𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄. 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐒𝐖𝐀𝐍
Gilded Girl

      HE REMEMBERS THE DAY she was born. Kyoga was only two years old when his grandpa Yugoro had taken him to the hospital where his parents have been for the last two days. His dad had told him that he was getting a baby sister, that Kyoga will have someone to play blocks with and someone to take care of. He was excited, he was practically bouncing off the walls as he and his grandpa waited patiently in the hallway for his dad to come out and give them the okay to go inside where his mom and his baby sister is. For months he has waited, asking at least once a week if his sister was coming yet. To which his parents would throw their heads and laugh before shaking their head and cupping his cheeks when he pouted his lips. But now, the wait is over. His sister's finally here!

      Basile Clavette-Saito slowly exited the room, careful to ensure that the door didn't make a sound before he faced his son and father-in-law. Though tired, he gave Kyoga the biggest smile he's ever seen before he opened his arms for his son to run into. Even though they had only been apart for such a short time, he had missed the bubbly giggles of his son. Kyoga jumped into his arms and sheepishly smiled when his father gently shushed him for laughing too loud. However, he knew that unlike some children, Kyoga was ecstatic with the idea of having a new friend around the house, that he was going to be a big brother and no longer the baby of the house!

      "Hey, mon chou," Basile coos before he brushes Kyoga's hair away from his eyes. "Have you been a good boy for your grandpa?"

      Kyoga nodded his head excitedly, "Yes! I ate all my carrots yesterday and I went potty all by myself! Can we go see her now? I wanna see Bibi now!" 

      The now father of two bit back his laughter at Kyoga's rushed words. But he nodded his head and pushed the door as quietly as he could before he placed Kyoga on the floor. Kyoga, stepped in hesitantly, almost as if he didn't want to disrupt whatever peace was in the hospital room. His eyes immediately laid on his mother who sat on the bed, bundled blanket in her arms, and who smiled at him as if she had hit the lottery. 

      He pittered over to the side of her bed, a small smile on his face as his mother uses her free hand to brush his cheek lovingly. Her silent way of telling him that she loves him. "Hi Kyoga, you ready to see her?" she asks him gently, voice still a bit hoarse and tired from shouting after giving birth a few hours ago. "She's a little small so I need you to be gentle, okay?"

      Kyoga nods before Basile lift him up and place him next to his mother. He peers over and couldn't help but smile a little bit bigger when he saw her face. She's small, almost like a doll, and she has almost little to no hair, but that's okay.

      "She's so small," he whispers in awe. With a bit of encouragement from his mom, he took her small hand into his, trying so hard not to squeeze her pale fingers too tightly, but to his surprise, she grips onto his finger. He whips her head at his mom in excitement, "Look, mom, she's holding my hand."

      "She likes you already," Ayame tells her oldest. She smiles before she presses her lips against the side of Kyoga's head. And despite the fact that her body is aching from giving birth, her heart has never felt more full after seeing this beautiful sight. She can only hope that the love Kyoga has for his little sister will grow as they both do.

      "What's her name?" Kyoga asks, whipping his head back and forth from his mom to his dad for some kind of answer. But not once did he let go of his sister's hand, because she didn't let go of his.

      And for a small moment, their family felt complete. Ayame's father in one corner, watching their interaction with loving eyes. Basile and his two children in the arms of the woman he loves, the person he wants to spend the rest of his life with. And sure, Basile has parents of his own back in France, but it was nothing like the one he has now. His son is one of the best things that has ever happened to him — and he placed in two Winter Olympics and married the most amazing woman on the planet —, the child who made him a father. But now he has another child, a daughter. What else could he have wanted?

      But what follows the amazing gift of life is a fear that something could happen to this gift you were given. And you can only hope that someday your gift will remain new and untouched, that another will not ruin it. Though it seems like an impossible wish, he can only wish that his kids will remain safe.

