-
"Akiri, change of plans." Coach Kurosu speaks, pulling M/N aside from the rest of the team who were practicing hard for their upcoming interhigh.

M/N looks confused as he gazes at Inarizaki's coach, a bad feeling running up his veins.

"So you know how our initial plan was for you to not involve yourself in Inarizaki's Interhigh?" Coach Kurosu slowly questions.

M/N bites his lips in nervousness, somehow knowing exactly where the whole conversation will be heading, "Yeah?"

Coach Kurosu sighs as he glances at M/N's obvious discomfort. "The thing is, a few of the club members either have things going on during the Interhigh period or are injured and wouldn't be able to participate by that time."

Coach Kurosu pauses for a second scrutinizing M/N's distasteful facial expression, clearly not liking where things were going.

"Yeah, I can tell you aren't very excited about this but due to such unforeseen circumstances, you're needed on the team." Coach Kurosu declares as he pats M/N on the back once.

"Urgh." M/N lets out a loud groan of unhappiness in front of Inarizaki's coach without restraint, not bothering to hide his displeasure.

The coach shakes his head, "I simply do not understand Akiri. This is a great opportunity for you in your volleyball journey. You have the skills and talent for volleyball, and yet you act like you're some kind of amateur while appearing to be reluctant to do anything related to the sport. Why join volleyball if you aren't dedicated to it?"

M/N tilts his head towards Coach Kurosu, a bitter smile painting his features, "I wasn't given a choice."

After those words, M/N gives Coach Kurosu a nod before leaving back to practice with the rest of the Inarizaki members, leaving Coach Kurosu both bewildered and puzzled.

Those words that M/N spoke were true after all. M/N wasn't really given a choice. To live, he had to ensure that he would be able to complete his missions. And he knows for sure that those missions would always revolve around the characters of the Haikyuu universe. Thus, the easiest way to secure his survival was to stick to Hinata. Plus he had the old man as his neighbor. There was no way he was going to escape a life of volleyball(he's in a volleyball anime for god's sake!).

Sure, he had his own selfish desires that led to him entering the world of volleyball but to M/N, the sport still held significant value. After all, it is a connection for him to the world he once lived in.

All in all, M/N's just on the lazier side. He prefers to chill and not sweat and exhaust himself ridiculously. Disgusting germs.

-

"Congratulations M/N! I heard you'll be participating in Interhigh with us!" Atsumu exclaims excitedly as he jumps onto M/N, clinging to the ravenette like a Koala.

"Yah, Tsumu get your dumbass off M/N!" Osamu yells, grabbing onto Atsumu trying to pull the blonde off M/N, getting agitated at his brother's closeness with the all-rounder.

All the while Kita, Suna, Riseki, Aran, and Akagi stood there deadpanning at the twins' futile fight over the ravenette, especially when M/N appeared to be dozing off while standing.

How M/N could even be falling asleep as a tug-of-war was literally happening with his body would forever be a mystery.

Sighing, Kita steps forward as he looks sharply at the two brothers commanding, "Atsumu, Osamu get off M/N right now."

Turning slowly to look at Kita, both Miyas in lightning speed, instantly let go of the poor M/N upon witnessing the "kindly" smile that was plastered on their captain's face.

"Heheh, Kita-san where did ya come from?" Atsumu questions nervously, standing obediently beside Osamu who held a similar sheepish expression.

Kita crossed his arms unamusedly, "Does it matter?"

Osamu chuckles awkwardly, answering, "Of course not."

Meanwhile, the rest of the on-scene bystanders(Akagi, Riseki, Suna, and Aran) were amazed at Kita's power. They knew of their captain's prowess and yet every time he reigns the team back, they'd still get a shock each time. Truly admirable Kita!

Suna grins happily as he records the twins getting reprimanded by their team mom while secretly admiring the sweet adorable look on M/N as he is dozing off while standing up. Too cute, this one is for safekeeping!

-

"I can't make it back to Miyagi for Interhigh." M/N speaks as he calls Kageyama on his phone during his break time.

