Tobio was well aware that he is not a perfect human being. It's one of the reasons why he strived to be one, particularly in the field of volleyball. As a child, it has long been drilled into his head the fundamentals of setting, the step-by-step process of serving, the different styles of serving, the proper stance of receiving, the system of blocking, and the important rules and offenses. Suffice to say, he is a well-round volleyball player with advanced gaming sense. Despite that, he'd love to be a setter for the rest of his life.

What about outside volleyball?

He's pretty much a dumb person who doesn't appear to be struggling in class. He may not look like it but he's a familiar face in every supplementary class. For him, academics are just his key to play alongside and against strong players. Besides, it has been decided that he won't attend college. Therefore, he didn't see the need to review and go all over again with those courses that are not entirely connected to the sport. He would immediately do something for his volleyball career. Academics is the least of his priority. Even then, he still tries to study once in a while.

And it has been a long time since he got a hold of the dictionary at home.

The reviewer he received certainly saved his life


ro-man-tic /rō'man(t)ik/

noun.

1: a romantic person, trait, or component

2: capitalized: a romantic writer, artist, or composer


Eyes narrowed in confusion. This does not say what romantic means.


adjective.

a: having an inclination for romance: responsive to the appeal of what is idealized, heroic, or adventurous.

b: marked by expressions of love or affection

c: conducing to or suitable for lovemaking.


He closed the book in frustration. A hand ran on his hair as he sighed. Love? He remembered his mother mentioned it to him not a long time ago. But Lovemaking?

He knows what love is. He found it in volleyball. He blinked. Did Miya-san mean that he loves other things aside from volleyball? That's why he was called having a romantic bone? And what is it to love aside from volleyball?

Harukaze-san?

He opened the dictionary again and searched for another word, ignoring the heat he felt at the memory of her face.


Love-mak-ing /'ləv-,mā-king/

noun

1: sexual activity
especially: COPULATION

2: COURTSHIP


He pursed his lips and headed to the next word.


cop-u-late /'kä-pyə-,lāt/

intransitive verb

: to engage in sexual intercourse


He decided to grab a thesaurus. He remembered his sister telling him that if he didn't get what the dictionary says, the thesaurus will give him answers.


Romance: noun. Love affair

affair; enchantment; fascination; fling; liaison; love; passion; relationship

Love: noun. Adoration; very strong liking

appreciation; emotion; fondness; lust; passion; taste; tenderness; yearning

Lovemaking: noun. Sexual activity

intercourse; mating; kissing –


He closed the book and return it to the shelf. His face tinted red and warm. The last word was so much than the other words but he didn't get to see nor read the rest. It was too much.

He couldn't believe it. Did Miya-san actually think that he could do that?

She? Didn't peg ya to have a romantic bone. And to someone older at that.

Did he actually mean that he couldn't?!

Miya-san… what does Miya-san wants from Harukaze-san? He expressed his desire to see her at the nationals for some reason that Tobio couldn't ask the other setter earlier before they parted ways. Is Miya-san interested? In Harukaze-san? If he's interested, does that mean that Miya-san likes Harukaze-san?

Ah. He shook his head. That couldn't be it. Miya-san has never seen Harukaze-san before. No, no. He shook his head once more. She surprised him earlier. She was there outside the station, wearing boots, tights, jean shorts, a turtleneck, and a jacket when it should have been Sugawara-san.


Date: 12/09 14:14

From: Sugawara Koushi

Subject: Welcome back!

Gonna pick you up outside the station, ok?


It turned out that Harukaze-san was also supposed to meet her pink-haired friend. But didn't turn up like Sugawara-san.

Things happened so fast and later on, he was enjoying the rest of the day with Harukaze-san. How was she able to continue the day without feeling awkward in response to his awkward self and feeling embarrassed in response to who they were before the training camp and during the training camp? It's like Harukaze-san knew when to be embarrassed.

For the whole time that he was with her, she brought him to a mall to watch a movie. It's his first time inside a cinema – he shyly admitted. Harukaze-san did all the things: buy movie tickets that both of them agreed, buy popcorns and sodas, and chose a seat they both agreed. He won't admit but he couldn't really focus on the movie. Rather, his mind has barely sunk on the fact that they're really going out together. That, he's watching it with Harukaze-san. Her.

