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

Chapter 27: Eyes on the Ace

𝖘𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖞𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖍𝖊'𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞
#110223
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"Order for #35!" the lady at the counter called out, her voice cutting through the usual chatter and clatter of the fast-food restaurant. Aeris immediately perked up.

"Oh, that's mine," she said, her eyes lighting up. A few of her classmates glanced at her, eyebrows raised in surprise.

"You're ordering again? Aren't you full?" Reiko asked, tilting her head slightly, a teasing smile tugging at her lips.

Aeris laughed softly, shaking her head. "Oh no, it's not for me. It's for the boys," she replied, grabbing the tray from the counter as the staff handed it over. The golden fries and steaming burgers made her stomach rumble faintly, but she didn't mind. Carefully balancing the tray, she walked back to her friends, who had already started moving toward the exit.

"Let's go," she said, motioning for them to leave. They stepped out into the cool afternoon air, the laughter and chatter of the group mingling with the distant sounds of traffic and kids playing in the nearby park.

They had spent the last hour inside McDonald's, talking about everything from weekend plans to the latest gossip at school. For Aeris, who had only joined their circle recently, it felt easy—natural, even. Somehow, in the span of just a day, she had been accepted by this group of friends as if she had always belonged.

Saeko, walking beside her, tilted her head and asked curiously, "Hey, isn't there a new coach for our school's volleyball team?"

Aeris nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Yeah. They've got a new coach. He seems... nice, I guess." She shrugged lightly, not wanting to sound overly impressed, but the subtle excitement in her voice was hard to hide.

Reika, who was walking a little behind them, raised her eyebrows. "And why are you still hanging around the team? I thought you were done with volleyball."

Aeris paused, chewing the inside of her cheek for a moment. She wasn't used to being asked questions like that, not so directly. "Well... it's not exactly like that," she said slowly. "I'm just helping Kiyoko manage the team."

"Kiyoko?" Ari asked, curiosity sparking in her eyes. The name seemed unfamiliar, yet it carried a kind of charm.

Koharu, always the playful one, leaned in with a mischievous grin. "Oh, Kiyoko-san? She's the manager! Honestly, she might just be the prettiest manager the team's ever had," she added with a wink, clearly enjoying the reaction she was expecting from Aeris.

Aeris chuckled quietly, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. "She's... talented. Very dedicated," she said instead, trying to sound casual. She didn't want to get caught up in gossip, even if the topic was flattering.

Aeris stepped into the gym, carrying a paper bag filled with McDonald's hamburgers. The aroma of fresh buns, sizzling patties, and melted cheese immediately drifted through the air, catching the attention of Tobio, Hinata, Nishinoya, and Tanaka. Their eyes widened simultaneously, and they exchanged a look of unrestrained excitement.

"HAMBURGER!" they shouted in unison, their voices echoing off the walls like a chorus of hungry wolves. Without a second thought, they bolted toward Aeris, their sneakers squeaking against the polished wooden floor.

Aeris grinned, holding up a hand with a subtle authority. "Stop right there!" she commanded. The boys skidded to a halt, their momentum halted as if an invisible wall had appeared before them. She had trained them well, and they knew better than to challenge her when she had a tray in hand.