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

Chapter 22: Crows

𝖘𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖞𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖍𝖊'𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞
#121922
•••

Coach Ukai clapped his hands once practice finally wrapped up. Sweat still clung to everyone's faces, the echo of the last rally fading in the gym.
"Alright, everyone—put your things away and clean up. We'll have dinner after this," he announced.

A chorus of tired but satisfied "Yes, Coach!" rose from the team.

As the boys headed toward the showers and storage room, Aeris slipped out first, already knowing her assigned chore for the evening. She tied her hair back, rolling her shoulders as she stepped into the kitchen area. The warm lights flickered softly, giving the room a cozy feel despite the old wooden cabinets and clunky appliances typical of a rural training camp.

Kiyoko was already there, sleeves rolled up, quietly prepping some ingredients. She gave Aeris a small, welcoming smile—the kind that always made Aeris relax.

"You're cutting the vegetables tonight," Kiyoko said gently.

"Got it," Aeris replied, grabbing a cutting board.

Takeda-sensei passed through the doorway a moment later, balancing a stack of plates.

"I'll set the table," he said cheerfully. "Thank you both for helping. The boys seem extra hungry today."

"They always are," Kiyoko replied calmly, slicing meat with practiced ease.

Aeris chuckled. "Hinata ate three rice balls just during break time."

Takeda blinked. "Three?! We're eating in less than an hour..." he murmured, already wondering if they had made enough food.

While the kitchen filled with the rhythm of chopping, boiling water, and quiet conversation, the rest of the Karasuno boys explored the training camp building.

Hinata was practically vibrating with excitement as he darted around the hallways.

"This place is HUGE!" he exclaimed for the tenth time, even though it absolutely wasn't.

"It's literally the same size as last year," Kageyama deadpanned, walking behind him with his hands in his pockets.

"But it FEELS bigger!" Hinata insisted, stopping to poke an old wooden pillar as if discovering a sacred artifact.

Nishinoya and Tanaka were investigating every corner with dramatic curiosity—checking creaky floors, opening sliding doors that led nowhere, and pretending they were uncovering secrets of the ancient Karasuno past.

"I swear this room was locked last time!" Nishinoya whispered, even though it was just the laundry room.

Daichi and Sugawara stayed closer to the main hall, discussing match schedules, while Tsukishima lingered at the edge of the group, earbuds in, pretending none of this was interesting.

"Wow, a dusty hallway," he commented dryly as Yamaguchi tried to show him something.

Back in the kitchen, Aeris finished slicing vegetables and moved to the pot, stirring the simmering curry. The warm, savory smell filled the entire space. Her thoughts drifted—she always found cooking relaxing, especially during training camps. The atmosphere was different; it felt like a little family preparing dinner after a long day of chaos.

From the hallway came Hinata's bright voice:
"IT SMELLS AMAZING!"

Aeris glanced at Kiyoko, who already looked resigned.

"That was fast," Aeris whispered.
"He'll be standing at the door in three... two..."

Before she even finished counting, Hinata appeared in the doorway, eyes shining like he hadn't eaten in weeks.