Fly High: Etsuko was perfectly fine flying under the radar when she switched schools and began living with her cousin after an accident takes away the only thing she cared for, however a flying volleyball to the face leads those plans astray. What's this about becoming a manager? (Summary will change).

Rating: Rated T for the occasional use of adult language.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Haikyuu! I just enjoy playing around with their characters and adding a few of my own.

Author's Note: Wow~ It's been awhile since my last update. Please enjoy and let me know how I did. I am hoping the next update will come quicker. IN the next few days. I want to try and get a schedule working.

Update 12/19/20: I am not going to lie and say this chapter is completely different from the original chapter 2, but I have edited it heavily and added in a lot more content. I just was not happy with this chapter.

Word Count: 2,918

"Etsuko-chan!" Yuki exclaimed, worrying about his cousin. Her face was completely blank as she moved to hold the volleyball between her hands at chest height. "Are you alright?" He asked, holding back a flinch as his cousin's large brown eyes looked at him, to anyone else they would appear blank, possibly even emotionless, but he knew his older cousin because she had always been open with him despite her usual demeanor at school – her usually warm eyes had grown cold, a silent anger and torment shining in them.

"I'm-" She was cut off from answering by a loud cry of;

"I'M SORRY!" Etsuko flinched at the sudden loud noise in front of her, the boy with the mohawk who had accidently launched the volleyball at her was kneeling on the floor in front of her, though there was an abnormally large amount of space between them as if he was afraid to get too close, his lean, muscularly arms flung upon the ground as if he had launched his whole body into a bow with his face literally plastered on the gym's hardwood. It was a wonder he managed to talk at all given how far he was bowing. "I'M SO SORRY! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!"

Etsuko's face loosened slightly, her facial expression lightening up once more with a simple raising of her eyebrow at the boy's loud behavior and a small, amused smile that was hardly noticeable; it's not like it was completely his fault he almost hit her with the ball – yes, his aim might need some work, it appeared he had been trying to hit a cross and it cut too deeply, but she had stepped into the gym knowing the school's team was practicing and there were going to be balls flying about. "I am-" However, before Etsuko could finish her statement, she was once more interrupted.

A very tall boy with outrageously messy black hair and eyes that appeared to be stuck in a half-lidded manner that appeared to come off as cocky the same time as sleepy was now standing next to the kneeling boy, a wide smirk widening on his face. "My, my," he started, "Tora, that was an interesting move. Your first time talking to a girl, and you have to apologize for almost spiking a ball to her face."

"I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY!" The loud boy continued repeating, tears flowing comically down his cheeks despite his forehead still being connected to the floor. "PLEASE-"

This time it was Etsuko who cut everyone off, as the tall boy was about to speak again and the other boys of the team were beginning to crowd around, this was the last thing she wanted to deal with so early in the morning.

"It's fine, you are forgiven," Etsuko stated calmly, causing the boy to fly up from his kneeling position, tears still falling down his face as he stared at the smaller girl in surprise, a heavy blush beginning to form on his face as the girl stared back at him, actually talking to him – talking to him. Even if this was a nightmare, Tora never wanted to wake up! "You did not actually hit me, and even if you had, I was the one who entered the gym when you were practicing so I knew the risks of stray volleyballs. Here," Etsuko held the ball out to the boy, expecting him to take it so she could leave, however he froze, the blush fully enveloping his face at being offered something, even a simple volleyball, by a girl. The crowding teammates were either grinning, blushing, or smirking at the boy's reaction, amused by their normally loud team member becoming so embarrassed and clammed up around the random girl that suddenly appeared at their practice.

"Are you alright Amano-san?" Etsuko looked away from the strange loud boy, Tora as she learned, to another second year, this one she knew from her class, Shohei Fukunaga. He was another student who was quiet in class like her, but once break or lunch happened, always had a group of friends surrounding his desk. He was tall and skinny with very short, spiky black hair and wide eyes with small pupils. "Tora didn't hurt you, did he?"

"It's fine Fukunaga-san" Etsuko restated, holding the volleyball out to her classmate instead as it appeared Tora had become a statue. The boy reached out to take the ball from her."Here, you should take this back so you can continue practicing."

"Oh, is this a friend Fukunaga?" The other tall black haired boy, Etsuko was guessing that he was a third year because he just appeared to be slightly older even if he wasn't acting like it with the grin stretching across his face at the moment.

"Amano-san is in our class," It was Kenma who answered, the apathetic boy having wandered over sometime during Tora's loud groveling. He was standing towards the back of the group with his large cat-like eyes shifting frequently from focusing on the commotion that had interrupted practice to glancing towards the side, as if he was afraid to look at Etsuko, which the girl took notice of as well. Etsuko knew that the boy was shy, often sitting alone playing games on his phone unless his teammates came and dragged him into some mischief. She wondered how someone like him, who looked like a person who hated even the thought of physical activity or being around large groups in general, had come to be on their school's volleyball team.

This is a strange team. No wonder Yuki always has crazy stories to report, Etsuko thought.

"Is that so?" The crazy haired one, which was saying something as the team had quite a few characters with interesting hair choices, commented.

