note:

SURPRISE!

As I mentioned in my previous note, it's my birthday. Just-doing-requirements birthday. As a gift, here's an update!

Kageyama lover: I'm glad you loved the update. And yes, they're lowkey flirting, weren't they? Innocent flirting (LOL HAHAHA)

Guest: Oh sure. I won't hesitate to post that smut. Ror.

bbymojo: I commend your sense! Dun-dun-dun-dun, Miya! Please refer to Chapter 12. Miya-san was there (hehehe)

Guest: I'm glad I caught your interest because of the omake. Thank you!

AND HERE YOU GO!


Soft.

That was the first thing he thought the moment Harukaze-san grabbed his hand. He was embarrassed at his question of asking her if she'd like some souvenirs, when in fact, she can buy them anytime if she wanted to. He's acting weird again and he knew that it was due to his attraction to her that he can bravely say and do unspeakable things only to shy away after the deed is done.

What he won't forget was the fact that she came prepared and gave him a tupper ware of onigiri. He was just thinking about eating the food, looking for some, and she happened to appear in his vision. It's like, she knew what he was thinking. Add the fact that the onigiri was good. He had never eaten someone's food before and to be given such by a person like Harukaze-san was a first.

His heart can't stop beating.

"Is there something on my face?"

His cheeks felt warm as he shook his head. Damn it. He stared too much. "Has Harukaze-san already chosen?" He decided to ask.

After eating lunch with the team and the Harukaze siblings, he and Harukaze-san headed to the line of souvenir stalls inside the gymnasium. Various products took some spaces in the lobby ranging from keychains, food, caps, and shirts. Some even sell shoes. There are quite a lot of people as well and most of them are spectators of the matches today. But every now and then, his eyes would catch a glimpse of camera and microphone from the crews of magazines, newspapers, and news tv.

A paper bag entered his vision and he looked at it in confusion. Then, he realized. "You already paid for it?"

Harukaze-san nodded. "Yes. Aren't you going to buy something?"

His eyes slightly widened. He was immediately disappointed, unable to stop himself from muttering curses as he gritted his teeth. He asked her if she wants some souvenir, of course, he would be the one to pay but here she was – paid and set.

Damn it.

"Harukaze-san!" He raised a voice. Unconsciously. The surprised look on her face and the sudden look from the passerby reminded him of who he was with. "I mean, Harukaze-san…" He repeated but his voice lower.

"Y-Yes?"

"Please… choose again." He gritted his head, lips pursing in nervousness and disbelief, and his eyes looked at the rows of shirts displayed on the nearby stall.

"Eh? But I'm already contented with this." She tapped the paper bag twice.

It only made him feel infuriated at the fact that he didn't saw it coming. It was his own fault for zoning out that he didn't saw her paying for it. But… "No. Please choose again…" He looked at her eyes, only to looked back at the shirts. "I'll pay."

She blushed and he became embarrassed after saying that. Her eyes began to search somewhere. "Is that… what you want?" He nodded. She nodded back, a small smile forming. "Can we buy… shirts?"

Once again, he nodded. Harukaze-san walked towards the stall where shirts are being sold. And he watched her choose until she turned to him with thick eyebrows almost meeting. "Stop staring and choose, too." She said with that blush on her cheeks.

Damn. She didn't just tell him that. She didn't have to point out that he was staring at her. Flustered, he obliged and joined her. It didn't take that long for him to find something that he likes. A black shirt that states, "GIVE YOUR ALL." It was plain and… just GIVE YOUR ALL. Tobio turned to Harukaze-san to see what she got for herself.

"Oh." She blinked at the cloth in his hand. While he chose black, what she had was a white version of GIVE YOUR ALL.

He saw her smile. He stared. Suddenly, the noise around him became silent. As if someone clicked the mute button and the only thing that he could hear was his heart and her voice.

"We'll take this."

