The second day was much more eventful than yesterday.

After lining up for the introduction of teams yesterday, we decided to watch the games from the viewing area. Our team got second place in the inter high qualifiers, so we got to skip the first day of the games. Other than that, nothing really happened.

I sighed as I stood outside of the locker room while waiting for the others to finish changing. I was the first one to finish changing out of all of them, since I wanted to get out of the room.

This match is our second match for today, with our earlier win allowing us to move forward in the semifinals.

I can feel that there's still some sort of tenseness in there, with us getting out of the competition like that in the previous nationals and the fact that we're versing them.

I'm nervous.

Today's the last shot of the third years for nationals.

I inspected the copy of the tournament bracket that's posted on the wall, looking intently at the names written on it while tracing the lines with my pointer finger. We still have two more matches for the rest of the tournament.

I dragged my finger from the kanji of our school, to the name of the team that was on the other side of the bracket. Itachiyama.

I don't want to know this, but I'm really glad that Itachiyama's on the other bracket as well. And the only chance we have at fighting them is the finals.

I think the organizers are doing this on purpose, since the last time Itachiyama was also in the other bracket of the tournament. A bit impossible for us to go against them unless it's the finals. Then again, our match against them is something a lot of people look forward to, so it shouldn't be that much of a surprise.

It's a little unfair how the games already seemed predetermined, but whatever. If I'm being honest, I don't really care about that. I just want to make sure our team is one of the three representing Tokyo to the nationals next year.

I scanned the paper some more, my eyes landing on the second match we have for today, before tracing the lines to it. Nekoma.

We're going against nekoma for the semi finals, and right after that, against Itachiyama in the finals.

I sighed as I saw that. After a few more minutes and a bit of warm up, we're starting the match against them. While it's fun playing against them since they're great opponents, it's still a tournament and not like the practice matches we held at training camps.

One of our teams is bound to lose, since there can only be one winner. I just have to make sure it isn't our team. The third years, it's their final year already. I have to make sure tha-

"You okay 'Kaashi?" A voice boomed from behind me. Startled, I retracted my hand from the paper and I turned around and came face to face with Bokuto-san, who was looking at me a little worried.

I inwardly calmed myself so he wouldn't notice a thing off from me. Bokuto-san has an extreme perspective about sensing negative emotions. I have to make sure to keep it together so he wouldn't have to worry about it.

"I'm fine, Bokuto-san." I answered stiffly as I looked at him, hoping that my earlier negative thoughts wouldn't be conveyed in my expression.

"Well, if you say so..." He stared at me knowingly, as if he already knew what's going on in my mind. "Anyways, let's go already. The others are about to be done changing their clothes." He beckoned in the direction of the gymnasium before walking ahead from me. I sighed before following right after him.

I hope today goes well...

· · ·

Okay, so the game against nekoma did end up in our favor, but I know it's not the end of the tournament yet, so I shouldn't be celebrating too hard.

We shook hands with Nekoma after lining up. I can see that all of us from both teams had mixed emotions. Contentment, the well played game, proudness for us advancing in the finals, and regret for them losing against us.

Atleast there's still a chance for them, since Tokyo needs a third representative for being the hosting prefecture for the nationals. I know it's a small thing for the situation, and Nohebi isn't exactly the easiest opponents, but still...

Both of our teams left the arena and went back to our lockers, small smiles present in our faces. We aren't as loud as our usual win against other opponents, since we definitely feel bad for nekoma losing.

I decided to take my time this time instead of hurrying up like earlier while listening to my teammate's excited murmurs. Some of them are already finishing up and were leaving, until only four of us remained in here.

"Man. That was a nice game. Have you seen Tora's spike that time in the second set? I swear, that guy's spikes keep on getting better and bet-" I didn't hear the rest as Komi and Washio walked out of the locker room, the faint 'thump' of the door was heard as they closed it.

I looked at the other person in here with me. Bokuto-san...

He was too busy shoving his clothes in his bag without actually folding it.

I sweatdropped as I thought about how wrinked those would be when he got back to his house. Well, it's not like he's the only one who does that. Some of the second and first years, along with Konoha, also do that particularly bad habit.

Well, it's not like they're not washing that immediately when they get home. It's not gonna make a huge difference if they're immediately washing it afterwards.

Unless...?

