They won!

His face may be blank, as he had just woken up from his rest on the entire ride back to the school, but deep inside, he's practically screaming victoriously. There was still a trace of disbelief clutching at his soul no matter how he looked at it. But of course, he didn't want to come up rude to the Oikawa-san and wanted to lift his chin proudly that they were able to emerge as victors and shall return for the match tomorrow. Tobio, for the life of him, is still hung up on the event that transpired earlier.

Seijoh. They defeated them. They got their revenge from Inter-high. Although they may have won from the opposing team on their practice match, Oikawa-san was mostly out of the commission on the match. It technically didn't count as a win in the first place.

Oikawa-san… He… he defeated Oikawa-san.

His upperclassman, no matter what angle he looked, is a genius. Learning volleyball at a young age, having personally coached by their grandfather, and was deemed as a great player in elementary – middle school was a different kind of coliseum. There, he met someone better who plays the role of a setter and is actually a well-rounded player as well. It was none other than Oikawa-san, of course. And he has been Oikawa-san's kouhai or Oikawa-san's disciple since he entered Kitaichi's volleyball team and middle school volleyball. And for him, partially, didn't mind to be called as such. It is an honor to be placed and acknowledged that he was behind Oikawa-san. Yet he as a player, he couldn't help how sometimes the word bugs his core. He wanted to be more than Oikawa-san's kouhai or disciple.

Because that is a problem even now. He is still behind Oikawa-san.

There are still things that he has yet to learn on what it takes to be a setter. The fundamentals of setting may have been engraved in his heart, mind, body, and soul, but it became irrelevant and all words vanished the moment he was placed in an actual team. It was different. Yet Oikawa-san is able to pull it off. Add the fact that Ushijima-san preferred and expressed the desire of his upperclassman to have gone to Shiratorizawa instead.

And because of that, Oikawa-san is scary – an enigma that he aimed to catch up and surpass. That is why today's match became proof that he can. For so long that he has been watching him after countless rejections and obvious distaste, Oikawa-san is a great reference. That's why, he imitates him – absorbing all the things he analyzed and able to practice before making it his own. The fact that he mostly did it without a manual or proper guidance from a manager or coach overwhelms his being. Because he can. Oikawa-san is scary but he can surpass him.

And one day, he will achieve this desire of his and surpassed Oikawa-san.

He was also grateful for Sugawara-san's guidance. Even now, even if he is the official team setter in his first year at that, he knew that even if there is a setter showdown, he would lose to Sugawara-san. His experience differs from his experiences, as well as, his connection to the team differs from how Sugawara-san connects. Although there might be a gap of skill between Sugawara-san and Oikawa-san, he noticed that what Oikawa-san wasn't able to fill him in on being a setter is what Sugawara-san patches up. Practical skills are what he mostly learned from Oikawa-san, whereas social skills are what he learned from imitating and listening to Sugawara-san. Because both of them serves as a role model on what it takes to be a setter, Tobio knew that he changed and improved.

Ah. It was a blessing in disguise that he didn't make it to Shiratorizawa. It was a good thing. He felt like thanking their standards for not accepting him that he landed on such a wonderful team.

I want to go further with them.

One more match. That's all there is to it and Tokyo is what they're going to conquer next. The decisive match tomorrow will be their ticket to win the national competitions. Playing against stronger players and then beating them proves that he's strong – they're strong. There is so much room for improvement and there will be players out there – all over Japan at that – that are more skilled than him and more synchronized than their team. It just means that they can still surpass them and improve.

He smiled.

Right after waking up on their ride to school, they were instructed to head to the gymnasium for their meeting with the prayers and hopes that it's going to be their last for the prefecture. Now he's walking on the way home. He actually wanted to set some more to Hinata but they've been told by Shimizu-senpai to go home. She even took Yachi-san away from them. He's left with Hinata and his bike. It was silent between them, having excitement lingering on the air for tomorrow when a tall figure left the Sakanoshita Shop. For a moment, he thought it was Harukaze-san as he recognized that bluish-green eyes, and tall height but not with blond hair. It was that triplet…

Who?

"Oh?! Hicchan?!"

… that loud triplet. Hicchan?

"Haruchan!"

