The match was still in progress, as Karasuno and Date Kogyo were going back and forth with attacks, until Karasuno won their first set. Ukai explained some of the positions, while Mizuki read them the tactics they should use. When watching them play, the boys were having some rough edges but sill hung on. From the other court, Irihata and Mizoguchi saw them as Karasuno was huddled up in a group.

"They're doing good so far," Mizoguchi implied.

"Even so," Irihata spoke, "Karasuno will be at a disadvantage, and must find a way to beat Date Tech. They'll be at lost if the other team wins the second set..." He paused when seeing Mizuki glance their way. She gave a wave and smiled. Irihata and Mizoguchi did the same, bowing their heads before they turned back to their team. When the boys were back on the court, they played through and through. Mizuki was on the bench as the gears in her mind were processing.

'Up till now,' she thought, 'positions... tactics... and the will of each player.... all of them have been effective for both teams. With Hint's position on vanguard, were at a slight advantage... but Aone's block reading hasn't faltered just yet. As for Asahi.... his blocks haven't shown much just yet. Still....' She glanced at him as he tried to spike another.

'That won't stop him.' Suddenly, she saw Hinata get flustered when serving the ball out of bounds. Kageyama was yelling at him while Tanaka blocked him, and Sawamura was comforting her brother. She had to smile as she watched Hinata get benched with the others.

"I thought he had me," Hinata spoke to Yamaguchi, "but at least Asahi-san is on vanguard now. We'll be okay as long as the ace is here. I have faith in him." He was brimming with confidence as much as Asahi was.

"I agree," Mizuki whispered.

Within the few minutes, Asahi was doing his best to spike the ball, but the blockers were still coming on strong. Nishinoya recovered the serve.

"One more! Left!" Asahi shouted. Kageyama served it to him. Asahi jumped the same time as the blockers did, and both Aone and Asahi touched the ball.

"I-its a joust!" Asahi grit his teeth as he squared off with Aone to push the ball forward.

"Gasp!"

"Kuh!"

However, Aone pushed even harder as the ball slipped from Asahi's hand. At that moment, Karasuno thought they would lose. But that's not what Nishinoya thought. Just like instincts, the libero used his left foot to receive the ball. Everyone was shocked at first, but that's where the real fun starts. The crowd cheered. Ukai, Takeda and Kiyoko were in awe, but not as much as Mizuki. That's when she took a deep breath.

"One more!" She, Hinata, Sugawara and Nishinoya shouted. Asahi ran back as Kageyama waited for the ball to descend. All Asahi could think of was getting back to position.

'No matter how many times,' he thought, 'don't lose concentration.'

"Go, Asahi!" Sugawara shouted.

"Asahi!/Go!!"

"Go~!" Hinata and Mizuki shouted. Just like that, Asahi jumped with all his might. As if a door was opening, Asahi spiked the ball on their hands, causing it to descend on the edge of the net. All eyes watched as the ball rolled and fell down to Date Tech's side. With one bounce, the referee blew his whistle ending the game.

"AAHH~!/Alright~!!"

Karasuno shouted as loud as the crowd. The girls' team were cheering and jumping up and down. Karasuno had broken the Iron Wall and won the match. Once both teams lined up to the net, they shook hands. Hinata stared at Aone, who put his hand out in front go him. Somehow Hinata could see his expression through his stone face, as he shook hands with the tall boy. Once they were done, the team was surrounding Asahi, complimenting him on his serve, even though Hinata was talking in gibberish again. Just then, Nishinoya felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around. He flinched when seeing Mizuki standing right there.

"M-Mizuki-san!"

"Nishinoya," she said, "come with me for a bit."

"Uh....?" He followed her to the side of the gym.

"That was some performance you did," she implied, "you did your best out there."

"Th-thank you," Nishinoya sheepishly rubbed his neck.

"But still..."

"...?"

"You used the same move I did," she smiled. That's when Nishinoya remembered the incident from the training camp.

