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"Okay, we're going!" Takeda announced. It was the middle of the night and Karasuno's boys volleyball team was headed to Tokyo for the long awaited away games.

"Woah, leaving at night is so cool!" Hinata exclaimed, gleaming with excitement. You giggled at the sight and let out a yawn.

"Tired?" Noya stood beside you and let your head lie on his shoulder while the rest of the team loaded their bags onto the bus.

"Yeah, this is so exciting, but I'm tired at the same time..." you replied. Noya smiles at you and holds you.

"Guys hurry up and get on the bus!" Ukai instructed sternly. You scurried to the back seat to sit between Shimizu and Yachi, and the bus takes off. Everyone drifted off into a deep sleep pretty quickly, except the 3 of you. The tiredness seemed to fade away as you stared out the window at the bright stars and full moon.

"Haru-chan?" Shimizu starts the conversation, getting both you and Yachi's attention.

"Have you decided if you would join the girls' volleyball team? I admit they aren't the strongest or the best team out there, but I think you'll be able to bring the standard up." the third year said as she propped her head up with her hand, leaning her head against the window.

"I'm still not very sure, I don't think I'll be accepting their invitation though..." you sighed and leaned your head back on the head rest.

"Besides, I already have a club, don't I?" you grinned, showing your pearly whites. Shimizu looks at you and returns a smile, happy with your loyalty to the team. Yachi, however, huffs loudly. The 2 of you turn to look at her, wondering what was wrong.

"Ne, Haru-chan." her tone is dark and serious. The cheery high-pitched Yachi was no where to be seen. Something in her snapped after hearing your answer.

"You're given all these good opportunities without doing anything or asking for them, yet you reject them and take everything for granted! Ever since you joined, you've just gotten along so well with everyone like it was nothing, when I took so long to get comfortable around the team. Now you've swooped in and have everyone fawning over you, while I'm just here for no reason. Like I lost my purpose on the team. It feels like you're trying to replace me or something. Why do you have to be so selfish?"

Both you and Shimizu were taken aback by Yachi's confession. All her bottled up anger and frustrations were finally let out. You felt tears well up in your eyes, not expecting to have hurt your first friend in Karasuno without even knowing you did. You took a deep breath in and exhaled out slowly, feeling like you had no right to cry.

"This must have been how they felt... This was the reason they hated me..." you whimpered. You looked down on your lap and tugged at the ends of your shirt, hands clenched in a fist as you willed your tears not to fall. Yachi was stunned that she had blurted everything out and was beginning to regret her choice of words.

"Haru-chan, I'm so sorr-"

"No, its okay Yachi-san. I'll tell you why I'm not interested in the girls' volleyball team. When I went to America for the scholarship..."

American Youth Volleyball School.

I've made it big. This scholarship may have been by luck but I'm for sure not gonna let it go to waste. I hope my teammates are nice, I can't wait!

"Is that the new girl?"

"Woah, she's a beauty!"

"She's pretty short though..."

I heard every single comment from the boys. In this school, the boys and girls would pay volleyball together to strengthen each other's skills. The teams would be a mix of 3 boys and 3 girls, and they would play practice matches against each other. I felt that it was an interesting way to train the players. At first, the compliments were nice to hear, people admiring me and wanting to be me felt nice, but that slowly lowered my confidence instead.

"Hi, you must be Misaki Haru?" the coach, a tall, buff, big sized man came up to you, speaking in Japanese, with a clipboard in hand. His height was pretty average, but he looked tall to you. He flipped through a couple of papers and nodded.

"Ah, the libero from Japan's Chidoriyama Junior High, yes. You were an excellent player and I personally hand-picked you. You'll training with the national team as a libero." He sticks his huge hands out for a handshake and you follow.

"Yes, sir. Please, just call me Haru." you introduced shyly.

