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

Chapter 61: Intense Week

𝖘𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖞𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖍𝖊'𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞
#110223
•••

A

s the week of intense studying and practice continued, the three of them found themselves physically and mentally exhausted. The upcoming retake exams were weighing heavily on their minds, and they were giving it their all to ensure they could join the Tokyo trip.

During one of their study sessions, Aeris noticed Tobio dozing off. Annoyed by his inattentiveness, she shook him awake. "Tobio! Tobio!"

Tobio, still drowsy, mumbled in response, "Huh?"

Hinata was also struggling to grasp the material, and Aeris felt a growing sense of frustration. "Nanachan, still don't get it," Hinata admitted.

Aeris sighed and rubbed her temples, recognizing that the week ahead would be stressful and challenging.

After a grueling week of studying and practice, the day of the retake exams finally arrived. Aeris wished Hinata and Tobio good luck, reminding them, "Just remember what you've learned."

They nodded and headed into their classroom

Aeris anxiously waited for them to finish. Moments later, a car pulled up in front of her, and she was surprised to see someone familiar.

"Oh! Aeris-chan," Saeko-san greeted her.

"Saeko-san," Aeris responded in surprise.

"Oh please, just call me Saeko-neesan. You're going to Tokyo, too?" Saeko-neesan asked.

Aeris replied, "Oh! Right, Saeko-neesan."

Saeko-neesan continued the conversation. "You're waiting for them? How long?"

Aeris sighed and replied, "Since this morning. I didn't realize the time. I'm nervous, even though I'm not the only one retaking the test."

Saeko-neesan laughed, and after a few more minutes, both Hinata and Tobio rushed out of the exam hall, surprising Saeko-san.

"Need a lift?" Saeko-neesan offered.

Hinata recognized her immediately. "Tanaka-san's nee-san!"

Saeko-neesan smiled. "Just get in, because we're running late."

As Saeko-neesan drove the car with Aeris, Tobio, and Hinata. While Tobio's head sitting on Aeris's shoulder, they engaged in a lively conversation.

"So, Hinata, why did you join playing volleyball?" Saeko-neesan inquired.

Hinata began, "Well, during my middle high school, I saw this 'little giant.' On TV. I was really inspired by him and the way he played."

Aeris interjected, "Wait, 'little giant'? The Kamomedai High? He's pretty good, though."

Hinata, slightly confused, asked, "Kamomedai High?"

Aeris clarified, "Oh, who did you mean?"

Hinata answered, "The Karasuno Volleyball club's number 10."

Aeris playfully teased, "Are you complimenting yourself?" Saeko-neesan joined in with a laugh,

 "No, Nanachan, 'little giant' refers to the greatest Karasuno player ever." Hinata was thrilled to learn more.

"I know who you're talking about. 'Little giant.' He was the same year as me." Saeko-neesan said

Hinata's excitement was palpable as he asked, "What! Really?"

Aeris also chimed in with her memories. "Wait, right! The 'little giant.' I saw him when they were playing in the Spring Tournaments. He was amazing. Everyone looked up to him."

Hinata continued, "You saw him? I first watched him on a TV, while I was biking, Isn't he great? Where is he now, Saeko-neesan?"

Saeko-neesan, with a hint of nostalgia, responded, "Hmm, I don't know him personally. I was in the gym once and overheard that he was on the bench. I liked him on the spot because of his strong personality."

Tobio, who had woken up and overheard the conversation, asked, "Saeko-neesan, you know about him, a lot."

Aeris was surprised. "Since when did you wake up?"

Tobio, with a simple explanation, said, "I was hungry."

Saeko-neesan, couldn't help but jest, "You? What are you, an animal? But anyways, sit tight. We're almost there." As the car sped along the road.

The group arrived at the gym and rushed inside. Saeko-neesan, with a smile of satisfaction, opened the door.

"We're on time," she declared.

Nishinoya, who was already in the gym, looked surprised. "Nee-san?"

Asahi also chimed in, "Your sister?"

Nishinoya shook his head and clarified, "Nope, Ryu's."

Inside the gym, Tobio, Hinata, and Aeris were met with curious and amused glances from the team members.

"Huh! So, that bald head dude was saying the truth. They have three managers now? That's unfair," Yamamoto commented.

Tanaka just gave him a smirk.

Aeris confidently stepped forward and addressed the team. "We're here. Do you need our help?"

Tanaka expressed his gratitude. "Thanks for bringing them here in one piece."

Saeko-neesan, preparing to leave, spoke to Tobio and Hinata. "Well, good luck, you two."

"Thank you, Saeko-neesan," Tobio and Hinata replied.

Aeris, with her next plans in mind, asked Saeko-neesan, "Saeko-neesan, can I ride back with you?"

Tobio was curious. "You're not staying?"

Aeris explained, "Nah, I have dance club. The competition is almost here, so we need to practice."

With a courteous bow to everyone, Aeris and Saeko-neesan, left the gym to continue her busy schedule, leaving Tobio and Hinata to focus on their volleyball practice.

As Aeris and Saeko-neesan settled into the car, they began to chat about various topics.

"I thought you're their 'comage,' and I still don't get that though," Saeko-neesan said, a hint of curiosity in her voice.

Aeris chuckled and explained to Saeko-neesan what 'comage' meant. "It's a term that Ryu and Nishinoya made up 'coach' and 'manager'"

Saeko-neesan laughed "HAAHHAHA! as expected from my stupid brother, but you're their coach, how?."

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