Chapter 15: Childhood Reunion

Part 2: Chapter 13

"You do realize you have finals next month, right?" Takeda asked, his eyes hidden behind his glasses.

Next to the teacher, you could see your brother jumping at Takeda's words, a look of horror on his face as his memories of being a student came back to him. One thing that every students dreaded would be none other than examinations.

"Right?" Takeda emphasize as he stared at Hinata, Kageyama, Nishinoya and Tanaka who immediately looked away from their teacher.

"So, I think you know what I'm getting at, but if you any subjects..." The four boys began to tremble as Takeda relay the words spoken by their vice principal to the group of boys gathered in front of him.

You gave your friends' pity looks at the horrified expressions on their faces when they learned that if they failed any subjects, they wouldn't be able to attend the Tokyo away games since supplementary classes will be held that weekend. Tanaka and Nishinoya began to ran for their lives, thinking that they could escape from their fates.

"Hey! There's no where to run! Ennoshita, catch them!" Daichi shouted at the retreating pair who were stopped by the second year.

Meanwhile, Hinata was close to tears as he mumbled to himself. "Fail...Fail...What counts as a failing grade?"

"That's your question?!" You asked the orange-haired male with a shocked look on your face, not believing his words. Out of all things, you did not expect Hinata to say that at all.

On the other hand, Kageyama just sat there as his soul flew out of his mouth, his entire body as white as a ghost.

"Kageyama's not breathing!" Yamaguchi exclaimed at one glance of the genius setter.

"Since we said we were going to continue club activities, we have to at least make decent grades." Suga commented with a pitying look on his face, feeling sorry for the four idiots of Karasuno.

Tsukishima being the sardonic character he was, he smirked at Nishinoya and Tanaka. "You shouldn't fail."

"Maybe if we beg the vice principal..." Hinata desperately asked Takeda.

"Why don't you try really hard and not fail the exam?" Tsukishima taunted Hinata.

"Stop it, you're not helping with the situation!" You whispered-shouted as you jabbed Tsukishima by the side, the said male turning to glare at you.

Takeda gave a sigh, really wanting to help the boys. But once the principal made up his mind, the chance of changing his mind is slim to none. "Even if we get the vice principal's permission, if you have to take supplementary classes, those will take priority."

You winced at the horrified look on Hinata's face once more as his dream of going to Tokyo shattered in the background. You felt sorry for the middle blocker, knowing how much going to Tokyo meant to him. You only felt even more worried for your friend when he decide to approach your brother for help.

You shook your head knowing that it would be fruitless asking your brother for help in terms of studies, considering Keishin isn't a very bright person to begin with. You patted Hinata's on the head reassuringly when he collapsed onto his knees upon hearing Keishin's words.

Suga being the kind soul (bless this boy!) that he was reassured his junior, a gentle smile on his face. "Hinata, I'm sure you don't have to worry this much about it."

"I've never had a double-digit score on any of my quizzes. Will I still be okay?" Hinata turned to the third-year with hopeful eyes.

"Huh?" You and Suga froze at Hinata's words, him doing the same when he realized his doom.

Nishinoya and Tanaka, being the "helpful" seniors that they were, simply clasped their hands together as they give Hinata the Bodhisattva look. At this point, Hinata was really beyond help. You stood there next to Hinata as you patted him on the head, feeling sympathetic for the first year as the entire gym broke into chaos.

"They can do it if they try. They can do it if they try..." (Takeda)

"Sensei, pull yourself together!" (Keishin)

"Ah, the sound of anguish!" (Tsukishima)

"Get a hold of yourself!" Daichi shouted as the four boys stopped breaking down in despair, turning their attention to their captain.

"We still have time until exams start. There's no way Karasuno could bring our best without these four idiots! Not a chance!" Daichi continued with conviction.

"I don't if that statement is meant to be insult or compliment.." You whispered to Tsukishima who raised a brow at you.