      "Her name's Minako," answered Ayame as her eyes focused on her newborn daughter. With her free hand, she gently stroked the baby's cheek, eyes tearing up as the baby opens her eyes. Her focus returned to Kyoga when she heard him awe at the sight. "You know, Minako will need someone to take care of her when Mommy and Daddy can't right?"

      Kyoga looks up at his mom with big eyes and nods immediately. "I take care of Mina! I promise!'

      KYOGA DIDN'T TRY TO HIDE the disappointment he felt, there was no need. His parents knew that he didn't want to spend his Saturday at the ice rink. Besides, this was the second weekend in the row where they spent their entire day at the rink and plus, his parents must know that he sucks at ice skating and he has no talent for hockey — apparently he flees from the opponents too much. He just wasn't into all that bodyslamming violence and he hates how his feet were sore after practices, and it wasn't the same feeling as it was after volleyball practices. After two months of both hockey and figure skating lessons, it's safe to say that it wasn't his forte despite the fact that it was what his father used to do for a living.

      Still, at least out of his two children one of them is enjoying it.

      God, he wants to push Minako down just so they can leave early. Then again, she's probably used to falling down and getting up with how much she skates. 

      Another sigh of frustration left Kyoga before he kicks at the wall, ignoring the fact that he was probably damaging the ice pick of his skate. But his action didn't go unnoticed by his observant mom who placed her book down on her lap and turned her attention onto her son. She smirked knowing very well why Kyoga was upset, but she wanted to hear it from him herself. Ayame knows that if she were the one to bring it up, Kyoga would simply deny it and throw a fit.

      "What's wrong, Kyoga-kun?" she starts off softly, crossing one leg over the other. "You tired again?"

      He pouted, "No. I just don't like being at the stupid rink. Ice skating's boring! It's not even funny and I hate being here all the time. It's so cold all the time!"

      "Kind of the point, buddy," Ayame laughs before she closes her book and pats the seat next to her on the stands. Without a second thought, Kyoga does so and rests his head on his mom's shoulder. Ayame plays with his hair that was getting a bit too long before she kisses the left side of his head. "I'm sorry, I know this isn't fun for you and that ice skating isn't your thing. But hey, tomorrow I'm taking you to the youth club again tomorrow so you could play volleyball."

      "But I wanna go today! I don't wanna stay here!" Kyoga protests, eyes welling up out of frustration. "I wanna go home!"

      Instead of getting frustrated by Kyoga's behavior, Ayame clicks her tongue and shakes her head. She turns his body so he faces her before she gives him a small frown to show her intolerance to his attitude, but not raising her voice to make matters worse. "Kyoga-kun, is it fair that we spend every Sundays at the youth club so you can play volleyball?"

      "Volleyball is fun! Not ice skating. And Mina's too small to play volleyball, she's only 5."

      "Mina-chan doesn't like volleyball, but she still goes to watch you play volleyball," Ayame points out. She smiles before she strokes his cheek lovingly. "I'm sorry, baby. Your Papa and I just want us all to spend time together. I know I'm not home a lot because of work, but I hope you and Mina-chan can spend a lot of time together. And Mina-chan likes ice skating, just like how you like volleyball."

       Just like how I like volleyball.

      His eyes turn to the rink where Basile is skating with Minako. He's skating backward, doing crossovers swiftly as he holds Minako's hand and helps her with her forward crossovers. Face scrunched in concentration, Minako's tongue stuck out as she wobbly places her left foot over her right. And whereas Basile's movements were smooth and fluid, Minako's was the opposite. Still, there was something almost graceful about the way Minako skates, almost like she belongs on the ice. It was like watching her walk for the first time, figuring out the movements and how to pull off the next.

      She wasn't as good as their father. But she can be.

      "Mina-chan's getting better," Kyoga observes quietly. Almost entranced by the way Basile was so fluid and smooth on the ice, and standing right in front of him is his doppelganger, an almost replicate of her father. "Is she going to take lessons too?"

