XLVIII

August 28th, 2021

Hi.

"Shin-chan, are you okay?"

Shinsuke looked up at his siblings; Hishari, Takahiro, and Karu were all looking at him, slightly concerned. "I'm fine."

He, of course, wasn't. Shinsuke was out of his mind with worry for Isuma; Yoshika may have been exaggerating and overly dramatic, but she was right. There were people out there who'd go after her. The Inarizaki volleyball team had made plenty of enemies, and as their captain, Shinsuke had more than the others. He trusted Isuma to handle herself against envious girls, but what about those who were serious?

Atsumu and Osamu had promised to watch their sister, but they weren't the most reliable people in the world. They were definitely protective but sometimes overlooked small possibilities. And Atsumu was supposed to leave in a few days, meaning only Osamu would be able to watch her. 'She'll be fine. She has to be.'

***

"Hey... 'Suma-chan? Can we talk?"

Isuma looked up; she was on the floor of her brothers' room, checking on Osamu's foot. He'd injured it during practice earlier that day. Osamu had been trying not to watch her while Atsumu absently threw his volleyball so it hit the wall and bounded back to him. Osamu was now looking right at her, his expression serious. "Sure...? What's wrong?"

A few days had passed since the incident with Yoshika. Despite her warnings, nothing had happened in the past few days, although Isuma suspected that was because the other second-years had been around her constantly. If she was going somewhere, one of them usually came up with an excuse to tag along. That aside, all four adults had left when they'd arrived home a few hours ago, which none of them had acknowledged, but all three were considerably more optimistic. "Nothing's wrong, just... a lot of things have been happening lately and I... I worry for you."

He did look a little concerned. Isuma and Atsumu exchanged glances. He asked, "Worried about what, 'Samu?"

"A lot of things. 'Suma, ever since..." He hesitated. "Ever since you joined our team you've been going through nothing but trouble. First your headaches- which still haven't stopped, I might add- then that whole thing with your old friend. Then our aunt... and now this? 'Suma, do you see where I'm going with this?"

"But I got through it all, didn't I?" Isuma didn't seem at all fazed. Osamu sighed. "Yes, but... still. What if you can't handle this one? This is more than just one person- it could be dozens. What if..."

He didn't finish his thought and quickly altered the subject. "And also... you've changed a lot. It's a good thing but... part of me wants you to stay the old 'Suma."

Osamu didn't say it, but he thought, 'And so does Kita-san. He doesn't want this any more than we do- in fact, he probably hates it, because unlike us, he'll have to leave you.'

"I'm still the Isuma who needs you." She flashed a reassuring smile. "Promise. Even if the world turns upside down, that won't change."

Atsumu leaned over and messed up his brother's hair. "Weren't you were the one telling me not to sweat it a few months ago?"

Osamu stared at him. That had only been a few months ago? So much had happened since then, it felt like years. "People can change, you know."

"Yeah, well, change back and stop worrying. 'Suma-chan's going to be fine." Atsumu stretched and checked the time. "My train's leaving in an hour. You don't have to go; I'll be fine."

Isuma had almost forgotten that he was leaving tonight. "No, I'll go. 'Samu?"

He shook his head. "I'll stay home. I have something I need to do."

For the second time, Atsumu and Isuma exchanged glances. "Why? You meeting a girl or something?"

"No, stupid." He punched his brother's shoulder. Isuma cast Osamu a sideways glance. "...alright. Make sure you have something for dinner, okay? Don't go to sleep without eating."

"I won't." Osamu didn't say anything else. Isuma stood up. "I'll just grab my jacket."

Atsumu stuffed a few more things into his bag before grabbing it. He turned to Osamu. "So, what's up? Are you mad at 'Suma? Or Kita-san?"

"I'm not mad, just... 'Suma doesn't really see what Kita-san's intentions are. He really likes her, but he's going to let her go. Even you see that, right?"

"I'm just gonna ignore that subtle insult."

"Just answer the question." Osamu looked up at him. Atsumu paused in the midst of pulling on his jacket. "To be honest, I don't know. Kita-san would never do anything just to hurt her. Even if he did, he'd have a good reason. I trust him with that. If he plans on not telling 'Suma until they're in their late twenties, then so be it. He'll have a good reason. You can't convince me that Kita Shinsuke doesn't have 'Suma's best interests at heart."