Absentmindedly, he reached for his wallet in his pocket. He couldn't hear what the vendor was telling him but he's surprised that he was able to pay for their shirts properly. He could even take the change, count the coins, and it seemed as if they're on the right amount before pocketing those with his head on the clouds. Harukaze-san took the bag and smiled at him – shyly.

Once again, he couldn't hear properly. Just his abnormal heart. His eyes narrowed at her eyes.

Blue-green.

Then to her nose….

Small.

… down to her lips.

Pink.

He blinked.

Pink.

He blinked again.

Pink?

Pink.

Pink.

Pink.

Pink

Pink. Pink. Pink. PinkPinkPinkPinkPink –!

"Kageyama-kun, thank you." He heard her say.

He nodded, still staring at the color of pink.

"Kageyama-kun…" He heard her again. "… you're staring too much."

Huh.

He glanced at her eyes, and his own widened. His face flushed. "I'm not!" His fingers curled and formed a fist. His face was obviously red and he gritted his teeth, vehemently denying that he was, indeed, staring at her face.

Damn.

He really can't erase the image of how she looked last New Years'. She was really extra pretty on that day. It's not like, she's not pretty on regular days but with the kimono and her hair done in a braided bun were too much. He wasn't prepared that day. And today as well. Even when she wore a turtleneck and with that beige trench coat that seemed to be her favorite. And she wasn't even wearing make-up. Just a dab of some sort of shimmering whatever on her lips.

Ugh.

"You're not a good liar, aren't you?" She let out a small laugh and his ears rang. She held her cheeks in both hands, as if covering the red she's sporting. "Next time… tell me if there's really something on my face. It makes me conscious."

He frowned. Has he been that fascinated at her that he didn't realize he's already making her uncomfortable? Shit. "Oh. S-Sorry."

"Eh? No! It's… alright." She looked down and tucked a strand behind her ear. "You don't have to apologize."

It was warm. Really warm. His face, his stomach, and his heart. Even his hand that she touched earlier felt as if she touched it again. It shook, and it ached to reach for hers. He wanted to squeeze her palm. Tobio was well aware that he likes her since she spent time with him on his birthday and the fuzzy feeling that caused him confusion has cleared up.

After the months since he discovered and acknowledged those feelings, he must say that he also upgraded. He was really different from the person he was a year ago. It was because of the team and Harukaze-san.

He nodded and presented his hand. He gestured to the bag.

"Oh." She seemed to have realized and gave the paper bag to him. "Thank you." She whispered.

He really felt like spoiling her – ask again what she wants, tell her to pick something else to buy. Is this what liking someone feels like? But as he opened his mouth and about to say something, he heard Hoshiumi-san's voice.

"I want that one, in S size! Please!"

Both of them turned to the source of loud volume. He's not surprised to see Yamaguchi and Hinata there, too. His partner expressed the desire to buy the shirt that Bokuto-san wore at the training camp and Yamaguchi followed. He admits Bokuto-san's shirt was cool but too wordy. He preferred those shirts like Nishinoya-san wore but not exactly like what Nishinoya-san wore.

"Hoshiumi-san, 'wassup." He greeted the short lad. Despite his built and eccentric features, Hoshiumi-san was actually a second-year and entirely good player. The kind of good that made Hinata a novice.

"Ey, Kageyama, it's you. How'd your match go?"

"We won."

"Nice, congrats." The wing-spiker said, not even a grin or surprised look on his face.

"Thanks." He swore that Hoshiumi-san just now quickly glanced at Harukaze-san. Tobio instantly felt weird despite the fuzzy feeling that he knew. It felt really funny.

"They're your teammates?" The other lad gestured at Yamaguchi and Hinata.

He nodded. "Yeah."

Tobio didn't watch the talk nor listen to Hoshiumi-san talking with Hinata. Rather, he was disturbed. Disturbed at the fact that Hoshiumi-san looked at Harukaze-san whereas, Harukaze-san simply nodded at the other athlete on that brief exchange. It felt familiar. It's like what he felt when Miya-san began to ask questions about her.

