Shiratorizawa.

The stadium was filled with hundreds of spectators. The loud bang of drums that competed over Shiratorizawa's band were clashing against one another.

I made a promise. That I would play for the last set. Not to replace Kageyama, but I did this as a promise to myself and to (F/N).

Everyone knew about (F/N)'s situation and I was taking it in the hardest. Everyone practiced day and night not just for nationals, but for her as well.

"Ready?" Daichi asked. He places a firm hand on my shoulder as I try to shake off the jitters.

"Yes." I replied, more determined than ever to reach nationals.

This is for her.

The team gathered at the designated spots for warm up. Commentators were up in their booths announcing our jersey numbers and our positions we played. The spotlight was beyond intimidating, it was making all of us sweat in a nervous breakdown. Trying to fight the gut-wrenching knot forming in my stomach, (F/N) once told me that she thinks of something funny to distract herself.

"Hey Daichi! Sooo, what's with you and Michimiya earlier?" I teased and my best friend blushed furiously.

"Ah, it's n-nothing! She just wanted to give me this" he holds up a red lucky charm and I snatch it away from his hand.

"Oi! Be careful with that!" he snatches it back and I chuckle at his apprehensiveness with the charm. Daichi places it back into his jacket pocket and pats it for reassurance. I let out a hefty cackle, catching the attention of my other teammates.

"Ooh what'cha guys laughing about?" Mika popped in with an onigiri in her hand.

"Heh, only you'd be eating at a time like this." Tsukishima rolled his eyes at her and she smiled with puffed up cheeks. She gulps down her food and says,

"I'd eat more if I were you. You beanpole" she mocked, earning a menacing glare from him.

"W-what's so funny? I w-would like to hear some stories" Hinata's lips quivered as he held onto his stomach tightly. I notice Asahi was having a nervous breakdown in the background, similar to the red head's

"Boke. You look funny." Kageyama smirked at the little ginger.

"OOH I have a funny story!" Mika chimed. She took another big bite of her food and swallowed it whole, "Tell 'em Tsukki. About your first kiss-"

"Shut up!" He placed a hand firmly over his girlfriend's mouth but she bit him in response. Rice grains were stuck onto her face as she continued to smile brightly like a child. Tsukki winced and shook his hand in pain.

Funny how composed Mika is, despite her best friend being in the hospital. Now that I remember, they didn't leave off on good terms. Maybe deep down inside she wants to spew out her feelings. Guess she's really good at hiding it.

"C'mon let's enlighten the mood shall we??? We're doing this for (F/N)" Mika pleaded as she looked at Tsukki with puppy eyes.

Tsukishima glances over to my face, which held a solemn expression when Mika mentioned her name.

"Ah fine..." he exhaled sharply.

"I um. Before you say anything... just want to make sure, uh." he stutters as he scans his audience, "Don't go out telling other people. Or I will pulverize you"

😉

"Oya?" Akaashi peeped

"Oya, Oya?" Bokuto questioned

"Oya, Oya, Oya?" Kuroo joined in from behind.

All of them, including Toma were practicing overtime when I came into the equation. I was just going to ask something, but I immediately regretted it when I stepped into the gym.

"Tsukki! Are you back because you can't resist me overcoming your sucky blocking?" Bokuto said bluntly, with no thought put into his words.

Typical.

"No, not that. I need you to teach me something. And don't call me Tsukki." I stated. Bokuto looked dumbfounded as Kuroo raised an eyebrow. Akaashi however was indifferent.

"Well, well. Our little Tsukki wants to learn more?" Toma teased as she tossed up a volleyball.

"First of all, I'm taller than you, and second, we're the same age, boke." I grumbled to my childhood friend. She lets out a little 'psh' and rolls her eyes.

"I need help with..." I realized what I was asking was kinda stupid in my part. I could probably just google it or something, "Nevermind. It's pointless."

