"Hurry up~!"

"What's the rush, Hinata?" Shoyo was already far ahead of everyone, heading into the spacious park.

"Geez," Sawamura smiles, "he's more proactive than usual."

"Can you blame him," Sugawara chuckles, "it's been years since he watched his sister play in a tournament."

"Well, it's more like a local game for everyone to play, but it's still popular."

"Wuah~! We're here!" Shoyo smiles in awe. Crowds were forming around two volleyball courts.

"Yo~ Karasuno!" They boys see none other than Nekoma and Fukurodani, standing on one side of a court.

"Hey, Kuroo," Sawamura waves.

"We thought you might've gotten lost," Kuroo implies.

From behind, Shoyo sees two men; one had curly hair, and the other a short ponytail and stylish glasses. They were sitting at a table away from the courts, with wires hooked into their mics and speakers on the side.

"Testing...testing..."

"Hey~! Jester-san!"

"Hm?" The ponytail-man sees Shoyo running to him.

"As I live and breathe," he smiles, "it's Hinata's little brother. How's it going?"

"I'm great."

"WOW~! Hinata's bro! Yo-yo, what's up lil' dude?!" Shoyo awkwardly cringes when the curly-hair guy shouts into the mic.

"H-hey there, Ken-san. You're energetic as ever."

"I bet you're psyched seeing your sister compete in this year's competition."

"Totally! By the way, have you seen her?"

"She might be getting ready," Jester implies, "you better get a good spot to watch, though. It's already packed."

"Roger," he salutes, and returns to his friends.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the courts...

"Whew~ it's hot today."

"Oi, Shittykawa, move over so the rest of us can see."

Oikawa pouts at Iwaizumi. They, along with Hanamaki, Matsukawa, and even Kyotani, were blending in the crowd.

"This is the last time I tell you where I'm going," Iwaizumi grunts.

"How mean~! As if I'd let you see Mizu-chan's game without me."

"Why am I here," Kyotani mumbles.

"Because you wanted to," Iwaizumi smirks, "and you are Mizuki's fan, after all." Kyotani looks away, hiding his embarrassment.

Bump!/Ah!

"I-I'm sorry..." Kyotani blinks, seeing a boy with a bowl-cut hairstyle. Matsukawa notices him.

"Hey...aren't you Tsutomu Goshiki?"

"H-hai! Sorry for the intrusion."

"Ah...what?"

"Well, well~ if it isn't Aoba Johsai." The group was surprised to see five other members of Shiratorizawa's volleyball team.

"Hey~" Tendo lazily waves.

"Good morning," Ohira bows his head.

"Geh! Ushiwaka..." Oikawa irks at the olive-haired-boy.

"Oh...Oikawa. What are you doing here?"

"I can ask you the same thing," he retorts.

"We heard about this competition from a classmate," Shirabu implies.

"So, we came to check it out," Semi adds.

"Um...is it true that Mizuki-senpai will be playing," Goshiki asks.

"Yup," Matsukawa nods, "I'm guessing you're here to cheer her on, too."

Jester shouts into the mic, getting everyone's attention.

Ken takes out a chart with symbols of each team.

Standing near the other court, Shoyo was watching intensely.

"...What's wrong," Sawamura asks.

"That guy..." He referred to the dirty-blonde man, the ends of his hair dyed red.

"Last time they competed, his spike knocked nee-san square in the face. She had to sit out the rest of the game."

"What," Sawamura whispers in shock.

"Her team won, though..."

Everyone cheers as Mizuki enters the scene, wearing a black-crop-top and shorts with orange patterns, sneakers, black elbow-n'-knee pads. Her hair was a half-bun hairstyle.

"Mizuki-san~!" Tanaka and Nishinoya were screaming their lungs off.

"Fweet~!" Tendo whistle flirtatiously.

"W-what is she wearing," Iwaizumi gaps.

"Mizu-chan~!/Pervert--don't look!"

SMACK!/OW!

"S-she's totally exposed," Goshiki blushes while covering his face. Ohira and Semi awkwardly smile and try to calm him.