Then, she brought him to an arcade. It's full of games that woke him up. Yet that won't erase the fact that he had no idea about the world he entered. They played a lot of shooting games, striking games, and racing games. Harukaze-san had a smile on her face the entire time and he was able to show that he can be competitive. In which, she didn't mind. She was actually challenging him. He didn't know she can be bold. She used to be shy.

When they decided to eat, they chose a cafeteria and bought food of his choosing. She was really gentle, and considerate. She would ask him if he's tired, bored, or hungry. She was really patient when he answered late and considered his feelings and thoughts.

Harukaze-san really has this calm aura that allowed him to relax. He truly enjoyed the day with her because of her. He was able to forget the tension of what he felt during and after he parted with the other athlete.

Tobio sighed and went downstairs to get himself a glass of milk.

His mind was racing. Harukaze-san has given so much to him. The things that he never experienced before as a normal teenager, such as going to movies, window shopping, and playing at the gaming centers – Harukaze-san willingly and voluntarily gave them to him. And this feeling, it was also her doing. It was familiar but not exactly the same thing.

He drank the milk and placed the glass on the sink.

After all that, what is he to Harukaze-san? What is Harukaze-san to him?

He has never given anything to her. None at all. He didn't do anything.

What exactly is their relationship?

He sighed and trekked upstairs. He could ask the third-years of this. Sugawara-san especially seemed to have wide knowledge in this aspect rather than Sawamura-san and Azumane-san. He nodded to himself. It's decided then.

He will ask Sugawara-san about it.

But Monday has passed that he totally forgot this agenda of his. The moment he and Hinata reunited, his mind drifted back to the time he spent at the training camp. Particularly when he remembered Hoshiumi-san's jumping height and power. The little giant was actually a good reference for Hinata's level of skill sets. And Hinata, for all the things they went through together, has not reached the level of where Hoshiumi-san stood. There's a difference between the two of them despite having similar – almost – height and jumping ability.

At the same time, he didn't get to see Harukaze-san. He wanted to ask where she was, text her, perhaps call her, but he couldn't muster up enough courage to do so. He could be disturbing her in her important study sessions. He also forgot about how Sugawara-san ditched him on the day of his return from Tokyo. But every time he remembered his senpai did what he did, he forgave Sugawara-san. After all, he enjoyed the day.

It was Tuesday when he finally got the time to ask Sugawara-san for a piece of advice. They were outside Ukai-san's shop after their training. While the others were inside because Sawamura-san decided to treat them good and he let them choose what to eat, he took the opportunity to ask Sugawara-san about the matter at hand.

"Sugawara-san." He began.

"Yes, Kageyama?" There was a smile on the older's face. It looked natural that he forgot about his upperclassman's chaotic personality. "Oh? Are you finally going to ask me for advice?"

He blinked. That was unexpected but he nodded nonetheless. "I've been wondering… of these feelings…"

"Feelings?"

"Yeah. It's similar whenever I play but… it's different?"

Sugawara-san hummed. His senpai looked happy. "How different?"

He thought of it. He cocked his head. "My heart's beating abnormally whenever she's around…" He blushed. "… and everyone was moving slowly." He caught his senior blinking. "She… shines?" Tobio couldn't help but raise a brow. "She looked glowing to me." And yeah, Harukaze-san's really pretty.

He ended with a blush. Sugawara-san was just staring at him as if he had grown two heads which didn't help the state that he's in.

"W-What?"

Sugawara-san's stare was making him uncomfortable. Fortunately, he finally came out from his stupor and he gave him a smile. "Does that bother you?" He nodded. "Is it making you uncomfortable?" He shook his head. Sugawara-san smiled. "Do you think it's a bad thing? Or a good thing?"

Which is it? Well, the answer was obvious to him now.

"Good thing."

He received a pat on the shoulder. "There you go."

"But what does it mean?"

"Hm?"

"The feeling." He stated. "What does it mean?"

A sigh. "Doesn't it mean that you like her?"

"Like?"

Love. noun. adoration; very strong liking

"Yes. Like. Do you like Sawako?"

He didn't bother to think much further and nodded. Sugawara-san's eyes widened. "Harukaze-san is a nice person. She makes me calm."

A breath. "Romantically?"

His eyes narrowed. There's that word again. "Romantically?" He echoed.

A nod. "Do you feel what a man feels for a woman? Like how your father loves your mother?"

