Disclaimer: I do not own Haikyuu! or any of its characters. I only own my OCs.

Chapter 10: The Way Forward

As was everything, Summer, too, was a slave to time as it zoomed by relentlessly. The warm days continued, but soon it came where it was time to stuff school bags back with books and pencils and prepare for the fall term.

Minako and the rest of her family enjoyed a simple yet eventful summer, traversing central Japan on various day trips, lapping up the warm weather and time off enthusiastically. It was the first summer in quite some time that she had really gotten to spend with her brother and father, all jovial and in good spirits, and Minako was finally beginning to think that the sense of normalcy she had secretly longed for had finally began to settle back onto their family after years of barren desolation.

And, as expected much to Minako's chagrin, Koichi had continued to drag her to the recreation center for more basketball 'fun', as he would describe it. They even managed to find a few other college regulars that frequented the establishment to play with every time they went. Minako loved that.

'Yes, let's just show a bunch of athletically competent people just how "competent" I am at sports.' She would think sourly as the hours would tick by inside the humid gymnasium, the disparity between her and the other players getting wider and wider.

Though as the days of summer dwindled away, so did the recreation center patrons, as lives began to get busier and people began to prepare for the regular hustle and bustle of everyday, non-vacation life.

"This is the most I've been to the recreation center in my whole life, Nii-san, I think I've hit my quota," the writer mumbled one day as the two siblings made their way out of the facility.

Koichi bumped her shoulder with a blithe chuckle, "It's good for you, little sister. Get away from all those notebooks and pens and stuff and get some endorphins pumping in you."

"Not even the regular athletes have been showing up lately," she responded with a groan.

Koichi lips pursed as he tapped on his chin, "Hm, come to think of it, yeah—but it's nearing the end of vacation, so high school and college teams are probably in the middle of their last few summer training camps."

Minako's mind briefly flashed to an image of the chocolate-haired setter. She hadn't seen him since her first encounter with him a few weeks ago, but then again she purposefully didn't make the effort to seek him out. The last thing she wanted was any unwanted ideas to spring into his, or anyone else's, head. The summer was not about Oikawa, or volleyball, or the school paper. The summer was meant to be nothing, really. But she had enjoyed it more than she would willingly admit aloud.

As the two siblings reached their house, Koichi jubilantly tossing his things the side to join their father in the living room, Minako could only smile as she basked in the pleasantry of their shifting family dynamic. If only her brother didn't have to leave again, she thought sadly.

Days flew by once again until it came to the last day of Koichi's visit back home, and as Minako finished getting ready to see her brother off at the station, a soft knock interrupted her.

Koichi stepped inside with a small smile and closed the door behind him. "Got a minute?"

"Sure," Minako gestured at him to take a seat.

The older boy took a seat in her chair, patting his palms against his jeans. He looked, rather uncharacteristically, nervous.

"You know," he started, voice barely above a whisper. "You mentioned before that we could talk about mom."

The writer paused. Her mouth dried up, but she knew the conversation would come sooner than later. She wanted it to. But a sudden shot of anxiety filled her up at the thought and her flight instinct started to kick in.

"I'm sorry." His voice shook slightly as he made the sudden statement, and Minako's head whipped to him as he did.

"What? What do you mean?"

Koichi's gaze lingered on his hands before they trailed up to meet hers. "We were supposed to become closer as a family after she…well, yeah. But we didn't. It was the exact opposite. And I didn't make things any easier by just shipping myself off…"

Minako shook her head quickly, "Don't blame yourself for choosing to go overseas for school."

"Why not? You did."

The words stung and Minako winced. The anxiety suddenly began to double.

Koichi sighed, "Sorry, I didn't mean for that to come out so harshly. I just…you needed me and dad…but we weren't—"

"Nii-san," Minako interrupted. It had taken years for her to come to terms with all that happened, but the more she thought about it the more she realized nothing was ever really resolved. Feelings, words, all of it was brushed under the rug, and it had been so long that no one wanted to let all that dust resurface. No one felt the need to. "There's nothing to forgive. Whatever my feelings were back then…it was just the anger, the grief. I…you know I could never blame you for wanting to leave…"

Koichi offered her a weak smile, "Well, that's awfully compassionate of you, sis, but I never stopped thinking about it."

Minako chewed on her lip nervously. Words suddenly escaped her. Maybe she wasn't ready to have this conversation yet.

"Maybe now wasn't the right time," the older boy chuckled shakily, as if reading her thoughts.

Minako looked to him encouragingly, "No, I'm glad you did. I guess we're all still ways away from really moving on, but I…I'm…" The girl's breath started catching in her throat as she struggled with verbalizing years and years of her bottled up emotions. "You and Tou-chan mean a lot to me. And regardless of what happened, how we all dealt with it, it won't change that. All we can do is…move forward. And maybe next time we can really…talk about it."

Koichi's silence was deafening, but by the way his eyes softened she knew that he understood.

