𝟭. 𝙃𝙀𝙍 𝙎𝙄𝘿𝙀 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙎𝙏𝙊𝙍𝙔 || 𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐤𝐲𝐮𝐮 [✔]

Chapter 15: The Chaos Before the Clash

𝖘𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖞𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖍𝖊'𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞
#072923
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Aeris and the Karasuno team arrived at Aoba Johsai's gym, the building itself an intimidating statement. Sleek floors gleamed under the overhead lights, walls adorned with banners from countless victories, and the scent of polished wood mingled with faint ozone from the air-conditioning.

"Wow... rich people," Tanaka muttered under his breath, eyes darting around at the pristine gym and high-end equipment, as if it belonged to another world entirely.

"My stomach hurts," Hinata whispered nervously, clutching his stomach. His usual optimism was subdued, replaced by a jittery tension that mirrored the rest of the team's nerves.

Karasuno grabbed their bags and stepped inside, careful to keep their eyes on the polished court. Across the gym, Aoba Johsai's players were warming up, moving with precise, confident motions that seemed almost mechanical in their perfection. The atmosphere was suffocating, a mixture of expectation and superiority that pressed down on Karasuno like a weight.

Aeris stayed a few steps behind her team, scanning the opposing players and feeling her own stomach tighten. They won't win, she thought grimly. The thought made her chest ache, but she forced herself to push it aside.

"Are you sure we can win?" Shimizu asked quietly, her voice laced with worry as she glanced at Aeris.

Aeris exhaled slowly, her shoulders rising with the tension. "Don't tell them, but... I don't know," she admitted honestly. The words hung in the air like a shadow, and Shimizu's shoulders slumped slightly, doubt creeping in.

Just then, one of the Aoba Johsai players called out, his tone laced with mockery. "Coach, do we really have to play with them?"

"Why even bother? This is so embarrassing," another added, smirking and crossing his arms.

Aeris felt her hand clench into a fist before she realized it. Tobio noticed immediately and stepped forward, caution in his eyes. "Nana-chan, no—"

"Move, Tobio," she said firmly, her voice cutting through the tension like steel. She strode confidently toward the Aoba Johsai coach, and the Karasuno team froze, eyes wide with surprise.

"Hi, Coach. I am Kageyama Aeris, their coach," she announced, bowing respectfully but keeping her voice clear and unwavering. "I need to point out that this is a professional setting. I do not appreciate the comments your team has made. If you do not want us here, we will leave. But if we are here, respect is required. Your players might not be facing resistance, but I will. If their behavior continues, I will not tolerate it."

The Aoba Johsai coach straightened, clearly caught off guard by her assertiveness. After a tense moment, he nodded slowly and bowed. "I apologize for my team. Please, make yourselves comfortable. I will address their behavior."

The two disrespectful players quickly mirrored his bow, murmuring apologies, though still with faint reluctance.

"Don't apologize to me," Aeris said firmly, her gaze sweeping over Karasuno. "Apologize to them." The boys turned, muttering their apologies directly to Karasuno. The team exchanged stunned glances, silently acknowledging the weight of what just happened.

Tanaka was the first to break the silence with a laugh. "Ae-san... that was amazing. I want to be as cool as that someday."

The rest of the team nodded, admiration shining in their eyes. Aeris allowed herself a small smile. "If people continue to act like that, I won't just stand by," she said. Her voice was calm but firm, carrying the authority of someone who refused to be pushed around. "Now, everyone, let's take a seat. We need to get in the right mindset for this match."