"HAH?!" Kageyama hollers out in shock, his loud cry garnering the attention of the other Karasuno members.

Daichi was the first by Kageyama's side, placing a hand on his shoulder, "What's going on Kageyama?"

Tanaka comes barreling in next exclaiming, "What happened Kageyama?!"

"Oh, it's M/N." Suga says out as he notices the caller ID on Kageyama's phone.

"I HEARD M/N!" Hinata yells out in excitement, instantly rolling over along with Nishinoya.

"So what happened?" Daichi inquires calmly.

Kageyama sighs, placing the call on speaker "I think it's better if I let M/N explain himself."

"M/N, I hope it's alright but the team is curious about you so you're on speaker mode now." Kageyama informs.

"Oh." A brief pause was heard from M/N's end of the call before he spoke up again. "Yep sure, hello guys!"

"M/N!" "Akiri!" Multiple shouts of M/N's name were heard as they greeted M/N who was on the other side of the call with joy.

M/N smiles on his end, greeting his teammates gleefully, "Hello guys. It's nice to hear you all again."

"So what did you say to get Kageyama all riled up? He looks low-key constipated" Suga joked as he giggles at Kageyama's face scrunch.

M/N titters lightly imagining Kageyama's soured look before speaking, "Yeah so remember I said that I might miss Miyagi's Interhigh?"

Hinata nods instinctively at M/N's words forgetting that the ravenette couldn't see him causing Tsukishima to snicker, "Pfft. You know he can't see that right?"

Hinata promptly turns red as the whole gym erupts into laughter. "I-it's a force of habit!"

"Well Shoyo, although I can't see what I understood as you nodding, I appreciate that you're listening." M/N chuckles softly, his voice echoing loudly from the phone.

Hinata bows in gratitude, aura brightening, "Thank you M/N!"

Seeing the main topic straying away, Yamaguchi shyly asks, "So, what were you saying again?"

"Ah, right. Thank you for the reminder Yamaguchi-kun. Hehe." M/N sheepishly rubs his neck despite no one seeing him do so.

"So basically, I am unable to make it to Miyagi's Interhigh. I'm sorry." M/N sounded genuinely apologetic for missing such an event with the team.

"Don't worry about it." Daichi speaks up as he grips Kageyama's shoulder comfortingly. He knew exactly why Kageyama was so sulky now.

"Yeah, don't worry, your senpais will handle it!" Nishinoya choruses out loudly, huffing with pride.

"Really? Thank you so much! I really apologise for not being able to make it." M/N beams on his end, letting out a soft sigh of relief at such a positive reaction.

M/N has expected things to blow up, so this was really an ideal outcome. But of course, the all-rounder spoke way too soon.

"Don't worry, leave it to us. Just don't miss us and volleyball too much, okay?" Suga grins, lightheartedly.

"That's awesome. Though I should inform you that I might be playing for Inarizaki this Interhigh." M/N casually drops the crucial groundbreaking information.

"HAH?"

"WHAT?!"

"HYOGO INTERHIGH?"

All panic settled in the Karasuno gym as everyone (except one Tsukishima and Ennoshita) alarmingly freaked out.

____________________

Author's note:
I'm still alive. My apologies for the long wait my wonderful readers. My work finally ended and I completed all my applications so I should be back in business!

I have so much to touch on, like the ongoing Tendo-M/N love war, Kunimi's forever wish to visit M/N's house, Suna's opportunity to further get to know M/N, and of course the old man's Kuro the cat! So many things and so little time to write AHHHH.

Anyways, I do hope that my writing hasn't died in my time away. Well as per usual, don't mind any errors and if you'd like to show some support to me do donate to me, the link can be found on my profile page (https://ko-fi.com/starstarcheers).

Stay safe and

Stay happy readers! ( ˶ ❛ ꁞ ❛ ˶ )

P.S.
Thank you so much to Qiikoolaid for the lovely fanart! It's amazing!

Credits to: Qiikoolaid