"Sorry," Minako whispered sheepishly. "I…can't really find the words right now."

"Surprising," he grinned up at her. "It's okay. Baby steps."

Minako couldn't help but smile at those words.

As her brother stood up and the two of them made their way out of the girl's room she stopped him once more, giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze. "I really enjoyed this summer, you know. I'm glad you came back."

Warmth spread through Koichi's face before he grinned wide and enveloped the girl in a headlock, "Look who's becoming cheesy and sentimental! Are you even my sister?"

A loud groan escaped the girl's mouth as she shoved him off, joining her father by the front door who was watching the two of them fondly.

It seemed that the year was a year full of change, Minako thought wistfully as she parted ways with her brother.

'Who would have thought.'

Minako wasn't sure what she was expecting when she returned to school for the new term, though she knew she certainly shouldn't have expected anything more than regular school life—the same as before summer vacation hit. Perhaps there would be an air of melancholy that would hang over everyone after the volleyball team's loss at the summer Interhigh prelims, but that thought quickly shook itself out of her mind as she remembered that Aoba Johsai was much more than just their boys' volleyball team.

'I'm too caught up in all of this…' she thought grimly.

But even so, it wasn't melancholy that loomed over the team—far from it, in fact.

Minako stepped foot inside the gymnasium, walking over to the railing that overlooked the court and peered down. It was as busy as ever, if not busier. Practice drills seemed to be running more intently than ever, most likely looking for those who could potentially join the regular roster in the following months. The booming voices coming from the captain and vice-captain, however, dressed in their practice clothes, notified the writer that they would be coming back for their final battle and the chance to go to Spring Nationals. Minako's eyes continued scanning the floor. Oikawa, Iwaizumi, Hanamaki, Matsukawa…pretty much everyone she recognized from before was there, even those that weren't on the starting lineup or even those that weren't regulars.

"Oi, careful! Dangerous plays like that are what causes injuries!"

Minako's gaze fell to the captain whose voice boomed suddenly, following his line of sight till they landed on someone she did not recognize. The young teenager brushed his shoulder off with a loud huff as he glared at his fellow teammates—tall, lean, shaved head, perpetual dark circles underneath his eyes, and a demeanor that screamed defiance. He merely grunted in response before storming back to position. She didn't remember seeing anyone like that at all, and judging by his attitude she didn't have to guess too hard as to why. Was he a first year? The girl's thoughts were shaken off by the sounds of more people joining in to watch. Minako took it as her cue to leave as a flock of girls rushed to the railings, squealing out Oikawa's name. She rolled her eyes, making her exit.

It wasn't until the next day during the lunch where she tentatively made her way to Iwaizumi's desk, notebook and pen in hand, for the low-down on the team and what to expect for the coming term.

"Hey, Sonozaki, what's up?" he greeted her with a wave as she approached.

"Not much," she shrugged, taking a seat near him. "Just wanted to know what's happening with the team, and all…"

Iwaizumi pondered for a moment before turning to her casually, "Not much, really. The third-year regulars are coming back; trying to train up some high-potential first-years; trashykawa being annoying, as usual."

The writer scoffed, "Yeah, well, a leopard can't change their spots."

"I heard you two ran into each other at the rec center," the ace smirked at her. "Quite the hoot, from what I was told."

Minako rolled her eyes, "And you really take Oikawa's words to heart?"

He chortled, "No, I guess I don't."

"I saw him once, and for like…fifteen minutes. If that was a 'hoot' then he must have had quite a dull summer."

"Sure…"

Minako almost missed the teasing smirk on his face, but she pointedly ignored it as another fleeting thought crossed her mind. "Training high-potential first years?"

"Mhm."

"So that new guy is a first-year?"

Iwaizumi's brow quirked, "Which new guy?"

"Shaved head, angry…I didn't know you guys accepted new members in the middle of the school year."

"Oh, him. No, he's been on the team since the beginning of the year. He just…never shows."

Minako's lip quirked as disbelief colored her expression, "And the captain and coaches are okay with that?"

"Not really, but we can't do much about it. He's not a regular player. And besides, no one really likes it when he's on the court anyway…"

"Who, Mad Dog-chan?"

Minako's head whipped to the voice that appeared behind her and saw Oikawa looking down at her, bento in hand. He shot her a playful wink, making himself comfortable between the the two of them.

"Mad Dog?"

"Kyotani Kentaro," Iwaizumi confirmed. "He's a first year, and honestly could be a regular if he was, well, easier to play with."

"And what do you mean by easier?" Minako inquired slowly.

"He's a jackass." Oikawa stated bluntly.

Minako blinked, tilting her head at the setter's statement. "Well so are you, but people still put you in games."

Oikawa visibly bristled, and Iwaizumi put his hands up to stop whatever warfare was about to erupt.

"Kyotani has an attitude problem," the ace further explained. "He's uncooperative and ignores orders and rules. And his disregard for his teammates leads to dangerous plays and no one wants to risk that."

