Sometime During Summer Vacation (9 am)...

"Keep it up! Hey, you two--no slacking off!"

"Hai!"

"Man~ I'm tired."

"You said it, Noya." Tanaka and Nishinoya were taking a water break. Few days after coming back from the Tokyo Getaway Games, everyone was practicing at their school's Gym B.

"I can't believe Shoyo's got the day off. Must be lucky to have a sister as the assistant coach."

"You know," Sugawara intervenes, "they never said 'where' they were going."

"That's true," Ennoshita agrees, "I even asked her, but she said it was a secret."

"Sounds suspicious," Tanaka thinks to himself.

"Well, whatever it is," Sawamura points out, "it must've been important for Mizuki to ask Shoyo to come."

In town...

"Alright...two beef noodle bowls and karaage on the side. Okay, then...it'll be a while."

"Take your time, Izumi-san."

Izumi walks back into the kitchen. Since no one was around in the morning, Mizuki and Shoyo had the restaurant to themselves, sitting in a corner table.

"So, nee-san..."

"Yes?"

"I thought you said someone else was joining us."

"Oh, right...she's waiting for the bus right now, so she told me to order for us."

"And~ who is it?"

"Miyu."

"Miyu...?"

"Kimura Miyu."

"Oh......"

"Woah!" Mizuki catches the cup that slipped out of his hand. He was too busy gawking.

"K-Ki...wait--you mean the redhead who--!"

"Breathe, Shoyo--breathe..."

"B-but why would you invite her? Of all people?"

"I can't blame you for being shocked," she implies, "but what you can do for me, is listen to what I'm about to tell you."

"..." Shoyo relaxes as his sister continues.

"Remember the unexpected call I got from Matsuko, few days after the competition?"

"Yeah..."

"Well, Matsuko wanted to see me. She sounded desperate, so I thought there was some kind of trouble."

FSSHH~

Creak!

Stomp!/Skid!

Right when the bus doors open, Mizuki dashes out into the street. It only took five minutes to find the school.

SCREE~EECHH!

Her feet land in front of the gym and she swiftly slides the door open.

"Eh...?"

"Ah..." Her face went blank, seeing the volleyball team staring back.

"Mizuki~!"

"Hey, Mizuki." Iwaizumi casually pushes (knocks over to the floor) Oikawa and greets her.

"Hi, Hajime...um...did Matsuko come by, here?"

"Mizuki~! Over here!" Just then, she sees her, Hana, and Rin by the stage.

"Guys...what the hell? Matsuko called me all hysterical. Is something wrong?"

"You bet something's wrong," Matsuko pouts.

"Ignore her," Rin groans, "she's just being childish."

"I am not!"

"...Okay, I'm confused," Mizuki facepalms, "is there an emergency or~ what?"

"Well," Hana intervenes, "it's about what Irihata-sensei asked us to do. He wanted someone to drop off a package to Nekoma's volleyball coach, Nekomata-sensei."

"But we can't," Hana implies, "we're in the middle of an important music session that has to be done today."

"That's when Matsuko got the bright idea of calling you, since you know him."

"Also, she was too stubborn to go with her."

"Her...?" Rin points to the open door near them. Mizuki steps forward and peeks outside the hall.

"Oh..."

She blinks while gasping quietly. Standing right by the wall was none other than the redhead from before; Kimura Miyu.

"...Ah!" Miyu makes brief eye contact before looking away.

"That's why Matsuko's acting like this." Mizuki turns to her friends.

"She's not the only one," Iwaizumi adds.

"I have every right to be," Oikawa frowns, "after what you told me what happened at the restuarant, I--"

"Enough, already." Just then, Mizoguchi walks in.

"You've been reminding us ever since her suspension was finished."

"Sadayuki-san."

"Hey, Mizuki. What brings you here?"

"To be your errand girl, apparently." She deadpans at the girls, who nonchalantly mind their own business.

"But why have one of the girls and Miyu deliver a package to Tokyo?"

"Well...miss Kimura has been doing 'community service' for the girls' band for a while. But right now, coach really needs this package delivered as soon as possible."

"Alright--alright. We'll take care of it."

"You sure?"

"Matsuko, it's fine."

"Okay~ but if I see one scratch on you, I'll scratch her eyes out." Mizuki playfully rolls her eyes before receiving the package from Mizoguchi. She then goes out the door where Miyu was, startling her.