His eyes widened. "Like? Love?!"

There was a series of blinking. "Um… what I mean is… do you feel that way to how your father feels for your mother?"

He blushed. Tobio never thought of that. Actually, he never asked about their case. They're always been away because of their work. And he was really busy with volleyball with his grandfather to notice what his parents had for each other. As far as he knew, his older sister was the only person close to that kind of relationship? He swore she had a boyfriend before. She had been for like twice?

"I… have no idea." He admitted. Perhaps, he could ask his mother.

"Well, you'll know your answer soon." Sugawara-san patted his head. He nodded. That would be right. "Oh, by the way, what happened last Sunday, hotshot?"

He blushed. So, it was planned.


It was an enlightenment.

During the DateTech practice match, Tobio lost composure of himself and raised his voice to a third-year. Aside from that, the way he spoke to Nishinoya-san and Tanaka-san irked the two as if he was doing it on purpose, when in fact, he's just being deliberately honest. Even Tsukishima called him "king" that he hadn't heard for a while.

That scary feeling that people will turn their backs on him the moment he acted demanding on the court – it scared him. It's just like back in middle school. Even now, not until earlier, he was haunted by what happened. He was terrified at the moment of silence after he raised his voice to Asahi-san. He knew that he messed up – he fucked up. And he was careful for a long time, too. But the team assured him that it was fine. It was fine if he'd like to push them to their limits. It was totally fine to demand from the team if it means scoring a point and successful. They said it was fine to be a king.

Of course, he won't abuse the power they allowed him to hold. Although Azumane-san and Tanaka-san made it clear that it was partially their responsibility why such a thing happened, he can never forget the fact that he talked to an upperclassman that way. He couldn't and don't want to picture himself raising his voice like that to her.

At the end of the day, the burden that he has been carrying was lifted off on his shoulder because of Hinata. He just hoped that he won't talk like that to Harukaze-san. It would break her heart. And Tobio doesn't want that.

"Ah, there he is."

He looked up and blinked his eyes in surprise. "Dad…"

Two muscular arms wrapped themselves on his body. It gave him a crushing hug. "Happy birthday, son." He heard his father said. Realizing the meaning of those uttered words, Tobio returned the hug.

"Thanks." Since when did he just get home?

And there was a warm chuckle vibrated. His father, Kageyama Kazue, a man in his mid-thirties with black hair and sharp brown eyes, broke free from their physical reunion and ruffled his hair with gusto. "Any plans for your sixteenth birthday?

"Training." Without a doubt.

"Oh, come on." His mother groaned beside her husband. "It's Saturday, honey. Why can't you spend your birthday with your friends or Sawako-chan?"

His usual pout appeared before his face flushed. "I don't think… that would be right."

Harukaze-san? With her on his birthday? Hold on.

"Why not?"

He stared. He does not have the answer. Rather, he doesn't want to answer. The team didn't know that it's his birthday today. Much less, Harukaze-san. Asking her for his birthday would be over the top and he had his time with her at Sendai, isn't he?

"I can ask Sawa-chan to accompany you in Sendai." Even his sister joined to convince him. Moreover, Sawa-chan? Since when did they meet?

His ears rang, he scoffed in disbelief. He can't believe that his family was selling him out like this. "Are you throwing me out?" He couldn't help but ask. They're literally pushing him out somewhere with Harukaze-san. What if Harukaze-san's busy today? What if she doesn't want to go with him?

"What? No. It's your birthday. Go all out."

"Why Sendai?"

"A birthday with a girl you liked in Sendai is actually a good idea."

"D-Dad…!" He blushed. "I don't like Harukaze-san!"

"Sure. And I don't love your mother."

"Darling."

His older sister rolled her eyes. "Just leave and spend the day with your girlfriend, dumb-dumb."

She's not my girlfriend!

Both of his parents smiled. He grumbled in distaste as he was handled pocket money by the couple.

"You're old enough to use your money. Do what you want with it…"

"… as long as you enjoyed."

That's what they said. But he still couldn't believe that such a thing happened. He was in his room now, laying on the bed. Classes ended for winter break a week ago. And yes, it's his sixteenth birthday today. He just wanted to spend the rest of the day training outside or watch volleyball matches. The usual birthday he has been through – alone, and volleyball. But his family has to go to such lengths just so he wouldn't hold a ball for the whole day.