      Ayame nods as her eyes also follow her husband and daughter. "Mhm. She's going to start next year with the other kids. Grandpa is going to take her every day after school, she'll be just like you, Kyoga-kun!"

      Just like me.

      She'll be just like me.

      "She's going to be a good skater like Papa," Kyoga states almost proudly. "I know it!"

      KYOGA DOESN'T KNOW MUCH about his father's parents from France. He knows that his father used to live in France and that's where he had met their mom who was studying abroad. But he knows that after they married the two moved back to his mom's hometown. Still, the only grandparent he knows is his mom's father, Grandpa Yugoro. As for his father's parents, Hugo and Eloise Clavette, they were just rich and sent them a lot of money and gifts for their birthdays and they'd spend every Christmas in France at their big mansion. Still, Kyoga wasn't an idiot and it was only when he got older that he realized his parents didn't enjoy the fact that they had to spend their holidays with his Papa's parents. Hell, even Minako knew and she was only 11. But then again, there was only so much they could hide behind fake smiles and forced conversations. 

      However, it doesn't explain why they were here in the middle of July. Not to mention, it was always their family who did the visiting. As far as Kyoga can recall, the Clavette's had never even been to Japan other than for his Papa's skating business. He knew that his parents didn't expect the surprise visit either, especially their father who hasn't even been able to say more than just a few words since his grandparents had arrived two hours ago. As far as they were concerned their father used almost any excuse to not talk to his parents. There was no way he could weasel out of this one.

      "I see that you're doing exceptionally well in volleyball, Jérémie," Eloise says as she looks at the pictures of Kyoga in his volleyball uniforms. He knows what she says is genuine, according to their dad who does nothing but gossip about their grandparents to him and Minako, the only pride Eloise and Hugo have left is their children.

      But nothing has changed. Hugo and Eloise still call him by the French name they had given him and Minako, never Kyoga. It was almost as if they are still angry at the fact that Basile and Ayame had chosen to spend the rest of their lives in Japan rather than in France. Or in better words, live their lives in the way Eloise never favored. He could tell by the way they refuse to call them by their legal names, only Jérémie and Manon, not Kyoga and Minako.

      "I joined my middle school team!" Kyoga struggled in French. He was barely fluent, Hell, he couldn't even read the language much less speak it properly. He felt like he was stringing along with words that seemed right in his mind. The eldest child could tell by the way his father winced and the way his grandmother's face scrunched in distaste. But in his defense, he mainly spoke Japanese since his father was semi-fluent in the language. It was only because of his grandparents that he and Minako barely learned their father's native tongue. "They're one of the best and hopefully we can go to Nationals!"

      "That's great, Jérémie!" Hugo exclaims before he claps his hand onto his back. "I'm glad to see that something came out of all the lessons your parents signed you up for. You know, there's this great volleyball team back in Lyons that I honestly think — "

      "Dad, let's cut to the chase," Basile interrupts his father. He ignores the glare his mom sends his way and folds his hands in front of him. On his right was his wife with the kids on the sides of the table, his parents right in front of him. He was never the stern one, that was Ayame's job, but it seems that when it came to her in-law's, that wasn't the case. "You never come to visit us, so why now?"

      Eloise looked like she had a comeback, but she bit back her tongue and straightened her posture. And though Kyoga's own mother was the idea of prim and proper, his grandmother was a different story. She looked artificial and strung up whereas his mother was graceful and elegant. His mother wore pantsuits and the same diamond earrings she got when she was 15. His grandmother is all pearls and red lipstick with new earrings almost every time he saw her.

      "Manon's ice skating is doing well," Eloise comments before she turns and gives a smile to her granddaughter who flinched under her gaze. "At least her partner this time around is better than the last, he can actually keep up with her. Not to mention, he actually looks big and strong, the last one looked like he could barely lift her up!"