"Well, then...shall we go?"

"..." Mizuki walks ahead while hearing Miyu's footsteps not far behind her.

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

HOO~~NNKK!

The train speeds down the railroad. Among the few passengers occupying its cargo was Mizuki and Miyu, sitting across from each other. Needless to say, one was feeling more awkward than the other, both trapped in a bubble of silence. For Mizuki, she had no idea what to do or say. Of course, she wasn't upset nor resented Miyu since that incident, but she found it difficult to find the words right now.

"Excuse me."

"Huh..." They see two older girls; a brunette (long-hair) and the other a ravenette (short-hair/dark-skin).

"Can we sit with you girls?"

"Um...sure."

"Thank you." The brunet sits on the far right on my side, and her friend across from us.

"I'm telling you, girl, the team is on fire. We're gonna dominate next year's nationals."

"So you've told me about a hundred times, today."

"I can't help it." Mizuki curiously watches them laughing thorugh their conversation. That's when the brunette notices her gaze.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Are we being loud?"

"N-no. I'm sorry for staring."

"Don't be," the ravenette grins, "say...you look familiar."

"Huh?"

"Hold on...yeah! You're that girl who played in the summer competition. Hinata, right?"

"Hai."

"We came during the final round, but you were excellent. I've never seen someone jump so high."

"But playing in that shabby state was risky."

"Yeah~(sheepishly rubs her neck) I know...but, I just couldn't give up. There was a lot at stake than just winning the game." The ravenette offers to shake her hand.

"I'm Fuji Kendra, by the way."

"And I'm Kanato Rei."

"Nice to meet you." Mizuki gestures a hand to the redhead.

"This is Kimura Miyu."

"Hello, Kimura-kun."

"Ah, hello."

"Um..." Mizuki gets their attention.

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but you said something about nationals. Are you two members of a sports club?"

"Hai. We go to Tohoku University."

"Tohoku," Mizuki beams, "that's where I'm going!"

"We're on the volleyball club."

"That means we'll see each other at the welcoming match!"

"Hey, talk about concidence, aye, Rei?"

"Ahaha."

SCREECH~

That's when the train stops at the station. Kendra stands up.

"I'm gonna go to the restroom and then grab some snacks. You want any?"

"Ah, yes," Kanato nods, "just a water and whatever food they have."

"And you, Hinata?"

"Um, can I have juice? And any snack will do, thank you."

"Sure thing. Say, Kimura-kun..."

"Eh?"

"Come with me. I'll need an extra pair of hands to get the stuff."

"Uh...okay."

Once they left, Rei turns to Mizuki.

"Your friend is rather quiet, Hinata-kun."

"A-ah...I guess. I mean, I'm not sure."

"What do you mean? Aren't you two friends?" Mizuki's lips flatten with anxiety.

"Not...really. We had a rough encounter the first time we met." Rei smiles, sincerely.

"I see...I completely understand where you're coming from."

"You do," Mizuki asks, surprisingly.

"M-hmm. In fact, Kendra and I had a bitter past during high school."

"Really? But...the way you were talking to each other, it sounded like you were really close."

"Doesn't it," Rei chuckles.

Meanwhile...

"It's true," Kendra nods. She and Kimura were drying their hands just before they walk out of the restroom.

"I used to go to Nekoma High while Rei was attending Shiratorizawa Academy. And right off the bat of our first joint practice as first-years, we were trying to one-up each other in everything. So much, that our captains would scold us every hour of the day."

"You disliked each other that much," Kimura sweat-drops.

"Oh yeah," Kendra laughs, "but most of all, we envied the other's skills. Rei's a wing spiker and I'm a middle blocker. There's a lot of advantages and disadvantages to one's role...it makes us want to improve even more."

"...Then(glances away)...what changed? How did you become friends?"

"It happened after a fight, of course," Kendra shrugs, "we were forced to do cleaning duties together. And, as usual, we tried to make it into a competition. But when a little mishap turned everything around, we found ourselves laughing on the floor and wonderign why we were fighting to begin with."

"Just like that?"

"Hey, not everything has to be so complicated. Sometimes it's the little things that make a big difference."

As Fuji walks up to the food stand, Kimura found herself lurking back into the restaurant incident.

