- Chapter 5 -

"Hinata, you might want to say it instead."

"B-but, I don't think Coach Ukai would listen… maybe you should ask, Bakayama."

"Not when you call me that!" Kageyama sneered. "Hey Yamaguchi, you should be the one."

"I can't. A-ano, Daichi-san and Coach Ukai still scare me."

"Yeah but you are the least likely to get yelled at."

"But they yell at everybody—"

"Is everything alright?" The first-years abruptly lined up when their captain Daichi approached them. "You all look confused."

"Ah, uh, nothing!" Hinata squawked quickly.

"Um, alright then. We're about to start again with the followthrough. You still got what it takes, right?"

Daichi now got confused when the first-years suddenly exchange looks with one another. He frowned. "Is there anything I should know?"

"Daichi-san, ano…" Tsukishima finally started. "We were wondering when today's practice will end. Considering we kinda start late."

"Oh yeah, again sorry about the delay. The third-years got caught up with monthly meetings. I'm sorry if you guys wait too long for us."

"A-actually…" Tsukishima felt a nudge on his back. "Actually, we were wondering if we could have permission to end the practice early. We—"

"We have a butch to cash!" Hinata exclaimed, catching all of them off guard. "I-I mean, we have a bus to catch. We plan to watch the Karasuno basketball match at Niiyama at ten. There's a bus at 9:30 and the next bus is an hour later."

"What we're trying to say is can we leave at nine?" Kageyama ended the horrible attempt.

"Honestly it is fine for me." Daichi nodded slowly. "But you have to get to Coach too for that."

"Told you it's Ukai." Tsukishima whispered.

Daichi let out a sigh. "I can't promise you anything but let me ask Ukai about it."

"Arigato gozaimasu!"

Unfortunately for the staggering first-years, with their own match was closing in, Ukai declined the idea of an early end. To make matters worse, the Coach decided to "punish" them with one lap of crocodile walk around the court. At exactly ten-thirty a.m, all of the freshmen were gasping for oxygen. "Please remind me not to do that again." Tsukishima said between the breaths. "This was stupid." A unison of "yeah" was heard. It seemed that was the first time all the first-years forgot about name-calling and mocking. With their practice ended after eleven, they had ditched the idea wholeheartedly and went on for lunch break instead.

It was until around two p.m. that they heard noises coming from the school parking lot and into the gym area. When peeking through, a group of red and white tracksuits came around the corner directly going to the club room.

"Hey guys!" Hinata called, waving at them.

"Hey!" Aoki waved back.

Hinata was the first to catch up to them, followed by Yamaguchi; while Kageyama and Tsukishima stayed behind a bit further, still walking towards. They all looked tired, Tsukishima noted, his eyes immediately spotted Suzuki who walked at the back of the line. And sad.

"Hey—uh, what's wrong?" Tsukishima heard Yamaguchi stutter. "How was the match? D-did you win?"

Mirai and Aoki exchanged glances. Mirai nodded. "We won."

"Whoa that's great! Right?" Yamaguchi added the question, noticing their uneasy expressions. "Right?"

"Right."

Hinata frowned. "So what's up with the looks?"

"The looks are for the next match." Suzuki sighed and took over. "We're facing Datekō this Tuesday. Karasuno has been drawn for the seeded match."

"Really! That's awesome!"

"No! This is scary!" Mirai cried. "I don't think I am ready for this."

"Not only that," Aoki continued. "Hiamura-san got injured so she won't be playing with us soon. And then Hiruzen-sensei has picked the team captain to sub her."

"Who is?"

"Mirai-chan."

"Aaack! I can't do this!"

Mirai was immediately attacked by impressions that a first-year was picked to lead a team. Surprised, admirations, intimidated. Even Tsukishima was vaguely interested in how she was selected by the teacher himself.

"Oh, by the way, sorry we couldn't come to watch your match." Yamaguchi apologized on behalf. "Our practice ran out a little later than we thought."

"A lot, actually." Hinata muttered.

