Growing Pains

~Your POV~

"But why can't I go," you complained, "NIIIIIIII-CCHHAAAANNN!" Koushi crossed his arms not wavering in his resolve. "(N/n)," he started.

"I don't care if you don't get to play at all I want to be there in case you even do get in for like a second. You're my big brother! You always support me for my theater things," you complained. "Yeah, because you're almost always the lead roll," he countered. "So you wouldn't support me if I wasn't a lead a roll," you asked feigning being hurt to lead him to get to your point. "No- of course I would still," he started and you straightened up dropping the pout.

He caught onto what you had done and bit his cheek. "Not cool," he said. "Come on. But do you at least get my point," you pleaded. "Just let her go," the other players nearby snapped annoyed. "She's been at this all month," Daichi said. "Fine! Fine! But you stay with Kiyoko and Yachi," Suga caved.

"YEEESSS," you shouted pulling your fists into you side before punching them out and jumping up to koala hug your big brother. "You are such a pain in my ass," he sighed and ripped you off setting you on the ground. "Love ya nii-san," you said grinning from ear to ear. He made a heart with his hands before breaking it over his knee and flipping you off. You stuck your tongue out. "I'm going to meet with Meiko! Bye guys," you called back waving as you couldn't fight the smile off of your face.

You finally got him to cave. It had been forever since you got to go to one of his games and it was the last year you would both be in the same school. You ran over, spotting your best friend Inuoka Meiko. The older sibling of Inuoka Sou from Nekoma High School. The first year had purposefully chosen Nekoma High School to spite his sister. They had lived about thirty minutes from either school and she had come to Karasuno for its arts program.

"You're late," she noted. Long, straight, light brown hair had been dyed a dark mahogany that was almost black. Warm tawny eyes stood out with the darker locks. She was a bit intimidating even if she looked adorable in her school uniform. She was taller than you by a good four to six inches and you knew making her wait was almost always a death sentence.

"I-I know what you're going to say! But! I finally got Koushi to crack," You exclaimed excited. Her scowl softened. "You want to stop to celebrate," she asked. You nodded smiling wider.

She may have still seemed moody and annoyed to the untrained eye but this was Meiko's way of being excited and supportive. She had always been super guarded, but with enough patience she wasn't too tough to read.

~~~~~

"And then! In the midst of sobbing profusely he went all ! WHOOSH! And then I got it! That was what Ryu and Noya meant by tall hair!!!! And that's when it got really fucking crazy! So I called them both on the discord and that's where the rest of you from the study group caught in," you explained. "I'm still not watching Shonen," she insisted. "COME OOOOONNN," you complained stuffing the rest of your food in your mouth. "

I am perfectly content with my shoujos and k-dramas," she stood her ground. Despite your excitement bubbling up in your volume Meiko held a firm hold on her tone. While you were loud, excitable, and peppy; she was reserved, innate, and sullen in appearance.

"Hey," A voice called.

You smiled waving back to the boy, using your puppy-like (e/c) eyes. He was hot. "Hello," you chirped politely.

"No," Meiko had insisted wrapping an arm around your shoulders, dragging you away. "He was cute," you pouted. "He was only targeting you because he thought you'd be easy," she dead panned. "You can't know that for certain! Besides! What's wrong with something casual," you protested. "Aside from the fact that your brother will legitimately murder me? Nothing," she said. "But you always go off about how you want to die," you pointed off. "In a blaze of glory, not the hands of a high school volleyball team," she insisted. "Okay, okay. Fair point," you agreed.

~~A Few Days Later~~

"I saw you checking out that guy at Fukurodani. The setter," you teased.

You had been watching the spring play offs with Meiko and Yachi from the front of the stands. The two of you had broken off to go stop at the bathroom and were on your way back now. It was your only time to ask her.

"I was not checking him out. We're friends. I was rooting for him," she said.

You hummed skeptically as a light shade of pink dusted her cheeks.

"Hey didn't you say you finished Ouran," she asked. You jumped up remembering one of the few shoujos she had recommended that you didn't hate.

She had successfully distracted you by sending you into a passionate rant about the show you had just binged.

"And that french bitch was gonna kiss kiss, catch these fucking hands," you said. You hadn't realized you were even that loud until a voice cracked up nearby. "KISS! KISS! FALL IN LOVE," a boy shouted out proudly.

You whipped around and locked eyes on the only person close enough as he continued to laugh. Bleached eyebrows to match the longer blonde fluffy hair over the dark brunet undercut. He had pierced ears and the his warm ups looked like he was part of a team.

…

So fit. Probably all hot and muscular.

"You watch Ouran Host," you asked jumping up excited. "No, (Y/n) don-," Meiko called after you, but it was too late. You had rushed over to introduce yourself.

"Hi," you greeted. "Hi," he greeted matching your level of excitement. "Dude! Have you read it," he asked. "No! I'm still behind in like a million other mangas! Hunter to start, and Tokyo Ghoul, and My Hero, and Dr. Stone. I did finish Demon Slayer," you thought aloud. You looked up to see his warm brown eyes had completely lit up and he started to passionately geek out with you over anime.