"Cya later, Kageyama."

"Later." He mentally grumbled, unable to shake the feeling he slowly disliked at what he just saw.

Now, he's getting confused. He didn't dislike Hoshiumi-san. Actually, he looked at him in high regard. But when Hoshiumi-san glanced at her, Tobio didn't like it.


"See ya, Kage-chan."

He nodded and waved back at the two blonde-haired Harukaze. Although, he winced at what the older triplet called him.

As promised, after watching one or two matches, the Harukazes decided to leave. According to Hitori (he knew because she opened her mouth), they're going to have a sister-bonding-whatever this time and for the rest of the day. And because they're leaving, Ukai-san had the gall to ask him to escort them outside. Sugawara-san was the one who suggested the idea and their coach nodded and agreed. Takeda-sensei didn't have any slightest idea but was okay with the fact that there's someone who'll escort the three young ladies outside.

Tobio happened to be the target, for an unknown reason and decided to comply. He ignored Sugawara-san's grin and Hinata's mocking chuckle.

"Take care." Harukaze-san said.

He faced her, only to quickly feel the weight of her hand on top of his head. His cheeks felt warm again.

"You're really great whenever you're on the court."

He blushed but grinned nonetheless. "T-Thanks."

Then, the weight was gone. He saw her smile. "We better get going."

"Yeah." He pouted. Time is short. He watched her slowly away from him to the bus stop. Time is short. He clenched a fist, a dreadful feeling catching up to him. "Harukaze-san… t-take care." He couldn't help but whisper.

Suddenly, she turned. "We will."

The blush returned as a response. She heard.

He decided to wait for the bus to pick them up before he decided to go back inside. He's sure that Sugawara-san would surely ask him what he did with Harukaze-san at lunch and here outside. Not that he minded. He's actually thankful that he has someone to lean on in case he needs advice or someone to give him ideas of what to do. He's not an expert on this field and Sugawara-san knows stuff. It was Sugawara-san's idea in the first place that he asked Harukaze-san to buy souvenirs together. It went well despite being lost at that moment.

He turned back the moment they rode on a bus.

"Heh~ So that's Harukaze-san. I was right after all."

Surprised, he looked at the appearance of… "Miya-san."

How did he – Ah. He remembered now.


"Ya have a picture of her?"

"None."

Miya-san frowned. "Bummer. So, she's going to the nationals?"

Tobio disregarding the other's reaction. "I haven't asked her."

"Oh, you should. I wanna see her."


He gave Miya-san a glare. Just what it is to him that there's Harukaze-san? Miya-san was worse than Hoshiumi-san.

"Is she your girlfriend?" Miya-san asked, catching him off guard.

Tobio bit his lip. He glanced to the side, fighting hard against the uncalled blush that crept on his cheeks. "Y-Yeah." A lie. But he hoped that Miya-san will not bring up Harukaze-san's name again. Might as well, leave her alone. He really didn't like it.

He glanced at Miya-san to see his look of disbelief. "Eh? Seriously?!"

He nodded, mentally apologizing to Harukaze-san.

"But ya said she's your senpai."

He raised a brow. It worked? "She is. She's a third-year."

A gasp. "Man, I really didn't know you're that type of guy, Tobio-kun. Goin' for older girls."

He couldn't say anything. He, himself, didn't even know that. He actually never thought that white lie would work. For the team and Harukaze-san, he's not a good liar. But he really didn't want Miya-san to crowd Harukaze-san. The idea was unsettling, disturbing even. Lying aside, to think that he can find a company in Harukaze-san was something he didn't think he can. It was comforting and relaxing. She was… very nice.

He's aware of the limited time. Yet time to time, he would forget. He would forget that she's graduating and older as time was lost whenever he's with her.