"It's fine. I already know." Suzuki waved him off. "Tsukishima texted me about it before the match. Honestly, I told you it's no big deal."

When his name was mentioned, Tsukishima froze; mostly because the boys were attacking him with: when did you tell Suzuki? I didn't see you on your phone much - specifically because Yamaguchi's eyes bulged on him, his idiotic grin returned.

"Ne, so you have Suzuki's number now?" Yamaguchi suddenly asked him once the group dispersed. "Very smooth, Tsukki."

"I dunno what you're talking about."

"Ehe, tell me how you do it?" He pressed on him. "I mean I overheard you asking her on social media last week. That was so smooth. And now her number. Did you ask for it yourself?"

Tsukishima frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Hey, I thought… I mean, I thought you'd ask for her number from me."

"You have her number?"

"Why, of course. We shared numbers at the beginning of the school year." Yamaguchi told him. "What? Jealous much?" Yamaguchi laughed when he heard Tsukishima clicked his tongue and took off.

Yes. Tsukishima had Suzuki's number the other day. And unbeknownst to him, and hopefully all of them, Tsukishima and Suzuki had been texting each other for quite some time. It started off with a quick message from the social media, when out of nowhere Suzuki messaged him a picture of his own volleyball team, complete with coach and teacher and their official banner hung over the net behind them; a picture posted by Hinata.

What's wrong with Asahi-senpai? He looked like he'd seen a ghost. Suzuki had asked.

He replied. Daichi told him to smile nicer to put off the old-man's look. It didn't work, apparently.

Apparently… also you look bored.

I was indeed bored. The photo took forever to finish.

Then one day, Tsukishima had a homework assignment he was stuck with. With Yamaguchi not available for a call (he was at Shimada practicing his float serve), he then messaged Suzuki about it; asking if she could debrief him with a certain topic. Her answer was asking for his phone number instead. Then she called him to help out. Perhaps Tsukishima lied a little, it was Suzuki who asked for his number and not the other way around. But in the end, he had her number and these new habits went on till today.

Speaking of new habits, it became a customary for the Volleyball and Basketball athletes to walk home from school together, occasionally stopping by at Sakanoshita Store to buy some drinks and steamed buns.

"Hang on, if your match is on Tuesday after school, does that mean we can't watch the match?" Hinata said slowly. "Again?"

Kageyama shrugged. "It appears so."

"You shouldn't!" Mirai ordered them. "I'd only do terribly as a captain."

Aoki shook her head. "It's just a formality, Mirai-chan. No need to be so pressured by it. All you need to do is shake hands."

"Ugh, Why Hiruzen-sensai choose me!"

"Do you know why Hiruzen picked her instead of the second-years?" Yamaguchi nudged Suzuki quietly at the back of the group.

"Hm, as far as I know it was a unanimous decision even from the seniors too." Suzuki thought out loud. "That aside, Mirai is actually a reliable teammate. She has great game-sense and can read the team dynamic, our team and the opponent's team as well. As a Point Guard, the outside-line player, she watched the whole game better. Even in today's match, she brought up some good ideas."

"Ah Suzuki-chan, do you really think so?!" Mirai had overheard the compliment and staggered to her. "Do you really think so highly of me?"

"No. Now shuddup." Suzuki had shoved her pork bun into Mirai's mouth instead. "But then again, today's match was very… uplifting."

Mirai had maintained her composure from the sudden action, and now had nodded along with Aoki. "I agree." Mirai told all of them. "Hitsujihara played a bit differently than Hakusuikan. For once, they started to play on the aggressive side."

"How aggressive?" Hinata asked.

"Ceh, one of their players committed multiple fouls." Aoki mused. "I'd say she was trying to get me out of the court. She pushed me and Suzuki a lot. Suzuki injured her shoulder because of that."

Now that Aoki had mentioned it, Tsukishima just noticed Suzuki rested her bag on her left shoulder instead of her right, which she often did. Now that Aoki had mentioned it, she sometimes whimpered when walking. Tsukishima just noticed the smell of relief patches coming from her.

