"You can't play volleyball anymore." the doctor informed you. "You have to refrain from any strenuous physical activity. It'll hurt more than benefit you."

I can't play volleyball anymore?

It was 3 months post accident. You still had braces wrapped around your right leg and arm. You couldn't count how many sessions you had of physiotherapy, but it felt endless. You worked so hard believing you can go back to your normal life, but you already missed so much of school. Your mom already dropped you out of school to homeschool you. You never felt more lonelier than ever.

As the doctor removes the braces, you run your fingers up and down the scar on your arm. He inspects both your injuries and writes more notes in his clipboard.

"The fractures you have are healing well, but the surgery was tricky. We had to remove a some nerves in order to reach your severed arteries. It may cause pain and discomfort especially playing a sport like volleyball. If you damage more arteries, you might even loose sensation. Your arm can't bend that far back how it used to. I also discussed with your psychiatrist, and volleyball is one of your triggers, yes?"

A sudden weight sits on your chest as everything he said was a blur. You clutch the end of the examination table and your arms begin to shake. You wanted to say something but you still had difficulty making out words.

The thought scares me. Playing again without my dad or my sister. I have no purpose anymore.

"But hey. There are other activities that you can do that will bring you joy." the doctor places a hand on your shoulder and makes eye contact with you.

Bring me joy?

"Here." he hands you a pamphlet that reads 'Creativity in your hands: a log of activities post recovery'

"There's some art classes you can take. I recommend the sketching 101. My daughter really enjoys that one."

Taking the pamphlet in your hands your eyes loom over the pictures of people having fun. Face painting, colouring, drawing, moulding clay... nothing that 'sparked joy'

How can they be so happy?

"Don't worry (F/N), you'll find something you love"

Something I love.

Your leg rapidly bounces up in down as you hold your clipboard. You were doodling a picture of your dad and Kiyoko. It was hard to keep a steady hand as the bus moves along the bumpy road.

I can't believe I'm playing volleyball. I thought I would never go back to this sport.

"Woow senpai! You're so good a drawing!"

Huh senpai?

You look towards Hinata with a confused face as you tap your pen to your lips. His orange hair was as vibrant as his smile. He was sitting beside you on the bus, swinging his legs in excitement.

"Hinata-kun. Did you just call me senpai?"

He nods happily and asks,

"Well, aren't you my upperclassmen? You're not in any of my classes?"

"Oh, that's right. I guess I didn't tell you I'm in advanced classes."

"SENPAI! YOU'RE SO WELL ROUNDED!" he leaned in closer to you in awe.

"Um, Hinata I'm not your senpai?" you try to explain slowly to the boy. He still looked confused.

"She's in advanced courses but she's our age you idiot." Kageyama scoffed. He was sitting in the seat behind you. You didn't know he was listening in to your conversation. Kageyama looked bored as he stared out the window with his arm propping up his chin.

"Heeey. That's not nice Kageyama. Maybe that's why (F/N) wanted to sit beside me instead of you." he sticks out his tongue and Kageyama traps his head in a towel. Hinata tried to let out some words but all you could hear was,

"HMMM, HMM!!!"

You giggle at Hinata who was fighting against the towel, and losing. Coach Ukai catches him and he yells from the front of the bus,

"HEY YOU KIDS! STOP THAT RIGHT NOW OR I'LL TURN THIS BUS AROUND!"

Kageyama lets go and Hinata slumps over in his seat panting heavily. Surprisingly after a few minutes, Hinata recovers from Kageyama's harassment and randomly blurts out,

"That's why you're so close to Sugawara-senpai!" He smirked at you and you blushed. You tried distracting yourself by focusing on your sketch.

Why is he smiling like that? Does he know something?

"I-I guess we are? He's just the first person I met at school"

I hope we are

The reason why you were sitting next to Hinata was because you didn't want to chose between Suga or Kageyama. They were making you nervous for the game so you thought sitting beside the 'ball of sunshine' would make you feel better. Little did you know he would get motion sickness from the bus. He clutched his stomach and leaned his head on your shoulder. You pat his head trying to comfort him and continue your drawing. Your pen moves up and down and it stops at Kiyoko's face.

If only Kiyoko were here. I wonder what she'd say to calm me down.

You glance over the top of the seats and notice Mika sitting beside Tsukishima. They were weren't talking but you could hear the sounds of a video game playing in the background. You peek over and Mika was frantically pressing buttons on her Nintendo Switch, trying to shoot Tsukishima in the game.

"JUST DIE ALREADY!" she yells elbowing him in the gut.

