☆★☆★☆★

"Gomen, Yuri," Reina said as she held the request letter and stared into the box slotted right in front of the lit club room. "I'm going to play a little bit of trickster to compensate for me stopping being a freelancer in your club."

It was after school hours and the corridor was already deserted. Nobody would see Reina picking up the request letter that she herself wrote in the library and printed it out. It was right before lunch break was over Reina slipped in the request letter into the letterbox. And now when school hours just ended, Reina picked up the request letter again. Nobody would think that she was using the literature club's love letter services.

The student body who usually wanted to use the literature club's love letter services would slip in their request paper with another piece of paper containing personal information of the sender into the letterbox. Or if they already wrote their own love letter, just slipped in the letter and a paper on their personal information, hence only using the literature club's services to deliver their personally written letter to the recipient.

To make it easier for potential clients to know what kind of their personal information should be given to the club in order to smooth over the transaction, there was a paper taped on the lit club's door containing what personal info clients should give to the club. Some people chose not to give their names, rather just give their secret emails and phone number. There were others who did not have any reservations putting their names into the letterbox, but usually they were the ones who did not write their own love letters, having Yuri and her club ghostwrite it for them instead.

Heaving a sigh, Reina slid open the club door and walked in. Whatever Yuri's reaction would be like, she was more than prepared to face it. There were already two major friendship breakups in her wake, another one shouldn't hurt. Or that was just Reina trying to convince herself. "We got another client here."

Yuri, who was sitting on one of the desks, huddled on her laptop as usual, looked up. "Heh? I thought all requests were already picked up by Chiyo to be processed."

"Hiya, Shibazeki-san," Sawaizumi Chiyo, the first year student who was also the club's secretary, greeted with a smile. Unlike Yuri who was sitting on a chair, Chiyo was sitting cross legged on the floor with a laptop on her lap.

"No this is a new request that's just in," Reina exclaimed, hoping that her voice did not waver. Nobody would get hurt, since this request was anonymous and was rather different than Yuri's usual clients who wanted Yuri to ghostwrite love letters for them. The request would simply ask Yuri to keep up a pen pal relationship with Osamu anonymously. "And I think it's big money so we should not screw it up. But this is up to your alley, so no worries on that part."

"If I have to ghostwrite another love letter for the friggin Miya Atsumu, I would actually combust," Yuri said with a sigh as she banged her head against the desk. "Please, anyone but him. It is beyond my understanding how on Earth he still gets flooding requests even after rejecting lots of girls rather...rudely."

"Rude is one way to put it, ha. I'm sure somewhere in the gym he was having a snooze fest from the way we always talk about him in this club room," Reina deadpanned as she took a seat right across Yuri. ""It's fine; I've got that one covered up, and this big client is not for him. He is overrated."

And by the power of God he truly was. Sometimes Reina wondered if there was ever a fangirl mob formed in Inarizaki just for him. She shuddered at the idea. "Anyways, where is Yamada? Usually, she's here with you and Sawaizumi-san."

Yamada Eri was the lit club's treasurer. Even though Yuri managed to only recruit four first years, only two of them (Yamada and Sawaizumi) were much of help to make sure the club did not close down.

"She took off, there is an emergency in her home," Yuri answered, still had her head on the table. "And Reina, what did I tell you about opening up requests?"

"Sorry, it is that sometimes I get nosy and..." Reina shrugged. "But really, I think you should check this request out and...I have something to tell you. I hope you're not going to hate me for this."

She sure as hell hoped Yuri would not combust from the pressure. Even though her friend always told her that it was fine if Reina ever decided to stop freelancing for the lit club, Reina could tell that the weight would be a lot heavier on Yuri's shoulders.

"Shoot. I have a feeling that you're going to quit freelancing for me, but do go on."

From anyone else, the sentence would emanate passive-aggressive tone. From Yuri, she was simply letting Reina to continue. As much as Yuri was kind and patient, she was not without her flaws. She took way too much burden on her shoulders to fulfill her ideals about how the lit club should be, while not realizing it was also taking a toll on her wellbeing.