"We're gonna do this...We're all gonna to Tokyo." You shivered at the dark look on Daichi's face, knowing that whatever the third year had in mind is going to be anything but pleasant.

***

"I'm actually surprised that Kageyama's grades are bad. He seems pretty smart. Hinata's grades don't surprise me at all though." Yamaguchi thoughtfully said.

"I'm sure all that's in his head is volleyball." Tsukishima absentmindedly comment on his friend's words.

"String bean! Don't say that, it's mean! Besides, they're your teammates." You admonished the overgrown megane who simply rolled his eyes at you.

Currently, you were walking home with Yamaguchi and Tsukishima after practice. As you walked, your mind began formatting ideas on how you could help your friends. You could offer to tutor them, but then again, you need to concentrate on your own grades as well knowing that you aren't doing as well as you should be.

"TSUKISHIMA!"

The three of you turned around at the sound of Hinata's voice. Standing before you was Kageyama and Hinata who looked they rather be any where else but here. You tilt your head to the side curiously, wondering why would they come after Tsukishima, considering the three of them aren't exactly friendly with one another.

"Help us study..please." Hinata whispered the word 'please'.

Tsukishima simply blinked his eyes as he shoot down the short male's help with no hesitation. "What? No."

"Tsukishima!" You gritted through your teeth as you glowered at the male, Hinata's face expressing his irritation.

"Just like less than an hour each day! Or tell us how to study..." Hinata begged Tsukishima, having no choice at all if he wants to go to Tokyo.

Yamaguchi tried being reasonable as he said to Tsukishima. "It wouldn't hurt to do that a couple of minutes before or after club."

You nodded your head as you added on, "Please string bean! Just help them. I would love to help, but my grades are kinda slipping as well..."

Tsukishima gave a reluctant look as you have him the puppy eyes, your (e/c) eyes glazing over with crocodile tears. For some reason, despite him refusing to help the idiotic duo, Tsukishima can't help but feel that if he were to refuse them, you would most likely be upset. Besides, Tsukishima kinda did silently vowed to himself that he will do whatever he can to make you happy. Not that the tsundere dinosaur would admit it if anyone was to ask him.

So, hiding his real feelings behind a smirk, he mocked Kageyama. "Hey, I don't think it's fair that you're having the shrimp ask for the both of you. What do you have to say, big guy?"

You glanced at Kageyama with a sorry look on your face, knowing that whatever Tsukishima said had provoked the blueberry male. Hinata jabbed Kageyama by the side as Kageyama continued to glare at Tsukishima, saying. "Kageyama, ask him!"

"Please teach us." Kageyama mumbled under his breath as you strained your ears, trying to catch his words.

"What?" Tsukishima cupped a hand to his ear, pretending that he couldn't hear a single thing the genius setter was saying.

"Please...teach us how to study."

"I don't think I can quite hear you."

You took a step back as you saw Kageyama trembling in rage. Having enough of being teased by the middle blocker, Kageyama shouted at the top of his lungs.

"TEACH US HOW TO STUDY!!"

Everyone was surprised by Kageyama's outburst as he threw his body into a 90-degree bow, his bag hanging by his neck. You immediately plugged your ears when you realized where you are standing in front of. Just then, Keishin threw the door to your family's convenience store open as he angrily shouted.

"Shut the hell up! You're disturbing the neighbors!"

The boys' ears were still ringing from your brother's shout as they softly apologized. Thankfully you were smart enough to plug your ears beforehand to prevent from going deaf at the volume of your brother's voice.

"Why am I getting yelled?" Tsukishima murmured, a displeased look on his face.

After your brother had went back in, you turned to Kageyama and Hinata as you addressed them with a smile. "Don't worry guys. I will try my best to help you as well. So, you don't have to worry about no one helping you if string bean here refuses to help you guys."

"You're so kind, (nickname)-chan!" Kageyama and Hinata shouted their thanks, their bodies bowed into 90-degrees.

"Ah, please lower your voice before nii-chan comes out and scold you guys again. You don't have to thank me, after all you guy are my friends." You quickly shushed the duo as they sheepishly rubbed their necks.

