Days Before Final Exams

Everyone was in the gym. When it was break time, the boys drank from there bottles, stretched their legs or conversed with others. One of them being the third-years, who Sawamura and Sugawara were looking at Asahi funny.

"Aquarium?" They unison.

"Mm," Asahi nodded, "my neighbor was supposed to go with his girlfriend this weekend, but something came up and they couldn't go. So he gave me the tickets."

"But those are from the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, right?" Sawamura asked.

"That place is pretty popular," Sugawara implied.

"I'm not sure what I should do," Asahi sheepishly rubbed his neck, "that place is pretty far...and I'm busy studying for final exams, so--"

"Are you stupid!?" His friends shouted while leaning towards him.

"E-eh!? Why?" He was taken back. Sawamura slung an arm over his shoulders to make him bend down while Sugawara whispered into his ear. Unaware to them, Hinata overheard them and started to eavesdrop.

"Having tickets like those is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You should use them wisely."

"T-then what should I do?"

"What else," Sawamura grinned. He then pointed at Mizuki, who was talking to Shimizu.

"Take Mizuki with you."

"E-e-e-ehh~?" Asahi blushed.

"Come on," Sugawara encouraged, "this is perfect. Mizuki never gets a break, and it would be good if one of us treated her to something special."

"B-but why m-me?"

"That aquarium is popular, and not many would go because of the transportation, right?"

"Its like you were handed a gift by the gods."

"Hmm~..." Hinata hummed. He looked at his sister. That's when a goofy smile plastered on his face. He quickly went over to the girls.

"Neesan!"

"Oh, Shoyo...hello."

"Say...are you free this weekend?"

"This weekend...? Um....I think so. Why ?"

"You see, Asahi has tickets to the Osaka Aquarium..."

"T-the Osaka Aquarium? That place is huge!"

"You always wanted to go there, right?"

"You should know. I practically begged mom to take us, but it was too far away. Aww~Asahi is so lucky..."

"A-actually....Asahi wanted to...um...a-ask you to come with him."

"Eh?" Both girls were surprised.

"He only has two tickets, and it would be a waste...so he wondered if you would like to come. What do you say? Yes?"

"U-um..." She glanced at him, while he was busy getting flustered by his friends.

"That's a great idea," Shimizu agreed, "why don't you go, Mizuki...it might be fun."

"R-really," Mizuki blushed, "well...uh..." Hinata awaited patiently for her answer. She then shut her eyes and balled her fists.

"G-geez~alright, I'll go! My answer is yes!"

"Yay~," Hinata jumped excitedly.

"Just tell him when and what time we'll leave. I'll tell coach about this."

"Okay!" He ran over to his upperclassmen.

"Asahi-san~!"

"Ah--Hinata."

"What's up?" Sawamura asked.

"I asked nee-san and she said yes!"

"Eh?" the three unison.

"Nee-san agrees. She'll go with you to the aquarium."

"Eeehh~~!?" Asahi started to panic.

"Oh~! Nice job, Hinata!" Sawamura grinned.

"Way to go," Sugawara ruffled his hair.

"Good for you, Asahi-san," Hinata smiled at the flustered third-year, "neesan always wanted to go, so she's really excited."

"R-really?" He turned his head, and saw Mizuki looking at him. She gave a smile while waving. Somehow he didn't feel nervous when looking at her. He waved back while putting a hand behind his neck. Behind him, Sugawara and Sawamura were giving each other a thumbs up.

Late at night....

"Eehhh~?! You're going to Osaka!?" Iwaizumi gaped while clutching his phone. He was sitting on his bed.

[Iwaizumi-san, please calm down.]

"S-sorry....but that's unexpected. I mean, Osaka's pretty far. Will you two be able to catch the early train?"

[Yeah. The schedule seems okay...]

"Heh~...I'm envious. That aquarium is popular..."

[Hehehe...maybe next time we'll make it a 'sister/brother' getaway.]

"Still calling me that, huh?" He awkwardly smiled.

