VI

"She agreed?" Suna asked in disbelief. Atsumu and Osamu were surprised too. "Just like that?"

Kita looked at them, turning away from the window. "She didn't completely agree. She's just trying out for a few days."

"I'm surprised she even talked to you," Atsumu said. A voice behind them asked, "Who talked to you?"

They were in front of the club room, and almost no one came up there, especially after school. So they were surprised to see Isuma standing behind them. "What are you doing here?" Atsumu asked. She recoiled, looking offended. "I was searching for you because you never came back after leaving to clean the gym."

She turned to leave when Osamu caught her arm. "You're not staying?"

She wouldn't look at him. After several long seconds, she finally said, "You could've just asked me."

"Asked you what?" Atsumu asked. Isuma threw off Osamu's hand, startling him. "To be your manager. Why didn't you just ask me yourselves?"

She looked up, and both of their eyes widened: her face was full of pain and her eyes looked hurt. "I'm going home. See you."

They didn't say anything as she walked away. The rest of the team was doing their best not to berate the twins, but the second she was out of sight, Ginjima shook his head. "You guys are so clueless it's not even funny."

"What's her problem?!" Atsumu wheeled on the others. Ginjima impatiently said, "That's what we were trying to tell you earlier! You should've asked her yourselves."

"What difference does it make?" Atsumu exclaimed. Suna groaned slightly. "You're her brothers!! Of course, it makes a difference! Although there's something a little off."

"She seemed upset enough to me," Ginjima said. Suna shook his head. "No, there's something else. She seems... too upset."

Kita said, "I know what's wrong."

Everyone looked at him. "What is it?"

"When I went to talk to her earlier..." Kita said, remembering. "She asked if Atsumu and Osamu had told me to ask her. At first, I was surprised- she seemed sad. But now it makes sense."

Kita looked at the Miya brothers, both of whom stiffened. "What?"

"Has Isuma-chan ever shown interest in volleyball?" Kita asked, his voice unusually sharp. "She's always helped us," Osamu replied. "She's never been reluctant to. But I don't think she's ever actually played."

"What if she does?" Kita asked. His eyes were intent and focused on the Miyas. "Isuma-chan's shy, but that doesn't mean she doesn't like certain things. What if she's liked volleyball all those years you did, but she was too shy?"

Atsumu felt like he was a book being read by Kita. He exchanged glances with Osamu, who seemed to be thinking along the same lines as him: how did Kita read their minds like that?

Kita raised his eyebrows. "You thought of that too, didn't you?"

Neither of them wanted to admit it, but their silence was enough of an answer. Kita turned around, unlocking the club room. Aran glanced at Atsumu and Osamu. "What are you going to do about it?"

"I- don't know," Atsumu admitted. "Kita Senpai, tell us! I'm no good with girls!"

"She's not just a girl. She's your sister." Kita said, pushing open the door. "And you have to figure that out on your own."