Chapter 10

Temari's hand shot down to her phone which was in her jacket pocket at the sound of it's chime.

"Well that was quick," Kinjo laughed. "Who are you talking to?"

Temari immediately unlocked her phone. It was a message from Daichi.

Daichi: This class might be the death of me...

The two had been talking all weekend about anything and everything.

"Okay seriously who are you talking to?" Kinjo exclaimed, playfully hitting Temari's leg with the end of a wooden easel. "I don't think I've ever seen you smile that big."

"It's nobody," Temari smiled, putting her phone back into her pocket and focused on the large canvases they were carrying to the art room. Kinjo stared at her in disbelief.

"You know you're not a very good liar." Kinjo huffed.

"Whatever," Temari rolled her eyes.

"Seriously you have to tell me who has got you so googly eyed." she smiled.

"If I tell you, promise you won't hate me?" Temari asked.

"Please, I couldn't hate you if I tried," Kinjo laughed.

"I don't know," Temari said nervously, looking down at the canvases in her hands. Girls in the hallway giggled and she could hear Daichi's name come from one of them as they passed by.

"Ugh," Kinjo rolled her eyes. "I wish there was someone else who people would fawn over. It's always Daichi this, and Daichi that. Someone shoot me!"

Temari giggled. How would she react when she found out she was talking to Daichi? Her phone chimed again but this time Kinjo snatched it from Temari's hand before she could read the message. At first her expression was exciting, then it turned into something that Temari couldn't read.

"Why didn't you tell me you were interested in my cousin?" Kinjo asked. her expression turning dark.

"I'm sorry I just didn't want to lose you as a friend and you were always complaining about how you hated that everyone always talked about him and how all the girls were always fawning over him!" She spoke quickly and held her hands up trying to hide her fear.

"Hmph," Kinjo handed Temari back her phone. "You're my best friend, Temari. My cousin is lucky to be interested in a girl like you." Kinjo smiled.

"You mean...? You're not mad?" Temari asked, surprised.

"HA!" Kinjo grabbed her belly laughing as the two reached the classroom. "Please? I'm not mad at you just because you like my cousin. Is it annoying how all these girls only talk about HIM?! Yes... but hey if you like him you like him."

"Thank you for grabbing those girls, go ahead and take your seats." Mrs. Kaminari smiled. The two nodded and took their seats at tall stools in the front of the class. There they set up their easels and canvases. Once again Temari's phone chimed. Temari took it out of her pocket and put the ringer on silent. It was Daichi and another smile crossed her lips.

Daichi: Lunch under the tree? I brought meat buns!

Temari: Absolutely! Can't wait!

She quickly typed back before turning her attention to Mrs. Kaminari.

"Alright class, today were going to focus on perspective." she began. "In art, perspective shows an object's exact dimensions compared to an object next to it. So for instance this…" Mrs. Kaminari held up a drawing of a beautiful night time landscape, the street was made of brick and autumn colors decorated with trees along the street illuminated by black street lights. "This painting shows a street late at night after rain, we can tell by the water colors used to make the street itself glimmer. But if you notice, everything in this painting is focused towards a certain point. That is how you make something look as if it's from a first person perspective." She continued. She then began to show the class how to draw a landscape using line perspectives. Temari already knew all of this, she had watched videos on it and taught herself about it in elementary school. When Mrs. Kaminari finished lecturing she assigned the students to each make their own landscape drawing which they would be working on for the next week.

Temari knew exactly the landscape she was going to draw. It was a memory she had, one of when she was little. During the summer her parents would always take them to the cherry blossom festival. They would walk through the park after getting their favorite ice cream and watch the leaves fall to the ground giving the grass a look of soft pink snow. She began sketching out the image in her head. She would use the middle of the canvas as her perspective point. Then she drew out the soft curve of the cement path and the outline of the grass and trees. Then she began on the people. A tall man and a woman with two small kids of the same age on each of their shoulders. Between them a small girl, holding their hands in hers. She would draw every detail in the clothes, every wrinkle and brush of hair in the wind. However, the five would remain faceless, their happiness not shown.

"Interesting concept," Mrs. Kaminari said as she approached Temari.

"Thank you," Temari responded.

"Why did you choose this?" Mrs. Kaminari asked.

"It's a memory," Temari said. "My parents used to take us to the cherry blossom festival each year. We would get ice cream and watch the leaves fall."

"It's beautiful," Mrs. Kaminari smiled.

"Thanks," Temari beamed.