I inwardly shuddered at the thought of unwashed, crumpled, sweat-smelling shirts before immediately chasing that thought away.

I hope none of them actually does that...

My eyes unfocused from his clothes and into his bag. Particularly, the omamori hanging in the zipper puller of his bag. Dark blue, with two small flowers as the design, and the kanji for... I think that was health protection? I can't see it very clearly from this angle. But anyways, the kanji was embroidered in a silver color.

How peculiar. You don't buy health protection omamori if you're an athlete. Usually, it's good luck for... well... To win the game.

"Health protection?" I asked. He must haven't been expecting me to still be here, since he jumped in shock before looking sheepishly at me and back to the omamori hanging in his bag.

"Oh. This?" He asked while gently showing me the omamori so I could see it clearer. Yep. It's health protection alright. "Chuuyou gave that to me. You know? Back when we lost against Itachiyama in the finals of the interhigh."

I smiled at him knowingly as I remembered that time. I didn't know she gave it to him. It's a little sweet. Though I'm still not sure why she would give him health protection.

My mind then remembered that particular conversation we had before.

He finally admitted that he likes her.

"Oh. She gifted that to you?" I teased with a small smirk. I can sense that the gears in his mind are turning as he picked up on what I was insinuating.

"AKAASHI! I THOUGHT THAT YOU WON'T BE LIKE KUROO!" He whined a bit as he pouted. I laughed at his antics as he looked embarrassed and stammered some things incomprehensible to me.

It's a little funny how he's actually keeping it inside him. I know no one suspects that he already knows what he feels and is already trying to work with it. I bet they're thinking that he's still oblivious about that. I was thinking the same line had he not admitted to me that he's already aware... and cot a long time at that apparently. Honestly, I didn't really noticed it.

I mean... He isn't exactly the subtlest person. He's loud. And a bit hyper at times. And moody too... I still sometimes get surprised with how subtle he could get at times.

"Sorry, sorry." I apologies without actually meaning it, laughing at his expression that's turning more flustered every second. Returning my expression back to my usual poker face (though you can still see the obvious mirth in my eyes), I continued grilling him about that omamori.

"Well, she said athletes should be healthy to keep playing, so that's why that's what she had gotten me..." Bokuto mumbled shyly as he stared at the omamori with a fond look. The fond look was soon replaced with contemplating and then determination. He sighed as if he was preparing himself before looking at me seriously. "I decided that I'll finally tell her, 'Kaashi."

I suppressed the urge to squeal like a teenage girl as I heard that. Well. I am still a teenager but you get my point... I have an image to maintain after all.

"Seriously? What finally convinced you?" I asked. He was silent again for a few moments before muttering a word.

"Dowoon." He said in a firm but soft tone. I raised my eyebrow to prompt him to continue talking. "He got my number from her and asked me to talk. He told me everything, Akaashi."

"What everything?" I asked. I have a rough idea of what they talked about, since that's the only thing they have in common, but I need to be sure.

"You know" he gestured with his hand as he continued explaining. "How he's liked her for a long time now... Even way back to their childhood. And said that he doesn't want to do anything more because..." He didn't finish, but I know what he was trying to say. Kinda sad to think about. He's the supposed childhood friend that didn't do anything since he thought that the person he likes won't fall for someone else, and when she actually did, he was fumbling and trying to keep it up together. Kind of like what happens to childhood friends in animes...

Still. I can't fully believe it. Him talking to Bokuto about those things...

That guy, hm. My first impression with him is not exactly the greatest. I thought he was prideful and a bit arrogant at that, since he barged into Fukurodani and already picked a fight with Bokuto-san.

I guess I shouldn't be judging people too harshly...

"He told me that he's leaving again immediately." I snapped out of my thoughts as Bokuto continued talking.

"Hm?"

"Yeah. He's going back to Korea and just focus on his career for the moment... Honestly 'Kaashi, I still feel guilty." He played with his fingers as he looked down on the ground. "I mean, with Lee and Suzumeda-san. It just, it happened way to fast ya know? And I still feel like it is somehow my fault. Well, Suzumeda-san atleast, since Lee told me that it was his own choice and he did for her..." He sighed as he shook his head before looking at me determined. "That's why I decided on the school festival. It's at least a few weeks enough for the situation with Suzumeda-san to erm. Calm down. I don't want to make it seem like I'm rubbing it in front of her." He schooled his expression to a smiling one, like the one he always wore. "I'll tell her everything, Akaashi. And. and." His tone softened, face being dusted by a soft blush. "And maybe I'll even asher to be my... my girlfriend. You think she's gonna accept, 'Kaashi?"

