“𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒌 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕."
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𝟏
Ring ! Ring ! Ring ! Ring ! Ring ! Ring—
Kageyama slammed his hand on the alarm clock, knocking it down in the process. He groaned, quietly, before turning on his side and muttering ‘five more minutes’ although there was absolutely no one in the room besides him.
“ Tobio, wake up already !” Miwa's loud yell, downstairs, resounded in the entire house.
“ Uff,” Kageyama buried his face into the blanket but knew very well that doing this will not save him from the study torture he had to tolerate every day.
Letting out a big yawn, Tobio sat up with droopy eyes. He sat there on his bed in silence staring at nothing in particular. Finally, feeling like he could stand on his feet, he brought his legs down to touch the floor and suddenly two arms from under the bed gripped his limbs, tightly.
“ What the—”
Kageyama, who was in the process of getting up, got shocked and tripped on his feet. Everything happened in slow motion. He thought today will be day he'll finally break his already half-broken nose but didn't want any accident to happen before the nationals so just before he could make contact with the ground, face first, he willed his body to turn midair and landed on his butt instead.
It's a good thing nothing dangerous happened. He sat there on the floor, dumbfounded.
“ Good morning, onii-chan !” Kotei peeked out from under the bed with a mischievous grin.“ Surprise !”
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“ Today, would be the day that I, Miwa, will do something (don't know what) but anything that'll bring a difference in my life ! I'm so motivated, god,” the older sister sat at the table, having her coffee, suppressing the smile that threatened to show on her usually cool demeanor.
It's one of those days when you feel a sudden burst of inspiration within yourself and you feel like you can achieve everything you want in the world. Miwa was in the middle of that phase.
“ But first I have to please Holli-san with my work—”
A shuffling of feet was heard upstairs before the house shook in a fit of tremors. The heavy thumping increased as the weights rushed down the steps.
“ KOTEI ! COME BACK HERE !”
The little girl squealed in response and increased her speed. She just wanted to surprise her brother. She didn't think he'd get too shocked to retain his balance.
Well, her plan backfired.
Miwa slammed down the coffee mug on the table before leaning towards the wooden surface. With a sigh she muttered,“ well, this was the only thing I was supposed to be waiting for.” She went back to packing her things leaving the duo to themselves because it was a very normal thing in the household.“ Atleast I tried.” She let out, frustrated.“ Pretty good start, I would say. It's normal—”
“ KOTEI !”
“ NOOO !”
“ That's it ! Shut the hell up, you two ! Damn it !”
𝟐
“ Looks like someone's pretty tired.”
“ Like seriously ?”
“ Woah, Kageyama, you have bags under your eyes !”
“ Hinata, dude, you look like a walking zombie !”
Both Kageyama and Hinata entered the gym together, looking like walking corpses. Seems like both had a rough start in the morning. The boys looked at each other and a mutual nod of understanding passed between the two.
‘ Is it Kotei ?’ Hinata’s gaze said.
‘ Yeah. Natsu ?’
‘ Same.’
Kageyama nodded. It's like the weird telepathy that that worked between them, on court.
Daichi sighed at their poor conditions while Tsukishima snickered. He has a big brother too but it's the opposite in their case. Akiteru acts like the younger one and Tsukishima was tired of his everyday tactics.
A common sibling-relationship. The same story in every household...we call it the sibling war.
Only, it's worse in Tobio’s case.
“ You look tired, Kageyama. I think I might have to step in here. As the Captain, I will not tolerate ignorance of health of a team member.”
“ That's our Daichi-san !”
“ Go Captain ! You rock !”
“ Being all old and responsibile suits you.”
“ Who said that ?!”
Later that afternoon, Kotei dropped by as usual. But just as she was about to open the door, a shiver ran down her spine. What was that ? Something doesn't feel right. So she slid the door open by little and peeked in.
Everything looked normal except for the fact that Daichi looked rather annoyed for some reason.
Her instincts told her not to enter the gym so she waited outside the gym contemplating on her next move.
Half an hour later....
Asahi stepped out of the gym and walked towards the vending machine. Today's practice felt much more intense; might be because Daichi looked extra fired up. He was saving up his energy to give Kotei a good scolding later.
“ Boo !”
“ Oh my god—”
The poor lad got a jump scare and his heart began beating, rapidly. He could still feel the thumping against his rib cage as light giggles filled the air. Kotei grinned up at him from beside the vending machine.