"I couldn't believe the miracle you did," she kept smiling at him, "not only were you good at quick-thinking..." She put a fist to his chest, right where his heart was.

"... but you acted on your own and used your instincts... from in here. It looks like all that training paid off. Keep doing this, and you'll become an even greater libero than you were before." Nishinoya felt himself stiffen, but with joy overflowing inside himself. He did a perfect 90 degree bow to her.

"Thank you very much! Mizuki-senpai!!" Mizuki couldn't see it, because she could sense the libero smiling as well.

"The real challenge is our next opponent. So be prepared when the time comes."

"Hai!!" He shot up and grinned at her.

"Nishinoya~ let's line up!"

"Hai~!" Nishinoya bowed to Mizuki again and ran towards his team. Just then, the orange-hair girl saw Aone and Futakuchi talking to their senpais. She decided to talk to them, and started jogging over. At that moment, the two juniors were facing their captain with confidence, when Mizuki was right by their side.

"You seem lively."

"Ah... Hinata-san."

"Its Mizuki," she sighed, "enough with the honorifics." Moniwa awkwardly chuckled.

"You all did great," she smiled, "I'm sure your juniors will get back redemption next time... but don't expect it to be that easy." She then put her hand out to him, in which Moniwa shook it with a smile. Then, Mizuki turned to the two second years and did the same.

"It was a pleasure to play against you."

"Hai!"

"Aone-kun," she turned to him, "I'm sure that you'll be keeping things in tab with your friend here." She pointed at Futakuchi, who sweat dropped.

"Hai," he nodded, "um..."

"Mm..?"

"Thank you... Hinata-senpai."

"Mm... you too. I hope we see each other in the Spring Preliminaries."

"Hai, senpai," he smiled.

'Aone actually talked to someone!' his friends thought the same thing.

On the sidelines, Ukai smirked at Mizuki.

"I think Hinata-san is getting used to coaching," Takeda thought.

"Yeah," Ukai nodded. Mizuki watched as Karasuno bowed to their spectators.

"Ah! Mizuki-san!"

"?" She looked up to see three girls waving to her from the stands.

"Matsuko. Rin... Hana..."

"We came to watch Oikawa-san," Rin said.

"Congrats on your team's win," Hana smiled.

"Thanks."

"Oh! Its Oikawa's turn to serve!" Matsuko shouted. She and her friends fangirl at Oikawa, and Mizuki sweet dropped at their bubbly aura.

Mizuki looked at Aoba Johsai's captain. Her eyes widened when seeing his powerful serve slam right passed his opponents.

'Still amazing as before... has it grown stronger?' She saw the expressions on her team's face. She walked up to the team, getting their attention.

"Be patient guys," she said in a serious tone, "we'll get our chance.... I'm sure we'll be facing them in the next game." The nodded in agreement. When the team started to walk off the court, Mizuki was stopped by Ukai.

"What is it, Keishin?"

"Shotarou is waiting for you," he replied, "you'll be out with him while we watch Johsai's match."

"Is that okay?"

"Don't worry. I'll give you full detail later."

"Um, okay... I'll see you later." She bowed to him before she left.

>>>>>>>> Fast Forward >>>>>>>>

It was around 2 in the afternoon when she and Shotarou arrived. However, Mizuki did not expect this to happen.

"Shotarou-sensei.... what's this...?" She looked up at the sign that hung on the noodle restaurant.

"Its a restaurant."

"I know what is it! But why did we drive all the way to Tokyo for food!?"

"This is the best place to eat noodles. I've been coming here since my childhood days. Come on, let's go." Mizuki sweat dropped as she followed the old man inside.

"Welcome~!" the owner shouted.

"Shinjou!"

"Oh~ Shotarou," the owner smiled, "its been years... you still live in America?"

"Yup. I retired from the team, though."

"Well then, take a seat here. Your usual, right?"

"Hai... and one pork noodle soup for my friend here."