"Pfft. Of course she would." I laughed. I imagined them finally talking it out. With him shyly fumbling in his words and looking everywhere but her, embarrassed. And then Chuuyou would have a dumb smile on her face before tackling him in a hug without letting him finish. "I bet my money that she would be the one asking for you to be her boyfriend after you finished pouring your feelings." Bokuto puffed his cheeks at the thought.

"NO. I WANT TO BE THE ONE WHO ASKS HER THAT!" I ignored him as I walked out of the locker room, contemplating on what I just learned.

Now... How would I tell her about this?

· · ·

The rest of the day and night passed, and before I knew it, it's already the day of the finals of the nationals.

We were still waiting for the Nekoma and Nohebi match to officially start, since our match is right after that. Well, it would start in 2 hours. We were just early. Well, the other teams were also hege already.

I looked at the other side of the waiting area. Kuroo and Daishou are having their bi-annual pregame trash talk session- and there's Kenma and Chuuyou talking nearby them.

I wonder what they were talking about. Daishou looks a little flustered. Not the "I have a crush on the guy in front of me" kinda flustered, but more like "I will murder you, your entire family, and your dog" kinda look.

· · ·

A few minutes earlier…

"I feel so bad for you, Kuroo-chan, since you have to have your girlfriend next to you if you want to actually win. I do hope you don't embarrass yourself in front of her when you lose." Daishou snickered condescendingly as he looked at Kuroo, who was fuming. But not for the reason you think.

"Get your facts right, snake bastard. She's not my girlfriend, she's Bokuto's. I'm just making sure there's no purple haired twink that'll come for her while he's away." Chuuyou deadpanned as she heard the explanation that was completely unrelated to what they were currently arguing.

'Why the fuck does he seems more mad about that than the fact that this guy just told him he'll lose.'

Daishou lost his smirk, and was replaced with baffled expressions. He too, wasn't sure what the FUCK Kuroo was ranting about. He was expecting some sort of comeback, true. Maybe Kuroo defending his honor in front of his girl. Not whatever this tangent he has about why this girl in front of him and Fukurodani's ace should finally get together.

"And speaking of girlfriends," Kuroo paused for a bit in the middle of his explanation. "Have all your emotional scars already healed after Mika-chan dumped you? You must have felt really horrible, having to go through such an ordeal right before a volleyball match." Kuroo finished with a shit eating grin knowing that he already won the argument.

Daishou turned to a dark shade of red as he was reminded of his recent breakup with Mika.

'Pfft. Emotional damage.' Chuuyou thought as she turned away and suppressed the urge to laugh. She failed as a faith whiff of chuckle went past her lips. Daishou shifted his glare from Kuroo to her, and back to Kuroo again before sputtering a comeback.

"SHE DIDN'T DUMP ME! I DUMPED HER-" Daishou started shouting indignantly while waving his hands wildly but Kuroo interrupted him.

"Hm. Sure. Whatever helps you feel better. I know you're still in denial because you're going through something right now." Kuroo said in the most pitying voice he could and the most condescending look he could muster and moved closer to Daishou to tap his shoulder as if they were old friends. "But you have to move on too, Daishou-chan. Too much of them in denial couldn't be good for your mental wellbeing!" Daishou shoved Kuroo's hand away as he looked at him angrily.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU ROOSTER LOOKI-"

Chuuyou decided to leave the two arguing teens and went to sit next to Kenma. She was going to him in the first place, but Kuroo dragged her away for a bit to finally "introduce" her to the "snake bastard". Well, that was some introduction alright.

"Hey Kenma." Kenma nodded in acknowledgement but didn't look up from his game. If she was someone who doesn't know Kenma that much, she might have thought that he was rude.

Finishing his game, Kenma turned off his switch before looking at her in acknowledgement.

"I'm here to support you!" She then started a rant about Daishou and Kuroo and how weird they were before stilling in the middle of her sentence. Kenma glanced at her worriedly at her halting, before his expression immediately changed to disappointment once he saw the heart-like expression in her eyes and where she was looking.