“ Kotei ! What're you doing hiding there ?” Asahi asked, finally calming down. A familiar ‘clink’ of the can caught his attention and he picked up his drink.“ You shouldn't do that. You know I have a weak heart."
“ That's why it's fun !” She cheered running up to him and wrapping her arms around his leg.
A devil..? Asahi thought as he looked down at the girl who did the same. It was then he noticed it. Her line of vision matched with that of the hand he was holding the can with. Furthermore, she was giving him ‘those’ eyes. Of course it doesn't work on people like her brother or Daichi.
But on Asahi....
It's hundred percent effective.
“ Y-you want ?”
“ Yes, please."
“ Okay, a sip then—”
The smile dropped from her face as she let out a melancholic ‘oh’.
“ Okay, okay, you can have it,” he smiled handing her the can and her face brightened up again. Asahi sweatdropped knowing full well he's been tricked.
“ Yes ! Asahi’s the best !”
“ Yes, I know,” the older said with tears streaming down his face.
“ Come on... don't have to be so defensive...”
Indistinct voices from behind the school building caught Kotei's attention as both of them looked up in the same direction. The voices gradually got pretty loud but no one (except the volleyball team members who uses the gym) comes to this side of the building. It was a pretty deserted site.
“ We're inviting you, too. What more do you want ?”
“ I'm sorry. But I have to be somewhere—”
“ Not so fast.”
Asahi shivered in his place knowing exactly what's happening. He had no intention of intervening but then he's not really the kind of person to overlook injustice. Unfortunately, Kotei expressed her curiousity openly as she ran towards the voices, the can in her hand.
“ Wait, Kotei..,” Asahi whispered behind her.“ Don't go there.”
But the girl ignored him and finding no way out he followed behind her, dubious thoughts envisioning his mind.
Just before Kotei could turn the corner Asahi held her back by her shirt collar. As she looked up he motioned for her to keep quiet. Then very carefully he peeked out of the corner and Kotei followed his example.
“ Look we're saying this nicely so don't you make me lose my composure !” A scary looking boy, whom Asahi recognised as underclassmen along with three others, cornered two girls.
“ Move out of our way,” the taller girl grumbled under her breath glaring at the boys as she pulled the other girl, who looked pretty scared and almost on the verge of crying, behind her.
Kotei knew something bad was happening when the boy slammed a hand on the wall blocking the girls' way as the other three stood on the opposite side, guarding it.
“ You're a feisty one, aren't you ?”
Asahi thought now would be the right time to go call Takeda sensei or Coach Ukai but before he could do that Kotei took aim at the boy who looked like the leader and threw the can at him, hitting him in the process.
“ Eeek !” Asahi trembled in his place at her sudden act. He's not a fan of confrontations and moreover it's four vs an ace, who had left volleyball just because he lost against the iron wall of Date Tech and a kid, who was just six year old.
“ Who..,” the boy’s eyes shone with a murderous glare as he glanced at them,“..was that ?”
“ Let the nice looking sisters go !” Kotei yelled taking a stance.
“ Who's this brat ?”
“ Don't know—”
He stopped talking mid sentence as his eyes landed on the figure that stepped out next. Asahi stood before Kotei in a defensive position and mustering up all his courage said in a low voice,“ what do you think you're doing in broad daylight ?”
“ Th-that's...”
It was a shock to see the rest cower behind their leader.“ It's Asahi, the scary delinquent!”
“ I have heard he's in the volleyball club, Goro-san,” one of them muttered to their leader who gulped and took a step back.
“ Apparently, he sent a player to the hospital once !"
“ I heard he killed that guy on purpose to win the match !”
“ He also bribe the refs to win games !”
“ He's an underground mafia !"
“ Run !”
Just who the heck is spreading these rumours about me ? Asahi thought with a sweatdrop.
The three took off and Goro, sparing them another glare followed, leaving behind the two girls. Instead of looking at him with a grateful gaze they looked at him in fear.
“ Uh...are you okay ?” Asahi tried to ask by taking a step forward.
“ Stay back !” The braver one warned them and looked at her friend.“ Let's get going, Rinko. Karasuno is full of creeps.”
The other girl fearfully nodded.
“ And you... don't you dare take another step forward....or I swear,” they slowly slipped back.
