"Eh?! Really?" Ayame suddenly stood from her seat from surprise. Kazumi smiled as she sets down her newspaper.

"Really" she replied "That's the reason why I went to Tokyo the other day. I had a talk with Nekomata-sensei and asked him to invite you guys as well for training, though you can only train to Kanto two times since the prefectural qualifiers are in October"

"That's still a great chance!" she said through sparkly eyes "Thank you, mom!"

She pounced on her as she hugged the woman, to which she patted her back as she was reminded by herself when she was young. Whenever she would thank Kaito, she tends to pounce on him out of excitement.

"Mom, I'm off!" she grabbed her bento and faced the altar "Dad, please watch over us. I'm off!"

Kazumi watched her daughter leave with a smile on her face. She could finally see her smiling freely and able to face her father without fear.

"Kaito, she's finally happy, huh? I hope you are glad about that" she placed her hand on his picture frame and smiled sadly "I really miss you..."

***

Mr. Takeda was walking on the hallway when she saw Ayame walking briskly, since running is not allowed in the hallway.

"Ayame!"

She stopped and turned around "Oh! Takeda-sensei!"

"Good timing!" he was smiling widely as he approached her "Nekomata-sensei called me earlier. Is it true that we're participating in their training in Kanto? Was it because of Kazumi-san?"

"Hai! Mom also told me earlier!"

"What a great chance! Please tell your mother we're grateful for the opportunity she gave us!" he bowed and started walking away "See you later during club activities! I'll announce this later to the team!"

"Hai!"

***

"Good morning, Ayame" Yamaguchi greeted her as soon she arrived in their room.

"Good morning, Tadashi-kun" she smiled as she set her bag down "Oh? Tsukishima-kun's not here yet?"

"Yeah. It's kinda surprising I'm here first than him" he told her.

"Speaking of which" she sat on the desk in front of him "They didn't bully you the other day, right?"

"Thankfully, they didn't" he sighed in relief as he covered his face "Though they were asking for details about how we started going out and...Sugawara-san gave me some advice about some things"

"Suga-san's actually quite good in giving advices" she said as she recalled the times he gave her some advices.

"Yeah" he laid his head on his desk "Say, Ayame, Daichi-san wasn't mad at me for going out with you?"

She tilted her head in confusion "Why would nii-chan be mad at that?"

"Well...he's kinda protective to you, right? Along with Nishinoya-san and Tanaka-san"

"He wasn't mad since...I told him before that I like you" she whispered sheepishly "And besides, he can't do anything about that"

"Yeah..."

They heard the classroom door open and it was the megane.

"Ah, Tsukki's here" he said.

She suddenly flinched "Crap, I forgot to apologize to him!"

"Apologize for what?" Tsukishima raised a brow as he approached the two.

She bowed a perfect 90 degrees "I'm sorry for badmouthing you the other day!"

He placed his bag on his desk and sat down "Ah, when you called me Tsushitshima?"

She flinched and nodded.

He smirked and his mind started working to make it interesting "I was really hurt, you know? I thought we are friends, Ayame"

An arrow of hurt stabbed her back "S-Sorry..."

"An apology won't cut it. After all, you hurt my feelings" he feigned a hurt face, to which the freckled teen translated that he's definitely hurt by that, knowing that the megane enjoyed playing the situation.

"Tsukki, I know she doesn't mean it. She apologized properly, right?" he told him.

"I'll forgive Ayame if..." an idea popped in his mind and he pointed a finger in his direction "She kisses you"

"Eh?!" his face exploded in red in embarrassment. Ayame stared at the tall blonde...and her face was suddenly covered in a crazy blush after a few seconds.

"Aw, your reactions are adorable, you two" he smirked and sat down and leaned on his hand.

"She wouldn't do that in public, right?! Unlike when she's drunk, she's more conservative about stuffs like this!" the freckled teen thought, frantically hoping she won't do it because that will be the death of him.

The violet eyed girl looked at her boyfriend...and she smirked.

"Ne, Tsukishima-kun" she suddenly rummaged in her bag "I know sorry won't cut what I called you but..."

She revealed a container filled with strawberry shortcake in front of the blonde "Will this do?"

He stared at the container and was mentally cursing and at the same time praising her for tricking him.

Because Tsukishima would die for a strawberry shortcake and he wouldn't dare say that out loud.

"Fine" he sighed and took the container "It's your win and I forgive you"

*Club activities*

"Okay, like what Takeda-sensei told you all, you will be taking part to another training in Kanto" Kazumi said "Don't waste the opportunity given to you"

"OSUS!!"

"Ah, also, regarding about that training in Kanto, I talked to Takinoue and he agreed to give us a lift in their bus so we are all set" Coach Ukai added.

"Ready and..." Daichi started and the rest of them bowed.

"THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!"

"Thank you for the efforts, Ukai-kun, Kazumi-san!" Mr. Takeda then grinned and made a thumbs up "The next round's on me!"

"Seriously?!"

Kazumi proceeded on their training. No one mentioned to her about Ayame being drunk, and they sweared not to tell her, per request by Coach Ukai.

