Chapter 5:

When Saturday comes, Yachi waits from early morning for the boys to come. She hoped that they didn't lose their way to her place since her apartment complex is quite far from Karasuno school. Her mother watched her daughter with amusement as she sees Yachi's expression of anticipation. Even from their breakfast time, Yachi kept looking at the clock on the wall constantly.

"Are these boys from the volley team you were talking about?" Her mother asked once they finished eating breakfast and clean up the dishes together.

Yachi wipes one of the plates in her hands with a towel as she hummed in response. "Hn. Kageyama Tobio and Hinata Shoyo. They are from different classes but we get along pretty well."

Madoka smiles with pride when she sees her daughter continued to talk about the two boys that she had befriended recently. How she usually studies and eat lunch together at school, how Hinata and Kageyama likes to pick her up to go to the gym after school. It was very sweet and refreshing, considering Madoka knows how her daughter is quite the nervous type but once she met the right people, she starts being social again.

"As long as you are keeping your grades are good, I don't mind you helping out the boys." Madoka commented as she finishes off the dishes and wipes her hands with a towel before she added. "Just make sure if you made the decision to join the club as their manager, you have to give your all and not waste their time."

Yachi's eyebrows furrowed in her mother's comment. She knew it was important to let herself be confident in her decisions but she still doubts herself whether she can be a good manager to the team.

The doorbell rings, signaling the boys' arrival. Yachi placed the dishes down and ran towards the door. "They're here!"

When Yachi opened the front door, she was greeted with Hinata and Kageyama. "Good morning, Yachi-san!" Hinata beamed.

"Good morning." Kageyama greeted.

Yachi smiled at their arrival. "Good morning! Please, come in." She says as she lets the boys enter the front door and take off their shoes.

Upon entering, both Hinata and Kageyama chants, "Thank you for having us." As they went inside to take off their shoes. When Kageyama placed his shoes aside, his eyes caught towards something that made him pay attention.

Along the hallway of the Yachi's entrance, there was as table that placed a small ornate butsudan[1] on the left side. Kageyama walks behind Yachi and Hinata as he spotted a picture frame of a man on the table of butsudan, with brown hair and brown eyes smiling brightly. He isn't sure who the man was but he felt that it was necessary to pay his respect since Yachi kindly invited him and Hinata to her home.

Kageyama then gently asks to Yachi, "Yachi-san…is it okay if we pay our respects?"

Yachi turned around, surprised that Kageyama requested it. Hinata also seem to move his attention towards the butsudan as well, he spotted the picture frame before he looked at Yachi. "A relative?"

Yachi puts a small smile, "My father. You're both welcome to pay your respects."

Kageyama nodded as he went in front of the butsudan as Hinata follows. Yachi sat behind them as she pays respect to her deceased father with a prayer. The offering went by a few minutes before Yachi loosened her hands and stood up.

"Thank you, Kageyama-kun. Hinata." Yachi says her gratitude.

"Of course." Hinata beamed before he follows along Yachi, leaving Kageyama behind who finishes paying his respect and followed Yachi where she leads them to the living room.

Yachi already placed her textbooks and notebooks on the table, she let them sit down and tell them to "make yourselves at home" before she excused herself to bring some drinks and snacks for the study sessions.

Madoka then came out and greeted the two boys sitting down on the living room. It was Hinata who noticed her first as he stood up and bowed to Yachi's mother. "Good morning, Yachi-san. Please, excuse us."

"Excuse us." Kageyama follows with a bow of his own.

The older woman smiles and waved her hand, "Good morning. Hinata-kun and Kageyama-kun, right? Please make yourselves at home. I'm going to do some errands so if you need anything, please tell Hitoka."

"Yes, ma'am." They both saluted which made Madoka laughed lightly at their hyped response.

"Such polite boys. Well, have fun studying." Madoka bid her farewell and went out. Yachi came back with a tray of drinks and snacks.

"We have more snacks if you'd like, just tell me if you need more." She says before she placed down the tray.

Hinata looked at the snacks with bright eyes as he expressed his amazement at the delicious looking cookies. "Woah, cookies! Are these homemade?"

Yachi nodded, "Yes. I baked a lot for today's study sessions so please don't hold back."

"Okay! Ah – I have some exercise papers from my friend from another class about their latest literature quiz…" Hinata began as he pulled out his notes and books to the table.

