Shimazaki arrived at school at the same time Tsukishima did. The soccer player took notice when he walk pass her, and she couldn't avoid but think that he's somehow handsome. His height was another factor too, and with his cool look and appeal, there was no doubt that any girl can fall for him. But once they discover how foul his personality is, they may have second thoughts.

He was with Yamaguchi which the girl didn't even notice. She was too focused on Tsukishima wondering why he wasn't the one Ishinomori like.

Shrugging, she minded her own business and went ahead inside, and was confused when she didn't saw the two best friends ahead of her. Taking a few steps back, she saw the two middle blockers talking to two familiar girls that worked in a flower shop she usually passed by.

Hiding behind the wall, and only one eye peeking out from it, she observe the four's conversation as they went on and noticed something odd about the blonde girl's actions.

Shinobu kept glancing back and forth in between Kikyou and Kei as they conversed, with her Tadashin as a third wheel, well in her eyes at least.

"Oh, playing with a lot of people must be so much fun," the black haired girl mused, pleased that two of her friends had fun during the weekend. She sent that gentle smile that seemed to sparkle when you look at it from Yamaguchi's point of view. You can see the freckled boy gaping in awe. He was totally whipped of his crush.

Tsukishima avoided eye contact with her which Kajiwara took as an embarrassed gesture towards his female classmate.

'D-Does Tsukkin like her back?!' Idiotically, Kajiwara still had the idea of Kikyou and Kei's mutual crushing. She was so fixated with the mistaken assumption Hinata made, that she didn't even recall all those intimate moments she shared with Tsukishima. And those were way more evidential that they were dating rather than Ishinomori being with Tsukishima.

Shinobu was smart, but that doesn't prevent her from being dumb at time; especially when a certain middle blocker is involved.

The four proceeded upstairs as Yamaguchi brought up the topic of the girls' plans in going to the pool this summer break. Ishinomori informed them about going this weekend, and took the chance to ask them if they're free.

"Well we have a day off this Sunday," Tadashi mentioned and that was enough to replace Kikyou's eerie atmosphere into unicorns and rainbows.

"Eh? Then Yamaguchi-kun and the others can join us this weekend!" she squealed, too happy.

Tsukishima exhaled sharply. 'She's too obvious...' he commented, eyeing her with furrowed eyebrows as she gushes all over her crush.

Kajiwara took this as an action of jealousy. 'D-Doesn't he like them talking?!' she exclaimed mentally. The boy caught her staring and raised an eyebrow. "What're you looking at?" with that question, Shinobu flinched and waving her arms in different directions, trying to come up with an excuse.

Tsukishima sighed and considered this as one of those foolish moments.

Meanwhile, two class 3 students, namely as per their nicknames: Sugi-san and Kage were walking to their classroom when the girl mentioned that summer trip of them. Kageyama was happy that she invited him, and immediately informed her about his free day on Sunday, meaning he is able to join them.

Hisano also said he can bring his friend, Hinata, and his girlfriend along; she noticed how the freshmen of the volleyball club were pretty close. (She goes to the gym a lot since she and her Kage walk home together after club and she always finishes first)

Kageyama nods his head vigorously but was focused on the charming smile Sugimoto presented him.

'S-She's so cute!!'

That lunch, Ishinomori met up with Shimazaki since they're gradually becoming close friends; friends to the very least.

Kikyou seemed ecstatic that hour Minami can't help but ask what's up. The soccer player was informed about this trip on the weekend, and too, was also coaxed to come with them.

"Why not?" was the girl's response and noted to herself that she needs to relax sometimes. "Who's coming beside your two other girlfriends?"

"Eh?" Kikyou stopped from daydreaming of their trip this Sunday and racked her brain to make a list of participants, "Well, eto... we have Sugimoto-chan, Shinobu-chan, Mori-san--" (she calls herself that so she and 'Yamaguchi-kun' have that in common), "—Minami-chan is joining too, and for the boys... Sugimoto-chan invited Kageyama-kun, and Shinobu-chan Tsukishima-kun... and Yamaguchi-kun will be there, too..."

"...Oh, you can bring your boyfriend too, Minami-chan," Ishinomori added blinking pleasantly at her friend, unknowingly riling her friend up.

