It was the day before the team would leave for Nationals and Coach Ukai cancelled practice. Rest was important, he lectured and then asked the managers to separate Kageyama and Hinata to ensure they wouldn't sneak off and practice on their own. Since Mirae had made plans ahead of time with Tsukishima, Yachi took Hinata to go shopping with her and Tadashi leaving Emiko to babysit Kageyama.

The bell rang, signalling the end of the school day and Emiko quickly collected her textbooks before scurrying out the classroom and down the halls to her locker. She threw her books into her bag and pulled out her phone.

There were 10 missed calls from "pops" and 30 missed calls with 50 text messages from "Demon Queen". She threw her head back and whined.

There was only one way to deal with a stalker, or in this case a parent who wouldn't leave you alone. And that was to trick them. Emiko typed out a service error 305 message and sent it. It had worked many times before and so she prayed to her ancestors that it would work this time too.

Her ancestors didn't answer her. The Demon Queen responded with: nice try Emiko.

She narrowed her eyes. "Oh, aren't you persistent, huh?" She typed out a fake advertisement that had a link attached to it, reading: click this link for flawless de-ageing cream.

The Demon Queen responded with I'll cancel your phone plan. Pick up my phone calls or call your papa right now.

Emiko retaliated by blocking her and her dad. She laughed to herself and stared at the screen. "That's right, I'd like to see you send me messages now!"

"What are you doing?"

She turned around and stared at a white shirt. Her eyes slowly trailed up to see blue eyes staring down at her. She looked down again, face burning red when she realized there was little to no space between them. Emiko pushed him away.

"Ow."

"Don't sneak up on people Tobio, that's creepy."

"I'm not creepy."

"Yeah, you are."

"I didn't sneak up on you."

"Yeah, you did."

He glared at her and she huffed in annoyance. Closing her locker, she looked down at her shoes. "Now what?" She asked herself.

"Huh?"

"Nothing, I'm not talking to you."

"Why not."

"Because you're you."

"That doesn't make sense."

"You don't make sense!"

"Why are you yelling at me?"

She opened her mouth to speak but words didn't come out. "I'm not yelling."

"You've been really weird lately."

"Have not."

"You have."

"How?"

Kageyama turned and walked away. Emiko narrowed her eyes and ran after him.

"Tobio, tell me how!"

He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. You just don't seem like yourself."

"Impossible."

"No, it's possible."

"No way."

"Yes way."

"Wanna tell me how then?" She brought out her arm and stopped him.

"You've been avoiding me."

She laughed. "What you want me to run at you like your fangirls? Screaming your name?"

"Isn't that what you used to do?"

"I-" She couldn't think of anything to say because that was exactly what she used to do. Ever since realizing her feelings for him, experiencing the fangirls from Inarizaki, and Akira's wrath, Emiko decided to stay away from any rumours that could be made about her. Scared that she would react to her feelings, or act upon them, she distanced herself from Kageyama. But it appeared that he wasn't as oblivious as she hoped he'd be.

He nodded his head and started walking. Emiko felt guilty. She started after him and pulled on his sleeve.

"I'm not avoiding you," lies. "It's just the Demon Queen is starting to get involved in my school life which means I have more homework and studying to do."

He stared at her, trying to decide whether to believe her or not. "Why don't you walk to school with Hinata and I anymore? Or after practice?"

"I'm helping my grandparents with Sakonoshita during my free time since Uncle Keishin can't anymore." Not completely wrong.

"The hallways?"

"Akira. You know ever since she tried to murder me the other day, I've been trying to stay away from giving her another reason to pulverize me."

He stifled his laugh, covering it up with a cough.

"Don't laugh at me!"

"It's-," he broke into laughter to which Emiko smacked his arm.

"I said don't laugh at me."

"I don't know why you're so scared of Akira. It should be the other way around, just like the Kitagawa pretty girls."