"N-no. It's just a shock. I'm fine." Suzuki tried to talk out the pity. "I've been checked by the doctor there. It's no big deal. I can still play on Tuesday. Uh…"

Mirai jabbed Hinata's head. "Don't stare at her, Hinata hentai!"

"No! No, that's not what I meant."

"Hinata boke!"

Behind the back sound of Mirai and Kageyama yelling at Hinata, Tsukishima walked along, slightly lowering his pace to stay behind. Suzuki was walking in front of him, animatedly talking to Yamaguchi and Aoki, probably about their match; he was secretly listening in.

Only when Yamaguchi had bid goodbye, Tsukishima finally asked. "Is your shoulder really okay?"

"Y-yeah, I suppose. It's bruised but the doctor said no dislocation whatsoever." Suzuki nodded, reassuring. "I guess I should just compress it for a while. That should work."

"Hm, it should." He told her. "You should take some rest while you're at it. There's just few days left before Tuesday."

She squinted her eyes at him. "Now you really sound like Hiruzen-sensei."

"He wasn't wrong. You should." In a swift motion, Tsukishima had already snatched her bag. "And no heavy lifting."

Hey, that's–" Suzuki halted when he already continued walking, now carrying her bag with him. "Why'd you do that?"

Tsukishima stared at her and shrugged. "You look like you need help."

"Noidont!"

"I saw you flinching your shoulder a lot." Tsukishima snickered. "So if you need help, you could've just asked."

Suzuki pursed her lips tight and then blew out bubble gum in response to him. "If you want to walk me home, you could've just asked, Perv."

"Damn."

"Come on, my house is not too far." She laughed at his outburst and walked on, with Tsukishima following along. "Anyway, want some?" she said, offering a pack of gum. To which he quickly took a piece.

That was very smooth indeed, Tsukki! Yamaguchi grinning to himself, hiding at the corner of his intersection, watching the pair.

- Chapter 5 -

They could not believe it. Ukai had agreed to cancel Tuesday's practice.

All thanks to Sugawara-san; who came up the last-minute idea of a rest day, with the reasoning that tomorrow morning would be held the Annual Karasuno Sport Clubs Pep Rally. This he conducted after he overheard his first-years talking about going to miss out on another basketball game.

The first-years had taken a bus to Kaji Kita High School, where the girls' basketball match between Datekō and Karasuno was held. Even though the match took place just after school hours, the school itself was packed with spectators. Spotted on the parking lot was Date Kōgyo and Karasuno bus parked; as well as minivans from other schools that have brought other teams to watch. Tsukishima had heard many times of how intense a match against Datekō could be, but he did not anticipate the level of excitement across the crowded gym.

Go, go! Let's go! Let's go, Datekō! The bleacher had sung.

The group of four inexperienced basketball watchers found a seat on the second floor bleacher, watching as the team began warming up. Karasuno was warming up, jogging around the half-line and shooting. Mirai, as they all made aware, was talking to the official as a new captain. Aoki could be seen dribbling balls and passing them to other players. Quickly, Tsukishima spotted Suzuki amongst the players. She looked different. She wore different clothing. She was benched.

"Suzuki isn't playing?" Kageyama also noticed. "Is it the shoulder thing?"

"Who knows." Yamaguchi shook his head.

Soon the first quarter started. The Jump ball was made by one of their third-year students.

"Oh my, this is so cool!" Hinata exclaimed when Karasuno's player took home the first two points. "This is very different from volleyball."

Go, go! Let's go! Let's go, Datekō! The bleacher had sung.

Datekō players were in fact, very intimidating. They play slow. Almost too slow, Suzuki had thought, watching the first ten minutes of the game from her bench. Five minutes in and Karasuno had taken the lead by four points, but Suzuki felt it was intentional. They were analyzing our play.

"Sensei, they're dragging the game."

"I can see that." Hiruzen nodded. "We'll wait until they make their move. Slow down, girls!"

