XLV

August 7th, 2021 

I MISSED YOU GUYS

Someone pls slap Isuma's aunt

Im going through an Akashi Seijuro phase rn so it's gonna affect my writing-

The last three weeks of the year were unusually calm and normal. Everyone at school had congratulated them repetitively for a few days before forgetting. Isuma was grateful for it; she didn't have the heart to turn them away when they came to her asking dozens of questions. The others- except Ginjima and Kosaku- would tell them to beat it and then turn back to whatever they were doing. 

But what people didn't forget about was Inarizaki's new manager. Most of the school- specifically the third- and first-years- hadn't heard about her, but they all had now. The few occasions they saw her they stared, whispering.

Surprisingly, their gazes didn't bother Isuma nearly as much as they did before.She didn't know why herself. She hadn't changed that much in the past few months- at least, that's what she wanted to believe. Every day, though, she believed it less and less. 'That girl who slapped me the other day... and Soorin. The old me probably would've walked away without another word. But back then... I felt really angry. Is that wrong of me-'

"Yo."

Isuma looked up; Ginjima was sitting in the seat in front of her, his elbow propped on her desk. "Welcome back to reality."

"Sorry... were you saying something? Wait-" She shook her head. "Why are you here?"

"It's break." Ginjima leaned forward. "So, you wanna tell me why you were spacing out?"

"It's nothing." Isuma managed a smile to reassure him. "Why'd you come here?"

"Sensei asked me to give you this." Ginjima handed her a creased sheet of paper; she unfolded it to see an invitation. "Oh, heck yeah- it's for the Winter Practice Matches!"

"The what?" Isuma looked at him, surprised he knew. "It's three days of practice matches that take place just before winter break. A few schools in our prefecture join- Mailo, Kamino Academy, and a few others."

She suddenly recalled what Hinosa had told her what seemed like months ago, about the schools in their prefecture getting together during winter break. "Right..."

"I think each school takes turns hosting it. Last year was this school down south, Shazun." Ginjima explained. Isuma was still reading the piece of paper. "We're hosting it this year."

"Us?" Ginjima stood up to read over her shoulder. "Ah, that's great!! Shazun is really far from here; it was a pain going there every single day. Oh, um, I guess that means a lot of work for you too..."

Isuma shrugged. "It's fine. Is that all?"

"Well... no." His tone was considerably less enthusiastic now. "There's also a formal celebration. At the end."

"Formal?" She repeated. "A lot of important people come and we have to wear nice clothes and stuff. Last time this guy fell asleep during a speech." Ginjima stifled a laugh. Isuma's phone buzzed with a text. "'Samu?"

'He could've just waited until after lunch; what's so important-' And then she read his text. Just three words: 'She's coming.'

She instantly understood. 'Why is Oba-san coming?! Now, of all times?! God, no...' Isuma must've reacted in some way, because Ginjima asked, "What'd he say?"

"Nothing important."

<<Skip to Practice>>

A small part of Isuma had hoped that the last two weeks before winter break would be normal- but three things ruined that paradise.

Firstly, the winter practice matches- although she was happy she'd get to see Tamiko and the others, it meant a lot of worrying and work. The second was the matter of their aunt coming. 

And third, was the announcement their coaches had suddenly made that afternoon.

Practice had been completely normal until they arrived. Isuma was reviewing the measurements they'd taken the previous day with Kita and Aran while the others practiced. "Kosaku's running jump improved by 3 centimeters."

"What about Suna's?" Aran asked. Isuma ran her finger down the list. "2 centimeters."

"Not bad." Kita nodded. "Okay, next thing: the winter practice matches. It's going to be a lot more complicated this year since we're hosting. They start in a little over two weeks, and we have a lot to do before then."

Before he could continue, the gym doors slid open and the coaches stepped inside. "Atsumu-kun!!"

They watched as Atsumu flinched and walked over to Kurosu Sensei. Aran asked, "What'd he do this time?"

"Nothing. Atsumu's been selected to go to the Youth Camp in Tokyo." Kita said emotionlessly. It was several seconds before he realized Aran and Isuma were both gaping at him. "My brother what?!"

"Sensei hasn't told you all?" Kita asked, surprised. Aran and Isuma exclaimed together, "No!""He told me during break. They called him this morning inviting Atsumu to attend."