~~~~~

"-But like Your Lie In April was actually so fucking good. Like I definitely cried. I'm not going to lie," he defended. "I don't want to cry! There's been so many tears," you insisted laughing. "But it's so worth it," he insisted. "I knooow," you complained. "Sugawara! Ass over here now," Meiko called mad. "I'm in trouble," you said looking at the boy wide eyed. He laughed at you reaction. "Nice to meet you," you shouted and ran over to Mei. You heard the boy call over and you glanced back before you were tugged away.

You joined Yachi at the edge of the stands and realized you never even got the boys number. "Daaaammmnn iiiittt," you complained. "What's wrong Sugawara-san," Yachi asked you. "I was talking to this really cute boy and I totally didn't ask him for his name or number," you complained. "Thank god. It was like having two of you," Meiko complained.

You stood in the stands and pouted talking with Meiko who had reassured you that she would make it up to you with food which lifted your spirits.

You looked back out at the team and waved down at your brother. "I don't get how you two are related at all," Yachi noted. "We've been saying that our entire lives," you laughed.

You jumped up spotting the other side. "Dude! Dude! Dude! Look. Their number one," You said excitedly and whacked Meiko's arm. "Oh holy shit. You're kidding me," she muttered. You looked to see the boy you had been talking to with the rest of Johzenji's team. "He's the guy that hit on Kiyoko-san," Yachi said and shot him a glare. "Oooo. So the guys don't like him already," you thought aloud.

Meiko suddenly receded. You looked to see her step back. "What's wrong," you asked. "Uh- just- it's fine," she tried to brush off. "I'll be back," she said. "I'm going after her. Sorry Yacchan," you called and ran after your friend. You weaved through the crowd. "Sorry! Excuse me! Sorry! My bad," you shouted as you pushed through the sea of human beings to get to Meiko.

You grabbed onto her arm. "I told you I'm fine," she snapped.

She suddenly felt to be eight feet tall. You cowered back a bit at the venom in her words. "Clearly you lied," you argued in a small voice. You had lost all of your courage. No matter how hard you were fighting to remind yourself it was just Meiko the sharp tone cut past all your defenses, shutting you back to that time of being a scared little kid.

