27

There was a part of her that wondered- how did she become so lucky during her first year of high school? The ex-fiance of Ushijima comes to her mind and she sweat drops. Also, that time with her parents. Then the coach taking her out of the team. She leaving Shiratorizawa- and okay, not that lucky, but still. She waved off the negativity.

She was still lucky. Come to think of it- she wouldn't have tried out for volleyball if it weren't for Ushijima's blunt words. She would have given up volleyball entirely if her friends weren't there to cheer her up. The memories made her smile; nostalgia swirled in her heart.

She missed them. She shakes her head and grunted. No, she has to be strong.

Anyway, all's well that ends well. She's moving to Tokyo and she'll definitely try to make new friends her gender. That should be no problem whatsoever.

Oh, right, today's her first day at a new high school. Ergh, she forgot the name, but she was wearing a long-sleeved polo shirt covered by a dark grey vest and a light grey, flowing skirt. It was much more comfortable than the stiff uniform at Shiratorizawa.

She probably looked stupid shaking her head and flailing her arms around standing in front of the school gate. She flushed, ignoring the giggles and whispers of the passersby. She slapped her face and sighed, realizing she was making a fool of herself.

Okay, back to reality. She was a bit nervous, but it should be okay.

"And she will be joining the volleyball club. Any questions to our new member, girls?" Yoshikami looked over the tall girls that glanced at her wearily. Well, most of them anyway. Some just stared at her blankly, looking her up and down. She was a freak after all. A short, annoying freak. She managed to stop herself from laughing.

One of the girls raised their hand, catching the short girl's attention. "A…Ano, are your eyes and hair normally like that?" She asked the question that maybe everyone was thinking.

Yoshikami felt ashamed and looked down at her feet, hearing the question. The bullying and the torment were fresh in her mind. Just hearing the question brought up some bad memories. This was how she'd react if it were back then.

Right now, she was happy and fully accepting with who she was. No matter how short and freakish she looked like.

She grinned. "I lack melanin in my blood so that makes my hair really white and due to some genetic failure gibberish, my eyes appear red. By the way, I shouldn't be this short, but meh, I can't be picky with how tall I can grow." She joked, earning a few giggles and chuckles.

Another spoke. "So, what position you play?" She was tall, going almost 190 centimeters in height. She looked like the captain of the team- no, she was definitely the captain. The captain was throwing the volleyball into the air and Yoshikami grinned at the idea.

She timed her sprint well- and jumped high as the ball reached its peak and landed on the ground with a soft thud. A series of gasps of astonishment came from the group of girls and the captain looked at her wide-eyed.

The short girl spun the ball at the tip of her finger as she smirked. "I didn't introduce myself yet. Yoshikami Hoshi, middle blocker, 1st year." She passed the ball back to the captain who caught it. "I'll be in your care for the next three years."

The captain grinned at her. "Well, well, we got an eccentric one on our hands. Soto Miya, call me Senpai from now on. We'll be starting out practice now. You brought what you need?"

Yoshikami hummed, patting the bag on her side. "I'll be done before you can even blow the whistle."

"That's the spirit. Now, everyone, hustle! I'm giving you ten minutes to warm up! Yoshikami, you got two minutes to finish changing. Now, go!" What they didn't expect was her actually stripping in front of them.

They all gaped as Yoshikami changed into a plain shirt and red shorts before a minute could pass. She blinked at them. "You…don't do this?"

The coach, a middle-aged woman, facepalmed. "Yoshikami, use the gym shower room next time. I don't care how fast you can change." Everyone else giggled as the short girl scratched her head.

"Oops."

Unlike in Shiratorizawa, Yoshikami actually bonded with the girls as they practiced. They were still weary, well due to her features, but she didn't mind. They were going to get used to it and accept it, just as her teammates at Shiratorizawa had.

She wondered how the boys were doing now. They are probably at Nationals doing their 4th match. She shrugged. Well, she'll find out later anyway.

"Uhm, Yoshikami-san, here." She snapped out of her thoughts and turned her attention to a brunette girl. Her name was Yuka Sakurai- 2nd year, wing spiker. She was holding to a volleyball.

The short girl smiled, accepting the ball. "Thanks, Yuka-senpai. Are you going to practice on your receives with Kanako and Sachiko?" She pointed at the 2nd year and 3rd year liberos who were helping out their other inexperienced teammates.

Yuka nodded. "Mhmm,… also…" Yoshikami blinked as the girl leaned over and whispered something in her ear. Her eyes widened and she quickly snapped her head at the retreating figure of the brunette.

"Oi, Yoshikami, it's your turn!" A yell from the other side of the court brought her back to where she was.

"Y…Yea, coming." She looked at the senpai one last time before jogging over to the service area. On her lips was a relieving smile.

Yoshikami groaned, flopping herself on top of her futon. She instantly regretted it once hitting the hard ground.

She rolled on the ground in pain for a while.

The beep on her phone stopped her rolls of pain and she quickly opened it. She grinned at the text.

Fr: Toshi-kun~

To: My Hoshi

We'll be playing in the quarterfinals tomorrow.

She rolled onto her stomach and quickly typed up a reply.

To: Toshi-kun~

Fr: My Hoshi

:0 that's awesome, Toshi! Congratulations! Please don't tell me Satori over stuffed himself with food again ._.

Fr: Toshi-kun~

To: My Hoshi

He did, but Eita is helping him out right now. Also, how was your first day of school?

Yoshikami giggled at the first sentence then tilted her head, thinking of a reply.

To: Toshi-kun~

Fr: My Hoshi

Thankfully, it went really well. I'm part of the girls' volleyball club. And you know, one of my senpais said something that made me really happy.

Fr: Toshi-kun~

To: My Hoshi

What did she say?

The short girl smiled as she typed up the exact words that her senpai whispered into her ear.

To: Toshi-kun~

Fr: My Hoshi

She said that I'm really beautiful. No matter what others say.

She giggled, rolling over to face the ceiling. The beep surprised her and she opened her phone to check the new text. Her face instantly burned red and she squealed into her futon.

Fr: Toshi-kun~

To: My Hoshi

Of course, you are. After all, you made me fall for that beauty of yours.

When the heck did he become this corny? It's Tendou, definitely Tendou. She'll definitely treat her cousin out and buy anything he wants. That bastard did something good for once. She smiled, rereading the text again, then sighed blissfully.

She typed up a quick text then rolled over to sleep.

To: Toshi-kun~

Fr: My Hoshi

You should sleep, Toshi. You have a long week ahead of you. Night, love you <3

Ushijima smiled at the text and whispered, "Love you too, Hoshi."