"Isn't he so fucking pretty, Kenma?"

"You're disgusting." Kenma cringed while looking at her and slightly scooting away.

"KYANMAA! don't say it like that." She whined exaggeratedly as she tried imitating Kuroo's expression.

'Stop imitating Kuroo.' Kenma stared at her with an unimpressed look, his eyes speaking what he was thinking. Since she chose to ignore all of that, Kenma decided to do the same and go back to their earlier topic of interest.

"Bokuto looks normal." Kenma deadpanned. "Why don't you go there and tell him that, if you really think he looks so pretty?" Kenma sarcastically said.

"I would but," she sighed as shelooked back at Koutarou in a lovestruck manner. "as you noticed, I literally got bad luck the past few months... I guess I already used all my karmic points that bad luck keeps on happening to me. Probably because I'm so damn rude at times." She said with a wince as she remembered her numerous failed confessions. She isn't religious, but at this point, she was desperate.

"Karmic points? Really?" Kenma asked unimpressed as he looked at Chuuyou with a... very judgemental look, which she ignored.

"So I'm stacking up on Karmic points by being a nice person starting from now, and when I tell him, I have enough that I won't get interrupted."

"I thought you weren't religious?" Kenma didn't seem convinced and looked unimpressed at her idea.

"I'll tell him at the school festival. It would be perfect, Kenma." She sighed dreamily.

"You know." Kenma began slowly. "You could have resolved this if you just TELL him. Why would you want to wait till the school festival?" 'All of this bullshit could have been resolved way earlier if they just communicated with each other, but I guess they're too much of a dumbass for that.'

"Um. This is kinda dumb but..." She chewed on her bottom lip and played with her fingers as she avoided looking at Kenma while she thought of an answer. "Well... I kinda just want it to be special, ya know? It's just... Every anime, manga, and book I've read, the confession part was so special and memorable- something that they would remember forever you know?" She sighed as she smiled contemplatively. "And I guess I just want that for myself."

"Huh. I don't know much about these things." Kenma said slowly as he wasn't expecting that reply. "But it's the person that makes the confession special, not the confession itself. I think even if you just give him a note saying 'ILY. PLS DATE ME', owlhead dies from happiness." Kenma narrowed his eyes as he looked at her, his stare piercing, as if he was reading her. "You aren't that much of a dumbass. What's the real reason?"

She sighed again, losing count of how much she did that within their conversation as she hesitantly looked at Kenma, inwardly deciding whether to tell him or not, since it wasn't exactly her secret to tell.

"Well, you know you guys had your training camp last week right?" Kenma nodded. "I heard from Keiji last night that um. Ka- Suzumeda-san actually confessed to Koutarou and he turned her down, but he still feel guilty about it so he said I shouldn't try to do anything for the while..." 'He did sound really stressed about that according to Keiji since he apparently liked me too and didn't know what to tell her. At least I got confirmation about that a little bit. I can't believe it. Well, I can. I'm so excited for the school festival. I lasted months without telling him. I'm sure a few more weeks wouldn't be bad!' she inwardly cheered.

"Oh. I thought you hate her? isn't this a chance for you or something?" 'If this is Kuroo and Daishou, I know one of them would totally take the opportunity if it means that the other one gets pissed.'

"Well, I don't really give a crap about her." She said offhandedly with a snort. "It's more of a consideration for Koutarou. He's already thinking about that plus the volleyball game ya know? He's doing so much already and I don't want to burden him right now..." She shrugged.

"Point."

"...yeah." silence filled their conversation as they tried to think of what to say. "Kenma, do you..." She hesitantly sighed before continuing. "Do you think I'm a horrible person for feeling happy about this?"

"Feeling happy that owl's isn't taken yet?" She nodded. "Well no. That's a normal reaction. I would be more weirded out if you don't atleast feel the tiniest bit glad about that to be honest."

"Hm." She pouted as she thought of what Kenma said. "I guess you're right. But still I-"

"Heyyy." Kuroo drawled. "What are you two talking about?" He interrupted with a mischievous grin as he barged between them and draped his long arms on them.

"Nothing." "None of your business, rooster."

