_______›»FLASH BACK«‹_______

She stared straight down at the white and black keys of the grand piano—eyes as wide as they could, fingers violently pressing down with all her might... pressing harder... harder, harder!! HARDER!!

But alas she heard none of it. It's as if her hearing was blocked, as if her ears were water logged, as if she was deep underwater. She tried her best, she gave it a try despite her fears, but there seemed no hope. None at all.

Finally, she stopped... all together... her hands slipped away, laying limp by her side as her head slowly moved back until she was facing the celling—tears streaming down her closed eyes. Blood trailed down her bottom lip being bit on to avoid sobs, the glowing red underneath the stage light trailing down her chin and ruining her pure white silk dress.

Everything was dead silent. She didn't hear the confused murmurs among the crowd. She didn't hear the sound of someone rushing towards her from the back stage. She didn't even bother... because she didn't want to even try... she didn't want to be able to hear them... not when she's unable to hear what she scarified her blood, time and tears for. 

_______›»FLASH BACK END«‹_______

"Finally!" Atsumu yelled dramatically. Hopping up from his spot to gesture at the door—just as dramatical as his tone. "Can ya open it up? Our mom said we'll be stayin' at yer place tonight." His casual statement took Osamu by surprise while Fuyuko slowly nodded in response. Both processing what his words.

"Oh... okay then. Why are you outside?" She strolled up to the door, opening it to show that it was unlocked. Atsumu's jaw slackened instantly. "My mom and yours must've planned this, so she's less likely to let you stay outside waiting for us to return." She entered, leaving the door open for the brothers.

The audacity of Fuyuko's mom made Atsumu choke on air for a second. "That doesn' mean she should leave the door open! That's dangerous!"

"What's... goin' on?" Osamu asked, still lost.

Atsumu gathers himself, before smirking at his brother. "Our mom 'n Fuyuko's mom're co-workers at the hospital. Oh, 'n hear this out! Our mom apparently knew bout Fuyuko since last year." His explanation, explained a lot. It shocked Atsumu when he heard it at first, but now it was Osamu's turn to freeze—trying to process the amount of coincidences that drove them to spend more time with their manager.

"That's..."

"It's fate!" Atsumu exclaimed with glee, entering the Rairakku household as if he owned the land.

The Miya brothers were given clothes belonging to Fuyuko's one-year younger brother—forgotten in the spare room from his frequent visits. They made a frightening discovery along with it, because the clothes were considerably large on them—practically hanging down to their thighs like coat hangers. Which left them wondering how huge her brother really was.

They were given the extra room in the meantime, the exact room her brother usually stays during their visits. Meaning there were a few things lingering inside. Like the orange basketball and some food posters on the wall. Not that they minded of course.

Afterwards, Osamu took it upon himself to cook their dinner. Seeing that the other two just might—no, they will definitely set the kitchen on fire if they were left to do the task. Once everything was finally prepared, the male let out a relieved breath while taking off the apron. He proceeded to enter the living area, only to see Atsumu laying on the couch looking at a volleyball game on the sports television. "Oi Tsumu! Quit lazin' 'n help me set the table!" He shouted at the male only to get a scoff.

"Hell nah. Ask Fuyuko, I mean she's the manager." Atsumu didn't spare a single glance to him.

A nerve instantly popped on Osamu's temple. "Do ya wanna eat tonight?!" Osamu threatened gaining a shocked look from Atsumu.

"GEH! YA WOULDN'!"

Osamu only smirked at the male, before heading upstairs to get the girl, only to see her in a daze in front of her music room. Eyes unfocused as it stared holes into the door. "Fuyu?" Osamu called, gently placing a hand on the girl's shoulder—making her flinch in surprise. "This room..." He glanced at the door, remembering the short tour he took to it as his hand returned back to his side. He still remembered her bright smile in that specific photograph, burned in details in his long-term memory.

"Suna told you about it huh..." Fuyuko voiced, taking note of the look Osamu was giving towards the door, or rather to the room itself.

His eyes instantly widened, snapping back to Fuyuko. "We didn' mean to intrude I swear! Suna was just showin' us around! We weren' doin' any..." His panic was momentary forgotten when Fuyuko burst out laughing at the male. Amused to see his usual calm demeanor falter right in front of her eyes.

"Don't worry, I'm not mad at anyone." Fuyuko slightly smiled, reassuringly. "I trust Suna, so I'm sure he didn't reveal too much."

"Too much?" Osamu questioned, making Fuyuko stare into his eyes for a moment before letting out a quite sigh and averting her eyes back to the door. He carefully watched as the lavender hues go somber, smile dropping to a delicate frown. It somehow hurt him, seeing it happen right before his eyes.