Before I head out the door, Kuroo grabs my shoulder and says, "Heyheyhey. We can help you buddy. I mean we did after all, use up your energy last time."

Sighing, I turn around to face the bundle of mischiefs, well maybe except for Akaashi. Heart pounding out of my chest, I felt like throwing up, but I wanted to know. No, you needed to know.

"How do you tell someone you like them." I stated hastily, hopefully not giving away anything, "AH FORGET IT"

I almost head out the gym door again, out of embarrassment.

I can't believe I'm asking a bunch of idiots this question. I was going to ask Toma, but I can't find any time with her alone. Besides, maybe it's different coming from a guy?

I turn around, red in the face until Bokuto blocks me from escaping.

"Oi, Tsukki has a little crush now?" Bokuto mocked. He was clearly very intrigued by my question.

"Heh, I knew it" Toma snickered to herself, making me more irritated.

"Shut it." I snarked as I tried to find a way past Bokuto.

"Oh I know how to tell someone you like them." Bokuto proposed an idea, "Like this."

He cups the sides of my face suddenly and his lips smacked mine in surprise.

"Bokuto!" Toma yelled as she marched up to us. Kuroo's eyes widened and Akaashi was for once, was flabbergasted by the sudden kiss. Akaashi dropped his volleyball as it bounded onto the gym floor. Bokuto pulled away and explained to Toma,

"What? That's how I did it with you? And it worked right?" he flashed her a stupid grin and she punched him in the stomach. She was blushing furiously as she tightly clenched her fists.

"BOKE!" she screeched, disciplining her boyfriend. Bokuto winces from his freakishly strong girlfriend and Toma rolls up her sleeves for another punch until Kuroo interjects,

"Hm. I don't think it's like that." He suddenly turns me around and he encircles his arms around the nape of my neck. Flustered by the first kiss, I sputter out,

"What the fu-"

Kuroo stops me from cursing further as he feverishly lunges his face forward. His lips met mine and my hands were awkwardly fidgeting at my sides. His kiss was more prolonged than Bokuto's as he held on tightly to the back of my neck. His hands moved upwards as he ruffled my hair in the process. Messily, he started moving his lips on mine greedily. He savoured his kiss as he finally pulled back, gasping for air.

"I think mine's better," Kuroo stated as he wiped his lips with his sleeve. I blinked my eyes in a rapid manner, realizing that I made out with two halfwits.

WHY DID I EVEN ASK!?

"I think you're both doing it wrong." Akaashi spoke in a tiny voice.

"EH?!" all three of them were shocked by Akaashi's sudden interest. Akasshi steps forward, in between Kurro and I as he takes hold of my hands.

"You have to say: I've been meaning to tell you this for a long time now... I wanted to tell you how I feel."

Akaashi places a hand on my back and pulls me closer. He clutched my other hand and dipped me slightly, making me tilt my head upwards to him. I was at a loss for words as Akaashi says,

"Aishiteru, Tsukki."

He dips me even further, making me lose my posture for a bit. However, Akaashi was surprisingly strong as he holds me firmly by my back. He skillfully takes off my glasses and hooks them onto my shirt collar. Interlocking his fingers with mine, he gently grazes his lips on mine and to my surprise, his kiss was the most eye opening out of the three of them.

Akaashi lifts me upwards again and lets go of me. He backs away awkwardly as he retrieves the fallen volleyball.

Bokuto and Kuroo were both applauding at Akaashi's immaculate kiss until Toma screeched,

"Would everyone just chill for a sec and stop kissing Tsukki!"

I bring my fingers to my lips, questioning my existence.

I should've kept my mouth shut.

"..."

Tsukishima was standing there, red as a tomato. The rest of the team was staring up at him, all with stunned faces.

"Well Tsukki. I knew you had a hint of gay in you." Tanka snickered, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"There's nothing wrong with being gay." Nishinoya added and Mika nodded in agreement

"I'm dating you, you idiot!" Tsukishima faced his girlfriend, making her boast in laughter.