Suzuki decided to rely on their coach's instinct and continued to watch for any pinpoint. There were five players, most of them were seniors. Their Point Guard was a senior, and must have a lot of experience. The only inexperienced player Suzuki could conclude was their Power Forward; even that, she could easily block Aoki's movement altogether. With a blink of an eye, this girl managed to snatch Karasuno's ball and went in for a score. The first quarter ended with Karasuno leading the board by merely two points.

"They are all over the place." Mirai concluded, panting. "I can't see any patterns. I can't keep up."

"Relax, girls. If they play it slow, then we play it slow as well. Keep your body sharp." Hiruzen-sensei nodded. "Suzuki, get ready to play. Go warm-up."

"Hai!"

Go, go! Let's go! Let's go, Datekō! The bleacher had sung. The song became very irritating.

Tsukishima did not know much about basketball, other than Mirai's story-telling and Suzuki's own explanation. That said, going into the second quarter, he realized Datekō started to play a bit differently. Their offence started to show more, as well as their defense, by blocking and stealing their team's ballplay. Datekō became a bit aggressive.

A whistle and the match was paused. One of the Datekō players had made physical contact and the referee called for free throws for Karasuno.

Hinata pointed his finger to the side of the court. "L-look! Suzuki's coming in."

Tsukishima's eyes darted to Suzuki who was already standing by the line. Her jacket was already off and she now donned the red and gold jersey. Her brother Tomoru was by her side, stretching her shoulder. Unlike the practice match, she did not wear any arm sleeves. Instead, Tsukishima quickly realized her right shoulder was wrapped with Kinesio Tape, possibly to provide extra support.

"Replacing Fumada Maki is Suzuki Taomi, number 8. First-year player, the tallest player from Karasuno standing at 184 centimeters tall." The announcer's voice blared. "Although a first-year, she had shown great play during the last two matches these past weeks. A great Center, versatile in both offense and defense. Let's see what she brings to the court against Date Kōgyo!"

When the free throw started, Aoki shot and earned them one point. She shot one more and it bounced off the rim.

"Oh no! Oh look at that!" Hinata exclaimed just as Suzuki dunked the ball into the hoop. "What a maneuver."

"My ankle hurts just watching that." Yamaguchi expressed.

All of that while Tsukishima smirked at what she just did.

It seemed with Suzuki in the court, the offense of Datekō was shaken a little. Datekō's tallest player fell short on where Suzuki stood, and when they both jumped, Suzuki's outstretched arm gained the upper hand. But sometimes it was not just about the height, as Tsukishima learned from… well, the Squirt, Hinata. When an offender charged in with the ball and jumped, Suzuki jumped at the same time. Unfortunately for both of them, the charge was so fast that they bumped their body into each other, and they both were pushed back. Suzuki, in particular, fell on the side, where her taped shoulder braced the floor first.

Oh shit.

However, Suzuki already got up and ran to the other side of the court as the ball continued to play as if nothing had happened.

"I didn't know basketball is that aggressive. And physical." Yamaguchi frowned.

"Basketball is a physical sport. There is no net separating the opponents." Tsukishima mused, frowning as well.

At the end of the third quarter, Karasuno's team was in fact beaten. Datekō had gained their momentum, looking up to their name, quickly scored multiple goals and earned quite a number of points, leading up to over ten points. Sixty-nine to fifty-three.

"Shit. We're running low. This isn't happening." Aoki cursed. "Suzuki-chan, your shoulder?"

"It's fine."

"Are you sure?" Hiruzen approached to push his fingers into her shoulder. When she yelped, he shook his head.

"N-no. I'll be fine. I can still use my left arm. That surely would throw them off, a lefty player. Just one more round, Sensei."

"Fine. Use the break to stretch up. Tomoru, come here!" Hiruzen nodded. "While so, they're playing in the herd, staying inside the paint. So let's focus on three-pointers, to ease the court up. Always keep the ball outside the line. Heard?"

"Hai!"

The three-point shots from Mirai scored them six points. When attempting the third, the opponent already read their conservative tactic and went into zone-block Mirai away from the ball. Karasuno's player scurried into position to keep the ballplay. Suzuki also attempted some stretch fadeaways to earn points.

But unfortunately Datekō was just two steps too quick.

Go, go! Let's go! Let's go, Datekō! The bleacher had sung.

They could not believe it.

Seventy-six to sixty-one.

Datekō had won.

Karasuno had lost.

At the beginning of the match, the four boys were ecstatic to see their friends fight. And now after the game had finished its fourth quarter, they all stood quietly by the corner of the wall, too stunned to speak.

"A-ano, should we go down to see them?" Yamaguchi finally asked, carefully; motioning to the group of red by the bus.

Tsukishima watched when the Red Team all gathered after a line-up, their heads held up high. But when they had taken shade behind the bus, away from the crowds, their faces were already tired and red with sweat and tears. Mirai had taken off her goggles, her hands on her face, body shaking. Aoki had come after her, gently hugging the crying girl. And Suzuki wrapped her arms around both of them, hands caressing their heads.

"Leave them be. Let's just go home." Tsukishima concluded, already walking towards the gate.

- Chapter 5 -

Following the news of Wednesday's club rally, students were in a happier mood; maybe because the morning classes were disbanded, and the students all gathered at Gym A for the event. Pep rally was held as a school participation and shape of support for the upcoming sports tournament. So that athletes representing the school would stand tall and proud and fight for the name of their school, the Crow Karasuno.

Hm, such a worse timing to lose; Suzuki said, walking towards the basketball team already grouping at a corner of the gym. Suzuki spotted the first-years and bowed down to the second-years. And not long after came the third-years.

"Ah Suzuki-chan!"

"Captain, good to see you." Suzuki bowed. "Is your leg alright?"

"Yeah, it's getting better. At least I'm off without crutches." Hiamura offered a smile. "But I was told I am not the only one getting hurt. How are you?"

Suzuki shook her head. "I'm fine, Hiamura-san. Just muscle sore from yesterday's match."

Just then Mirai came up to her. "Hiamura-san." Mirai quickly bowed to her. "I am sorry, I couldn't take the team to Inter-High."

Instead of a reply, Hiamura braced a hug towards the smaller girl. "You have done amazing. All of you. As your captain, I am very proud of you." She nodded. "Now wear your face with pride. Let's get in line."

The non-athletes' students make some lines according to the class at the front. And the athletes followed at the back. Suzuki stayed behind her row, eyes watching students gathered to their own lines. The pep rally started with the principal giving a welcoming and encouraging speech to the students. He then introduced the sports club and one by one each club came forth to the stage.

The basketball team came seventh after the baseball team. Suzuki led the line-up and stood at the far end, while Hiamura stood in the middle on the mic stand.

"Unfortunately, our team lost in the recent preliminary match. As you can see, I got injured and some of our athletes got hurt. We got beaten pretty badly." Hiamura mentioned. From the stage, Suzuki watched the reactions from the students. Some gasped at the result wondering either how they had already lost or how the match started too early; some shrugged like it was none of their business anyway; and most of them in between.

"But that doesn't bother us! Losing means we now have a stronger reason to win at the Nationals to take back our winning!" Hiamura had said, hard and true. Suzuki glanced at Mirai and then Aoki, and wondered if they had the look of determination and drive as hard and true. However, all Suzuki could see was the same as yesterday's sad eyes.

Students had returned to their class for lunch break and preparation for the next two class sessions. When Suzuki entered the classroom, several students were already seated and broke fast. Enma and his boys were already taking over the back seats, loudly laughing and bickering. There were some girls gossiping around too. None interested her.