Of course, why did he bother to ask such an obvious question when the answer was the one beside him.

"Congrats on making it to the finals!"

A bright-haired approached another bright-haired. Two loudmouths at night. What a combination. A chaotic and loud combination. His eyes met the bluish-green shade and her attention.

"If it isn't Kageyama-kun that Sawa-nee's seeing!"

He blushed. What a loudmouth.

Without a word, she approached him, towering in almost the same height as her older sister, and casually slung an arm on his shoulder. Nice try, he's still taller no matter how they looked at it. And the nerve of her to act so casually. Ever heard of personal space? Even he knows that.

"You did amazing at that last match! You should've seen the look on her face. It was really cute, by the way. Though, I must say that you did a good job receiving that ball with your face. That was hilarious! HAHAHA! Have you seen what you looked like with a bleeding nose? It was funny. I thought you snorted while eating spaghetti and the pasta went out of your nose. HAHAHA, oh, Rudolph! Did you know that Sawa-nee panicked and even grabbed the box of tissue and then she realized that we were just watching a–."

And so, she could've gone on for a little longer, seemingly with an intent to insult every part of his participation in the matches that took place today. Hinata was laughing just at the memory of his unfortunate block during their match against Johzenji. The dumbass he was. But there's one thing that he couldn't put a finger.

"You watched the match?" He asked.

The girl stopped, still howling in laughter, and he waited for her to breathe. "Yeah."

"When?"

A blink. "Earlier."

His eyes widened. "Where?!"

The loud Harukaze winced and had the audacity to rub her ears before him. "Must you shout?"

The nerve! You're practically yelling all of the bad parts that happened to me.

"Yusuke-kun dropped by earlier and gave Sawa-nee a CD." Oh, he remembered now. "It was from your match earlier. Sawa-nee watched it immediately. Well, she wanted to watch it alone but I wanted to watch it, too, so we decided to watch it together with Kicchan and Succhan."

His face lit up. She saw the match. She really did.

But his face reddened just by thinking about it. He had not seen her since the other night as he focused on the matches. Her last words were Goodnight and that's it. Even though he technically had a copy of her contact information, he still couldn't bring himself to send one SMS and let the recorded video, from her plan, satisfy both of them. He felt happy. She's able to watch him play despite being absent from the match. She was able to watch because she made it possible in her impossible schedule.

To hell the fact that he basically embarrassed himself earlier.

"Huh? Sawa-nee? Who's that?"

He turned to Hinata. The dumbass looked really confused and he had totally forgotten about him for a moment. He had no plans to tell the fool about Harukaze-san, although, they already met a long time ago. But nah, no way. He wouldn't. Ukai-san and the senpai were enough to know about what's with him and Harukaze-san. Whatever their label is. He kept on forgetting if they're friends or not.

It was Harukaze who answered. "Harukaze Sawako. My older sister.

"Older sister?! What does she have to do with Kageyama?"

He glared at Hinata to shut up and glared at Harukaze for telling his partner any details. Loudmouth.

"You didn't know?" Harukaze decided to ignore his warning.

Hinata shook his head, also ignoring his threats.

"The truth is…" He watched the taller girl bent down to Hinata's level to whisper something he couldn't hear. But from when Hinata's face suddenly went red and a smirk appeared, he had a feeling that the sucker learned what's going on. What a loudmouth indeed.

"So, you're a normal person." He glared at the Harukaze. "How long have you been a loverboy, Kageyama?"

His face flushed. "None of your business." Loverboy?

And the two just grinned at each other.

He couldn't take it. "I'm going home." He told them and turned.

"Coward."

"Scaredy-cat."

"And you call yourself a man?"

"Go run with your tail between your legs."

He has not yet taken any step far from them and they already managed to get on his nerves. He balled his fist and turned to them, annoyed. "Shut it!"

Good thing that Ukai-san wasn't the clerk of their store tonight.

But one moment led to another. The two bright color-haired not-so-mentally-bright were just taunting him. And him, shouting at them due to irritation, fought back. For Tobio, it was normal with Hinata. Yet he found himself also doing the same thing with the loud Harukaze. He learned that her name is Hitori, later on. But it wouldn't matter the next time he'll see her with the other girl who looked like her. She should open her loudmouth and he shall know which is which. And the next thing he knew, he's sitting upright, tensed on a cozy sofa with two more bluish-green eyes and one pair of brown eyes inside the Harukaze household.

