Chirp-Chirp...Chirp-Chirp

"......Mm..."

Rustle

I roll over to my side and open my eyes, facing the window. Getting up, I see the clock reading 6 am.

"...Yawn~ 🥱...time to make breakfast."

I take a quick trip to the bathroom before I go over to the room down the hallway.

Knock-Knock-Knock!

"Hey~ come on, Skye. Get up, already."

All I hear is mumbling, which makes me groan.

C-Click!

FWIP/AHH!

THUMP!

I instantly pull the covers as she falls off the bed.

"O-Ow..."

"Geez...you can't be oversleeping every day. Now, go wash up."

"Mm~ kaaay~..."

I sigh as I go downstairs.

Since I'm staying in Tokyo for a week, Akira said I could crash at her new place (which her parents bought as a present from who-knows-when). Still, it's a lovely two-story house with an urban style to it. There's even a balcony. And when Skye told her parents I'll be here, they called me and asked to make sure their daughter wasn't fooling around. Sounds like they've had their hands full with her.

🍳Sizzle-Sizzle~

Anyway, it's been three days now, but I feel like a maid more than a roommate.

Tap-Tap-Tap

"Morning~...whatcha making this time?"

"Egg whites with toast and some tea."

"Eh~ you're not making pancakes this time?"

"There's nothing wrong with simple meals. Besides, you know how you get when you overeat."

"Ugh..."

"So how's your individual training going?"

"Brutal," she groans, "I've got Fuji-san and Kanato-san as my "demon" trainers."

"Oh dang, that is brutal," I laugh.

If you don't remember, Fuji Kendra and Kanato Rei are the soon-to-be our captain and vice-captain.

"Fuji-san scolds me all the time, but...the one I'm more scared of is Kanato-san. I mean, she's got that look that makes even your soul shiver."

I then look at the clock.

"It's almost seven."

"Aw, man, I gotta go! If I'm late again, they might as well have me jogging with cement shoes."

I awkwardly laugh as she takes her food on-the-go.

>>>>>>>FAST FORWARD>>>>>>>

Feeling refreshed, I decide to talk a walk around a nearby park.

"Heh~ it's rather peaceful today. Maybe cause it's still a school day...huh?"

That's when I spy the food truck up ahead near the lake.

"Ooh~ they're selling yakisoba dishes. Don't mind if I do~."

I march over with anticipation.

"Excuse me, miss?"

I heard a man's voice and turn left, thinking he was calling me. Instead, he was looking at a tall woman. She has long, light-blonde hair, big green eyes with thick eyelashes.

'Wow, she's so beautiful. Like a fairytale character.'

"You mind if I take your picture?"

"Who, me?"

"Of course~."

"Urk!"

My face goes pale in disgust when seeing the way that guy smiles like some pervert.

"When I first laid eyes on you, I just had to capture your beauty. Uh, do you mind if we take one together as well?"

"That would be nice, but I'm afraid I have somewhere to be."

"Oh, please, just one photo."

The worst part is that I can't tell if the girl's just playing it cool or way too oblivious to the guy's persistence.

"For crying out loud..."

I storm over there and wave my hand.

"Hey, girl~! Sorry I took so long!"

"Eh/Huh?"

"Well, hello, sir."

"Is there something you need~?"

My cold, devilish grin was for his eyes only as he cowers under my iron grip.

FWIP!

"Ah, hey! That's mine!"

I scroll through his camera, then my tongue when seeing more photos of the same girl and others in different positions. Ones that aren't suited for anyone's eyes.

"Oh my~..."

My demon aura rises as I smile "innocently".

"You have quite a collage, here. I'm sure my friend Detective Miyama would love to see these."

"Eek!"

"(Grumbles)Even a leacher like yourself should know him."

SKID!

FWIP/ARGH!

I do a leg-sweep to stop him from running.

I stomp my foot on his back and call Tokyo's police department.

"...Ah, hello, sir. I'd like to report a stalker."

[Moments Later...]

"Here you go, gentlemen."

"Thank you, miss Hinata."

I give the camera/evidence to one of the policemen.

"Miyama-san has told us so much about you."

"I hope good things. Anyway, thank you for coming."

"Just doing our jobs."

I salute to them as they take the pervert away.

"Thank you very much. I didn't realize he was stalking me."

The tall girl smiles with her hands folded.