Tsukishima watched as you waved goodbye to the duo until they were out of sight. At this point, Yamaguchi had already went home, leaving just the two of you. With a smile on your face, you glanced up at Tsukishima before walking off.

A comfortable silence wrapped around you and Tsukishima like a warm, fluffy blanket as you two continued the rest of the journey home. Tsukishima glanced down at you who was yawning, almost walking into a streetlamp if not for the middle blocker who pulled you out of the way.

"Watch where you are going, munchkin. At this rate, you're gonna end up at the hospital."

You simply rolled your eyes at Tsukishima, too tired to argue with him. Tsukishima let out a sigh as he bend down in front of you, his arms outstretched behind him. You raised an eye brow at the male's behavior, asking. "What on earth are you doing string bean?"

Tsukishima gave you an irritated look as he sarcastically replied. "I'm shitting."

"Please save the sarcasm for another day. Just answer me."

"It's obvious from my pose that I'm offering you a piggy back ride, unless of course you're too blind to see it."

"..."

"Do you want it or not? I'm getting tired."

"What do you get out of this?"

Tsukishima straightened his body, adjusting his uniform before walking off and leaving you behind. You ran after Tsukishima, trying to keep up with his long strides.

"Oi, Tsukishima wait up for me. I'm sorry."

The blond male simply ignored you as he continued walking as you struggled to catch up to him. For the next five minutes, Tsukishima continued to ignore you as you kept pestering him to answer you.

"String bean? Earth to string bean?"

"..."

"Look, it's a pink fluffy unicorn!"

"..."

"Oh wow! Is that a dinosaur I see?!"

"..."

You gave up, a pout on your face at the fact that Tsukishima kept ignoring you. However, to your surprise, you were not expecting Tsukishima to offer you a piggyback ride once. This time round, you climbed onto Tsukishima's back without saying anything. Tsukishima tightened his arms around your legs before standing up, your arms securely around his neck.

For the rest of the way to your house, you lay your head on Tsukishima's back. The sound of his heartbeat beating soundly, like music to your ears. You closed your eyes as you sleepily mumbled, "Thank you, Kei."

"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm only doing this so that I wouldn't be the one responsible for bringing you to the hospital." Tsukishima monotonously replied to hide his embarrassment.

Instead, he was met with silent. When Tsukishima turned his head to the side, he saw you fast asleep as you breathe in and out gently. Tsukishima faced the front once more and continued the walk to your house, a small smile on his usually stoic face.

"You're welcome, (name)."

***

"Hey, do you have a moment?"

Training was ongoing when suddenly Kiyoko's voice came from the entrance of the gym, all heads turned to her. You watched with curious (e/c) eyes as a trembling girl with short blonde hair appeared from behind the manager. Your eyes widen at the girl, a sense of nostalgic, as though you saw that girl from somewhere before.

"Konichiwa! My name is Ukai (name)! Nice to meet you!"

"Koni..nichiwa, I'm Hitoka Yachi."

"Oh, hello. Can I call you Ya-chan?"

"Ye..es"

"We're gonna be great friends, Ya-chan!"

Your eyes widen even more when a memory of a small, shy blonde-haired girl from your elementary days came to mind. You took a step forward, uncertain if the girl standing before you was your childhood friend as you hesitantly asked. "Ya-chan, is that you?"

Yachi's own eyes widen at the sight of you, both of you not believing the fact that your childhood friend is standing in front of you. With slightly teary eyes, Yachi said your name, her voice thick with emotions.

"(nickname)-chan, is that really you?"

"YA-CHAN!"

Everyone watched as you took a step forward, flinging yourself into the new girl's open arms. You began to wail like a baby as you let out incoherent speech, joy filling you at the sight of your first friend. Immediately after you finished elementary school in Japan, you moved to Russia and lost all contacts with Yachi. And years later, you couldn't believe that you'll meet her at the same high school.

But then again, the world is a very small place to begin with.