"But he's actually a talented player when it boils down to it…natural strength, power, and an innate sense of his own body. He has all the tools to be a star player…" Oikawa pondered for a moment with Iwaizumi nodding in agreement.

"Why even bother?" Minako alternated her glances between the two boys. "Just focus on the guys you have and that aren't a problem. He doesn't even show up to practices—there's no point in doing anything with him if he himself isn't going to show interest."

"That's the thing," Iwaizumi picked at his lunch, brows tightly knit together. "I think…he does. No one really can get a good read on him."

"He's just a rabid animal with a hunger," Oikawa determined. "All we got to do is reel him him and utilize those skills of his. He can be tamed…eventually."

A small smile played on the setter's lips as he spoke with a gentle clarity. Minako couldn't help but notice the twinkle in his eyes as he did.

"Reel him in how?"

Oikawa smirked, leaning back against his chair, "We just need to coax him. Like Iwa-chan said, the interest is there, so all we have to do is bait him in ways that will peek that interest even more."

Minako couldn't imagine anyone looking as excited as Oikawa was when talking about working with someone difficult. But she supposed that this was just another challenge that Oikawa was eager to face head-on. He was the setter after all. It was his job to conduct his choir.

Iwaizumi look equal parts unimpressed and smug, in silent agreement with the setter.

Minako mused to herself as her pen tapped rhythmically on her notebook. "So you really think you'll be able to put him in games?"

"Not sure—"

"Yes."

Both the players answered simultaneously. Iwaizumi shot the setter a disgruntled look, but Oikawa merely shrugged, amusement toying on his lips.

"Well, you're awfully sure…" Minako muttered to the smiling setter.

"No," Iwaizumi grumbled irritably, crossing his arms over his chest. "He's being a cocky ass."

"Why must you always insult me, Iwa-chan?!"

The writer snickered, turning to Oikawa as he groused.

"All I'm saying is that being ballsy is sometimes the way to go," Oikawa responded with a sigh. "Anything can shift the tides."

"And you're going to be able to deal with that?" Minako countered.

The setter turned to her, a delicate smile on his face and his eyes dancing with steeled determination, but offered her no words.

That felt like an answer itself.

The bell rang suddenly and the teenagers parted ways, and Minako was only left with the lingering bemusement that she held for the Seijoh setter.

It always boiled down to him, didn't it? Minako fumed at the thought.

No matter what…it was always him.

Minako expected an extended break before Spring Nationals preparations started, but Seijoh hit the ground running. Day after day, evening after evening—if it wasn't endless practice drills and plays, it was practice games with other nearby schools. After the second practice match, Minako had stopped going entirely. If the entire student body was interested to know how the team fared, they would go watch it themselves or ask someone else rather than needing to read the same thing over and over again in the school paper she was sure most them didn't even read in the first place.

"Hey!" Matsui called, catching up to Minako as she made her way out of the hallways and bumping her shoulder playfully. "Let's go see the practice match today."

The writer heaved a sigh, "No, thanks."

"Isn't it your job to report on team?"

"It's not my job to mindlessly follow them around like a puppy dog," she turned to her friend with a tired stare. "They had one a few days ago, how are they not dropping dead already?"

Matsui sighed dreamily, "Ah, to be an athlete in their prime."

Minako rolled her eyes as the two headed out the building.

It was true. Somehow, Spring Nationals prep seemed to be a lot more rigorous than summer. It was the third years' last battle, so there was more on the line for them, but it didn't surprise her either when she realized that generally many third year athletes chose to retire after summers for that reason alone; school work, university entrance exams, and ruthless practices? It was enough to drive any sane person through the roof.

'But what did you tell yourself? These guys aren't sane. Just a bunch of volleyball idiots.'

"But seriously," Matsui continued, "This time is more casual, and not with another high school."

"So…why does that matter?"

"Because," her eyebrows wiggled. "Apparently they're practicing with a college team."

Minako stopped walking, staring at her friend in confusion. "Why would they practice with a college team?"

The bright-haired girl shrugged, "Apparently it's some sort of 'good-relations' thing, or whatever. A bunch of Aoba Johsai alumni go to this college, so every year they come down to practice with the high-schoolers."

Minako quirked a skeptical brow, "How do you know all this?"

"Because I care."

"I care, too!"

"Well, you sure have a strange way of showing it."

The writer shook her head incredulously, "Are you sure you don't want to go see it just to check out some college boys?"

"Yes," Matsui nodded. "I absolutely do. See, Sonozaki-chan, I know how to admit my feelings."

"I feel like there was something underhanded there…"

"Perhaps," she giggled. "Now come on!" Matsui grabbed the writer's hand and dragged her excitedly all the way to the gym, ignoring the feeble protests that sprang from her.

The gym, unsurprisingly, was more crowded than usual. If the flock of girls weren't there to coo over Oikawa, then the addition of college boys was a pleasant alternative. The energy brimmed with more exuberance of having the older boys join in, as if it motivated Seijoh even more to give it their all against their upperclassmen and former teammates. Drills went on as usual before they split into short games, mixing and matching team members between the two schools. Minako watched on curiously, trying not to let too much enthusiasm seep through lest Matsui catch wind of it.