      "I — I've lost some weight," Minako points out meekly before she rubs the palms of her hands nervously. "Makes me easier to lift."

      Eloise smiles almost proudly at the new fact before she places her hand over Minako's. She then turns her attention back to her son and daughter-in-law, smile only growing. "A friend of mine has a grandson who also does pair skating and he's one of the best I've ever seen! Well, besides Manon, of course. But anyways, his coach was talking to her about finding a new partner for him because the last one was awful, so I sent Manon's last competition to her. And of course, she thinks Manon is perfect! I mean I knew that woman had good taste — "

      "Mom, what are you saying? You did what?" Basile cuts off. He felt his hands grow clammy and his stomach churn. He never liked his mother interfering with his kids' lives, he didn't want them to have the same control she had over his. Especially when it comes to ice skating.

      "Well, they think Manon is a great fit. They want her to skate with him for a few days, see if they're compatible to be a pair," Eloise finishes before she lifts her teacup to take another sip.

      Kyoga felt his stomach drop before his eyes snap onto Minako's who did the same. They both exchanged an indecipherable look. France? Partner? As far as he knows, Minako's current partner is amazing, a good fit for his sister. Not to mention, they had spent weeks with Basile and his coach discussing the terms of the partnership. She was expected to compete with him this season, he was her best shot at doing so. But now his grandparents want her to partner with this guy? Would this mean that Minako moves to France? Would they need to move to France? He wouldn't be surprised if they had to, after all, Minako's ice skating career was growing serious, but he wasn't ready to give up Japan for France. He likes it here.

      But even then, he saw something in his sister's eyes: wanting for the best. There was more want than fear of the unknown. And he knew his sister, he knew that she wanted it all; the gold medals, the glory, all of it was important to her. Even though Minako was still a kid, there was something so mature about her that made Kyoga uncomfortable.

      "What do you want, mon minou?" Basile questions his daughter. His tone soft, not like the one he used for his own mother. But in the eyes of their parents, their kids' wants were far more important than anything else. And they were willing to do anything for them. "Do you want to go check it out?"

      Before she answered, Minako looks up at Kyoga, almost as if she needed him to give her the right answer. What could he even say? Was he even allowed to have a say in this matter at all? This is her dream, not his. He doesn't want her to leave, who would set for him at home when he needs extra practice? Kyoga couldn't afford to be selfish, his sister would hate him for the rest of their lives. Instead of saying no, he gave her a small smile in return and nodded her head encouragingly.

      Minako smiles before she faces the adults. "I'll do it."

      HE SAT ON HER BED AND WATCHED as his little sister packed up some of her clothes. Kyoga was supposed to be helping her pack, but he had already spent the last two hours filling suitcases for her. And in his defense, he needed the break. Though he didn't plan on spending his winter break helping his sister pack for her move to France. Minako had spent the last few weeks in Lyons, France with their grandparents, practicing and skating with the boy his grandmother had gushed over, an upcoming skater by the name of Mathis Lévesque. About a week ago she had made her final decision to stay with their grandparents to skate there, to make a name for herself as their father did. Now here they were, packing for her to leave for who knows how long. After all, she's only 11 and it's going to be a long time until she's able to go to the Olympics.

      "I heard the trains in France aren't as nice as the ones here," Kyoga comments before he points his popsicle at his sister, one of his ways to irritate her. Minako only rolled her eyes at his comment before she shoved another sweater into her third suitcase. "What? You know I'm right. Plus, your French is terrible. You'll never last there."

      Minako scowls before she throws one of her stuffed animals at his head. "Shut up! My French is better than yours and I could at least read French. You can barely read Japanese! I'll be fine there. Plus, I'm not even going to public school anyway, Grandma set up homeschooling for me so I could just focus on skating."

      Kyoga whistled, "Wow, so you're really going to have no friends. I mean, you were already friendless. Not to mention, homeschooling won't work for someone dumb like — "

      "Shut it! You don't even have friends!"

