Chapter 03: Strawberry Milk

***

Sunday.

The noirette's eyes glimmered as soon as she saw the person who inspired her to be a part of Karasuno's volleyball team, standing a meter away from her - her cousin. She quickly ran towards him and hugged the elder guy tight as if it has been quite a long time since they've seen each others faces.

"Did you miss me that much?" asked her cousin.

"Not really," she denied, a smirk playing on her lips.

Tenma shook his head then patted the noirette's shoulder, "Come on, your parents are waiting for you," he said then they called for a cab nearby the station.

Tokyo has always been a busy place - whether it be night or day, weekdays or weekends, the place never really stopped being active. Aside from the fact that it's the country's capital, almost all of the businessmen were residing in the place - including [Name]'s parents.

"How's life in Miyagi?" her father asked.

"Refreshing!" she exclaimed that made her cousin laughed.

"Really? Should we transfer to Miyagi then?" her mother suggested. The noirette chuckled knowing for a fact that her mother was only joking since they couldn't leave their business in the capital just like that. "Anyway, how was your first week in Karasuno?"

A cheshire cat smile played on the noirette's lips as her mother mentioned the school she's currently enrolled in. Her sparkling eyes never escaped their sight as she continued to babble her first week experiences to them.

"...then there's this short-guy who's as tall as me who wants to be the little giant like you, Tenma-san!" she said while pointing her index finger at the guy.

"Really? What's his name?"

"Hinata Shoyo," she giggled and told them what Hinata is like, how he can jump so high as if he's flying, and how passionate he is to play volleyball despite the lack of his height. The former ace of the Karasuno's interest was piqued as the noirette continuously mentioned the short-guy's name.

"I'd like to meet him someday," he said, voice filled with curiosity. The noirette couldn't help herself but to feel excited for Hinata meeting his idol. If Hinata only knew how curious Tenma is to him, he'd definitely be bright as the sun.

(Meanwhile, Hinata continuously sneeze as if he's going to be sick. "Not now, I want to practice tomorrow!")

"Then you should visit Miyagi soon!" Tenma chuckled and nodded his head.

"Sure, soon."

***

Before the sun sink into the horizon, Tenma walked her off to the train station to go back to Miyagi. Although she still wanted to spend her day to her family, she couldn't because she have school responsibilities tomorrow, and she musn't skip them especially her duty as the volleyball team's manager.

"Keep safe," [Name] struggled to waved her good bye to her elder cousin because of the two baskets of fruits on both of her arms.

Ugh, mom.

"Always take care, [Name]-kun. Now go, since the train will arrive any minute now," she nodded her head and entered the station.

As soon as the train to Miyagi arrived, she immediately found a vacant seat near the window. Then minutes later, the train started to move.

A churn feeling occured in her stomach as the thought of being away from home slipped in her mind. Once again, she's heading back to a place where none of her family is present, only her, alone in an unfamiliar place. She leaned her head on the window and sighed.

How I wish I'll get used to this soon.

***

I hate Mondays!

The noirette grunted while running as fast as she can before the first subject started. There was only five minutes left before the bell rang, good thing that she finally arrived and avoided detention as her punishment.

Panting, she grabbed her tumbler only to find out that she forgot to fill it up since she was in a rush a while ago. "Why?" she sulked.

The noirette keep her head down on the arm chair then cursed herself for not waking up on time despite having so many alarms set on her phone. Despite her many attempts on practicing being an early bird, she always fail to meet the deed - except her first day of class. Sometimes, it still wonders her how'd she do that and how'd she end up not applying it on her daily life.

"Everyone, our first class is suspended since the teachers are having a meeting!" the president of the class exclaimed. The noirette immediately stood up then grabbed her wallet and left the room.

"I shouldn't have rushed myself," she murmured to herself while walking her way towards the cafeteria, "Two Katsu sandwiches, and one strawberry sandwich please," she's not usually a heavy eater when it comes to breakfast, but today was an exception since she ran all the way from her dorm to Karasuno High.

