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

Chapter 20: Trust

𝖘𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖞𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖍𝖊'𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞
#102623
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"Nanachan, where have you been? Ever since you... I don't know, disappeared, everything feels different," Hinata finally blurted out, his usual energy tinged with genuine curiosity.

Everyone called her Nanachan now, a nickname that had stuck ever since Tobio playfully started using it. Soon, it was adopted by friends, teammates, and classmates alike. Aeris didn't mind; the nickname felt warm and familiar.

During the water break, Aeris and Shimizu went around handing out bottles and towels to the team. The midday sun beat down on them, but the players' energy barely faltered.

Aeris gave a small, amused smile. "Here and there. Life's been keeping me busy," she replied lightly, as if it were the most obvious explanation in the world.

"But what kind of busy?" Tobio prodded, always eager for details.

"Life," Aeris said, letting a hint of sarcasm slip into her tone. "You know... the usual chaos of living."

Hinata, however, was too excited to focus on her cryptic answer. "Nanachan, look what Noya-san taught me!" he exclaimed, practically bouncing in place. With uncontained enthusiasm, he demonstrated a receiving and rolling maneuver. "This is called a rolling thunder!"

Aeris blinked, caught off guard. "Wait... you don't know Nishinoya?" she asked.

The boy next to him grinned. "This is him!" he said, gesturing dramatically.

From behind, a smaller, energetic boy popped into view, waving his hands. "Sup?" he said, with a cheeky grin.

Aeris raised an eyebrow and smiled, deciding to play along. "Sup?" she echoed, holding up a hand in greeting.

"Name's Nishinoya!" he announced, bouncing slightly on his toes. "Libero, best in the world at receiving!"

Aeris chuckled, shaking her head. "Best in the world, huh? I'll be the judge of that," she said, her tone playful. Nishinoya grinned even wider, clearly delighted by the challenge, and gave her a little mock bow.

Aeris tilted her head, watching with a mixture of amusement and confusion. "Hinata, what?" she asked, raising her brow.

Nishinoya puffed out his chest, grinning ear to ear. "A rolling thunder!" he repeated, full of pride and excitement.

Aeris chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Hinata, Nishinoya... that's just receiving," she teased, the corners of her lips twitching into a playful smile. The team laughed together, the sound light and full of camaraderie, breaking the tension of the day.

As the laughter faded, Tobio approached her, his usually serious expression softer than usual. "Nanachan, did we do well today?" he asked, seeking her honest feedback.

Aeris appreciated Tobio's sincerity. She looked at each of the players, seeing the effort they had put in. "You all did well," she began, her voice calm but steady, "but volleyball isn't just about individual performance. The most important thing is trust—trust in each other, trust in your abilities, and trust in the team."

The boys nodded, absorbing her words. They understood that building a cohesive team wasn't just about drills or technical skill—it was about connection, communication, and reliance on one another.

"Hmmm... I can see your improvement," Aeris said, pausing to let the weight of her next words sink in, "but..."

The boys leaned forward instinctively, sensing the coming critique.

"Where's the trust? Did I not tell you that's the most important part of volleyball? You can't just rely on individual skills. Volleyball is a team sport. A real team."

"We do trust each other!" Tobio defended, his voice firm but with a hint of uncertainty.

Aeris shook her head gently, pointing out the subtle cracks in their teamwork. "Hinata-kun still closes his eyes when you set him the ball. Tobio-kun, you still feel like you have to carry the group alone. And Asahi-kun... you're still carrying guilt from the last game."

The players exchanged glances, each one reflecting on her words. There was truth in what she said, and it hit them in a way only honest feedback could.

"You need to believe in your team," Aeris continued, her voice softening slightly, "because that belief is what makes you strong together. Skills are important, but trust—that's what wins matches."

There was a moment of silence as her words settled over them, heavy with meaning but also inspiring. Then, in unison, they responded: "Osu! Let's do our best!"

Aeris smiled, satisfaction warming her chest. This was exactly what she had hoped to see: not perfection, but growth, awareness, and a spark of unity that could guide them forward. She knew there would still be mistakes, setbacks, and doubts, but she also knew that with trust, guidance, and shared determination, this team could become something extraordinary.

As the boys returned to the court, their movements more synchronized, their communication sharper, Aeris watched from the sidelines. There was a certain pride in seeing them push through not only physical challenges but mental and emotional ones as well.

"Keep moving forward," she whispered to herself, more a reminder to them than to herself. And somehow, the words felt like a promise. A promise that no matter what came next, they wouldn't face it alone.

« ֪ ׅ ֹ =͟͞ ♡ 𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗.