"Boys are dumb and stupid." I recite to my mom as I angrily colour in a tiger. I just turned five and my vocabulary didn't have a wide range just yet. I say this with triumph in my chest. My dad and mom had a huge fight earlier; this justified my bold statement.

"That's the same thing dummy" Hajime thumped me in the head with one of my crayons. I scratch my head where he hit me.

"See mommy! Hajime is a boy, he must be dumb" I cried to my mom who was making dinner.

"Hajime! Stop hitting your sister. And Mika stop calling people dumb. It's rude" She scolded, whisking something in her bowl.

Hajime grumbled as he grabs the TV remote and started switching the channels. I started whining as he didn't let you finish my favourite show. I was going to yell at him but the announcer on the TV distracted you,

'And here is number 10! Karasuno's ACE everyone! THE !'

My brother and I usually disagreed with a lot of things, but one thing that we shared was volleyball. I didn't think it would influence me so much. This was old footage of the top 10 volleyball players in the region.

'Woaah!! Mika did you see that?!' My brother was pointing at the screen, waiting for my reaction. My eyes were glazed over with astonishment. This was the first time I fell in love with volleyball.

The Tiny Giant hit the ball so hard that it went flying to the other team. The other team was struggling to keep the ball in play. He jumped so high that he soared through the air. The announcer made them play and instant replay. The more times I watch, the more I couldn't get over how sick that spike was.

"Hajime! I'm going to be like him one day!" I point excitedly at the screen with a yellow crayon. He smiled warmly at me and for the first time he didn't tease me or say something mean.

"You can do it Mika. I believe in you."

That was the only time I didn't think Hajime wasn't dumb like most boys.

"That of course, if I beat you to it first" he finally teased. I threw my blue crayon at him, smacking him in the face.

"Heeyyyy RUDE!" He rubbed his forehead but started laughing at me.

"See mom, dumb" I pointed at my brother who was laughing hysterically.

I would never bring a boy over to my house.

I say to myself while cracking the eggs into the flour mixture. I whisk it quickly with a pair of chopsticks and glance over to the living room. There was a boy sitting at the coffee table, jotting down notes and concentrating on his textbook. I roll my eyes and still can't believe theres a boy in my house.

Imma sanitize everything he's touched when he leaves.

Checking my phone, I couldn't believe (F/N) didn't text me yet. Usually she would call by now unless something was troubling her...

Was she okay? Should I call her again. Hm, I left her like hundreds of phone calls. I probably already took up most of her space in her voicemail.

I stir the batter faster in frustration and add in the needed strawberries for the shortcake. You then add pink food colouring for more appeal.

"I assumed you meant you had strawberry shortcake already from the store..." he grumbled still concentrated on his textbook. He seemed hungry but you didn't care to his needs.

Ugh the nerve of this guy. Stupid boys. You do one nice thing and they can't even appreciate that.

I take the mixture and pour it into my greased bread pan. The oven was already at the perfect temperature and I just needed to put the timer. Looking at my phone again, I'm still worried about (F/N). I set the timer for 25 minutes and continue to make the toppings for my infamous shortbread. Cutting up the fresh strawberries my mom bought, I was a master at this recipe. You didn't even need the baking instructions. A Mitsuki family recipe!

"Seriously, we could've been finished this project already" Tsukishima called out from the living room. He held a serious expression and he still didn't make eye contact with you. Out of anger, I aggressively wipe my hands on my apron and take it off. I slam it down on the kitchen counter, making a 'whip' sound. The boy finally looks up and his expression remained indifferent. My face was filled with rage.

"Fine. Just let me clean up." I grumble while scrubbing the dishes furiously.

The nerve! But for some reason I can't let out my rage like how I normally do to other boys who piss me off... What is with this guy?

After running the water for a few minutes I soak all the dishes and reach over to dry them. Humming to myself, I reach over for a towel and my hands suddenly met Tsukishima's. He grabbed the towel first. I look up at him and this was the first time I've been this close to him. In a long time, I've never met someone taller than me. The top of my head would fall right below his golden eyes. Without saying a word, he took one of the dishes out of the water and started drying them. He placed them on the rack and continued this with the rest of the dishes.

When did he get here? Was he behind me the whole time?!

"The dishes don't wash themselves" he said solemnly.

