𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐊𝐄!! ✧ o. shotaro

fourteen

sunsets and bus rides back to tokyo.

the barbecue was lively and full of lighthearted conversations, along with plenty of eating. the sun shone on the large group throughout the afternoon as everyone ate their fill of grilled vegetables and meat on the last day of training camp.

iced green tea was distributed to the volleyball players and coaches along with rice balls. the players and managers were thoroughly surprised by shirofuku's large appetite as she ate a whole tray of rice balls within two seconds.

yachi seemed as frightened as ever by the tall volleyball players, shuddering as she navigated her way through the field. nanako felt sorry for the karasuno manager, who mistook the helpful offers from the players as threats and paranoia.

she spent her time mostly with the managers and the nekoma high volleyball team, laughing along with the conversations she listened to while eating the barbecued foods on her plate. as the day went on, the barbecue slowly came to a close.

as soon as everyone was full, the grills were turned off and clean-up began. after placing the dirty tongs used for grilling in the outdoor sink and picking up litter, nanako found herself sitting on a grassy hill again.

the same spot where she confessed to shotaro.

for some reason, the nekoma manager found herself coming to the same spot often. the feelings and emotions she associated with the grassy patch made her feel so happy, never failing to cause a light pink tint on her cheeks.

she raised her head, staring at the sunset behind shinzen high's volleyball gym. shades of pink, orange, yellow, and blue covered the clear sky as the day continued on.

soon, another presence came nearby, sitting right next to her. she immediately recognized who it was and smiled.

"do you remember the first time we were here?" nanako questioned, gazing at the colorful sky.

"how could i forget when my crush confessed to me?" shotaro answered.

she could feel heat rising on her cheeks again as shotaro laced their fingers together like he did the night before. the team manager looked at him, causing him to smile, blush evident on his cheeks.

"i was so happy that day," the outside hitter began, staring into nanako's eyes with love. "it seemed crazy, that the person i liked had feelings for me, too."

the nekoma manager couldn't stop her lips from curving upwards. "now, i'm just so glad to be able to say that you're my girlfriend, the person i've had my eyes on for four months now."

"wait, since the first day?" nanako questioned with wide eyes.

"ever since you bumped into me, yes," shotaro replied with a chuckle. "why? are you surprised?"

"because, well...i've l- liked you since the first day, too," the team manager responded, looking down at her lap with flustered cheeks.

the smile on the outside hitter's face grew wider. he gently pushed her shoulder, causing her to fall backwards on her back, followed by his own body.

they laid on their backs in the grassy hill, hands intertwined and eyes focused on the sunset. the chatter from the other players was inaudible to them as they focused on each other's hearts, which were beating in synch.

slowly, their heads turned to face each other, blushing wildly and smiling at the sight in front of them. they couldn't help but gush at how beautiful the view was, with the person they loved in front of a sunset, staring back at them.