That night, asking Harukaze-san if she would come back for the match against Inarizaki tomorrow was forgotten. He was totally driven by the need to sleep and excitement for tomorrow, it slipped his mind.

But he was totally surprised to find her with two of their alumni, and what seemed to be a few of Karasuno Shopping District. He blushed at the sight of Harukaze-san wearing an orange haori and a headband. Where did she sleep? She went home, right? What time did she arrive? Was she with those alumni? She's not busy? What about her studies?

Even then, he was very glad at the fact that she was at the bleachers. She was looking in the direction of where the Inarizaki's Cheer Squad were seated. Overhearing his third-year upperclassmen talked earlier regarding girls holding fans with Miya-san's name and face, he's grateful that Harukaze-san's not like those girls, nor have not known Miya-san's existence.

Tobio blinked. Why am I jealous?

Then their opponent of today entered the court wearing an all-black jersey. The crowd went wild and deafening cheers erupted. He almost couldn't hear Sawamura-san.

"LET'S DO THIS!"


The match against Inarizaki was intense. There were instances wherein they almost lost hope in scoring and losing hope in winning. But the people around them – their very own cheery squad, a combination of Karasuno Shopping District and Saeko-nee-san's taiko group, their coaches who believed in them, and themselves who were pushed beyond what was thought to be their limits, had supported their weak selves.

The new environment that they had to put up with for a week in December, the new training regimen that they had to endure as part of their preparation for the nationals, the changes in their skillset, and in their psychological being as an athlete changed the ride of the game, turning it to their favor – the dark horse winning against the greatest challengers.

He even found his talent.

The answers that he's been waiting and aiming for for years were finally in his hands, in his arsenal. He proved it through pushing Tanaka-san on the edge of his abilities, to Asahi-san's perseverance, telling Hinata of the jump, and even forcing Tsukishima's apex to go higher.

The waste on Hinata's previous jumping ability… was here.

The meaning of setter, the control tower, was here.

And he found it in the middle of the match.

After years, he finally understood. The fact that he almost had it during his middle school days but didn't get the whole concept was a huge bum. He was disappointed with his past self for a moment. What Oikawa-san can do and what the Karasuno team has given him has helped him to stand up and pushed him to come this way.

And Tobio knew better now. He was confident of what he can do now.

Everything that happened after his set will always be up to the players he chose. It's not on his hands anymore. He shall not carry that burden anymore. But it doesn't mean that he'll hold back. He'll keep on tossing, putting faith on the ball that the spikers can make it happen. He will continue to use those spikers until they reach "low on gas", "low in fumes", "tired", and "no more energy".

Yeah. He couldn't be happier for making it all the way to the nationals.

The crowd at Tokyo Gymnasium was shaken with surprise. Who wouldn't? The legendary powerhouse of old has beaten the second-best team? He and the team conquered this showdown between east and west.

Ah.

He's having difficulty in breathing.

[And Inarizaki High School, the team featuring the Miya twins and one of the top contenders for the championship, have bowed out in their first match! This has got to be the biggest upset of the Spring High Tournament, on day 2 nonetheless!]

[Now, would you look at that. This is how terrifying nationals can be!]

"Gather up," Sawamura-san called.

He immediately followed the rest of the team to form a line in front of their banner.

"NICE GAME!"

"RYUUUU!"

Was what he mostly heard from the spectators' seats.

"THANK YOU VERY MUCCCCH!"

Tired, he looked up after they bowed. His blue eyes landed on the stands. There's the cheering squad on their orange haori, Takinoue-san and Shimada-san who never fails to watch their matches to support them, Saeko-nee-san who happened to arrive late but was able to give them support against the overwhelming cheering squad of the opposing team through taiko drums, and lastly, Harukaze-san who was also wearing the signature orange haori, headband, with tears running down on her face?!

Suddenly, he remembered their match against Shiratorizawa. Back when she met them outside, and when she stood in front of him to pat his head, he noticed that her nose was slightly red. It occurred to him that she's quite emotional. But he couldn't blame her.