"Okay Haru. I'm Nishida Yuji, your coach starting today. Yes I am Japanese, so feel free to speak to me in whatever language you prefer. You can address me by Nishida, if you prefer." he said, writing something down on his paper. He then ushers you to your dorm and tells you to warm-up quickly as there would be a friendly match with the students in the school to get to know each other. It would also be a rotation game where at each rotation, depending on your position, you will play that specific position.

My first game here, I can't mess this up.

You made your way down to the court in your white shirt and black shorts, knee guards and an elbow guard on. The gym was huge. Players of ages ranging from 13 to 18 were on the courts playing with each other. You felt adrenaline rush through your body, you too wanted to get on the court. You stroked the back of your shirt, feeling the words "A Match For A Thousand" printed on it, and walked onto the battlefield.

Since it was your first time, the first few matches you played were mixed, with 3 boys and 2 other girls on your team. The people you played against were lineups for the national team, but your team consisted of already selected players. The 2 girls in particular were your official teammates and you got along very well with them.

The games were exhilarating. Everyone's spikes were so strong and the rallies were nerve-wrecking. You had rotated as a setter, spiker and middle blocker. You never realised how fun it was to fly into the air and spike the ball into the opponents' court. Mid-air, you could see the other side of the net so clearly, the holes in the blocks and where to aim the ball too. The other side was a view you could not see as a libero.

When you rotated to the setter's position, you loved the way the ball fit perfectly in your hands, your fingers as lively as they were, tossing the ball from one place to another. The one thing you didn't really enjoy was being a middle blocker. You were tiny as compared to the other players. Although you had a pretty high vertical, you weren't sure how to us that to your advantage so the ball went over your blocks most of the time.

Throughout the games, your teammates and the boys from opponent teams would keep cheering you on and supporting you, though the death glares from other girls did not go unnoticed.

Finally, at the last set of the day, you were given the opportunity to play your favourite position, libero. There was no better feeling than receiving an intense spike or scooping up a feint, right when the opponents think they have the point, nope! The libero saves the day. Your impressive receiving skills and versatility had impressed the coach and the older players, but caused bad blood with some others.

The years continued on with you trying your best everyday, the trainings starting early in the morning, school in the afternoon, and then training again, ending late at night. You were a switch player, but your dominant position was a libero. Eventually after a few official matches like Inter-Highs and other tournaments, you earned the title of 'Guardian Angel', given to you by your friends and coach, who agreed that the name was very fitting.

However, you were also constantly being brought down by the jealousy of other girls, they ate into your insecurities, especially the growth of your chest and height. As much as you tried to brush it off, it did hurt you to a certain extent. The girls who make comments not only off-court, but during actual games and matches which affected your focus and ability to think. Some of them, older girls, would mock your looks and pressure you to use make-up to cover up 'that mess on your face'. Some boys were no different. They would mock you for your flat chest and short figure.

The friends you had tried to help you accept the way you were, but you found it very hard to. The bullying on got worse and worse and the years went by, you couldn't tolerate the teasing anymore. So after 3 years of hard work and effort put into the national team, you decided it would be best to return to Japan and improve yourself, and then come back and destroy everyone with pure skill.

"It has been a pleasure being your coach, Haru. I'm sorry your experience here was the best for you. Just know that you're welcome back anytime you wanna join the team. Also, I'll be contacting the All-Japan Representative Team so you can continue to develop and train with them." he winks and gives you a hug before you left for the airport. You thank him for his teachings over the years and with that, you came back to Japan, hoping for a fresh start at your new highschool.

"Ah, that was so stupid of me. I wasted a good opportunity and left... all because I couldn't handle a little bit of gossip..." you sighed.

Shimizu and Yachi sat in shock and sadness, they didn't think that you had to go through all that just to play volleyball. The moonlight illuminated the tears flowing down your face as you spoke.

"I admit, I'm just scared of history repeating itself in Karasuno, in fact I'm pretty sure some of the girls there already don't like me..." you continued.

