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

Chapter 24: Crows VS Cats

𝖘𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖞𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖍𝖊'𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞
#102723
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⊂•Next Day•⊃

Aeris had been nervous lately, and she made a lot of mistakes.

"You good, Ae-chan?" Takeda-sensei asked.

Aeris just nodded and continued with what she was doing. She hadn't seen Coach Nekomata since she was little. It wasn't that she didn't like Coach Nekomata, but she was just shy and awkward around him.

As Aeris and Kiyoko were about to sleep, Aeris spoke up.

"Hey, Kiyoko, if ever I'm in an awkward situation with Coach Nekomata, please help me," Aeris said.

"Why? Aren't you happy because you'll see him again?" Kiyoko asked.

"I don't know, it's just awkward for me. I can't explain why, but it feels embarrassing," Aeris said.

"Okay, sure," Kiyoko agreed.

"Did I mention Coach Nekomata was handsome when he was younger?" Aeris said.

"Really?" Kiyoko replied.

Aeris nodded and showed Kiyoko a picture.

Kiyoko looked at Aeris. "Not gonna lie, he's handsome."

"Right?" Aeris said.

"Nanachan, could you get that thing because it looks like it will hurt the boys?" Coach Ukai called out.

Coach Ukai had taken to calling Aeris "Nanachan" too.

"Me, Coach?" Aeris responded, feigning innocence.

Coach Ukai raised an eyebrow and replied in a teasing tone, "Who's 'Nanachan' other than you?"

'Damn, Coach, good timing,' Aeris thought.

She went to retrieve the item and avoid further embarrassment, feeling someone's gaze on her.

"Aeris-chan?" Coach Nekomata said.

'Damn,' Aeris thought.

"Coach," she greeted, remembering the tradition of Nekoma from her childhood. It was a greeting she hadn't used in a long time, a tradition that had faded away over the years.

Coach Nekomata smiled warmly at her, his eyes reflecting a hint of nostalgia.

"How are you?" Coach Nekomata asked, attempting to engage her in conversation.

'Suffocating,' Aeris thought but forced a smile, trying to hide her discomfort. "I'm good," she replied, her response more a polite formality than a genuine sentiment. The awkwardness of the situation hung in the air.

Coach Nekomata's concern for her was evident as he continued, "I've heard about you. Why didn't you come to Nekoma? I could help you with everything. You're a volleyball player, not a manager."

Aeris didn't appreciate the direction of the conversation, but she replied diplomatically, "Oh, I wanted a fresh start somewhere, and I'm just volunteering to help Karasuno. I enjoy being their manager."

Coach Nekomata seemed genuinely curious about her family, asking, "Oh, really? How are your father and your uncles?"

"They're good," Aeris replied with a nod, keeping her answers brief to avoid delving too deep into her past.

Aeris seized the opportunity to make her exit when she made eye contact with Kiyoko and signaled for help. Fortunately, she had confided in Kiyoko about her discomfort with Coach Nekomata's presence.

Kiyoko quickly went to Daichi, seeking assistance in diverting Coach Nekomata's attention.

"Nanachan!" Daichi called out.

Aeris turned to Daichi, her heart pounding with the need to escape the awkward situation. She put on a bright smile and replied, "Coach Nekomata, I would love to talk more, but the boys need me."

"Okay, why don't you come to Nekoma? Let's talk," Coach Nekomata suggested.

Aeris nodded, maintaining her polite demeanor, and bowed to him. "Thank you, Coach," she said, before turning and swiftly making her way out of the conversation, grateful for Kiyoko and Daichi's assistance in helping her escape the uncomfortable situation.

« ֪ ׅ ֹ =͟͞ ♡
𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗.
𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺, 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 ♡