When Oikawa's Junior Is Free

Everyone around Takeuchi Eri knows she's popular. She's pretty, gets good grades, has a gentle personality, and often makes delicious desserts to share with everyone.

There are more boys with crushes on her than you can count on both hands.

But she has a fear of talking to members of the opposite sex one-on-one.

She's also a total homebody.

"Takeuchi, want to go to karaoke after school on Friday?"

"Takeuchi, want to go to the beach together this summer?"

"Takeuchi, want to go to the arcade this weekend?"

"Takeuchi, can you come with me to the stationery store tomorrow?"

Out of ten invitations like these, Takeuchi Eri turns down nine.

"Oh, sorry, I can't! You guys go ahead! Have fun!"

"The stationery store? Sure."

Before long, everyone stopped putting her on the spot, and rarely invited her to join them for fun.

That is, until Aoba Johsai's volleyball club got a new first-year setter.

At first, no one thought the two of them had anything to do with each other.

Then one day, Oikawa Toru stood right outside a second-year classroom. Everyone wondered which girl this popular boy had come to see.

"Eri... Oh, I mean, Takeuchi-senpai! Will you come with me to the new amusement park this weekend?"

"Oh, sure."

Everyone was shocked twice over.

First, the incredibly popular underclassman was inviting a low-energy upperclasswoman out. How did you two even meet?

Second, Takeuchi had agreed so easily! Weren't you a homebody? Didn't you get awkward talking to boys one-on-one?

Oh, so they're childhood friends.

Theme: Work hard to make your dreams come true.