Skye came out waving; her hairstyle also matched Mizuki's. That's when Masaki, Satoshi, Ukai, and Takinoue run out wearing the same colored-uniforms.

"Coach?!" Karasuno gawks.

When they step down, everyone talks amongst themselves while the teams warm up.

"Yaku-san~!"

"Wuahh!" Skye hugs him with a goofy grin.

"I'm so glad you came."

"Y-yeah." He then glares at his snickering friends, watching his face turn red.

"We didn't know you were playing Ukai-san," Sugawara thought.

"They needed a setter, since Akira is positioned libero." From behind, Sawamura notices Mizuki staring at the Venomous Gangsters team. That's when the ace player sees her, locking eye-contact. Within seconds, the two walk towards each other.

"Ah! What is he--!"

"Wait!" He stops Shoyo in time.

"But captain!"

"What's going on?" Nishinoya and Asahi join in.

"Let's just see what they'll do." They watch them stand face-to-face, a brief silence following.

.

.

.

.

Out of nowhere, they simultaneously raise their arms up.

"......"

"......"

CLASP

They lock hands in an urban-handshake, with a sincere smile.

"Hello, again...Yokuto-san."

"You too...Hina-chan."

"....Eh?" The boys unison in disbelief.

"You're looking well."

"You too. Where's your cousin?"

He points to another blonde with blue eyes, sitting on the bench. Mizuki then sees her friends.

"Hey guys...c'mere for a sec." The boys walk closer.

"This is Yokuto Naoki. He's a recent graduate of Tohoku University."

"I now coach the women's volleyball team." Mizuki sees the suspicious expression on Shoyo.

"Will you stop that already."

"But he--"

"I let him hit me."

"What?! W-why?!"

"We didn't have a choice," Yokuto explains, "if I didn't do what Kobe said, he would've hurt my cousin."

"Kobe," Asahi questions.

"The captain..." They look at the man with short-brown-hair and red-eyes.

"When I overheard him blackmailing Yokuto-san, I told him--including my team, to play along."

"It was meant to look like an accident."

"But why is a jerk like him on your team," Nishinoya argues.

"My cousin, Haruto, is our best setter...but he's defenseless against Kobe's abusive-nature. We tried to leave, but Kobe has connections; enough to manipulate us and the team for his own sick pleasure."

"Right after my team won the last competition, I made a deal with Kobe."

"A deal," Sawamura questions.

"If my team wins...Kobe's is disbanded from the team and leaves them alone...for good."

"And if he wins?"

"Then our team disbands."

"Nee-san...is this what you wanted to talk about?"

"Sort of...the main reason...well...." The boys were confused by her hesitation.

"Nee-san...?"

"Sigh....this is...the last time you'll ever see me play."

"...What?"

"I got a call from Yokuto-san, explaining the details on his team's Welcome Match for the new members."

"Unfortunately, the match falls during your Spring Tournament."

"Wait...so, you're saying..."

"I'll be leaving after the semi-final-round of the playoffs. Today is...my farewell game, to all of you." It felt like a ton of boulders hit them, hard.

"N-no way," Nishinoya shouts, "you can't be serious, senpai!"

"I know this is a lot to take in..."

"We understand, Mizuki."

"Asahi..." Sawamura pats her shoulder.

"Don't forget...Mizuki did mention she would be attending college soon. It's not her fault." Mizuki takes Asahi's hands, clasping them.

"I'm really sorry. If I told you earlier, then--"

"I would've understood," Asahi smiles, "I'm just glad I get to see you play."

"...Shoyo...you're awfully quiet." She sees him glancing to the side.

"It's funny," he weakly chuckles, "I knew you had to leave, but..." He tries to smile.

"I didn't think it'd be this soon."

"...You know what?" She gently rubs his cheek.

"Through all of our adventures together...what made me proud, is seeing you grow into an even better volleyball player than before."

"Nee-san..."

"I have a favor to ask. You too, Nishinoya."

"Eh...us?"