Kuroo pouted as he heard their almost synchronized reply as they stubbornly looked away and refused to tell him anything. Well, not like he minds. They can keep their little secrets if they don't want to talk about it.

"Fine. Keep your little secrets. Anyways, look at Daishou huffing away. I'll make sure he'd look like that later on after the-"

"HEY HEY HEY!" Kuroo was interrupted mid rant when Koutarou came bounding in their direction.

"Hi Kou!" She greeted immediately as she seperated herself from Kenma and Kuroo with a little push to welcome him.

"Wow. 'Bo gets here and she completely forgets about us." Kuroo jokingly complained as he also removed himself from Kenma.

"Hey!" Koutarou greeted, his voice cracking a bit, which made him blush in embarrassment.

"Pfft." Kuroo turned his head to avoid Koutarou's glare before laughing hysterically as Kenma watched all of them unimpressed.

"Ignore him Kou. At this point, it's something wrong in his head." She said with a morose tone with her eyes closed.

"You're right. We can't do anything about that." Koutarou immediately replied with his version of the morose voice before ignoring Kuroo. "Kuroo aside, you came again!" Cheer immediately evident in his voice as he completely faced her, his eyes twinkling in happiness.

'damn. I can't wait for the school festival' she thought with a sigh.

"Of course I did. I'll cheer for you even if you're on the other side of the earth." Kenma cringed and inwardly shuddered as he heard that line. Without thinking, Koutarou pulled her into a hug.

'AhHhh forget about the school festival! I can die here!' She thought giddily.

'Oh my f- they're both hopeless! And disgusting!' Kenma thought. Kuroo immediately noticed what direction his mind was going upon looking at him.

"Don't think like that Kenma. Everyone who falls in love becomes cringey. I bet when you too, have that moment, would be the one saying the 'cringey things'" Kuroo consoled. Kenma still didn't believe him, but he didn't say anything so as to not cause further argument with Kuroo.

"I know I won't." Kenma muttered.

The two immediately let go of the hug while trying to avoid staring at each other awkwardly, trying to say anything that would make the awkwardness disappear. They both hug often. Far too often, actually. There's nothing wrong with hugging your friends regardless of their gender. But now that they've both fully aware of the now blurred lines of the platonic and romantic love between them, everything suddenly became both awkward and beautiful.

"You look pretty." She immediately blurted without thinking.

"Oh yeah? Well I think you're prettier than me." He also blurted back with a blush, surprised at himself for not stuttering on that.

Kuroo's hyena laughter was a good breaker of the awkward atmosphere, and Kenma had long moved away from them.

"Girls, boys, gays, or whatever. You're both pretty." Kuroo said in between his wheezes. They were about to retort but the intercom at that place suddenly blared a loud announcement.

"Attention to the players of the next match, please line up so-" immediately tuning the announcer out, Chuuyou turned to Koutarou.

"Go on. You guys need to line up there." She said with a shooing gesture.

"Alright."

· · ·

"Congrats Kuroo! And to the rest of nekoma too of course! That was a great game, even if the opponents are shit..." She greeted them while looking at them excitedly before turning to Kenma. "Kenma! How are you feeling!"

"Like shit." Kenma immediately answered back before plopping to the seat next to her right and almost falling asleep. Yaku decided to sit next to Kenma, with Lev next to him. Kuroo then decided to take the seat on the back, the one directly behind Kenma, with Kai following right after him and sitting on the seat behind Yaku.

"I can't believe it. We're going to nationals." Yaku muttered with a far off look as he stared at the ceiling of the arena, slightly leaning on Lev so as to not put more pressure on his injured ankle. Coach Nekomata didn't want to agree to let him watch with them, but with Yaku's stubborn insistence, he eventually gave in.

Slightly leaning in to her seat so Yaku can see her without Kenma blocking, she answered. "You were great out there Yaku! You totally carried the whole game before the whole injury thing-" She immediately turning away from Yaku once she noticed that Koutarou was about to do a spike, standing up to where she was sitting from, which startled Kenma a little. "GO KOU! YOU CAN DO- AHH! THAT WEIRD EYEBROWS GUY IS SO ANNOYING!"

Yaku sweatdropped as he watched her huff and sat back down before turning his attention to the "weird eyebrow guy" aka Komori, nodding approvingly at the receive. He knows how hard Koutarou spikes, and how hard it was to receive those, and Komori making it look so easy was good in his books.

