"C-can we move, m-mom, dad?" The young girl sobbed slightly, as tears slid down her cheeks. She hadn't said it to their face, obviously, but wrote it on a sheet of paper, and put it from under their door. The next morning, they ate silently at the dining table, as if Ren hadn't done anything at all. She acted okay, just to hide the fact that she wasn't fine under the smile she always had, planted on her face.

"About yesterday... Yoshida, what was that about?" Her dad asked, simply out of curiosity, because he knew she couldn't be serious... Yes it's true, she meant it. She wanted to get as far as possible from this place, yet, there was always something stopping her. And she couldn't start over.

A couple of months later, her parents figured that something was up. Since she had been prescribed anti-depressants, she had been acting more and more depressed each day. They decided to take her words into actions, even if she was kidding. Although, they couldn't go with her. Ren's dad worked international, he would travel around countries to finish his requests.

Her mom, had a small bakery in America, and the people around her, convinced her not to go. So they had decided that her dad would go with her, and get her an apartment, give her some money, and decide together what school she would attend. Ren purposely chose this one, saying that it was safer than the apartment next to Shiratorizawa, or Aoba Johsai. And to be honest, her father didn't even know that Karasuno existed, and only looked into the schools with high ratings, and ones where an A+ student like his daughter could go. She told him that she would take a train to the school, that she wouldn't be late for even a second of it.

And he was foolish enough to believe her. Schools like these had been a powerhouse in sports, particularly in Volleyball, a sport that made Ren nauseous. That was the only reason she didn't go there. Now, it was a choice between Karasuno, and Nekoma. She wasn't stupid; she did her research on these, but acted like she found this school as an accident.

Nekoma was indeed a great school, but she felt since it was far from comfort. 50% chance was the percentage. And she couldn't imagine how she would be like if she hadn't met them. Two people specifically, two people that made her want to solve their puzzles. Two people that meant the world to her, even if she hadn't known them long.

And these people that made her like this sport again..

--

"U-Um, Excuse me?" Ren heard a voice call from behind her, a rather, soft toned voice; much softer than hers. She continued on packing her books, since obviously, the comment wasn't to her. "Excuse me? Yoshida Ren-san?" She turned to look behind her, to see two girls in her class that she could recognise, but didn't remember the names.

What was happening? Were they here to talk to her?

No, she thought, that couldn't be it.

It's probably for some help or something of that sort.

But even so, Ren was gleeful, knowing that she could help. Knowing that this was a step towards making some friends, "y-yes?" She wanted to mentally smack herself since she was so anxious. But looking at the two females, they really contrasted each other, and stood out. It kind of reminded her of the two at Nekoma, Kenma Kozume, and Kuroo Tetsurou.

Both were shorter than Ren. One was about 162 centimeters, with light brown hair, falling right above her shoulders. The other was taller, with a more intimidating aura. Guessing her height, it was around 167 centimeters, not too far from her friends. She had dark brown hair, that was tied into a neat ponytail, and she wore a blue headband that complimented her same coloured eyes.

Ren stared at the shorter one, and she thought about how popular she was, due to her cute looks.

She looks like a heroine.

Ren's eyes averted to the taller one, and she looks like the antagonist...-

"Um, hello? Earth to Yoshida..?"

"Uh- um... yes?! What do you need?" She yelled startled, accidentally dropping her water bottle.

Damn it.

She replayed over and over in her head, wondering why she had to stay for the extra credits instead of attending practice. "You're pretty clumsy, aren't you?" The brunette said disappointed, as she helped the assistant adviser of the Volleyball club by picking it up. "S-sorry..." Ren sheepishly said, knowing she had blown the opportunity. "Well, no worries," the darker haired female stated, handing Ren her stated bottle, "my name is Chiyu Sayaka." Ren shook her hand confused.

"Oh! I'm Miya Hiyori! Saya-su told me you were good in studies-"

Sayaka then shut her mouth, as pouted embarrassed. "Eh- I'm Yoshida Ren... Nice to meet you, Sayaka-san, Hiyori-san..." Hiyori's eyes lit up, as she grabbed her new friend's hand, and shook it almost immediately. "I look forward to getting to know you, Yoshi-su!' Ren gave smiled like an idiot, having said that.

Someone looking forward to getting to know her sounded like a dream come true, and not only one. "Sorry about that. Hiyori adds 'su' to people she respects, or to friends." The shorted female nodded, as she gave a thumbs up. "See you, Yoshida." Sayaka said, as she walked out the class door ahead of Hiyori.

"We'll definitely meet again, Yoshi-su!" Ren stood dumbfounded as they left. What just happened?

Did I really... make some friends?

She bit her thumb, reassuring herself.

That's how you approach someone when you make a friend, right?

She looked through her bag, searching for a specific notebook, which she couldn't find. She panicked, as she looked through her desk as well, noticing that she hadn't remembered where she left it last. If someone found that, their perspective of this girl would change. Or that's what she had thought.

Ah, I'm late!

Ren sprinted out the door, knowing that a few people had been waiting for her. She sighed, happily, as she entered outside, where they had decided to meet. "You're late, Yoshida." Ren gave a hesitant smile, before smiling widely to herself. "Why are you so excited? We have to tutor this slovenly bunch."