"What? I'm just agreeing with Noya. I mean, my brother's gay."

She points to the stands and I notice Oikawa and Iwaizume were sitting together, holding hands. They were sharing a bag of popcorn, taking turns feeding each other. Mika catches Iwaizume's eye as he waves down at his sister. She smiles back at the couple, showing off her full set of pearly whites.

"But I'm not gay. I'm dating you!" Tsukki yells over the cheering crowd and Mika dismisses him.

"See? Now didn't that distract everyone from-" Mika was interrupted as the announcer called out,

"ALRIGHT LADIES AND GENTS! FOR THE SHOWDOWN YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR! THE PRESTIGIOUS AND REIGNING CHAMPIONS, SHIRATORIZAWA!"

Before the rest of the team could further interrogate Tsukki on the matter, a sea of purple and white came onto the battlefield.

I have a bad feeling about this.

Ushijima Wakatoshi was the first up to court. His stance, his posture, his demeanor, all screamed he meant business. Accompanying him was a taller, lankier fella with bright red hair. He had his fingers taped up and a taunting look in his eyes. The rest of the team sauntered in with a spine-chilling composure. Karasuno slightly backed away until Keishin proclaimed,

"Karasuno Fight!"

The rest of the team marched forward, putting their fear aside. Holding onto (F/N)'s playbook I took from her duffle bag, I held it tightly to my chest.

Let's be brave Suga.

~

"... heart stopped twice and needed several blood transfusions. Not to mention ICU placement from an infection. Make sure you monitor the wound and change dressings ever so often." a doctor instructed the nurse.

I was overhearing their conversation as I turned my head slightly to the right. A new patient was placed in my room. The curtain's weren't fully concealed as I try to take a peek at the poor sucker. They were lying still on the bed, not moving an inch. Despite being at the hospital for several months, it was an awful feeling knowing that people were being discharged faster than I could heal.

"Check on patient 207-2 as well. He should be having another ECG test today and maybe we'll have him discharged soon."

Maybe. Pah. They say 'maybe' like it's next year.

Turning on the TV, the channel fell on the sports network. A preview of the match between Shiratorizawa and Karasuno.

Well I'll be damned. Karasuno is really making it's way up there.

As I was concentrating on the game, the curtains were slightly open and I could feel someone watching over my shoulder.

"Hey." I say as I close the curtains for privacy.

"Gomen." the voice said weakly, "I just wanted to watch my boyfriend."

Ha?

Opening the curtains, I stare wide eyed at the boy, er, girl?

"Ukai-san?" she looks at me with tired eyes. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly.

The number 7 from Seijoh's match. I put the two and two together and realize this was the girl that Suga was talking about.

He didn't mention it was Kiyoko's sister. Even so, she looks slightly familiar... like I've seen her before.

"Shimizu, my goodness. Why is your hair like that?" I questioned as I wrinkled my nose. She laughs lightly but winces from the pain from her incision,

"I know it was wrong, but I just wanted to help them get to Nationals"

"Ooh old geezer! Turn up the volume would ya?" another voice called out from the other side of the room.

"Tsk. Curse you teenagers." I turn up the volume and walk over to where the voice was. Aggressively opening the curtains, I was greeted with a boy with jet black hair. His curly bedhead framed his face as it covered part of his forehead. He wore a face mask as he sat upright on his bed. Someone else also accompanied him at the bedside. This boy had short, brown eyebrows and short hair to complement his long face.

"Shut it Sakusa." I yelled at the boy with dark hair. He was picking at a plate of umeboshi, while the other boy held a sports magazine with a certain setter, Oikawa Tooru, on the cover.

"Sorry to disturb you sir." The kinder boy apologized as I trudged back to my hospital bed. Grumbling to myself, I finnick with the bed sheets and make myself comfortable again.