The physical difference between the two teams wasn't all that disparate, but it was obvious Seijoh lacked in some regards. Though the heights were relatively on-par, their build was more slight and lean whereas the college kids packed more muscle and bulk. They weren't even a top-tier intercollegiate team yet their training regime most certainly showed and it was obvious the extra levels of rigor that it must have contained.

'Imagine the pro-leagers…'

"Say…" Matsui began slowly. "Everyone is always so obsessed Oikawa-kun. But wouldn't you say Iwaizumi is pretty attractive, too?"

Minako blinked, trailing her eyes over to the Seijoh ace. Though he was on the shorter side compared to the rest of his team, his build much more resembled those of the college boys. He was firm muscle stretched underneath tanned skin, and power to speak for it. He commanded a gentle yet aggressive presence as well, one that drew respect from not only his underclassmen, but from the third-years as well. If Oikawa were to be passed up for captaincy next year, then Iwaizumi was the easy next choice, perhaps even a better first choice.

"I suppose," she agreed softly. "But that really isn't the point here, is it?"

Matsui giggled, "Oh come now, Sonozaki-chan, I'm just having some fun. Iwaizumi is a decent looker, but you also can't help but be drawn to him playing—it's so satisfying to see the ball get spiked so harshly onto the other side."

"True…" Minako trailed off.

Though she undoubtedly agreed with her friend's statement, she couldn't keep her gaze from constantly shifting back to the Seijoh setter who shifted between positions with such ease, even though he was playing with some people whom he'd never played with before—and college boys, too. He was…such a natural, adaptive player, that he could tune himself right into the frequency of his teammates and play for them exactly the way they needed. She remembered the words she had heard from the captain a few months back when she first began writing for the team. 'Our strength lies in our setter, really, and his ability to bring out the best abilities of others.' Minako was starting to understand what he meant. The ability to bring out the best of others…he was able to observe and reflect on each of the players he fought alongside, and with that knowledge cater his tosses in a way that maximized their best abilities and full potential. Minako's eye twitched. Why was this guy seeming more and more perfect?

"Oi, Sonozaki-chan,"

The girl turned her head to her friend, who was eying her slyly. "Yes?"

"You know I've been calling your name for the past five minutes."

"No you haven't."

Matsui pat her on the back, "You were so…deep in thought, I felt almost guilty."

Minako ignored the blatantly obvious mirth in her friend's tone and merely scowled.

"Anyway," she continued. "I need to head out now, so I'll see you tomorrow."

"Uh," Minako pushed herself off the railing and bent down to grab her bag. "I'll go with you."

"No you won't," Matsui held out her hands to stop the writer. "You need to do…research."

Minako rolled her eyes, "Stop being ridiculous. I'll go with you. I should be heading out anyway."

"You're so full of it, Sonozaki-chan," the teenager laughed. "You want to stay, I can see it in those unnerving eyes of yours. Seriously, I'll go, you stay. I'm sure Oikawa-kun can walk you home." She winked exaggeratedly.

"He…he never does..!" The writer sputtered.

Matsui, already jogging off, turned back to Minako and laughed as she made her exit, shooting her two-thumbs up and mouthing a quick goodbye.

Minako sighed, turning back to the court.

She had long come to terms with her growing interest for the game, but she had to say that seeing the growth and evolution of each player was yet another incentive. Seijoh was a team to behold, that much could be easily said. They were a team that could make Nationals. Even for the next year; they would be losing the raw power and skill from the captain and vice-captain, but with Oikawa's innate game sense and ability and Iwaizumi's strength that would only continue to grow, they were well set to take on the new year. Hanamaki and Matsukawa were offensively and defensively powerful in and of itself, and Watari would only keep improving as a libero, given that he was the only first-year starter. Yahaba was a strong setter, no doubt he could contend as the main starting setter once at third-year. And then there was Kyotani—he seemed like a capable player, despite being the monkey wrench he was. Minako smirked to herself, shaking her head incredulously. Here she was, after initially cursing the position she was placed in as a writer for the volleyball team, now analyzing and brimming with anticipation like she was part of the team itself.

As the matches began to wrap-up, Minako turned her back to the court, sliding down the railings to sit cross-legged on the floor and pulling out her notebook to begin scribbling down words for the next article. Her previous thoughts spilled onto the pages below, and she marveled at the ease at which they seemed to come. It was only weeks ago that her fingers stiffened at her keyboard trying to pour out any bit of creativity for her stories, yet here she was writing about sports with a rigorous fervor.

She didn't know what it was, but Minako supposed the ease came naturally when it was right in front of her eyes.

'Maybe you need a muse.'

Her brother's words echoed loudly in her head.

The writer frowned deeply. She wasn't enjoying the particular options presented to her.

