XVIII

Happy Birthday to Asahi!!

Isuma tried to enter her house as quietly as she could, but her brothers seemed to be waiting for her and went into the living room when she was pulling off her jacket. "How'd it go, Suma-chan?"

"Okay... hey, Tsumu?" Isuma added, standing up. "Why does Kita Senpai think no one knows him?"

He and Osamu exchanged glances. "What do you mean?"

"...at Ameba High, he looked surprised when one of them mentioned his name. Why? He's the captain of a powerhouse school." Isuma walked over to them, setting her bag on the kitchen table. Osamu rubbed the back of his head. "It's... complicated."

"How?" she asked. Atsumu answered, "He's never really played in a game. All throughout middle school and high school."

"He hasn't?" Isuma asked, surprised. "Then, well, how..."

She trailed off. Osamu finished, "How is he captain?"

"...yeah." Isuma looked at the sink and then back at them. "Didn't you have dinner?"

"There wasn't anything in the fridge..." Atsumu rubbed the back of his head. Isuma sighed and started pulling things out of the cupboards and drawers. The two of them sat down on the chairs, their hands on the counter. "Kita Senpai's captain because he's a good leader. He's good with emotions and people- although he's terrible at showing emotions. Being captain doesn't have to do with skill alone, does it?"

"No, I guess not..." Isuma flashed a small smile as she took out a pan and started throwing in ingredients. Once the rice was sizzling, she began stirring it. "By the way, Tsumu, how did you do on that last test?"

"Fine. Thanks for helping me study for it." Atsumu answered. Osamu asked, "Suma, did you write anything down at the practice match?"

"Kita Senpai did. My notebook's in my bag." She motioned to her bag, which was on the floor next to Atsumu. He reached down and unzipped it, looking through the different notebooks inside. "...here."

Atsumu flipped it open: there were dozens of pages with Isuma's neat handwriting, and then there were several pages filled with Kita's tiny writing. "Wow. This is a lot."

"There was a lot to take in. Their team is amazing. Seeing their offense... wow, it was incredible." Isuma paused and then added, "So are you."

Osamu leaned over and started reading with Atsumu. Isuma got distracted and her left hand accidentally touched the pan. She winced and pulled back her hand, which was bright red. Her brothers looked up in concern. "Suma?"

She put her hand under the tap, running it through cold water. "I'm fine! It was just a little hot."

She turned off the water and winced again: her hand was still a little pink, but it looked like it was hurting her a lot. Osamu jumped off his chair and rummaged through the kitchen drawers, pulling out a roll of bandages and a tube. "Suma, here. Put this on."

She carefully rubbed on the cream, wincing every few seconds. Atsumu took the white bandages from his brother and wrapped it around her hand twice, while Osamu put on the two latches. "Is that better?"

In reality, it was still painful, but she forced a nod. "It's fine. Thanks."

Atsumu turned towards the rice on the stove. "That looks done. You want some, Suma-chan?"

"Sure." She sat down, gently touching her left hand. Osamu slid her a plate full of rice and a pair of chopsticks. "Eat."

After they'd all taken a few bites, Atsumu looked over at Isuma. "It's great. Be more careful, Suma-chan."

"I know, I know." Isuma looked down for a second. "Tsumu? You remember that time you two were fighting and I had to stop you?"

Osamu truthfully replied, "We fight a lot, to be honest. And you stop us almost every time."

"The time in junior high- when you got annoyed at me and..." She didn't finish her thought, but both of them instantly understood. Atsumu set down his chopsticks. "Suma-chan, don't think about that! We didn't mean any of it; we were just angry and-"

"Tsumu, just listen." He fell silent as she looked down at her plate. "Don't feel bad but... I've been thinking about what you said that day. And you were right. I've never taken volleyball as seriously as you have... but I've always loved it. But, well... it's not like I'm good at it. I've never been really good at anything in particular. The only reason I stand out at all is because of you two. The only reason I know Rin-chan and Hitoshi-chan and Kita Senpai and everyone else is because of you. So doesn't that mean that without you... I'm not anybody?"

Osamu blinked in surprise. "Oh, so is that why you were acting weird when Atsumu offered to come with you? Is that all?"

Isuma looked up at him. "Is that- well, yes, but what do you mean, 'is that all?'"

"Why would you ever think you aren't anybody? Sure, without us, you might've not met the team, but they aren't friends with you just because you're our sister, right? They don't care for you just because WE do- we have nothing to do with it. They're friends with you because they like you as a person, Suma-chan. Especially Suna and Ginjima- you should know that best of all. They were friends with you last year, weren't they? And we weren't there most of the time. You are your own person, Suma-chan. Don't ever let anyone define you as 'the Miyas' sister.' Because you are so, so much more than that. Just ask Kita or Suna or Gin or anyone." Osamu stood up, putting his empty plate in the sink. "Thanks for the meal. Get some rest."

He disappeared into the hallway; Isuma was shocked by what he had said and couldn't speak for a few seconds. Atsumu looked over at her. "He's right, you know." She didn't respond. "I'm going to sleep. See you tomorrow."

He set his plate on top of Osamu's and went to the entrance hall. Isuma slowly put her plate in the sink and then, picking up her bag, went into her room. Even with everything on her mind, she was out within minutes.

Atsumu picked up his shoes and went back to the kitchen. Isuma was gone too; he picked up her notebook, which he'd left on the counter, and went to their room. Osamu was in his bed and scrolling through his phone; he looked up when Atsumu entered. "That was... strong, Samu."

"She needed it, couldn't you tell? Suma-chan looked close to tears; I had to do something." Osamu replied. Atsumu shook his head. "I'm not complaining. But why does she have to think about stuff from like three years ago?"

"I'm sure it's been on her mind for a while now." Seeing Atsumu's expression, he hastily added, "She probably doesn't mind anymore. Forget about it, okay?"

"Fine." Atsumu sat down next to his brother and flipped open Isuma's notebook. "Kita Senpai took a lot of notes."

"It went fine, right?" Osamu looked at Atsumu. "And you were worried."

"Well, like you said... we have to trust Kita, right?" Atsumu murmured. "Yeah. Read this in the morning; sleep for now." Osamu took away the notebook and set it aside as Atsumu climbed up to his bed. Osamu flicked off the lights and tossed his phone on his desk, getting into his bed. Just like their sister, they fell asleep instantly.

We're almost at 10K and I may or may not be freaking out :D