Isuma didn't look nearly as happy as he'd expected her to be; instead, she seemed uneasy. "What's wrong?"

"...I'm happy for him, of course, but you know, he and 'Samu have always been rivals..." Isuma was fidgeting with her hands, looking at them and Atsumu alternately. Kita tilted his head. That was a valid reason and all, but she looked anxious- even slightly fearful- which didn't exactly fit.Isuma didn't notice his gaze. She was concerned: if Atsumu was leaving, that meant their aunt would come before he left. She would definitely want to see him... before she could give it any more thought, Atsumu exclaimed from behind her, "Hey, 'Suma-chan, guess what?!"

He looked so eager for her praise Isuma couldn't help but smile. "I heard. Congratulations, 'Tsumu. Great job!"

Her smile was genuine; Atsumu high-fived her so enthusiastically her hand hurt. Isuma looked past him at Osamu, who hadn't said anything yet. Atsumu was distracted by Kita, giving her a chance to approach Osamu. "You okay?"

"Yeah." He managed a smile to reassure her. Isuma wasn't completely convinced. "Are you sure?"

"I'm fine. Really. I'm happy for him. 'Tsumu's worked harder than I have. And to be honest... I don't want it as much as he does." Osamu didn't sound like he was lying. Isuma focused on him for a few seconds before conceding that he was telling the truth. "...alright."

Osamu ruffled her hair before saying, "You saw my text?"

"Oh... yeah." Isuma's smile faded. "When is she coming?"

"...in a few days." Osamu answered. Isuma repeated, "A few days?!"

Everyone in the gym looked over at the two of them. Atsumu asked, "What's in a few days?"

Isuma lowered her voice so only her brothers would hear. "And Oka-san just told you?"

"Well..." He exchanged glances with Atsumu. Isuma's eyes narrowed. "How long have you two known?"

"...Oka-san called two days ago. Sorry... we didn't want to worry you. Suna forced me to text you during break-"

"So if it weren't for Rintaro, you'd just let me find out when she came?" Isuma snapped. Atsumu couldn't look at her; his brief spell of euphoria had evaporated. "Sorry, 'Suma-chan."

"I'm sure she won't be as bad this time, 'Suma-chan..." Osamu half-heartedly suggested. Isuma grimly replied, "Oh no, I'm sure she'll be much worse."

Still annoyed at them, she walked back to Kita and Aran, who were talking to the second-string third-years. "Isuma, do you have the data from the second-string's last practice match?"

"Yes, give me a moment." She began flipping through her notebook- which at this point was so used and full of information it resembled a textbook- trying to find the section on the second-string. She didn't research the second-string third-years as much as the others; they hadn't made it on to the first-string, so it seemed pointless to most people, but she did take detailed notes whenever she had the chance. "Found them. Who do you need?"

"Komiro-kun and Yamarin-kun." Kita answered. "Here, Senpai."

Isuma handed Komiro her notebook; he whistled when he saw her neat charts and highlighted passages. "Dang. Just take my notes for school too, will you, sweetheart?"

The other third-years laughed; Isuma didn't respond but bowed to them and retreated. Kita was trying to restrain himself; it was taking all his willpower not to lash out at them. Akagi kicked him discreetly. "Shinsuke!!"

The second-string didn't know the first-string very well, so they were oblivious. Members of the team on different strings almost never saw each other during practice, as they had different gyms and practices. Kita had only known Akagi- who had been on the second-string until the Spring Inter-high of last year- because they had been in the same class and practiced together after normal practices. Kita had recommended him to their coach at the end of their second-year, who'd accepted him because their current libero was about to graduate.

Therefore, it wasn't a surprise that Komiro and the others didn't know about Kita and Isuma. They didn't know Isuma very well- she occasionally attended their practices and her presence was only guaranteed at practice matches- and although Kita was in the same year as them, they never spoke to him outside of practice.

"Ayo, Kita-kun, what's wrong?" Komiro looked over at him.

Kita raised his gaze, and Komiro flinched. His eyes were blazing with anger, so sharp they could cut through steel. His message was clear: 'You have a death wish?' Komiro murmured, "Sorry." He didn't really know what he'd done wrong, but it felt best to apologize. Part of him wanted to kneel at Kita's feet.

If Inarizaki had royalty, Kita was the king. Lord. Imperial Majesty. Emperor.