"No. Akira is a different breed. She's nothing like the Kitagawa girls." She pressed her palm against her forehead. "It's like if the Kitagawa girls were on steroids, possessed by demons, had centuries of hate built up, and were disowned by their ancestors. Believe me Tobio, I don't stand a chance against this one. That's why I have Mirae saved as my emergency number ready to be speed dialled at any time."

She looked up and froze; Kageyama was smiling at her. Suddenly Emiko's heart started beating faster and her cheeks burned a darker red.

He reached out his hand and Emiko panicked, sprinting down the hallway. She quickly texted Mirae, asking where she was. She heard him running after her and cried out, "Don't follow me!"

"We're supposed to hang out."

"I don't want to anymore!"

"But Coach Ukai-"

"Stupid Uncle Keishin!" She growled and pushed the doors open. If it wasn't for her uncle cancelling practice, Emiko wouldn't have to be spending time alone with him. Now standing outside she dug into her bag and grabbed her water bottle. She drank out of it and then splashed some onto her face.

"Why're you running?"

"You know what Tobio-"

"What?"

Her eye twitched. "Don't interrupt me."

"But you asked me-"

"It wasn't an actual question."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"What're we doing today?"

"Hold up." Emiko took out her phone hearing it vibrate she quickly read the text and then smiled while putting the phone away. "We're hanging out with Mirae and Tsukki! Come on." She grabbed his wrist and started marching.

Kageyama's eyes widened, and the tips of his ears burned red. He wasn't even holding her hand, but she was holding onto him. He looked away, trying to hide his smile, and let Emiko drag him towards the park.

Stolen glances all throughout the day. Brushing fingers at practice. It was all Mirae could do to keep her composure and not run out to hide in the changing rooms. Her poor heartfelt faint, emotions controlling every thought in her mind. It truly did not help that ever since she had returned from the Convention, Tsukishima had adopted a tongue-in-cheek attitude towards her.

It was endearing.

"I'm just saying," she said, glancing at him from the corner of her eyes, "that you should go home and rest. Coach gave us all orders."

"He did say that." Tsukishima, and Mirae told herself that it was an accident for the fourth time, brushed his hand against hers. "What Coach doesn't know won't hurt him."

And there it was again. Simple words that sent her heart racing in her chest and made her palms sweat.

"Why?" She whispered.

"Hm?"

"Nothing."

"You said something?"

"Nope. I didn't say anything."

"If you say so."

The snow was cleared off the sidewalk and though the air had gotten relatively warmer, the sky was still grey with news of another snowfall. It was why the park was empty.

They continued walking and took a seat on the bench. It was cold and Mirae's eyes widened, her knees bumping. As though it couldn't get any more cliché, Tsukishima shifted closer to her. The warmth from his body drew her nearer, though their hands remained clasped in their own laps.

"I still can't believe we scored perfect on our project."

"I can."

"Really? What made you so self-assured?"

"Well," he glanced at her, "I had you as a partner."

Her cheeks burned red. "And Tadashi."

"Well, we're not really talking about Tadashi right now. We're talking about you."

And there it was again. That tongue-in-cheek attitude of his that made her want to roll onto the ground and just lay there. Her feelings, well she didn't know how to describe them, and she definitely didn't know what to do with them either. But now they had both turned their bodies to face each other. He had unclasped his hands and was tapping the tips of his fingers on her knuckles. The cold air was visible with each exhale of breath and the distance between their lips was getting shorter.

Both a little unsure, neither willing to pause and search for an answer.

That is until a familiar voice cut through the haze that they were in.

"Mirae!" Komori's face came into view on the screen, smile just as blinding and eyes lit with mischief. "Oh- I'm dropping the last name since our relationship isn't strictly professional anymore. Guess that means you can finally call me Motoya."

She giggled in response. "How are you? Are you guys still at practice?"

"Yeah, we are. With nationals just a few days away, we're all trying to be in top shape. We're going for gold this year, so uh, no hard feelings if our teams are matched."

