Who you are

Flashes

"Hey, Aya-kun! Guess what?" The little girl grinned smug at her friend. Her mentor and childhood friend turned his attention to her with a volleyball between his larger hands. "Hm? What's up #####-chan?" He tilted his head.

"I'm gonna be way better than you! One day, I'm gonna beat you and your team." She smiled confidently, 100% sure she could do it. Hayato chuckled at her childish manners. "Sure you will, if you get a team first.", he teased her. "Ready for another serve? Coach does this with us, so you're basically doing our practises." The girl nodded and caught the ball as it was thrown over to her.

"Okay! But doesn't that mean you're doing double practise then? Wouldn't it be easier if I just joined your team?" Her (e/c) shone up in hope, but died down as she received a head shake. She pouted and crossed her small arms over her chest. "Why not?" As cute as she was acting, Yamagata let out a sigh. "Because it's our school's club, and coach is really strict. Besides, how can you beat me if we're on the same team?" He was cut off. "Then I just have to work harder, right?! It's only for practise! I'll play against you, and win!!" The same hope glinsed in her again.

"...Go for it! I believe in you, #####-chan."

-

##### grinned her teeth together in a silent 'tsk' as she watched the ball go over the net.

'Not enough. C'mon on, get it together. You won't go anywhere at this rate.' She had a slight frown as she got back in position in the back field. Yamagata threw the ball up into the air and watched as his childhood friend tried to set it yet again. The attempts were getting more and more reckless for each try.

Hayato narrowed his eyes at the tired-looking girl. To the regular eye, she seemed exhausted from the practise, and the tiredness was putting her in a bad mood. But he knew it was something more on her mind as he observed her, not yet released the volleyball from his hands. "I think that's enough for today. Good work."

' "Good work" my ass. I haven't even improved anything yet.'

"Snap out of it, #####-chan." The stern tone made the girl glance over at the boy. "It's written all over your face." he poked her between her brows. "That frown isn't anything good. I can tell you're pushing yourself too hard. It's not making you smile anymore. You shouldn't half-ass something you don't want to do in the first place. If you're doing it for my sake, then don't. I'm helping you because you were enjoying it and we're having fun together. If you're pushing yourself this far only to keep me happy, then you should stop. That doesn't make me happy at all. If you don't like volleyball anymore then-"

"You're wrong! I like volleyball! But-..." She fell silent for a moment, clenching her fists. "I dunno. I just wanted to get better. Like, I guess... I want to be able to play with you, and I can't do that at the level I'm at right now. I just thought, 'maybe if I work harder, I can achieve something more', or something like that. I want to be on the other side of the court. I want to beat you."

Hayato pat the girl on her head, gently petting her (h/l), (h/c) hair. "You don't need to rush. Sure, I'll also improve, but you're going to be a great player one day on you own, too. You don't need my acknowledgement for that, you know that right?" He smiled at her. Her (e/c) eyes widened at that and she unclenched her hands. Yamagata was always such a serious and cool guy. He was honest, and that smile showed a pure pride and trust in her.

'Ah... Why am I so stupid...? I'm the only one who never saw it. He's been watching me all along.'

-

Letter:

"Hey, Aya-kun,

I decided to try out some other sports, too.

Volleyball is fun and all, but it's not the same when I can't practise with you anymore.

I tried out (sport) a while ago, and (sport) before that, but it's just not my thing, I guess.

I'm still conflicted about if I should do something about my name or not, but I'm scared my parents might get angry at me.

Well, (Sister's name) is still doing gymnastics, so I might try that out after (Sport).

Oh yeah, and I still have my volleyball. I sometimes practise with it alone. It's not often, but it works. Plus, it's great for stress-reliever, kinda.

School is okay, I guess. I don't really talk much people here since I don't know when mom's job is gonna makes us travel again. Hopefully, we'll be able to return to Japan.

I miss playing volleyball with you.

By the way, my dad said I might be allowed to have a smartphone soon.

I miss everyone back in Japan. Tell your parents I say hello.

Sincerely, #####/(Y/N)."

-

(Line Name)

Aya-kun

Guess what

Aya

What's up?

Something good I hope.

(Line Name)

Yeah, it is

Mom said we're moving back to Japan

Aya

Really?!

That's great!

(Line Name)

Yeah! We're leaving from about three months or so

I can't wait to see everyone again

I'm also planning to take the Karasuno High School entrance exam

So I'm in the area!

The Shiratorizawa one was too much

Plus, I can't compete with you if I enter there

Aya

That's neat.

The schools aren't that far away from each other either.

You could come by every now and then.

We have a guy on our team who got the same interests as you.

He's a bit of a handful, but he's not a bad guy.

I think you two might hit it off good if you ever meet.

(Line Name)

Oh?

Well, if he likes anime, manga and stuff, then he's probably not a bad guy

Plus, he likes volleyball so he can't be that bad

Aya-kun's approval has been set anyways

Oh yeah, remember what I said when I was younger?

I still mean it

I'm going to beat you one day

Aya

I'll see you on the other side of the court.

I'm sure you're doing just fine.

You're not the kind to just give up either.

I look forwards to our encounter.

Only one person was allowed to challenge Hayato on almost every single level. The Gashadokuro himself.