"Right.." I mumble. I hand them the rest of the dishes and our fingers grazed each others. My face felt unexpectedly hot.

What the hell. I never blush. Why is he even helping me? I didn't ask for help!

After a long period of awkward silence between us, I finally finished all the dishes. I take off my gloves and dust off my hands.

All done!

"Hey don't move." Tsukishima commanded. Confused, I wanted to tell him to piss off.

No one tells me what to do.

He ran cold water with a towel and wrung it over the sink. He brought it towards my cheek and I slapped his hand away impulsively.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Geez, I'm just trying to get the flour off your face. What is your problem?" he scrunched the towel in his hand.

"Oh sorry." I apologized quickly with my face flushed. He brought the towel back on my face but this time he rubbed it less gently.

"Ow! Dude!" I complain as he finishes wiping all the flour off.

"There" he said as his golden eyes stared directly at me.

"You didn't have to rub so hard" I grumble, rubbing my sore cheek.

"That was the only way for you to shut up." he wasn't facing me as he hung the towel in the proper spot and marched back to the coffee table.

What is with this blonde freak? This is why I hate boys.

My eyebrow twitches in frustration. Eventually I try to calm myself down with breathing techniques that (F/N) taught me. I could never understand how can she be so calm all the time with all the crap that's happened to her. I stomp towards him and take my seat beside him. I didn't dare look at him, as I opened my laptop. My laptop screen was covering half of my face and I just wanted to concentrate on the assignment.

"I think we should write our topic on Tyrannosaurus Rex" He pointed to the dinosaur in the textbook. I lower my laptop screen, irritated by his answer.

"Ah no. We should do the Pterodactyl." I point angrily at the image beside the T-rex.

He scoffs, "Man, you're impossible to work with."

"Well I'm not entirely blessed to be with you either." I mimic his tone and pull up the laptop screen again.

"You're such a pain. Why are you everywhere I go?" he snorts.

"Pain? Who you calling pain? You're Mr. Grumpy over here you doesn't even try in volleyball. And yeah, I watched you. It's like you don't even care" I started to get more agitated and realize I've broken one of my pencils. Tsukishima didn't even seem to notice.

"Why did you even join the stupid team? It's not like you're playing or anything." he rolls your eyes at you and you let go of the pencil bits in your hand. You've lost control on your anger again and start clenching your fists.

Mika. Let's not beat up another person from the volleyball team.

I clench your fists even tighter and try to calm myself down.

"We probably would've won today if it wasn't for my stupid decision to give Kageyama a point based on my 'attitude'"

OKAY, THATS IT!

I slam both my hands on the table, making it wobble. He still held a solemn expression and that pissed me off even more.

"What is your problem! You clearly had the upper hand. I gave it to them out of pity and you should realize you're better than Kageyama. God, I hate people like you. You're naturally talented but you're too dumb to see that!" my arms shook in anger but after a few moments I lower myself back down and stare blankly at my computer screen. We were both silent for a moment, then I cleared my throat,

"Sorry. I'm working on my anger. I barely know you. I misjudged." I grumbled

"No, I think you know me."

In confusion our eyes met and this time he didn't look pissed or disinterested. He actually looked grateful, which confused me even more. This was the first time I've seen him smile. It was a small one but regardless it was a smile.

"I- I remember you... at Kageyama's matches. You were really talented and I was honestly jealous." I explained quickly, still staring down at my clenched fist.

"That's why you gave them the point? Huh." he questioned.

"I honestly hate people like you. So show-offy and have no respect for other people who are trying their best. They may not be as talented as you, but they sure as hell are giving it their all. You're just like (F/N). I love her but, I hate how she's wasting her talent. So ignorant of other people that have to work hard to get to where you are. And I'm one of those peopl-"

He suddenly thumped me in the head making me lose my train of thought.

"Son of a-" I curse

"You're dumb to think that you're not talented too." he said rubbing his hand. "God, you're hard headed."

And just like that, he shut me up.

The sudden turning of the knobs of the front door caught my attention. I hear keys jingling and I instantly think its my mom. I let her open the door and yell,

"Hi mom! We're not done our project yet! He might have to stay a bit longer."

"Who's he and should I be concerned?" the door swung fully open and my eyes met my brothers. He looked uneasy as he stared at the boy sitting near me.

