Akio took a deep breath in.

Two years, she had not done anything out of what was expected of her instead attending film making club. Now, here she was standing in front of the gymnasium. This time as a manager. If she had a choice, right now, she would be having a great time setting up a camera pretending to think up a concept when really she was just watching YouTube videos. Why had she even signed up for that course? Why had she delayed finding some administrative or managerial experience for so long that only the volleyball club had a position left?

Straightening up her collar and brushing her blazer, she pushed the doors.

Akio could hear the thuds on the hard floor.

"You must he Akio Minaka," A black haired boy said. Akio nodded.

"Hello, My name is Daichi Sawamura," he said wearing a warm smile, "I'm the captain of Karasuno volleyball club,"

Akio smiled in response.
"Hello,"

"Hi, I'm Coach Ukai and this is Takeda," a man with dyed blonded hair said. He looked like the man in the bun shop but since when was he the coach of the volleyball team?

She had realised the thuds had stopped and the boys were walking over. She also noticed blonde haired girl standing next to Kiyoko, who she sat in front of in English.

"Akio-san!" Hinata exclaimed almost jumping around. How did he have so much energy? Akio was trying not to fall asleep, "Daichi told us you will be our third manager!"

Akio nodded. Why did they need three managers?

"Okay, guys!" Daichi exclaimed. His loud voice resonating through the gym. Akio could see why he was the captain. "We'll star practising tossing and spiking,"

Akio walked briskly to the side. She watched as all the players arranged themselves in a row. A bald headed boy wearing a constant smile was st the front. Akio suddenly felt faint.

It was almost like slow motion. Ukai's threw the ball up in the air and his right arm went in an arc as he hit the ball. The ball flew over. Kageyama tossed the ball perfectly and Tanaka leapt into the air slamming the ball forwards. It flew over the net - except not in a straight path.

Suddenly, Akio was on the floor holding her cheek. Her tongue felt over the mouth. Yeah, all her teeth was there. She could hear a girlish scream and Akio laughed.
"Oh my God!" A short boy with a streak of yellow on his black like lightning, "She's in so much pain she was laughing," Akio lifted her head to see the bald boy looking like he had seen a ghost.

"I'm alright," Akio said trying to console everybody else. This was nothing compared to what she had experienced.

For the rest of the day, Akio watched safely on the other side of the court. The bald boy who she learnt was Tanaka looked like he might cry and his friend, Nishinoya, kept coming over ensuring she was alright.
"Do you want me to get you something, Akio-san?"
"Do you want two ice packs, Akio-san?"
"Do you want something to eat, Akio-san?

It felt like eternity but finally the club came to an end. Akio did not rush off as soon as the boys went off to change yet waited to be polite and not seem to happy to escape. The team were exhausted and Akio could not understand why the team never went far. Maybe, it was the first years or the new coach/ bun shop owner guy.

Akio found herself in the gym alone. She looked around. A single volleyball had not been collected and lingered behind the bench.

Akio stared at it. She tried to resist the desire to pick it up. She looked away and looked back hesitantly. She leant forward. Finally, she shook her head started walking towards it. She was being stupid. She crouched down and picked up the ball. She bounced it lightly in her hands.

Akio turned her head slowly and got up facing straight at the wall opposite. She continued to bounce the ball in her hand. Her palms had become sweaty. Why was she even sweating so much?

She prepared to throw the ball up.

"Akio-san!"

Akio clutched the ball tightly and turned.

"Have you not gone home yet?" Sugawara asked.
Akio smiled. "I was just going to put this ball back," she said.
"Oh, I'll put it back," he said jogging over.

He looked at her face.

"Are you hot or something? You're sweating so much!" he exclaimed. Akio laughed nervously. Sugawara smiled.

"We can walk home together!" He exclaimed.

Akio looked at the time. It was really dark and they did not live in the best area.

"So have you ever played volleyball?" Sugawara asked.
"A bit," Akio said looking down at her shadow.
"Why did you join volleyball club?"
"I don't know. In the third grade, Daichi and Asahi joined and I kinda just went with them,"
There was a brief silence.
"What are you doing after leaving school?" Sugawara asked.

They spoke about future plans for the rest of the short trip. Finally, they reached the familiar house with a lawn covered in flowers. Sugawara opened the gate whilst Akio opened the gate in the house next door.

She rang the doorbell and the door opened. Akio waves goodbye and entered. The house was warm. Akio walked into the living room. Her sister was lying on the sofa with the TV on but instead of watching it, her eyes were fixated on the phone. Her sister looked at her.

Akio went upstairs and into the room. She was very exhausted and she had not even played. She had changed. She pulled out a box from under her box and rummaged through it. She could hear the TV downstairs. Finally, she picked up a photo

Instead of getting changed or anything, Akio lay on her bed holding the photo tightly.