L

Yes, I'm rushing through this arc. To be honest, the practice matches are just a setup for what I'm looking forward to:

A) the formal event

B) The accident. Remember that, all the way in Chapter I? Yep, that. We're getting there fam. Timeskip is going to be almost immediately after the accident, and there will be a skip of around 6 years :>

Isuma had been pondering on when to spring the question; every time she considered asking, Tamiko's expression made her stop. He didn't seem aware of the way his face was always tightened and drawn, the way his eyes revealed the churning emotions and troubles inside of him. He knew perfectly well what people were expecting from him, and he didn't like it.

Finally, she managed to work up the courage to ask him. He and a few of the others were gathering the dozens of volleyballs on the gym floors; Isuma waited until they'd shut them away before approaching him. She hesitated. "Tamiko-kun."

Tamiko looked up, wiping his face with his shirt. "Yes?"

"...why don't you want to be captain next year?" Isuma questioned. His smile faded for a brief second before he realized his mistake. "Did Hino-nii request you to ask?"

"Yes. But I want to know too. I would've asked even if he hadn't told me to. But you don't have to answer." Isuma looked at him, her eyes inquisitive. Tamiko sighed. "Isuma-san, I'm me. I can barely piece a sentence together when I talk to people, let alone do leadership-y things like encouraging and reprimanding. A captain needs to be social and good with people."

"But you are. People listen to you, Tamiko-kun. You know what your team needs. That's a setter's job- they help their team be the best they can. That's what you do, right?" Isuma said all this nonchalantly as if she were merely stating facts. Tamiko was staring at her as if he was seeing her for the first time. "...well, yeah. But I still can't. I wouldn't last a week as captain. I don't want to tempt fate."

She didn't seem at all fazed. "But you want to be captain, right?"

He hesitated. Truthfully, he did want to be captain- yes, only because Hinosa was counting on him, but he still did. Hinosa was the one person he looked up to and trusted completely- if Hinosa thought he'd be a great captain, then he probably would be. But despite the dozens of reassurances Hinosa had given him, he was still terrified of screwing up one thing or another. "...I might. I'll consider it."

***The second day was much busier than the first, as a routine had been hammered out and the managers knew where and whom to assist. Isuma didn't have much time to talk with the other two, which was just as well, because neither she nor Saru had forgotten their sharp... discussion from the previous day.

The coaches purposefully set the matches so there would be clashes in ability; Kamino Academy, who were well-known for their precision and strategies, went against Shazun, renowned for being chaotic and picking things up on the fly. Neither team could grasp how to handle the other; it was difficult to keep the volleyball up for more than six seconds.

Tamiko was still being kept on the sidelines because of his injury. The doctor point-blank refused to let him play, insisting Tamiko needed to allow his leg time to heal, although he conceded that he could attend practices by mid-January. Kamino was making do with their reserve setter, but it was hard for Tamiko to stay on the sidelines.

Isuma had come to appreciate the difference between all the teams; they each shone in their own ways and had unique styles, all being honed with every minute of practice. The slight differences in the same attacks became clearer- whether it was a small delay or a change in the setter's position, each team had adjusted basic attacks. It was amazing how certain tweaks and adjustments could completely alter something.

Watching several teams at once was a little overwhelming; Isuma tried to distract herself as often as she could because any time she paused to watch a match, her head exploded with pain and she'd wince or flinch.

Her involuntary reactions to her occasional headaches didn't unnoticed by Riko and Saru, who spent much of their time assisting Isuma with her various tasks. Combined with the bruise on her wrist they'd accidentally caught a glimpse of, they were both concerned. While bringing out fresh towels for the teams, Riko asked, "Isuma-san, is everything okay with you? I've just noticed that your head seems to hurt you a lot..."

"I'm alright. They're just headaches I have." Isuma managed a reassuring smile. Riko questioned, "And your hand?"

"...it was an accident. I'm fine." Isuma had said those words so often lately they didn't seem to mean anything- but, nevertheless, she appreciated their concern. It was a sweet gesture on their part, something most girls she knew didn't do. While she could confide most things to Suna or Kita or her brothers, they were still- well- boys, which made certain topics awkward.

The days were passing by alarmingly fast; it was already the evening of Day Two, so tomorrow would be their last day before the formal- and Atsumu would be returning. They'd be off to Tokyo in less than two weeks, an event Isuma was trying hard not to think of, which, of course, meant she thought of it even more.

There were a lot of things going through her mind; she wanted to talk to someone and organize the jumbled mess of thoughts in her head. Unfortunately, all the people she knew were boys, none of whom could quite relate to her. And she didn't know Riko and Saru at all-

And then it hit her. She felt exasperated with herself for not having realized it sooner. Of course. Hishari.

***

The eldest Kita sibling had instantly agreed to Isuma's request. Hishari had been so excited at the thought of meeting Isuma again that she'd immediately canceled her plans for the rest of the day in order to make time.

Isuma had been to the Kitas' house less than two weeks ago, but it felt it had been ten lifetimes Hishari opened the door seconds after Isuma knocked. "Hey, Isuma-chan, it's great to see you again!"

"I'm sorry for coming on such short notice." She apologized, stepping in. Hishari shook her head. "I don't mind at all. Shin-chan and Taka-chan aren't even here; they're at Karu's home for dinner. Thank you for coming, Isuma-chan."

She flashed the smile Isuma had remembered and missed, the one that seemingly solved all her problems and relaxed her. "Thanks for-"

Isuma suddenly hugged Hishari, who stopped talking. Hishari placed her arms around the younger girl delicately, noting the way Isuma was gripping her a little more tightly than necessary, as if afraid Hishari would vanish if she didn't.

Hishari's embrace was warm- a different type than Kita's, or Suna's, or her brothers'. It was comforting in the way you'd expect from a mother or elder sister. She'd raised her younger brothers from when she was 12 and had been their mother-sister figure for over ten years. Her voice impossibly soft and understanding, Hishari asked, "Are you okay, Isuma?"

"...I just really needed to see you." Isuma pulled back, rubbing her eyes. Hishari stroked the top of Isuma's head. "I understand. Here, drink this."

She pressed a warm cup of tea into Isuma's hands and guided her to the dining table. "Tell me what's bothering you."

For the second time in two days, Isuma found herself emptying her uncensored thoughts out to someone. They remained seated the whole twenty minutes Isuma spoke, with Hishari saying something every now and then. The tea warmed Isuma and relaxed her a little. When she finally finished, Isuma expected Hishari to ask about Yoshika, or perhaps the students she'd met in the store, but her first question surprised her. "Isuma-chan, do you blame Shin-chan for what happened?"

"...no. He didn't do anything. It's not his fault," Isuma replied. "Rintaro does. I heard them talking about it; he was upset with Kita-kun."

"I see. Relationships are complicated. True ones take a lot of effort and sacrifice- even just regular ones are difficult." Hishari squeezed Isuma's hand. "As for Saru... as you said, she has every right to like Shinsuke as well, but don't worry too much about it. Or Suna. He's your best friend; it's only natural that he feels protective of his best friend who's a girl. He'll come around."

Isuma managed a small nod; Hishari stood up. "You should stay for dinner. Shin-chan and Taka-chan won't be home in time."

"...sure," Isuma said. Hishari glanced at her, smiling. "Come by anytime, Isuma. I'm always here any time you need someone to talk to, 'kay?"

"I will... thank you for everything."

***

TYYY for reading :))) And sorry it's late

I may be a day or two late next chapter :((