Her fingers began to cramp slightly as her writing slowed down, staring down at her notebook as she completely lost track of time. She placed the pen down, and as she was about to close her book, a shadow above her encompassed the view. She glanced up quickly, eyebrows furrowing at the sight of the familiar licks of brown-hair.

"They're about to close up," Oikawa noted casually, looking down at her and his brow raising at her position. "You could stay here for all I care, but everyone noticed you up here…I didn't want to look like a jerk."

"Everyone knows you're a jerk, Oikawa-san, no use in trying to cover anything up."

"At least I'm considerate."

"For who?"

"Listen, just leave," he sighed irritably. "The gym is closing up, so unless you want to bunker down in the storage room then go home. I hear the gym mats get real cozy if you position yourself correctly—"

"Fine, sheesh. You think I'm dramatic?" Minako stood up, pouting. She collected her things before appraising the boy steadily, noticing how he had his full track suit on and was carrying his gym bag. "You're not staying for extra practice?"

"Did you not hear me? The gym is closing."

"And that would stop you?"

"Normally…no," Oikawa pursed his lips in thought. "But when your senpais breathe down your neck about getting proper rest, it's a little hard to say anything against it."

"Fair." Minako brushed at her skirt self-consciously as the two began to slowly make their way out.

"So what are you doing then?"

Minako glanced at the setter, giving him a noncommittal shrug. "I was curious about this alumni practice. I didn't know Seijoh did things like this."

"Yeah, it's been a long standing tradition for years now."

"Hm…Well, that's nice. I guess it's good that Seijoh is still able to keep in touch with those alumni."

"Many of our former players end up going to universities close-by anyway, so it's not such a difficult thing," Oikawa placed his hands in his pockets as he nodded along with his explanation.

"Did you take part last year?"

Oikawa snickered, "Of course, everyone does. Doesn't matter if you're a starter or not."

"Were you a starter last year?" Minako didn't know why she even asked the question; of course he was a starter. Talented players like Oikawa didn't just appear out of thin air. And from the stories she heard, he was some sort of prodigy since middle school.

The setter scoffed, reinforcing her thoughts. "Yes, I was. One of the only starting first years, too."

Minako raised a brow, "Iwaizumi-san wasn't a starter?"

Oikawa hummed, "He came into the rotation frequently enough because of his sheer power, but he didn't play as regularly as he does now. Our third-years last year were pretty strong. Our team…was pretty strong."

Minako turned her head to the boy, "And…it's not strong now?"

"Tch," Oikawa glanced at her with a disapproving glare. "What kind of assumption is that? Of course we're strong."

"I'm sorry—your implications are kind of vague!" She bristled.

Oikawa turned back to the front, sobering up for a moment. Minako didn't miss the wistfulness that quelled his brief annoyance.

"Our team has always been strong…that's the problem." The look on his face darkened, "It's just…never enough. Against them."

Minako shifted her head to stare back ahead of her in understanding. It always seemed to circle back to the very same dilemma she had heard about from the very beginning. Oikawa Tooru was a gratingly confusing man, yet surprisingly simple at the same time. The combination of the two was just downright annoying. The writer sighed, unable to help the exasperation that slipped out.

"What?" The setter twisted to her, miffed.

"Nothing, it's just…" Minako ran a hand through her fringe, biting the inside of her cheek. "It's the same old story."

"Yeah, that's what makes it so annoying!" Oikawa's hands flew out of his pockets to grab onto his chocolate locks in frustration. "It's the same old story, and no one can seem to change it. Why do you think everyone works so damn hard?"

"Isn't that tiring?" Minako's voice went softer than she expected. Her tone, though normally more confrontational, seemed to diminish in wake of a sudden realization that she may have felt sorry for the setter.

"Do you understand the concept of a sport? You know, physical exertion?"

"Oikawa-san, if you want to get smart with me let me punch you in the face first so it won't feel quite as bothersome."

The setter rolled his eyes, dropping his hands onto the strap of his bag. "Of course it's tiring. But it feels a hell of a lot better than, well, not doing anything about it. Or giving up."

"Yeah, I suppose," Minako looked onward as they continued their walk. She hadn't even realized that the two were well off school grounds at that point. "Do you find volleyball fun?"

"Of course."

"Despite the shortcomings?" She turned to him to watch as his eyes squinted thoughtfully.

"They're annoying, yeah, but doesn't mean the game itself isn't fun. It just means you have something to work for?" He regarded her pointedly, coaxing her to continue.

Minako nodded, "So that's what I mean with tiring. Is it fun to work yourself to the bone, constantly having a dark shadow looming over your head? Doesn't sound very enjoyable to me."

Oikawa didn't reply, instead glaring at the girl with more disdain than the anger she anticipated. "There's never an end to your incessant prodding, is there?"

Minako expected as much from him, but looking at his face as he tried to mask whatever feelings he harbored felt like more of an answer than not.

Or maybe it wasn't.