Reina was not worried about Yuri being lonely when she would stop freelancing for the literature club. She was rather worried that Yuri would work herself to the edge of death to keep the lit club running. Hence, she decided to put in the anonymous request for Yuri to write letters to Osamu, to keep her occupied and gave her the chance to reconnect with him.

"You know that I'm out of our school club business since the drama that happened in the brass band club, right?" Reina

"Either way, you're out of that hellhole," Yuri answered. "So, what are you going to say? And Rei, seriously don't worry I'm not going to be mad. I know you got your side business of selling homework answers and essays going on too."

That was what people would say before the realization dawned upon their conscious mind about what was going to happen.

Yuri and Reina's friendship started when they both just started high school. They had more than a year of getting to know each other and Yuri was already used to Reina's subtly abrasive ways. Two misfit girls who weren't keen to participate in their school's rabid school spirit culture who bonded with their shared interests,, there was no faster way for a friendship to bloom.

Nothing was stronger than that to glue two lost souls together, especially in a journey as perilous as high school days. But at the same time, Reina had seen it for herself just how the tightest friendship could snap in one easy flick.

"Here is what I'm about to tell you that might probably make you hate me," Reina announced as she cleared her throat. She saw that Yuri narrowed her eyes, probably spotting the way Reina's voice wavered a little bit, noticing the crack in her usual deadpan and nonchalant behavior.

"Yeah, just shoot."

"I got an offer to be the manager for the volleyball club," Reina calmly replied. "I thought I should inform you before giving my answer."

The weight of Reina's announcement took an immediate effect. Sawaizumi immediately scrambled up and walked towards Reina as she put her hands on Reina's forehead. "Shibazeki-san, are you okay?"

Sawaizumi was a little bit of an oddball, which was the reason why she felt comfortable enough around Reina even though the latter was older than her. On the other hand, Yuri's mouth fell agape as she immediately stood up, but not before adjusting her laptop to make sure it did not toppled off the desk.

"Rei-chan, are you sure..." Yuri's voice laced with worry and Reina could see the spot between Yuri's eyes scrunched. "You know how you feel about volleyball. Are you sure you're up for it?"

Reina took a deep breath as she put both of her hands on the desk. Of course Yuri knew about the Shibazeki family tragedy. About her dead brother. Taka-nii was her father's golden boy, who got the natural talent, height and good form to be a great volleyball athlete. And when he died, he took all the light and golden with him.

"Don't worry, Tsukikage-san got me, I won't let her work herself to death," Chiyo declared as she raised her fist to the air.

"You seem keen on getting rid of me," Reina said with a hint of smirk, but from the way she could see Yuri was narrowing her yes, she must've known it was a facade. "And Yuri...I already think about it. But I need to tell you before I have the chance to change my mind again. I...need to face this. To face the very thing I've been running away from since..."

They both knew what was left unsaid.

"Only if you're completely sure," Yuri remarked, reaching out her hand on top of Reina's. "Besides, I got way more allies to run this business with than you might think. I collaborated with Toudou Akira-kun, the president of the Manga Club. I'm not going to compromise my health and wellbeing to be on top of everything. I know I got a lot on my plate, but don't worry, I've been doing this even since before you freelance for me."

"Toudou Akira?" Reina asked and her brain's gears were moving to process the information. "What about Miya--"

Yuri immediately put her hands to Reina's mouth to stop the latter from taking it any further. There was a rather chilling smile carved on Yuri's mouth, replacing her usual placid smile. "Not now, Reina."

Reina could only smile discreetly, knowing that the anonymous request would open the chances of Yuri to recreate her story with Osamu again. She slowly removed Yuri's hands from her mouth, barely managing to stop the edges of her mouth from quirking up. "Yes, we do have all the time in the world. Just...make sure you check this one out, okay?" Reina pushed forward the request into Yuri's direction. Yuri stared at the envelope right in front of her before sighing and picked it up to put it in her blazer.

