me?" he gasped pointing at himself. "As if I would do such a thing."
Tamiko wasn't the only one to give the middle blocker a glance of disbelief. They all knew what he was capable of.
"You can't top the best friend privilege with the manager privilege. You will get flicked."
Tendou grimaced at Tamiko, clearly upset about this revelation and turned to his captain.
"You wouldn't would you, Wakatoshi-kun?" he asked.
Ushijima only glanced at him before looking ahead at Tamiko again.
"Looks like Wakatoshi made the obvious choice," Reon said and smiled.
"No," Tendou groaned."What have you done to my best friend?"
The third years laughed as Tendou began to complain about how much Ushijima had changed, although that wasn't entirely true. If anything he seemed more relaxed than ever. Some might say he also withheld his excitement. It was another chance for him to play against Karasuno again. Now that he knew what the duo was capable of he was even more fired up than usual. Tamiko shared the excitement. Now she could act like a proper manager and stand by the sidelines, supporting the team while they played and took breaks.
Soon they all arrived one by one. Karasuno, Seijou, Dateko, Jozenji and Wakutani South stood in the big gym of Shiratorizawa Academy. Many of the younger members were a little nervous while the older ones conversed a little. Yet it was still intimidating for all, coaches included, to stand on this turf. Comments were made about the facility, hands were shaken and laughs were shared. When the members of Shiratorizawa joined them all grew quiet again until Goshiki approached Hinata, congratulating him and telling him he wouldn't lose to him this year.
Even the coaches and managers had gathered together to exchange a few words. Yachi was glad to see Tamiko again and the other managers introduced themselves as well. There was Nametsu Mai, the second year from Dateko Tech along with Misaki Hana and Kuribayashi Runa from Johzenji. Shimizu was as quiet as ever while Yachi did a lot of talking. It only now dawned Tamiko that most of the managers were third years and that they all had one replacement first or second year with them. She wondered if she should ever look for a replacement, someone to step into her shoes and guide the boys in the right direction. The girls all voiced their excitement for this training and then lined up along with the coaches. It was then when Tamiko decided to address everyone.
"Welcome, everyone, to Shiratorizawa academy and to the first day of the training camp of the newly found Shiratorizawa Academy Group," Tamiko said and then added. "I'm sorry about the name but coach Washijo insisted."
"I forgive you Tami-chan!" came a call from the crowd.
Everyone turned to look at Oikawa, who was smiling and waving. Tamiko shot him an angry glare and he flinched back additionally earning a smack against the head from Iwaizumi. And that was a good thing too, since Ushijima didn't have to walk all the way over to Oikawa to flick him. That would have sparked some tension. Iwaizumu nodded towards her, urging her to continue.
"Anyway," she continued. "I'm Kageyama Tamiko, manager of the Shiratorizawa Volleyball club."
A cheer from Tendou cut her off and she glared at him before throwing a soundless "shut up" in his direction. Ushijima was on hand straight away and flicked the back of Tendou's head. If she was going to get interrupted after every sentence then it was going to be a long speech. She continued.
"I'm the organiser of this training camp. We have six teams here and three courts. You all have time to warm up before you start playing against each other. First one to reach 10 points wins. There will be a rotation after every game. After each game, there will be a penalty for the team that has lost."
Nobody spoke for a while. It took a few seconds until her instructions sank in and the realisation and reaction came out all at once.
"Eh?" all the boys groaned.
A small smirk played on Tamiko's lips. This was the reaction she expected. She loved it when things went as she planned or anticipated and she welcomed it.
"That's not fair. That means Shiratorizawa will never get a penalty," one member from Dateko complained.
"Then it is a good reason for you to give it your all, right?" she hinted.
"How heartless," another groan came.
"They are right," Saitou told her in a low voice. "It is a little unfair."
Tamiko glanced over to Saitou, smirked and continued.
"And yet the team that has lost will prosper from it. I know one team that was at a similar training camp and never won one practise match. Guess which team went to the nationals this year. For the first time in years."
She paused and looked around at everyone. Now she had their attention.
"Depending on the penalty, you will train different aspects of your muscles, stamina and skill. Like Bruce Lee once said 'I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.'"
Many thoughtful expressions turned to understanding as some nodded to themselves.
"You all have 10 minutes to warm up," she said and clapped her hands together.
All the teams gathered their members and began their warm up routine. Tamiko returned to her own team and watched as Ushijima gave the instructions to the rest of the boys. But not all were as focused as they should be. Yahaba Shigeru from Aoba johsai was still glancing over to the eagle team.
"I didn't know Shiratorizawa had a manager," he noted. "Is she new?"
"From what I heard, she is the sister of Karasuno's first year setter," Watari Shinji, the Libero noted. "But she is a third year."
"Let's get started," someone called and all the teams started to gather on different courts.
