Chapter 13

KUMI AYAME's POV

-A few days ago-

"Are you sure, Kumi?" asked Shimizu-san.

I nodded reassuringly at her before she gave me a confused and worried glance. "I assure you, Kiyoko-san, it's nothing to worry about!"

She hesitantly nodded her head, giving me a pat at my shoulder before walking out of the gym.

---

I breath deeply, turning around to see everyone more energetic than before. The loss against Aoba Johsai made us more encouraged the ever. It was good news to hear the third years still staying until the Spring Interhigh and it just motivates us more.

As I watch everyone train harder, a smile painted across my face.

This used to be me. I thought to myself, remembering old times. Seeing everyone so worked up playing volleyball was enough to make me happy even if I'm not the one playing anymore.

Suddenly, Takeda-sensei came bursting through the door, tripping in the process. He quickly stood up with blood dripping down his nose, I approached him with tissues in my hand with him gladly accepting it.

"What's the rush?" I asked.

"We're going right?!" shouted sensei as he raised a few papers in the air.

"Huh? Where?" mumbled the players.

"TO TOKYO!"

"By Tokyo, you mean," Hinata said, eyes widened in realization. "NEKOMA?"

Kageyama spoke, "A practice match?"

Take-sensei breath deeply, a smug look on his face. "This time it won't just be Nekoma, it's with the Fukurodani Academy Group along with a few powerhouse schools!"

"R-REALLY?"

"ALRIGHT!"

The boys' sudden enthusiasm brought a warm feeling in my heart. Simply because their happiness is my happiness too. A frown then replaced my smile as something came up in my mind.

Takeda-sensei continued speaking, until he mentioned something that seemed to drain four people's happiness.

"...That said," he stated in a serious tone, "I assume that you have your final exams. Next month?"

Hinata, Kageyama, Tanaka, and Nishinoya all froze in their spot.

"You know that, right?" Take-sensei turned to the four boys while they avoided his gaze. "The joint practice match will take place after that. So, as you already might expect, supplememtary lessons will be done if you fail a subject."

I laughed as Noya and Tanaka started running away; Kageyama's breathing seemed to stop, and Hinata knelt infront of Coach Ukai for some help.

"It can't be help," I shrugged, "club activities and studies should be balanced you know."

"H-how were you able to balance volleyball and studies Kumi?! Playing in the nationals and attending foreign training camps and all?!" Hinata cried.

"I, uh, study on breaks." I replied.

"That's not helping."

Suddenly, Daichi bursted out which silenced everyone. "We're doing this! It's not a team without these four idiots! WE ARE GOING TO TOKYO!"

---

KAGEYAMA's POV

"Tsukishima!" yelled Hinata as we spotted three individuals walking, then he mumbled, "Oh good, Kumi's with him too. Hurry up Kageyama!"He pulled me by arm as we approached them.

Tsukishima raised a brow at the both of us while Yamaguchi and Kumi greeted us with smiles.

"Please help us study!" Hinata bowed.

But the blonde only snickered, making me growl in irritation. "Don't you think it's unfair to only have the shrimp ask for the both of you? What do you have to say, King?"

"Now now, Kei," Kumi spoke. "I'd be glad to if Stingyshima here won't help."

"You'd do that Kumi?" I finally said. She turned to me with a smile, nodding. I clutched my chest, feeling a sudden rapid change of my heartbeats.

My heart's doing it again.

"Oi," Tsukishima called in annoyance, "Nuisance will be busy this week, don't disturb her because of your dumb asses."

Hinata slumped to the ground, "You don't have to tell us that, Tsukishima."

"It's fine! I'll find time," beamed the brunette. Tsukishima only clicked his tongue, giving Kumi annoyed glares. I scowled at the way he looked at her, but knowing that they've been friends for long, it must have been normal for them.

"Tsk, fine," spoke the blonde, "I'll tutor both of you, only after club."

"Kei it's really fine," Kumi reassured with a big smile.

She's really beautiful, kind, and smart. Not to mention talkative. I let my thoughts drift off as I continued staring at the brunette. It's strange that I get an unkown feeling all of sudden whenever I'm with her, like when I talk to her and her voice stays in my head; walking her home were always something I'd look forward to--

"Boke!" I half-shouted at Hinata who elbowed me, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"Stop staring at Kumi!" He replied with a whisper, "It's rude, and Tsukishima has been glaring daggers at you the whole time!" He then regain his posture and face back to the three persons. "If you're really busy, Kumi-chan, I guess we can handle Tsukishima a bit."

"Yeah," I added, looking away.

She placed a hand on her chin before patting Tsukishima on his back. "If ever you can't learn anything from Salty here, feel free to come to me!"

"Alright, thank you!" We bowed.

---

We've been studying with Tsukishima a few times now, but all we got from him was a scolding.

I sighed in frustration, taking a chip as I stuffed it inside my mouth. "Nē, Kageyama-kun, you've been acting weird lately."

I turned to the orange-haired boy infront of me who was tossing a volleyball around my room instead of copying some notes. "I'm not, stupid."

"You are. And you were staring at Kumi last night as if she was a volleyball."

"What!?" I growled. "A volleyball?"

"Ah, I mean the way you look at Kumi is the same way you look at a volleyball," he replied, "I forgot the term...it's more like--"

"How can you tell if I like it or love it?" I asked her with a blank expression, taking a sip.

"The way your eyes widen in excitement when it came falling towards you," she chuckled. "It's the same excitement I see when you spot a volleyball."

"Excitement?" I said.

"Yes! Excitement's the word."

"How can you tell if I like it or love it?"

"Like or love?" I mumbled.

"You said something?" Hinata turned to me.

I clutched my chest again as I felt my heart beating faster and my face getting warmer. "How can I not stare at her when she makes my heart beat abnormally?" I mumbled absent-mindedly.

"K-K-Kageyama-kun..." Hinata's face neared mines, eyes widened. "YOU LIKE HER!"

Like...? For a moment, a sat confused, processing what he meant. Until it clicked. I whipped my direction to him, eyes widened in realization. I muttered quietly just enough for the both of us to hear. "I...think that's the case."

"KAGEYAMA LOVES SOMETHING ASIDE FROM VOLLEYBALL!"

"IT'S SOMEONE! BOKE!" I sighed, leaning against the chair.

He took my notebook and pen and started writing. "I'll do something about that."