His phone vibrated. Caught by its attention, and flipped it open. His eyes narrowed at the number of mails he received.


Date: 12/22 8:39

From: Sugawara Koushi

Subject: Happy birthday!

Spend the day with Sawa today and let's have Christmas together!


Date: 12/22 8:47

From: Sawamura Daichi

Subject: Happy birthday

I heard from Suga that you turned 16 today. Make sure to spend it with the people you care for. Don't you dare train.

Enjoy!


His eyebrow twitched. They sound just like his parents. He went to the other mails.


Date: 12/22 9:15

From: Hinata Shouyou

Subject: Birthday

IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY?!

You must be lonely. Want me to come over?!


In which, he replied,


Date: 12/22 9:58

To: Hinata Shouyou

Subject: Re: Birthday

No.


The rest of the mails came from the team greeting him a happy birthday. Except for Tsukishima, of course. That jerk has too much pride to do such a thing but it's not like he wanted to receive a message from him.

But there was one.

He sat up after seeing the recipient.


Date: 12/22 9:21

From: Harukaze Sawako

Subject: Birthday

Happy birthday, Kageyama-kun. Miwa-san asked me to accompany you today. Where do you wanna go?


His face flushed. Flustered, he typed the first thing that came into his mind.


Date: 12/22 10:00

To: Harukaze Sawako

Subject: Re: Birthday

Sendai.


He buried his head to his pillow as soon as it was sent. Tobio stood up and walked to his closet. He chose a new outfit.


Date: 12/22 10:02

From: Harukaze Sawako

Subject: Re: Birthday

Sendai?


Date: 12/22 10:03

To: Harukaze Sawako

Subject: Re: Birthday

Yeah.


Date: 12/22 10:03

From: Harukaze Sawako

Subject: Re: Birthday

Okay. What time?


Date: 12/22 10:04

To: Harukaze Sawako

Subject: Re: Birthday

When's Harukaze-san free


Date: 12/22 10:05

From: Harukaze Sawako

Subject: Re: Birthday

Is that a question? I'm free the whole day.


Date: 12/22 10: 07

To: Harukaze Sawako

Subject: Re: Birthday

How about now?


Date: 12/22 10:07

From: Harukaze Sawako

Subject: Re: Birthday

Okay. Where do we meet?


His eyes widened. That was a quick response.


Date: 12/22 10:08

To: Harukaze Sawako

Subject: Re: Birthday

Wooden gate?


Date: 12/22 10:08

From: Harukaze Sawako

Subject: Re: Birthday

Okay. I'll be waiting.


A grin made its way on his face. He couldn't believe that he was able to make a decent conversation on the phone with Harukaze-san – a girl. It's his first time to ask someone about going out. She's surprisingly easy to agree on what they talked about. His stomach flipped.

Truth be told, he doesn't have any slightest idea on how to ask someone in cases like this, especially when the other party is of the female species. He has been around his kind for years and the only exposure he has with physical contact and the decent conversation was from his mother and older sister.

But he has Harukaze-san now. He smiled at that.

He won't admit that his family thought spending the rest of his day with someone else was a good idea. His mother would be ecstatic at the notion.

He grabbed a jacket and pocketed his phone on his pants. He didn't forget to include the pocket money that his parents gave him. When he's assured that he got everything he needed, he went to exit his bedroom and made his way downstairs. He grabbed a pair of shoes and wore them, sitting down at their genkan to tie the shoelaces. He was excited.

"I'm out." He announced.

"Stay safe and have fun!"


Tobio's eyes lit up at the sight of Harukaze-san already outside. With a huff, he slowed on his jog and calmed his breathing. When he finally calmed down, he took a good look at her. His ears went warm at the sight. Happy birthday. She was wearing a beige trench coat that looked oddly familiar. A green scarf wrapped itself around her neck. Like last time, she wore black tights and wore beige boots. Her hair was loose and it looked really pretty. He wanted to run his hand against her hair.

"Happy birthday." She greeted.

He nodded at her. "Thank you." She looked extra attractive today.

Harukaze-san gave him a small smile and nodded. They left in silence. They passed by the familiar houses of the street, to stores that he had a feeling that Harukaze-san frequents. Perhaps she has been looking at the trees that grew on the neighbor's garden, as well, seeing its life changed along with the seasons. Then, to the streets that she grew up walking as a child.

