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i arrived at the stadium with doubts and the word, 'no' looming around in my brain. i had pulled out of the parking lot of footlocker and had half a mind to go home because i didn't want to draw anymore attention to myself. but aran gave me no room for arguing so i just sucked it up and went downtown to sendai.

there were cars everywhere, scattered in the grass, some were lucky enough to find parking or some even paid for it in the valet. i was not about to pay and i was just gonna take my chances in the grass with the other folk.

"mommy, where are we?" akari asked as i parked the car and turned it off. "we're gonna see uncle aran play volleyball." i answered, getting out and going back to unbuckle her from her car seat. she giggled and clapped, i didn't know if it was from seeing aran or watching him play volleyball. he always tried to get her to play and she was really into it, but aran couldn't bare to see her get hurt so he didn't go too far.

i picked her up and got everything i needed before walking across the street and into the stadium. my anxiety was through the roof as i knew how many people were gonna be here today. i had gotten lost for a minute before i was able to find the court doors with guards next to them.

fuck.

i didn't wanna go up to them. they looked fucking scary as it is. i just got out my phone and dialed aran so he could come get me. "yoooo, armani, you here?" he asked, huffing and puffing from i guess just going on break. "yeah, negro, i'm here. come get me because there are two scary ass bodyguards near the doors." i whispered into the phone as i had my back turned. "you so scary, i'm comin'." he teased and hung up. i shoved my phone into my pocket and tried to calm my breathing. my anxiety was trying to take me out.

"mani! yo, she's good. she's with me."

i turned around and walked towards him. "aran, i don't know about this." i took a deep breath in. "i already had people on my case at work after you walked in." i said. "mani, you're gonna be fine. you'll be on the side lines, away from people and you'll get a front row view of the practice. as soon as we're done, i'll come get you and you can stay in the locker room until people leave the stadium." he gave me a look. a look that said, 'trust me and i won't put you in any harm.'

i sighed and rolled my eyes. "fine, i'm trusting you right now." aran did a little giggle and i gave him a disgusted look as he pulled me into the pack stadium. and when i mean packed? i mean packed. it was loud and akari covered her ears with a confused look on her face. "here, i have these." aran handed me some noise canceling headphones. i didn't question him and simply put the headphones on her. "guys! armani is here!" aran called out as the team was huddled around the bench, chugging water down their throats. i gulped and smiled as they all looked at me. "mani! hi!" bokuto smiled, immediately coming up to me. he stops midway when he notices akari in my arms. "who is this?" he asked and i pursed my lips, looking over at aran for help.

"this is my niece, akari. armani's daughter."

the whole team cocked their heads to the side in utter confusion and i could see their brains trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. aran and i shared a look and i could feel my heart pounding in my chest, my ears ringing from the loud cheers coming in the stands.

"hey, armani, right?" i turned to the voice and saw the team's athletic trainer, iwaizumi, the one who got them all the new shoes. "hi." i smiled and he gave me a smile back. "don't worry about them, they act like they've never seen a child before." he waved them off and i nodded. "aran kinda gave me the run down and you're free to be in the locker room once practice is done. i don't really want to be responsible for you being bombarded in the streets." iwaizumi explained. "thank you, truly."

"you have a kid? mani, how come i didn't know?" bokuto pouted, coming out of his trance and coming up to me instead. akari looked up at him with her big brown eyes and just blinked at him. "it's a long story, bokuto. say hi, akari." i helped her wave and she smiled, realizing bokuto is harmless. "AWWW SHE WAVED AT ME!" bokuto cheered, running back to the team and jumping on atsumu's shoulders. "she's a milf?" atsumu questioned and hyakuzawa elbowed him in the ribs. "dude, the fuck is wrong with you?"