It was an emotional match.

He didn't saw her after that. Sleep visited him again as soon as they're at the storage room with their bags that he dozed off not until Ennoshita-san told him, waking him up, that they're going back to the inn they're staying.

He took his phone from his pocket, flipping it open. His face immediately lit up upon seeing a mail from her.


Date: 1/6 20:12

From: Harukaze Sawako

Subject: Congratulations!

Attachments: See attachments

Congratulations on the victory of today's match!

I'm with Makoto-kun, Yusuke-kun, and Saeko-san.

Oh, be sure to greet Kiyoko a happy birthday.


He clicked the image and it loaded. It was inside a monjayaki. They're eating. From this point of view, Harukaze-san didn't include herself in the picture. The two grown men and Saeko-san held each glass of beer while the hand of Harukaze-san simply hold a glass of water. It was almost the same as the picture she sent to him when he was at the training camp. That picture with the third-years.

He couldn't help but accept the leap of his heart because of joy at what she sent.


Date: 1/6 20:21

To: Harukaze Sawako

Subject: Re: Congratulations!

Thank you.

I will.


He already sent the mail before he could ask if she'll come back again tomorrow for their match against Nekoma. He was sure that Harukaze-san has also been anticipating the kind of match for years, as she was, after all, a relative of the Ukais. But he couldn't bring himself to open and type a new message. The picture that she sent held the atmosphere that it was a warm meal that they're sharing.

He played with the strap on his phone. It was the one that he received as a souvenir of his loss at the maimai game he had with her on his sixteenth birthday.

Weird. He knew.

But this was the decision that he thought of regarding what he should do at the koala keychain. Tobio couldn't keep it at the headstand or inside the cabinet. It's basically a tangible birthday gift – something she gave him.

"Oh, Kageyama."

He turned. "Sawamura-san. Hello."

The captain smiled, eyes darting to the keychain. "That's a nice keychain."

Tobio looked at it once again and mumbled. "Thanks."

He made no protest as the third-year leaned on the railings with his jacket on beside him. Tobio kept his phone in his pocket and began to rub his bare hands. He forgot to grab a pair of gloves. But he needed the air and although he's not alone, Sawamura-san was quiet then. Blue eyes looked down, watching the people and cars passing by at the inn.

"Hey, Kageyama." Sawamura-san started after a couple of minutes that passed.

"Yes?"

"Sawa…" He turned to the captain upon hearing her name. "… her circumstances at home made her who she is. But lately, she's been really happy." He blinked his eyes at the information. Then, he felt Sawamura-san's big hand on his back. There was a smile on the third-year's face. "So, thank you, Kageyama."

Thank you? He cocked his head, confused. "For what?"

But Sawamura-san just stared. And he stared back, waiting for what the older teen will say. It took a while for the captain to laugh a little.

"For coming into her life."

He couldn't help but be flustered at what he said. It actually has just happened – coming into her life. Meeting her on that snowy day happened. But where did that what happened led him? Led them? Exchanging emails. Buying souvenirs together. Prayed at the shrine together. Their families even met and ate together.

"We just met." As it was.

"Yeah. Just like how I met Sawa in primary school and how Suga met her in middle school."

He shut his mouth.

"We hit it off. We became friends. Look where we are right now. I'm sure that what happened to the two of you is the same thing, but what Sawa and I have, what you and Sawa have, is different."

He still didn't even know if he and Harukaze-san are friends. They're exchanging emails and they already met each other's family, aren't they? Perhaps, they are, aren't they? Tobio just nodded in response. Why does it matter if they're friends? He likes her. A lot. He was sure that he won't just stop being friends with her if the friendship has limits. But what was the other end of a friendship?

"Ah, when I mean by different…. It's what you feel for her. I mean, I like Sawa. A lot. I love her, too." Love. "She's basically a sister to me. The same thing for Suga and Asahi. I know yours is different and it has a good influence on her." Sawamura-san smiled again. "That's why we're grateful."