"Alright, I'll check this out. And Reina, you don't have to worry that I'll overwork myself with the club okay? I'm barely keeping my shit together with peer tutoring, studying for upcoming midterms and I'm still here, not going anywhere and just keep grinding. You're always going to have a place here if you feel like that being their manager won't work out. Although I know you're more than qualified to be one."

Reina could only quirk a small smile. She really should be giving her friend more benefit of the doubt. "I know I'll always have a place here if the volleyball manager gig doesn't work out. By the way, aren't you already late to go to your peer tutor meeting?"

It was currently Friday, one of the two times in the week when Yuri would have to juggle both her literature club responsibilities along with being a peer tutor. Yuri's eyes immediately flicked to the wrist watch on her hand and her eyes bulged in surprise. "Jesus, I almost forgot. There's still five minutes left before it starts, I have to go to the third year classroom now. See ya, Rei-chan, and good luck with your manager duties! Thank you for still asking me for approval even if you don't have to. It means you value my opinion and...I really appreciate it."

Yuri squeezed Reina's hands, causing the latter to raise her eyebrows in surprise. After flashing yet another smile, Yuri immediately stood up from her seat, packed her laptop into her school bag and dashed out of the room. Reina glanced at Sawaizumi, who was already engrossed in her laptop again.

Reina could not tell if she was organizing other information for the love letters or was taking notes of what just happened. "Chiyo, do you mind if I left you here alone?"

"Never mind, Yuri-san already left me the keys to the club. Off you go to the gym, Shibazeki-senpai. From what I've seen when I came to the Inter High to watch them play...you've got to prepare yourself for the chaos."

An oddball her kouhai may be, but Chiyo was never a liar. Reina gulped, trying to keep her nerves in check. She would have to drop by the gym today to inform them about her decision.

This time, no one would be cornering her.

There would not be any problems aside from dealing with a circus, right?

***

Shit, Reina had forgotten just how chaotic practices could be. As she walked into the gym where the boys' volleyball club were practicing, loud voices were heard and balls were flying everywhere. After not dealing with anything volleyball related for...the last five years, she could barely handle the sensory overload of making sure her head was safe from a ball coming into direction.

"Oh, SHIT, INCOMING!"

From her reflexes, Reina put her palm in front of her forehead, barely managing to fend off the incoming volleyball that was hurling in her direction at an alarming speed. Even as she could hear the thud as the ball fell to the gym floor, Reina still could barely move to process what had just happened.

That was the moment the pain kicked in, causing her to bite her lip.

She winced and closed her eyes, trying to tone down the pain that started to spread across her palms. She could feel someone's hands on both of her shoulders.

"Shibazeki-san, are you alright?"

Ojiro-kun's familiar voice pulled Reina out of her anxiety induced frozen state. Slowly, she opened her eyes to be met with the third year ace who frowned and scrunched his eyebrows in worry.

Reina could not help but to smile kindly at him. There were people who brought out the best in everyone, and Aran-kun was that type of person. "I'm fine, just that my palm stings real bad."

"Yeah, you basically stopped Atsumu's serve that went out of bounds," Ojiro-kun said, patting her back. "Great job, Shibazeki-san."

"Are you seriously praising her for managing not to get spiked in the head?" Blondie's grating voice forced Reina to look at his incoming figure.

Before Reina could open her mouth to give a retort, her eyes darted to another figure who stood just several steps behind Ojiro-kun. The tall, willowy and slender figure that was so familiar to Reina's eyes.

Mai. Her former best friend who had single handedly tore down the seams of their friendship.

"What are you doing here?" Reina blurted out the question before she could think over the consequences of saying such words.

From the corner of her eyes she saw Suna was walking over to their direction and there was a phone on his hand. Even though Suna was one of her regular clients, that little shit would not pass up a chance to see a hot tea spilled.

Well, if bendy boy thought he was going to get some scoop, he thought wrong. Reina closed eyes momentarily to regroup before opening them again, this time flashing Mai a smile that hopefully did not resemble a cringe.