"OW! Mika why are you shooting me?! We're on the same team stupid" he grumbled while elbowing her back. Their eyes were both glued to their screens.

Hinata eventually fell asleep beside you and and started snoring. His chest rises and falls and he seemed so peaceful that you didn't want to wake him. You were almost done your picture when the bus hit another huge bump, jolting your hand upwards. Glancing at your picture you realized it got smudged.

Damn it.

You look towards Hinata and realize you marked up his nose without knowing. You try to wipe it away without waking him up, but the ink still remained.

I'll just wipe it when he wakes up.

The bus lets out more steam as it slowly comes to a stop. You hear the screeching of the tires and the engine makes a hiss sound before coming to a halt.

"Hey we're here!" Nishinoya peered through the window with both his palms against it. He flattens his nose and cheeks on the glass to get a better look.

"Look at all the HOT Seijoh girls!!!" Tanaka and Nishinoya screamed with joy. They were bouncing up and down like little children.

Evacuating the bus, everyone broke out in chitchat and awe. Your eyes immediately widen.

"Woah"

You couldn't believe Hajime went to this school. Their buildings were huge and the school was decked with greenery and beautiful flowers. The school colours, white and turquoise, glistened on the schools walls. Multiple trophies and awards were lined up and encased in a glass. They were proudly displayed in the long hallways. The bustle of students were chattering amongst one another as they stare at the foreigners in their school.

"BEAUTIFUL GIRLS EVERYWHERE!" Nishinoya and Tanaka were about to run up to a group of girls until Suga stuck out his arm in front of them.

"NO" Suga yelled at the two misfits.

This school was amazing. Even if I wanted to go here, I wouldn't be able to afford it. But wow, this would be a dream to be able to walk these halls.

You gaze at the captivating artwork hanging on the walls. You admired art. You didn't appreciate it as much as volleyball, but it gave you something to do when you were in rehab. You walked with the rest of the team while admiring the paintings. Before you reached the gym, you bump into someone.

"Hey, watch where you're going."

You gulp and bow multiple times, "Sorry, I'm sorry. It's my fault."

Wait, I think I recognize this boy. Looking up, you met the boy's face. He had well groomed hair that was parted in the middle and dark, emotionless brown eyes. Before he could let out another word, as he seemed recognized you too, you hear Hinata yelling in the background,

"WOAH ONION HEAD!"

You smile apologetically to him and fast walk towards the gym with your head hung low.

Hinata what are you up to now?

"Who are you calling onion head. At least I don't look like a dog! Unlike you with that black thing on your nose."

Hinata tilts his head in confusion as the other boy frowns upon him. You were prepared to lecture Hinata until,

"Wait, Kindachi-kun?" you call out to the boy with spiky hair. He turns around and with surprise he says,

"(F/N)! What are you doing here!" he goes up to you and greets you with a hug, earning a few glares from your team.

"(F/N), it's nice seeing you." a voice called out. Turning around, you notice it was the boy from earlier.

"Kunimi-kun? Wow, it's crazy how both of you are here! It's such a beautiful school"

He had his hands in his gym short pockets and shrugs. The two of the boys stood in front of you. Kindaichi and Kunimi used to go to your middle school as well. They were best friends and they liked to hang with you, only if Kageyama or Mika wasn't around. They said they were 'too loud for their liking'. Also, Kindaichi was your cousin from your dad's side. So he knew what happened. He couldn't keep his mouth shut so eventually he told Kunimi.

"You're looking great (F/N). How's the arm?" Kindaichi asks grabbing your arm to inspect it. Your arm and leg both were wrapped with braces. The Karasuno boys were glaring at Kindaichi. You could feel imaginary daggers aimed to his head.

Ah if only they knew he's my cousin.

"It's alright." you say shyly. "How's everything cous'?"

"First year's okay. We're happy that we made it into the team. Our team captain is really something... Anyways, hows your team captain?" he laughs.

"Um yeah about that... for now It's, um, Mika."

"MIKA?!" both of them say aloud.

Mika walks in with her arm around Kageyama's neck and notices the three of you. She was rubbing his hair furiously with her other hand. Kageyama let out a few grunts before she let go of him. Behind them, Yams and Tsukishima followed.

At least those two are getting along.

Kindaichi face scrunched up and Kunimi lips formed a straight line.

"SUP LOSERS. WE'RE GOING TO BEAT YOUR ASSES!" She points directly at the boys beside you.

"Wait, for real? She's your captain?" Kindachi looked Mika up and down with a judgmental face.

"YOU GOT A PROBLEM WITH THAT, ONION HEAD?" Mika yelled at him. She was closing in on him until you stepped in between.