[But I'm so nervous~I never gone to that--yet alone go with someone else.]

"Hm~? Sounds like a date."

[I-its not a date!]

He chuckled, imagining her pouting at him.

"Whatever. Just have a good time."

[Can I still call you, though?]

"If it'll make you feel better, I will too. Just go to sleep."

[Hai, hai~goodnight, Iwa-niichan~]

"N-niichan!?" He flustered by the sudden nickname. Mizuki already hung up after that. He sighed tiredly. Still, he gave a smirk, thinking how childish she can be.

>>>>>>>>>>>Time Skip: Saturday>>>>>>>>>>>

9:35 a.m..

The train was on its way to Osaka. Luckily for Asahi and Mizuki, it wasn't that crowded, only ten people were in the same section of the train as they were. They wore casual clothes since today was supposed to be warm outside. Mizuki was looking at the window behind her.

"It looks like we'll have clear weather today."

"H-hai," Asahi nodded. Mizuki turned back to him and saw how nervous he looked.

"What's wrong, Asahi?"

"Eh? Ah--n-nothing! I'm fine."

"Liar," she sighed, "you've been anxious since we met up this morning. You're not sick, are you?"

"N-no...I just never been this far from home, is all..." He lied. He's more nervous on the fact that he and Mizuki are alone and going together.

'How did this happen so quickly?' He thought while mentally sighing.

"Well, its not as far as America," she smiled, "but I guess I'm anxious, too. I hear the aquarium is one of the biggest in Japan. I can't wait to see it." Just seeing her happy expression, made Asahi chuckle.

"Yeah..me too."

Unaware to them, in the cart section next to theirs, Mizuki's little brother was peeking through the window.

"I wonder what they're talking about."

"Hey, Hinata...sit back down."

"Oh, shut up, Kageyama. In fact..." He then pointed at the others.

"Why are you following us?!" It was just Sawamura, Sugawara, Nishinoya and Tanaka.

"Are you kidding?! Asahi gets to go with Mizuki on a date," Nishinoya shouted.

"No way are we missing this," Tanaka added.

"We don't even know if its a date," Sugawara sweat dropped.

"Geez," Hinata groaned, "alright--you guys can come, but don't make a scene, or we'll be in for it."

"Knowing you, you'll probably get lost or get excited from all the attractions."

"I don't wanna hear that from you!" Hinata angrily shouted at Kageyama. Just then, Sugawara looked from the window.

"Hey guys, we're here!" They all gathered around him and stared in awe. From the other cart, Mizuki and Asahi were doing the same thing.

"We're finally in Osaka."

When they got out, they looked at the buildings and many people passing by.

"Let's see," Mizuki looked at the map, "the Temporzan Harbor Village should be right here."

"Shall we go," Asahi suggested.

"Hai." They started walking out of the station, with the other boys right on their tail.

Tempozan Harbor.....

The aquarium was open to the public, as many families and friends were going in. Mizuki and Asahi marveled at the huge building.

"Its amazing!"

"Its even bigger up-close!" They smiled at each other. From behind, Nishinoya and Tanaka were pretending to look at pamphlets while taking a peek.

"Do you hear anything?"

"Nope."

"You guys," Sawamura sighed.

"Woah~this place is amazing," Hinata beamed.

"There's a ship here, too," Kageyama scanned his eyes to the right.

"Oh, that's right," Hinata turned to see Mizuki and Asahi going inside.

"They're on the move! Let's go buy tickets and follow them."

"Yosh~! Time for 'Operation: Spying on Asahi and Mizuki!' Let's go~!" Nishinoya shouted.

"Yeah~!"

"Hey, you're being too loud!" Only Sugawara and Sawamura sweat dropped at their childish behavior.

>>>>>>>>>>>>Fast Forward>>>>>>>>>>>>

"Wow~" Mizuki smiled as a whale shark swam by, with small fish right beside it.

"I've never seen one up-close."