"Damn, must be nice to have a girl checking over you" Sugawara commented on their break when he saw Ayame and the freckled teen together.

"Leave them be, Suga" Daichi chuckled "They deserved to have some time with each other"

"It's cute to see them like that" Asahi sighed in blessed way.

"Oh? So everyone now knows about their relationship?" Kazumi asked the managers.

"Hai. Just the other day" Shimizu replied "They decided that it's better if the team knows about it than they kept it a secret"

"Is that so? Well, it's a good decision since they can't hide that forever. I'm glad things worked out well" she smiled as she watched the two. She then turned her attention to Coach Ukai.

He held up his hands "I have nothing to say about their relationship. As long as they don't go overboard while practicing"

"I doubt that would happen" Tsukishima thought.

"Knowing these two, that's unlikely to happen" Ennoshita thought.

Their stares could almost bore holes on their backs.

Yamaguchi sweat dropped "Let's pretend that they are not looking at us"

"Eh?"

***

A few days later, the Karasuno volleyball club arrived at Kanto for their training camp.

"This time we're in Nekoma, huh?" Kageyama noted. He looked around and turned his attention to Ayame "Where is Kazumi-san?"

"Mom won't be joining us. I thought she already told us beforehand. Did you forgot, Kageyama-kun?"

Shock was written on his face and he gloomily sulked. Nishinoya also sulked along with him.

Sugawara chuckled "Ah, your mom's popular to them, Ayame-chan"

"It's too bad mom can't come but it can't be helped..." she sighed.

(flashback)

"Sorry that I won't be joining in the training" Kazumi apologized "I had to make up for the shifts I missed at work. It's an agreement I worked out with the manager"

"That sounds tough, Kazumi-san. Balancing work and helping us out..." Mr. Takeda worriedly said "Not to mention, training Yamaguchi-kun as well..."

"It's fine. It was my decision to help you guys" she stretched out her arms "Besides, even though I retired, I didn't turn into a delicate woman"

"Well, she's a former delinquent, after all..." Coach Ukai sweat dropped.

"True. Mom still hasn't lost her touch" Ayame agreed.

"I'll pay for the drinks next time!!" the teacher promised her with an assured thumbs up.

"Really?!"

(end)

"Sensei was really serious about that" she said "Mom was really happy when he promised her"

"Get up, Kageyama, Nishinoya" Ennoshita told them as he and the second years pulled them up "Takeda-sensei has an announcement"

Mr. Takeda cleared his throat "So, with the prefectural qualifiers in October, we'll only be able to go Kanto two more times, including this trip. Let's make the best of this chance"

"HAI!!"

The whole team was getting their things out of the bus while the managers were in charge of bringing the ice chests and bags full of towels and other necessities.

"Would you like me to carry some of it?" Ayame asked them.

"Ah, I'll help out, too" Yamaguchi approached them.

Shimizu smiled "It's okay. We appreciate the offer but, Hitoka-chan and I can handle it"

"Hai. It's not much, anyway" Yachi nodded as she carried the bag filled with towels.

"I understand. I'll leave it to you two" she bowed and grabbed the freckled teen's hand "We'll be going first, Hitoka-chan, Shimizu-san. Let's go, Tadashi-kun"

"A-Ah, sure. We're going first" he nodded to the two girls before walking with Ayame.

Now that they've opened up to the team about their relationship, they can be with each other and hold hands without worrying about them finding out. But, it's not all the time they do that, though. As what Tsukishima and Sugawara would say, the two are still easily embarrassed and awkward when it comes to stuffs like that in public.

"Tadashi-kun, is it okay if we open this up to Nekoma? About us, I mean" she asked him.

The first thing that entered his mind was Yaku celebrating after knowing their relationship.

He gave it some thought. It sounded like a good idea to tell them about their relationship. It's not like volleyball is involved in it and since Nekoma and her are close, they have the right to know.

"Well, if that's what you want I-"

"Ayame-san!!"

An annoyingly familiar voice suddenly irked the freckled teen. They looked at the owner and saw Haiba Lev waving his hand and running to them excitedly.

"Urk...I almost forgot about Haiba Lev..." he thought, trying to hide that growing jealousy in him.

The megane and the grey haired setter were stifling their laughs as they observed his expression changing. They are having fun watching them like a reality TV show.

"Uwaaaa!! Ayame-san, you're joining the training camp again!!" the half-Russian grinned when he saw her.

"She's our assistant coach and strategist. It's given she's coming" the freckled teen told him, his eyebrows twitching in annoyance.

"Ooooh...so he considered Lev a rival..." the team thought "This is like watching a TV drama. Interesting..."

However, Lev ignored him. Either it's on purpose or he's too excited to see the girl that he didn't hear him "Ne, ne, Ayame-san, I've gotten a lot better than before!!"

"Did he just freaking ignored me?!" Yamaguchi was internally pissed that he mentally balled a fist with fire backgrounds.

"He's pissed" Tsukishima noted.

"Definitely pissed" Sugawara mentally agreed.

"Lev, you giant liar!" Yaku ran and landed a roundhouse kick on the half-Russian's back "You're nothing but a huge headache to me!"

