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

Chapter 30: Announcement

𝖘𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖞𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖍𝖊'𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞
#111923
•••

Aeris and Tobio sat across from each other at the breakfast table, their plates filled with food that remained largely untouched. It had been a long time since they last shared this moment together, and yet, there was an unusual tension in the air.

"So, Tobio, I'm not going to the preliminary next week," Aeris finally said, breaking the silence.

Tobio looked up from his plate, his eyes widening in surprise. "Why?"

Aeris sighed, her gaze fixed on the tabletop. "I just don't want to be there."

Confusion etched across Tobio's face. "But why? What's the matter?"

Aeris took a deep breath, steeling herself before speaking. "You remember how I told you about my previous school, right?"

Tobio nodded, curiosity piqued. "Yeah, I remember. What about it?"

Aeris hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. "Well, the truth is... I was banned from playing. I was kicked out of the team for cheating."

Tobio's jaw dropped in disbelief. "Cheating? Aeris-neesan, what do you mean? You'd never cheat! You always scold me for being immature and playing fair. Why would they kick out a great player like you?"

Aeris looked down, a mix of shame and regret in her eyes. "There's more, Tobio. It wasn't just cheating. There were allegations of bribery as well."

Tobio's voice rose, filled with alarm. "What? Aeris-neesan, what are you saying?"

Aeris interrupted, desperation in her gaze. "Tobio, let me finish, okay?" Tobio nodded, his expression serious. "The ban has been lifted, but I still don't want to create a ruckus at the tournament. If I see my former team, I might lose control."

Tobio reached across the table, grasping Aeris' hand in his own. "Nanachan, why didn't you tell me earlier? We could have found a way to deal with this together."

Aeris looked up, and sigh. "I didn't want to burden you, Tobio. I saw how upset you were when your sister left the volleyball team, and I didn't want to add to that pain. Besides, why do you think I transferred?"

Tobio sighed, and joked. "I just thought you don't like your school, Nanachan. It runs in the family, doesn't it? Our fiery tempers and strong emotions."

Aeris managed a small smile. "Touché, Tobio. I guess you did learn a thing or two from the best." She wiped away a stray tear. "And by the way, touché means you made a good point."

They laughed
"Tobio," Aeris called out.

Tobio looked at her, sensing something serious.

"I will not be attending the Inter-High preliminaries," Aeris said.

"Is it because you got banned?" Tobio asked.

"Wow, you quickly got that. Nice, Tobio," Aeris said, giving two thumbs up.

"Nanachan," Tobio said seriously.

"Sorry, I just don't want to be in the gym. I still can't—I get overwhelmed with everything. It seems like I'm moving forward so fast," Aeris explained.

"Isn't that nice? You can play again, after seeing the court again," Tobio said.

"So, I could play again and stop being a manager?" Aeris asked.

"Can't you do both?" Tobio suggested.

"You crazy? Wanna square up?" Aeris said playfully.

"I was just suggesting," Tobio replied, making Aeris chuckle.

"But jokes aside, I'm not going," Aeris said firmly.

"Okay, I don't want to pressure you," Tobio said.

Aeris smiled. "Thanks."

And continue eating their breakfast.

𖤐 — ᡴꪫ ִ₊‧⁺˖๋࣭ ⭑ ᡴꪫ — ִ ࣪𖤐

"Dude, I never thought I'd see you guys improve," Aeris playfully cried as she wiped fake tears from his eyes.

"We learn from the best," Nishinoya replied with a grin.

"Agreed," Ennoshita chimed in.

"What? am I offended!" Coach Ukai asked jokingly, causing everyone to burst into laughter. They had all gathered together to have some drinks and talk after a long day of training.

"Coach, can I say something?" Aeris requested, looking directly at Coach Ukai.

"Of course, boys. Gather around," Coach Ukai nodded.

Aeris took a moment to steady himself before speaking. "Alright, so I've talked to Coach, Kiyoko, and Tobio about this, and I wanted to talk to all of you as well. But let me finish before you react or say anything, okay?" Aeris paused, making sure he had their full attention.

They all agreed, their curiosity piqued.

"Alright, everyone knows me, right?" Aeris began, her voice slightly trembling. "I know that most of you know that I was kicked out of my previous school and team. It was because of cheating and bribery."

A hush fell over the group. They exchanged glances, unsure of where this was leading.

Aeris took a deep breath and continued. "I won't be joining you for the preliminary match next week. And it's not because I'm embarrassed or afraid to face my old team. It's because I'm not yet ready. I don't trust myself to be in control of my anger. I'm afraid I might lose it and start throwing punches left and right. I just need some time."

Silence hung in the air as everyone processed Aeris's words. Each member of the team knew the weight of what she was saying.

"So?" Aeris finally broke the silence, looking at them with a mix of hope and apprehension.

"Who would spread such lies?" Hinata said, shock of Aeris's revelation.

Aeris shrugged, a mix of frustration

"That's insane!" Nishinoya, his eyes wide with disbelief, added,

"I still can't believe, that happened, I always thought you were kicked out because of you bad temper like your cousin" Coach Ukai joked , they chuckled, lighting the mood.

Tanaka, chime in. "Hey, Nanachan," he said "We'll wait. Didn't you say we'll see you playing again? We believe in you, man. Take all the time you need."

"As long as you don't beat people up, that's good," Coach Ukai jokingly said, causing everyone in the gym to burst into laughter. 

"As long as you're part of the team and giving your all, it's good," Ennoshita chimed in. His words were met with nods of agreement from his teammates, showing their unity and support for each other.

"As long as you're part of the team during our time, it's good," Hinata added.

"Well—" Aeris began.

"Wait," Tobio interjected.

"No!" Hinata exclaimed.

"I'm not even finished yet. You guys understand that already, but when it comes to academics, you're slow," Aeris continued.

"We may be stupid academically, but we're not letting you go," Tanaka declared.

"You guys are so dramatic," Aeris responded.

The gym became noisy and louder due to the discussion.

"Guys, calm down. Let Aeris finish," Sugawara said, bringing silence to the room.

"Thanks, Suga," Aeris said, continuing her thought.

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