"It's no problem."

'She's got that bubbly personality about her.'

"That policeman called you Hinata, right?"

"Eh? Ah, hai..."

"Could you be the friend's sister that Lyovochka talked about?"

"Ly...who?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I should introduce myself."

She pulls out a card, handing it to me.

"My name is Haiba Alisa. I'm 19 and the older sister to my dear brother, Lev."

"N-No way! Lev has a sister and..."

I glance at the card.

"(Gasps)And you're a model, too?!"

"Hai~! It's a pleasure to meet you."

"U-Uh, it's a pleasure to meet you as well, Haiba-san. I'm Hinata Mizuki, 18 years old and older sister to Hinata Shoyo."

"Please, call me Arisa. After saving me, we're practically friends now."

"H-Hai..."

"Is something wrong?"

"Oh, no, sorry," I shake my head, "it's just that lately I'm bumping into more familiar people than I realize."

"I see," she smiles, "but what a wonderful coincidence."

"Ahaha...anyway, what are you doing here by yourself?"

"I'm on a break. Also I heard the yakisoba in that truck is delicious."

"Um, is it okay for a model to eat those? I mean, keeping a straight diet must be hard on you."

"Oh no. I eat normal foods like anyone else does, so it's fine."

"If you say so."

We buy yakisoba pan and sit on the bench.

"It's so yummy!"

"The flavors are enhanced but not too strong."

I check my phone and see thirty minutes have passed.

"Hm...wonder what I should do. Should I go back to Skye's place?"

"Oh, that's right."

Alisa points to me, making me blink in surprise.

"Would you like to come back with me?"

"...What?"

>>>>>>>FAST FORWARD>>>>>>>

"Haiba-chan~!"

"I'm back, Watanabe-san!"

Alisa waves to a thin gentleman with brown hair and eyes, who seems rather eccentric, and wears thin-rectangular glasses.

"You had me worried when you didn't come back early."

"I'm so sorry...but thankfully my new friend saved me."

"Oh my..."

He adjusts his glasses while leaning towards me.

"What a cutie you are!"

"Um...hello."

"This is Watanabe Hiroki. He's my manager."

"Oh~...ah, right. I'm Hinata Mizuki. It's very nice to meet you, sir."

"No way~! Are you that famous female volleyball athlete from America?"

"Um...I guess..."

"Marvelous," he beams, "you know Haiba-chan always talks about her brother and everything volleyball related."

"Watanabe-san~!" A man from down the hallway hollers.

"We're ready for the next shoot!"

"Coming~!"

"Ooh~ I know!"

Alisa grabs my shoulders.

"Can Mizuki be in the photoshoot as well? Having a popular athlete like herself should boost the sales for the company's line."

"A-Alisa, what are you saying?"

"Great idea," Watanabe squeals, "we can also promote their athletic ware for this year's autumn season collection."

"W-Wait a second!"

"Let's go, girls! No time to waste~!"

"Eeehh?!"

[Ten Minutes Later...]

"Look over here, Haiba-san!"

"Very nice. Now, can you tilt your head up more, please?"

"W-Watanabe-san...I'm not a model, you know."

Alisa's manager and I are standing on the sidelines. I'm now wearing a loose long-sleeve shirt with jeans and heels. They also had me wear makeup.

"Don't worry, my dear. After you called your coach for me, he gladly gave permission. No doubt he wanted to spread the word about your glamorous reputation."

'That damn geezer's gonna get it.'

"Besides..."

He turns me to a tall mirror, showing my whole appearance.

"Every girl should experience the joys of showing their beauty both inside and out."

"...W-Well...I do love the clothes."

"You see?"

"Excuse me~ but it's time for the next shoot."

"You're up, Hinata-chan. Go out there and have fun."

Even if he says that, I'm still nervous.

"Mizuki~."

"W-Woah."

Alisa links her arm around mine and smiles.

"Let's give it our very best."

"...(Chuckles)...Right."

"Kay girls, give us some big smiles."

KA-SHACK!

CLICK!

"Over here/Stand right there, please."

SHACK!

"Alright, time for the sports section."

C-CLICK!

"Wow, you look like an athlete with your hair up like that."

"I think it's pretty cool, too."

KA-SHACK!

"Hold this ball, Haiba-san."

"Hai."

KA-SHACK!

