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

Chapter 26: Good Game

𝖘𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖞𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖍𝖊'𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞
#042923
•••

It was the last day of practice, and the air around the gym felt strangely light—almost peaceful. After a long week of grueling drills, late-night reviews, and early-morning scrimmages, the training camp was coming to an end. To celebrate, Aeris had woken up earlier than usual to prepare breakfast for everyone. She wasn't the type to brag about it, but the way the boys devoured their food was enough of a compliment.

By the time afternoon arrived, both Karasuno and Nekoma were already packing up. Water bottles were being gathered, stray towels tossed into baskets, and the wooden floorboards squeaked under the shuffle of sneakers as everyone cleaned up the gym one last time. The place that had been filled with intensity just hours ago was now settling into a quiet, bittersweet calm.

"You guys ready?" Aeris called out from the doorway. "You should be downstairs by five."

"Osu!" the teams answered together, a mixture of exhaustion and excitement in their voices.

Once the players hurried off to their rooms to finish packing, Aeris stayed behind to do one last sweep. She checked the storage closet, the showers, even the tiny office Coach Nekomata had used. After confirming every light was off and nothing was forgotten, she finally stepped outside, where Kiyoko was waiting for her.

"All clear," Aeris said, dusting her hands on her shorts. "Where are the others?"

Kiyoko nodded toward the courtyard. The two teams had gathered in organized lines, preparing for farewells. The sight made Aeris pause—it was strange how close everyone had gotten in such a short time.

She approached Coach Nekomata, stopping right in front of him. Then, without hesitation, she bowed in the playful Nekoma style—a silly, exaggerated bow she had revived earlier during the camp.

"Goodbye, Coach," Aeris said sincerely. "It was nice seeing you... and sorry."

Coach Nekomata blinked, clearly confused. "Sorry? For what?"

Aeris only shook her head lightly, refusing to elaborate. She bowed again in the same exaggerated manner, making the old coach chuckle under his breath. As she stepped back, Coach Nekomata's expression softened.

"You were great out there," he said. "Even though I didn't see you play this time, I think you're enjoying your time in Karasuno. I hope I'll see you on the court again."

His words struck her more deeply than she expected. Aeris smiled—just a small one, but genuine—and nodded before moving on.

As she walked past the teams, she caught sight of Tanaka and one of the Nekoma players shoving each other with the kind of chaotic energy only they could manage.

"What was that?!" Taketora barked, sounding more irritated than truly angry.

"Wanna rumble, city boy?" Tanaka shot back immediately.

Aeris opened her mouth, prepared to scold them both before things escalated, but Sugawara and Yaku swooped in faster.

"Taketora, stop," Yaku said sternly. "You're embarrassing yourself."

Tanaka puffed up proudly, as if that meant he'd won. Sugawara gave him a sharp look, and he deflated right away.

Aeris sighed but couldn't help the small laugh that escaped her. At least some things never changed.

She and Kiyoko headed toward the bus where Karasuno had started loading their luggage. Aeris slipped inside to arrange the bags, making sure the equipment was secured. As she settled into a seat near the window, she glanced outside and saw the Nekoma team gathering around their own bus. Coach Nekomata spotted her peeking and gave her a small wave.

She responded with the Nekoma bow—playful, exaggerated, full of respect—just before the engine started.

The camp was truly over.

____________________________________

From the Nekoma side, Kuroo had been watching the exchange with raised eyebrows. He slung his bag over his shoulder, turning to Coach Nekomata with obvious curiosity.

"Coach," he said, "why does she always do that weird bow whenever she sees you?"

Some of the players laughed, but Nekomata only rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"Hmm... something funny happened a long time ago," he said vaguely. "That bow was created because of it. It turned into a silly little tradition between us. But the previous captain didn't like it, so it kind of disappeared for a while."

Kuroo nodded slowly, not fully satisfied with the explanation but amused enough to let it go. His gaze drifted to where Karasuno's bus was starting to pull away, the windows reflecting the late afternoon sun.

Yaku, who had been silent until then, tilted his head. "Hey, Coach... wasn't she Kageyama Aeris? The ACE from Takenodai Girls' Volleyball? The one who got kicked out?"

Kenma looked up from his phone, eyes widening. "She got kicked out?"

Yaku shrugged. "That's what I heard. Something about her cheating or something along those lines."

Kenma frowned. "She doesn't seem like someone who would cheat. She barely talked to anyone unless she had to... but she didn't give off that kind of vibe."

Coach Nekomata crossed his arms, firm in his resolve. "I never believed that rumor."

Kuroo leaned closer. "Why?" he asked, genuinely interested.

Nekomata exhaled, choosing his words carefully. "Aeris has a strong personality. Not everyone can handle that. But she's talented—ridiculously talented. A prodigy, honestly. Sometimes she just... crossed paths with the wrong people."

The boys quieted down, each replaying every moment they had seen Aeris during the camp. The way she worked harder than anyone else. The way she corrected even minor mistakes without being asked. The way she respected Nekomata without hesitation.

She didn't act like someone who had done something dishonorable.

Kuroo finally let out a low whistle. "So the rumor was just... a rumor?"

Nekomata nodded. "Most likely. People see talent and either admire it or resent it. She's young. She'll grow past all of it."

Kenma returned to his phone but spoke quietly. "I don't think she did anything wrong."

Their bus began to pull out of the parking lot. As they passed Karasuno's retreating vehicle, some of the Nekoma players waved at their rivals. Through the window, Aeris spotted them, and she gave one last Nekoma-style bow—dramatic, unapologetically goofy, and entirely hers.

Kuroo chuckled. "She's definitely interesting."

"Interesting, yes," Nekomata agreed. "But also strong. Life's been unfair to her in some ways, but she keeps going. That's the kind of player who ends up surprising everyone."

The players quieted, absorbing Nekomata's words. Whatever truth lay behind Aeris's past, it no longer seemed as simple as a rumor or accusation.

There was more to her—more than she let people see.

And after this camp, one thing was certain:

Aeris had earned their respect.
Not because of her reputation.
Not because of the rumors.

____________________________________

« ֪ ׅ ֹ =͟͞ ♡ 𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗.

— sidenote
; I know the 'city boy' was before they have the match. But, i wanted to put there because I wanted it, it's too iconic not to put it