"Yeah," Asahi nodded as he glanced at another whale shark.

"Where should we go next?" She asked.

"Hmm..." Asahi was looking at a the aquarium map.

"Oh! They have otters from the Aleutian Islands over here."

"Ooh--let's go. Otters are so cute." On the other side, Hinata was watching his sister from afar.

"So far so good," he smiled.

"Woah~! Its huge~!"

"Its bigger than my house!" Tanaka and Nishinoya exclaimed. Kageyama quietly stared in excitement.

"Calm down," Sawamura scolded them.

"Let's take a picture," Sugawara suggested. Hinata awkwardly laughed.

For hours, Mizuki and Asahi looked at every exhibition, animals from the Antarctic to the Great Barrier Reef, to creatures from the deep. Now and again they would take pictures, individuals or both of them together. Needless to say that some people were staring at a certain group that kept making noise and following them around.

They were now at the Maldives section, where the touch pool was. Little kids were excitedly looking and touching small sharks and rays. Although, Asahi was a bit nervous.

"Come on, Asahi," Mizuki giggled. "they won't bite."

"B-but..."

"Here, there's a ray coming. Just reach out and touch the top." She put her hand in the water. Hesitating a few seconds, Asahi did the same. The ray gracefully swam, as it passed by them. They felt its smooth body on their fingertips.

"See? That wasn't bad."

"I-I guess you're right." He felt embarrassed. They then reached for another, but Asahi's hand went over Mizuki's. They retracted from their touch.

"S-sorry."

"N-no, its okay." They looked down with a light blush on their cheeks.

Hiding behind a few people, the Karasuno boys were doing the same thing.

"Did you see that, Ryu?" Nishinoya carefully watched.

"Yeah," Tanaka nodded, "Asahi is lucky..."

"Ahaha--its skin is ticklish," Hinata laughed.

"These little sharks are cute," Sugawara smiled as he and Sawamura touched some.

"Do you want to get something to eat?" They heard Asahi's voice.

"Okay."

"Guys, let's go."

"Aww~can't we stay a bit longer?" Hinata whined.

"Later. Besides, I'm getting hungry."

"Yosh! Let's get some Osaka food!" Tanaka grinned.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>Fast Forward>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"Thanks for waiting." The man gave them two trays of takoyaki.Mizuki was about to reach inside her purse, when Asahi put a hand out.

"I'll pay for it."

"Are you sure?"

"Don't worry," he smiled, "its my treat, so feel free to get whatever you want."

"Hey, don't spoil me--I'll feel guilty," she giggled.

"Are you two out on a date?" The man chuckled, making the two fluster a bit.

"N-no..." Mizuki shook her head.

"Its not like that." Asahi waved his hands in front. The man gave an amusing look, still not convinced. Unaware to them, Hinata and his friends were eating at a table.

"Such a gentleman," Sugawara thought.

"You're becoming a real man, Asahi," NIshinoya had a glint in his eye, impressed by his friend.

"You gonna eat that?"

"Ah--Hinata, you dumbass! That's mine!"

"Shh!" Sawamura put a finger to his lips.

"What's your favorite part?" Mizuki asked.

"Uh~I think the seals in those domes was nice."

"That was impressive."

"Ah--crap! They're coming this way!" Tanaka and Nishinoya had their heads down while eating. Sawamura had a hand under his chin while looking the other way. Sugawara, Hinata, and Kageyama were leaning towards each other as if they were talking. As the pair walked by, the boys looked up.

"Do you think they saw us?" Hinata thought.

"I don't think so."

"....W-well, let's finish up here."

They were now following them to the Tempozan Marketplace. Mizuki tried not to laugh when Asahi got a brain freeze from eating ice cream. When they went into a souvenir shop, they played with the masks and tried on sunny sunglasses. Few minutes later, they were resting on a bench near a gift shop. Then, Mizuki got up.

"I'm going to the restroom."

"Okay."