"Ack!" he landed face first on the ground.

"What the hell are you even doing here?! You still haven't completed your receiving practices!! Get up and go back!"

"O-Osu..."

"It's still early and Yaku's already pissed at him" Kuroo scratched his head and waved at the Karasuno team "Yo"

"Welcome back" Kenma greeted them with his usual monotonous tone "The other teams are already inside and are having warm-ups. Nice to see you here again, Ayame"

He patted her head and the freckled teen next to her was glad he didn't feel any jealousy from the action.

*Gymnasium*

The squeaking of shoes and the sound of a volleyball being passed back and forth were, as always, like music to Ayame's ears. She and the freckled teen made an agreement earlier regarding about telling Nekoma about them and they decided they will tell them once practices are over.

Right now, thoughts about Tsukishima asking for guidance the other day filled her mind.

(flashback)

"Is there a way to stop an opponent's spike when they are taller much stronger than you?" Tsukishima suddenly asked Ayame and Coach Ukai during their breaks.

"Uwaaah..." The two of them teared up proudly after he asked for guidance, which is a rare sign coming from the aloof megane. The man was the first one to change the atmosphereas and he coughed once after he saw him look at them weirdly.

"What do you think is most important when blocking?" he asked him.

"Height?"

"It's not about height all the time" she shook her head "It's timing"

He nodded "To put it simply, if their hands are above the net, even a grade-schooler could even stop one of Tanaka's spikes"

"Eh?!" Tanaka was shocked when he heard them.

"Provided that the timing is perfect" he continued.

"Of course, it also depends on how you have your hands out and reading the ball's course is important, as well" she added.

"But even if Ayame and I can explain this verbally, we're not good enough to actually show you" he said "Though, Ayame can point out the technicalities needed, but that's it"

"However, when it comes to good blocking skills, there is someone who comes to mind" she smiled "And that would be Kuroo-san of Nekoma"

(end)

"Hehehehe..." she was smiling by herself as she watched the practice match continue. The freckled teen who is sitting next to her noticed her happy aura.

"You seem happy today, Ayame" he smiled.

She looked at him with an excited aura "It's because Tsukishima-kun is finally getting serious!! Finally, the team can now work together with the same mindset!! That's why I'm happy!!"

"Anything about volleyball can make you happy, huh? As always, easy to understand" he mentally chuckled "That is so like you"

"Eh?"

***

"Uwaa~!! Dinner!! I'm starving!!" Hinata was practically drooling as they walked to the cafeteria.

Sugawara suddenly stopped in front of Ayame and Yamaguchi "Say, have you guys told Yaku-kun about you two?"

They looked at each other before Yamaguchi answered "Not yet. We'll be telling him later"

"Did you already tell him, Suga-san?" she asked.

He waved his hand "I would love to but it seemed wrong that I'm the one telling him. Even I have my own limitations, you know?"

After getting their food from the managers, Ayame saw Yaku sitting next to Kuroo, Kai and Kenma. She tugged her boyfriend's sleeve and pointed to them. He gulped and sighed to release the tension in his nerves as they approached them.

"Do you mind if we sit here?" she asked them.

"Go ahead" Kai smiled and scooted a bit to give them some space. The two sat down and muttered their thanks.

"Thank you for the food"

When they finished their food, Ayame set her chopsticks downa and opened her mouth to speak "There is something I would like to tell you"

"Oya? What is it? We're all ears" Kuroo leaned closer, feeling curious and interested.

She felt slightly nervous telling them "The truth is, I-"

"Ayame-san!!" Lev suddenly approached her, much to Yamaguchi and Yaku's dismay for interrupting "Can I ask you something?"

"Oh, Lev-kun, what is it?"

"This brat...I'll kill him for interrupting something important...!" the libero was practically giving off a murderous aura.

"Yaku, stay, stay" the captain pushed him down to stop him.

"Shibayama brought some cards with him. Would you like to play with us later? Ah, Hinata will be playing with us, too!" he made a pleading gesture "Please? It will be fun-"

"Ayame and I are dating" Yamaguchi rapidly spoke, to which the half-Russian stopped talking "S-She's...my girlfriend now"

Everyone on their table froze.

"Ah?" Kuroo blinked.

"Eh?" Yaku looked at them.

"Oh" Kenma simply said.

"Congrats" Kai smiled and lightly clapped his hands.

The freckled looked down and was having a major internal panic "Uwaaaaaaah!!! I said it!! I said it out loud!! I want to run and hide!! Aaaaah!! I'm so embarrassed I could die...!!"

Lev robotically looked at him then back to Ayame "I-Is that true, Ayame-san?"

She nodded as she fiddled her hair with a blush on her cheeks "Y-Yes, we're going out"

Yaku slammed his hands on the table then looked for Sugawara, who is sitting two rows away from them "Suga-kun! What Yamaguchi just said...?!"

The grey haired setter poked his head up and made a thumbs up "Yep, it's all true"

"YOSH!!" He made a fist bump "Finally!!"

Inouka and Shibayama ushered out the half-Russian, who is frozen white from shock "Don't mind, Lev. Ah, Ayame-san, congrats!"