"Yes, I sit in front of Kozume-san in class."

"I'm glad you're okay Etsuko-chan," Yuki offered from beside her, relieved that his cousin appeared to be unarmed, "Thank you for bringing my lunch by. I'm sorry I forgot it." Yuki was doing his best to ignore his teammates' looks, blushing slightly as he knew they were probably taking the interaction between his cousin and him the wrong way, as he hadn't revealed he had an older cousin at school who lived with him to anyone but his fellow first years.

Etsuko took that as her cue to leave, relieved to be getting out of the gym and the commotion she had inadvertently caused by her appearance. "It was no problem. Just don't make it a habit Yuki," She turned towards the old, cat faced coach who had just continued smiling on the sidelines while everything was happening. "I'm sorry for the interruption sensei," Etsuko bowed, hands folding neatly and politely in front of her.

"It's fine, young lady," He spoke, "I'm just glad Tora didn't manage to hurt you."

Etsuko bowed once more before stepping out of the gym, sliding back into her dark loafers with ease. She chose to ignore the sudden increase in loudness behind her as she left, it was Yuki's team – he could explain who she was as she didn't care one way or another. She just wanted to get to class so she could check over her math homework one more time, she was second guessing a formula she used, before the bell rang as well as check to see if her friends had left her any more messages on her phone.

As if knowing they were being thought about, Etsuko felt her phone vibrate lightly from her school bag. After checking to make sure there were no teachers on site as she walked towards the front of the school to the entrance and shoe locker room, Etsuko pulled out her phone, flipping it open easily.

Kana: Tsu-chan (-̩-̩_-̩-̩) Machi-Taichou is trying to kill us! ヽ(´ー｀)ﾉ

Ren: You're just lazy (¬‿¬)

Kana: Ren-kun is so mean! Don't believe her Tsu-chan! Machi-Taichou made us run so much my muscles have shriveled up and died (-̩-̩_-̩-̩)

Ren: Drama Queen. And STOP CALLING ME THAT!

Kana: Ren-Kun! Ren-kun! Ren-kun!

Tomoe: My, my, I wish you both were this hyper at practice /(´▽`)/

Machiko: Knock it off you two. Stop involving everyone with your spats.

Ren: …Yes Captain

Etsuko shook her head, a soft grin stretching across her face, quickly pushing in a reply to her crazy friends, it was way too early in the morning for them to already be arguing. Machiko was going to have a busy day ahead of keeping the group in line.

Etsuko: You'll live :)

Kana: Etu-chan! (-̩-̩_-̩-̩) Don't be mean.

Ren: So mean

Tomoe: Hahaha, Tsu-chan doesn't care.

Hikari: That is not what she said.

Etsuko laughed quietly, wondering when the other girl would enter the group chat, knowing the similarly quiet, dark skinned, dark-haired girl would only be able to hold her tongue for so long before she got fed up and butted in. However, Etsuko was nearing the entrance of her school and knew she had to get off the phone before she got in trouble by one of the teachers.

Etsuko: I have to go to class. Behave and head there yourselves. Don't make Machiko or Hikari's lives any harder.

Kana: Hai Tsu-chan 3

Ren: Fine

Machiko: Thank you Etsuko.

The dark-haired girl sighed as she slipped her phone back into her bag as she entered the school, quickly finding her shoe locker and switching into her white indoor shoes. So far this day, that had started out bright and early and seemingly beautiful and already warm when she had gone for her morning jog, had already turned out to be more stressful than she wanted to deal with – and school hadn't even started yet.

The volleyball team, huh? Etsuko thought as she made her way towards her classroom on the second floor, the hallways and classrooms were slowly beginning to fill with other students that she had to dodge around. She thought about her cousin's teammates and what she knew about them, however little. "He should hold back some…" She muttered to herself as the mohawk boy's spike came back to her mind. The boy had great power, she had felt and seen that first hand as the ball that had flown at her was fast and had stung her hands a little, but it seemed like he had no control over it. "At least until he can hit the shot more cleanly…."

"Good morning Amano-chan!" Estuko smiled at a few of her classmates that were already in the classroom as she entered. She wouldn't say she was popular, she actually didn't have many friends at the school beside her cousin, but she talked to a few of her classmates when they worked on assignments together during class time and she was always willing to help out if asked. She supposed she could consider them as acquaintances if needed but that may have been pushing it. She just didn't feel like getting close to anyone.

"Morning," She replied, moving towards her spot against the window. She would have preferred to sit all the way in the back of the classroom, out of site and mind, but Kozume had already declared that spot as his when she had joined the class a few days into the year, so she had settled for the next best; right in front of him. She sighed as she sat down and began pulling out her notebooks and homework - she had enough time where she could look everything over. However before she could do so, her phone vibrated again in her bag.

She pulled out the phone, casting a quick glance to make sure her teacher hadn't shown up early, as her homeroom teacher could be quite scary, before checking. Instead of there being more text messages from her friend's group chat, like she expected, she saw she had several text messages from just her friend Machiko.

Machiko: Thanks for calming them down Tsu-san.

Machiko: But you know you don't have to do that anymore if it bothers you, I can tell Kana and Ren to calm down. You're not the co-captain anymore.