"Why I stopped music, wasn't because of that competition... It was because..." She trailed off, eyes going hazy as if she was remembering something.

Osamu gently took ahold of her shoulders to turn her to him—lightly squeezing them with assurance as if to say she can let it out. "Take yer time." He murmured, lifting his right hand to gently run his fingers through her pale lavender hair, easily doing so as it was free without bounds.

Fuyuko felt herself relaxing to the boy's soft touch, relishing in them with closed eyes. "I stopped hearing them." She finally revealed, making Osamu pause, waiting for her to continue. "After a while... the sound of the music I play... it just disappears... I can't... hear them anymore." Her voice mellowed out in the end, eyes opening in an unfocused daze. "I... love music, never stopped loving it... so it hurts, struggling to play it anymore..." Fuyuko hung her head, voice faltering as she continued. "I'm scared... that I won't ever be able to hear my music again."

Osamu's gaze softened, moving his hands to her back to pull her into a hug. He was silent, listening to the soft sobs wrecking through her and taking note of the dampness on the shirt he wore. The male silently ran his hands through her hair, other hand moving up and down her back until she calms down—no matter how long it took.

The lavender head finally pulled away, sniffling and rubbing her eyes. "Sorry, for seeing me cry. This is embarrassing..."

Osamu lightly shook his head, taking away her hands away from her eyes. "I don' mind. If 'm bein' honest, I don' like seein' ya cry... but I don' mind bein' there for ya when ya feel down." His tone was unusually soft, gazing into her lightly red eyes, with clear adoration.

She lightly smiled up at him, grateful he was the one to see her break down. "Thank you, Osa-chin. I just remembered back to my last competition, where I was forced to stopped playing midway. It was the day I realized I had to give it up." She took in a deep breath, collecting herself as she didn't want to pathetically cry in front of him again. "But it's fine, I will get over it... I want to play music again."

Osamu smiled at her determined eyes, knowing that it was something unusual coming from her. One definitely doesn't get to see an extremely determined Fuyuko unless it was once in a blue moon. "I'll help ya out as much as I can. As long as it takes, until ya can play again... I wanna help ya." He was just as determined, and that could be clearly seen.

A bit away, leaning his back against the wall on the hallway leading to the stairs—stood Atsumu with a rare genuine smile on his face, having heard everything. It honestly wasn't his intention to eavesdrop—seriously it wasn't. He was just getting them as they were being late, he wanted to eat after all. He thought they were making out or something, only to stumble upon their managers past—something he and his brother were quite curious of since Suna's revelation.

With a light laugh, he stood straight to turn the corner. "If he's involved, 'm in too!" Atsumu's exclaim startled the two, making them both snap their heads to the blond with clear surprise. The older Miya casually strolled up to Fuyuko with a lopsided smile, softly patting her head. "Yer our precious manager after all~ But for now come down! The dinner's gone cold y'know!"

"Stop makin' it sound like ya were the one who cooked."

"Shut yer trap! I made the table didn' I!"

"So?! So what?!"

"So, everything!!"

Fuyuko burst out with a soft laughter at their usual arguing, making both brothers snap their heads to her in surprise. They silently exchanged glances, before bursting out laughing themselves. Honestly something's just never change, do they?

Their dinner was filled with smiles, laughter and a lot of arguing. It was warm, very much so, something they enjoyed. It was domestic, and they liked it more than they could've imagined it.

That next morning, Fuyuko's mother entered her humble abode—only to witness the adorable sight of three high schoolers bundled on their couch. Snuggled into each other as they shared a single blanket—the television continuing to play the horror anime Another as the background noise.

Safe to say, the last bit of her camera memory was filled with some memorable pictures.

_______»×•—‖≡∞≡‖—•×«_______

Admittedly, with a lot of help from both Fuyuko and Genjima, the hopeless second years managed to pass their exams—though just barely. Not that, them failing would be better for them of course. There's just no way they would be called a powerhouse without those dumbasses after all.

National's started with a bang, the many gathered teams somewhat irritating Fuyuko because of their blessed height—she wasn't going to tell anyone that though. She knew the consequences would be the teasing of the thee dumbass trio and she wasn't looking forward to that.

The teams were left to wander around in the hall, which looked cramped with everyone lingering around. Of course, with Inarizaki placing third on their last nationals they gained a lot of attention. Attention Fuyuko sneakily escaped from with the fear of people recognizing her from her famous days.