Going back to her table, she decided to check on her notes. The last few days she spent too much worrying about movesets and jumpshots, and not to mention her shoulder, she entirely missed out on class notes and homeworks. It was only out of luck that morning classes were interrupted by the Rally or else she would have failed to check in on her English homework. Her eyes read the notes, her fingers moved the pen and the black ink moved along the lines of writings. However her thoughts were elsewhere. But that doesn't bother us! Replays of her shots being blocked, her ball being snatched, her hands failing to stop the Datekō players from scoring played in her mind like a loop. When her shoulder stung, all she remembered was being pushed off and falling. Of course it did. It bothered her too much. No one likes losing.

Her head hung lower and lower, until she did not have the energy left to lift it. She just rested against the table, eyes staring to the tip of the pen, and into the void.

She felt something nudging her arm.

"You still smell like Salonpas to me."

Suzuki looked up at the remark. "Are you an elephant? 'Cus you're being so loud and nosey." Suzuki retorted back. "Hey."

"Yeah, hey." Tsukishima nodded. "How's your shoulder?"

"Honestly, a bit stiff."

"When you rest your shoulder like that. That'll only give more pressure." He reasoned. "No wonder you are not getting any better."

Groaning, Suzuki lifted her body to sit up straighter. "Happy?"

"Hmn. Where's your lunch?"

"I have it in my bag."

"Well, eat." He raised an eyebrow when she shook her head. "You don't eat?"

"I'm not hungry." She replied curtly. "Where's Yamaguchi?"

"Talking to Sugawara outside. He just informed us we'll be having practice this afternoon." He told her. "That means you won't have practice today."

"You can have the gym all you want. We got no practice this week."

"I see."

Suddenly feeling uneasy when Tsukishima decided to reluctantly sit down on the chair in front of her, facing her, she brooded. "So, what do you think?"

"About what?"

"Us losing."

"I don't think of it much."

"You're lying." She remarked. "You think we're a bunch of sore losers."

"If there's a winner then there's also a loser. You can't help it." He leaned back on the table. "Did you know, I watched your match at Kaji Kita. The four of us."

"You all did?" She muttered. "Then you must have seen how terrible my play was. I'm—what's the word you're looking for? I'm wrecked."

"Yeah, all of you were wrecked."

"Geeh."

Tsukishima shrugged. "I don't know much about basketball but you guys put up a good fight, I guess."

"Admit it, you were disappointed." She let out a sigh. "What's the point of a good fight when you can't win that fight?"

"I'll admit one thing," He turned to her slightly. "Watching you in the court, it was fun."

"Oh?"

"Watching you got bumped and pushed around was pretty entertaining."

"Geeh, thanks." Suzuki glared at him. When he only shrugged, she snorted. "Yeah, well if we won, we would've made it into the semifinals. But Datekō did and not us." She said, "They are the winner and we are the loser."

"It seems so."

"You know, I really thought you'd be trying to motivate the sad ones back to life." She said suddenly. "Yet all you've managed to say is either an insult or an agreement to my misery."

"Huh, if you are hoping for a motivational speech you're talking to the wrong person."

"Obviously." She frowned. "So what are you doing here? I am really not in the mood for your snarky comments. So please don't do that."

"Why not, Suzuki?" Tsukishima urged a smirk. "I thought you were stronger than this."

"Bah, whatever." Suzuki groaned louder and went back to rest her head on the table.

"Here." He reached out into his pocket and pulled out something to her table. "It's weird to see you all mopey and complaining. Leave that to Mirai. Chew this and shut up."

Suzuki watched as Tsukishima had gotten up and made his way back to his own table. Then her eyes fixed to Suzuki one bubble gum pack, brand new and unopened. Blackberry peppermint, her go-to flavor. Her lips thinned and she went back to rest her head on the table, pillowed by her own hands. But not before slipping a piece of bubble gum into her mouth, smiling in the process.

- Chapter 5 -

Tsukishima was always the last to finish the lap and returned to the gym, tailing just behind Yamaguchi. So it was baffling when he was the first first-year arriving at the gym. Did he just beat the Squirt? That would be the first.