Meiko's expression softened. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you. It's my brother," She said taking your wrist and picking up her pace again.

~~~~~

"Baby-Suga," Kuroo greeted. "Hi," you said a bit startled Meiko slipped past. "Is Sou-kun okay," you worried. "He's going to be alright, Sunshine," Kuroo reassured, "Nothing Angst-Queen can't handle." "Hey," Kenma greeted. "Is that the new metal gear," you asked. Kenma nodded as you prompted him about the game. His face lit up as he rambled on about it.

"HEY! HEY! HEY! (N/n)-chan," Bokuto greeted walking over from where Meiko had just headed. "Bo-san! What are you doing here," you asked as he pulled you into a hug. "I was with Akaashi but he sent me back this way," Bokuto shared, "Shouldn't you be cheering on your brother?" "I was but Meiko looked really worried so I didn't want to leave her on her own," you explained.

"And this why you will be forever dubbed as Sunshine," Kuroo said with a pout that let you know he found your strong sense of loyalty heart warming. You giggled at his reaction.

"We can take care of Meiko. I'll send Akaashi to walk her back later. You should get to support you brother," Bokuto suggested. "It was a panic attack wasn't it," you worried. Kuroo nodded quietly. "Hey Bo can you walk her back," Kuroo asked looking up from his phone as it went off. "For sure," Bo chirped excited, "You want to stop for anything on the way?" You shook your head no.

You walked in silence for a bit. "You know, Mei-chan didn't mean to snap right," Bokuto asked. You nodded, "I know. It's jus- still hard to shake." You chuckled as Bokuto pulled you into a hug, "I know kid," he said.

He let go and you continued walking. "Hey, what's your opinion on throuples," he asked curiously. "As long as communication is good and everyone's on the same page it's not much different from a regular relationship right? Why," you replied. "No reason," he said quickly. "You're a terrible liar Boku-san," you pointed out, giggling at your own pun.

"Am not," he said defensively.

"So you did lie," you jumped up pointing at him. "Ah- no," he said starting to get flustered.

You sighed in defeat, "I won't push it... for now." Bokuto sighed in relief. "But one day," you added to keep him on his toes.

You walked into the opening for the bleachers and turned. "Kou-KOUSHI," you shouted running to the railing. He was playing. You brother whipped his head up from his spot in the rotation. "GIVE EM HELL NII-CHAN," you shouted. He smiled back proudly and nodded before the play started. You rushed back up to Yachi and Ukai's friend. "Where's Meiko-san," Yachi asked. "She's with her brother and a couple of friends. He's going to be okay," you reassured. Yachi sighed in relief.

"DUDE! Johzenji is absolutely insane," Yachi exclaimed before recapping the crazy play style of the opposing team.

"MY BAD," Tanaka's voice shouted from the court. You turned back to see what was going on. He must have spiked it out. The boy you had been talking to was up to serve. He threw up a jump serve and slammed it across the court. "WOAH," you exclaimed leaning forward against the railing. A smile tugged on your face as he jumped up and shouted super excited about the point from his serve. "Kiyoko's calling me back down," Yachi said and darted through the bleachers.

You stood, eyes set wide to take in as much as your brain would allow. The excitement and drive to win was almost palpable in the air. Johzenji's team was almost like a whole team of Hinatas with a bit more experience. Each and everyone one of them not only worked with each other but also seemed to be competing at the same time. They're play style was wild, unconventional, and attack driven. Watching the boys adapt to it was enthralling. It was almost like they were in the exact position they put other teams in.

Yachi ran back. She spoke to Ukai's friend about Kageyama. At least Koushi got to play for almost a full set. You screamed out as they pulled off a synchronized attack. Your heart sunk again, knowing Mei had missed the play. You turned, noting it had been a while since you left Meiko.

You spotted her by the entrance and your jaw hung open seeing Akaashi pulling back from kissing her cheek. Although you were a bit surprised because of how Akaashi often looks at Bokuto so adoringly. She smiled softly saying something and waved him off. She turned and her face dropped seeing you. You just pointed at her.

That little shit!

How was she going to just not tell you!?

She was your best friend!

You tell each other everything!

"Explain yourself," you demanded rushing over. She started stammering.

"Why didn't you tell me!? How long! That was adorable! You were all soft! Mei-chan," you exclaimed jumping up and shaking her excited. "I-uh- it's complicated," she said a bit quietly. "I'm being too loud aren't I," you thought aloud. You grabbed her hand. "Wh-what about your brother," she asked. "He just played like a full set. It's fine," you insisted. "No, no, no! (Y/n)! It's fine! Really! We can talk about it later," she insisted. You huffed. "Fine, but if you try to dart away I will be so mad at you," you said sternly.

You watched the rest of the game. Both teams continued to try to grow and adapt to the other. "Holy shit," Meiko muttered. "I know. Both of them are crazy," you noted. "That guy you were talking to gives off a totally different vibe when he's shit talking," Meiko noted. You nodded quietly as your eyes darted back and forth trying to follow the ball.

~~~~~

You had managed to sit through another set before finally getting Meiko in a mostly secluded area.

"So what do you mean by complicated," you asked. She started to fidget nervously. "You can't tell anyone. My parents don't even know. Okay? Sou doesn't even know," she said urgently.

"Akaashi's a really sweet and responsible guy. But you know I won't say anything," you promised. "No 'cause it's not-.. it," she started but couldn't get the words out. Her cheeks were bright red. "O-Oh," you thought aloud putting it together.

"What's your opinion on throuples?"

"Is that why Bokuto asked for my opinion on throuples," you asked in a whisper. "HE WHAT," she demanded. "Did you think that I would judge you," you asked trying to keep the hurt out of your voice. You didn't want to make her feel guilty for anything. "I-I don- it's kinda- it's not real-," she stammered.