"Thank you," After paying for the food, she decided to stroll around while eating her breakfast, then she ended up walking near the gymnasium where she saw Hinata and Kageyama practicing.

"Hey!" the two looked at her and gave her a wave.

"That's a lot of food, [Name]-san!" Hinata said.

"You want some?" the short-guy just shook his head and proceeded to practice with Kageyama. She just watched (while eating) the two practice and bicker at each other, like the usual, constantly giving her a laugh then she suddenly choked that caught the attention of the duo.

"[Name]-san?!"

"N-No, I'm f-fine!" she went to the nearby vending machine then punched the button. The strawberry milk she randomly chose fell. She was about to get it when someone's hand grabbed the milk first.

"Skipping classes for food, huh?" the noirette's eyes widened when the male sipped on her drink, "T-that's mine!" then she coughed again.

"Hey beanpole, can't you see she's choking?!" Kageyama and Hinata rushed towards them, then Kageyama quickly grabbed the drink on the blonde's hand and handed it over to the choking noirette.

Without any hesitation, the noirette sipped a drink until it emptied. Much of the duos relief, she finally surpassed the verge of death.

"You..." she glared sharply at the blonde whose face was stoic, "Do you want me to die?" she said annoyingly.

"You're overreacting,"

"This beanpole-" Hinata was about to push the blonde away but was immediately stopped by Kageyama who's also stopping himself from the temptation of punching the blonde's face.

"Ah, must be nice to have two knight in shining armors by your side," the blonde mocked as he glared at the duo beside the noirette.

"What's with your salty attitude, Tsukishima Kei?" she asked in a calm tone that surprised the blonde. He looked straight into her eyes, his golden orbs met hers as she mentioned the blonde's name for the first time, "What's your problem with me?"

"You annoy me," he blatantly said, still looking straight in her eyes. Silence enveloped the situation after the blonde confessed the truth.

The noirette nodded her head and sighed, "The feeling's mutual, saltyshima," she said, emphasizing the nickname she made just now then walked away.

It wasn't a first time for the noirette to hear those words especially from someone whom she rarely know, but after hearing the blonde spat those words, she felt a strong sense of determination to always return the favor of ruining his day.

Piss off, Tsukishima Kei. You don't know what you've got yourself into.

As soon as the bell rang, she sat on her seat with a devious smirk painted on her lips.

Kageyama worriedly glanced at the noirette only to find out a vengeful expression plastered on her face. For once in his life, Kageyama's thankful to be the noirette's friend - yeah, he considered her as a friend.

***

"I hope it won't affect the practice," Kageyama said while walking with the noirette beside him.

"I doubt that," they both sighed as they headed to the gym.

During their afternoon class, their class adviser announced something important related to the school's 60th anniversary, "So as a celebration, the faculty decided to launch an event that will engaged the students of Karasuno. Since this celebration only happens every decade, we decided to make the best out of it," the class turned chaotic as they cheered happily since it was all their first time to experience such an event.

"Calm down!" the teacher said before proceeding, "Since this event will be huge, we decided to pair up with another class, so a lot of working brains together will surely make the best out of it. And guess what class we are partner with? It's Class I-4," and suddenly, a pandemonium began as the girls started to freak out.

"I'll surely put a make-up on everytime we're with that class,"

"I'll stick beside him!"

"I'm gonna win his heart this time!"

The noirette shook her head as the scene a while ago slipped in her mind, curious why'd her girl classmates freaked out like that. She couldn't help but wonder what's something interesting in that class aside from the fact that they are learning in advanced.

"[Name], could you please bring this to the gym?" Kiyoko pointed at the box laying on the stool beside her.

"Sure," she said and carried the lightweight box.

"Hey, [Name]!" the loud second year greeted her.

"Hello, Tanaka-senpai. Looking good today, eh?" the second-year blushed at the noirette's sudden remark.

"N-not really," he shyly said. [Name] chuckled seeing the second year who's as bright as red. She was clearly wrong when she judged him the first day she saw him. He really is the opposite of what she thought to him.