"Oh-- hello sir." Mizuki bowed to him.

"Oh, is this one of your former players? She looks so young..." Shotarou and Mizuki took a seat as they watched Shinjou cook from the other side. At that moment, two boys were heading inside.

"Welcome~!"

"Hah~ I'm starving~!"

"Hai, hai... I heard you."

"Old man~ two ramen bowls, please~"

"Hai~" The two boys sat by the table, with one sitting next to Mizuki. Her hazel eyes looked up to see the boy; he had golden-colored eyes, spiky white-grey hair with black streaks. Mizuki tilted her head when seeing him. He sort of reminded her of...

"Owl...?" she thought out loud.

"Hm?" The boy turned his head to see her, making her blink in surprise.

"Alright," Shinjou grinned while holding the tray, "one pork noodle soup right here."

"Thank you~.... huh...?" Both the white-grey boy and Mizuki had their hands out in the open, while they stared at each other in confusingly.

"Ah, I'm sorry," Mizuki sheepishly smiled, "you can take it."

"Uh, no--no... you can have it."

"Ah~ I'm sorry," Shinjou apologized, "I forgot to grab the other one. Hold on..." While he was busy, Mizuki grabbed the bowl and put it in front of the boy.

"If the other one's ready, then you can eat this one."

"Really?"

"Hai," she smiled at him.

"Thank you~... itadakimasu~" He got his chopsticks and started eating.

"Here's yours miss."

"Thank you," Mizuki grabbed her bowl as the owner passed out Shotarou's and the other boy's food. Mizuki slurped her noodles and hummed in satisfaction.

"Delicious~"

"Right," the boy grinned. Mizuki giggled in agreement. Just then, she saw his gym bag below his feet.

"Um... are you by any chance a volleyball player?"

"Yup. I go to Fukurodani Academy," he said proudly, "I'm Bokuto Kotarou. This here's my kouhai, Akaashi Keiji."

"Hello." The short-black hair boy nodded.

"I'm the captain and ace on my team."

"Heh~"

"What's your name?"

"I'm Hinata Mizuki... but you can call me by my name."

"I never saw you around here," Akaashi implied, "where are you from?"

"She's not from any school here," Shotarou got their attention, "she's a high school graduate from America."

"Eh?" the boys unison.

"But she's also like you.... my former player from my team."

"You're a coach?"

"Was," he corrected, "I'm Shotarou Paul. I coached the girl's volleyball team... and she was the captain for two years."

"Seriously? You're the same age as us..." Bokuto was all up in her face.

"Ah...h-hai..." Mizuki sweat dropped.

"Hey hey, Mizuki," Bokuto smiled.

'He's already being so familiar with her,' Akaashi sweat dropped.

"What position are you?"

"Well," Mizuki blinked, "I was a libero... but I changed roles to become an ace."

"You're an ace~?" Bokuto's smile widened. Mizuki could see his eyes beaming with joy.

"You're just like me. Being an ace is awesome, right? Right?"

"Hehehe.... I guess....but let's eat first, before the food gets cold."

"Hai!" The two of them were in sync as they slurped their noodles and ate.

"So good~" they hummed in unison.

>>>>>>>>> Time Skip (three hours later) >>>>>>>>>>

The four of them were standing outside the restaurant saying their goodbyes.

"It was nice meeting you," Mizuki bowed to them.

"Us too," Bokuto grinned, "next time we meet, we should do a practice match."

"Sounds like fun."

"Mizuki, we should go now."

"Hai," she started walking away, "bye Bokuto, Akashi...."

"Catch!" Shotarou threw his keys in the air. Mizuki jumped as high as she could as her arm reached for the keys while shocking the high schoolers. She landed right in front of Shotarou.

"Hey, don't do that," she frowned, "what if you threw them in a gutter or something."

"Just keeping you on your toes," he smirked.

"Hai-hai... that's what you say..." She followed Shotarou to the car as the boys stood there until they left. After a while, Akaashi couldn't help but stare at Bokuto's goofy-looking expression.