The things that he took for granted before, as simple as walking and admiring the environment, suddenly held meaning because of this person walking beside him. Suddenly, he can vividly see young Harukaze-san walking on the streets with hair cut short and legs long for her age. He had an urge to see her as a middle-schooler, as a primary schooler. Tobio felt that he wanted to know more about this enigma of a woman that has captured his attention.

They waited at the bus stop, still not speaking to each other. He thought it would go on longer but not until they rode on the bus.

"Are you going to stand?" She asked him after settling on a spare seat at the back.

"Oh. I'm fine." He answered.

Her brows narrowed, scanning for seats. She blinked her eyes at him in a rather appealing way. "But there are empty seats, though."

Tobio shook his head, feeling his cheeks warming. "Harukaze-san can sit."

But she smiled at him and held his wrist. "I insist that you sit, Kageyama-kun."

He didn't say anything as she pulled him down. His bottom touched the cold surface and the heat she radiated from her being. Tobio opted to sunk himself lower. He was beginning to get stiff as he felt the cloth of his jacket and Harukaze-san's touching. The seating arrangement was too close for his liking. The fact that they're going to stay in that position for more minutes made his heart race.

Doesn't it mean that you like her?

He glanced at the young lady beside him. Harukaze-san was looking at the scenery through the window.

I like…

She turned to him suddenly, startling him. "You're surprisingly not training, Kageyama-kun."

He blinked. "My… family wanted me out."

She giggled. "It's your day after all. W-What do you want to do once we get there?"

He paused. Well, he really didn't give it a thought for his escapade. It's not his idea in the first place, how could he know of the details? Besides, it was on impulse that he told her of the place as it was the first thing that came to mind. As for the activities….

"What does Harukaze-san wanted to do there?"

She looked confused. "Me?" She blinked. "Why me?"

He looked at the other seats. "You're with me today."

"Well, yeah. It's your birthday." He grunted. "You don't have to accommodate me."

"But… Harukaze-san did all the things last time." He stole a glance. "I want… to give something in return."

"W-Well… I basically dragged you and I enjoyed your company." She said, "You don't have to."

"But I want to." He blurted out.

Harukaze-san, wide-eyed, looked at him with a blush. And he realized how pushy he sounded that, he too, felt the blood rising to his cheeks. He ran a hand on his nape, looking away, and waited for her response.

"Let's do it again."

He looked back.

"Like last time, let's do it again." She smiled. "This time, it'll be your treat. Does that sound good?"

He nodded. "Sounds good."


The city of trees, Sendai, was filled with cold, warming bodies. When they left the bus, Tobio found himself looking at Harukaze-san. Because of the season, the upcoming Christmas, and the crowded place, he began to feel anxious that Harukaze-san, no, he might get separated at his company. It was too crowded and people are literally everywhere as expected of a city.

Harukaze-san turned to him. "You hungry?"

He shook his head. "How about Harukaze-san?"

She shook her head. "No. Movie?"

He nodded and she smiled. He felt his heart stopped whenever she does that. How many more times will she kill him with that smile of hers? He doesn't want her to stop, though, but he wanted her to keep it that way – smile for him and no one else. He found himself smiling back.

They entered the shopping mall together side by side. And Tobio enjoyed every minute while he slowly learned about Harukaze-san.

Instead of escalators or elevators, she'd rather use the stairs. While they're on their way to their destination – a cinema house – he'd find himself also looking at the stores that Harukaze-san began to check. He couldn't find himself to snap at all the segues, getting sidetracked at the little things that would catch her eyes. He followed her inside instead, ignoring the smooth transition of every little thing from clothes to shoes, to shoes to books, to books to cakes.

He forgot how long they've been at it at every shop. And they finally reached the cinema house.

"Kageyama-kun," Harukaze-san called. "Which do you prefer? The action one or this animated movie?"

He looked at the two movie posters with a thoughtful look. He never had tasted in movies before. He really didn't have any idea. "Which do you prefer?"

"… I can't pick." She admitted.

"Ha?"

But Harukaze-san was still looking at the posters, she failed to see his puzzled look. Is she really having a hard time?

He really didn't want to misinterpret. Feelings like this and others' feelings are in a territory that he was just able to recently enter. He didn't know what to act at this point in time. Things like this make him think that he should search a thing or two about these cases.