"So, you're Kageyama, huh." Said the woman with raven locks and brown eyes.

"Y-yes, ma'am." He answered. "I'm Kageyama Tobio."

A glass filled with water was placed in front of him. A girl, Hitori's female triplet, smiled at him and left for the kitchen. He muttered his gratitude and drank the water in one go. His nerves are somewhat different tonight. He felt jitters and his feet were itching to leave this house. Is it somewhat related to how this house is where Harukaze-san lives or the fact that he's actually meeting the rest of her family out of the blue?

Harukaze-san's mother. They looked similar.

"I'm Miki. The mother. Nice to finally meet you, Kageyama-kun. Oh, by the way, congratulations on making it to the finals."

Finally?

He lowered his head in respect and he received a warm smile. "Thank you, ma'am."

"Call me Miki."

He blinked. "Thank you, Miki-san."

She smiled. "We watched the match that Yusuke-chan delivered." Miki-san clapped. "How long have you been playing volleyball? You've got skills!"

He answered politely. "I've been playing since I was young. My grandfather taught me."

"Oh, your grandfather. Is he a player or coach?"

"It's both."

Miki-san clapped. "Since you were young, huh. That goes a long way back and you're here now. You've got a future."

He nodded, deep inside, he was delighted to hear such a compliment. "Thank you."

The silent Hitori emerged and approached the male triplet. He recognized him as Suzaku, the heartbreaker and the reviewer messenger. He was easy to remember. Not just because he is a male and he's Harukaze-san's only brother but because, despite being one of the triplets, he didn't look like the two blond females. All of a sudden, Suzaku stood up and without a word, disappeared into the hallway.

"Is Keishin treating you well? Is he a good coach?"

He nodded. "Yes. Ukai-san lives up to his name."

The woman laughed. "I'm sure that Keishin sucks sometimes." She paused. "Do you have an older sister, Tobio-kun? Ah, do you mind if I call you Tobio?"

He shook his head. Harukaze-san's mother is more straightforward. "I don't mind, and I do have an older sister. Why?"

Miki-san smiled. "The family's worried lately that Keishin's going to reach his thirties soon still as a bachelor. Lately, he's been turning down dates. I wonder why."

He looked at her blankly. He didn't get how his older sister has something to do with this. He wasn't even bothered at the fact that Ukai-san was actually been rejecting dates. Based on the phrase he just recently learned from Yachi-san, birds of the same feather flocks together. Perhaps, Ukai-san is like them who chose the team instead of any other things. But then again, Ukai-san's affairs is something that he shouldn't bother for his personal life is Ukai-san's alone. And yet again, he really shouldn't think of something like that phrase ever again for he's also been thinking of other things that is not volleyball.

"So, I've been wondering if you're older sister is available so we can set up a date for her and Keishin. Don't ya think it's a good idea?"

The words were immediately stuck in his throat as soon as she said that. The surprise was surely evident on his face and was about to answer that his sister doesn't really talk about things like that when she's at home when her brown eyes no longer looked at him but something that went past that. Miki-san was looking at something behind him.

"Sawa-chan, Tobio-kun's here."

Sawa-chan?!

He turned, hearing a surprised gasp from behind. His eyes widened, pink dusting on his cheeks as Harukaze-san appeared. Suzaku was standing behind her.

"Ha-Harukaze-san!"

"Kageyama-kun." She blushed, surprising him that she didn't stutter on his name. She looked at her mother. "What's going on, mama?"

A blond girl (Hitori or the other one?) smiled from beside Miki-san. She was silent during the whole exchange between their mother and him. "Sawa-nee was taking so long to bring him home, so I did the honor instead." And she even looked absurdly proud. Ah, Hitori.

He blinked. he didn't get it. What do they mean by "bring him home"? He looked at Harukaze-san and he couldn't understand the blush on her face. Despite the redness, Harukaze-san made her way to take a seat and flopped down beside him. Suzaku followed and resume to take his place from moments ago.

