secret gem • haikyuu !!

18 ; Barbecue

"No they aren't Tsukishima-kun, you've got it all wron—" Mai tried to reassure, even without turning to face him. She felt unwavering comfort when he held her hands in place.

"Tsukishim-san, did you know Mai used to play volleyball?" Hinata interrupted, looking up at the younger blond with pure excitement.

"Yes I do." Tsukishima's tone was dismissive yet assertive.

"Mai-san, are you good at receives? Because Hinata sucks and he needs someone to—"

"HEY! MY RECEIVES DON'T SUCK THEY'RE JUST GOING IN THE DIFFERENT DIRECTION!"

"THAT'S WHY THEY SUCK!"

Soon, the boys started to bicker again. Mai slowly turned her head and tilted it up to see Tsukishima stifling a laugh at the two. Once she snapped her head back around to the carrot and blueberry, they were doing some awkward yet amusing, kicks and punches, but they couldn't land a hit on each other. Seeing how fast it was made Mai also snicker at the two.

"Let's leave them be, don't want them harassing you again–" Tsukishima said, removing a hand and walking past the two in front. Mai followed behind, the significantly taller one had led them outside.

"They weren't harassing me, they were asking me a question." She rebutted, finally getting some nice fresh air.

"But it made you uncomfortable, hence it's harassment." He said, pointing a finger to her, as if he proved his point.

"Yeah, whatever. But I could've handled the situation without you, y'know."

"Oh yeah?" He cocked a brow and a tilt to the head, like he knows she can't handle it for crap. "Are you sure about that?"

"Oh piss off-" Mai joked and her English finally came out. 'He's like a blond Leo, but just inches taller—'

She started to push the boy and the latter just keep chuckling at her. He thought about putting all his weight down so she couldn't push him. So he did. But his stance didn't last long. With most of her force, she was able to push him like it was nothing. He flopped a little and stumbled on his feet.

'Jeez– Was she always this strong?' Tsukishima questioned in thought. "Hey–"

"Mai-mai! Toss me one~" Tetsurō beckoned; after hearing the idea of playing volleyball with Hinata and Kageyama, he thought he should take that into his own hands. From the corner, Kenma lifted his head from his PSP, instantly shooting his stare at the brother. Tetsurō noticed how she didn't really include herself in actually playing, she was just observing. So he thought that maybe she was just shy and didn't want to play. 

He knows she's good. In his opinion, that was an understatement. Every time she played, everything felt flawless.

But he's not dumb – like Kenma, he could read her easily. It's his dear little sister after all. He promised to protect her, that nothing will ever hurt her.

He knew, for a while, that something was up.

"W-What did you say Nii-chan?" She turned from the sudden command from her brother. He held out a volleyball in his hand, hoping she'll take the bait. Tsukishima and Kenma, on the other hand, were curious on what the third year had said. But they knew that it will pain Mai, 'What is he planning?'

"C'mon~ I haven't played with you in aeons and..." He exaggerated; 'I need to make her realise it.'  When Mai first met Coach, Tetsurō listening in from the side, he heard what Coach said to her. He walked over to her and slung his around around her shoulders, "You have an hour to show off."