"At least for now, I have grown to love my body, especially being flat-chested since it made it easier and not the least bit painful when I have to dive down on the floor and slide to get the ball up. It worked in my favour, somehow." you chuckled softly, trying to muffle your sobbing. You turn to Yachi and bow slightly.

"I'm so sorry I made you feel that way. I have absolutely no motives, I just want to be a good manager and I'm content with that."

"Haru." Shimizu takes your fists into her soft hands.

"Thank you for being so dedicated to the team, I guess I have nothing to worry about after I graduate." she said, her eyes shinier than usual.

Yachi, on the other hand, pouted and crossed her arms in front of her chest. You knew she just needed time, so you leaned on her and joked around to ease situation. Yachi relaxed a little, but still had Hinata at the back of her mind.

"Yachi-san, I really look forward to being the manager with you!" you pulled the 2 girls into a big hug and giggled.

"What did you do after coming back to Japan though?" Shimizu asked curiously.

"I went to train with the All-Japan Representative Team. I was in the under 19 category. It was such a good experience! I had to stop going because of school, but I'm an official member!" you said proudly. You continued telling the 2 girls stories about America as you gradually fell asleep on one another.

The 3 of you didn't notice, but the sun had started to rise, turning the dark blue sky a golden hue.

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"Shinzen? I thought we were going to Nekoma." Yamaguchi asked Asahi.

"Apparently, the away games are usually held at Shinzen since their school and gym are bigger." he concluded, after getting more information from Ukai. The team proceeded on to put their things down in the sleeping room and got warmed up to start practice, whilst you and the other managers got to know each other. It was easy to get along with them despite them all being third years. After quick introductions, everyone made their way to the gym.

"Once we're all warmed up, we'll play matches and rotate. For every set you lose, you have to do a lap of diving drills, those were Kuroo-san's instructions. We'll be playing against Nekoma first." Daichi informed Ukai and Takeda.

"Okay. We all came here to get stronger, so let's make the most of it. Get on the court and give it your all!" Ukai briefed the team.

"YEAH!" everyone echoed and the 6 regulars positioned themselves on the court.

And that, was the start of the Tokyo away games, and Karasuno's evolution.

.

.

Throughout the week, the boys gave their all in every set, match and penalty they had. You, as a manager, mostly stayed with the other managers to help prepare drinks, snacks and towels for everyone. You would more often sit with Ukai and Takeda to watch the games and help to note down weaknesses and strengths, as well as new strategies the team could use.

Shinzen, masters of combinations and synchronized attacks.

Ubugawa, known for their intense serves that throw the opponents off easily.

Nekoma, the team with the best defences in the prefecture.

Fukurodani, a strong team led by an incredible ace who was one of the top 5 spikers in Japan, and kept together by a very beautiful setter. (i love akaashi i had to.)

New strategies, plays, defences and attacks. The away games was the best time to learn from better schools and make use of them ourselves!

Between the games, you would have small discussions with Ukai and the team and you would always sneak a peak at Noya. You would mostly catch him looking back at you and smirking mischievously, it was hella hot.

In game though, Noya would mostly be focused on the ball, but whenever he did a cool save or his signature "Rolling thunder!" move, he would glance at you for a little approval. Of course, you without fail, had your eyes set on him, and would give him a small applause.

You would cheer for the first years too. Hinata would always get hyped up at every little thing you said since he was simple minded which you adored, Kageyama would blush furiously at your encouragements and then have his focus back fully on the game which was scary. Tsukki would just nod and acknowledge it. Whenever Yamaguchi was there to pinch serve, you would shout with Suga and the other members 'mou ipon!!!' you were like their little cheerleader, and it would give Yamaguchi that slight boost of confidence each time.

.

.

"WHAM!"

"Nice kill, Taketora." The ace smirked, his amazing spike putting Nekoma at 29 with Karasuno at 27, ending the second set and the last match for the day.

"They brought it to a deuce again, and still lost..." you exhaled. Both sets were an extremely close game, but Nekoma was just that much stronger. Karasuno had also been making use of the other team's tactics in their games, but were failing miserably at them. The 6 on the court walked off, exhausted and annoyed.