The thought vanished quickly when Asahi directed him and Yamaguchi to Gym A, and he could already hear Hinata's screaming 'mou ikkai!' over and over again. And so they went over to the gym next door. When they went in, Yamaguchi immediately smiled and ran over to Hinata holding a basketball who had been trying to… shoot? Kageyama was watching intensely by the sideline.

And the first-year basketball trio stood by. "Ah, Tsukishima, Yamaguchi!" Mirai waved them in. "Come, come. We have more rooms for you. You can get in line."

"What are you guys doing?" Yamaguchi asked.

"We're having a little slam dunk competition." Just as Mirai said, Aoki charged and jumped forward and slammed the ball right into the hoop. She hung on the rim and pulled up, before swinging down. "And Aoki is winning."

Kageyama snorted. "Obviously."

"That's how you do it, Hinata." Aoki finished with peace fingers. "Cha!"

"Whoa! That's so cool!" Hinata exclaimed. "Mou ippon!"

While Aoki and Mirai taught the boys with Yamaguchi joining in about the footsteps and the timing to spring and push the ball in at the same time, Tsukishima found himself moving towards Suzuki, also watching the scene. And occasionally, watching the girl. Unlike Mirai and Aoki who had changed into some school training pants and t-shirts, she still wore her school uniform, her bag flopped on the floor. She even still had uwabaki shoes on.

"Why don't you join them?" Tsukishima started, standing next to her.

"No. I've only just got here actually. She called me to come here, Aoki." Suzuki told him, her hands rested loosely on the blazer's pocket. "So I did."

"Where were you before?"

"Consulting to Masami-sensei. He was asking about a monthly class summary. You know, general class stuff like schedules and progress reports."

"Frankly, I didn't realize that the Head of Class has too many jobs."

She beamed. "Yeah, me neither. I didn't have to do any of these in Junior High; reports, meetings, whatsoever. I didn't think things became very serious. Oh well."

"I agree."

She turned to him. "Have you been a Head of Class before?"

"Unfortunately. Third-year Junior."

Suzuki snickered. "But I can't imagine you doing all of those things. You'll probably just smirk and shrug off everything."

"Actually I did." He put on a sly smirk. "Yamaguchi did most of the work anyway."

"Poor him."

"Oh he loved it. That's just his thing, I guess."

Suzuki nodded, watching the said boy attempting a three-point shot, but missed. "Hm, good to know I have a reliable back-up."

"Hey Hinata. Can you stand over here?" Mirai said. "Aoki wanted to show you some cool trick!"

"Yes, please! Teach me."

"Stay still, Hinata! You have to always stay still." Suzuki warned him from the side.

Hinata stood in the middle of the paint, right on the free-throw dot. Just so, Aoki ran straight to the shorter guy, grabbed his shoulders and used him as a spring, and jumped over his head. At the same time, Mirai had thrown a ball for Aoki to reach and dunked into the hoop.

"Yosh!"

"That was so awesome!" Both Kageyama and Yamaguchi exclaimed.

To which Hinata whined. "But I didn't see anything. Can you do it again on someone else? I wanna see that."

"No. You're the safest bet." Aoki stated.

"Why?"

"You're the shortest, Squirt."

"Kya, Aoki-chan!"

"Can you do that with Tsukki?" Yamaguchi asked out loud.

"Tsukishima? No way. That's like running into a giraffe. No offense, dude." Aoki added the last part with a heavy laugh. The glasses boy just grunted as a response.

Hinata pouted. "Suzuki, can you do higher than that?"

Suzuki clicked her tongue. "Even if I can, I won't do it for you."

Hinata decided to bother Aoki again to do the stunt with Mirai instead but the two girls denied him instantly; hurting his feelings and his head with a ball straight to the face. The rest snickered at their antics.

Following an interruption from the rather irritated Daichi (turns out the jogging part was not the end of their practice), the volleyball players returned to their gym and continued the session. Though, Tsukishima only just took in that the three girls were following in. Then they decided to suit themselves with some seats by the stage. Their volleyball practice had some little spectators now. The rest of the team didn't mind the unwelcome guests nor did Ukai even notice them. The only thing they were concerned about was the fact that their first preliminary match was within the count of days.