Why does this always happen with me ? Asahi thought, pursing his lips, his head drooping over his chest, waiting patiently for the girls to leave.
“ Can-san, are you hurt ?” Kotei ran towards the fallen can. She picked it up. Good for her it was closed so the contents didn't spill out.
The girl named Rinko, though afraid, was concerned for Kotei's safety. And at the moment it seemed impossible with Asahi with her.“ Hey, who are you here with ?”
“ Hm ?” Kotei raised her head up in question before pointing at Asahi.
“ Him ?” The taller girl leaned down towards the girl and whispered,“ have you been kidnapped ?”
“ By whom ?”
“ Uh.....him (of course).”
“ Asahi ?” She asked. The older girls nodded, baffled and a bit confused. Kotei grinned,“ he's really nice.”
The said boy perked up at that but his shoulders slumped the next second, receiving judgemental looks from the duo. The girls shared doubtful gazes.“Will you come with us ?”
“ No, Kotei will have to meet nii-chan.” She tried to open the can.
“ Give that to me, Kotei. It's dangerous.”
She ran upto the third year and handed it to him. She added, although he had already said it just for the sake of it,“Asahi, open the can !” She said brightly.
“ Yes, yes, wait a second ,” Asahi muttered yet smiled before opening it and handing it back to the little girl who grinned. He chuckled before ruffling her hair.
“ Let's go, Rinko,” the taller pulled the latter who followed, quietly.
After walking in silence for some time Rinko broke the ice,“ that was Azumane-senpai right ?”
“ Hm.”
“ He didn't look that bad.”
“ Well looks can be deceptive.”
“ Exactly my point.”
“ What do you mean ?”
“...”
“....”
“ He seemed nice. Don't you think we should've thanked him ?”
“ For what exactly ?”
“ For saving us. What else ?”
She laughed at that but stopped when noticed her friend was not laughing with her.“ Wait, are you serious ?”
𝟑
“ Asahi, want some ?”
“ No thanks.”
The boy sighed as he leaned against the wall and Kotei finished the strawberry flavoured drink. The latter prevailed in getting Asahi to tell her that Daichi was actually waiting for her to give her a scolding. So she was afraid to go inside.
“ That's enough, Kotei. There's no more. See?” Asahi took the can from her and shook it. The black haired girl pouted.“ I know, I know.” He sighed before running his hand through his hair.“ I'll tell Daichi not to scold you, happy ?”
“ Yataaa !” She jumped about the place.
“ Calm down.” He looked at the ground and dragged his finger mindlessly in the dirt. This was his last year. The thought never seemed to leave his mind. The others (Suga and Daichi along with Kiyoko) tried to hide it but they shared the feelings.
He looked up at the sky to see the passing clouds.
He had wanted to make some good memories. But half the year students ran away from him lending ear to wrong (and pretty distorted might I add) rumours about him. Well, blame God for giving me this scary face ! He grunted.
“ Asahi ?” Kotei tugged on his shirt to gain his attention.“ You okie ?”
That's right.
He's acting like a grumpy old man again. There's still time to make some good memories in the nationals. Besides, atleast he was glad to have his team's company throughout. Daichi and Suga had been his first friends ever and he'll never forget them. These people mattered to him more than anything in the whole world.
And now there's an addition.
“ Okie ?” Kotei asked, tilting her head in concern.
“ I'm okay.” Asahi smiled.
Thank god Kotei's not scared of him.
...
“ Sit here.”
Kotei pouted before hiding behind Asahi’s leg who smiled nervously. Daichi did not look happy at all. He tried to sound more intimidating this time.
“ Kotei, come here.”
“ No.”
“ Kotei !”
She whined, snuggling closer to Asahi, nudging him.
“ Uh, Daichi, I was saying..”
“ You'll not say a word, Asahi.”
“..okay.”
He gave Kotei an apologetic look. She looked like she lost all her hope and before Daichi could call her again she rushed towards him before collapsing on her knees in front of him, saying,“sorry ! Please forgive Kotei !”
What's this.....a deja vu ? Daichi sweatdropped as Kotei tried to reason with her whining.
“ Koteiii, shut up !!” Kageyama jumped out of nowhere before smacking her across her head and she burst into tears from all the pressure.
Hinata sweatdropped from afar.
“ Kageyama ! I'm talking to her, alright ? Why'd you have to jump in !”