"Why are you so happy?" he asked.

"She's interesting," Bokuto grinned, "I never saw someone jump like that. Now I really want to go against Mizuki in a match."

"If that happens..."

"Of course it will," Bokuto said with confidence.

"How are you going to do that when you can't contact her?"

"Ah! I forgot to ask her email!" Bokuto gaped. Akaashi quietly sighed at his friend's simpleminded nature.

Meanwhile, Karasuno's volleyball team was going over their plans for tomorrow. Ukai was explaining the details, right when Mizuki and Shotarou were walking towards the gym.

"So that's about it," Ukai implied, "make sure to get plenty of rest tonight."

"Hai!"

"That's it for today."

"Thank you very much!" The boys bowed. Once out of the gym, they saw Mizuki waving to them.

"Shoyo." Mizuki called her little brother.

"Hey nee-san," Hinata jogged over and gave her a hug.

"Are you done with practice?"

"Hai," he smiled, "hey, hey... can you make dinner tonight? Mom bought some food for sukiyaki, so I told her to wait until we got home."

"You really want me to cook?"

"Of course. You make it better than anyone."

"Don't tell mom that, or she'll kill you," she joked.

"Yosh~! Let's go home and eat!" Mizuki giggled as she and her brother walked away. On the sidelines, Tanaka and Nishinoya were slightly glaring with envy written on their faces.

"How easily he can hug her in public," Nishinoya frowned. Sugawara chuckled behind him.

When the Hinata's arrived back home, they settled down and started eating dinner. Natsu was talking to Mizuki while Hinata was wolfing his food down.

"Shoyo," Ms. Hinata called from the kitchen, "make sure to finish your homework before going to bed."

"Hai~" Shoyo bellowed.

"I'm done," Mizuki got up from the chair. Ms. Hinata grabbed her plate.

"I'll clean up," she said, "you should head to bed since you're waking up early to see Paul."

"Thank you mom," the orange-hair girl quickly went upstairs to change and brush her teeth. After a while, she was preparing her things for tomorrow. She held up her sports jacket and checked for any errors.

"Hmm..... perfect." She hung it over her desk and hopped into bed, turning the lights off. She closed her eyes in hopes of being sent to dreamland. Although, she would smile now and again when hearing her little sister bother Shoyo. All she could think of now, was the match with Aoba Johsai.

>>>>>>>>>>> Next Day >>>>>>>>>>>

A huge crowd was making their way to their seats. It was the second day of the Inter-High, and everyone was excited to see the match between Aoba Johsai and Karasuno. There were even Oikawa's usual fangirls screaming his name out and the school's cheer team. The captains on each team shook hands, and both teams were now warming up. Takeda and Kiyoko were gathering the balls each time the players spiked. Mizuki was on the side of the net watching them.

"Sorry!'' A ball hit the wall. Mizuki went over to get it. She then tossed it to Takeda.

BAM!

"?" She turned to see that she was standing behind the court where Aoba Johsai was warming up. At that moment, Iwaizumi spiked the ball after OIkawa set it.

"Don't try too hard Iwa-chan," Oikawa said, "none of the girls will be looking at you, anyway. So stop showing off." Mizuki sweat dropped when seeing Kindaichi holding Iwaizumi from behind, just before he could beat up Oikawa.

"Iwaizumi-san, calm down!"

"Let go of me, Kindaichi!" Iwaizumi's voice sounded threatening.

"Everyone is staring!"

"Like I care. I'm gonna hit him."

BOP

"?" Iwaizumi stopped shouting. Kindaichi blinked, as he stared at Mizuki, who bumped a volleyball at Iwaizumi's head. The third year gave a blank look at her.

"Calm down, Iwaizumi," she half smiled, "we can't have you fuming all that energy out before the match."

"Eh... Mizuki?" Kindaichi released him and Iwaizumi relaxed.