"Did the two of you know each other?" Atsumu asked, already picking up the ball from the floor as he wiped his forehead using the back of his hand. "So, what makes you decide to get off your high horses and be our club's manager?"

"You really just have no idea how to shut your trap, don't you?" Ojiro-kun groaned. He looked at Reina with an apologetic look on his face. "I'm sorry, but if you're here to accept the manager position, Shibazeki-san, you're going to have to get used to him."

"Oh, it's fine," Reina answered, this time she could summon much of her rather rusty skills to give a good comeback. "I'm rather used to dealing with a clown, Ojiro-san."

Atsumu grumbled, but thankfully as Reina just raised her eyebrows at him, silently beckoning him to say another word, he decided to walk away while dragging Suna along with him.

Mai was still standing right behind Aran, as if she was hiding herself behind him. Reina did not know what to make of it, so she decided to ignore her former friend's presence. Although it was not exactly easy to ignore a rising teen model who was surrounded with sweaty teenage boys.

But if her former best friend could pretend she did not exist for almost three months straight, then Reina could certainly play the same game. After they stared into each other's eyes for several more seconds, Mai decided to turn away, not forgetting to flip her hair.

Reina almost wanted to laugh, even after all these years Mai was still good at playing the drama queen card.

"Where's Tweedledee? Usually he comes in the same package with blondie," Reina asked, her head darting around to look for Osamu. "And yes, Ojiro-san, I...have decided to accept your proposition as manager. I...have certain experiences with volleyball, not as a player, but as an assistant."

"Tweedledee? Did you mean Osamu?" Ojiro asked as if Reina just said a foreign language. "He's off practice every Friday, since he had to attend the peer tutor program to make sure his grades don't slip. But anyways, I'm so glad you decide to be our manager, Shibazeki-san. It will be a great pleasure to have you here with us."

She certainly did not miss that Osamu was in the peer tutor program where Yuri was participating as a student-tutor. Reina almost could not resist a smile breaking out on her face, but she stomped the urge down. Giving her senpai a nod, she bowed at him. "Onegaishimasu, Ojiro-senpai."

"Geez, you don't have to call me senpai," Ojiro-kun replied sheepishly, his hand scratched the back of his head. But there was a happy glint on his eyes, as if it was the first time he dealt with a rather reasonable kouhai.

But then again, the second years in the club consisted of a rather chaotic bunch of humans.

"Ah, you're back here," the calm and serene voice caught Reina's attention.

Kita Shinsuke, the volleyball club's captain, graced her with his rather...godly presence. He was definitely far from the flashy type which Atsumu was, but his presence still commands attention.

"Ano..." Reina could not help but to bow at him. "I'm sorry for causing you the commotion the last time I'm here."

"Not your fault, but since you're here, I can assume that you already make a decision and it is not made out of haste."

Reina shook her head. "No, I already think over everything and make up my mind. I can promise you that I will...give my best to be the manager and to make sure everyone stays hydrated and a myriad of other job descriptions for a sports manager."

Anyways, there was nobody who knew better than her about how mental health aligned so intricately with an athlete's physical health. She may not exactly be the best manager in terms of her track record: 1) a failed gig with the brass band club and 2) would rather focus on her studies and squeeze money off the other students who couldn't care less about academics. Not to mention one of her regular clients was also part of the regular string of the volleyball club, who could've exposed her side business right then and there.

But Reina already promised to both her grandfather and herself to give an effort to at least try reaching the light, to stop letting the shadows of her brother's death grab her by the ankle and pull her down into the abyss of grief.

"You can start today, but we haven't got the uniform for the manager position. I can talk to our coach about that later. That's fine by you?"

"Definitely." Reina vigorously nodded. "I will do my best this time."

Hopefully this time she won't be a coward who ran away from her problems. At least this time, Reina had zero expectations from the volleyball club to be the found family that she could not find in the brass band club, or her family for that matter. 

☆★☆★☆★