Chapter 1

KUMI AYAME's POV

There he is. The familiar, lanky blonde with glasses that stood by the entrance.

Tsukishima Kei.

"Kei!" I yelled in excitement, running up to him.

As I inched closer, he laid his long arms infront of him and grabbed my head to stop me from hugging him.

I smiled, knowing that he didn't change.

"You grew by a centimeter," I commented, rubbing my head as he lets go of the grip.

"And you're still annoying as always," he smirked, "Nuisance."

Hinata, Tanaka, and Noya then came up beside us with irritated expressions.

"Don't call her Nuisance!" exclaimed Nishinoya.

"You're friends with this jerk?" Tanaka yelled in disbelif.

"Unbelievable!" Hinata added.

I nodded, laughing at their comments.

"Salty isn't he? He's my childhood friend," I smiled and turned back to Tsukishima, seeing a freckled guy behind him. "You must be Yamaguchi? Nice to meet you!"

He stepped out from Tsukishima's back while he rubbed his neck shyly. "You must be Kumi Ayame?"

I nodded agressively as he shook my hands. Then Coach Ukai called for my attention.

"Train with us Ayame!" He said.

Hinata stepped up to him, "She doesn't like sports, Coach."

Coach Ukai flashed him a confused look, then she turned to me. "You told them that?"

I chuckled awkwardly and quickly changed the subject. "Y-you should start training now, Coach." I mocked as he fumed. Then he called the players and started gathering for the training.

"Akiteru just texted me mom wanted you to have dinner at my house," Tsukishima stated stoicly.

"Sure," I replied and looked up to him. "Then help me record a song after dinner."

He gave me his usual annoyed glares, placing his bag down and said, "Whatever."

---

I decided to settle down on the benches beside Kiyoko-san, taking out my guitar.

"Are you new here?" Kiyoko asked.

"Yeah, just enrolled." I replied, plucking a few notes as the guitar strings vibrated into a peaceful melody.

"What school were you last year?"

"Ah, you see I'm supposed to be 2nd year now, but I skipped one year which was last year and spent the whole time in America. But before that, I was in Mori Junior Highschool."

She nodded then smiled, humming to the tune. "So you and Coach Ukai knew each other?"

"He's father's close friend," I replied, "Last time I saw him was when he still didn't have that freaky hairstyle."

Kiyoko laughed as we continued our conversation with random topics, then hours came by and the boys had to cleanup the gym.

I continued playing my guitar, seeing Noya and Tanaka kneeling infront of Kiyoko and me. Drool came out of their mouths, making me chuckle as they peered closer and listened to the music.

"K-Kumi-Chan!"

I quickly lifted my head upon hearing Suga-san's call.

A volleyball came flying towards me, just above my head. Instinctively, I raised one hand up as the ball reached me, setting it only with my right fingertips and tossed smoothly it back to Kageyama who had a shocked look on his face.

"KAGEYAMA YOU ALMOST HIT HER!" Hinata shouted.

"I WAS ABOUT TO HIT YOU DUMBASS!" Kageyama shouted back.

The two then came running towards me, pushing Noya and Tanaka away and bowed infront of me.

"I'm so sorry!" Hinata and Kageyama said in unison.

I waved my hand, laughing lightly and told them to get up. "It's fine, really!"

"You have quick reflexes!" Hinata remarked. "And...and the one you did--"

"You tossed the ball with only you're...right hand." Kageyama interrupted, "It looked like a one hand set!"

I smiled nervously, scratching the back of my head. "It was sheer luck--"

"Nuisance." Tsukishima called from the door. I nodded, facing back to the two boys infront. "I have to go. Thank you for today!"

I walked away without giving them the chance to speak, bringing ny guitar with me and said my goodbyes to Keishin and the others then made my way outside.

---

"How was America?" Tsukishima muttered.

"Boring," I replied, "How could it be fun when I only stayed in one place for the whole year."

He nodded, putting on his headphones as I peered over his ipod and watched his playlists.

"You still listen to those?" I raised an eyebrow.

"They're lame, but yeah." He lowered the volume and continued speaking, "I'm suprised to see you schooling. I thought your parents wanted you on homeschool?"

I face down and smiled, "For once they granted my wishes. I don't want to be homeschooled."

"That's fine," he mumbled boredly, "No people to bother you."

"And yet you can't get on a volleyball team."

"True. So you'll be playing volleyball again?" He asked, making me stop in my tracks. "You're weak."

I bit the inside of my cheek as I fiddled with the strap of the guitar bag. "I'm not gonna argue with that. I still love the game, but I won't play anymore. Maybe I'll just support your team and help Kiyoko-san manage it."

He continued walking with me trailing behind, "'Live you're life to the fullest' that's what you always say."

"I know but, Kei," I said quietly as he raised a brow in response. "Do you think I should play again? Do you still want me to play again?"

He clicked his tongue and exhaled in annoyance. "It's up to you, and no. I don't want you to play again. But it's only my opinion, it's totally up to you."

I only nodded in response, biting my lip in deep thought as we approached the Tsukishima's Residence.

—

Thoughts??