      "That's not true! I have Iwaizumi and Oikawa."

      "You don't even like Oikawa."

      "Okay, but I have other friends. And it's not that I hate Oikawa, he's just annoying sometimes," Kyoga shot back before he throws his finished popsicle stick at her forehead. He watched as Minako ignore it and move on to folding her practice tights into a new suitcase. "So this Mathis guy . . . is he that good?"

      Minako's eyes almost light up at the mention of her new partner. She looks up and nods excitedly. "He's the best! Gran was right, he's so good! He knows what he's doing and because of him, I might be able to move up a level. Not to mention, we can start practicing lifts soon!"

      He never understood all of these terms no matter how much she tried to explain it to him. Just as he knows only the basics of ice skating, it was the same for her when it came to volleyball. Still, after going to many different competitions and showcases, Kyoga knew that his sister is freakishly good. She was another person on the ice, her elegance and composure unmatched even when she's pressured. But the minute the music is on, the minute she starts, she's a different person.

      Beautiful. Almost like a swan.

      "Good," he grins before he roughly ruffles her neat hair, only to stop when she slapped his hand away. "And with you being gone it just means I can finally have the TV all to myself! I don't wanna watch another drama because of you."

      Minako sticks her tongue at him. "Don't lie, you're going to miss me!"

      "In your dreams, Mina-chan! Like I'll miss someone annoying like you!"

      "You're annoying!"

      "Take it back!"

      "Will not!"

      "Take it back!"

      "In your dreams!"

      Maybe she's right. Maybe he will miss her. After all, he's only really had her. Sure he had friends, but now that he thinks about it, she was always around. He was an only child for only two years before Minako was born. All he's ever really known was her.

      But Kyoga knew how important ice skating is for Minako. It was her life just like volleyball is for him, a lifeline they couldn't deny. He couldn't imagine not taking up an opportunity to be the best and he couldn't get angry at her for doing so. Still, he could only hope that this would be a good thing, not something she'll regret. If anyone could make a name for themselves it was his sister. She could be the best skater in the world, he knows that. Maybe being skater first than sister next is the best option for her. Still, he could only hope that he won't be out of her life for good, that it will still be them against the world.

      Make your mark, little sister. Make your mark.

      HE HAD HIS DAY PLANNED out perfectly. Kyoga had volleyball practices and then afterward he was going to get buns with Daichi, Suga, and Asahi. The Inter-High preliminaries were going to be in two months and practices were only going to be more intense. Not to mention, Daichi had some ideas he wanted to test out for the four of them. Afterward, he'd go home and make some excuse to his parents on why he was coming home so late and stuff himself with dinner before playing with his little sister Yua for an hour before putting her to bed. Then he'd procrastinate from doing his homework by binging anime and finally starting his homework at midnight. It was a routine he had grown used to, one that was familiar to him and something that wasn't disrupted. And for the last few years, it was one he had grown used to.

      But then it broke.

      "Kyoga-kun, your phone's been ringing for the last ten minutes," Shimizu tells him during the break. She went to the clubroom briefly to find some of the spare kneepads the captain had told her about when she heard the ringing of a phone. The manager was going to ignore it, if only it wasn't ringing over and over again.

      After taking a drink from his bottle, Kyoga thanks her before he takes his phone. He flashes her a smile and hands her his bottle before he walks out of the gym to see who was calling. He wasn't used to getting many calls since his parents knew when his practices were, and as for his new girlfriend, he had already promised her that he'd call her when practice ends. Still, Kyoga didn't think twice when he saw that his father had called him, but it was the number of times that worried him.

      His father had called him 14 times in a row.