Don't get her wrong, she was grateful for her fans—but at the same time she gets uncomfortable when they start questioning the reason for her retirement. Students of Inarizaki knew well to not question her about it, but it wasn't the same for people that doesn't know her at all. Hence, she dislikes interacting with fans outside her school.

The girl became a temporary wall flower, sticking by the wall as she observed her team from afar. That was before she gained a companion of her own, when a dark-haired male literally chose to sink back into the corner, to glare at every single person in sight. "Are you... feeling okay?" Fuyuko questioned softly, her soft voice gaining his attention instantly.

A few locks of his dark wavy hair fell before his eyes as he observed the young girl, her doing the same before he finally decided to answer. "No, I hate crowded places." He answered, deep voice slightly muffled behind his mask as he glanced back to the crowd. His brows instantly furrowed in disgust. "Imagine the number of germs in there..." his last mummer didn't go past her, making her blink.

"Are you perhaps... germophobic?" She carefully guessed, voice as soft as ever and eyes half lidded with a sense of tiredness—traits her temporary companion clearly noticed.

The male frowned, honestly wondering why everyone jumps to that conclusion every single time. Before he could continue though, Fuyuko cut him off.

"But that doesn't make sense since you're a volleyball player..." The girl trailed off, eyes slightly narrowing to a random wall as she tried to remember something her mother mentioned once before. "What did she say again...? Something about mi- misophobia?"

No wait— isn't that the phobia for Miso soup...? Eh? Wait there is a phobia for Miso soup?!

"It's mysophobia, what I have is just a mild case." The amused male corrected. "It seems you're quite aware." He commented further, interest perking.

Fuyuko softly smiled as response, half lidded eyes flickering to him for a moment before trailing it towards the crowd again. "Yeah, I learned a thing or two from my mom, she's a nurse." She informed, further piquing his interest.

Does that mean she knows how to properly clean? Nurses knows how to right?

"What's your name?" The masked male asked, eyes narrowed with a newfound curiosity.

"Rairakku Fuyuko, second year. What about you?" She asked casually, not a hint of social anxiety shown despite her avoiding the crowds. While his eyes slightly widened, noting how small she looked despite them being in the same grade.

"Sakusa Kyoomi. Second year." He muttered, slowly slipping his mask down to give the girl a description of his face. He deemed it fair, after all, her face was fully visible for him.

"Oh, you have two of them." Fuyuko commented softly, half lidded eyes staring straight at his forehead. Sakusa though, was confused of the girl's sudden statement—hence she gestured to her beauty mark under her right eye. "The same as mine, you have two on your forehead." Sakusa blinked, finally realizing what she meant.

Before he could answer though, a voice called out to him. "Sakusa?" The male approaching looked shocked when he saw Sakusa pulling down his trademark mask, to a girl no less.

"Fuyu-Chan! Found ya! Don' wander off like that! I thought someone kidnapped ya!" Atsumu's yell made the said girl grimace, seeing it attract attention she didn't want while Sakusa showed clear disgust. "Oh! Omi-Omi?! Don' tell me yer trynna steal our manager from us!" Atsumu immediately slipped in between them, hands apart to shield the girl with a fake glare towards the ace. "'m not lettin' ya!"

Sakusa scoffed, glancing back at Fuyuko who stepped out to stand next to the blond, deadpanning at the male's exclaim. "You go to his school? Must be a pain." His bluntly commented.

"HEY! 'M NOT THAT BAD!"

"Atsu-chin, I was just talking to him." Fuyuko commented with a light sigh before looking up to make eye contact with Sakusa. "Yeah, but I'm kinda used to it now."

Osamu too appeared on her other side, silently trying to make sense of the situation at hand.

"Well it was nice meeting you Sakusa-san. Until later yeah?" Fuyuko called out, voice as soft as ever and lopsidedly smiling at Sakusa before looking at the male next to him—nodding to acknowledge his presence.

Sakusa glanced at the two brothers on her two sides before stopping at Fuyuko. His stare lasted for a moment, making Osamu tense slightly from next to her. Not that Sakusa noticed though. He ignored everyone else to raise a hand to the girl. "It was nice meeting you too." He commented, watching as she silently took his hand to shake it—noticing how small and delicate it was compared to his own. Her perfectly trimmed nails instantly gained his attention—looking perfectly clean, which made a corner of his lips to raise.

Meanwhile the rest, were absolutely gob-smacked, shocked and speechless. Atsumu and Komori didn't know how to respond to Sakusa initiating physical contact himself, much less him actually smiling at someone he'd just met. Meanwhile Osamu was feeling something else over being shocked at the moment, blandly glaring daggers at Fuyuko's hand held in Sakusa's.