"No hard feelings," she promised.

"Sounds great! So how are you? How're the guys at Karasuno?"

"I'm good! We are all. I'm actually at the park hanging out with some friends right now."

"Is that feisty one there?"

"Is he talking about Hinata? Hey- Mirae! Why is your friend talking about Hinata like that?! Is he looking for a fight?"

"I'm gonna take that as a yes?" Komori stifled his laugh. "Tell her I say hi!"

"Tell her yourself."

Mirae turned the camera to let the two face each other. Emiko scowled at the aloof expression on the other's face.

"Motoya Komori."

"Feisty Chick."

"Excuse-"

"So what's up?" Mirae quickly turned the phone to face herself again. A chorus of laughs came from the other end.

"Okay, you won't believe it, but our video went viral!"

"Video?"

Mirae smiled sheepishly at her three friends. "Uh- yeah. Before I left Tokyo, Motoya and I filmed a tiktok video."

"What tiktok?"

"It was silly."

"Which tiktok, Mirae?"

"You know, the one that's been trending. Honestly, it's not a big deal, everyone was doing it."

"Mirae," Emiko paused to take a deep breath. "Which tiktok trend was it?"

"The renegade."

"Are you kidding me?!" She leapt forward and it was only by the quick thinking of Kageyama that she didn't tackle Mirae off the bench in an attempt to get the phone. "That's not fair! I begged you, I begged you and I was so nice to you, and you still wouldn't film a tiktok with me! But then Mr. Tokyo comes here with his eyebrows, and you say yes? How does that make any sense?"

"Calm down, Emiko."

"No! Tsukishima you stay out of this, this is between my so-called best friend and I! How dare you Mirae, seriously what happened to loyalty? What happened to respect? What happened to the golden rule of first come first serve, huh?"

"I am so sorry about her."

"Don't worry about it, I love her spunk."

"Oh, I'll show you spunk- Tobio! Tobio let go of me!"

"Kageyama if you let go of her, I will actually never let you live it down that she escaped your hold."

"I'm stronger than her," he huffed, "I won't let her go."

"Guys, please! This is embarrassing!"

"Mirae seriously it's fine! We're all good friends. Hey- Kiyoomi come here and say hi to Mirae." The camera went out of focus for a second before the expressionless face of Sakusa came on screen.

"Yo."

"Hi Sakusa."

"There. Motoya you can let go of me now."

"That's it?!" Emiko screeched, once more flailing in Kageyama's hold. "He gets to say "yo" and everyone's okay with it? But if I say "yo" it's like I'm throwing gang signs, and everyone wants to have a sit down with my mother?"

"Emiko Suzuki," Sakusa's brows furrows and he narrowed his eyes. "Hey, did you quarantine yourself?"

"What? Why would I quarantine myself?"

"Because Atsumu Miya carries more germs than the average human being and spreading it to your friends will put them out of the competition."

"That's a lie!" She seethed. "Tobio, if you would be so kind as to remove your arms from me, I would like to get my phone and have my new best friend here to actually defend himself against such an accusation."

"Uh- sure."

Tsukishima grinned at Kageyama. "I am never letting you live this down."

As though reminded of the challenge, Kageyama tightened his hold around Emiko. Like an animal caged, she went wild. Kicking and thrashing, her yells echoed in the empty park. To any stranger, it would look like an attempted kidnapping. And that's exactly what a small child thought as he stood at the entrance near the swings. He blinked and then ran back home, tears streaming down his face.

"Tobio you let go of me this instant!"

"No."

"No- What do you mean no? Hey, let go of me!"

"No."

"Mirae!"

"Emiko, behave."

"How am I the one being scolded right now?! Tsukishima you're supposed to be my friend, help me!"

"No thanks. Kageyama's got it."

"What? Oh- you traitor!"