"Are you happy," you cut off. She nodded. "And they treat you well," you asked. She nodded again. "Then that's all I care about," you said and pulled her into a tight hug. "You're not weirded out, or questioning-," she started. "You're my best friend! As long as you're happy and safe, I don't give a shit," you laughed off. She gripped onto the hug tightly.

"Your parents definitely can't know about this," you agreed. She chuckled a bit laughing into your shoulder. "If you need a cover you can count on me for anything just give me some sort of heads up so I can play along," you promised. "Thank you," she said. She pulled apart wiping her eyes.

"Let's go congratulate your brother before they go back to the place they're staying," Meiko said.

You nodded walking her back to the main hall. "Bokuto is a horrible liar though," you noted. She laughed, "Tell me about it." You smiled seeing her eyes light up as she talked about her boys.

~~~~~

You found the boys outside. "NII-CHAN," you shouted and took off in a sprint. You jumped up and nearly tackled him in a hug. He laughed catching you. "I'd catch you too (Y/n)-chan," Noya and Tanaka said. You felt Koushi's arms tighten and you knew he was death glaring his teammates. "O-or not," Noya exclaimed. "Definitely not," Tanaka shouted.

"What was that bullshit you were spewing earlier," you asked letting go of your brother. "How was I supposed to know Kageyama would receive with his face," Koushi asked.

You laughed shaking his shoulders, "Nii! That was so fucking cool!" "Language," he cut in. "Sorry," you said quickly and continued, "They were all "WHOOSH! BAM!" And you guys were all "Not on my watch!" And then that synchronized attack!? KOU!!!"

He laughed at how you rambled excitedly, as always. "You still want to go look for that captain of theirs," Meiko asked. "What," the boys asked over-protectively. "YEAH," you exclaimed grabbing Meiko's wrist and rushing back for the the doors. "(Y/n)! Wait," Koushi called after. "I'll call you later nii-chan," you shouted back.

~~~~~
~Terushima's POV~

"But if she was that girl cheering for her brother then he's on Karasuno. So, all we have to do is find Karasuno and she'll probably be with them right," Bobata asked. Terushima hummed to himself rolling the ball of his tongue piercing across the roof of his mouth. A nervous habit he had picked up since getting it.

"Okay, yeah that makes sense, but what if she isn't with them," Terushima asked. "Well, we can't miss the ride into town. Even if they don't give you her number if we can find out whose sister, Futumata can work his social media magic and find a site you can dm her on," Bobata laid out. Terushima nodded hyping himself up.

He was going to have to face Karasuno after just losing to them. He could bite down his pride for that though. There's was just something about her he couldn't shake. So, he was going to at least try and if he failed, then he failed but at least he'd know he gave it a shot. Plus she had some really good show recommendations and he couldn't remember half of them.

He took a deep breath and spotted Karasuno hanging around the courtyard. "You," the baldy growled. "Good game," Terushima said trying his best to keep from egging them into an argument. He scanned their crowd and didn't spot the (h/c) ball of nerdy sunshine. "What do you want," the springy little libero asked, jumping up to force Terushima to look at him. "Just looking for someone," Terushima strained, "I think her brother might be one of your teammates." "Suga-chan," the two said looking at each other. "She's not interested," a voice said behind him.

Terushima turned a bit agitated. He didn't appreciate them being so possessive or trying to intimidate him. He turned having to adjust his eyes down an inch to look at the silver haired setter. "Says who," Terushima asked failing at hiding his frustration. "Says her big brother and her boyfriend," the setter said wrapping his arm around one of the guys who had been on the sidelines the whole time. Terushima looked over feeling a mix of shame, guilt, and annoyance.