"Come see me after class, there's something I want to talk to you about." Mrs. Kaminari said.

"Okay," Temari nodded and turned back to the canvas.

"Ooooh what did you do?" Kinjo asked.

"Nothing…?" Temari shrugged.

Kinjo rolled her eyes. The two continued to focus on their drawings until the bell chimed. When it did, the two packed their things as other classmates took the supplies back to the art closet. When everyone else had left, Temari stayed, approaching the teacher's desk where Mrs. Kaminari sat.

"You wanted to speak with me?" Temari asked.

"Yes," Mrs. Kaminari smiled, flashing perfectly white teeth. "I have an opportunity for you, Temari."

Temari eyed her curiously. An opportunity? What kind?

"Every year I put on an art show to showcase some of my most talented students' art and to allow them to represent themselves and introduce themselves to the art world. Many of my students have built relationships and worked a lot of commissions doing this art show even gotten university scholarships. This year I'd like to extend an invitation to you if you would like."

"Me?" She asked almost in disbelief.

"Yes you," Mrs. Kaminari said. "I've seen your work in class and I've seen that sketch book of yours. You're an amazing artist and I think this will be a good opportunity for you. I have quite a few friends in the art world that I know would be extremely interested in your work."

Temari thought for a minute. She had never even thought about selling her work. She had only ever kept it to herself.

"Can I think about it?" Temari asked shyly.

"Of course," Mrs. Kaminari said. "But let me know as soon as you can, there's a lot of students that want to participate."

"Of course," Temari said, then bowed. "Thank you," She then left the room and excitedly skipped down the hall.

Excitement filled her body as she reached the green courtyard and saw Daichi sitting at their tree. He looked up from the book he was reading and saw her at the edge of the courtyard. When he did, a smile formed on his lips and he waved. She excitedly waved back and ran over to him.

"What's got you all excited?" he chuckled, putting away his book as she fell to her knees on the soft grass next to him.

"You're not going to believe it," she smiled from ear to ear. All her life, the only people that hadn't mocked her for her art were her family and then Daichi, now Mrs. Kaminari.

"Well not until you actually tell me." Daichi said with a large smile on his own lips.

Temari couldn't stop smiling. She grabbed her sketchbook in excitement, her fingers dancing across its cover.

"Well out with it Temari," he grabbed her shoulders. She hadn't even told him the good news and yet it seemed he was already just as excited as she was.

"My art teacher, Mrs. Kaminari, wants to showcase some of my artwork at an art exhibit at the end of the semester." she finally spoke.

"That's amazing!" he exclaimed, his eyes lighting up and his smile growing even wider. "Right?" his expression turned confused and Temari let out a laugh, relaxing her shoulders against his hands. He dropped his hands as she turned and sat next to him so that her shoulder was against his arm. Even sitting next to him, his torso towered over her.

"Yes it is a good thing," she smiled. "I guess a lot of students who have participated in the past have been offered scholarships and commissions for their work. Mrs. Kaminari said it was a great way for me to get my name known in the art world."

"That's awesome!" Daichi exclaimed looking down at her.

"Yeah," she said softly, rocking her feet back and forth so that her shoe gently touched Daichi's leg.

"Why do you sound not so excited about it?" he asked.

Temari took a deep breath then looked at him. The whole time she couldn't help but get lost in his soft brown eyes.

"I-I don't know," she said, then looked back down at her sketch book in her lap."I don't know if I'm going to do it."

"Wait, why not? Isn't this a great opportunity?" he asked, his brow knit in confusion.

"When I first started drawing, I did it because it was the only way I could express how I felt." She began. "I had a hard time talking about what happened, for the longest time I didn't. I just put on a brave face. Miwa, Tobio… they were destroyed. I know Miwa tried to put on a brave face for us. So I tried to do the same for her but by doing that… I forgot how to tell people how I feel. My sketches I could use to express how alone I was and with my street art I can express my anger and make sure their faces aren't forgotten. It was never about making money or deciding a future. Drawing is just my way of convincing myself I'm okay."

Daichi sat silent for a moment. It was maybe a couple of seconds but to Temari it felt like hours. The only sound was of the wind in the tree. Had she just made a mistake by pouring her heart out to him? Was this when he realized just how messed up she is?

"That's why you should participate." Daichi said, finally breaking the silence. "Show the world how beautiful and creative your mind is. You never know how many other people are out there in the world who feel the same way that you do. You're not alone."

