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

Chapter 43: Deja Vu

Aeris sat in the Volleyball Association Office, anxiety coursing through her veins as she awaited the verdict of her current ordeal. The heavy silence in the room seemed to amplify the tension, making her fidget with her hands in an attempt to calm her racing heart.

The door swung open, and in walked the stern members of the Volleyball Association Committee. Their expressions were grave, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. Aeris couldn't help but shiver as they took their seats, bracing herself for what was to come.

The head of the committee fixed a piercing gaze on her. "One last time, Kageyama Aeris," he spoke firmly, his tone laced with skepticism. "Did or did you not commit this offense?"

Aeris, her eyes burning with a mixture of frustration and determination, drew a deep breath. "For the last time, I. Did. Not. Do. It," she declared, her voice trembling from the suppressed anger that had been building within her. She had been unjustly accused, and it was starting to wear on her patience.

The committee members exchanged knowing glances, and the head of the committee let out a weary sigh. "We understand your frustration, Aeris," he said, his voice heavy with regret. "However, after careful deliberation, the Volleyball Association has decided to impose a one-year ban on your participation in any tournaments."

Aeris felt her heart plummet as the words resonated in the dimly lit room. A year-long ban for a crime she hadn't committed. The injustice weighed heavily on her, and a surge of anger threatened to boil over.

Without uttering a single word, Aeris stood up abruptly, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. She nodded curtly at the committee, fighting to maintain her composure. As she walked towards the exit, the room seemed to close in around her, suffocating her further.

She had poured her heart and soul into the volleyball Preliminaries, and now, facing a potential ban, she felt her dreams slipping away. Kuroda-sensei, always the pillar of support, simply nodded, reassuring her silently that everything would be okay.

Taking a deep breath, Aeris approached the door and knocked. It swung open, revealing two members of the Inter-High Preliminaries Committee. "Good morning, Kageyama Aeris," one of them greeted her. "Have you eaten your lunch yet?"

Aeris shook her head. "No, I was about to though."

"It's going to be quick," the other committee member assured her. "Why don't you sit down? We have some questions to ask."

Aeris walked over and took a seat in front of them, her heart pounding with anticipation. She couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. "Kageyama-chan," one of the committee members began, "I've heard about the ban."

Aeris clenched her fists, her voice trembling slightly. "Yes, and?"

"We still need to contact the Volleyball Committee Association," the committee member explained. "There are certain procedures we have to follow."

Aeris felt a surge of panic rise within her. "What do you mean? Just a few days ago, you approved our new team member. That's why I'm here! Tomorrow is the last day of the tournament!"

The committee members exchanged a guilty look, bowing their heads in apology. "We're sorry for the inconvenience. It was our mistake not to put you on hold."

Disbelief washed over Aeris, threatening to drown her hopes. "But we've already won three matches! What will happen? Will we not be able to play? Will we be disqualified? We've only lost once!"

The committee members sighed, their eyes filled with regret. "Again, we offer our sincere apologies. We don't have any choice in this matter. We will contact you as soon as we hear from the Volleyball Associates."

Aeris's voice quivered as she addressed the adults who had the power to either make or break her dreams. Her words were a mix of frustration, despair, and indignation. She felt the weight of the accusations pressing down on her, and it was almost suffocating.

"You're the adults, you should have never shattered a kid's dream," Aeris began, her voice tinged with bitterness. "It took me a great deal of courage to come back, and if I had known that my team would be disqualified because of me, I would have never returned. I shouldn't have placed my hopes so high again. It's so unfair. I was just playing the game, following the rules and regulations. I was almost there. I—" But her words trailed off as tears overtook her, and she sobbed in frustration and disappointment.

The members of the Inter-High Preliminaries Committee tried to console her, offering words of hope and reassurance. "Kageyama-chan, your team will not be disqualified. Perhaps you can still play tomorrow. We will do our best to resolve this."

Aeris, still choked up with emotion, scoffed at their response. "Yeah, why didn't you do your best when I told you I didn't do anything wrong?" Her frustration was palpable as she left the room, leaving the committee members to grapple with their decisions.

Kuroda-sensei, her coach, stood waiting for her outside the room, concern etched on his face. "Aeris-chan," she said gently,

"Don't worry about me Kuroda-sensei. I'll go outside to get some fresh air. I just need some time alone." With those words, she walked away, needing a moment to collect herself and find the strength to face the uncertain future that lay ahead.

Aeris sat down on the staircase where there were not a lot of people. She cried her heart out, the tears streaming down her face without any restraint. It felt like the weight of the world was pressing down on her shoulders, suffocating her in an ocean of despair.

Suddenly, Aeris heard a soft shuffle behind her. She turned around and saw a member of Nekoma standing there. 

"I'm sorry I—" Kenma began, his voice trailing off. But Aeris interrupted him, wiping her tears and gathering herself as best as she could.

"It's fine, you can pass," she said, forcing a smile despite the pain inside her. She didn't want to burden anyone with her sorrows.

Kenma nodded and started to walk away. However, halfway down the staircase, he stopped, a conflicted expression on his face. Without a word, he turned around and took a seat next to Aeris.

"You're Tobio's cousin, right?" Kenma asked, his voice conveying genuine curiosity.

Aeris nodded, grateful for the distraction from her sadness. "Yeah, and you're Kenma, right?"

Kenma gave a small nod, his eyes betraying a hint of vulnerability. "Yeah."

An uncomfortable silence fell between them, broken only by the distant sounds of people going about their lives. Minutes passed, and Aeris couldn't stand the quiet any longer.

"Tell me, Kenma," she said, breaking the silence. "We've been quiet for a long time, and I hate silence."

Kenma hesitated for a moment before answering. "I thought you might like someone beside you. I didn't know how to comfort."

Aeris chuckled, a sad smile gracing her lips. "I like being alone more than being with someone who's quiet," she confessed. "But thanks for staying, even though we're strangers."

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