"Can you lift the ball more to your face, Hinata-san?"

"Like this?"

"Perfect! Now, look down a bit...good, just hold it right there."

KA-SHACK/CLICK/SHUTTER!

"Alright, that's a wrap!"

Clap-Clap-Clap-Clap

"Good job, everyone! Let's get these developed, asap."

"Well done, ladies!"

"That was kind of hard," I sigh, tiredly.

"But you were great. You have our thanks for your cooperation."

"Say, Watanabe-san, what time is it?"

He looks at his watch.

"It's half past 3:30."

"I was here for that long," I gasp, "I have to get to Nekoma High by 4 pm to practice."

"Why don't I take you there, myself," Alisa suggests, "I've been wanting to visit Lyovochka."

"Thank you so much, Alisa."

After saying goodbye, Alisa drives us in her car to the school. When we get there, the place was pretty much empty, except for the club activities.

Slide~

"Hello~."

"Ah, Hinata-senpai. Good evening."

"Good evening, Inuoka."

"Hey, senpai~!"

I see Lev helping Yamamoto with the poles.

"Hi, Lyovochka~!"

"Nee-san!"

"Ah, it's Lev's sister."

I giggle at how the boys were in awe by her looks. This must happen a lot.

"Hey, hey, hey~!"

FWIP/WUAAH!

Suddenly, I get lifted off the ground.

"How are ya, Momo?"

"Ahaha...hey, Koutarou. I'm doing just fine. Now, put me down."

"Kay~."

He does so, just as I see Kuroo and Akaashi.

"Hey, Lil' Mandarin. I was wondering if you were gonna show up. You normally arrive early."

"Yeah, um..."

"Mizuki was helping me w—"

I manage to reach up and cover Alisa's mouth from spilling the beans.

"Hm?...What's up with you?"

"(Nervous laugh)Oh~ it's nothing. We sort of met on the way here and had lunch, that's all."

I turn Alisa around and whisper.

"Sorry, but I'd rather not speak about the photoshoot thing. It might distract them from their practice and I don't wanna bother with all their questions."

"You're rather shy aren't you?"

I awkwardly smile as she giggles. Turning around, I try to act calm.

"Since both teams are present, I'll be working with Bokuto and Kenma for today."

"Yosha! I'm fired up!"

"Akaashi, can you help set to Koutarou on this one?"

"Sure."

"I'll be counting on you, Kenma."

"Hai."

[Moments Later...]

"One more!"

TOSS!

SQUEAK/FWOOM!

"Hup!"

B-BAM!

I block the shot as it ricochets right of Akaashi.

"Yay~ another win for us," I sing.

"Argh~ dammit! I almost had you!"

"Okay, it's my turn to serve."

I jog over to the back of the court.

"Get ready Kenma."

"Uh, hai."

TOSS~

I do a running start, forwards.

"We'll stop you this time!"

FWOOM!

"Wh--?!"

TOSS!

WHACK!

"Ahh!"

From the looks on their faces, I wave my finger and 'tsk' playfully.

"You didn't expect me to not use my left-hand serve, did ya?"

"Aw, crap," Koutarou curses, "I forgot you spike both ways. But this time for sure!"

"You only blocked her once this whole time."

"Shut up, Kuroo! I'd like to see you try it!"

I awkwardly chuckle as the captains bicker in their own way.

"That was amazing, Miki-chan!"

"M-Miki-chan?"

I turn to Alisa as she runs up to me with stars in her eyes.

"You're just as cool as my brother is when playing volleyball, Miki-chan."

"So you're going with that nickname, huh..."

"Momo! Let's go another round!"

"Calm down, Bokuto-san. You're gonna run out of energy."

"Akaashi's right. Let's take a break."

I grab my water bottle and toss Kenma his.

"Thank you, senpai."

We sit next to each other and wipe our faces with our towels. While relaxing, I watch everyone else practice. Most of the time Kuroo, Yaku, and Yamamoto were yelling at Lev for slacking off, while Neko-okksan and Manabu just react different by their antics. In a way, it's like watching my friends and kouhais from Karasuno like usual.

"I wonder how they're doing..."

"Hm?...did you say something, Hinata-san?"

"Oh, sorry, was I talking out loud?"

"It's fine."

P-Ping!

Hearing a text, I pick up my phone.