[...it's silly to hold a grudge against someone forever.]

It's those kinds of words that haven't left her mind since then.

"--and finally~ we'll have eight melon breads and two juice."

"Coming right up." While waiting, Kendra leans back on the counter and sees Kimura spacing out.

"Kimura-kun..."

"E-eh...?" She snaps back to reality.

"You kind of remind me of my old self."

"Huh?"

"Don't give me that look," Fuji chuckles, "you've got that guilty look, which tells me you and Hinata-kun are in the same situation as me and Rei were." Just by looking away, Kimura reveals the truth; clear enough for Kendra to see.

"Here's your orders, miss." He hands her two bags.

"Thank you, sir."

"You're welcome."

Rustle

Kendra reaches into one and takes out two wrapped melon breads. She offers them to Kimura.

"Don't worry too much," she reassures, "from the looks of things, both of you aren't the type to hold a grudge."

"..." Kimura follows Kendra back onto the train.

[Your parents are good people...I believe you are too.]

All while unconsciously holding the bread tighter by her fingertips.

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

Once they reach Tokyo, the girls stand outside the station.

"You girls stay safe," Rei says.

"It was nice meeting you, Kanato-san, Fuji-san."

"You too, Hinata-kun. We'll see you at the welcoming match." Kendra turns to Kimura and waves. The redhead hesitantly bows her head.

The teens continue on their mission and take the rest of the trip by bus.

"Ah, we're here." They walk into the empty school gates and around the building. Mizuki could hear squeaking sneakers and volleyballs bouncing from Gymnasium 1. Sitting outside the doorway was Inuoka and Yamamoto.

"Afternoon, boys."

"Mizuki-senpai/Senpai?!"

"What're you doing here?"

"We came to deliver a package for Neko-okksan. Is he inside?"

"Yeah. Come on in." The kouhais make room for them to enter. On the court was the rest of the team.

BAM/GAH!

"Lev! How many times do I have to tell you?! Keep your arms up!"

"H-hai!" And, of course, Yaku scolding their first-year.

"Some things never change," Mizuki chuckles.

"Oh~ Mizuki. Good to see you." Nekomata greets her with his usual cat-like grin.

"Hi, Neko-okksan. How are you?"

"Just fine. And who's your friend?" He looks to the redhead.

"Oh, this is Kimura Miyu. We came to give you a package sent by Irihata-sensei."

"Ah, yes. I was expecting it to arrive. Thank you, girls." Mizuki gives him the box.

"If you'll just wait right here, I have something for you."

After he leaves, Kuroo and Kai walk towards them.

"Yo, Lil' Mandarin. You're looking well."

"Hi, Kuroo."

"How are you feeling," Kai asks, "have your wounds healed?" He glances at what's remaining from the surface of her skin.

"It's much better now," she smiles.

"But seriously," Kuroo smirks, "that was some bold move, cutting off your hair like this." He grabs the tips of her hair as Mizuki rolls her eyes.

"Like I said...it's my new beginning."

"Thank you for waiting." Nekomata returns with a thinner box in his hand.

"Before you go home, could you give this to Fukurodani's coach as well?"

"Sure, sensei."

"Take these, too."

"Thank you, Manabu-san." The younger coach gives them canned juice.

"Bye, senpai!"

"Come have a match with us next time."

"Not until you learn to receive better, Lev."

"Eh~?/Ahahaha!"

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

"Left-left!"

"Alright!"

"...(Yawns~)..."

"...Don't tell me you're tired already." Akaashi was sitting besides Bokuto, watching him yawn behind his hand.

"Nah," Bokuto sighs, "it's the summer air."

"Uh-huh...by the way, are you really going with coach later on?"

"Of course! I couldn't pass up that opportunity."

"Just don't make a fool of yourself."

"Geh! Can't you be more nice to me?"

"Hey guys..." That's when Komi jogs up to them.

"What's up?"

"You won't believe who I just saw talking to coach. It was Hinata-kun."

"The shrimp?"

"No, his sister."

"Mizuki's here?!" Bokuto stands up with glee.

"Actually, she and some redhead are just leaving so--"

"I'm off~/Ah--hey!!"

Everyone sweat-drops as their happy-go-lucky captain rushes off. At the time, Mizuki and Kimura were walking pass the gates.

