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

Chapter 18: The Beginning

𝖘𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖞𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖍𝖊'𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞
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Weeks had passed, and the Karasuno volleyball team was deep into their rigorous practice sessions. The gym was alive with energy, the rhythmic thumping of the ball echoing off the walls. Every now and then, Aeris would join them—not as a regular member, but as a powerful presence who elevated the intensity of every drill and match.

Today, she was on the court with Tobio, Daichi, Ennoshita, Yamaguchi, and Tsukishima, forming one formidable team. On the opposing side stood Hinata, Sugawara, Tanaka, Aeris, and Narita, equally determined to dominate the court. The air was thick with tension, excitement, and the faint scent of sweat, each rally pushing the players to give everything they had.

The ball zipped back and forth with lightning speed. Aeris's spikes landed like thunderclaps, sending the ball slamming against the floor or barely skimming past the outstretched hands of her opponents. Yet, she was just as skilled at receiving; her movements were fluid, almost effortless, as if she could anticipate where the ball would go before it even left an opponent's hand.

Hinata's explosive jumps and nimble maneuvers contrasted perfectly with Tsukishima's imposing presence at the net. Every spike, every block, every strategic placement of the ball was a test of skill and reflexes. The team's coordination had improved dramatically over the past month. Aeris could see it clearly—not just in their plays, but in the way they communicated without words, how their eyes met mid-game, and how quickly they adapted to each other's movements.

Sweat rolled down foreheads, muscles burned with exertion, and yet laughter and shouted encouragements punctuated the intensity. There was a sense of camaraderie in the air, a bond forged through shared effort and relentless practice. Each point won was a victory not just against the opposing side but also against their own limitations.

Finally, the match reached its climax. With one last synchronized effort, Aeris executed a powerful spike that Hinata barely managed to dig. The ball hit the floor with a decisive thud, signaling the end of the game. Panting and flushed from exertion, everyone paused, a moment of stillness filled with heavy breaths and racing hearts. Then smiles began to spread across faces, some relieved, others triumphant, all satisfied.

"Alright, everyone, take five!" Aeris called, her voice ringing clear over the sound of bouncing balls and chatter. A small, proud grin played at her lips. It had been a month since she had stepped in as the team's temporary coach—a month filled with challenges, frustrations, and breakthroughs. And looking around at her team now, she could see just how far they had come. Their movements were sharper, their communication smoother, and, most importantly, their determination unmistakable.

She allowed herself a brief moment to lean against the wall, catching her breath. The gym, usually a place of pure chaos during practice, felt almost tranquil now, the echoes of the game lingering in the air. Her gaze wandered over the players, noting subtle improvements: the way Yamaguchi's receives had become more confident, the precision of Ennoshita's sets, the way Tsukishima's blocks had become more anticipatory. Even Hinata, whose speed had always been his greatest asset, had learned to anticipate better, positioning himself perfectly to support his teammates.

A quiet voice pulled her attention. She turned slightly to see Takeda-sensei approaching, his expression serious but not unkind. He glanced around to ensure no one else was close enough to overhear.

"He's here," he said in a low voice, referring to the potential new coach they had been searching for. Aeris raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued.

Takeda's gaze lingered on the court for a moment, taking in the scene: the scattered volleyballs, the flushed faces of the players, the sweat-streaked hair sticking to their foreheads. Then he met Aeris's eyes again. "I wanted to let you know before anyone else. This could change things for the team... in a big way."