      "Hey, Papa?" Kyoga says after his father finally picked up. "Is everything okay — "

      "Minako got into an accident." He froze. Kyoga hasn't heard from his sister in weeks other than the occasional stories from his parents or when she texted them. Even then he figured that she was just under stress or was concentrating on her practices. But his mind racked for the many different ways his sister could be hurt or the degree of it. Minako never got hurt except for the few small falls on the knees, but even when they were kids it was rare. She was the perfect skater, she was amazing in every single way when it comes to the sport. Hell, the most she's ever gotten injured with is a bruised knee or cutting her palms from holding her blades.

      How did she get into an accident?

      "We need you to come home and watch Yua," he heard his father say. In the background, Kyoga could detect movement and he could only interpret it as his parents moving around frantically. He even heard Yua crying hysterically, probably because of the own hysteria their parents were going through. "NOW KYOGA! NOW!"

      "O-Okay, I will. I'll be there soon, I promise." His father didn't say much before he hangs up.

      His mind was racking for answers, possibilities on what could've happened. Kyoga moved numbly before he walked back in the gym, not attentive to the fact that their break was now over and everyone was getting ready for spiking practices, his favorite. All his mind could focus on is Minako, Minako, Minako. He felt like he was going to throw up. It was like every nerve in his body was numb, like nothing could touch him. But at the same time, it was as if he was walking on pins and needles. How bad could her accident have been that his parents were informed? That they had to call him away from practice instead of telling him when he got him?

      It had to be bad, it had to. Something must've happened and —

      "Kyoga-san?" Daichi.

      Kyoga's eyes snap up at his close friend. He didn't even try to hide his tears as he stares at the rest of his team whose eyes were all centered on him. His hands balled into fists by his sides as his nails dig into the palms of his hands. The middle-blocker bows his body in half as he stays there. Kyoga couldn't think about practice, he couldn't think about letting down his teammates or that he was potentially hurting their chances at the Spring Tournament. His sister is hurt and here he is, miles away and not able to do anything to change that.

      "I'm sorry! Please let me go home!" he shouts. There was no hiding the shakiness in his voice as he begged his captain. He didn't even try to hide the fact that he was close to crying. "M-My sister she — And I need to go — Please!"

      Daichi placed his hand on Kyoga's shoulder, forcing his friend to stand up. Never has Kyoga shown such emotion, such fear. All he could sense was desperation from his friend. "Yua? What happened to Yua?"

      "Not Yua. My other sister," Kyoga choked out as he gripped the hem of his shorts to prevent himself from breaking. Daichi took notice of the way his fingers trembled when he did so. They could all see it, the crumble, the fall of one of their strongest. "She got into an accident a-and I think my parents need to fly over. They need me to watch Yua."

      The team could only watch as Kyoga sputter like a baby. He was the funny guy, the comic relief if you will. He was strong not just physically, but mentally. Even when times were rough, even when the team was close to breaking because of tension, it was Kyoga who kept them together. They knew Kyoga had two sisters, but he had only really talked about Yua that they didn't think much of the other. But judging by his reaction, it seems as if this one is just as close as the other.

      "Go home," Coach Ukai said from the sidelines. He knew that Kyoga was one of the more composed members of the team, that he wouldn't have missed practice for anything in the world. But family triumphed volleyball and that Kyoga wouldn't be any good to them if his mentality crumbled. "Come back when you can."

      Kyoga didn't need to be told twice. He didn't even bother to change when he had gotten to the clubroom, only taking his backpack and duffel bag with him before he ran off the campus. He was fortunate enough that they lived close to Karasuno, that it was only a twenty-minute walk, but a five-minute run if he tried. Maybe cut it down to three if he was lucky. He didn't care that his legs were burning, that his lungs were tightening in desperate need for air, or that his practice bag was unzipped. All he could think about was Minako.

      She's hurt. I wasn't there to take care of her. I wasn't there. I wasn't there, he thought.