"Hmm...I'm starting to get suspicious."

"Eh?" Kimura curiously stares at Mizuki, especially the box.

"I get the feeling we're being set up by all the coaches I've met over the years. And now we need to deliver another package back home, but to Tanji-sensei, this time."

"Momo~!"

"Hm...Aahh!!" The girls turn around and gawk at Bokuto charging forward.

"I missed you, Momo--ACK!"

By sheer luck, Akaashi was there to pull him by the collar. Out of breath, but worth the effort.

"H-Hey, Bokuto," Mizuki awkwardly smiles, "hello, Akaashi...thanks for that."

"Sorry about him," Akaashi sighs, still holding onto the pouting captain. Mizuki chuckles and pats Bokuto's head.

"Sorry, mi amigo, but we need to get home. I'll come visit another time."

"Eh?"

"...What is it?"

"But...aren't you--"

SLAP!

Out of the blue, Akaashi covers Bokuto's mouth.

"Uh~..."

"You should get going."

"Um...okay. Have a good day, guys."

Even when riding back home, that little scene still perplexes Mizuki.

"Well, that was weird," she mumbles.

GRUMBLE~

"...Hah~!" She hangs her head.

"And now I'm hungry again. Will this day ever end...?"

"......"

Rustle

"Huh?" Just then, her eyes met a melon bread in wrapping. Mizuki looks up at Kimura, sitting across from her.

"...For me?"

"Y-yeah...Fuji-san said to bring extras...in case we got hungry, later." Mizuki smiles and takes the bread.

"Thank you, Miyu." Embarrassed, Kimura looks away, but only for a short time.

"Here."

"Eh?" She sees half of the bread in Mizuki's other hand.

"I'm sure you're hungry, too. We can drink the juice Manabu-san gave us."

"Um..."

"I insist." Mizuki gives her the other portion and a can of juice from the bag.

"It's the least I can do for making you drag along with me. Sorry for all the trouble, though."

"Ah...n-no...I..." Kimura couldn't find the right words, but she had to say what was on her mind.

"Actually..."

"Hm?" After one bite, Mizuki turns back to the redhead.

"I...I came to Tokyo, when I saw you play those guys."

"Eh...you mean the local volleyball competition? You were there?"

"Mm...I was standing above the crowd. When that boy from Nekoma asked about your injuries, I remembered when you crashed that one time. And yet...you still kept playing the game."

"Well, it wasn't just a game," Mizuki shrugs, "I was fighting for a friend's freedom, sort of speak."

"What do you mean?"

"The Venomous Gangsters' captain was blackmailing my soon-to-be coach's cousin/member. I had to do something, so we made a deal; his freedom, or our team disbands."

"...But...isn't that risky?"

"It was...but I just couldn't let that guy have his way. In other words, I'm just a volleyball idiot who cares about her friends." She gestures to her arms.

"I just wished we played indoor volleyball. Some of these still itch when they close up. But enough about this...I wanna talk about you."

"M-me?"

"Yeah...how have you been? I mean, not to make this any awkward than it is now, but, you haven't said much at all, today. I was worried I was making you uncomfortable, so..."

"...Why?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Why are you acting so nice towards me," Kimura questions, "I don't get it...I can't understand why you would even be talking to me."

"Uh...because I want to?"

"Are you stupid?!" The redhead raises her voice in shock.

"I blackmailed you! I tried to slap you! I fought with your friend in that restuarant and threw piping hot soup at you! And after everything I did, you wanna be nice to me?! No one in the right mind would be friends with someone like that!"

"...Well...I would."

"Hah...?" Kimura slumps her shoulders as Mizuki gives a blank face.

"I already told you before....I don't hold anything against you. Being expelled a few weeks and then helping out with the girls' band was punishment enough. You were just venting out your anger, just like I did with Oikawa during the Inter-High. But like him, I forgave the things you did. Even today, I knew you weren't as bad as most people have said. I just feel guilty for being responsible for all this. So..." Mizuki bows her head.

"I'm very sorry. I hope you can forgive me someday...and maybe we can start over. I would really like to get to know the real you."

"...!"

That's all it took to bring a long silence.

.

.

.

"...Ngh.."

"Uh?"

But when Mizuki hears muffling noises, her eyes widen to see Miyu in tears. She frantically waves her hands.