They proceed to start with their studying sessions. With literature and English as their subjects, both Hinata and Kageyama struggled through the exercises shown by Yachi as she explained to them several parts that they needed to remember.

Sometimes Yachi finds herself chuckling when Hinata and Kageyama briefly bicker with each other, trying outdo one another only to have their results not as they expected. Still, Yachi wanted them to succeed in the final exams so they can go to Tokyo.

During their break time in the late afternoon, Yachi listened attentively to Hinata who was speaking excitedly about the rivals of Karasuno's volleyball club.

"Date Tech was pretty intense when we fought against them in a match previously. They were almost two meters tall. The way they were able to block our ace, Asahi-san, with their arms looked like this which looked super cool." Hinata says as he puts his arms up to imitate a blocking position. "If only I could have several centimeters from their height, I'd be unstoppable."

"You still suck at receiving balls." Kageyama commented when he sipped his orange juice.

Hinata sneered his eyes, "Do you have to rub it on my face over and over again?"

Yachi trembled at the visualization of two meters' tall boys. "They sound super strong. Asahi-san must be super strong to hit against their blockers. Are they the best team you played against so far?"

Kageyama replied. "Nekoma was pretty strong. They are quite good at connecting the ball. Their libero is as impressive as Nishinoya-san and their current setter is really smart when it comes to tossing the players at the best spots."

"That's Kenma! Yeah, he's pretty good at setting. Although he might look like he's unmotivated at first but he's pretty quick when it comes to setting. Kind of like Kageyama here but he's…calmer."

"Idiot." Kageyama piped by the offhanded comment Hinata made.

"Oh – there is Inuoka! He's as fast as I am and he's really good at blocking too. But I guess when it comes to blocking from Nekoma, their captain is pretty high specs. He looks like a sneaky cat when he blocks your spikes and he also looks like this." Hinata then proceed to push his curly hair up while squinting his eyes in a mean expression with a scowl.

Yachi laughs lightly at Hinata's explanation. She guesses the reason why Hinata and Kageyama wanted to go to Tokyo was because of Nekoma High School.

"Nekoma is like our rivals too that is why we are always looking forward to their play. There is this legendary battle between our schools called 'Battle at the Trash Heap'. Sounds funny but it's quite well known." Hinata explained.

"Woah…cool." Yachi awed by the explanation. "So Nekoma is the school you're looking out for, right?"

Hinata shook his head again. "There is also Aoba Jousai. Their captain, the Grand King, is known as the best setter in Miyagi. He's also coincidentally Kageyama's senior from middle school." Hinata folded his arms and pouted, "He's gaudy-looking but he is super good as a setter. He also has quite powerful serves too."

"Oikawa-san is known as a well-rounded player. I look up to him very much since middle school." Kageyama added.

"Yeah, that is why he is called the Grand King. Although they got some strong players too from their side. The turnip-haired guy and the restless-looking one can surprise you in many ways. Their blockers are also tall and quick and not to mention their ace is so strong, he can even go against Asahi-san's spikes."

Kageyama nodded. "Iwaizumi-san has always been the best spiker in the team from what I recognized in middle school. Besides, Oikawa-san is very skillful that he can bring out the best performance in every player in his team."

Hinata pumps his fists. "Uwah it makes me so excited to think about when we're going to face them again! Ah – after we defeat them, then we can fight against the strongest powerhouse in Miyagi. Shirotorizawa with the ace, Ushijima Japan! Man, he's so strong that it gives me the goosebumps when I think about facing him in a match."

"He's one of the top players in Japan in terms of High School volleyball scene." Kageyama noted.

'Woah, they're facing such strong and powerful rivals to be able to qualify for the nationals? But they're not intimidated by it at all.' Yachi thought as she listened to Hinata and Kageyama's explanation about the best volleyball team in the prefecture.

Eventually the time was passing by into the evening and they all had to end their study session to go back home. Yachi's mother was preparing to go for another meeting again when they were done as Yachi accompanied the boys out of the apartment.

"Man, you're such a lifesaver, Yachi-san. Thank you for helping us study on the weekends." Hinata thanked her when they reached outside. "And also you live in such a cool area too."

"Come to think of it, we're close to Shirotorizawa." Kageyama commented when he looked around the place.

"Oh! Shirotorizawa is only two stations down the line from here." She explained as both Hinata and Kageyama hummed together.