Most of the teams didn't want to play against Shiratorizawa right at the beginning, except Seijou and two particular first years from Karasuno. It came down to the captain's playing rock-paper-scissors to determine the first player. Oikawa managed to trick Daichi somehow and won.
"I'm gonna beat you this time, Ushiwaka-chan," Oikawa declared.
Before Ushijima could correct him for using that dreadful nickname, Tamiko, who stood right beside them, smacked the back of Oikawa's head.
"Don't call him that," she hissed. "That's an awful nickname, Oinkkawa."
It took Iwaizumi more than just his mental strength, but also his physical strength to keep himself from laughing. Oikawa was frozen in shock and allowed the first serve fly passed him until Iwaizumi gave him a good knock against the head. All that didn't save the team though. The first set was dominated by the swans and soon they rotated. Oikawa was already plotting vengeance while he played against the remaining teams until they rotated to the starting positions.
"Look at him plotting," Tendou told Tamiko as they kept rotating.
"Don't pay attention to him," she said. "Let him have his fun."
"Sure thing," he grinned and followed the rest of the team.
"What is our status?" the coach asked.
"We played six teams, one set each," she began. "And won all of them. In all except one set we got the first point and in three cases the opposing team had at least a one point lead once."
Coach Washijo nodded and turned to the team, giving them instructions and advice following that feedback. And that was how the whole day went. After every round the teams took a brief break and reflected. For lunch the canteen was stormed. The kitchen team had taken the courtesy to prepare a small buffet for free. The canteen was very empty too since it was the spring holidays. After lunch the routine started again and went into the afternoon. Then they all went home only to return the next day for the same thing.
For Tobio it was a very relaxing week. Every morning he did his morning jog, had breakfast with his sister and then both drove to Shiratorizawa academy. There he relaxed or helped his sister prepare everything for the day. They were always the first to arrive and Ushijima came second. It didn't take long for the others to arrive one by one. Nobody ever came too late so they could always start on time every time. It was on the second to last day of the training camp that things were different.
"Alright everyone," a shout echoed. "Gather up!"
Since they had warmed up the boys were all ready to go but Tamiko already grinned.
"Today we're going to change things up a little bit," she announced. "All the third years will now have free time until lunch. That includes the third year managers."
"Why are you taking the third years out of the teams?" someone asked.
"Idiot, haven't you noticed?" another answered. "We are the next third years next week. They are graduating, remember?"
The third years all removed themselves from the teams and gathered in a corner of the hall. Most of them wanted to watch how their teams would hold up, others pulled out their phone or occupied themselves with something else. Ushijima, who had already given the younger team members his words of encouragement and improvement, was watching Tamiko instead. Unlike all the other third year managers, she was going to stay with the team until she found the perfect occupation she wants to pursue.
It was later at lunch time when all the managers disappeared for a moment, only to return with a lot of plates flinned with food.
"We brought pork buns for everyone!"
Everyone scrambled to their managers to get their well deserved food. The still hot buns were enjoyed by all. Little did they know that the girls all made them early the same morning. Although Tobio and Ushijima knew they kept it to themselves. The team members had mixed together for this big afternoon snack and everyone was conversing with everyone.
And so the last day of training camp came to an end. It surprised Tamiko how many friendships and friendly rivalries blossomed within that week. She wondered, how would this all develop in the weeks to come until the next tournament? Only time would tell. The only thing that was certain was that this camp would happen again next year.
Coach Washijo addressed his team once more before announcing that there would be no training until after the graduation ceremony. He bid all the third years another final farewell, wishing them all the best for their future. He also addressed Tamiko.
"It was a very productive week," coach Washijo praised. "You've done well, Tamiko."
"Thank you, sir," she said with a bow.
"I hope to see this level of determination in the future as well," he said.
"Of course."
As everyone packed their belongings the third years huddled together, taking in the gym one last time. Since their first day in this school they had spent their time here, sometimes even on weekends and on holidays. It had become a second home for most of them. Now they were leaving it behind, moving on. Most went on to University but one person hadn't revealed his plans yet.
"Wakatoshi-kun," Tendou said. "Have you decided which team you're gonna join?"
Unlike the others the captain had kept his next step to himself. He wasn't one to talk about what he was going to do, they all knew that. Tendou's curiosity was just too great to leave it a mystery. He wanted to know where his best friend was going to go. Of course he had his suspicions but confirmation was best.
"Schweiden Adlers," he announced.
"But that's in Tokyo," Tendou almost shrieked.
"Let him go wherever he wants to, Tendou," Reon interjected.
"But what about Tami-chan? Are you just gonna leave her behind?"
To this Ushijima's brow creased and he paused what he was doing. Tendou froze. Was he angry at him or himself, he could not tell. Tamiko was quick to act and placed a hand on Ushijima's back.
"I told him to," she said to Tendou.
"Why?"
"I don't want to slow him down."
