I would be a liar if I said my smile didn't falter. First of all, I wanted to spend some alone time with Y/N and make it up to her after the last time we had spent alone. And second of all, I was doubtful of Kageyama's and Hinata's ability to actually help us clean.

Y/N on the other hand seemed excited about more people helping her clean out her basement.

I had to chuckle about her hate of cleaning. She was diligent in all her other tasks but cleaning just wasn't her thing.

"Oh, it's the coach! Hi coach!" Hinata waved.

"Hi boys." I reciprocated the action with a strained smile and then I noticed how Kageyama was looking between me and Y/N. The gears in his head were turning and I knew he was putting two and two together.

Even though their duo was like a dumb and dumber, Kageyama seemed to be the smarter one.

Before he could come up with any kind of conclusion, I had to break his concentration.

The boys didn't even get to look around and Ukai was already assigning tasks to them.

I wanted to sit down for a bit before we started working again but I guess Ukai wanted to be done with it as quickly as possible. I didn't blame him though, I wanted to finish up quickly as well.

Ukai seemed to be not as cheerful as he was before the boys got here but maybe it was just my perception and I was just imagining it.

"Guys let's sit down for a bit before the ice melts in those drinks." I announced and went to get the tray that I left on a table.

The guys nodded and let go of the things they were holding.

We decided to go sit down in the garden rather than to sit in the dusty basement.

"Oh, you play volleyball too Ms.L/N?" Hinata excitedly announced when he noticed the ball Ukai left by the shoe rack before.

"Ah...oh no, not-" I tried to explain before Ukai cut me off.

"She does. Right Y/N." He gave me a big smile.

He knew how hesitant I was to even ask him about volleyball and now he's announcing it like it's whatever?!

So when his eyes met mine, I hoped he saw the internal rage I was holding.

Hinata and Kageyama looked at me now, to confirm Ukai's statement. Hinata looked excited while Kageyama gave me a skeptical look.

"To be clear, I just started practicing, so I don't think it can be classified as 'playing' volleyball yet." I chuckled nervously, internally cursing myself that I didn't clean up the ball somewhere.

They only nodded but I could see them hungrily looking at the ball.

"Do you boys want to practice together, while me and Ukai finish up the cleaning?" I offered since I felt bad that I pulled them into helping us clean.

Even though they were the ones to offer to help me, I guess they didn't imagine how much work it could be and I didn't want to torture them more.

Hinata and Kageyama looked between each other, then in unison nodded so I handed them the ball.

"The garden is small so be careful not to hurt yourselves."

They nodded once again and headed to the garden.

"I just hope they don't trip over anything in the garden." I said worriedly as we got back to the basement.

"Y/N..." Ukai gave me a fond smile and I patiently waited for what is he going to say.

"...that would happen only to you." His smile turned into a cheeky grin.

I knitted my eyebrows.

"Hey!" I slapped his arm.

"Well, let's just finish this up." Ukai stretched his arms and reached for the gloves.

It was another day and I was making my regular stop at Ukai's store before I went to work.

"I hope you like chocolate chip cookies. I wanted to say thank you for helping the other day." I said as I opened the box filled with the cookies I baked the night before.

As I was observing my creation with a proud smile, I suddenly realized something which made my eyes widen with horror.

Ukai's hand was already reaching into the box when I quickly pulled it towards myself.

"You are not allergic, are you." I said embarrassed.

"No, no I'm not." He chuckled and picked up the cookie.

"These are really good." He said with a full mouth which brought a content expression to my face.

"And you baked these? Without any injuries?"

He just had to add that last part.

"Yes." I said proudly.

He nodded and reached for another cookie.

He suddenly chuckled in disbelief which confused me.

"What?" I asked curiously.

I noticed his hand nearing mine that held onto the box.

I realized what he was doing and I quickly pulled my hands away.

But I wasn't quick enough and he caught it.

He inspected my hand, slowly turning it, and then suddenly stopped when he noticed something.

"Really? No injuries?" He looked at me with a tired expression.

There was a little burn mark on my hand that I acquired while pulling out the hot tray from the oven.

"It's part of the cooking process. I wouldn't classify that as an injury." I justified myself.

"If it hurts, it's an injury." Ukai looked proud with his explanation.

And he was right. I know he was right.

But I just didn't want to admit how much of a mess I was.