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

Chapter 51: New Captain

𝖘𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖞𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖍𝖊'𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞
#110223
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The school day had come to an end, and the Karasuno Girls' Volleyball Team gathered in the gymnasium. 

"Alright everyone, you all did well," Aeris began, her voice steady despite the underlying exhaustion.

"We've come a long way," Yui added, standing beside Aeris. "So, Aeris and I decided to give you some free time today since both of us are injured."

"Still a bummer that we lost," Natsuki murmured, her disappointment evident.

"But at least we were lucky enough to win three matches," Hitomi countered, trying to lift the team's spirits.

They all sighed, a collective release of tension and disappointment.

"Come on, girls, let's clean up," Yui said, taking charge.

As they began tidying up, Yui and Aeris stepped aside to speak with Okuma Kijuro, the captain of the basketball team.

"Sup, girls," Kijuro greeted them with a friendly nod.

"Kijuro-kun, you guys can use the whole court," Aeris offered, her smile genuine.

"Really? You guys aren't going to use it?" Kijuro asked, surprised.

"Yeah," Yui confirmed.

"Nice, thanks!" Kijuro said, grinning.

They exchanged smiles and bows before packing up their gear. Just as they were about to leave, the basketball team called out to them.

"Good game!" they yelled, cheering enthusiastically.

The volleyball girls were caught off guard but smiled in response. "Thank you, everyone. We'll be back," Aeris said, waving.

"Please don't, we want to solo this gym," Yamaoka Mizuho, the vice-captain, joked, eliciting laughter from everyone.

"But kidding aside, you girls did a great job," Kijuro added sincerely.

With another round of bows, the girls left the gym. As they walked out, Aeris noticed Yui wasn't heading towards the gym's exit.

"Hey, girls, you go on ahead. I forgot to see the nurse today to get checked up, and Aeris needs to as well," Yui said.

Aeris hadn't been expecting this, but she quickly agreed. "Sure, let's go."

The two walked quietly until they found a shady tree on the school grounds. They sat down, the weight of the day pressing on them.

"So, what's up?" Aeris asked, sensing something on Yui's mind

Under the shade of the tree, the air was still and quiet, offering a brief respite from the day's intensity. Yui sighed deeply, breaking the silence.

"I've been thinking about this since last night," she began, her voice heavy with contemplation. "And I think it's time for me to step down. We lost, and I don't see a reason for me to continue being active."

Aeris looked at her friend with a mix of concern and understanding. "But there's always room for improvement, Yui. You can enhance your skills until you go to college."

Yui shook her head, her expression resolute. "I don't think I'll continue with volleyball."

Aeris frowned slightly, trying to grasp Yui's decision. "Then what do you want to do?"

"Hmm, I don't know," Yui admitted, her uncertainty evident.

"Then who's going to lead the team?" Aeris asked, genuinely curious.