Temari looked up, getting lost in his deep brown eyes. His confident demeanor allowed her to relax into the tree and his face was close enough to touch if she tried. His skin looked smooth and inviting. The muscles in his face were relaxed giving her a sense of gentleness and comfort.

"T-thank you Daichi," she said softly, stumbling over her words.

"Don't be afraid," he said, holding her gaze. "You're a talented artist. Don't let fear of opening yourself up ruin a good opportunity."

Temari nodded, feeling a warmness grow in her chest and spread through her body. In this moment she felt a closeness towards Daichi, not just physically. Sitting here, next to him, she felt transparent but it wasn't scary. Sitting here she was calm and her heart wide open.

~

After school ended, Temari made her way to the gym. She pulled her hair back and took off her shoes quickly slipping on her gym sneakers. Then she walked into the gym.

"Hey Temari," Hinata called.

"Hey," she smiled looking up at everyone. Tobio was at the edge of the court, holding a ball in his hands. Hinata was just in front of him, another guy in front of him, one she didn't recognize. He was a shorter kid with spiky brown hair except for three strands in the front of his hair which were blonde. He wore Karasuno warm ups and as soon as he saw her, his eyes grew wide and a smile stretched across his face.

"Who is this hot mama!" he exclaimed, running towards her arms stretched out wide.

"That's my sister you idiot!" She heard Tobio exclaim from across the court. Out of nowhere the volleyball he had been holding connected with the back of the new guy's head sending him sprawling onto the floor.

"That's not nice," the guy muttered, picking himself up off the floor.

"Ah Noya," she heard Tanaka's voice sigh as he approached her from behind. "You're just as desperate for the ladies as ever." Tanaka laughed and threw his arm around Temari's shoulders.

"Get your hands off my sister!" Tobio exclaimed again, throwing another ball, though this time at Tanaka hitting him right in the gut.

"What the hell first year!" Tanaka exclaimed, letting go of her shoulder and grabbing his stomach.

"Knock it off, you both deserved it." Daichi said walking into the gym. Temari turned flashing a thankful smile at him, he smiled in return.

"Alright guys, warm up we have an eventful practice today." Coach Ukai said walking into the gym as the other players filed in, each one greeting Temari.

"You heard the coach let's go," Daichi called out and the team followed. They began their warm up laps around the gym and then began to stretch. Kiyoko motioned for Temari to join her by the point board.

"What are we doing today?" Temari asked Kiyoko.

"The team is going to play a practice game against a travel team today." Kiyoko responded. "We're going to keep score."

"A travel team?" Temari asked.

"Supposedly they're friends of Coach Ukai's. I think it's to get them ready for the training camp this weekend." Kiyoko responded.

"Oh that's right," Temari nodded.

"Have you ever been to one before?" Kiyoko asked.

Temari shook her head.

"It's pretty fun. The guys spend most of the day practicing but they also do a lot of team bonding. It's fun getting to know them and spending time with them." Kiyoko smiled. "Being team manager, these guys become like family."

Temari smiled. "I'm ready for it."

"Good," Kiyoko chuckled. Suddenly the gym went quiet. Temari looked around wondering why there was a sudden silence between everyone. They were all looking towards the door where a tall man with long brown hair pulled back in a man bun stood. Who was this guy?

"Get your ass on the court ponytail!" Coach Ukai said.

"Uh, right," the guy responded shyly then ran some warm up laps before joining the team. It wasn't long before some older gentlemen showed up and they began the practice match. Suga and Noya as well as the other new guy played with the older gentleman against the rest of the team.

"Hey Kiyoko, who are the two new guys?" Temari asked curiously.

"That one is Nishinoya," she pointed to the smaller kid who had run at Temari earlier. "He's a second year and our team's libero. That is Asahi," she pointed to the guy with the man bun. "He's our ace,"

"How come they're just now coming to practice?" Temari asked.

"Well, Noya just came back from suspension. Asahi, well… they both kind of got into it and things got pretty heated. I think Asahi was afraid to come back." Kiyoko answered.

"But why?" Temari asked.

"At spring nationals last year we went up against the power house team Date tech. They have an impenetrable Iron Wall defense. Asahi couldn't get past their blocks and we lost. Asahi took it personally and blamed himself. Nishinoya tried to convince Asahi otherwise, but well, Nishinoya isn't the best pep talker. The two ended up getting into a fight." Kiyoko answered.