"Everyone!" all their heads turned to a man wearing a green track jacket appeared on the gym's door.

"Sensei," the captain approached him, "What's the matter?"

"We got a match!" he exclaimed that put astonishment on the first year's (Hinata and Kageyama) face.

"Sensei, did you beg them-" the captain was cut off when the teacher spoke.

"No! Not this time. Although there is a condition here, Kageyama will be the setter of the whole match," the gym were filled with various reactions especially by Tanaka who looked like he was looking for a fight.

"What school is that?" Kageyama asked.

"Aoba Johsai," his fists clenched at the mention of the school. For all they know, most of his previous teammates were there, and he also got an invitation of the volleyball team's coach but he refused.

"They are ranked in the top four of prefecture," Hinata mumbled beside Kageyama.

Daichi sighed and faced the former setter of his team, "Suga?"

"It's fine with me. Besides, I want to see Hinata and Kageyama play this match," he said and assured everyone that 'it's really fine' by smiling warmly. The captain nodded his head and gathered the team for a meeting.

[Name] was seated beside Kiyoko, intently listening to whatever instruction and techniques the captain's discussing. Good thing that her cousin familiarized her at the positions and roles of each player, so she didn't really had a hard time understanding what the captain was saying.

The meeting didn't take long so they proceeded to practice their receives for the night. While Kiyoko was busy noting the team's performance, [Name] was summoned by the captain to introduce herself to the club's adviser.

"I'm Takeda Ittetsu, the faculty adviser of the club," the noirette bowed her head and introduced herself.

"Udai?" he asked. His voice lacing with familiarity as he uttered the family name of the noirette. "Perhaps, do you have a relative studying or who studied here before? Your family name is so familiar," he said as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Uhm, I guess? I don't really know sensei, it's my first time here in Miyagi," she nervously chuckled.

"Ah, don't mind! Maybe I just thought wrong about it," the noirette nodded her head. "Anyway, I hope you enjoy being part of the club."

"I really do," she said then giggled. The adviser excused himself as he went back to the faculty to do his work.

[Name] sighed and sat beside Kiyoko to continue her responsibility. It wasn't like she didn't want the team to know that she's related to the former ace of Karasuno, it was just a special request of her cousin since he said that he wanted to be mysterious even though his name was printed on the previous school magazines.

"All right, good job everyone!" Daichi announced.

After handing the captain their notes, [Name] followed the beaut to where the box she carried earlier was placed. Her eyes sparkled as she saw the pile of pants and black jackets inside the box with an imprinted words, Karasuno High School Volleyball Club.

Kiyoko distributed the tracksuit to the first years, "Let me know if it doesn't fit in you," she softly spoke.

"Woaaaaaah!" Hinata jumped in happiness as he received his tracksuit. The rest of the first years wore their uniform - except the blonde.

"Shy are you? Put it on!" Tanaka teased him.

"Later,"

"No, you must wear it now!" the second year insisted, followed by the rest of the team who chanted, "Wear it, wear it..." that earned a frown from the blonde.

"[Name]," she turned at the beaut, "This is yours," she gasped as she received her own tracksuit, "You can now wear them," the beaut added.

Without further ado, she wore them and was included on the line up of the first years wearing their tracksuits.

"That looks better on you, [Name]" Ennoshita said that earned a blush from the noirette.

"T-thank you."

"So, as members of the volleyball club..." Daichi said, "1,2..."

"Welcome to the club!" they officially greeted the first years with a warm smile.

[Name] felt herself tearing up at the sight. Despite being away from her family, she still felt home. Afterall, being part of the volleyball club means having another family, another home - thanks to the team, her homesickness was relieved.

___

A/N: Hello, it took me a long time to update but here it is. Anyway, how was it? Tell me! Lol.

I actually cut this part since I realized that it was too long and it even reached 3000+ words (without proper editing) like woah, did I really do that? So yeah, the next chapter will be posted soon since it's somewhat finished.

I hope you stay tuned! Always keep safe or else, Akaashi will be mad at you