"Eh? Tsukki, you were pretty excited today earlier as well. Something about spending time with the othe-"

"I don't know what you're talking about, Yamaguchi." The freckled first year crossed his arms, as Kageyama and Hinata stuck their tongues out at Tsukishima. "Anyways... Why are you so happy, Yoshida-kun?" She grinned idiotically, "nothing, Hinata-san."

"Something's definitely wrong." Their setter said, as he stood in place. "I-Its nothing really." She shook her hands back and forth, nervous. "I bet someone actually talked to her. She's just excited that she might have made a friend." She pouted, angry by the beanpole's comment.

"I'll have you know it was two people- a-and they said that they'd look forward to seeing me again." Tsukishima gave a small chuckle, "don't you know that's what someone says before leaving?" Ren's face heated up, as she felt embarrassed. "I'll show you... idiot."

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

"H-How about we get going? It's not nice of us to keep Hinata's mom waiting." Kageyama nodded to imply on Yamaguchi's statement. "Osu, follow me!" Tsukishima clicked his tongue, as he walked with his shorter friend. Kageyama and Ren decided to walk upfront with Hinata.

They planned it out thoughtfully. And Yamaguchi made Tsukishima promise not to make fun of Yoshida either. Hinata, was told not to say a word, and knowing Kageyama, he wouldn't bring it up either. They'd just have to wait until she found it herself.

They mentally face palmed, since Hinata's house was so far away. Their parents would never allow them to walk back home, but Ren didn't have any here to help. "Remember, Kageyama, Hinata-san. No racing whatsoever."

"Yeah, yeah, we got it..." The shorter to the two pouted, walking side by side with his past rival. You could tell they wanted to run to their hearts content, but knowing Ren, they wouldn't make it far. So, they decided to pace themselves a little faster than usual. And even Ren hadn't noticed that.

She thought about the possible locations of her notebook. You know? The one with the stalk like comments in them?

At home? No, that couldn't possibly be it.

She walked slower, as Hinata and Kageyama walked ahead.

At school? Maybe the gym? No, I didn't attend any practices due to my head...

She slowed down her walking speed, looking down. Ren spent a lot of effort into those pages. The ways she could get closer to the team was in there. And it made her feel confident in what she was doing. But alas, the last bit of her self-esteem had been ripped out of her, like one of the useless pages in her notebook.

She eventually stopped, as Tsukishima bumped into her from behind and had to yield as well. "My, watch where you're going. I can't see you since you're so short-" He stood silently as Ren had a few tears run down her cheek. It was a curse, when you're sad; the burden of your pain weighs more than it should.

It's like that time, huh?

Yamaguchi stayed quiet, knowing that he couldn't do anything to help her.

And that pained him.

Tsukishima as well, didn't know what to do, and knowing Kageyama and Hinata, they would continue on without them, not knowing what had been happening behind. And if they don't catch up, they three would be stuck in the middle of the mountain side till morning. He hated it, but he had to get her moving in one way or the other, even if he had to act to get his way. But didn't you know, that you only stop acting once you get what you want.

"Are you feeling alright?" Ren shook her head back and forth, as she dropped her gaze to the lowest it could go. Yamaguchi knew he could leave it to Tsukki... He knew Tsukishima would come to the rescue. He was the real hero, and Tsukki would stay like that, even if his friend tried to play the bad guy in this story.

Yamaguchi was the innocent bystander, who had also been saved by Tsukki's courage. Tsukki would be there for anyone, while Yamaguchi would stay away. But little did they know that the victim would want to be the hero... That even the victim hated their hero...

"I-I lost something important to me..." She wiped her hand over her face. "Then find it." She looked up at the blonde, who had surely looked down on her. Tsukishima was smart with word play like these, it was something he would enjoy doing with Yamaguchi back when they were little.

She knew, Tsukishima had hated her. Something about her disgusted him. And she wondered why. Why had he been so mean to her, harsher than he usual is with the other team? It definitely broke her.

Ren, on the other hand, most definitely felt something odd about her, and she gave a fake smile to cover whatever it may have been. "You're right, Tsukishima-kun..." His eyes widened, as she picked up her pace, and scurried ahead, "we'll get late, so I'll have to find it later..."

Tsukishima couldn't believe it... She was a good liar; in fact, maybe one of the best. Better than him even. Ren was using the same tactic on them, and it took his so long to realize it. She used it almost as great as he has for all these years, and still, even if he knew the specific thing bothering her, there was more, wasn't there?

She past them, making Tsukishima and Yamaguchi also catch up and walk a few metres behind. Her eyes watered some more, and she sighed. She didn't want anyone to know she was weak, aside from that, she thought that she had become stronger. She hadn't wanted anyone to see her cry, especially him.

What is this?

She huffed, as she watched a puff of heat appear in front of her, focusing all she had left on it.

Why do I feel so odd in front of them..?

Her face heated up, and she thought that she may have caught a cold again. But it wasn't that at all...

A/N)) //sings// I'm complete trash.

I do not own any of the Haikyuu!! Characters (with the exception of Ren Yoshida, of course) All rights reserved to Haruichi Furudate