Osamu didn't respond; Atsumu added, "Oh, and you should join us. Kita Senpai's going to kill us if he realizes she came home alone. At night."

"...good point." He sighed and grabbed his own jacket. Isuma returned wearing her coat and scarf and glanced at Osamu. "You're going?"

"Yeah." He wasn't thrilled, but he didn't want Isuma to be alone- and Kita's wrath was something he usually preferred to avoid.

It took them much longer than it should have to get to the train station. Distracted while talking, they took a wrong turn and spent a good ten minutes walking around aimlessly, lost. Finally, an elderly man kindly directed them to the right street. When they finally arrived, Atsumu's train was about to leave. A few people were still entering and exiting the train cars, despite the late hour. Atsumu glanced at his siblings. "I should go."

"Go on. Call us, okay?" Isuma said. Atsumu nodded. "I will. Promise."

He turned towards his brother first and gave him an awkward fist bump. Osamu said, "See you. Try not to blow up the train."

"Very funny." Atsumu leaned forward and whispered in his brother's ear, "Watch out for 'Suma-chan. Pulverize any guy who tries to approach her for me."

Osamu tilted his head a degree, indicating he'd heard. Atsumu looked at his sister next, who said, "Be careful. Don't get in trouble. You're good at that whenever one of us aren't around to watch you." She motioned to herself and 'Samu. "And... be careful."

"You got it." He gave her a quick hug and hastily kissed her forehead. "Love ya, 'Suma. Get home safe, 'kay?"

She didn't move for a second- he hadn't hugged her in what seemed like forever, let alone something as sweet as kissing her forehead or telling her he loved her. She managed, "Yeah. We will."

Atsumu climbed onto the train, flashing them one last smile before vanishing. A few moments later, the train groaned and began to pull out of the station. Osamu motioned to his sister. "Let's go home."

She was still staring after the train. "Yeah, sorry. Let's go."

Osamu leaned forward and brushed the area under her eye. "Hey, he'll be fine. Don't worry so much."

"I hope so," Isuma replied uncertainly; they walked through the doors leading out and shivered, a blast of cold wind slapping them. Osamu glanced across the road; small shops lined the sidewalk, most of them still open despite the late hour. "It's freezing; I'm going to get coffee. You want me to get you one?"

"I guess." Isuma followed him across the street and paused at a bench. "You go, I'll wait out here."

"Sure." Osamu walked into a small, cramped coffee shop as she sat down, digging her hands into her pockets to keep them warm. It started to snow lightly; she was too lost in thought to notice. Osamu came back out a few minutes later and brushed the snow off her shoulder. "Here."

He handed her a steaming paper cup; it looked too hot to drink, so Isuma just gazed at it for a few moments. "He's never been that... openly affectionate with me. Things have changed so much recently. It's alarming sometimes."

Osamu didn't need to ask her who she was talking about; he gently placed his hand on her shoulder. It had the opposite effect on her. "See, things like that! You never used to do this. Whenever you do something out of the ordinary, I keep wondering what's wrong.""

Nothing like that. 'Tsumu and I are just worried for you. Because you're right. Things have been changing recently. It scares me too sometimes. 'Suma... you've changed."

His voice broke a little as he said that. "And I know I should be happy for you. You're so much farther than you were less than 4 months ago. But it's difficult. Really, really difficult."

Isuma stayed silent for a few moments. "Do you wish things went back to what they were back then?"

"Sometimes. But really... no. I like things how they are." Osamu took a long sip of his coffee so she couldn't see his expression. Isuma murmured, "Hey... listen. There's something I've been thinking about lately."

He looked at her. Isuma's eyes were locked on her coffee cup. "...I'm thinking of switching to one of the college classes next year."

"Oh." He'd expected something a lot worse and sinister. "Go for it. That's cool. 'Tsumu and I have never really planned on going to school after college. I always figured you would. You're super smart."

"Thanks. I don't really know what I want to do yet. I keep on recalling what that doctor told me..." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a business card; it was still in perfect condition, protected by the confines of her jacket pocket. Osamu stared at the card: it seemed like it had been years since she'd first told them about her conversation with the doctor. "You could go to medical school after college and take him up on his offer. I mean, if you want."

"I've been thinking about that. I think I want to." Isuma leaned back, finally taking a sip of her coffee. "You and 'Tsumu are probably going to continue volleyball after high school. I wish I could-"

"I'm not."

She looked at him, sure she'd misheard. "Sorry?"