"You all have played at least 60 sets in total and have only won 3, none were against Nekoma or Fukurodani. You guys are definitely the weakest team here!" Takeda said smiling.

"Hahh, we can't even argue with that..." the whole team thought at the same time.

"But that just means you all have the biggest room to improve." the adviser added.

"Well, the attacks you have been learning are coming together, so keep practicing them. It'll take time but its slowly working. Okay, now for individual practice." Ukai said and dismissed the team.

"Suga, Tanaka, Asahi, Narita, let's practice our synchro-attack. We need to perfect it. Shimizu, please toss to us!" Daichi called out to the 5 as he held up a tablet with a video on a Brazil National Team which used the attack.

Yamaguchi and Kinoshita headed to practice their jump-float serves and Noya followed to practice his overhand receives. Kageyama went with Noya to help him with the receives.

Tanaka and Asahi also practiced jump serves since they only had Kageyama who could execute the serve successfully.

"Tsukki, what are you gonna practice?" you walked up to the tall blondie who was wiping his sweat with a towel.

"Blocking." he answered.

"Blocking? There's no more space here though."

"I'm practicing with Bokuto-san and Akaashi-san. Kuroo-san may also be there." he brushed off your question and swung his towel over his shoulder.

"TSUKISHIMAAAAAAAA!!!"

Hinata came running up to him as pounced on the poor middle-blocker who was caught off-guard.

"I'm going with you." he insisted. Tsukki scoffed and shook Hinata off him. You laughed at Hinata's small frame on top on a giant, lengthy body.

"I'm following too!" you added happily.

"Whatever." he said as he walked off to the gym. Hinata's eyes sparkled with excitement and he pulled you along to the other gym.

.

.

"Oya?"

"Oya oya?"

"Oya oya oya?"

Akaashi, then Bokuto, then Kuroo, turned to look at the 3 of you standing in the doorway.

"Sorry for interrupting, but-"

"LET ME PRACTICE WITH YOU!" Hinata and Lev said at the same time.

"Lev?" his sudden appearance shocked the orange-haired boy.

"Lev, aren't you supposed to be practicing receives with Yaku?" Kuroo asked.

"Yaku said I was good today, so he let me come practice." Lev lied sheepishly.

"Where did Lev go?" Yaku asked the first years while taking a big gulp of water.

"Huh? Didn't you let him off? He ran to the other gym saying that he was good to go." Inuoka snitched accidentally.

"HUH?"

"Isn't this just a bit unbalanced?"

(Hinata, Bokuto, Akaashi VS Kuroo, Lev, Tsukki)

"You'll be fine. Let's start!" Kuroo laughed.

"WOOOOOOOOO" the owl and the sunshine boy ran off to the court, leaving poor Akaashi demoralised.

"Haru-chan, what are you going to do?" Lev walked up to you.

"A-ah don't mind me! I just wanna observe how Kuroo-san blocks. I heard he's probably the most skilled middle-blocker here." you answered shyly.

"Watch me eh? Well, guess I got a fan now heheh" Kuroo joined in bent down to your eye level.

"Make sure you watch me. Carefully." He smirked and went off with Lev following behind him. You held your heated cheeks and shook your head.

That, was hot.

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.

"Sorry, cover!"

"Bokuto-san!"

Receive was off, Akaashi-kun couldn't toss the ball. You stood beside the chalkboard and watched the game in full focus.

"BAAM!" the ball bounced off the Kuroo and Tsukki's high block, right back to the owl-haired spiker who received it well.

A rebound? You and Hinata gasped.

"Okay, give me a nice one Akaashi!" he instructed.

"Ughhh..." the pretty setter sighed as he tossed perfectly to Bokuto.

"WHAAAM" the ball flies from the right side of the court to the left. A cut shot from the ace.

"Damn it, that really was an incredible spike." Kuroo scoffed.