"Have you noticed how... Well... More loud she has gotten in volleyball matches? I remember when we first sat with her. She doesn't even want to raise her voice to cheer..." Kai trailed as he leaned in to Yaku to whisper that while watching her with a contemplative look in his face.

"Yeah. I can't believe the quiet girl back then is the same person as... That." Yaku deadpanned while pointing at her a little. He then dragged his eyes away from the ongoing game to the scoreboard. Both teams won two sets each, and the score being 10-13 in Itachiyama's favor. It was a close match, with both teams showing proficiency in the game.

He winced as he saw Sakusa do a particularly nasty attack from the back, slightly imagining the impact of the ball from his spike, with Komi receiving it. Akaashi immediately followed and set the ball to Washio, who scored a point for them. The scoreboard immediately flashed the new scores. 11-13.

"Ugh. I don't ever want to be the one receiving that." Kuroo muttered, leaning into Yaku.

"Why? His spike doesn't really look too hard. If anything, I think Bokuto-san's spike is harder to receive." Lev wondered aloud as he listened to his senpais talk.

"It's the spin, Lev." Yaku immediately answered. "Sakusa's spikes are hell to receive because of the spin. Kind of like a lefty, but not really."

"Oh." Lev didn't say anything else, as he watched the long rally finally come to a halt once the captain of Itachiyama scored. The scoreboard immediately reflected the new scores. 11-14.

They watched in solemn silence as the game continued going on, with Fukurodani struggling to get that point back. 12-14, from Konoha scoring. Their hearts, minds and bodies prepared to raise the score to a deuce and win.

Unfortunately, in life, you don't always get what you want.

The game ended with Sakusa spiking, and the ball bouncing from Akaashi's outstretched hand and then into the ground. 12-15 was the final score. Silence filled the arena before it erupted into cheers for Itachiyama.

All of them clapped at the nice game before standing up to leave. Nekoma didn't question it when she followed right behind them, far too used with her often hanging around Yaku, Kuroo, or Kenma.

· · ·

"Aw, I don't care if you lost earlier. You still played well." She said as she took a sip of the mug of chocolate she was holding while lounging around Koutarou's bedroom. It was about 3:36 in the winter dawn, so the surroundings were still very dark and cold outside.

"Yeah. Well, we're gonna train hard before the nationals so we can finally win against them." Koutarou placed the mug next to him, recalling how the two of them ended up meeting at a godforsaken hour. They were texting about random stuff, as both of them couldn't sleep yet…

Sunshine boi 2:47

Yeah. I just wish you were here right now so I can tell you more about that...

Borderline thanatophobia 2:48

Oh yeah? What a coincidence! Look out of your window.

His eyebrows shot up in surprise as he read the message thrice to make sure he read that right before bolting out of his bed and to his window. Upon opening it, he scanned the surroundings. There she was, standing to where Dowoon previously stood up, bundled in winter clothes as she waved while slightly shivering.

Worry coursed in his mind as he hurried down the living room to open their door, making sure not to make a noise so as to not wake his family up.

"IT'S 3 AM!" He whisper-shouted as he pulled her inside immediately, hurrying to the kitchen and preparing a hot chocolate- the way his mom told him- and pushing it in her hand. After making one for himself, they decided to stay in his bedroom instead of the cold kitchen, hence, to where they were right now.

"I still can't believe you- does Yuna-san or Hiro-san even know about this?" 'What if they think I asked her to do this? They would totally hate me! I CAN'T HAVE THAT!' He inwardly panicked.

"I left a note in case one of them woke up and chose to check on me. Otherwise, I just have to return early." She shrugged.

"LIKE I'D LET YOU GO OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW! IT'S LIKE 10 DEGREES OUT THERE!"

"Pfft. Aw. So you care about me." She teased while poking him slightly, feeling touched at the gesture.

"Of course I do! I-" he was interrupted with the sudden opening of his bedroom door. Kouha was standing there with an angry look in her eyes. She was about to start admonishing him when her eyes landed to the second person in the room. Without a word, she closed the door, counted to ten, and opened it again. Yep, still there.

"You know what? I don't even want to bother anymore..." She sighed defeatedly before closing the door and walking away.