      SHE WASN'T BROKEN, SHE COULD BE FIXED, and in Kyoga's mind that was all that mattered. Their parents flew to Lyons to find out that Minako had an accident because she was skating alone after hours without her coach or Mathis around. From what their father had told him briefly, she had a muscle strain on her left hip causing her to fall completely on her left side. The result of that was terrible bruising on her left hip, a torn ACL from landing on the left side of her knee so abruptly, and a minor concussion. And though the concussion wasn't as bad, it was the other injuries that had Kyoga worried. He knew that she was going to be out of the season since the pain on her hip would only make her jumps and turns insufferable to do. The pressure would only worsen and make her tighten up and fall if not properly healed. Not to mention she had surgery a week ago because her knee was unstable. Skating was out of the question for her and it was their mother who insisted that Minako return to Japan to properly heal.

      Minako had only returned to Japan a few days ago. She'd spend it at home with their parents and Yua while he went to school. Kyoga was able to skip for as long as his parents were in France during Minako's surgery and recovery process. It wasn't easy to distract a two-year-old on why their mommy and daddy weren't home and there were only so many instant meals he could cook and movies he could play. Hell, he was lucky some of the guys had shown up to help out, especially when Nishinoya is Yua's favorite.

      For awhile, Minako had to adjust to being back home such as dealing with Yua who was almost jumping off the walls with the idea of having her big sister around more. Hell, Kyoga had once caught Yua climbing onto her wheelchair just to sit on her lap. But the rest of the family had to adjust with her such as Kyoga having to lift her up from her wheelchair to go to bed or their mother having to wash her hair for her. It was hard to watch their parents walk on eggshells around her, terrified to set her off. Especially Basile who has always babied Minako and Ayame who blamed herself for not being there enough for her daughter.

      She wasn't the same as before. Ever since she moved to France it was like his sister was a different person. At first, it wasn't noticeable. Minako had almost seemed happier with her new partnership and it wasn't rare for her to text Kyoga all about what she had just learned or what she had perfected. But recently it seemed as if things have shifted. Sure, they didn't have the same close relationship they used to when she had still lived in Miyagi and he didn't expect her to be buddy-buddy with him when she moved or when she became a teenager. He understood that not everyone remains the same, that people changed. Even so, she never replied to his texts as much and even if she did they'd be one-worded responses. Not to mention, Minako seemed more quiet and irritable when her parents called her. 

      Now after she moved back, she was even worse. She was quiet, almost mute. Not once did Minako try to initiate conversations, she only talked when it was to reply to someone. In a way, his little sister seemed like a vegetable, the shell of what she once was.

      Their parents had decided that it would be best if Minako had finished her schooling in Japan. Since homeschooling is practically unheard of in Japan, that meant going to the same school as Kyoga, something they haven't done since elementary school and even then it was for a few years before Minako had left. He doubts she remembers what schooling is like in Japan or even public schooling in general, but he knew that he had to be there for her. If he remembers anything, Minako hated being babied, but she didn't try to protest when he offered to push her wheelchair.

      "I know it's early, but I have practice in the morning," Kyoga explains as he pushes her wheelchair down the somewhat empty streets. The humidity beating on him was insufferable, but not for Minako who remained calm and collected. "But I promise it's only going to be for an hour or so and then I'll take you to your homeroom. I have a teammate who's in the same class as you so he'll help you out, yeah? But then again, if you need me you have my number."

      She only nods in response.

      It was almost odd to see Minako in the same uniform as his, the only difference was the cast on her leg that would catch anyone's eyes. But she didn't try to hide it, it was almost as if she wanted everyone to know, even herself. Like some sort of punishment.

      For the rest of the walk to school, it was mainly Kyoga who did the talking. Minako only hummed or nodded in response, but she seemed to be listening to his stories. He wasn't sure if she even understood, after all, she was only speaking French for the last few years besides the conversations she'd have with her mom and him. This was one of the many things Minako had to adjust to. It wasn't long until they reached the front of the gym where a few of his teammates were. Still, Kyoga's heart couldn't help but race at the idea of his sister being introduced to his world, not when she had lost hers. But he wanted to do anything to make her comfortable, after all, it was his world that she was going to settle in for a while.