He decided to lean on a decision that he thinks is best. "We'll watch them both?"

Her eyes widened in confusion. "Hm?"

He blushed. Did I say something wrong? "We'll… watch them both."

"Sure. But they both have the same screening time. Which are we going to watch first?"

"What?"

In the end, they ended up purchasing the movie ticket for the action movie. Harukaze-san insisted they buy two large buckets of popcorn and he paid for them. They chose the seat on the ones at the front. They were early. Somehow, throughout the movie, he found himself getting fired up with her, forgetting the fact that he's, in fact, watching the movie with her – a girl, that was not a teammate nor their manager.

For lunch, they ate barbeque because they both agreed to it. He was surprised to find that Harukaze-san has a big appetite despite having a small frame. She was actually been asking for rice and more meat and he didn't mind spending more money for their food. As long as both of them are full. But because it's his birthday, she went to buy a small cake at the cake shop they checked earlier when she excused herself to the toilet. She admitted that to him when he asked her where on earth, she gets the cake and since when.

He found himself flustered when she shyly sang him a happy birthday inside the restaurant. The other crews greeted him as well and the other customers looked at them because they got the attention. Harukaze-san went shy on him at that moment. She said it had to happen because she won't be able to burn the small candle for his birthday wish. Together, they ate the cake. It was just a simple chocolate cake – not too sweet. But even though it's that simple, that lunch felt special.

He won't admit but it's his first time that a restaurant crew sang him a happy birthday.

After lunch, they went back to the cinema house to purchase the ticket for that animated movie. Upon learning that they have an hour to spare, they ended up going to the gaming center.

[CLEAR! A]

He stared at the monitor, smirking. Then to the other monitor of the female beside him.

[CLEAR! S+]

What.

Harukaze-san had a grin on her face and arms in the air for her victory. She looked at his screen, then to him, grinning tauntingly. "Oh ho? Is that your limit Kageyama-kun? Here I thought you're fast."

He bit his lip. Harukaze-san has a higher score than him. Tobio narrowed his eyes at her. "One more."

She smirked. "You're on."

And so, he had another round of maimai.

[CLEAR! A]

[CLEAR! S+]

Again. And there it is again, Harukaze-san's smirk that never failed to stir up his competitive spirit and jitters in his stomach. It was a rare sight, for her not to shy away, but take him on. It was really rare and it couldn't help that he's being lured in.

He asked for rounds until he finally beat her on the seventh. But they played too much, they lost tracked of the time. They ended up running from the first floor where the gaming arena was to the fifth floor where the cinema house was located.

"Ah! We're… here." Harukaze-san breathed and hastily took their movie tickets on her koala purse. "Ah, drinks! Popcorn!"

He felt himself rushing his movements, he and Harukaze-san went to the small stall that sells food and drinks for the cinema. Like earlier, they bought two large popcorns and cola. When their tickets were punched and they're allowed to enter, he was being hurried again by Harukaze-san inside for seats. And they found themselves sitting at the front.

She heaved a sigh beside him. He placed their drinks on the hole on the armrest. "That was… refreshing." She giggled to herself. Tobio watched how she took a tissue from her bag and dabbed it across her face.

Girls for Tobio, are people he'll never understand. Even when he already met Harukaze-san, there are still instances wherein he gets confused. One example was, as far as he knows, in every PE class, the girls in his class are normally reserved and whiny. He deduced that all girls are the same. Yet Harukaze-san proved him wrong. She was surprisingly… okay with the running and acted as if nothing happened. He was even offered a tissue from her when she caught him staring. He had to turn it down, politely and flustered.

He couldn't help but relax. She's refreshing.

You, too, Harukaze-san.


It was already afternoon when the second movie ended. And this shouldn't surprise him anymore when Harukaze-san asked if he's hungry. She has been doting on his being, asking him questions if he's okay or not, hungry or not. It didn't bother him at all as it was really new. Well, his stomach was feeling less even though there was popcorn and cola, that he agreed. He was being reminded again that she has a big appetite.

After eating, they played some more before settling down to just walking around the crowded building. He didn't win on maimai again. It was before sunset that they decided to call it a day.