All of the above. No one ever acknowledged it out loud, but his presence in the school was obvious. It had nothing to do with being captain- although that certainly helped. No, it was his unwavering personality that made people look up to him. His confidence, his natural leadership skills.

Kita couldn't care less what the rest of the students thought of him; it meant nothing to him. Not that the students cared what he thought about his position; he was one person the boys had to avoid and approach with caution- and the one person the girls were mystified by. His interest in girls was zero, confusing most.

So it was hard to connect that Kita, someone with no weaknesses on the outside, could possibly like a girl. Especially one like Isuma, Komiro thought. There was nothing WRONG with her... she was pretty and nice, but her personality was the exact opposite of Kita's. 'So there's no way he got mad because I called her sweetheart... right?'

His mind's gears began turning. Komiro's eyes flicked from Kita to Isuma. She was an unknown factor... and an intriguing opportunity.

<<Skip>>

The next few days went by too quickly. The coaches, Kita, and Isuma spent hours preparing for the coming event without rest. Finally, when everything had finally been planned out and the last of the food arrangements had been made, Isuma allowed herself to relax- only to be reminded by Atsumu that their aunt was arriving that night. She sat up so fast he yelped. "She's coming tonight?!"

"Hey, you can't blame it on us this time; we told you!" Atsumu hastily protested. Isuma buried her face in her hands. "I know, I know. I'm just..."

She trailed off. Atsumu tousled her hair. "Hey, relax. We'll be there too. Relax. They can't possibly be worse this time around."

He was really wrong.

Her aunt was unusually adept at lowering Isuma's self-esteem; as per usual, she began criticizing Isuma five minutes into dinner. "So, Isuma, what club did you end up choosing this year?"

"Volleyball." She replied, her voice tiny. Riku, their uncle, repeated, "Volleyball? I thought you gave up several years ago?"

"I don't play. I'm a manager." Isuma could feel Atsumu's grip on her arm under the table tightening. 'Don't say anything to provoke her.'

Osamu was stabbing at his meal with his chopsticks a little too forcefully. "She helps us during practices and matches-"

"Helps? That's it?" Himari glanced at their mother. "Sakura, the girl still hasn't-"

Isuma couldn't help herself. She snapped, "I'm right here, you know."

"Her manners haven't improved either... honestly, dear, the only good thing about you are your looks. Perhaps when you're older we can marry you off to some rich man." Himari mused. Isuma repeated, "My looks?"

She recalled what Suna had said all those weeks ago. She'd never had the courage to do it, but she suddenly wanted to. Isuma stood up so fast her chair fell back, clattering noisily to the ground. "Where are you going-"

Their mother's voice faltered when she saw Isuma pick up a pair of scissors and hold it to her hair. Osamu's eyes widened. ''Suma, no!! Don't do it; you'll only make things worse!'

Himari snapped, "Are you crazy, girl?!! You're going to ruin the only good thing about you- you wouldn't dare-"

"Watch me." Isuma's hand was shaking, but they didn't need to know that. Osamu wanted to stop her, but his body wouldn't move. Some part of his brain argued, 'Don't stop her!'

''Suma's a mixture of both 'Tsumu and me. She doesn't seem like it, but she's rebellious like him. Especially against our aunt.' With one loud snip that seemed to echo throughout the room, a thick lock of Isuma's hair fell to the floor. Then another. And another. She continued until her hair was barely two inches past her shoulders, and her bangs, which used to hide the upper part of her face, were shortened.

Osamu dropped his chopsticks, gaping at her. His sister's eyes were a lot more bright than he'd remembered. A few strands of her hair usually blocked them from view, but not anymore. 'Dang. She's... really pretty.'

Atsumu raised his eyebrows, impressed by her boldness. 'Didn't expect that from you, 'Suma-chan. Well done.'

Sakura and Himari, on the other hand, were looking at the hair on the ground in horror. "Isuma, what the he-?!"

She pushed past them and slammed the front door behind her so hard it shook on its hinges. Osamu started to rise, but Atsumu grabbed his arm. "Let her go, 'Samu. She'll come back."

HAHA IM BACK!!

I feel a lot better now but also um yesterday I found out that I need a root canal

Do those hurt?

BUT ANYWAY thank you all for being patient and waiting a month! I appreciate it!! :>