"Why didn't you go to Shirotorizawa, Yachi-san?" Hinata asks.

Yachi rubbed the back of her head, "I…didn't pass their entrance exams." She replied shyly.

"It's good that she's in Karasuno or else there would be no one to teach us." Kageyama added meanwhile Yachi deflated with a chuckle.

'That's sort of true.'

Yachi's mother then came at the moment, wearing her work attire. Hinata and Kageyama greeted, "Thank you for having us."

"No problem. Was she a good teacher?" Madoka asked.

"Yes! I will be able to ace through the exams. I think." Hinata chirped back.

Yachi deflates further. 'You think?'

"Or rather, I wouldn't let Yachi's kindness go to waste." Hinata added quickly, his eyes showed his seriousness. Kageyama nodded to echo his statement as well.

Yachi perked up at his words, her cheeks tainted in pink flush by Hinata's statement. A warm smile appeared on her lips, feeling incredibly touched by his words.

Madoka side-eyed her daughter's expression before letting her own lips smile. "I see. Good luck on your exams."

"Thank you! Yachi-san, let's go to Tokyo together!" Hinata looked towards Yachi with a hopeful expression.

"Eh? R-right." Yachi was panicking because she hasn't talked about it to her mother yet about the camp in Tokyo with the volleyball club. But it seems like her mother merely blinked at Hinata's words.

"It would be extremely helpful if you join us during the training camp." Kageyama added, also looking hopeful towards Yachi's participation in the future training camp.

Afterwards the boys bid their farewells and went on their way. Yachi waved her hand in goodbye as she watches the boy walked further away from them.

Her mother then turned to her when the boys were almost out of sight. "Hitoka, what's this about Tokyo training camp?"

Yachi flinched before she looked back to her mother because she wasn't able to speak about the things she had to anticipate when she became a candidate manager and how she was required to go to Tokyo to help the team during the training camp.

However, at that moment, Fugaku-san came by in hurry and it cuts Yachi's words quickly so she had no choice but to let her mother go.

"I'll be heading to another meeting. I'll be home late tonight again." Her mother says before she walks away.

"Okay." Yachi looked down in disappointment, seeing her mother leaving already. Sometimes Yachi wished that her mother isn't so busy when Yachi wanted to tell something important. But it couldn't be helped after all since Yachi understands how hard her mother's work can be.

"Let's go." Madoka says to Fugaku who looks perplexed by the situation. He could tell that Yachi wanted to say something but held herself back.

"W-wait senpai! Hitoka-chan, weren't you about to say something important to your mom? Are you okay?" Fukagu asked to the little girl.

Yachi smiles sadly as she shakes her head. "It's okay. I'll tell her next time."

"O-okay. Then, we'll be going." Fugaku says before he turns to Madoka with a frown. "Come on, senpai."

Yachi stood frozen on her ground as she watches the two adults walk away. The weight on her shoulders were somehow starting to feel heavy again and Yachi couldn't help but frown sadly at her mother.

'Next time…next time…' She turns around and head back to her home.

When she reached upstairs, she received a message from Hinata who said that he had left his Japanese literature textbook on her living room's table and he was heading back there again. Yachi texted back that she spotted his book and will wait for him by the door.

While waiting for Hinata for a few minutes, the orange haired boy finally came and beamed happily when he sees his book on Yachi.

"Thank you! I'm so glad I realized it before it was too late." Hinata accepted the book and put it in his bag.

In this moment, Yachi fidgets with her fingers before she speaks out. "U-um Hinata. Do you have a moment?"

"Sure. What's up?"

Yachi felt nerve wrecking but she took a deep breath before explaining from the beginning about her decision and worries about joining the volleyball club as the manager. Hinata listens attentively and as Yachi finishes off with her explanation, Hinata simply replied.

"You're not sure you want to join the club over something like that?"

It was like a pierced arrow right to Yachi's chest because it was painfully simple but true.

"I've spiked hit Kageyama in the back of the head with a serve once, I also puked on Tanaka-san's lap when I got sick during a bus ride. Ah, I also managed to swipe the Vice Principal's wig away but look I managed to still play volleyball."

"Are you sure you were fine during those…" Yachi didn't feel convinced.

"But you sure you want to do this, right?"

"Yes." Yachi nodded, knowing full right that she wants to do volleyball as manager properly.

"Then you should do it."