"Um..." Koutarou helpfully muttered before deciding to ignore that. "Anyways, you should stay here for the night... I can't believe you'd do something so reckless!"

Five minutes later and a finished lecture from Koutarou, she was lying down on a futon next to his bed. He would have given his to hers but she insisted that since she was the one who arrived there without a warning, she'll take the floor. He almost didn't want to agree, but she kinda guilt tripped him by saying that she either sleeps on the floor or she's escaping through the window.

"You gotta admit, talking personally is nicer than just texting." She said as she stared at his ceiling.

"Not when one of them walked through a cold just to talk." Koutarou muttered back.

"I said I was sorry." She rolled out of the futon to sit. "What should I do so you won't be mad at me anymore." He also turned from his bed so he's facing her.

"Promise me you won't do these type of things again. The cold isn't the only problem. What if there was some bad person lurking there, huh?"

"Okay fine, this might not be my bestest idea yet..." She immediately shut up upon one pointed look from him before sighing. "Fine. I promise I won't do this again." After hearing assurance from her, Koutarou's expression broke into a grin.

"Good. Now what were we talking about earlier?"

"It was the curly, emotionally stunted looking guy with two moles above his brow. You were saying something about him being a mean person... What was his name again?."

"You mean Sakusa?"

"Yep."

"Hm, well I think of him as one of my rivals in volleyball ya know? And he's reallyyy mean." Dragging the 'y' to emphasize his point, Koutarou decided to sit on his bed instead of lying down to make himself more comfy. "I think he'll be an excellent rival and I'd like to play against him someday again when we're pros... But yeah. Aside from that, he's slightly intimidating. I bet he'll be a little scary to be a teammate with."

"Oh yeah?" She asked after contemplating. "What if Sakusa became your teammate one day? You ain't gonna be going against him if you're teammates."

"That's a horrible joke Chuuyou."

· · ·

Koujika was prepared to start the day normally. Wake up, have a little 'me' time, prepare breakfast for her kids and then relax for the day since it's her day off. That's usually how her Saturdays run.

She wasn't prepared for a boy- way younger looking than her Koutarou- and an older girl- about Kougyoku's age- to be knocking at their doorsteps early in the morning.

"Um. Hello?" Koujika was confused.

The girl moved forward, bowing slightly in front of her before introducing herself.

"Hello, Bokuto-san. I'm Ishinomori Hatsukou. He's Keizou. We're so sorry for bothering you early in the morning, but we're here to pick Chuuyou up."

"Chuuyou, you say? I don't think she came here yeste..." Her eyes immediately landed on the additional shoes in front of her, with Hatsukou following where she was looking.

"Yeah... She apparently snuck last night. She at least left a note."

Beckoning for them to go inside, she lead them to where Koutarou's room was. She knocked thrice before opening the door since no one answered.

The futon was cold and laid forgotten in the ground. Instead, Chuuyou was lying next to him, with a pillow shoved in between them to seperate them.

"Well, she's here alright. I'll text mom so she'll calm down." Keizo muttered before stepping out of the room. Hatsukou muttered some obscenities before marching to where she was and roughly shaking her awake.

"I- Hatsu-nee?" She blearily opened her eyes and yawned.

"Wake up. Mom's looking for you." She nodded before deciding to ignore what she said and turn away from her to go back to sleep, burying herself in the blanket.

"Tis' bit too early for you to be loud, Hatsu."

Hatsukou ran out of patience and decided to take the blanket away from her, accidentally pulling the one Koutarou was also using. As a result, both were startled.

"What the hell Hatsu." She asked indignantly before yawning again. Koutarou nodded along with her, before his eyes shot up at what he heard.

"Um. Hi Hatsukou..." He tried to greet her. Hatsukou sighed before immediately bursting into a lecture.

Koujika didn't let the three of them leave immediately, asking them to stay a bit for breakfast before sending them along their ways. A quick text to their mother was sent and then the three Ishinomori siblings ended up eating breakfast with the Bokutos.

"So Yuna-san isn't mad?" Koutarou asked hopefully.

"At you? No. She said you don't seem like the type to ask he to do that. She's mad at her." Hatsukou painted to church with her thumb and made sure her chopsticks wasn't pointing at anything at all. Koutarou sighed in relief as Chuuyou chuckled.

"Hear that Kou? Mom trusts you more than me."