Both teams parted with Fuyuko waving at the two while walking back to the team with the brothers on both her sides—which mind you gained a lot of unnecessary attention. She only let out a sigh, knowing her fate was already sealed. There was no use going against it.

Inarizaki having placed in top fours during their last tournament, obviously got included in the seeds. Meaning they didn't have to play till the second day. Hence the day was mostly spent strategizing and making game plans of their first match.

The place they temporary stayed at was traditional inn, but it had the useful modern equipment's installed. However, most of their time was obviously spent in the indoor volleyball court just a few blocks away from their temporary home. Fortunate for the team, they had food delivered to them so there was no need for their manager to get involved—something the entire team was greatly thankful for.

Atsumu though, once again was forced to be aware of the target on his back he just couldn't get rid of. Not when Alice and her kendo team had their tournaments nearby as well. The only thing which had him going was the fact that they didn't stay at the same place—he couldn't bear the idea of living under the same roof as her. Never. Ever.

Despite that, Alice's advice when it comes to Fuyuko was extremely helpful. Especially when it comes to the morning where they had to get her out of bed. 

_______›»FLASH BACK«‹_______

They got a visit from Alice early during their first morning in the traditional Japanese hotel like inn. Actually, none of them realized her appearance, until after she was done helping the staffs prepare their meals. By the time the volleyball team was waking up and cleaning themselves, their breakfast was done.

Meanwhile, the boys had one discussion going on among them as they put away their futons. How to wake up their manager—who by the way, slept in her own private room. They never experienced it first hand, but Kita and the Miya brothers were informed of the danger surrounding the mission. Suna on the other hand, was the only one with a little experience, but there was no way he was sacrificing himself.

So, imagine their surprise when the room door was abruptly slid open, revealing the She-Devil in all her glory with a red apron tied around her waist. "Onigiri-boi! Tsun-Chan! Both of you follow me!" Alice placed one of her hands on her waist, leaning her weight on a single leg as a sly smirk slipped open her lips. "Cause imma show you how to wake up that Tiny Delinquent of yours." Her red orbs glinted in the light, looking devilish as she pointed a thump to herself. Atsumu didn't fail to shiver.

That's exactly how the Miya twins found themselves in front of their precious manager's door. Suna and Ginjima tagging along just in case they needed back up. Alice didn't hesitate to slid open the unlocked door, much to the boy's surprise. "She... She didn' lock 'er door..." Atsumu voiced out in disbelief, making Alice shrug.

"She never locks her door, so make sure you knock okay? You don't know when she's changing or something." Alice reminded, just as everyone stepped in and had a good look at the sleeping manager. Let's say, everyone except Suna, flushed bright red. Osamu fully knowing this, wanted nothing more than to kick the boys right out.

Fuyuko's room wasn't as large as theirs, so her futon laid comfortably in the middle. Her comforter was draped over her lower half only, stopping right below her hips, leaving the rest visible. She laid on her side, body curled around her light-grey laptop as if she was spooning it. She wore wireless headphone, where the opening of K Project was heard—clearly seeing it play on the screen as well. Her hair laid sprawled over the pillow and the floor around her, soft locks limp and looking messy.

What had them blushing though—was her exposed stomach and lower back due to the overly big white shirt she wore, the shirt riding up her body. Suna was mindful to be looking at his phone while Atsumu and Ginjima felt the heated glare of the grey-haired twin on the sides of their face's—making them avert their gaze from the exposed skin with huge gulps. All while Alice didn't seem even a bit bothered by the revealed skin, and ended up crouching down to turn off her devices.

The red head carefully pulled off Fuyuko's headphone, putting it away with the laptop before grabbing her shoulder and giving it a light shake. "Oi, Fuyuko wake up!" The lavender head didn't move a single finger. Alice proceeded to shaker her again, her action becoming violent every passing second. "Fuyuko! Fuyuko!! OI SHORTY!"

A hand slapped Alice's own placed on her shoulder. "Shut the fuck up Alice." Fuyuko's morning voice rasped out. A hint of aggressiveness clearly present, which had the boys except Suna flinching back while the unfazed male recorded the scene with a smirk.

She swore!

Why do I've a feelin' Fuyu's bout to have an awakenin'.

Fuyu-Chan's givin' me more shivers than Alice right now...

And here we go again~

Alice clicked her tongue. "Don't start this again Fuyuko."

"I told you to shut the fuck up. Give me five more hours or I'm seriously going to fucking kill you." Her tone sent literal shivers through every single person present in the room. Alice and Suna weren't an exception. Fuyuko on the other hand proceeded to pull the comforter over her head, snuggling into a ball.