Etsuko sighed, a small smile on her face. She knew that her older friend was worried, as she constantly did, and trying to give her an option.

Etsuko: It's fine Machi! I don't mind! Kana and Ren always make me laugh anyway!

It only took a few moments for a response. Etsuko ignored the slowly filling classroom, even when Kenma shuffled by to get to his seat.

Machiko: If you're sure. I don't want to burden you anymore than you already are...speaking of which, have you joined a club yet? I know you said that you weren't going to play anymore, which we ALL believe to be stupid as you are one of the best players nationally, but what about another club? Maybe a manager's spot?

Etsuko laid her head down onto her desk, glaring lightly at her phone as she quickly typed out a reply. Why did her friend constantly feel the need to bring this up?

Etsuko: No I haven't. And you know why I refuse.

Machiko: I'm just saying. I worry about you Tsu-san.

Etsuko: I know.

Machiko: I have to go, the grinch is here. But just think about it, okay? You still have plenty of time left. Call me later?

Estuko:...I'll think about it.

"...Amano-san…" Etsuko blinked in surprise at the unexpected call of her name from behind her, she put her phone into her desk and turned in her seat to look at her usually quiet neighbor. The lithe boy was shifting his eyes, unable to look at her for long, fingers fiddling with his touch screen phone atop of the notebooks on his desk.

"Yes, Kozume-san?" Etsuko encouraged, figuring despite the fact that she didn't talk or interact with her classmates much that she would need to be the one to continue the conversation he was apparently starting.

"..." He looked at her for a second and then shifted his eyes outside, down to the desk, and then towards the right at the rest of their classmates. Etsuko ignored some of the eyes she knew were looking at the pair of them, probably just as surprised as she was to have Kozume talking to her. She didn't want to make this any more uncomfortable for the bleach-haired boy than it clearly already was. "...Kuroo wanted to…" He started, fingers still fiddling about, "...he wanted to make sure that you were alright. Tora...he's an idiot that focuses too hard sometimes..."

Etsuko wondered which one of his teammates was "Kuroo," and why he even cared. It should have been obvious that she was fine as she left this morning. She decided to answer Kozume anyway, knowing that it probably had taken a lot out of the boy to even acknowledge her. "I'm fine Kozume-san, I knew the risks when entering a gym with a live practice going on. You can tell Kuroo, whoever that is, that no harm, no foul." She was about to turn back around in her seat, knowing that class would be starting any moment, when she suddenly remembered her thoughts from before and felt the need to tell the boy behind her. They were teammates and maybe he could pass it along. "Oh!" She ignored the slight flinch the boy gave, not expecting her to address him again, his golden, cat like eyes looked at her, "You should tell your teammate, the one with the mohawk, Tora I believe, that he should practice with controlling his cross shot so it goes where he wants it to before he focuses on adding strength," She gave him a small smile, unaware that the boy was shocked that she even knew what those phrases were or about volleyball in general, "He's got strength, but it'll do no good if his spikes don't land." And she turned back around, pulling out a cute, cat shaped eraser and a purple mechanical pencil just as their math and homeroom teacher, Sato-sensei, entered the room with an already displeased look on his face.

Kenma remained frozen for a moment before he shoved his phone away and focused on his teacher, he knew that he could pass the information on to Tora, but his fellow second year and teammate wouldn't listen. He filed away the information for later though, maybe it could be useful.

However, unbeknownst to the two quiet teenagers, there had been someone else listening in on their conversation - Fukunaga. His small, narrow eyes focused on the dark haired girl in slight wonder at the conversation. It wasn't that unusual for a girl to know about volleyball, even if their school didn't have a girl's team, but usually the ones that did were the girls who always came to watch their games and were fans of the third-years, particularly Kuroo. However, it seemed like Amano didn't even know who was on the team, other than her cousin, and he doesn't remember seeing her at any of their games or practices. So why would she know? And why did she feel the need to offer advice, for it was good advice even if Tora would never listen.

This could be interesting, he watched as Kenma threw another look at the girl sitting in front of him and an amused smile came to his face, This could be very interesting. I wonder what Kuroo-san would think?

Note: I felt like I needed more interaction between not only Etsuko and her friends, via text messages, but also a bridge into her "relationships" with her classmates, which include Kenma and Fukunaga. So that is why I edited this chapter and made it longer.

And now I have a question, as you can hopefully tell, I tweaked the summary just a little to add in for a possible pairing in the future. There will be one, I am just torn at who. I hate the whole love triangle thing in any story, especially between teammates or even teams, so that's not going to happen...but I am still torn as to who I want to pair Etsuko with. It's going to be a slow burn regardless, but I am torn between Kuroo, Kenma, and Yaku. I love them all and always want to read more stories about them...but I just don't know. I know Yaku prefers girls with shorter hair...but if you truly learn to like someone, hair length won't matter. But I also have reasons for the other pairings as well.

So, help a girl out...who would you like to see Etsuko with? Mind you, I will make the final decision, but I am interested to see what everyone thinks. And like I said, this will be a slow burn, so we still have time to get to know Etsuko before you make a decision.