Miki-san clapped twice. The other female Harukaze who gave him the water was back and sat beside Hitori. Tobio looked at their faces, particularly the triplets. They all looked serious, even Harukaze-san then to Miki-san who just drank her own glass of water.

Miki-san smiled, looking at her children in the eyes. "Tomorrow is my day off." She announced. "And so's the finals." Her eyes landed on him. "So, for tomorrow, let's all go to support the volleyball team."

"Really mama?!"

"Yes, Torin dear. Let's make sure that uncle can watch, too."

Uncle?!

"I'll take care of Grandpa Ukai." The male beside him spoke up and he was immediately amazed at the idea that the legendary Ukai will be going to their match tomorrow. Even now, the fact that Harukaze-san, Ukai-san, and Coach Ukai are related hasn't sunk it yet.

"You sure, Succhan?" A nod. "Okay, I'll leave him to you." She faced him. "The Harukaze family will be offering their support, Tobio-kun. I'll be praying for a place in the nationals."

Ha. Are they for real? A cheering squad for their team was indeed a motivation. Not like, he needs it anyway but things aren't similar with the rest of the team. Particularly that Hinata. There was jealousy on the dumbass's face upon seeing Wakutani Minami's captain's family cheering on the bleachers. But this, a family who utterly wants to support them and is actually rooting for them in the nationals –!

He stood up and bowed. "Thank you very much!"

Miki-san glanced at the grandfather's clock beside the painting. Unconsciously, he glanced at it as well. He didn't notice that there was such a thing in their living room. But perhaps he missed it the moment he laid his eyes on their family portrait.

"Have you had dinner yet?" He shook his head. "Would you mind joining our dinner?"

He shook his head once again. It was past eight, he has to go home. "I apologize, Miki-san. I think I have to go home now."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"You won't change your mind?"

"No."

She smiled. "Be careful on the way home, alright?" He nodded. "I hope you'll join us soon."

Ah.

She turned to Harukaze-san and with just a look. His upperclassman stood up from her seat. There was a shy smile on her face when she looked at him and seemingly gestured for him that it's okay to excuse himself now – that, she will be seeing him off. "Kageyama-kun."

He nodded and stood up, facing the rest of her family. "Thank you for having me, Miki-san." The fact that he understood her gaze was a feat, he learned.

"It's a pleasure, Tobio-kun. See you tomorrow."

He grinned, delighted.

"Bye, bye, Kageyama-kun."

"See you."

He nodded at the two females of the triplets and glanced at the male. They both exchanged nods before he exits the living room where Harukaze-san was waiting for him at the genkan. Like before, he exchanged the slippers he's wearing for his shoes. Harukaze-san did hers, too. They exchanged glances, averting once it connected, and head to the door. After all that, she's still shy and he's a little bit, too.

Harukaze-san slid the door open and both of them left. The breeze passes by. It was cold. But a look at her figure, he felt warm. Her house was warm, too. Her mother, Miki-san, was really nice. She reminded him of his mother. He can see that Harukaze-san takes after their mother not only just in looks but in personality as well. He really couldn't say the same thing for maturity but Miki-san looked very much like an intelligent person that he understood why Harukaze-san studies a lot (according to Sugawara-san). Even though she's loud, Hitori's surprisingly accommodating. She's basically like Hinata who happens to be taller and a female. The other one, Kirin, he learned, is like Harukaze-san and Suzaku, he thought he's like Tsukishima but he's actually better than Tsukishima.

He and Harukaze-san walked together, passing by a small garden of bushes that leads to a wooden gate. There was a sound of crickets still at this point of the season and surprisingly, there was no catfight that seemed to occur whenever they're conversing.

She's silent. And so was he.

And it's okay. She had watched the match on a CD. Add the fact that the entire family's going to support the team at the finals. They're not obligated to do so, and he doesn't want to think that it was because of him that they have additional people on their cheering squad, but he is grateful that they'd go such lengths. Nevertheless, it was enough for him.

"Did… Did my family made you uncomfortable?"

He blinked, turning to her as they skidded into a stop just outside the gate. "No. They're nice."

"Oh." She sighed. "That's good."

He just nodded. He watched her squirm. "Du…" He stared. "During the Johzenji match… how's your nose?"

He blushed in sheer embarrassment. Why'd she had to mention that? "It's fine!"