"Keishin~! Bring the stuff over." The blonde-man gives Mizuki a bag.

"Hold your hands out." Though confused, the duo does it. She gives them each a pair of black-clothes and elbow-n'-knee-pads.

"What's this?"

"Duh~ your uniforms."

"S-seriously?!"

"Us...with your team?"

"You'll just be substitutes for our main libero and middle blockers," Ukai grins," it was Mizuki's idea."

"I can't play without my two favorite shorties. What do you say, guys? One last game together...?" Their smiles widen.

"Hai!!"

She laughs as the duo runs off in excitement.

"You have good people here, Hina-chan." She responds with a chuckle and a kind smile.

>>>>>>>FAST FORWARD>>>>>>>

The crowd cheers as the game commences. Jester kept tabs with teams on the right flank, while Ken was to the left.

"Go-go~!"

TOSS~

WHACK!

"Gah!" The ball bounces off the opponent's arm.

FWEET!

"Yes!"

"Nice job, Mizuki."

"Thanks, Skye...but I don't think they'll fall for it this time."

"Then let's try some strategy."

"Got it." Mizuki walks back in position to serve.

"One more~/Nice serve!" Mizuki spikes the ball again, but someone receives it to their setter.

TOSS

BAM!

"Shoot!" Satoshi fails to block it.

WHOOSH!

Just then, Skye receives it without diving. The middle blockers see Mizuki running up to the net.

"No you don't!" They jump simultaneously with her.

"Heh."

Fwip!

"Ah!" She swung the air, as Ukai set it to Masaki.

SLAM!

FWEET...FWEE~~EET!

"Alright~!"

"Nice going guys," Shoyo shouts from the bench. Just then, he sees three familiar girls coming towards them.

"Shoyo!"

"Hello, Matsuko-san."

"How's the game going," Rin asks.

"They're moving on to the second round."

"Good for them," Hana smiles.

THREE ROUNDS LATER...

"Left!"

"Got it!" Nishinoya dives and receives the ball.

"Nice receive, Noya-san," Tanaka and Sugawara cheer.

Ukai sets up to Mizuki.

BAM!

The opponent's libero receives it.

"Set up!"

At that moment, Mizuki, Ukai, and Masaki exchange looks and nod.

FWOOM!

The ball spins towards Nishinoya as it slams onto his arms.

"Cover!"

"Let's go," Mizuki shouts. She and the middle blockers simultaneously run forward.

"What's that," Hana questions.

"That's synchronized-attack," Skye smiles.

"What the--!" Their opponents gap as all jump at the same time.

TOSS!

One-by-one, three do a fake until the ball comes to Satoshi.

WHACK!/BAM!

FWEET! FWEET~!!

"Yosha~!!" The crowd cheers.

"Good work, guys." The girls hand out water bottles. Mizuki then sees Masaki and Satoshi looking at the other match, still going on.

SLAM!

FWEET!

[Wow! And that's another point for the Venomous Gangsters. They're skills are deadly as ever.]

"Looks like we know who's going to win," Masaki thought.

"We'll be ready," Satoshi challenges.

"Hey, guys," Mizuki gets their attention, "I'm going to the restroom."

"Okay. Be back in fifteen minutes."

>>>>>>>FAST FORWARD>>>>>>>

After washing her hands, Mizuki strolls out of the ladies' room while fixing her hair.

Bark!

"Hey, Taichi." She scratches behind his ear.

Pat-pat-pat-pat...

Just then, Mizuki hears footsteps approaching. Taichi whines happily as he runs to a teenager. He had light-tan-skin, dark-hair shaved; a buzz-cut with bald-stripes along the sides of his head, and oval-shaped-eyebrows.

"Wakatsu...is that you?"

"Hello, Hinata." She walks closer to him.

"What are you doing here?"

"I got your letter. When you wrote about this game, I left early to watch you compete."

"But...that must've been a long ride, here. Aren't you tired?"

"I'm fine. Although..." He eyes her a split second before looking away.

"Is that outfit necessary?"