"Right…it's as easy as that, huh…" Yachi muttered, her eyes shifted back to the butsudan and sees her father's picture. At moments like this, sometimes she wishes she could rely on her father to tell her feelings properly.

Hinata noticed that she was staring at her father's picture before he added. "Were you worried about what your mom said? Then you should tell her properly."

Yachi turned her head around towards Hinata again, her eyes widening at his words. "Tell…"

"You know what, let's do it right now! Your mom must not be far from here."

"Y-yes. She might be at the station."

Hinata reached towards Yachi's hand and pulled her. "We need to run fast if we want to catch up to her."

Then suddenly Yachi felt as if she was flying as Hinata pulled her out of her own house, the door locking automatically behind her as they hurried down through the lift and to through the lobby before they reached outside where Hinata ran swiftly through the streets with Yachi behind him as he kept holding to Yachi's hand while they ran towards the station.

'Wh-what is this?! I feel like I'm in shoujo manga! He's so fast!' Yachi's brain screamed while Hinata held on tightly to her hand and pulling her as they ran. There weren't a lot of people in the streets but Yachi could feel her embarrassment when people started to turn their heads to see Yachi and Hinata running with their hands interlocked together.

Yachi felt everything was overwhelming right at the second. She figured that Hinata never hesitates when it comes to holding her hand and this time he seems like he didn't mind pulling her as they ran together through the streets where people were able to see them. His hand was bigger and rougher compared to her small hands.

It definitely felt strange.

When she felt like her hand was slipping away from his hand, Hinata held on to hers tightly and Yachi couldn't really tell whether her heart was pounding hardly against her chest because of Hinata's hand or the fact they were running faster than Yachi could ever run.

But the air was starting to run out of her lungs as Yachi pulled her hand to signal Hinata to slow down. "Wait…" Yachi slowed down her pace and catches up with her breathing. She crouches down a little, her body feeling tired and exhausted.

However, Hinata clasped her hand tighter – leveling his eyes to Yachi's height. "Yachi-san, at this rate you can't move forward. You have to push." He spoke with his golden brown eyes round and clear, "If you want to do this you have to tell her."

'He's right. If I don't do this now, I will never change from my useless self.'

"Okay." Yachi says as she stood back up tall again. The weight suddenly being lifted off of her shoulders and she felt her back lighter than before. She clenched back her hand that was still in Hinata's hand. "I have to do it now."

Hinata smiled brightly, pulling her hand again. They run together quickly towards the station, with Hinata swiftly avoid crashing into another person, they were able to spot Yachi's mother in the crowd.

Hinata lets go of Yachi's hand and with the biggest smile Yachi saw from him, he nodded and motioned towards Yachi's mother.

Yachi stood tall as she broadened her shoulder and lifted her head up. "Mom!"

Her voice echoes through the busy station and her mother along with Fugaku turned around in shock when they both hear Yachi's call.

"Hitoka?" Madoka had her mouth gaped open.

Yachi took a deep breath before she continues. "This Townsperson B can fight too!" Taking another deep breath, she yells, "I will become the volleyballs club manager!"

In that moment she felt invincible for the first time. To shout out what she had been worried so much from the past entire week, she was finally saying it to her mother.

Madoka on the other hand blinked at her daughter's declaration before she nodded, the surprise still lingers on her skin. "Is th-that so? Good luck!"

"Hn! What about dinner?" Yachi asked.

"I will eat at home."

"Yes, ma'am!" Yachi saluted before she looked to Hinata in amazement and they both cheered on each other happily.

"You did it! Yes, we're going to be like champion school with two managers!"

"Yay! I did it!" Yachi jumps with Hinata while they both high fived each other repeatedly. Hinata grabs Yachi's hands and curled his fingers to hold her still.

"I'm happy for you, Yachi-san." Hinata beamed, "Congratulations."

Yachi who felt extremely happy, after a long time of worrying endlessly, finally lets out her ultimate brightest smile, twinkling through her expression of happiness. She held back on to Hinata's hands and nodded before laughing.

Hinata chuckles, echoing her happiness as well. Feeling content in holding her hands and watching her with satisfaction and pride as he basked in her happiness.

He made sure to walk Yachi back home safely afterwards.

[1]Butsudan, a small Buddhist altar for Japanese homes where the family of the house give offerings to ask for guidance and protection from the spirits of their ancestors and also to put memorials of a deceased family relative.