Like. Love.

It was a concept that he really couldn't understand. Of course, he knew what it was. Those words are connected to his sport. He never had the time to actually relate it to other things much less to a person. For all he knew, like is an understatement. Love is an overstatement. Tobio loves volleyball. But he's different now and he knew how it feels to like someone. Because he likes Harukaze-san a lot. He already admitted that to himself a number of times. Perhaps, he loves her already. Or he just likes her a lot.

Whichever then, he doesn't have any plans to take it back.

It was because of what Miya-san told him and what Sugawara-san asked of him that he came into terms with his feelings. He just never thought that it's a good thing for Harukaze-san.

He excused himself to Sawamura-san moments after. Upon checking the time, he saw it was time. So, as he laid on the futon, his mind began to wonder.

What does Harukaze-san feel?


Date: 1/7 5:42

From: Harukaze Sawako

Subject: Neko

Good morning.

I'm looking forward to the match today!


When he checked his phone the next day, he was surprised to receive a mail from Harukaze-san early in the morning. He didn't get what she meant because as far as he remembered, the new and last term of the school year starts exactly today – which is Monday.

It was hard to believe that a person like Harukaze-san will skip class for their match. She has been very supportive of the triplets' academics long before he came into the picture and hadn't been into his senpais matches. Of course, he'll like it and preferred that she's there at the stadium to watch him play but she's her own person. It'll be her decision. Not his.

That's why, he, as well as their upperclassmen, were surprised to see her outside the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, wearing the same haori.

"Don't tell me that you… skipped?"

"It's the first day, Sawa! FIRST DAY!"

"Com'n guys. Let her. She's here for us."

It didn't take that long to find their captain and vice-captain clutching on their side. Whereas, Azumane-san received a thumbs-up from the grinning Harukaze-san. He couldn't help but be amused. They get to her first. And watched their exchange.

"Exactly… the first day." She said, hands on her hips.

"But you're the class representative."

"I already asked permission to mama and Takeda-sensei. I'm off the hook."

"You're really risking your perfect attendance?"

"You're making it sound like I'm better off at class, Daichi." She glared at the lad. "You should be proud, instead. I skipped class for the first time."

"Well…" The two, Sawamura-san and Sugawara-san, looked at each other. "That's true."

"Okay."

She nodded and raked her eyes over them. Tobio couldn't help but be impatient when her eyes lingered on him for a little longer. He watched the smile slowly etched on her lips, her eyes brimming with light at the rays of the sun that hit her glorious face.

"I'm looking forward to the official battle of the trash heap."


OMAKE

The night before the third day…

"Happy birthday, Shimizu-san."

The young lady blinked at him. "Thank you. How did you know?"

"Harukaze-san told me."

"Oh. Her." She smiled. Tobio blinked at the rare sight. Not exactly rare anymore since Yachi-san came to the team. "Take good care of her, okay?"

He absentmindedly nodded. Their manager took it as a sign and moved on to approach the third-years. When left, he suddenly felt a dangerous aura. He flinched at the sight of Tanaka-san and Nishinoya-san surrounded with ominous black flames. What did he do now?

"KA-GE-YA-MA!"

"Yes?"

"What did you and Kiyoko-senpai talked about?"

He blinked, unperturbed at their lack of privacy. "Harukaze-san told me to greet Shimizu-san a happy birthday." He answered. The two went still. "She told me to take good care of Harukaze-san."

Tanaka-san and Nishinoya-san blushed.

Even now, Tobio still couldn't understand why his upperclassman contradicts their words and actions. The wing spiker and libero looked very happy that he has Harukaze-san yet at the same time, they looked envious at the fact that he has Harukaze-san. Nevertheless, they didn't attack him after learning that he was able to talk to their Kiyoko-senpai. Instead, they ran to her and loudly greeted her a happy birthday.