"Eh, (name)-chan knows the new manager?"

You and Yachi broke apart at Hinata's exclamation as you turned to the first year with a surprised look on your face, asking. "You're our new manager?"

However, Yachi was spooked by Hinata's outburst as she began to tremble in fear at the sight of the volleyball players approaching her. You put one arm before Yachi, preventing the boys coming too close to her.

"Guys, you're scaring Ya-chan."

At the protective look on your face, the boys stopped in their tracks, afraid of what you will do to them if they were to cross the line. Kiyokp petted you on the head to calm you down as she addressed the boys about the presence of the new girl.

"Yachi's joining the club on a trail basis as the new manager ..."

Yachi pushed your arm one side as she introduced herself despite being nervous. "I-I'm Yachi Hitoka!"

"Oh, bless the heavens. My little girl is all grown up now!" You sobbed in joyous tears at how much Yachi had grown, wiping your tears onto Tsukishima's shirt who came to stand beside you unconsciously. (if you know what i mean ͡º ͜ʖ ͡º).

"Can you not do that, it's disgusting and I'm not your personal handkerchief." Tsukishima wrinkled his nose in disgust as he snatched his shirt back from your grasp.

For the next minutes, you watched as the volleyball players familiarize themselves with Yachi who was hiding behind you half of the time. You laughed as you watched the scared look on Yachi's face when Asahi asked if she was a first year. You were watching the interaction between Tanaka and Nishinoya who was hiding behind Suga when you saw the dazed look on a certain green-haired cinnamon.

Mischievousness filled your (e/c) eyes when you realized the reason for the dazed look on Yamaguchi's face. When Yamaguchi caught you staring at him, you smirked at him as you wiggled your eyebrows, knowing what he was thinking about. You simply laughed as Yamaguchi turned his head away, his ears bright red.

"Thank goodness. Now there'll be a manager next year too." Asahi smiled as Yachi began to fidget, a lost look on her face.

You looked at your friend with concern as you asked, "Ya-chan, are you okay?"

Luckily for Yachi, Kiyoko stepped in as she explained that Yachi hasn't officially joined the club yet. Instead, she's here just to say hi.

"It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Same!"

Yachi jumped in fear, hiding behind you once more as you petted her on the head reassuringly.

"Don't worry Ya-chan, they're actually very friendly. So, don't be scared, okay?" You smiled at Yachi who returned a nervous smile in return.

Now that with your old friend here with you in Karasuno, things just got ten times more interesting.

The next day...

"Ya-chan, Ya-chan! Are you joining as an official manager yet?" You excitedly asked as you kept bouncing up and down, a hopeful look on your face.

"So annoying." Tsukishima sneered as he and Yamaguchi walked by you. However, deep down, Tsukishima was happy at the fact that you looked so cheerful today. After all, you deserved all the smiles in the world. It suits your cheerful personality.

Yachi laughed as she tried to calm you down. "Ah, gomen (nickname)-chan. I'm just here to observe today."

"Awwww!" A pout settled your lips, Yachi simply hugging you to comfort you.

You snuggled into Yachi's warmth when suddenly you heard footsteps approaching in your direction, your brother's voice reaching your ears. "Hey, you okay?"

Immediately, Yachi hid behind you and cowered in fear. You looked at her curiously before turning to your brother with a glare on your face. A spine traveled down Keishin's spine at the unanimous aura coming off you as you scowled at him, demanding. "Nii-chan, what did you do to Ya-chan?"

Keishin began to shiver in fear as he stuttered in reply. "No-nothing. I was just wondering if she's okay since she ran off after seeing me."

"Oh." You blinked as you returned back to your normal self.

"Um...I'm actually the coach..." Your brother went on, his attention on Yachi now.

Yachi's eyes widen in horror before getting onto her knees, her forehead touching the floor and let out a loud "sorry". You began laughing loudly when you realized what your brother meant by the female running off when she saw him.

