How to fly with clipped wings (English ver.) HAIKYUU!! FAN FICTION

Chapter 46: The Arrival

They had a practice match against Date Tech High, which proved to be much more difficult than Mikaela initially anticipated. She'd never seen Karasuno play Date Tech, but she'd seen Date Tech face Aoba Johsai, and they'd been nowhere near as threatening as they were now. Their blocking, as she had expected, was ridiculously good. Futakuchi, their captain, was the only one with a dangerous serve, but Aone of Date Tech was getting there. They were going to be a tough team to beat in the future.

Karasuno won four sets and lost four sets. By the time it was over, the boys were absolutely exhausted. Kageyama had done well all game, but Mikaela had mentioned to him that Tsukishima could jump higher than he currently was. Her cousin took it upon himself to set the ball higher for Tsukishima, which the blond did not appreciate.

All in all, it was good practice, and everyone seemed to be working on something. Asahi was trying to stagger the timing of his blocking, Hinata was trying to work on receiving, Kageyama's setting was still top notch, and Tsukishima was now (against his will) hitting significantly higher than he was before. Mikaela was still working with Hinata on the new serve technique they'd cooked up, but it was still a bit of a work in progress.

The break seemed to fly by, and New Year's came around. Mikaela managed to drag Kageyama to the local shrine to give their proper prayers (apparently Hinata wanted to go with him and Kageyama had shut him down flat, so Hinata came complaining to Mikaela and you can bet she made damn sure Kageyama got out to the shrine with her and Hinata) and they ended up meeting Tsukishima, Yamaguchi, and Yachi there.

"Didn't think you'd be here," Mikaela remarked to Tsukishima as Hinata started badgering Yachi.

Tsukishima huffed. "Yamaguchi forced me."

She hummed in understanding as the six of them started heading up the stairs to the shrine. "Kaela!" Yamaguchi chirped happily, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "How's the basement?"

Mikaela grinned. "It's so nice. You should come over and see it after this!"

"For sure!" Yamaguchi beamed, dimples forming on his cheeks. "Is that an open invitation?"

"Sure, you're all welcome," she agreed with a shrug.

"Yay!" Hinata cheered, skipping circles around them. "I want to see your basement, Kaisha!"

Kageyama shrugged. "I should be training."

"You're taking a day off," Mikaela insisted, glaring at him. Kageyama glared back, mumbled something under his breath, and broke into a run up the steps. Hinata squawked in protest- something about Kageyama getting a head start- and took off after him. "So much for a day off," she muttered, and Yachi laughed.

"They're really into volleyball," the blonde said with a grin, smiling at Mikaela. She smiled back at her.

They made it up to the shrine, and everyone lined up and clapped their hands together in prayer. Mikaela squeezed her eyes shut, trying to gather all of her prayers in her head. I pray for good fortune for our upcoming games. I pray for future health and safety. I...

Mikaela paused.

That was odd.

"Kaela? Kaisha! You good?"

Mikaela jerked her head up to see Yamaguchi, staring at her with a confused grin on his face. "You okay?" he repeated. "Everyone's already gone. You blanked out."

"Tadashi, I..." Mikaela trailed off, looking at the shrine and then turning back to Yamaguchi. "You know, I used to pray an awful lot," she said with a casual shrug. "Parents' divorce, prosthetic problems, changing schools, friendship, my relationship with Kageyama, my relationship with my mother, my grades, volleyball... but I can't think of anything." She smiled softly. "This is the first time in a while I haven't had to urge to pray for those things."