"She broke her arm, didn't she?" Daichi suddenly said, his arms crossed.

"Haah?  Oh, that's right, I told you before, right?" Sugawara rubbed the back of his head.  "Yeah, during practice at the beginning of the year, Kaoru's arm got crushed when she was trying to save a ball, and somebody tried to go after it at the same time."

"Is that why she's always wearing that brace?" Tanaka noted.

"Yeah."  Sugawara's gaze lingered over his cousin a second longer, then he sighed, rubbing his neck.  "I don't really know what she's thinking right now, but I think it's because her motivation and wish are all wrong right now.  I wish she'd like volleyball like she used to..."

"Like she used to, huh?" Daichi mused.  He suddenly strode over to the freshmen.  "Oi.  Kaoru."

She looked over in confusion, and the ball fell on top of her head.  "Itee...yes, captain?"

"Let's have the match right now."

-

"Asahi, Sugawara, and Nishinoya against Hinata, Kageyama, and you.  Is that all right?" Daichi's question was contrary to his tone since he obviously wasn't going to accept any arguments.

"H-Hai!" everyone yelled, quickly scrambling off the court to get ready.

"H-Hold up!" Hinata was waving his arms wildly as he grabbed Kageyama's attention.  "We're going to go against all third-years?!  I-Isn't that not fair for-"

"Don't tell me you're nervous," Kageyama growled at the ginger head, grabbing his skull tightly.  "Don't you want to surpass the ace?"

"N-No, that's not what I'm trying to say!" Hinata flailed, trying to pry Kageyama's fingers off of his head.  "I mean-"

"You mean, you don't think I can handle it, right?" Kaoru's voice startled them.  She was gripping her wrist, and a defiant spark shone in her eyes.  "I'll win.  I have to.  Because of that promise."

Kageyama and Hinata ceased arguing and stood there.  "Right, we'll win, of course," Kageyama gave a hint of a grin.

"Yoshaa!  Let's do this!" Hinata agreed.

"This is the first time I play against Kaoru-chan with other people like this," Sugawara was chuckling on the other side of the court.

"Oh, really?  I can't wait to test her skills," Nishinoya grinned, getting pumped.

"But...I can't help but feel bad for her somehow," Asahi said on a softer note, and the two knew they also agreed.  They glanced over at the freshmen silently-

"You don't have to worry about me," Kaoru suddenly appeared behind the three third-years.

"H-Ha-ah?!"

"Please, don't hold back.  Otherwise it won't be a true victory," Kaoru was completely calm but serious.

"Don't push yourself too hard," Sugawara finally said, giving Kaoru a gentle pat on her shoulder.  "I don't want you to fall asleep right before dinner."

Kaoru blushed, embarrassed, and turned away.  "I'll show you," she threatened, running back to the other side.  "Let's do this, guys," she nodded to Daichi that it was all right to begin.

==

Yui ran down the hall, panting.  "Don't tell me..." she cursed under her breath when she didn't see Daichi in the homeroom.  "They already started..."

==

"Let's go...!!" Asahi sent the first serve flying over the net, which Kaoru easily received.

"Smooth, Kaoru!" Yamaguchi was yelling from the sidelines.

"To me, Kageyama!" Hinata ran up and spiked the toss from the raven-haired setter.

The ball kept flying in the air smoothly as the two sides volleyed from each half when-

"Kaoru! To the left!" Hinata warned, but it was almost too late, had Kageyama not saved it.

"I'll set it!" Kaoru was suddenly up at the front, tossing to Hinata.

"So she's flexible in roles," Coach Ukai noted, slightly amused.

"Won't you stop them, Ukai-san?" Take-sensei was pulling his hair nervously.

"It doesn't hurt for the team to spar a little," Ukai shrugged, walking out of the gym.  "I need a smoke..."

-

After almost half an hour, the score was tied 5 - 5, but Coach Ukai called their attention.  "Oi, it's getting late, and I want you guys to rest, so the last point's gonna show the winner, all right?  Wrap it up quickly."

"Yes, sir!" everyone else agreed.

"We can do this, Kaoru!" Hinata was yelling at the girl, but she merely nodded, not even smiling.

"Oi, what's bothering you, Kaoru?" Kageyama turned to look at her.

She quickly shook her head.  "Nothing.  Let's play."

"All right, Hinata...if you mess up on this serve, it's all on you," Kageyama growled, looking at the shrimp with the ball.

"I-I'll be fine!  Baa-ka!" he made a face at Kageyama then froze up when Kageyama glared back at him.

"Just do your best, Shouyo.  You can do it!" Kaoru yelled, blowing the hair away from her face.

"Here I goooo...!!" Hinata ran forward, throwing the ball up, then hit it...

And it hit the net.

"That's it, the third-years win," Daichi sighed out loud after a prolonged silence.

"HINATAAAA YOU IDIOOOOOT...!!" Kageyama was about to blow his top.

"I'm soooooorrryyyy!!!" Hinata flailed.  "Kaoru-"

The silverette just stood there, staring at the net aimlessly, her gold eyes dimmed for a moment.

"Oi, Kaoru," Kageyama reached out, but she turned to look at the two.

"Thanks for having my back, guys.  It was a pleasure playing with you guys," Kaoru bowed her head a bit to the two boys, then to the third-years on the other side of the net.  "Thank you for spending your time here."  She let out a long exhale and refused to make eye contact with her cousin.  "I'm going to go clear my head for a bit," was all she told Tsukishima as she opened the door and walked out.

The silence in the gym was very very VERY uncomfortable as everyone just stood there, gaping.  "W-Well, we'd better clean up quickly, it's late," Yamaguchi finally mustered up the courage to speak as he glanced at the clock.

That set everyone else in motion to quickly clean up and leave.  "That's unfortunate...she had a good chance," Tanaka noted.

"Waaaaahhh!! I'm such an idioot!" Hinata had his hands clenched.  "I wasted a perfect opportunity!  Hm?  Sugawara-san, where are you going?"

"Ah, to go talk to Kaoru, she'll be fine," he smiled, waving slightly.  "Don't worry about it, you did well, Hinata."  Then he stepped out.

"Did you notice something strange during that match?" Kageyama overheard Yamaguchi telling Tsukishima.  "She always had her eye on the ball but she was hesitating."

"Oh, really?" Tsukishima replied.

"Hesitate...why?" Kageyama mused.

--

"Not too mad to talk to me, are you, Kaoru?" Koushi sat down beside his cousin on the steps leading out of the back of the gym.

"No, I'm fine," Kaoru glanced over at the older Sugawara and folded her hands together.  "Neh, Koushi, do you think I was being rash back there?"

Sugawara straightened his back a bit.  "I think you're just fine.  You just tend to overthink at times.  It's all right."  He gestured to the door.  "Everyone's waiting for you to go back in."

"Thanks, Koushi," Kaoru gave a faint smile before standing to her feet and walking back in.

"Kaoru-san, I'm sorry about that," Hinata immediately greeted the girl, a sad pout on his face.  "I should have done better!"

"It's all right, I..." Kaoru paused, thinking for a bit.  "I had fun."

Kageyama and Hinata's eyes widened slightly.  "That's...that's great!" Hinata cheered.

And Kaoru smiled.