"I guess I misread the conversation. My bad man," Terushima said walking off. "You assholes better win or I'll be pissed to have lost to a bunch of losers," Bobata said before jogging to catch up to the brooding Terushima. "Sorry man," Bobata said smacking his back. Terushima shrugged muttering, "It's whatever. I don't fucking care enough to be pressed. I'm more annoyed we lost, just when we were starting to take it seriously. We'd have crushed those crows."

~~~~~

"Come on dude. You had one conversation," Futumata said as they all sat in his room. Terushima had been in a funk since they left. "I said I'm fine," he insisted picking at his sweat pants, as they watched the show he had been zoning out on. The whole thing had just rubbed him the wrong way. She seemed like such an honest and gentle person and he was so sure she had been flirting. But she had a boyfriend the whole time? In a weird sense he felt kind of betrayed. Something about it just felt wrong and off.

"I'm just annoyed we have to go back to school now," he lied. "You're an awful liar," Bobata said. "Who said I'm lying," Terushima countered. "I did. I said you're lying," Bobata countered laughing. "Well, you're wrong," Terushima said sticking his tongue out. "Okay, I may be wrong, but would it make you feel better to know we got an invite to a halloween party in Tokyo," Bobata asked. "That might make me feel a little better," Terushima admitted.

~~~~~
~Your POV~

"Damn. He just... disappeared huh," you muttered on the train back to your house. "Okay, so... I might have asked Akaashi to invite him to the Halloween party," Meiko noted. You whipped your head over to look at her wide eyed. "You were just so happy and excited talking to him. I had to," she shrugged off, "Besides your sulking face is annoying." "You're the bestest best friend in the whole world! I owe you my very existence," you exclaimed wrapping her in a tight hug. "Stop being weird," she complained. "Let me give you affection because you deserve it and you're kind and amazing," you started. "Oh my god! Shut up," she said trying to hold back a laugh, "You are so obnoxious." "I love you too," you said proudly.

"What are you going as," you asked. "Bokuto wanted to do the Sexy Power Puff Girls," Meiko strained. "Oh my god that is amazing," you exclaimed. "He wanted to be Bubbles," she sighed. You doubled over cackling. "Wait! Can I put his hair in pigtails," you pleaded. "You're going to have to ask him," she sighed pinching the bridge of her nose. "You think I won't," you asked excited. "Unfortunately, I know you will," she sighed.

~~~~~

You just hung up the call with your brother after going in depth about his game and how you were incredibly proud of him. You flopped back on your bed exhausted. You had put your social dial at max all day but it hadn't been too much natural socialization. Aside from speaking with Meiko and that Johzenji captain. Everything else was trying to make sure others were okay, getting swept up in the game, and hoping not to embarrass your brother too much.

You glanced at Your Lie in April and tossed it on your list. You hopped over to scan through your list and flicked through three shows you have yet to finish. Despite your efforts you, instead, restarted Naruto for the fifth time.

Your laptop started ringing. You groaned and pressed answer call. "Whhaaatttt," you complained. "SUGA-CHAN," your fellow second years shouted. "I'm tired and grumpy. What do you want," you pouted staring at your tv. "Why are you grumpy," Enno asked laughing. "I meant to start a new show or finish another one but I'm just rewatching Naruto," you explained. "Then stop rewatching it," Kino said as if it were that easy.

"Oof you're in the rewatch rut," Noya asked. "YES! I am! I had like a million new suggestions today and I don't know where to start. Because I want to watch a new one but then I feel guilty because I haven't finished like three or four other shows so I just replayed Naruto. I was going to rewatch hunter but then I remembered I'd probably cry at how not traumatized the boys are," you shared. "I don't- I'm not even going to bother," Kino muttered. "Guys. Go to bed," Daichi's voice reprimanded. "Sorry Daichi," they all apologized.

A few seconds passed and Tanaka asked in a hushed voice, "So what the hell was that about looking for Johzenji's captain earlier?" "Well, you see Ryu, when you get older your body will start going through changes," you started teasingly. "Ewwwwwww you wanna hit that? But he's such a fuck boy," Noya complained. "I'm with them for once," Enno agreed. "Wh- Chikara! You're supposed to be the reasonable one! I will tell your girlfriend you're being a fart," you complained. "He was literally hitting on Kiyoko, kind of aggressively if I might add, just the other day," Enno shared. "Okay, well with me he was super nice and geeked out over anime and we compared lists," you countered.

"If you're that desperate you could date one of us," Ryu noted. "You know that will literally never happen," Enno pointed out. "I'm trying to be as gentle as possible about bro-zoning you guys but you don't seem to get gentle," you pointed out. "You're still talking to us, so there's still a shot," Noya declared. "Pathetic," Narita said. "Why don't you go back to cuddling your boyfriend," Ryu said. "Suck my dick," Narita countered. "Babe," Kino grumbled annoyed. "Sorry, Hisashi," Narita said softly. "You guys better win tomorrow. Go to bed," you said chuckling.