"Be right back." She walked away. From the side, the third-years were keeping an eye on Asahi while the underclassmen were following Mizuki.

"So, what do you think, Suga?" Sawamura asked.

"...What..?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Asahi," he stated, "do you think, he...you know..."

"Ah~...well, you can't really tell right now. It seems a bit too early to know."

"Hmm...I guess you're right...but those two really get along quite well." Sawamura smiled while crossing his arms. Sugawara nodded.

"Oh, he's going inside the shop." They watched him enter.

"What's he doing?"

Meanwhile, Mizuki was drying her hands in the restroom. Suddenly, her phone rang and saw that it was Iwaizumi's number.

"Hey Iwa-niichan."

[Really...?]

"You have that 'overprotective brother' kind of vibe, so get used to it."

[Sigh....anyway, how's your day at the aquarium?]

"Good. I took a lot of pictures, so expect a lot of mail." She opened the door and walked out.

[Ahaha...I'm glad you're having fun. Is Asahi with you?]

"I just got out of the restroom. He's waiting for me."

[I see.] From behind, the underclassmen were watching Mizuki.

"Who's she talking to?" Nishinoya whispered.

"Don't know," Hinata shook his head.

"Um...so, about..."

[What's wrong?]

"....How's your friend? You know...your captain..?"

[Oh, him. He's fine...but that doesn't mean you should apologize.]

"But I have to eventually."

[Well...I guess.]

"You're definitely like an older brother," she joked.

[Yeah, yeah. Say, can I ask you something?]

"Sure."

[...What do you know about Asahi?]

"Eh?"

[You know...what's he like? I've only seen his face during the Inter-High competition, so I'm a little curious of what you think about him.]

Mizuki pondered on that.

"Well...for starters," she walked ahead, "a lot of people misjudge Asahi by his looks...the team often calls him the 'glass heart', wimp, scaredy-cat, or goofball..."

"Hey, she's talking about Asahi-san," Kageyama announced. They listened carefully.

[That's a lot of names...] She could hear him awkwardly laugh.

"But in reality, Asahi is kind-hearted and gentle. Sometimes I wonder how he could be so nice..." She looked down with a soft smile.

"When I'm around him, I feel safe. He listens to what I say...and when I get scared, he turns into this other person...more confident, always comforting me when I get sad, other times...he makes me laugh. And..I like the way he smiles...because I know that he's being honest with his feelings and through his words. I'm really glad I met someone like him."

The underclassmen were touched by her words. Nishinoya and Tanaka were practically tearing up. For Hinata, he smiled wide, impressed by his sister's honesty.

[He sounds like a great guy. I'll have to properly introduce myself the next time we meet.]

"I hope so. And I hope we see each other at the Spring Tournament."

[Me too.]

"But we won't lose so easily," she smirked.

[We won't either. I'll see you then.]

"You too. Bye." She hung up. However, she stopped in her tracks, making the boys fault abruptly.

"So," she spoke aloud.

"Ah..." The boys unison.

"You came all the way to Osaka..." She quickly turned herself to stare right back at the boys. They gaped as their faces paled.

"...just to spy on us...is that it~?" Her eyes narrowed. Hinata quickly waved his hands while shaking his head.

"N-n-neesan! I-I can explain--"

"Y-yeah," Nishinoya sheepishly smiled, "we didn't spy on you--we just--"

"We came here to have some fun," Tanaka pitched in while Kageyama nodded furiously.

"Unbelievable," Mizuki face palmed herself, "and I'm sure Daichi and Koichi are here, too. Geez...look, just meet up with them, and we'll discuss this later. Got it?" They nodded, afraid to protest while she walked away.

'Good thing Asahi didn't see this.' But when she got back, she noticed Asahi wasn't at the bench.

"Mizuki!" He heard his voice. She turned and saw him walking out of the store, with his hands behind his back.

"Hey, Asahi. What were doing just now?" He scratched his cheek nervously, still hiding his other hand.

"W-well...while I was waiting, I saw something in the shop. So..."