However, Tsukishima could not help but to steal a glance every now and then, every time he had to walk over to get in the line to receive or spike. Suzuki, had taken off her blazer to cover her legs while she sat on the edge of the stage, and the red bowtie too, talking animatedly to her friends, and sometimes Shimizu when she came over to greet them. Funnily enough, when Ukai did notice the girls in sporty gears, he didn't waste more time to ask Mirai and Aoki to help them as ball girls for each side of the court. The two girls groaned but reluctantly obeyed the ex-cashier, and Suzuki laughed pretty lively about that. Tsukishima watched her, amused.

A nudge on the shoulder woke him up. Tsukishima turned to the culprit; a freckled boy Yamaguchi with an idiotic smile across his stupid face. Tsukishima rolled his eyes and walked away.

"Where did you say Yamaguchi had gone again?" Suzuki had asked when she realized Yamaguchi was missing during their walk home.

"He had some practice with somebody else." Tsukishima told her. He went on eventually. "Karasuno alumnus, used to play for our volleyball club."

"Oh I see." She nodded. "Anyways, you do have a good spike."

"Just good?"

"Just." She chuckled. "And a very strong blockade. If there were a rotation where you, Kageyama and Asahi-senpai in the front. Phew, that's scary for the other side of the net."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"Your energy, however,"

"Hm?"

"Lack of."

"Damn it." He cursed out loud, but smiled anyway when she laughed along.

The laughter soon died down and he started over, changing a topic. "Can you really do it?"

"Do what?"

"The jump shoot thing Aoki did on Hinata. Can you do it too?" he asked. "Have you ever done it?"

She paused. "I did it twice on Mirai the other day. One succeeded. The other one, we both fell." She added with a laugh, recalling the first weeks training together. She remembered Mirai was very shocked and herself was only cackling about. In the end they both laughed. "Hiruzen-sensei was very pissed off when he found out we hurt ourselves right before practice. Ma, he punished us with some cardio workout. How thoughtful of him."

Tsukishima automatically recalled his own punishment. "Hiruzen-sensei and Ukai are of the same breed."

"I suppose so." She nodded. "You want some?"

Tsukishima looked down to Suzuki's hand, offering a pack of gum. "Don't be ridiculous."

"What do you mean?"

"I can't have that."

"Why not?"

"I gave you that." He pressed. "That's just weird."

"You're the weird one. Just take it, Tsukishima."

"No way. That's yours."

"Ugh, you're so stubborn sometimes." Quickly she snatched his own hand and slammed the candy onto his palm. "Just take it. Consider it a thank you from me."

"A thanks, by giving me the thing I gave you? That's nonsense."

"Shut up, Giraffe. Now go ahead and go home. Ja ne!" Tsukishima was caught off guard when she had pushed him into the other direction of the street, while she had already skipped and crossed the road ahead. He glanced around, not really noticing that he was already reaching his turn already. He looked down at the piece of bubble gum on hand, confused and smiling.

Suddenly Suzuki felt a thug on her body. Her arm was being pulled behind. She did not have time to react when the blonde boy from earlier had returned, holding her hand out.

"You! You scared the shit out of me!"

"That's the first I heard you curse." Tsukishima smirked, placing something on her palm. "Considering this as a thank you from me. And don't try to give it back."

Suzuki brought up the familiar item on her hand; Blackberry peppermint, her go-to flavor, brand new and unopened. She boomed a laugh, a genuine face-lifting laugh. "Just how many of these things do you have, Tsukishima?"

"Some." he replied shortly, standing by her side, chewing gum.

Suzuki noticed he was following her, nor did he intend to turn around. She frowned. "I told you if you want to walk me home, all you need to do is ask." She chuckled. "Now that you're here, carry my bag again, please? My shoulder is still sore."

"You and your whiny ass." He snapped back, though already taking her bag in his hand.