23

It had been five days since she last appeared before them. It bothered the first years greatly. After all, they were friends with the short girl. Her not being with them just felt off. Even with practice filling up their time- not being able to see the short girl cheer for them or greet them was like a flower missing one of its petals.

One more day before InterHigh. Practices had been stopped for them to be given time to rest- mentally and physically.

But that didn't stop either of the first years to meet up at Aobayama Park. They were in their casual clothes. Just a random t-shirt and shorts for them, in this case. None of them engaged in small talk, too deep in thought, and honestly were too tired from the strenuous training.

"Do you think she'll come?" Semi asked, cutting into the thick silence between them. Honestly, he was the one harder on her than any of them. He judged her too quickly- and barely understood her. He cast a glance at Ohira and Tendou. They were the ones who spent so much time with her.

None of his friends responded, unsure of what to say.

"I'm sure she will. I mean, she's transferring to another school. The least she should do is offer a proper good bye." Soekawa said, more to himself than the others. He just wanted to reassure his friends that she would- they did spend the semester together a lot.

And it was a bit hard to accept that she was quick to leave and not say anything about it.

Ohira lowered his head, staring at the paved path. It was still hard for him- well, for all of his friends. They were in the same class- so why couldn't he have asked at least.

Yamagata looked at his hands. He taught her a bit about digging. He smiled at the memories. Those were the only times they spent together, actually. Just digging. And he never really talked to her much.

Tendou just stood by the bench, staring at the horizon. There wasn't much to think about. He knew this was happening. Joking around with his friends lightened it a bit, but that wouldn't change the fact that she was leaving and not saying goodbye to any of them.

One of them didn't come to agreed meeting. Ushijima Wakatoshi. He was busy with something- assignments to be exact. Due to practice, their homework piled up. They understood- though it was a bit insulting on their part.

After all, Yoshikami liked Ushijima.

"Pfft, come on, guys. What's with all the silence? At least give her a happy smile. We knew her for the past semester." It was expected to be said from the red head. But Semi said it. Jokingly at that.

Ohira smiled. "Yea, Semi's right. Let's give her a proper goodbye. And it's not like we won't be able to see her anymore. We're just going to be at different schools."

Soekawa nodded, chuckling. "Right. I don't even know what's so sad about her leaving." He leaned on the bench. "We barely know her. Apart from hanging out during lunch and seeing each other during practice, there's nothing else."

"Except Ohira. Lucky guy to spend more time with her." Yamagata joked, laughing quietly.

Tendou pouted. "Mou, I also spent a lot of time with Hoshi. Give me some credit too!"

The boys rolled their eyes at the red head. The atmosphere had lightened a lot after that.

"When do you think she's coming?" Semi asked, looking around the park for the short girl. There were families, couples, and friends all walking around. But there was no sign of a short, white-haired girl.

Ohira scratched his head. "She said 1:30. Why did we even come here early?" It was one in the afternoon. They had been waiting for ten minutes now.

Yamagata raised his shoulders. "Blame Tendou. He said we should." All eyes turned to the red head who whistled away.

"Come on, girls usually come early!" Tendou raised his hands, explaining his part.

Soekawa scoffed. "You guessed? Don't use your guess guess in real life situations too, block-head."

Tendou snorted. "Well, I'm not gonna lie that I am one." They laughed- Semi punching him in the gut intentionally. And hard. "Semi-san, why?!"

"And why am I the only -san to you?!"

The light giggle stopped the squabble that would have occurred between the first-year setter and middle blocker. And it belonged to the one person that disappeared for the past five days.

"Hey, guys." Yoshikami giggled. "Why do I feel like I'm a bit late?"

Soekawa grinned. "No, we're just too early."

Semi pinched Tendou's cheek. "Blame this guy right here."

The red head cried out, "Uncle, uncle, uncle!" They all laughed but stopped when he started crying dramatically.

Ohira pursed his lips, turning his attention to Yoshikami. "Well, you have some explaining to do, young lady."

Yoshikami smiled. "Well, it's a bit long so I hope you guys won't mind if I start from the beginning."

"Of course, the girl is problematic, Emiyo." The old woman sighed. "She didn't even help me bring the groceries of her soon-to-be grandmother. Wakatoshi would be a servant than a husband to that brat."

The woman across from her sighed. "Mother, are you also supporting his rebelliousness? That child needs to learn that what I'm trying to do is for his own good."

The old man shook his head and whispered to the old woman. "You know when she's like this, it's best not to talk to her at all." He earned a slap on the arm, but chuckled away.

The old woman glared at him, but returned her attention to the woman. "I know, Emiyo… but think about his happiness. If Utsui were here, he'd fight tooth and nail for that boy, just like before."

The woman snarled. "Do not bring that man into this conversation!"

"I'm telling you, she won't listen, Yumiko." The old man whispered to the old woman. He earned another slap.

Yumiko continued, "Now, I heard there is a family that lives around here- middle class, close to noble. The father just got promoted to CEO of the famous trading company, Japami."

The old man sighed wistfully. "Oh, I was a stock trader once too. Got promoted to supervisor by the CEO…" He earned another slap, but this time on the mouth.

"…and turns out he has a daughter. Same age as our Wakatoshi. Now, Emiyo, take this chance and visit the man. They live just nearby. Maybe this will change your mind." Yumiko slipped a piece of paper across the table.

Emiyo narrowed her eyes. "What if the girl is the same as Shoda's daughter?"

Yumiko waved it off. "Hmph, I've met the girl. Had her investigated. How else do you think I knew about the promotion?"

The old man nodded. "Yumiko was never interested in business. A housewife through and through." Another slap finally made him jump.

Emiyo sighed, staring at the paper. "Fine, I'll give it a try."

"Hmph." Tendou clicked his tongue, leaning back on the bench. "That shouldn't stop you from staying at Shiratorizawa." He got hit by all the boys.

Yoshikami shrugged. "Tokyo is a bit far, so my parents are considering moving there for easy travel."

The boys, except Tendou, nodded in understanding.

Semi patted the girl's head. "At least visit us from time to time, Yoshikami."

Yamagata rubbed his chin. "I think it's time we call each other by first names, don't ya think? We're friends after all."

"That's true…" The others muttered.

"Well, Eita, Reon, Jin, Hayato, Satori, it was fun. And I have to go- Okaa-san wants me back before two." She jumped off the bench and stood in front of them, posing a peace sign. "See ya around!"

They waved. "Bye, Hoshi."