Date Tech's next play was against Aobajohsai the following day and it wasn't going well. They had lost the first set and the two-point gap refused to close during the second set.

Since the third years had decided to retire, the Date Tech team was still adjusting with their new and inexperienced setter, Koganegawa. They were not ready and since the setter affected the whole game, Aone and Futakuchi found themselves miscoordinating with Koganegawa's overly high tosses.

Unable to score, it seemed almost hopeless as they were only allowed to defend.

However, Date Tech's specialty was defence and they definitely lives up to their reputation as the "iron wall". This earns back points as they score through their blocks. Eventually, Aone pulls off a successful quick with Koganegawa putting the ball to his spike point.

The crowd goes even more wild as Date Tech manages to keep the score close, refusing to let Aobajohsai keep the control of the game. However... ultimately they fail to overturn the set when Iwaizumi breaks through their block to earn the match point for Aobajohsai.

The match ended with fangirls shrieking up a storm as Aone and the rest meet up with the retired third years to discuss their performance.

When Koganegawa declares that he will stop all opponents no matter how tall or powerful they are, Aone spoke to again, clearly baffling many team mates as he corrected him saying tall people are not the only ones difficult to block.

At that moment, as Aone and his team reach the bend in the path and as if his imagination became reality, his path crossed with Hinata once more.

The two teams froze as they watched the two lock eyes with each other, clearly surprised but many other emotions present too.

Just as Aone wanted to tear his eyes away from shame of loosing his match, Hinata nodded and walked away. Those were enough words needed to know what each other where thinking as Hinata disappeared from sight followed by Karasuno and Date Tech started to worry a little.

However, they knew Aone was still determined to face Hinata once more and stop him, even if an official match was no longer possible.

Aone sat on the nearly empty last train as he made his way home. His mind was filled with worried thoughts for his team. He wanted to be strong but he knew full well that meant the team needed to adapt to their new setter.

More thoughts started to bumble into his head and he didn't notice that he had gone past his stop already and by the time he realised it, he was already somewhere else he didn't recognize.

He wasn't even at the station anymore as he stood by the side of the road fretting over the fact he was lost. He looked around to try and figure out where he was and it was pretty much the top of a mountain.

He sat on the rails by the side of the road, looking out into the city. The view called his mind down and he took a deep breath, he was calm now.

He stood up and decided to make his way down the mountain, he would figure his way from-

"aaaaaaaAaAaAaAaAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!"

Turning around, Aone stated wide eyes as a small figure came hurling towards him down the mountain at top speed, reaching him, swerving past and skidding to a halt.

Hinata stared wide eyes at Aone who he had almost crashed into from shock of seeing him.

He immediately started chatting up a storm which Aone nodded or shook his head to and after half an hour of this talk, Hinata found that Aone was lost.

"Do you...want to stay at my place?"

Hinata suddenly blushed as he spoke his mind. But he smiled because he was doing this to be helpful.

"I haven't had anyone sleepover in a while so I don't think mum would mind. I think the only person who would is my little sister but she seems to hate everyone close to me."

Hinata laughed as he remembered Natsu glaring at Kageyama one time as they studied together to try and pass their exams.

Aone wanted to decline the offer but thinking logically, the train he was on was already the last to pass his place and he didn't have the money for any taxi or hotel for the night. He blushed a little as he noodles to accept the offer and that was how Aone found himself being glared at by an even smaller female Hinata and welcomed warmly by Hinata's parents.

Leaving his shoes and jacket by the door, Aone was welcomed into Hinata's room as he watched the small boy frantically run around to clean up the floor.

They sat down and Aone was offered some of Hinata's dad's baggy clothes to wear after he washed and they seemed to fit him so he accepted.

Hinata showed him where everything was before Aone picked up one of the spare towels and went into the bathroom to start to wash himself. The day had worked up a massive sweat and he didn't want to stink before seeing Hinata's parents again.

After him, it was Hinata's turn and after that, the two played a few games in Hinata's room until the call for dinner ran through.

After eating, Aone saw on the futon prepared on the floor and Hinata lay on his bed as he chatted for Aone to listen. They were both avoiding the fact Aone lost the match that day but Aone couldn't keep quiet about it much more.

Standing up, he towered over Hinata who lay looking up at on his back.

"I.."

Aone looked directly into Hinata's eyes to try his best to convey his thoughts as he opened his mouth.

"Next time... I will win."

Hinata smiled and just simply nodded as a small blush crept into his cheeks. He looked away in embarrassment as Aone found that he had basically pinned Hinata down onto the bed and he was completely blocking off any means to escape with his whole body.

He hovered still over the smaller boy as he tried to get his brain to work as he stated at Hinata.

His slightly flushed face, covered by those thin arms that were tucked against his chest for safety. His slight smile from agreeing about volleyball and his large eyes that shifted around from not knowing where to look.

A large hand unconsciously raised itself and Aone found himself gently caressing Hinata's face, a thumb running over his smooth cheek and brushing past the soft lips.

Hinata was still from the touch as it felt warm and safe but he was also scared for what would happen if he accepted the warmth. If he accepted it and it disappeared, he doesn't think he could take it.

They gazed at each other in silence as Aone pinned Hinata onto the bed and both were lost to the warmth of each other. It was a place that truly embodied home.

Not knowing what else to do, Hinata shifted closer to the wall and Aone also lean closer. They could feel each other's hot breath gently exhaling as they realize how close their faces were.

Hastily, Aone pulled back with his face tinged in pink and sat back into the futon.

Silence hung in the room as both boys suddenly flushed bright red as they both had the same thought.

They almost kissed....