The holidays have begun, releasing us students from the physical and mental torture known as school.

I was in Miyagi, visiting my grandmother and taking a break from the chaos known as Atsumu and Osamu, before school starts again.

I swear, my hearing is going to be gone before I'm an adult, they're so loud...

I thought while walking the streets of Miyagi, coming back from my physiotherapy session.

After my 'slip-up', as I would like to call it, I decided to take extra precautions and strengthen my knee up.

I wonder what I should eat later....Onigiri?...Pudding?...Udon?....Ramen?....

I continued walking, dwelling in my thoughts, until a voice brought me back to reality.

"A-ano...are you Miya Hana, the Guardian Fox from Hyōgo???" a voice called out.

I turned around to see a short boy with bright brown eyes and tangerine orange hair.

"Uh, yea..." I replied awkwardly, not knowing how to deal with this situation.

"UHM, C-can I you ask s-something? Miya-san?" the short boy nervously replied.

"Sure" I smiled at the timid boy.

"P-PLEASE BE MY MENTOR!!!!" he blurted, bowing.

I was taken back, my eyes showing bewilderment.

Eh? Well this is random...I'm sure this'll be fun though...

"Hm...I don't see why not...sure" I replied, agreeing.

The boy shot up and jumped up very high in excitement, thanking me repeatedly.

"THANK YOU SO MUCH, WAH I CAN'T BELIEVE THE GUARDIAN FOX IS GOING TO TEACH ME!!!"

I sweatdropped.

What's with that jump...

"Whats yer name kid?" I smiled at the over excited boy.

"My name is Hinata Shōyō!!!"

Hinata Shōyō...

We made our way towards the park while getting to know each other.

"Say Hinata-san, what made yer choose volleyball?" I questioned, looking at the energetic tangerine.

"I want to play like my idol, The Tiny Giant!!! He's so cool!!! Even though he's short, he's one of the strongest players out there" Hinata exclaimed loudly, hands spread out, smiling as bright as the Sun.

What a ball of sunshine, he's so precious...

"I see...I think you'll do well" I replied, chuckling.

"Y-you really think so, Miya-san??? Don't you think I'm a little short?" Hinata questioned, looking up with bright and hopeful eyes.

"Well, yer have the right heart and spirit, anything can happen right? Although height is nice to have, it shouldn't matter in volleyball, I think you'll be able to go far" I chimed.

"W-WOW, THANK YOU, MIYA-SAN" he exclaimed, now beaming with excitement.

.

.

.

We found an empty grass-court with a volleyball net and walked towards it.

I went over the basics with Hinata and tried to improve his receiving skills.

His blocks and sets aren't that bad...it's just his receives...

I thought while sweat-dropping.

"No offence Hinata, but yer receives are terrible, I'm not even going half strength" I deadpanned, watching him fail to dig up my spike for the hundredth time.

He only replied with a sheepish grin, deflating a little.

"But we can work on that later, we're in no rush" I reassured.

I suddenly remembered his jump when we met a few hours ago.

"Want to spike, Hinata? I'll teach ya" I offered.

Hinata perked up immediately, nodding furiously at my offer.

He's so eager to learn new things...it's so adorable...

I thought, mentally chuckling.

Teaching him to spike was easier than I thought it would be.

"One more" Hinata called out, still full of energy.

His stamina is very admirable...

I nodded, in response as he threw the ball in my direction.

The ball left my fingertips smoothly as it travelled high up into the air, I saw Hinata run up and jump, looking like he was flying as he swung his arm and hit the ball with his eyes closed again.

The ball cut through the air, landing on the other side.

"WOOOHOOO" Hinata cheered, having the time of his life.

I smacked him, his head flying forward.

"How many times do I have to tell yer stubborn ass to stop hitting with yer eyes closed, it's a bad habit" I scolded.

Hinata only grinned up at me, rubbing his head "I can't help it, I just believe that the ball will come to me"

I could only sigh is disapproval, looking up at the sky, I saw the Sun begin to disappear over the horizon.

"It's getting late, we should go home and continue another day" I suggested.

"Ehhh!!! But I want to play more!!!" Hinata whined.

Gosh, its like having another Nina to deal with...

"ACHHOOOO" Nina sneezed, blowing her nose with a tissue.

"Yer sick or somethin?" Haruko asked, slightly disgusted.

"I-I HOPE NOT!!!" Nina panicked, flailing her arms around.

"It's important to rest after training, overworking yourself isn't healthy" I advised the younger boy.

"Awww ok..." Hinata grumbled.

"I want yer to rest and eat a proper meal, we'll continue next time" I told him.

"OK!! THANK YOU FOR TODAY!!!" Hinata exclaimed.

I look forward to seeing you grow, Hinata...

I thought while ruffling his hair, smiling.

"Tadaima"

"Okaerinasai" my grandmother chirped, smiling while drinking her tea.

"How was yer day, Obaa-san?" I asked, sitting across from her.

"It was quiet and relaxing, you should bring your younger brothers next time" she replied with a gentle smile.

"Then it won't be quiet and relaxing, Obaa-san" I replied, sweat-dropping.

She only laughed at my response as we continued to talk about our day.

.

.

.

I laid on my bed, beginning to think about random things.

What would be good to eat?...Onigiri?...Mochi?...Curry?...

My thoughts were cut short by my phone ringing.

"I feel like I can never be left alone with my thoughts" I sighed out, picking up the phone, reading the caller ID.

'Samu'

Hm? Samu? Did something happen? He normally doesn't call people...

I accepted the call, pressing the device against my ear.

"Samu? Did something happen?" I asked, slightly worried.

"...somethin' horrible has happened...I think I might have to commit a murder" Samu answered.

What...?

I felt my heart drop for a second.

"Samu, what happened?"

"......"

Oh he must be really pissed off...

"Samu...?" I called, hesitantly.

"...Tsumu... ate... my.... pudding......." Samu answered.

I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding.

"Oi Samu, don't scare me like that, I thought something really bad happened to ya" I scolded.

"When I come home, I'll make more pudding" I offered

"Hmmm, ok...oh and Tsumu jumped over the fence and hurt his leg trying to run from me, I'll see yer later, love ya" Samu said, hanging up.

"What?"

So much for taking a break from those two...

"I have to go back to Hyōgo soon..." I whispered out, watching Hinata go through his drills I set for him.

I'll miss that ball of sunshine...

"Hinata, come here" I called from my place under the tree, patting the space next to me.

Hinata looked at me curiously, making his way towards me before sitting down.

"I have to go back to Hyōgo soon" I announced, watching his face deflate.

"Eh??? B-but I'm not ready for you to go yet..." Hinata said sadly, pouting a little.

"I'm sure you'll be fine, you've already improved a lot since we first started, it's been a few weeks" I stated.

Hinata still looked saddened as he looked at the ground.

I ruffled his hair, a habit that I got into.

"Cheer up, Hinata. I'll make sure to come back next year" I comforted, to which he perked up.

"R-really???"

"Mhm, after I leave I want yer to take care of yourself and keep practising, but don't go overboard and teach yer sister how to play volleyball if she wants" I advised.

Hinata nodded in response, smiling brightly.

"Thank you for mentoring me, Miya-san" he thanked, shining as bright as the Sun.

"Yer welcome..and feel free to call me by my first name, 'Miya-san' makes me feel old" I told him.

"Ah ok!! Call me Shōyō then!!!"

I nodded in response.