"What's wrong with him? (F/N) by the way, but I guess you already figured out I'm Kiyoko's sister." number 7 mumbled. I couldn't help feeling sorry for the girl. Usually I'd think the patient's beside me was a nuisance, but Suga's concern for her really hit me in the chest.

I suppose he would want me to take care of her.

Clearing my throat, I say, "he thinks he has something called COVID-19? Even when he got tested several times already. They all came out negative though..."

She glances back to the two boys who were deep in conversation.

"Thinks?" she asks as she fiddled with her IV drip.

"Ya. The freak thinks he's infected with everything."

"I heard that" he calls out from behind my curtain. I turn up the volume of the TV in annoyance.

"Hypochondriac." she chuckles to herself and I tilt my head in confusion, "Oh sorry, it means 'a person who has an abnormal anxiety regarding their health and that they believe that they always have a disease. Even though test results would show there's nothing wrong with them'"

A faint smile appeared on her face as she gazes down at her bed sheets.

She's smart. Like Suga.

"So are they winning, Kiyoomi? Shiratorizawa?" another voice came into the room, making us face the doorway. Another boy with grey hair and black sideburns saunters into the room. He wore a face mask as he made his way to Sakusa.

"Osumu. Hey man thanks for coming all this way. Where's-" Kiyoomi was interrupted as an identical boy entered the room,

"ATSUMU IN THE HOUSE Y'ALL!" He held a bouquet of flowers that looked like they've been through a lot. Petals were falling all over the floor and (F/N) lets out a giggle.

"Ah I spoke too soon. Oi Atsumu! Where's your face mask!" Kiyoomi yelled as he rolled up his magazine and pointed angrily at the golden-haired boy.

"WOULD YOU ALL SHUT UP!" another voice hollered from the curtain beside Sakusa. Sakusa gingerly opens the curtains to reveal another boy with white hair and seagle-like eyes. He was trying to focus on his iPad as he angrily shoved the earphones back into his ears. He was just as pissed off as me and for once, I agreed with the tiny boy.

"What's up with him?" she whispers and I snicker,

"Ah Korai. Broke his ankle. Still bitter about it."

I turn my attention back to the TV and open the curtains wider for her to see. She smiles shyly as she positions herself to the TV as well.

"Hello there." the boy named Atsumu sat at the end of (F/N)'s bed.

"Get lost you creep. I don't think you want to get on Suga's ugly side" I snapped at the flirty boy. (F/N) blinks at me, confused at the fact that I knew Suga was her boyfriend.

"Oh please. Like he would do something about it." he smirked as he directed his gaze to (F/N). He winks flirtatiously at (F/N) as she shyly covers her face with a blanket.

"T'sumu! Leave the girl alone." his brother barked back.

Ah twins.

"Psh. I was only trying to watch the game." he points a finger at the TV. The score was 2-1 with Shiratorizawa in the lead.

"See, Shiratorizawa has it in the bag." Atsumu remarked, earning a slight kick from (F/N).

"We'll see about that." she says confidently, "I'll prove you wrong. My boyfriend is playing"

The Miya brothers, Kiyoomi, Korai and even Sakusa shrouded over the TV set as some of them sat on (F/N)'s bed, while others on plastic chairs. Though Sakusa stood a little further away from the rest of them (social distancing lmao), it was nice to have the company for once. All these teenagers were all into volleyball.

They all remind me of when I was younger.

'Nice spike from Karasuno's number 2! They even fooled us as they performed a synchronized attack! They tricked Shiratorizawa thinking number 2 was going to set, but instead he went for the kill! Well played from Karasuno as they fight for their point back! It's a tied game so far with an even score of 2-2! Who's game will it be folks? The feisty crows vs the mighty eagles!? Stay tuned!' the announcer boasted as they transitioned to a commercial break. The boys were howling at the fantastic play and I caught a glimpse of (F/N). She smiles ear to ear and says,

"Told ya."