"HAHAHAHA! Nii-chan, this is why I told you should have changed your looks. You looked like a gangster. No wonder Ya-chan ran off after seeing your face. Hahaha!"

"Shut up!"

***

For the rest of the week, you were busy with both volleyball and studies due to the upcoming exams. Being a member of a volleyball team was not easy as well as a student since you were constantly reaching home late and usually too tired after training to do any revision.

However, if you were gonna to go to Tokyo and meet your friends there, you'll have to work hard not only for the team but for yourself as well.

"Oi, munichkin. Time to go or else we'll be late." Tsukishima said as he stood up from his seat, his bag slung on his shoulder.

To Tsukishima's surprise, you had tears in your eyes as you faced him. Feeling concerned for you, the middle blocker softly asked. "Are you okay?"

You shook your head, a whimper coming from you as you simply showed Tsukishima a piece of paper. With a raised brow, Tsukishima took the paper from you and look through it. It was a recent quiz that his class just received back today. Tsukishima looked at the paper closely, not getting what you were trying to tell him until he saw your marks. 49/100 written boldly in red.

Tsukishima returned the paper back to you as he simply said. "Is this what you are being sad about?"

You nodded your head woefully in return, not saying anything. Tsukishima gave a sigh as he rubbed his head while you gave him a lost look. Tsukishima immediately looked away, a light blush on his face. For some reasons, the blond felt that you looked rather cute when you at look that way.

With his face till turned away, Tsukishima said with a tense voice. "Have you not been revising?"

"I don't have the time to revise. I always reach home late after training and by then, I'm too tired to study. So, I just go straight to bed. Besides, my other subjects are doing well. It's just so happen that I'm bad at math. What should I do, string bean?" You asked with a helpless tone.

"Are you free this Saturday?"

"Yes, why?"

"Meet me by the park near your house at 10am. Don't be late."

"Huh?"

You gave Tsukishima a confused look, not understanding what was going on. Your eyes widen further more as Tsukishima gave you somewhat of a shy look which was so not him at all. The earth must be coming to an end.

Tsukishima cleared his throat before replying. "I will help you in math this coming Saturday at my house."

You simply blinked at the male who at this point was slowly becoming a member of the tomato family. You opened and closed your mouth, not sure how to respond.

Yeap, the earth is definitely ending.

An awkward silence filled the now empty classroom as Tsukishima shuffles his feet, feeling shy all of a sudden. (I'm sorry that I made Tsukki ooc. ><) He peeked over his glasses to look at your reaction when you still have yet to reply him. Let's just say the look on your face strangely gave the dinosaur lover a sense of happiness.

However as times passes and you were still silent, Tsukishima began to return back to his tsundere mode. The blond male felt embarrassed for even offering his help and even more stupid when you didn't respond to him. Taking your silence as no, Tsukishima icily said before leaving the classroom.

"I shall take your silence as a no. If you didn't want my help, you could have simply say 'no', instead of sitting there looking like an idiot."

You only respond when you heard the classroom door banged shut as Tsukishima left for club activity. Realizing that you were being left behind, you grabbed your stuffs and ran after the blond megane, shouting.

"Ah, I'm so sorry, string bean! I was just surprised by your offer since you're usually not so kind. I would love to have you tutor me in maths."

"..."

"OI DON'T IGNORE ME STRING BEAN! I'M SORRY! PLEASE WAIT FOR ME! By the way, does your offer still stands?"

Tsukishima simply kept walking as you desperately try to catch up him. Curse your short legs. However, you simply smiled when Tsukishima stopped by the staircase, waiting for you. You ran the rest of the distance as you caught up to the beanpole, both of you chatting (more like you) and made your way to the gym.

Tsukishima might not show it often, but there was a small smile on his face as once again, he (rudely) offered to tutor you math this coming Saturday at his house.

And when you said yes, his heart was beating faster than ever, but Tsukishima had never felt more alive than before.

The next chapter: The "study date" at Tsukishima's house with the two main characters. I wonder how will things turn out. ͡º ͜ʖ ͡º