Tobio glanced at the keychain he had in hand. Koala…

Harukaze-san gave it to him as a souvenir when she accumulated enough tickets for merchandise. Although she had enough to buy a plushie, she bought two keychains instead and gave the leftovers to some kid she found inside the center. The other keychain was in his hand, the other was in her possession.

Ah.

The keychain was small and had a koala's head. It was grey and its ears are big as well as its black nose. Beady eyes stared back at him. He was being reminded of Harukaze-san's koala purse.

He slowly glanced at the young lady beside him. She, once again, insisted that he sit beside her, and here he was, yet again. But this time, he felt no awkwardness. She was watching the scene outside from the window. She's awake but every now and then, she would close her eyes to doze off. Then she would open her eyes, and stare outside for a few minutes before dozing again.

Her sleepiness was an understatement. She has been guiding him the whole time today and he was truly grateful for her effort because he enjoyed the day.

His lips curved lightly in a small smile. He gripped the keychain before keeping it in the pocket of his pants. He'll decide what to do with it once he's home. He never felt this way before. It was always with volleyball that he did. He can still remember being told as a loser for not owning a single video game. And he didn't care as long as he plays volleyball, other things don't matter.

But this was different. He seriously felt jitters and jellies. It was a good thing, a good feeling.

Doesn't it mean that you like her?

He leaned his head backward and looked up at the ceiling of the bus. Red on his cheeks.

He pouted at the realization. I like her.


OMAKE

Sawako told her mama about the sudden plans on the day of the twenty-second of December. She thought it was okay, she can go outside the house unscathed, however, she should've known.

"You're going on a date?" Suzaku questioned when he peeked at her room. Sawako thought it's okay because it's Suzaku, but he's surprisingly amused. She nodded. "Okay. Can I have cake?"

Sawako blinked. "Okay."

They went down together. Sawako was about to announce her departure when…

"Hey, nee-san's going to Sendai."

Hitori's ears perked up. "Why? You're going on a date?"

"Ah. With Kageyama-kun?" Kirin questioned.

"Huh? A date with Kage-chan?"

Sawako's face flushed.

"Tell me the details later, Sawa-chan." Her head whipped to the left and found their mother grinning by the doorway.

She left with pink cheeks and grateful that Kageyama-kun's not outside yet.

And it wasn't when she returned from his birthday celebration with her that she forgot about the cake. Succhan wasn't mad. He said he was just joking.


n o t e:

Um. Oh, a new follower and favorites! And, reviews. As usual, in the second term of my third year in college, reading reviews never failed to lift me up. It made my heart melt. I actually spent two hours rereading the reviews I received from the previous chapter, which led me to reread this whole fic!

I can't believe I wrote a fic like this. Are we going too fast? It felt like time's too short for them though with the team being busy with the national stuff until the third-years graduated.

bbymojo: Nah, it's alright. Her name's Satsuki, just imagine Momoi Satsuki of KnB. Thank you!

Guest: HELLO, THANK YOU FOR TAKING YOUR TIME TO READ THIS FIC. And I love shy Kageyama, too. Too soft, I cried for him sometimes.

Kageyama lover: I REALLY LIKE THE NAME. Thank you for reading this, too.

a little update on what i've been up to despite the nearing end of the term and my blockmates were stressed but i'm just chill: I know and you know that Kageyama and bed, basing on how he was in the manga and anime, isn't compatible. However, I really can't help myself thinking that that child is a freaking monster. Hinata once praised him during their match against Kamomedai, that he has the hands of god. And I thought, yeah, maybe Tobio really has the hands of god. Not just with volleyball, but the um... other stuff, like female genitals (o.o, how old are you guys? OMG.)

So, I thought, since Tobio basically has my Sawako here in this story, I thought that maybe, there's a possibility of some action on the bed. Like, y'know, being lovers. I want to experiment with his character, you see, and the growth he has gone through during and after the time skip was very important for me.

So, instead of doing my campsite design last night, in which, we had to present it earlier (I crammed on the requirement as soon as I woke up), I started writing Kageyama Tobio smut! I can't get enough of imagining the face of that adorable setter messy, sweaty, and filled with lust.

And, I'm halfway done. I think it's kind of long. No idea. I just wrote it while watching hentai. Good reference, btw.

Idk, lemme know if you're up to it coz I'll gladly post it here! In accordance to their progress of course. I'll have to change the rated category for that, tho.

Thank you!