"He's not my boyfriend!" Minami acquitted, popping a vein. But she ended up telling him about it anyways. Which was good since Kageyama the idiot forget to invite him.

And then: on a fine Saturday, a day before their plans, Sugimoto conducted a shopping trip for the four girls, including Shimazaki since she heard from Ishinomori that her newly acquaintance was going with them to the pool tomorrow.

Hence, four girls stared at each other at the middle of the mall, trying to figure out the awkward cloud above them. Well, mostly from Kajiwara and Shimazaki. The latter felt uneasy because she was the only stranger among them, and the blonde because well – TSUKISHIMA.

Sugimoto was so oblivious while Ishinomori stood there innocently.

"Yosh, since we're all here let's get started!" Hisano cheered fist pumping in the air.

"I still don't get why we need to shop for swimsuits..." Minami sweat dropped, not understanding the significance of this.

"Eh? Of course we need to!" Sugimoto shouted, pointing a finger at her friend.

Minami slapped it away and frowned, as her personal space was invaded. The taller girl was just a few inches from her.

Hisano lowered her head so her mouth was beside Minami's ears. "Don't you want to look sexy for your boyfriend?" and that earned her foot to get crushed by the ginger's pointed sandals.

"Ow!" She yelped in pain holding onto her dear foot while Ishinomori comes to her aid.

Kajiwara didn't bother to look after her for she was annoyed by her best friend's stupidity. She sighed and turned to their guest friend.

"Eh? So you and Hinata-kun aren't dating?" she queries and gets a nod from Shimazaki.

"I haven't even answered him yet! He's still courting me," the varsity lass puff her cheeks as they turn crimson at the thought of having a relationship with Hinata.

Really? Is that idiot running around declaring her as his girlfriend? She is so going to beat him up later for that. But then realize she has yet to make a comeback to Sugimoto who successfully made her feel flustered.

Giving a glance to the judo player, Shimazaki's eyes flickered a dagger before her tongue creates a remark, with a fake smile of her lips, "How about you Sugimoto-san? Do you want to impress Kageyama-kun with your body?" she mused and failed when the said girl openly admitted that she wanted a compliment from the said boy.

'She's not even trying to hide her feelings!!!' Shimazaki's jaw dropped while Ishinomori admired the girl, wishing she could boldly state her feelings like how Sugimoto did just now.

Meanwhile, Kajiwara should really learn from her best friend; about being honest with her feelings.

The girl proceeded to the department store where various selection of clothing granted to them. They went to the swimsuits section where Sugimoto had pulled Ishinomori with her in picking the cutest bikini that they plan to wear for tomorrow. 

Shimazaki was left alone with a beautiful - but stupid (you can hear Tsukishima comment from afar) - blonde, that's "mature" enough to not run around the mall like a lovesick teenage girl, but dumb enough to fuss over false allegation of Kikyou confessing to a bastard middle blocker. She's totally not hung over that. Totally. 

And she's totally not stal-observing them all the time. Nope, not at all. 

"Um, so Kajiwara-san, you're not going to buy anything?" Minami cleared her throat, trying to open up a conversation with her newly acquaintance. 

Shinobu glanced down at her, for she was way taller, and then smiled. "Not really. I'm not trying to impress anyone," she says truthfully but her conscience laughed at her. She was immensely looking forward tomorrow since it's her first outing since entering high school, and two of her childhood friends are joining them along with their club mates, and with their respective girl partners. 

The soccer varsity tilted her head to the side. "Is that so? You don't have a boyfriend or some sort?" she wondered, confused as to why the gorgeous female beside her was single. 

The questioned girl flinched, shaking her head. "Is that surprising? I just don't have time for that," she laughs nervously and that was the cue for Minami to apologize for prying. 

"Eh? Shinobu-chin, Minami-chin! What're you doing there just standing? If you're not gonna buy something then help me and Kikyou-chin out! She keeps on denying my suggestions for her!" Hisano appeared from the racks holding out to swimsuits that were obviously horrible choices. She doesn't have a bright fashion sense.

Shimazaki exhaled deeply, regretting to even come and went to Mori's side to assist. She really didn't want to deal with the brunette right now. So she left the two best friends to bicker about clothes. 