“ This is the only language she understands.”
“ Okay, that's enough.” Tanaka and Nishinoya had to drag him away, eventually.
“ Kotei, calm down. I'll not scold you, okay? Please stop crying,” Daichi patted her back, lightly, as Kotei sniffled.
“ Promise ?”
Daichi pinched the bridge of his nose.“ I’m not scolding you. But I will advise you. The things you take for fun might irritate others.”
“ Kotei just wanted to surprise nii-chan.”
“ Then you have to take the responsibility too. That's only fair, right ?” He tried to reason.“ If your brother had tripped and hurt himself bad, would you have taken his place to play with us in the nationals ? Could you have done that ?”
Kotei thought for a moment before shaking her head, sadly.
“ You see ? That's what I'm trying to get at. Kotei's a good girl, right ? She'll never do this again. Can you promise me that ?”
“ Okay,” Kotei nodded.
“ Good.” She was still not sure if he was mad anymore. So, to make up, she spread her arms motioning for a make-up hug.“ Come here.”
She wrapped her hands around his neck muttering another sorry as Daichi rested his hand on her head, slightly running his hands through her hair.
“ This scene...I can't pinpoint it...,” Kinoshita muttered.
“ It's like how our fathers used to teach us something,” said Ennoshita and Kinoshita nodded in agreement.
“ Daichi-san is a real grown up now,” Tanaka stated thoughtfully.“ He's our beloved senpai—”
“ But somehow he became Kotei's beloved father...?” Tsukishima raised a brow.
“ Wow, Tsukki, this is the first time you've called her by her name.”
“ Shut up, Yamaguchi.”
“ I mean, he is handling so many kids already,” Coach Ukai whispered to no one in particular as he gave the entire volleyball team a look.
🅱🅾🅽🆄🆂
“ What's this ?” Miwa looked down at the thing that Kotei handed her.
“ Brooch.” Kotei smiled up at her sister with hopeful eyes.
“ Uh...okay......?” Miwa dragged on, unsure. She inspected the thing in her hand which looked nowhere near a brooch.“ Did you make it in your art class ?”
“ Yup. Does Miwa-nee like it ?”
“ Hm...,” she thought how to reply. It's bad to lie to a child but then she doesn't want to break her heart.
“ That's a brooch ? Looks like garbage,” Kageyama said inspecting it from behind Miwa.
“ Nii-chan will not understand. Miwa-nee will understand,” Kotei huffed.
“ Come on, Miwa-nee, you can't lie, can you,” Kageyama muttered so that only Miwa could hear. He gave her a serious look but it came off as rather sly to the older.
The older looked down at her expectant face. She looked so happy. And she made it with so much love and care. It's the sentiments that matter, right ?
“ It's...wonderful, Ko-chan ! But knowing you I think you could've done better,” Miwa stated kneeling before her.
“ So you don't like it ?” Her smiled dropped.
“ That's not it. This is good too. As I said, excellent !”
Kageyama sighed before walking towards the refrigerator to take out a small milk bottle. It's a habit. It brings a new wave of refreshment each and every time.
“ Then Miwa-nee will wear it to work, tomorrow?”
“ Wh-what? Do I have to ?”
“ Why not ?” Kotei frowned.
“ O-okay, definitely. Of course. It's only fair, right ? I understand...hahahaha.”
Kotei stared at her face seeing through her facade.
“ Miwa-nee doesn't have to lie if she doesn't like it, okay ?”
“...”
“ Kotei will make a better one next time!” Her face lit up with newfound motivation.
Kageyama sipped on his milk narrowing his eyes at her words. He noticed something. Is Hinata growing on his little sister a bit too much ?
“ Kotei !” Miwa sniffled, hugging her small form.“ Nee-san is proud of you ! I'll wear it, of course ! A hundred times ! I'll not let your hard work go to waste !”
Kageyama spared her a weird look.
“ Yay ! Miwa-nee is the best !” Kotei cheered but as she proceeded to shoot her hands up in the air; it hit the brooch and the decorations came off, the entire thing breaking in the process.
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“ Okay, dinner’s ready !”
“ Yass ! Kotei will eat Miwa-nee’s food ! Let's go !”
And they walked away, nonchalantly.
Just what the hell happens in my house? Tobio thought with a grumpy face.
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“ 𝑇𝒉𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 !”