"Hajime! What are you doing here?" I stood up and met my brother at the door. I was still slightly mad at him, but I couldn't be happier that he was home. I haven't seen him in forever since he left to live with 'dad'. He would come home occasionally but recently he hasn't been showing up.

"I came to get something from my room. I need my spare volleyball shoes. The ones I'm wearing right now are worn down." he explained. He barely greeted me properly as he's still angry that theres a boy in our house. Also the fact that we were alone.

"Mika. Who's this?" He gestured to Tsukishima in a cold tone. My brother would always do this. He'd always get mad at the opposite gender for me. Its not like he wasn't a boy himself.

"Classmate." I say flatly. I stare at my nails with a bored expression, showing that I had no interest in this boy.

"Hmph. Better be." just before my brother takes off his shoes, I look behind him and notice another person standing there. My eyes widen and realize who it was.

"MIKA-CHAN!!!" Oikawa called out. He was wearing jeans and a tight black T-shirt. His hair was messy, but it fell in a pretty way; his bright smile was bigger than ever.

OIKAWA?! I've had a major crush on him ever since middle school. But he would never notice me because you were just 'Hajime's little sister'.

"Why aren't you pretty Mika-chan! You've gotten so tall too!" Oikawa said all excitedly as he looked me up and down. I haven't seen him in two years. He's still as gorgeous as I remembered.

"Hajime, why didn't you tell me Mika had gotten so beautiful." He beamed at my brother. He made a grunting sound and ignored his comment. I was blushing hard but I couldn't help it. The only person who gave you butterflies was Oikawa. I still couldn't make out any words because of the bold compliment.

Was he always this upfront?

"I'm going up to my room, make yourself at home Trashy-kawa." Hajime grunted as he took off upstairs to his bedroom.

"Well that's not how you treat a guest, Iwa-chan." Oikawa teased.

Now it was just the three of us in the living room. Oikawa, Tsukishima and me. For some reason I felt uncomfortable at the situation.

Great now theres two boys in the house...

I take my seat beside Tsukishima again, and type more notes in the shared google doc.

"Whatcha doin' Mika-chan? Learning with a boy over here?" He said playfully. I didn't realize he was right over my shoulder and uncomfortably close to my face. I started to feel hot again. I push him away playfully saying,

"Ah, its just a shared assignment Oikawa-kun."

"Ah poo, I wanted to spend more time with you Mika-chan. It's been a while hasn't it." he said with a devilish smile. He suddenly grabbed me by the chin and he tilted it closer to his face. He was so close that you could feel his every breath.

What is he doing?!

"Tsk tsk, Hajime kept you hidden away from me. How selfish of him, no?" He whispered to me. He was so close it felt like he was leaning in for a kiss when suddenly a hand shot straight out, blocking my view to him.

"Hey. Don't touch my girlfriend."

G-GIRLFR-REIND?!

Oikawa was still holding onto my chin but directed his gaze towards Tsukishima. He scowled at him and eventually let go of me.

"Awe, Mika-chan. You didn't mention you had a boyfriend." he said all pouty. He sent death glares at the blonde sitting next to me. Tsukishima still had that stupid face where I couldn't read what he was thinking.

"No fun. I'll catch you next time Mika-chan." he stood up and before he went upstairs to join my brother, he turned his head slightly and added,

"I won't lose next time." he winked at me, making me fidget in me spot.

He disappeared upstairs and with that, I sighed with relief. It felt like he was never going to leave. I glance towards Tsukishima and he was still writing in his notebook like he didn't give a damn.

HOW DARE HE CLAIM ME AS HIS GIRLFRIEND! THE NERVE!!!

"What the hell was that for?!" I raised my voice and smacked him in the arm. He looked up at me and replied,

"He was making you uncomfortable. That was the only way for him to back off."

He still looked like he didn't care or even thought about what he carelessly blurted out. Flustered, I retort back,

"There were other ways. Plus, he wasn't bothering me."

"Well, he was bothering me." he said more agitated.

I let his comment go and divert my attention back to the assignment. I was still extremely embarrassed by the situation that I still couldn't talk properly.

*Ding!*

"The strawberry shortcake is done." Tsukishima calmly stated.

---------------- end p. 23 -----------------------