"No wonder Kikyou-chan didn't like your choices! They're all so horrible!" Kajiwara's groused, snatching the personally picked bikinis of the tomboy. 

"Jeez, no need to be grouchy. No wonder that Tsukishima hasn't ask you out yet," Sugimoto grumbled, turning her back at her best friend who twitched at her words.

'O-Of course he wouldn't! H-He already has Kikyou-chan...' 

"Anyway, if you don't like those, then help me oh great Shinobu," Hisano poked the girl's arm, trying to get her attention. Shinobu didn't budge from her spot and continue to dazzle and stare at the ground. "Shinobu-chin?" 

"A-Ano... Are you sure Yamaguchi-kun will like this?" Kikyou adjusted the strap of her top as Minami scanned her in the changing room where she let her try several bathing suits that matched the girl's body. 

"Turn around," And so she did. "Hmm, this one's cute too. But if you really want to look sexy, you should get the bikini."

"I-It's too revealing!"

"Then buy the bathing suits if you don't wanna risk your purity." 

End of discussion. That's how quick Minami manage to let Kikyou choose her swimming attire. They ended up buying a polka-dot bathing suit with red straps and a bow in between the chest area. 

Then they went back to the two Kitagawa alumna's who were bickering about what suit to pick. 

"I told you, my figure won't be emphasized if that's the one I wear!"

"Then go pick that high-waisted bathing suit if you're so keen of showing off your body!"

"But it's not sexy!"

"God who cares? Just pick already!" 

Ishinomori stared worriedly at the two and suggested if they should stand in and stop them. Shimazaki said she wouldn't be able to stop them with the voice she had and left them be. 

Sugimoto ended up going with a frilly pair that has a matching color of Kageyama's eyes. Hopefully the same hue would attract the optical organ to stare at her. Kajiwara then suggested that all of them have lunch at a fast food nearby; the same restaurant she and Sugimoto go to whenever they hang-out in middle school. (Alongside two third-year senpais of course) 

As they got to their tables and start to chatter about nonsense, Hisano on lead, they started talking about club practice and how tiring it is to attend training everyday. Kikyou and Shinobu couldn't relate but did get exhausted every time they worked at the flower shop. 

Then they got to crushes which Shinobu initiated, and was indirectly for Kikyou to start talking about her Tsukkin. Minami sweat dropped knowing why she suddenly - not in an obvious manner - coughed out: "So how's your love life, everyone?" and her eyes immediately landed on the black haired girl.

"Love life? Aren't you and Minami-chin the only ones who have a love life?" Hisano blinked her eyes at her. 

"I told you he's not my boyfriend!" Shimazaki exclaimed the moment she heard the brunette say that. 

Ishinomori watched them argue, batting her lashes and suddenly interrupted them by announcing: "I just realized I liked Yamaguchi-kun," and everyone's eyes stared at her shockingly. Except, of course, Shimazaki Minami. 

"T-Tadashin?!" Kajiwara shrieked, not abling to close her mouth. "Didn't you confess to Tsukkin?!"

Sugimoto tilted her head. 'Who's Yamaguchi again...? And I thought his name was Tsukishima...'

"E-Eh? Why would you think that Shinobu-chan? Don't you like Tsukishima-kun?" Ishinomori wondered, no clearing up the misunderstanding between her and the idiot blonde. She blushed and pushed her index fingers together, avoiding eye contact. "I-I even had a hard time admitting to myself that I like him..." 

"Wait, who are we talking about, Tsukishima or Yamaguchi? Or are they the same person?" Sugimoto interrupted. 

"Of course they're different, idiot," Shimazaki face palmed, groaning. 

"S-So T-Tsukkin and you are... aren't dating?!"

"Eh? Tsukishima-kun and I are friends..." 

Thus, all went well for the girl's shopping trip. The whole day after that, Kajiwara kept humming all elated and Shimazaki and Sugimoto knew why. Ishinomori pondered on what gave her co-worker the idea of her dating Tsukishima. 

Shinobu did like her Tsukkin after all. And she's the only one who doesn't know it. Not yet. Unless someone points it out for her.