Tendou swallowed when he saw the sincere smile she gave him, although the pain was more than visible in her eyes. Nobody dared to mention it again. Everyone finished packing but Ushijima still stared at his bag. Tamiko briefly squeezed his hand smiling to let him know everything was fine. After she had told him where she thought he should go he had been a little distressed. He didn't want to go so far away. It took a lot of time to convince him that it would benefit not only him but her as well if he went to Tokyo. He had already made a name for himself and the Schweiden Adlers were a big team on the national scene. With them he could raise his worth and be able to visit her.
"And then I'll come to Tokyo as well," she had told him.
That had convinced him but no matter what, it still pained him. Tamiko hoped that those feelings would not interfere with his training. Outside on the parking lot they joined Tobio, who was waiting by the car. After the siblings had loaded the car Ushijima approached his girlfriend.
"We don't have any training tomorrow," he remembered.
"And?" she urged playfully.
"Do you want to go on an outing with me?"
Tobio grimaced and entered the car to avoid listening to their talk. As happy as he was that they were a couple he hated sweet talk. It didn't bother the two in the slightest.
"Don't you mean a date?" she asked and giggled. "Yeah, sure. Where do you want to go?"
"I need to buy new volleyball equipment," he said.
"Of course you do," she sighed.
Maybe she could drag him into a café when they were out shopping. She gazed at her boyfriend and sighed again, poking his sternum.
"But you will pick me up," she demanded.
"Okay," he complied. "I'll see you tomorrow."
With those words he turned around to leave but after a few steps he paused. After a glance over his shoulder he walked back towards her and wrapped his arms around Tamiko's small frame. She was a little overwhelmed by this action but quickly returned the gesture. The quick peck she felt on her cheek made her freeze. Ushijima used that opportunity to quickly retreat to his dorm.
Tobio glanced at his sister with one raised eyebrow when she finally entered the car. Ridding herself from her trance she drove them to a supermarket to buy food for the coming week and then home. Tobio took a well deserved shower while Tamiko whipped up a small dinner. They talked a little about the training and what they could do tomorrow. After dinner they both cleaned up and Tobio went upstairs when the doorbell rang. Tamiko didn't know who to expect and opened the door. A woman and a man stood before her.
"Oh," Tamiko almost groaned. "What are you doing here, mum?"
Was the defensive gesture of almost closing the door too much? Most likely. It was her mother's expression that gave Tamiko that thought. Her lips were pressed to a tight line, her shoulders pulled up, her posture small. Behind her the man in a suit and glasses placed a hand on her shoulder, a clipboard in the other.
"Can we come in?" she asked with a small voice.
Her mind went into overdrive. What was happening? Was this really her mother? And who was that man behind her? Unable to cope with this situation Tamiko stepped back and opened the door for them to enter. A small thank you came from both of them. She guided them into the kitchen, offered them some refreshments and then joined them at the table. Tobio was there too, looking rather disgruntled.
Their mother radiated the essences of a stranger. She wasn't the headstrong, confident woman they know. Rather, she looked small with her shoulders hanging heavy, older without the makeup, simple without her blouse. The man on the other hand looked like a professional. A fine suit with no creases, his hair combed neatly, his glasses without a frame. He gave their mother a gentle pat on the back before he spoke.
"Your mother has visited me almost every day since the court date," the man explained. "After many sessions she has worked up the motivation to talk to you two."
"You went to a therapist?" Tamiko asked out of impulse.
If anything, she didn't want to speak at all but she had to know. Was her mother ready to change? Her outward appearance was certainly different. Shiyori licked her dry lips and adjusted her weight on her seat.
"Things have happened in the past that made me who I am today," she told her with a small voice, which was so unlike her. "I want to put it all behind me and become the mother you need me to be. I know it's late now but I still want to be there for you as you go about your own lives."
The siblings, especially Tamiko stared at her with wide eyes. The choice of words was a mirror image of how they wanted their mother in their minds. She wanted to be the mother they needed, not what she needed to be. For what felt like a lifetime she was putting her children before her own needs. In her confusion Tamiko glanced at the man.
"I explained to your mother that a parent can live without its child," he began. "But a child cannot live without its parents. She told me about the past incidents in detail and I understand why the two of you are hostile towards her. Your mother wasn't there for you so you have the right to be angry."
Tamiko squeezed her folded hands beneath the table, taking in a sharp breath. Why did that feel so refreshing? This man said they have a right to be angry at their own mother. The emotions they felt towards their mother were okay.
"It took a lot of convincing to arrange this moment," he continued. "But today she said she would take the first step towards you."
He gestured at both of them and Tamiko swore that he smiled a little, as if to say everything was going to be okay. The siblings turned their attention to their mother again who had taken a big sip of her drink. It looked like she was preparing herself for a big speech.
"There is one thing I want to tell you," their mother began. "You two have the right to know everything about your father."
"Are you serious?" they asked in unison.