      Suga was the first one who had noticed them. He smiled and waved at Kyoga who returned the gesture. But it didn't take long until his eyes fell upon Minako, the cast, and the wheelchair. His smile fell a little. Kyoga didn't go into details as to what had happened to his little sister and they never pressured him to tell them. All they knew was that she was going to come back to Japan and stay with his family for a while, just until she's healed and okay. Asahi and Daichi's eyes followed Suga's and like him, they noticed Minako almost immediately. They also knew that it was better not to question and prod around for answers.

      They looked similar. Minako and Kyoga, that is. But then again they're siblings. Same dark brown hair that looked different under the sunlight that matched the color of their eyes. Their features differed from the rest of their classmates, but it could be because they're not fully Japanese. The two could almost pass off as twins if possible. Though there were differences such as Minako's paleness that stood out from Kyoga's tan. Not to mention the frown that seemed to have settled on Minako's face and the smile on her brother's. Besides the similar features and the knowledge that the two are related, no one would've been able to guess.

      "Goodmorning!" Kyoga greeted excitedly before he stopped in front of his friends. "Did you guys open the gym already?"

      "Yeah, Captain handed me the keys yesterday so we could get an early start," Daichi explained rather happily before he beamed a small smile at the pair of siblings. "We have until 7 as usual, so we need to set up the court."

      "Sounds good to me," Kyoga shrugs. He then placed his hand on Minako's shoulder to catch her attention as her gaze rested on the backpack on her lap. She looked up at her big brother with blank eyes. "And this is my little sister, Minako. She's in the same class as Tanaka and Noya. Mina-chan, these are my friends. Azumane Asahi, Sugawara Koshi, and Sawamura Daichi. They're in the team with me!"

      Minako stared blankly at them, not a change from her attitude before. Kyoga went as far as to gently push her neck down to make it look as though she was bowing her head.

      She wasn't sure what they expected from her. They were going to pity her because of her injuries, she knows it. And Minako wasn't even sure whether or not she should even bother. It wasn't like she was planning on staying, she was going to go back to France the minute her injuries heal. This isn't going to be her life, it never was. This is Kyoga's, this is the life he settled for her, but not her. She was different than her brother.

      Daichi noticed the discomfort and slight annoyance on Minako's face. He knew she didn't want to be seen as broken, that she was strong and that she was more than capable. If she was anything like Kyoga, then she is a fighter. She'll preserver and she'll push her way out of whatever trap she's in. This was the face of someone who wasn't going to give up just yet, not until it was their last breath. And he was going to honor that, to not treat her like a wounded dog because he knows that is more offensive than anything.

      He bent down until he was meeting her at eye-level. Without a second thought, he extended his hand out for her to shake before he gave her a genuine smile. "Nice to meet you, Minako-san. It's nice to meet you."

      For a moment, she simply stared at his hand, almost as if she didn't know what to do with it. But before Kyoga could apologize for Minako's brash behavior, she shook his hand. Well, if you could classify it as a shake. Her eyes never left his, almost as if she was reading him to see what his intentions were. Still, she took his hand in hers and gave it a small squeeze before she muttered under her breath: "Nice to meet you."

      Some things could be fixed. Even if they seemed broken, but some never were.

A/N;

Surprisingly this only took me one day to write because I had a lot of time to pass! So I hope you all enjoy this prologue. I try not to write them because they're sometimes useless and I want to cut to the chase, but this prologue gives me an excuse to give flashbacks without forcing them down your throats in future chapters.

It also gives you an idea of Minako and Kyoga's relationship and how she returned to Japan!

Big thank you to Eleanor for the help! I truly cannot thank her enough for the feedback she's given me!

Much Love Guys.

( written: march 31, 2020 )
( published: april 1, 2020 )