"Hehehe...why? You think I'm being too flirtatious?"

"E-eh? That's not what I..." Mizuki laughs at his frantic-state.

"I'm kidding. You overthink things too much."

GRR~~

"...What's wrong, Taichi?" They see his fur standing on end and teeth snarling.

"Nice to see you, Hinata." Mizuki's eyes widen at Kobe. On the outside, it seem like he was smiling normally, but she knew it was to mask his true colors.

"Can I help you, Kobe?"

"Just wanted to wish you good luck."

Mizuki stays alert as he comes closer, their eyes locking onto each other.

"Deja vu..."

"Ngh!" Kobe grabs her face, smirking. It was like feeding on poisonous fangs.

"It all comes down to us, again. You're quite the 'spitfire', Hinata...but I'll make sure you never set foot on the court again."

Just before Wakatsu could intervene, he sees someone else come between them. Kobe glances at Asahi, who was strangling his wrist with a death glare.

"She's my spitfire...so, get your hands off."

Kobe chuckles, backing away.

"Guess I'll take my leave. Oh, and...I haven't forgotten about our deal. And trust me, it'll be worth wiping you off the court. See ya." He leaves without another word.

"Are you okay, Mizuki," Asahi asks, worryingly.

"Thanks to you." Asahi then notices the other teen.

"Ah, you're...Kiryu Wakatsu?"

"Yeah~ don't tell anyone, but...Wakatsu was my pen-pal when I was in America. It's a long story."

"Uh...okay...?"

"Wakatsu...this is Azumane Asahi; my boyfriend."

"It's nice to meet you." They shake hands, though Asahi was stunned to find one of the nation's Top 3 aces, come all the way from Oita to Tokyo.

"You two should get back. I'll be watching from above. Good luck, Hinata."

"Thanks." The couple and the mastiff walk the other way.

"That was...unexpected," Asahi awkwardly smiles.

"I won't say anything if you don't." Mizuki then intertwines her hand with Asahi's, getting his attention.

"You sounded very brave, just now..."

"...Thank you...but..." Asahi squeezes her hand.

"I'm more worried about you, facing Kobe's team. Please be careful during the match."

"I can't promise anything, but I'll try." Mizuki hugs his arm.

"You're the best, Asahi." The ace blushes, but with a kind smile.

When they got back, there was only five minutes left for a quick pep-talk.

"So, does everyone know the strategy," Ukai asks.

"Let's just get out there and win," Skye smirks, "I wanna rub it in that red-eye-demon's face."

"Don't you dare start a fight," Mizuki sweat-drops.

On the bench, Shoyo and Nishinoya were watching.

"Hey, Nishinoya-senpai..."

"Hmm?" He looks to his kouhai, smiling sincerely.

"I'm...really jealous of nee-san."

"Huh...?"

"She's good a volleyball, cooking, even plays the guitar. Before all that...she was the one who would take care of me. Nee-san would read me stories, play with me, sing me to sleep at night whenever I got scared. But what I loved the most, is that she shared everything with me, especially volleyball. I never felt so close to her than I do, now." Shoyo looks down at his feet.

"I kind of feel bad. All that, and I never gave her anything as a thanks."

".....Well....I think ya already did."

"Eh?" Nishinoya rubs behind his head.

"I mean, she may be your older sister...but there are times when you look out for her. And I think she's grateful to have a brother like you."

"You think so?"

"Yeah," Nishinoya smiles, "but if you still wanna repay her, then let's help her win this match."

"Hai!"

"Okay guys..." Mizuki comes forward.

"Remember what I said, if you're subbed in the game."

"Don't reveal any tactics we've learned at camp," Shoyo repeats her words.

"We got this, senpai."

"I know you do." She ruffles their hair, receiving goofy grins.

"Do your best, nee-san." With a thumbs up, Mizuki joins her team.

As the referee takes his position, Mizuki glances at Haruto and Yokuto's position on the court.

'We have to win.' Her eyes narrow at Kobe on the other side of the net.

'This time...'