"My father. He taught me and my brother both how to play. Me and Naoki would always play in the backyard, one on one. They used to both help me out if I needed it, with school or with the sport. Now they're both in trouble, there's nothing I can do"

"You can show them how brave you are. Let them see what they helped build"

I lifted my head up, turning to him. He wiped the tears that were gliding down my already tear stained cheeks and offered a small smile.

"How would that help?" I ask.

"If they saw that you had the chance to go to nationals again it would show them how much they've done for you and how much you need them"

I shake my head. "I can't do that, I don't know if I can even play volleyball without them. Every match I played for nationals they were there. But they wouldn't be there"

"They'll be watching you though"

My eyes filled with even more worry. "From heaven?" I squeaked.

His eyes widened and he hurried to take my mind away from that idea. "No no no, from the tv. They aren't going to die, they'll be recovering, watching you play awesomely like you always do, from their hospital rooms"

"Why are you trying to help me feel better?"

"Because you're a beautiful girl who doesn't deserve to cry"

"I may be crying but I will not hesitate to punch you in the face," I say, trying to sound threatening but making it sound weird when I sniffled at the end.

His hands came to my shoulders, gently squeezing them. "Seriously. You're tough and from what I've heard supportive. You help people, you shouldn't be crying, you should be the one helping the people you're crying for"

"They're in Tokyo, I can't just go there"

"I'll take you"

"No. I barely know you"

"Why don't I walk you home? We could stop for some ice cream on the way"

"Only if you're paying"

"Let's go then," he said, grabbing my hand and pulling me off the bench. I got hold of my bag before I left it behind. "So which way is home?"

"It's not far from here"

We started walking, him holding my hand walking cheerfully and me walking like a zombie. My feet were dragging on the ground and my head was hanging low.

"Why did you come back?" I ask him.

"I forgot my jacket, and I wanted to talk with you some more, without those Karasuno guys around"

"Why are you so interested in me?"

"That's an easy one. You're beautiful, smart, supportive, tough, a leader-"

"Okay, that's enough"

We arrived at my house and Oikawa looked upset for some reason. "We forgot your ice cream"

"I have some in the freezer. I'm just going to go binge watch some show and stuff my face while trying to forget what's going on"

He chuckled at my bluntness. "That's a good idea"

"You should be getting back to wherever you came from now. Thanks for walking me. You aren't lost are you?"

"No, I know where I'm going," he reached in his pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. "Here," he tried handing it to me, it probably had his number on it, but I push his hand back to his side.

"I actually still have the last one you gave me. It's stuffed in my coat pocket"

"Oh, okay," his face brightened up, forgetting about the ice cream when he heard I didn't throw away his number. "Call me if you need someone to talk to"

"I will," I peck his cheek before opening my door. "And thanks again"

"No problem"

I shut the door and went straight for the freezer, digging out the tub of ice cream. The doorbell rang when my foot was on the first step of the stairs. I sighed, set the ice cream down on a table and rubbed my eyes, approaching the door. Noya was standing outside, looking around.

"What is it?" I ask, opening the door.

"You uh-are you ok?"

"Just family business. What did you need?"

"Oh, you left your phone in the gym," he handed me my phone which had a missed call from Mom.

"Why did you go back to the gym?"

"Well it wasn't locked so I had to lock up but I forgot my jacket"

That seemed to be a very popular excuse, forgetting your jacket. I ignored it and looked down at the boy.

"Oh, thanks. Sorry for making you lock up"

"No problem. Hey, you mind if I come in for a bit?"

"Well..."

"You look like you could use some company," his eyes went back to where I set down the tub of ice cream.

"Ok"

I let him in, grabbing the ice cream and going upstairs to my room. It was plain, except for some pictures of me and my team and some awards. It wasn't Noya's first time being here, considering he was my best friend, so he went and made himself comfy on the bed.

"You going to binge watch something?"

"Horror movies, hopefully getting scared will make me forget for a while"

I sit beside him and turn on the tv.

"What's going on?" He asks seriously.

"Dad and Naoki are in the hospital in Tokyo, Mom's out there with them"

"Oh. How about we watch that one?" He suggests, pointing to a movie which was supposed to be really scary.

"First one to get scared buys the other ice cream," I tell him. I really loved ice cream, it was my favourite food, if you couldn't tell.

"You're on"

I won. Not something that didn't always happen. I wasn't easily scared but Noya was not like me. Now, I got a tub of ice cream and he has to buy me ice cream.

"I don't see why you always accept that challenge, you always lose"

He shrugs. "I don't mind buying you ice cream, you always win fair and square"

I look down at the now empty tub of ice cream, we had both been picking at it throughout the movie. He takes the empty tub from my hands and gets up.

"I'll bring you some more ice cream tomorrow"

Before he could leave I called him back into the room. He came over to me and I hugged him. He tensed under my touch. "Thank you"

When I pulled away his cheeks were red. He raced out the door, saying one last thing before being out of earshot. "No problem, call if you need anything, I'll be over ASAP"