"Oh, hey, it's a video from my sister."

I lean towards Kenma so he can see it.

[Sensei took the video for me. Watch this, sis!]

Playing the video, Natsu was doing double-dutch jump-rope with another classmate.

"Your sister's really good."

"Natsu's pretty good at almost every athletic sport. But she's still working on her volleyball skills."

"Hm..."

"Hey, if you ever visit Shoyo, you should teach some things to Natsu."

"Eh...I don't think I can."

"Don't be so shy," I smirk, "if anything, you'd make more sense at lecturing than my brother shouting catchphrases."

"...Well...you have a point."

I put my phone away and lean back on the wall.

"Hey, senpai..."

"Yeah?"

"You said you wanted to be a pro athlete...but do you have something else you wanna do?"

"Like another career?"

"Yeah."

"Actually, there's all sorts of things I could do," I imply, "since I know how to cook, I can open a café or a bakery."

"That makes sense."

"There's also the possibility of becoming a manager to a professional team. Ooh, maybe even a coach just like Keishin and Nekomata-sensei."

"I could see that," he agrees, a tiny smile showing.

"What about you, Kenma? I figure you'd go into something volleyball related or perhaps improving your video game skills, right?"

"I guess so."

"...Ugh~."

Flop

"H-Hey."

I lean on him with my head on his.

"Senpai...please get off."

"Nope...I'm too tired. Besides, it's your fault for making my brain hurt."

"How am I doing that?"

"Ahaha......hm..."

"...Um...you okay? That sigh you made sounded depressing."

"I wouldn't say that," I sweat-drop, "but yeah...lately I've been realizing how much I'll miss all this. Things were so simple back then, you know?"

"I kind of get what you mean. I like volleyball, but I probably won't miss the drills and stuff."

'Blunt and honest, as always.'

"...Hey..."

"Hm?"

"After you graduate from high school, why don't you join Sky Warriors?"

"Huh...?"

"I'm not sure if you'll still be interested in playing...but since Keishin will be busy training the next generation, we could use a good setter like you. And we're practically friends already, right?"

"You still plan to stay with them?"

"Hey, it's not like our team's a professional one; just a small-time thing to challenge ourselves and have fun. So~ if you ever feel the urge to play again, just give me a call."

"Won't that be hard, though? Being in college and all that."

"Oh, right...you don't know."

I scratch my cheek as he tilts his head, curiously.

"Well, you look like you can keep a secret, so I'll let you in on it."

Putting my hand over my face, I whisper the truth.

"Eh~...seriously?"

"That's exactly what my boyfriend said."

"You mean, Azumane?"

"Oh~ so you do catch on quick."

"I kind of assumed until Shoyo told me."

"Figures. So...what do you say? Will you think about my offer?"

I watch as he glances away while thinking. He then reaches for his phone and smiles.

"First things first."

"...Hehe...sure."

>>>>>>>7:21 p.m.>>>>>>>

DING-DONG~

"I'll get it."

C-Click

I open the door and see the girls holding their instruments.

"Hey guys, you're just in time for dinner."

"Thanks for having us over."

They come inside and take off their jackets.

"Well, if we're gonna finish everything, we'll need everyone to meet in one place."

"Hey, gals!"

"Hey, Akira/Hiya."

"By the way, Miyu...if you're gonna be the band's manager, are you thinking of taking any courses on business management?"

"Of course. If my parents taught me anything, it's to prepare in advance before diving head in to what you want."

"The experience you'll have right now," Hana adds, "will enhance your knowledge of the music world, too."

"Can you believe September is almost over?"

"I know, right? We better make this competition worth it."

"We'll be counting on you too, Akira!"

"Hell yeah! It ain't a party without me!"

I laugh as Matsuko and Skye give each other a thumbs up.

"I like your enthusiasm, but you still haven't decided on the outfits."

"Urk!"

"About that..."

"Hm~?"

They all turn to me.

"I've already got that covered. They'll be delivering it the day before."

"Woah, seriously? How?"

"Let's just say I did someone a favor. Now then...let's eat dinner."

"Yeah/I'm starving~!"

However, by the time we go to bed, I couldn't sleep. Right now I'm just leaning on the open window, looking at the night sky.

"Phew~...this month's been pretty crazy."

I lean my head down, hugging my arms closer.

"A career besides volleyball...huh..."