As the wrestling continued, Tsukishima took it upon himself to snag the phone from Emiko's jacket pocket. He typed in her password (donttouchmyphone) and then swiped to the facetime app where he promptly started a facetime call with "My Soul Sister". He had actually helped her come up with that.

"Hey! Suzuki- Ah... yer not Suzuki. Yer..." his voice trailed off. Another voice from the background called out "Tsukishima" and Atsumu faced the camera again. "Tsukishima! Where's Suzuki?"

"Tsum-tsum! I'm right here!"

"Ay! Suzuki c'mere let me see ya."

"I would if I could but I'm currently being held back by a traitor."

"I'm not a traitor," Kageyama shot back.

"Is that Miya?" Sakusa huffed.

"I think it is! Hey Atsumu!" Komori's voice rang out.

"Motoya? Hey why're ya on call?"

"I was talking to Mirae! Small world, huh?"

"I'd say so. How's it goin'? How's Kiyoomi?"

"Ah he's right here actually!"

"No, I'm not."

"Yes, he is."

"Hi Kiyoomi-kun! I can't wait ta face y'again at the tournament."

"You're gonna lose Miya."

"Actually-" Emiko but in, "Inarizaki is gonna win! They're really good, way better than you guys. Not better than Karasuno so that game's gonna be intense, but yeah, they won't lose to anyone but Karasuno."

"We're definitely not losin' to the crows." A new voice spoke up. Lazier and one pitch lower than Atsumu's, Emiko instantly recognized it.

"Osamu!"

"Heya Suzuki."

"I'm leaving."

"Kiyoomi no."

"I have nothing left to say. Just that Suzuki should quarantine because of Hyogo."

"Hey!" Both twins chimed at once. "What's that supposed ta mean?"

"You figure it out."

"Kiyoomi-kun that's rude!"

"So rude!" Emiko agreed. She fussed around some more to no avail. Tsukishima finally decided to grant her some mercy and let the camera facetime her. "Atsumu you don't understand how betrayed I feel right now. They filmed a viral tiktok without me."

"A tiktok?" Osamu mused. "That's cringe."

"It is." Atsumu agreed. "Lemme guess. It's one of those dancin' ones- like the, um, ayo Rin! What's that one dance called? The one where they look like they're fightin'?"

"The renegade."

"Yeah! The renegade!"

She gaped, flickering her stare to the others. "It was the renegade."

"That's cringe."

"Yeah, ya weren't betrayed Suzuki. Ya were saved."

"Actually," a lazy voice drawled from beside the twins. "I just saw the video. Ando and Komori-" he whistled.

"Wait- Ando? Show me!"

"No."

"Rin show me!"

"It's still cringe."

"That's enough of that." Tsukishima promptly ended the facetime. He kept a hold on the phone though and instead smirked at Emiko. She was still in the tight embrace of Kageyama.

"Tobio let go of me."

"No."

The two of them continued their bantering. They were a little too simple to understand what was happening or how it looked like, but that in and of itself was what made it perfect.

Mirae shuffled closer to Tsukishima, angling the phone so both could be seen. She continued her small talk with Komori, catching up on news from Itachiyama and relaying to him what's been going on at Karasuno.

Sakusa and Tsukishima stared passively at each other.

This wasn't the first time they had seen each other. Last year at the Tournament they had caught sight of the other in passing and paused to watch a few minutes of each other's match. But whereas last time they were strangers, now there was an uncomfortable feeling of animosity. Like they were opponents even before seeing the brackets of the volleyball tournament.

| Note |

Hey guys! Long time no write, huh. We came back from our vacation a little while ago, almost about a month?

This is going to be the last chapter for a while. We won't be updating LU+TV on wattpad until the story has finished. However, updates will continue on archive of our own (every Saturday, starting next week). So if you're interested in reading weekly rather than waiting for however long it takes to finish this story, we'll see you over there.

If not, that's fine, we'll see you soon!

Thank you so much for supporting us,

Author 1 & Author 2 <3

| End Note |