"See! That's what I said!" Hinata points at Kindachi, trying to prove a point.

"Mika... please be cool." You whisper angrily at her. Mika seemed to be receiving a lot of attention from the other boys that were already practicing at the court.

She stops snarling and stops dead in her tracks, making her sneakers squeak.

Huh, why did she stop?

"MIKA-CHAN!!!!" Oikawa happily runs with open arms towards her. She was frozen in her spot with her face red as a tomato. He almost reached her until Tsukishima stuck out his hand to Oikawa's head

"You perv..." Tsukishima grumbled to him.

Oikawa pouted and retorted,

"This isn't over you four-eyed freak! She'll ditch you one day once she realizes she'll be happier with me! I can tell, she's miserable with you."

Happier with me? What? It's not like they're dating-

Tsukishima impulsively wrapped his arm around her and kissed her on the forehead. He whispered something into her ear and you could see steam coming out of her ears.

W-WHAT THE FRICK TSUKISHIMA?!

Oikawa was just as speechless as Mika, until Hajime came over and hit Tsukishima and Oikawa in the head. He then pulled Oikawa by the collar, dragging him back to the court.

"STOP FLIRTING WITH MY SISTER!"

All the other team members were laughing and murmuring to each other,

"Wowee, I'd date her." And "damn, I didn't know Hajime had a hot sister."

Hajime swiftly turns around and glares at his teammates with hatred in his eyes.

"If any of you touch my sister I swear I will beat the shi- "

Seijoh's coach blows his whistle interrupting Hajime's explosion of colourful words.

"Team, line up!" the coach hollered at the laughing hyaenas.

All the boys listened to his command and obeyed without hesitation.

Woah so disciplined.

You glance towards your team on the other side of the court. The others were stretching and warming up. However, Tanaka and Nishinoya were bouncing excitedly as they spotted a few girls in the stands. They were obviously there for Oikawa but they were oblivious.

"WOW! I WANNA TRANSFER TO THIS SCHOOL! THERE'S SO MANY HOT GIRLS!" They both exclaimed. Suga thumped both of them at the back of their heads.

"Do you have no respect for women!"

You giggle at Suga and he notices. His eyes soften and he smiles again at you. He waves his hand, motioning you to come towards him.

Well at least we have some discipline.

"What's up." You say casually. You didn't want to look nervous but he could tell you were by the way you were tapping your fingers on your thigh.

"Here. I brought you some earplugs again. Annnd, I drew thus up for you last night."

He grabbed a small, yellow notebook with creased edges from his jacket pocket. The pages were worn out as multiple corners were folded. You open the notebook to the marked pages and see volleyball diagrams drawn by hand.

"Wow, this is beautiful Suga. I love it." Your eyes glaze over with wonderment.

His handwriting is so neat! And these plays...

You flip faster, turning the pages and absorbing all the knowledge.

They're amazing and accurate. These plays are so smart!

"I'm glad you like it."

He made this for me?

"I had this book since my first year. Kiyoko found it useful, I think you will too. You can keep it if you want." He flashed a smile that was filled with kindness and love.

"I don't know what to say. Thank you so much Suga" you held the book to your chest, feeling warm inside.

He even helped Kiyoko when she was struggling.

"It's no problem, say after this game maybe I can treat you out?"

"Oh, ya, um... that would be nice." You spit out while fussing with his uniform you borrowed. You were wearing tight spandex, you felt so insecure.

"Team Huddle!" Mika yells out to the other people in the team.

"Well I gotta go! I'll see you later" you say too quickly to Suga and turn around all embarrassed.

"I'm here!" You call out and join the rest of the team. Suga sat on the bench near the opponents' coach.

The coach was making conversation with Suga as his lips were moving while pointing at you and Mika. He smiles at the coach and the coach's whistle fell out of his mouth in surprise. Suga looked like he was trying to explain why you and Mika weren't boys. Ukai came over and held out the rule book to him. The coach surprisingly nods with his arms crossed in agreement.

"Hey (F/N), I know you're distracted right now, but please focus?" Mika pulled your head back down in a huddle.

Ouch. Like you're the one to talk.

You smirk at Tsukishima but he still held a serious face.

Damn, he's hard to read.

"Okay, I know I'm not Daichi, and I will never replace him. But let me tell you this..."

Mika let out a loud sigh,

"I AM DETERMINED TO WIN! LETS KICK SOME ASS!"

"MIKA!" you scold her

"ERM SORRY! EVERYONE HANDS IN!"

All the boys put their hands in and chanted on Mika's command,

"KARASUNOOOO FIGHT!"

—————- end p. 28 ——————