Leaving Alice to let out a shaky breath, preparing herself. "I'll spoil My Hero Academia's last chapter to you if you don't g-" She didn't finish her sentence when the comforter was thrown away—Fuyuko slowly sat up, her hair creepily covering her eyes. While the volleyball team backed off, crowding against the door.

"The fuck didja say?" Her tone was rough and monotonous, as she lifted her head. At the moment, her eyes seemed to glow underneath the shadows of her bangs as her gaze burned through Alice's body. Making the red head feel like she was going to evaporate any time.

Osamu gulped. "F-Fuyu?" He called out, albeit hesitantly—wincing when the girl's gaze shifted right towards him, not blinking a single time. Atsumu, Ginjima and Suna almost immediately backed away from him, all of them commenting how dumb Osamu was in their heads.

Alice was just about to offer Fuyuko some sweets when the girl in question blinked. Eyes going half lidded and the tense air around her disappearing along with it. "Oh Osa-chin? What are you doing here?"

Alice's jaw touched the floor. Atsumu's eyes went so wide that it threatened to pop out of his sockets. Suna almost instantly turned to stone while Ginjima felt his soul leave his shell-like body—never regretting anything more than following after Alice.

"Waa-" Alice was absolutely speechless. "WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU AND WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU FUCKING DO TO FUYUKO YOU DEVIL SPAWN THING OF A FUCKER?!"

_______›»FLASH BACK END«‹_______

Fuyuko stared at backs of the Inarizaki Boys Volleyball team as they made their way inside, gaining many stares in response. They weren't placed third last nationals for nothing after all.

They are seriously something else... how admirable... compared to them, what the hell am I even doing...

I want to hear my music again... I want to get over this obstacle, but I don't know where to start...

"Fuyu." A large but gentle hand placed itself over her shoulder, taking her out of her daze. "Are ya feelin' good?" She easily identified Osamu's deep voice, a hint of concern in his usual monotone.

The lavender head lifts her head, only to see the worried furrow of his brows. "I'm good, why do you ask?" Fuyuko's voice was as soft as ever, but the male easily took note of a weariness in it. He didn't press it though, knowing she'll open up when she's ready.

Instead, a small reassuring smile graced his lips. "Ya were trailin' a bit behind, 'n didn' hear me till I placed my hand on yer shoulder." He explained, moving to her right side and letting his left hand drop from her shoulder to her upper back. "Let's go, everyone else's already ahead."

"Oh... sorry." Fuyuko softly murmured, and he knew she meant it.

"It's nothin'." Osamu moved his gaze ahead, guiding her through the crowds and towards the waiting hall. "I know it must be tirin' to look after us, especially Tsumu. So, it's alright to take time for yerself sometimes." He advised, as if he knew exactly what she was thinking at that time.

Her eyes instantly widened, moving to stare at him with slightly parted lips.

Did he just read my mind?

"No, I didn' read yer mind." Osamu voiced, completely amused.

"Then how did you-"

Osamu's amused chuckle cut her off. "Ya looked in a daze, like that time I caught ya starin' at that door back at yer place."

Fuyuko blinked, before a genuine laugh bubbled out of her lips. It honestly took Osamu by surprise, but he wasn't complaining. As long as she didn't look so vulnerable, he was fine with her laughing her ass off. "You know..." Fuyuko started, another soft chuckle leaving her lips. "This conversation reminds me of the one we had back in spring." Her eyes lightly crinkled as the small genuine smiled of hers attracted a lot of attention.

Osamu was confused at first, but soon figured out what she was talking about. Remembering back to the first conversation he had with her when she offered to share her English text book. A soft smile appeared on his lips as well. "Yea... 'm glad ya approached me that day... Fuyu." He muttered out softly, eyes gentle as they stared into her bright half lidded lavender ones with visible adoration.

Miya Osamu was never sure of something as simple as it, his entire life. Right there and then he concluded—that he was genuinely in love with the girl next to him, and he wanted to be with her as long as he could. It scared him a bit, considering he didn't know what she felt for him. Her actions would explain her indication as cherished friends after all.

However, he felt a sense of happiness that quickly overlapped it, and right there and then, he promised to keep this feeling close to him. He'll embrace it with open arms, and that in itself was beautiful. Miya Osamu swore to hold on to those cherished feelings until there was no hope. He promised to not let it float away like his past relationships.

He got one thing wrong though...

After all, that conversation back in the Spring of April, was definitely not his first conversation with Rairakku Fuyuko. Nor was it his first interaction with her... because their first encounter had already happened and was long lost forgotten... 

_______»×•—‖≡∞≡‖—•×«_______