XXXVII

May 8th, 2021

IM SO PROUD OF ME I DIDN'T FORGET (But only cause @Passive_Knight commented and their comment reminded me to post. I should really set an alarm or smth on my phone)

Also I won't be updating for three weeks because I have finals :(

<<Flashback, Two Years Ago>>

All throughout middle school, Isuma never bothered to talk to anyone. During their last year, when they were 15, a new student came to their school.

Chan Soorin was treated as an outcast- at first- because she was Korean. Isuma was the last person she'd tried to approach- even she had thought Isuma to be a last resort- but the only one who'd talked to her.

Isuma had thought Soorin would be different. At first, she was. But everything changed within a few short weeks of knowing her.

She hadn't told Soorin about Atsumu and Osamu being her brothers. The last thing she needed was Soorin wanting to get close to them through her. When asked, Isuma claimed that Miya was a common last name in Japan- Soorin wouldn't know and had taken her word for it- and made sure other people didn't tell her.

Within two weeks, it became clear that Soorin was interested in Atsumu, giving Isuma another reason not to tell her. During lunch one day, Soorin suddenly asked, "Does Miya Atsumu have a girlfriend?"

Isuma coughed on her orange juice; it was a few moments before she could speak. "W- what? Um, I don't know."

She knew, of course- neither of her brothers had ever dated anyone- and they probably wouldn't, ever- but she didn't feel like telling Soorin. "That's too bad... do you think he'd like me?"

Isuma hesitated; Soorin was incredibly pretty and sweet, but Atsumu really didn't like other girls. Nevertheless, she didn't want to disappoint Soorin. "...I'm not sure."

"Well, you've still known him for a long time, right? Even if you don't talk. Could you ask him what he thinks about me?"

Isuma was gripping her skirt way too tightly. Soorin didn't even know that she was Atsumu's sister, yet she was asking for her help anyway. "Soorin... I don't think I should. It's you who likes him, not me."

She frowned, displeased. "I'll just ask one of the other girls, then."

She stood up and walked away without another word. Isuma threw her juice box away and clenched her fist. 'It's only a matter of time. Soorin's going to find out soon. I can't keep hiding it from her.'

The other voice in her head argued, 'Well, what good will it do to tell her? She'll just get mad at you for lying to her. And then she'll take advantage of you.'

Isuma bit her lip, not knowing what to do. "'Suma?"

She looked up; Atsumu was standing in front of her, his hands in his pockets. "You good?"

"-oh, yeah, I'm fine!" She nodded. They moved to the edge of the hallway so they could talk. The hallways were completely open to the outside- there weren't  Atsumu didn't question it and moved on. "It's gonna rain all afternoon and won't stop 'til tonight. You want to stay for our practice? I know-" for Isuma had shown every sign of declining- "I know you don't like watching our practices. I'm not stupid enough to buy that it's because you're bored there. I've seen you watch volleyball matches before, and you always look interested."

Isuma didn't meet his gaze and looked at the floor. Atsumu's voice softened. "I won't ask you why. You don't have to tell me. Just stay today, okay? I don't want you to get drenched in rain."

"...alright. I'll stay."

Atsumu smiled and messed up her hair playfully. "Thanks."

He turned to leave; Isuma grabbed his sleeve. "Also..."

"Yeah?" He asked. She hesitated. "You know my... friend? Soorin?"

"The one with reddish hair?" Atsumu asked. "Yeah. Her. I... I haven't told her I'm your sister."

He tilted his head. "What? Why?"

"It's just- this might sound stupid, but sometimes... it's hard having you two as brothers. I just wanted a friend who- who likes me because of me, not because I'm your sister."

"Yeah, but 'Suma-chan..." Atsumu lowered his voice. "You're her friend, yet you didn't tell her the truth. How do you think that'll make her feel?"

"I know, I know- 'Tsumu, she likes you. And she doesn't even know I'm your sister! If she did- if she did- she might just be like the rest." She murmured. Atsumu didn't understand, but he didn't pry. "I'll try my best to make sure she doesn't find out. But she could find out from someone else."

"I can't hide it forever. She would've found out sooner or later." Isuma reached up and ruffled her brother's hair. "Hey!"

"Sorry- habit."

<<Skip to practice>>

It ended up raining ten minutes after school let out; Isuma was thankful her brother had made her stay.

It had been forever since she'd seen them practice. Of course, she helped them almost every night and morning, but seeing them play with other people was different. They worked together incredibly well; Atsumu's skills as a setter were especially notable.

But watching them play also brought back all the bitterness and resentment she'd had about volleyball for years. She'd never worked up the courage to play herself- her aunt had destroyed her confidence to play years ago.

"'Suma-chan!"

Isuma looked up just in time to see a volleyball flying at her. She ducked, and it missed her by less than an inch, noisily banging off the bleachers. "'Samu!"

"Sorry! Are you alright, 'Suma?"

"'...Suma?'"

Everyone turned towards the gym door; Soorin was standing there, staring at Isuma in shock. "Miya-chan? Do- do you know them?"

Isuma didn't bother asking her what she was doing there. "Soorin..."

Her friend's eyes widened as she pieced things together. But to Isuma's surprise, she didn't look too upset. 'Why does she look... happy?'

Things turned out exactly as Isuma had predicted. Soorin tried to take advantage of her to get close to Atsumu, and they'd had a big argument that resulted in Isuma being tormented by Soorin and her friends for the rest of middle school.

They never physically hurt her, but she was singled out from the rest of her classmates. She'd always been quiet and distant, but they slowly grew to resent her independence.

She got the nickname 'princess'- when her brothers heard it for the first time, she claimed it was a good thing. Neither of them gave it a second thought, but towards the end of their last year in middle school, Soorin tormented her more. She despised Isuma for refusing to help her- the day she'd tried to talk to Atsumu, he'd asked, "Are you a model?"

"Uh, no," she answered, reddening. 'Is he calling me pretty-'

"Oh, I just thought you were advertising makeup. You have a lot on."

Without giving her a second glance, he resumed practicing his serves. Soorin hadn't even fully processed his subtle insult by the time he'd turned back towards her. "Why are you still here?"

She took a step back. "Um..."

"Before you continue- don't. You'll only humiliate yourself in front of all your friends waiting outside. Don't waste your time."

Usually, when turning down a girl, Atsumu wasn't harsh- he'd politely say no and apologize to them, and none of them were too hurt. But Soorin was different- the second she'd walked into the gym he'd clocked her as overconfident. He vaguely remembered her being friends with Isuma for a while, but otherwise, he'd always thought of her as a jerk to some of his other classmates. "I gotta go. Don't bother me again. Unless you want to embarrass yourself."

Atsumu brushed past her to find a dozen girls waiting outside. His eyes narrowed as he walked through them, ignoring their voices.

Soorin didn't take his advice- Atsumu turning her down only prompted her to make life even harder for Isuma.

<<End of Flashback>>

"Senpai... what does Isuma mean to you?"

I love small cliffhangers. It keeps people interested :>

Again my next update will be on the 29th of May. I have finals and should really study :(Wow this cliffhanger really is bad and you're gonna hafta wait three week...Sorry. But I really really should study.

TY for 76.6K reads❤❤