"Wow he must be really bad if he turned a pep talk into a fight," Temari said and Kiyoko agreed with a chuckle. Temari continued to watch them as they played the game. Asahi was a really good player and so was Noya. The two moved in perfect sync along with Suga as if they were the perfect machine. Even though they ended up losing the game, Their team played hard and it filled Temari with excitement watching them. She knew with their addition to the team was going to propel Karasuno further and further towards nationals.

After the game the team cleaned the gym. Temari changed her shoes and waited outside. Then the team came walking out.

"Good hustle everyone," Daichi said as they walked out. "Rest up and come prepared for a hard practice tomorrow."

"Yes captain," they responded.

The team dispersed in the parking lot, some driving, some walking, and some riding their bikes. As Tobio and Temari began to walk down the street Daichi called after them.

"You guys want a ride?" he asked, pulling the car up to them.

"Yeah," Temari answered before Tobio could. She happily jumped into the front seat as Tobio got in the back. Daichi pulled onto the road and towards their house.

"Are you ready for training camp?" Daichi asked Tobio.

"Yeah," Tobio said. "I want to work on my receives."

"I think the whole team could use some work on those." Daichi said.

"Noya seems like he's pretty solid." Tobio responded.

"Noya's always been good at receiving." Daichi said. "I think he's going to help us out a lot especially with Inter high around the corner."

"That's right," Tobio responded solemnly.

"Are you ready for your first high school tournament?" Daichi asked.

"I think so," Tobio said. "I just want to make Suga proud."

Daichi let out a soft chuckle. "We win the game and Suga will be happy."

"I'm kind of nervous if I'm being honest," Tobio opened up.

"Don't be," Daichi said. "We have plenty of time before we have to start worrying about that."

Temari listened as the two talked volleyball, a smile appearing on her lips. No one knew how to get through to Tobio and here Daichi was doing it. They pulled up to the house not much later. When they did Tobio was the first to get out of the car. Daichi put the car in park turning the engine off, then stepped out of the car.

"What are you doing?" Temari asked Daichi as he followed her to the house.

"I can't walk you to the door?" he asked, playfully nudging her shoulder.

"Yes you can," she giggled, pulling stray hairs from her face back behind her ears.

"Then let me," he flashed a smirk causing Temari's heart to skip a beat.

"Who are you?" she heard Tobio ask as he reached the door. Temari looked up to see a tall man with glasses and short curly hair. He wore big glasses making his brown eyes look even bigger. He was a thin man and wore a grey polo, white slacks and tan loafers. He had a business professional look about him. Who was this man and why was he walking out of their house?

"Tobio, Temari," Miwa peaked her head around the large man's arm, her eyes widened. "I thought practice was running late tonight."

"It is late," Tobio said coldly.

"Um right," Miwa said, her wide eyes darting between the two then at Daichi. Miwa cleared her throat and then pushed her shoulders back standing up confidently. "Well I was kind of waiting to introduce you guys at a better time." she nervously fidgeted with her fingertips across her belly. "This is my fiance Hotaru. Hotaru this is my little brother Tobio, my little sister Temari, and their friend Daichi."

"Fiance?!" Tobio exclaimed, dropping his bag on the floor. The thud it made felt as if it were landing on her own chest. Did she hear correctly? Temari's jaw dropped slightly in shock as she stared at her sister who refused to make eye contact. Temari's body went numb and her eyes only focused on Miwa's face.

"Yeah," Miwa said.

"It's nice to meet you guys," Hotaru held out his hand towards Tobio. Tobio just looked at it. Then he shoved his way into the house pushing past Hotaru and Miwa both.

"Tobio!" Miwa called after him but it was useless.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pushed for tonight." Hatoru said quietly to Miwa his voice was smooth and as much as she hated to admit it… friendly.

"It's okay," Miwa said. "He's like that all the time." She then looked at Temari. What should she do? How could Miwa get engaged and not even tell her? How could Miwa hide this from them? She didn't even know Miwa was still seeing anyone. Was this guy the father of her baby?

"Temari?" Daichi asked softly, snapping her out of her thoughts."Are you okay?"

"I'll see you tomorrow okay?" she said, turning to him but avoiding his eyes. "Thank you for driving us home,"

"Yeah," he paused. "Anytime,"

Temari walked up the steps where Hotaru had held out a hopeful hand to her as well. She stared at it for a minute then at Miwa who had a hopeful eyebrow raised. Temari took his hand. It was warm and oddly soft.

"I'm Temari..." she sais softly.

"It's really nice to meet you," he said in a deep voice with a hopeful smile on his face. "Miwa has told me so much about you."

Temari nodded and attempted to fake a smile. Then she took her hand back and pushed through the door.