The girl sighed, knowing that her own thought process on the entire matter was as jumbled of a mess as, frankly, their entire relationship. "Maybe if you actually answered my questions."

He scoffed, turning himself to the bright lights displayed in front of them. "Somehow I doubt that."

Minako turned to follow his gaze. Their conversation had brought them well beyond school grounds and in front of the 7-11 that was on the way back to Minako's home. The writer's eyebrows shot up.

"Oikawa-san, the train station was all the way back there," she said, turning around and pointing to the direction behind them.

"I'm hungry," the boy shrugged, walking up to the doors and holding them open, looking at her expectantly. "You coming?"

Minako hesitated before slowly stepping through the conbini doors. She dumbly followed the teenage boy as he picked a cup of instant ramen and a pack of milk bread and made his way to the cash register to pay. It wasn't until he found a seat by the window, settling down to prep his food that she realized he intended to stay while he ate his meal. He turned to her, an almost bored expression on his face.

"If you wanted to go home, you can," he said casually.

The girl scrunched her nose, turning to pick up her own food before joining up with him, taking a seat beside the setter that was closer than she would have liked.

The two sat in silence for a little while, waiting as their ramen cooled before taking eager slurps as their bellies rumbled. Minako tried not to dwell on the fact that this was their first time spending time together outside of school or school-related activities, not counting the one time at the rec center. This is what friends did, she reasoned with herself, and despite all her denials and frigid stubbornness, she finally admitted to herself that yes; they were friends after all. No matter how strange, messy, and probably unhealthy it was…they were friends. She gave a side-long glance to the setter as he ate in silence, occasionally humming a tune under his breath in between bites of food.

"Oikawa-san?"

The boy groaned.

"What made you get into volleyball?"

Oikawa's eyes found hers, gaze unfocused for a minute, before shrugging. "I saw a game on TV. Thought it looked cool."

Minako stared back at him incredulously, "That's it?"

"What other reason would I have needed?"

"Okay, fine.," she ceded. "Why did you want to become a setter?"

"Setters are the secret stars of the show," he answered simply. An air of nonchalant arrogance dripped off his tone, and Minako wasn't all too surprised by it, but something didn't quite convince her.

"I find it hard to believe you're that simple-minded," she remarked.

"What can I say," he proclaimed airily. "I'm just a simple, selfish guy."

A selfish guy.

Minako could see such a quality, sure, but it struck her as odd that someone as selfish as he so claimed to be would thrive in such an unselfish roll. The setter did get to control a lot of the plays. But the words from the third-years also echoed in her head. The ability to bring out the best in his teammates. That was not a talent that came from someone…selfish.

Minako opened her mouth to retort, but Oikawa's hand came up to stop her and he shook his head defiantly.

"You know, it's hardly fair that you get to constantly grill me for personal information, yet I know next to nothing about you," he stated, dipping his head to match her eye-level and staring challengingly.

Minako pursed her lips. She was more than aware of the one-sidedness of their relationship thus far but for the longest time it never jumped out as odd to her. She was a writer, after all, and in the particular position she was placed in it was only natural of her to ask more than to be asked. Yet as her and the popular setter's relationship had developed over the past few months, she knew that it was only a matter of time before he started asking questions too. Perhaps it was too much to expect that their 'friendship' would remain purely surface-level, and they were never to pass the line of mere acquaintances. She took a deep breath in. "What do you want to know?"

Oikawa leaned against the counter, slightly taken aback by her sudden compliance. "Okay, what made you get into writing?"

Minako slurped up her ramen loudly, staring out the window of the conbini as the streetlights cast shadows onto the ground. "Writing was the easiest way to express myself." She looked down at her food before taking another breath. "My mother…was also a writer."

"Oh?" Oikawa looked at her expectantly. "What did she write? Was she published?"

Minako shook her head, "She had a few short stories in some literary magazines. But she mostly worked behind the scenes, like editing and publishing. She loved writing children's stories, which was how she got me into story-telling at such a young age. She…was really talented."

"Was?"

"She, um," Minako swallowed the lump that caught in her throat. "She passed away a few years ago."

Silence engulfed the setter as he turned and stared down at his food, frowning deeply. "I'm so sorry."

Minako shook her head, forcing a tight smile onto her lips. "It's okay. Either way, she sort of passed on her legacy to me. And I'm more than happy to take it on, in whatever way I can," she turned to Oikawa and visibly relaxed. "Sports columnist and all."

Oikawa breathed out a chuckle, "Well, I'm sure she's happy that you are. And on that note…you never told me what happened with that writing competition over the summer."

The writer scowled, turning back around as a flood of panicked thoughts caused her brows to crease. Why was this topic so much more difficult to face than that of her mother? "How is that even on the same note…?" she muttered.

"You never gave me an answer in the first place!" he chimed defensively.

