Moonlight

Chapter 8 ***

A week without other people to talk to except her uncle, Akane decided to pick up her phone and check in with her social media. Apparently, Karasuno lost against Seijoh. She hasn't checked in with them, yet, somehow she knows their hearts have faltered for a short while only. They are hatchlings who are yet to learn how to fly and hunt.

A soft thud from the table made her look up from her phone. Keishin gave her a nail-cutter. His eyes motioned to her arms.

"Whenever possible, please trim your nails, Akane." He softly smiled before leaving the girl alone again.

It seemed she copes on her own without feeling the need to talk to anyone. She survived a week off of her phone, away from the volleyball team. However, it wasn't always healthy. In the nights when her mind wander too much and invites chills down her spine, she starts to feel like stripping off her skin. She would start to scratch herself in an attempt to get rid of the ghostly hands gripping her inappropriately and to wake herself from an endless lucid dream surrounded by words she never wants to hear again.

Keishin saw the scratch marks on her upper arm and he does not need to check her lower extremities to know that there are some over there too. He had seen it once when Akane had her first unfortunate encounter and that stayed in his head.

Soundless as a cat, Akane strode to her uncle while typing on her phone: How is everyone? I heard of the game with Seijoh. I hope nobody is beating themselves over the loss, though I heard from Uncle that you guys were in good spirit as you restarted your practices :) I can't wait to hear your stories. See you soon :)

After pressing send, Akane sat beside her uncle and rested her head on his arm. Keishin was caught surprised but relaxed visibly.

"Uncle, I might be ready for the world again."

With a smile on his face, Keishin hugged his niece against his chest as the familiar feeling of relief swept over his clouded heart. Akane embraced him back, albeit a little tensed.

Finally.

The next day, Keishin woke up earlier than usual as he opened the store for the volleyball team. One by one, the members started to arrive. Each day after their loss to Seijoh, they would always gather either before or after class. Each one hopeful of catching the moment that their dearest friend finally steps out from the shadows.

Hinata and Nishinoya arrived first, seemingly the most excited of this day. They were served with pork buns which their coach assured to be free of charge. Despite being the only two as of the moment, the store was filled with their conversation as Hinata beams up at his senior every time.

Daichi, Sugawara, and Asahi arrived and were glad with the free food waiting for them. Soon, they joined in on their juniors' conversation and the store gradually lightened up.

Ennoshita, Kinoshita and Narita followed next and though these three never got to be up close with Akane, they grew fond of the girl.

Tanaka arrived later than usual because he said he had 'troubles' with his sister (which is more common than given credit for). His scowl was replaced with a grin as pork buns were offered to him.

Kiyoko, followed closely by Yamaguchi, was welcomed warmly with Nishinoya and Tanaka immediately offering their seats for her. When Kageyama arrived, Yamaguchi busily typed away a message for Tsukishima. He was pretty sure his friend would not want to miss this day.

The store became lively as the group engaged in cross-overs of conversations and Keishin himself could not hold back his happiness for this day as he joined them. The door slid open and Tsukishima appeared with beads of sweat on the sides of his face.