"I'm quitting volleyball after high school." He said, not meeting her gaze. "I've thought about it, and honestly? I've never really liked volleyball as much as 'Tsumu. I love it, of course, but he's more dedicated and passionate."

"...then what do you want to do?" Isuma asked. Osamu shrugged. "I kinda want to go into food. Open a restaurant or something."

She didn't respond for several long moments. Her voice impossibly gentle, she asked, "'Samu, what's the real reason you don't want to continue volleyball?"

"What I just told you. There's no other reason." His voice had a slight edge to it, meaning he was lying. Isuma repeated, "What is it?"

Osamu answered, "It's not a big deal. Really. It doesn't matter; I don't care."

"I care."

He looked at her, torn between amusement and exasperation. "Okay, okay. It's because... well, you know, 'Tsumu and I've always been the same. We have the same interests, friend group, talents. Most people can't tell us apart. I want to be different from him. I don't want to be known as 'one of the twins' my whole life."

His tone was casual and indifferent, reassuring her. "I understand. That makes sense."

Osamu quickly changed the subject. "Do you still get headaches? Like, bad ones?"

Isuma's hand went to her forehead. "It hurts all the time now. I'm used to it. They- they've been getting worse. A lot worse."

"Didn't you go to a doctor right after the Inter-high? Did they not say anything?" Osamu asked her. She shook her head. "She couldn't figure it out. She told me to take it easy and not stress out but couldn't help much more. I don't blame her."

"I wish I could help." He was watching the sky fixedly, determined to not let her see his eyes. Isuma smiled a little sadly and squeezed her brother's hand. "Let's go home, okay?"

"Yeah." He tossed his empty cup in a nearby trash can and held out his hand to her. She grasped it and stood up. "And 'Samu..."

She hesitated. There were a lot of things she wanted to tell her brother- things she should've told him long ago- but she couldn't bring herself to ruin this perfect moment. He was still watching her curiously, so instead, she said,  "...don't tell Kita-san."

"That's oddly specific."

"Just don't. Please. I don't want him to-" She stopped herself. "Just don't."

"Alright, I won't."

***Osamu told him the very next morning.

Silently sending an apology to Isuma, he approached Kita before practice. He had been in the midst of pulling on his jacket in the locker room when Osamu approached and simply said, "Isuma."

Kita asked, "What about her?"

"Her headaches are getting worse. She only told me last night, but I've been paying attention. She's barely been getting any sleep over the past few days. She's not okay." Osamu watched as Kita looked down, not saying anything. "...don't freak out."

"That's a terrible way to reassure me. How am I suppose to not freak out after hearing that?" Osamu demanded. As usual, Kita ignored him. "I've been considering something lately... I think Isuma should take a break from the team. A long break."

Kita cut Osamu off before he could get a word out. "Osamu, it's just like you said. She might not say anything, but I can tell how worse her situation is. It's not getting any better. I KNOW how much this matters to Isuma, but is it really worth it?"

"I know that, but we can wait- at least until winter break," Osamu said. Kita didn't reply for a few seconds- truthfully, he wasn't eager to go ahead with his idea either. "...alright. But let ME tell her."

"What, you don't trust us with Isuma?" Osamu protested indignantly. Kita actually laughed. "It's not that. Just a hunch."

"Okay. Thanks. I don't really want to tell her." Osamu watched as Kita picked up his shoes and walked to the door; he paused and turned around. "And for the record, I think it's the other way around."

"What is?"

"You don't trust me about Isuma." Kita leaned against the door frame. "I won't force you to. But just... try, you know? Don't sign me off as a lost cause."

"I trust you," Osamu mumbled. "You understand my own sister better than I do. How could I not?"

Neither of them spoke for a solid 30 seconds. Akagi finally saved the both of them by stepping in, completely unaware of the tense atmosphere he'd just interrupted. "Sensei's waiting. Let's go."

"I'm coming." With a final glance back at Osamu, Kita left the room. Akagi looked at Osamu.

"What happened?"

"...nothing."

I'm constantly debating who to make the second male lead. Y'all help me pick

Tamiko

Suna

Another character

Or no second male lead

I'm inclined to not make it Suna because I like their platonic friendship- yk that saying that a boy and girl can't be friends, let alone best friends? I like the fact that they're proving that wrong. So I'll probably pick Tamiko.

Click that star please.

No new chapter next week. sorry. Next update will be on the 11th of September.