Minako pouted, brows furrowing further as the waves of the panic, doubt, uncertainty, and consequent defeat hit her once more as she remembered her failed attempt at taking part in the short story competition over the summer. There was absolutely no way she was going to relive that, and face the judgment of Mr. Works-Too-Hard sitting next to her, with the admission of her ultimate failure. Live up to it, or go with it. Minako knew that either route was going to suck.

"I haven't heard back."

Oikawa shot her a strange look, and for a second Minako felt a sense of panic wash over thinking that he didn't believe her.

"They're taking an awfully long time to get back to you guys…" he mumbled, swirling around the chopsticks in his ramen cup, hints of doubt seeping into his tone.

"There were probably hundreds of submissions, they need time to read and review all of them," she retorted confidently. "Besides, I don't think anything will come for me. I definitely lost."

A loud scoff burst from the boy and he whipped his head to her, stunned. "So you've already admitted defeat? Are you kidding me? What happened to all that cockiness from when I first met you? Or was that all just baseless talk?"

Minako reeled from the sudden aggression in his tone. If he truly did see through her, then he was being awfully (and unnecessarily, Minako wanted to justify to herself) angry and accusatory about it. "Excuse me? Why are you being so confrontational? First of all, there's a difference between cockiness and confidence. Second, confidence is also being realistic with your own limitations— I know I'm a good writer, but I know what I submitted wasn't nearly my best work. So I'm just…deferring to the inevitable."

Oikawa looked away, his incredulity written all over his face. Minako wanted to smack it away; it annoyed her far more than she thought was reasonable. But it made something else peek out a bit more, biting away at her, sending an awful taste to her mouth and causing her chest to tighten uncomfortably.

Guilt.

She was, after all, not exactly telling the truth…

"So, then what?" He asked after a moment, his mouth opening and closing, looking for more words to fill the silence and assuage his confusion.

"Then…what?" Minako repeated, allowing herself to process her thoughts more slowly and carefully. "It is what it is. Can't…really do anything about it."

"So…that's it? Just…admit defeat and move on?"

"Yeah."

"Are you going to do something about it?"

"What can I do?"

Oikawa shifted in his seat uncomfortably, "I don't know, work harder for the next one?"

Minako regarded him carefully, confused by his tone and shift in body language. "I…guess? I don't really know. I mean…I don't know if I'll do another competition anytime soon, so..."

The setter stared down at the counter, boring holes into his ramen cup. "So being…realistic with your limitations is just…acceptance with no follow-up?"

"Follow-up? What's there to follow-up?"

"I don't know," Oikawa let out an airy laugh, though there was nothing genuine about it. "Continue writing? Work harder? Try harder, until you get the results you deserve? The results you want?"

Minako couldn't quite understand why Oikawa was responding so indignantly towards her. Whatever personal vendetta he seemed to be battling only caused an increase of illogical anger and frustration—as if she was being interrogated and accused for a crime she didn't commit (but she repeatedly ignored the aching nag that she was technically defending herself on a lie). "What has gotten into you? It's not like I'm…quitting. I'm just…moving on. Like you should about this whole conversation."

Oikawa drew a deep breath, before turning back to the writer. His stare was blank, but his eyes still danced with fervor. "I don't like admitting defeat. Not entirely, at least."

Those words resonated—there was much more to it, as far as she could tell, though Minako didn't quite understand the depth of them. She returned the setter's gaze evenly, wanting to inquire deeper into it but feeling the fatigue from the previous few minutes. Her lack of honesty was starting to really eat away at her, and she didn't want to keep digging herself into a hole. "Well, good for you. But seriously, Oikawa-san. Just let this go, okay? It's really not that big of a deal."

Oikawa bit the inside of his cheek as he watched the girl get up from her seat to throw away her garbage, effectively ending the conversation. As the two of them packed up and stepped out of the conbini and into the cool evening air, Minako swiveled back to him and paused.

"You know," she started. "I appreciate your grit. But not everyone has that."

"Not everyone has to," he muttered. "But if you truly love something, isn't it worth it to at least try?"

"Try what?"

"Going for it? 200% and without holding back? Why accept your limitations, and do nothing about it?"

Minako tilted her head, staring straight into the setter's deep chocolate eyes. "Do what you want with whatever you have, no one is stopping you. But I don't think the measure for how much you love something is based entirely on how tenaciously you work towards it."

Oikawa pouted, "Well, maybe not entirely, but—"

Minako's hands came up to stop him, her shoulders slumping dramatically. "Oikawa-san, please," she groaned aloud. "It's almost 10pm, it's been a long day, and we have class tomorrow. I really don't want to have deep life chats right now. Can we just…move on, please? Please?"

Oikawa's eyes narrowed before he looked away, unimpressed. "Sheesh, fine. I was just trying to have a conversation with a friend."

The writer would loathe to admit that her thoughts earlier mirrored his words just now, but Minako rolled her eyes anyway, "Oh, we're friends? How gracious of you."

"Well, you do cling onto me quite tightly now, don't you?" he retorted.

"Ha! I'm the clingy one?!"

"Obviously! You keep hanging around, everyone think there's something between us!"