And she blinked. "You did pretty well… at the match." He nodded. "Against Wakunan, too." He nodded again. "And at the match against Aoba Johsai, too." There was a smile on her face now.

Damn it.

"You fought really well."

He returned her smile. "Thank you very much."

"Tomorrow, again."

"Yeah."

Warm.

She reached out once more. As if on instinct, he voluntarily leaned down. He found her surprised bluish-green eyes staring at his own and he instantly felt the weight of her hand and her pat. She… she's… what she's doing… tug the drums inside his heart. Her lips stretched in a smile as she patted his head – something he's slowly getting accustomed to.

He likes it.

She's warm.


Today is another judgment day. Even outside, the gymnasium was packed. Tracksuits were everywhere and a familiar school uniform of Shiratorizawa lounged in the area. Their voices buzzed, talking about the excitement that will take place an hour later. It's mostly about how Shiratorizawa is yet to face another team and that they will go to the nationals for sure. But there are other talks as well about the Karasuno playing the dark horse role after their performance against the Seijoh yesterday. The scoreboard of the previous match wasn't even enough to actually believe that such a legendary school that was supposed to be somewhere lower near the ground level was actually a strong team with a notable set of players.

That was a sight outside, but they're on the parking lot, looking at the infrastructure where three years, two years, a year, and almost all of their lives are dedicated to it. It had to be the place that witnesses their birth, their loss, and their victory – the gymnasium.

They've been ambushed by three of their women's volleyball team earlier and are heading now to the sub-stadium when they've been ambushed yet again.

"Oi, Hicchan! Kage-chan! Ichi-nii! Kou-nii! Asa-nii! Kei-nii!"

Tobio immediately winced. Kage-chan….

"Haru-chan!"

The team halted and watched the approaching family of blonde and black.

Miki gasped. "If it isn't Keishin, dear."

He turned to look at their coach, who looked confused. "Miki-san, what's the family doing here?"

The older Harukaze smiled at him. "I came to support the team, especially my future son-in-law."

He blushed.

"M-Mama? What are you saying?" He heard Harukaze-san's cry.

"Son-in-law? You mean, Kageyama?!"

"Yes, yes." The woman turned to him. "Good morning, Tobio-kun."

He bowed to greet. "Good morning, Miki-san." His face is still blushing.

Miki-san turned to the club advisor, Takeda-sensei. "You must be Takeda-sensei. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Harukaze Miki."

"Oh, Harukaze-san's mother. A pleasure to meet you, too."

He zoned out immediately after that. Miki-san, Takeda-sensei, and Ukai-san exchanged words then. Both the team and the Harukaze family watched the three adults. It was when he has just noticed the change in Miki-san – she was wearing a kimono.

He glanced at Harukaze-san, who was already looking at him. Suzaku was absent. It seemed that he already went to their grandfather.

He felt a nudge. It was Sugawara-san. "Why didn't you tell me that already met her family?" He was pouting.

"I just met them last night. Hitori invited me."

Hinata chuckled behind him. "Forced, to be exact."

He glared. "You traitor. You left me there."

"Why wouldn't I? You're taking really slow, y'know."

He just blushed, remembering the events and the new label he got today. "Still none of your business."

"Whipped."

He ignored him. He didn't know the meaning. Instead, he glanced at Harukaze-san. She was still looking and they both blushed when their eyes met. Yet despite the redness on both cheeks, she approached them.

"Show me your best."

She said, looking at each of their faces. Until it landed on him. She smiled.

"Of course."

"We won't let you down."

"Just watch, you nag – ouch, Sawa!"

He was amused.


n o t e:

hello! this one's shorter than the previous chapter but i assure you that the next one will pay you back.

special thanks to bbymojo for the heart-throbbing and whooping number of reviews! i was having a bad day the day after i uploaded the previous chapter and seeing the notification mails cheered me up. i'm grateful that you love reading it and their progress. i'll continue to do my best not to disappoint especially when it's tobio's turn. and regarding the date, i already wrote it.

YEAH. THERE'S GONNA BE A DATE. okay. TWICE.

yeah. but enough, just wait. i actually had fun writing it. and yeah, one has to happen in tobio's pov.

i'm still accepting critiques!