VIII

Okay, I just have to make something clear. This chapter kind of hints at Suna and Isuma's relationship, but I promise you, they are not a thing. Like no. I don't plan on it either. The whole volleyball team is just super protective of her- I'm sorry if that wasn't clear earlier- but especially Suna and Ginjima. They're in her year and her best friends, even though Isuma's way of friendship is... distant. But I just had to get that out.

After walking in silence for a few moments, Isuma asked, "Where are we going, Suna?"

"To the Neighborhood Sports Association here," Suna answered. Isuma blinked. "Isn't that where the public gyms are? And where all the little kids practice?"

"Yeah." Ginjima nodded. "We need to check something out. You'll see when we get there."

"Okay."

The NSA was incredibly crowded, and especially on a Saturday like today. Isuma stopped when she saw the people near the entrance. "Come on, Isuma-chan!"

Ginjima grabbed her arm and pulled her forward. The two girls near the door looked at them in confusion. Suna called, "Calm down, Gin."

The three of them walked through the door. Isuma murmured, "Why did I agree to this again?"

"We're here too." Ginjima lowered his voice. "If someone looks at you the wrong way we'll take care of them."

He flashed a peace sign, and Suna told him, "We're not 'taking care' of anybody. We'd get arrested."

"You know what I mean," Ginjima replied. A smile flickered on Isuma's face. "Don't do that. The poor guy would probably be sent to the hospital."

"You're too nice," Ginjima complained. Suna pointed out, "If she wasn't you would be taking supplementary classes right now because you failed all of your exams and quizzes."

"Hey! I would've passed anyway!" Ginjima protested. "I'm sure you would've." Isuma laughed.

They had reached the check-in desk, and the three boys signing in in front of them all looked back. So did the woman at the front desk: Isuma's laugh had startled them all. Isuma immediately noticed and fell silent, her gaze dropping to the floor. Suna stepped into their line of view. "..."

The three boys immediately went through a door to their right, glancing back every few moments. The woman shook her head, breaking free from her trance. "Uh, right. How may I help you?"

"We need to go to the volleyball gym," Suna said. The woman handed him a pen. "There are a few middle school practices going on right now, but it's empty otherwise."

"Thanks." Suna signed them all in as she grabbed passes. They put them on over their necks. "Just through that door."

She pointed at a door to their left. "That's where the volleyball court is; the third door on your right."

"Thank you." As they pushed open the door, Suna considered Isuma for a few seconds. She looked at him. "What's wrong?"

He shrugged off his jacket and handed it to her. "Put this on."

"...why?" She asked in surprise, taking his jacket. It was one of the school ones, black and emblazoned with the school's name. "Because the last thing I need is some guy here looking at you," Suna said. Isuma slowly put on the jacket. "How will this-"

Ginjima pulled the hood up over her head, tucking her long hair under the jacket. "Perfect. Good idea, Suna."

"If you say so." She replied, tugging on the hood. Suna pushed open one of the doors and they walked into a large gym. Sure enough, two teams were inside, practicing. The second Isuma stepped inside, a ball flew towards her. Ginjima and Suna both started to move, but to their surprise, Isuma stepped forward and blocked the ball herself. It bounded off her arm and swerved sideways. Ginjima caught it, surprised. Everyone in the gym looked at her as one of the boys jogged forward and hastily bowed. "I'm sorry! That was my fault."

"It's fine. We do that all the time." Ginjima told him, tossing him the ball. The boy bowed again. "Thank you. Excuse me!"

The boy ran back to his team, taking the ball with him. Suna and Ginjima locked eyes, remembering what Kita had asked for them to do: 

"Take her to the Neighborhood Sports Association. Find the volleyball gym and watch anyone play. Middle school teams are always practicing there, so it shouldn't be hard to find someone. Watch Isuma-chan during the game and her reactions. Ask her to point out their mistakes. There's something about volleyball that changes her briefly. Can you do it?"