Minako shook her head, "The only thing between us is painfully aired grievances. Now—" she looked to him, staying at pace with her as he, too, walked the path towards her house. She quirked her brow suspiciously. "—what are you doing? The closest train station is behind us."

"It's late, I'll walk you home," he stated simply, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"I walk home late all the time, Oikawa-san," Minako mumbled. "There's no need to be chivalrous. It's not like it's genuine, anyway…"

"My intentions are always pure!" Oikawa whined as he shot her a glare. "Why does everyone always say that…?!"

Minako chuckled under her breath, glad that their previous conversation had subtly been heralded away.

Their walk was mostly silent, Oikawa humming quietly to himself, and Minako quietly mulling over his words from before. Part of her knew that he would come at her challengingly about her…perspectives. But she never knew that he would be so passionate in his delivery— as if she had personally affronted him by simply stating her own mind-set. But then again maybe she, too, was trying to make some sort of pointed remarks towards the guy.

For all this hard-work and determination, there was also a danger that came with it; one's body could only handle so much of what you put it through, no matter how mentally strong you were. His words would mean nothing if the day came where he suddenly was unable to play due to, who knows, a knee injury? Minako bit her lip, the question on the tip of her tongue. She was briefly reminded of Koichi and that disaster, but she quickly willed away the thoughts. No matter what you had to prove, it couldn't be worth what all could be lost in case of one, small misstep. Did Oikawa understand that? Did he not care? He had enough walls to break through in the form of Shiratorizawa and Ushijima, as well as this Kageyama Tobio that she knew nothing about, and both of their supposed prodigious talents— perhaps breaking those down was reason enough. Maybe Minako just didn't understand the depth of his feelings. Either she didn't understand because it was inherently personal, and no way she could dissect and fully understand a mind such as his, or she already knew, and…

"You know," Oikawa's voice interrupted her thoughts. "I still feel like I don't know much about you."

"Friendship is a marathon, not a sprint," she retorted.

"Well then quit slowing me down with your annoying-ass evasion," he mumbled pettily.

Minako crossed her arms over her chest, "I was pretty forthright with you at the conbini, I don't know what more you want."

Oikawa looked away briefly, pouting.

The remainder of their walk was silent, both teenagers ruminating with the thoughts and words that floated through their brains. As they came to a stop in front of Minako's house, Oikawa looked at the writer, his eyes searching her.

"Say, Sono-chan?"

"Hm?"

"You mentioned before that your brother is a basketball player? Does he play for his university team?"

Minako was surprised that Oikawa even mentioned her brother, seeing as she only mentioned him once when she ran into the setter at the rec centre over the summer. "Uh, no, he's studying in Hong Kong. And he only plays recreationally."

Oikawa hummed, "Did he play in High School? In Seijoh, I assume?"

Minako nodded slowly, "Yeah…he did."

Oikawa regarded her cautiously, "And…he didn't want to pursue it?"

The deep breath Minako took got caught in her chest as her lips turned down into a small frown, "He did, actually. But ultimately he couldn't."

"Why not…?"

"He got injured." Minako caught his gaze and kept it as evenly as possible. If that wasn't a pointed jab as any, then she didn't know what was. It, however, irked her—how she was being completely and disgustingly self-righteous. Her barbed remarks only added insult to her own injury after following so thoroughly through with her own lies from before. The sanctimonious schtick only left a sour taste in her mouth. The girl forced it all away, burying in deep within her mind knowing that it would only later come back to haunt her.

Oikawa returned her look with a glare of his own. He didn't respond. Whatever sense of anger or irritation that began bubbling within him must have died down because all he did was close his eyes for a moment, take a deep breath, and open them again, staring at the writer more softly. "Good night, Sono-chan."

"Good-night, Oikawa-san."

As they parted ways, Minako felt a sudden weight simultaneously lift off and fall on her shoulders. She entered the house, already quiet and dimly-lit, and was left with only her guilt and the lingering thoughts of how cumbersome friendship truly was.

And friendship with Oikawa certainly was no exception.

A/N: Aye. Well. This chapter took longer to come out than I intended. It took longer, and it was longer than I intended, too. Again, not happy with parts of it, but overly satisfied with most. Ah, to be your own worst critic.

Thank you to all that favorited and followed this story! Each notification warms my heart every time. And thank you all those that reviewed (RiptideX23, Tora3, SumCheeze, shenok, Floreena, Fahdza, Belbovino, and my 3 Guests)! Especially for all the encouragement to overcome my writer's block! Trust me when I say I have every intention of writing and completing this story, I'm just slow AF. So I hope this chapter is to everyone's liking! And hope it provides some light in these...trying times.

On that note...I hope everyone is taking care of themselves. Your health (mental and physical) and safety is of utmost importance! I know it has probably been very mentally and emotionally challenging for many, myself included. I hope everyone is doing okay. Wash your hands! We'll get through this.

Till next time, my friends. Stay healthy, stay safe. Much love.

- Anzu