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

Chapter 64: Tokyo

𝖘𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖞𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖍𝖊'𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞
#110223
•••

As the bus traveled to Tokyo, Coach Ukai and Takeda-sensei took turns driving. Aeris, who had insisted on sitting in the middle of the bus, woke up rubbing her neck after a nap. The sun was shining outside the window.

She attempted to reach her bag to get a drink of water, but she struggled. Suga noticed and said, "You want your bag."

"Sorry for waking you up," Aeris replied.

Suga reassured her, "Nah, it's fine. I couldn't sleep."

Curious about his restlessness, Aeris asked, "You're nervous? Why are you guys nervous? It's just a practice match."

Suga explained, "I don't know why I'm nervous. Maybe it's because we might lose again, or it's the burden of carrying the team. I just want to help them, especially since our team has hope of rising again. I don't know what to do, Ae-chan. I'm full of anxiety."

Aeris sympathized and said, "You know, Suga, I've been telling you guys that this is a team effort. You move together because if you play as an individual, the game will always return bad. I know that feeling, that anxiety because I used to be the one who played alone. Then I realized that when I played with the Karasuno Girls' Volleyball Team, Suga, sometimes the weight of past defeats can make the fear of losing again feel heavier than any burden. But remember, it's in those moments of vulnerability that we find the strength to rise, to play, and to conquer the game of life."

Suga marveled, "Why are you wiser than me?"

Aeris humorously replied, "Because I'm older than you."

Suga was surprised, "Really? What year are you?"

"'94, Feb," Aeris answered.

Suga said, "Oh, you're older than me."

In jest, Aeris said, "Now bow to me" 

"Thank you, great-sensei." Suga played along, saying, "But, kidding aside, thank you for the advice."

Aeris took his hand and squeezed it, saying, "Always." 

The conversation was a source of comfort as they continued their journey to Tokyo. After, Aeris having a conversation with Suga, they fall asleep

Aeris was awakened by Suga's voice, and she groggily responded, "Hmm."

Suga informed her, "We're here."

Aeris stepped off the bus and stretched. "Good morning, everyone. Ugh, my neck hurts, and my body."

The Karasuno team greeted Nekoma team with a bow. "Good morning, guys," Kuroo acknowledged.

Hinata, full of energy, called out, "Hey, Kenma! Kenma!"

Aeris, still groggy, noted, "It's 7 in the morning. Why do they have so much energy?"

Asahi agreed, "Yeah, sometimes I need their energy."

Tobio asked, "Nanachan, is that Tokyo Tower?"

Aeris corrected him, "Honey, we're not in Tokyo, Tokyo."

Hinata inquired, "We're not?"

Aeris explained, "Yeah, that's just a regular cell tower."

Kuroo chimed in, "You guys don't have cell towers."

Daichi added, "We have cell towers, and every cell tower looks like Tokyo Tower. They all look the same."

Aeris playfully remarked, "Why are you getting defensive, though?"

Lev came up out of nowhere, exclaiming, "Hey, guys! Kenma, you've grown up since the last time I saw you."

"We don't just grow randomly, Lev-san" Kenma said

"AHAHAHA! Hi Hinata! Hi, everyone!" Lev exclaimed, his towering figure easily noticeable.

They bowed to greet each other

"We're in a different location," Daichi remarked.

"We usually change locations each year. This time it's Shinzen," Kuroo explained, as they walked towards the gym

They made their way inside, where the members of Fukurodani High School's volleyball team were busy preparing. The three managers were setting up waters and towels for the players, Aeris left to refill the water bottles.

"Konnichiwa!" a woman from Fukurodani's team greeted with a bow.

"Konnichiwa! Where do I get water?" Aeris inquired, a friendly smile on her face.

"Oh, it's inside here," the woman replied, gesturing toward the water station. Aeris followed her with gratitude.

"Nice meeting you. I'm Shirofuku Yukie," the woman introduced herself as they approached the water station.

"Nice to meet you, too. I'm Kageyama Aeris," Aeris replied, her eyes reflecting her enthusiasm.

"Which manager are you, Kageyama-san?" Shirofuku asked, curiosity in her voice.

"Just call me Aeris. I'm with Karasuno. And you?" Aeris responded, making her intentions clear.

"Fukurodani," Shirofuku answered, proud of her team.

Aeris and Yukie continued to chat as they worked together, filling up the water bottles for the players.

"So, what year were you born, Shirofuku-san?" Aeris asked, wanting to get to know her better.

"'94, how about you?" Yukie replied.

"Same. Is it okay to call you Yukie?" Aeris inquired, trying to foster a more relaxed atmosphere.

"Yeah, it's okay. So how long have you been a manager?" Yukie asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Oh, less than a year," Aeris admitted.

"Less than a year? Isn't that quite late to start?" Yukie questioned.

"It's a long story, and we need more than a hundred bottles to refill," Aeris replied with a playful smile, making Yukie laugh.

Aeris and Yukie returned to the gym together, where Fukurodani and Karasuno continued their intense match. As the game progressed, the hunger pangs grew stronger.

"Kiyoko, let's make food for the hungry kids," Aeris suggested.

It was almost lunchtime, and Karasuno was still trailing Fukurodani. As a form of punishment, they would have to run up a steep hill after a set.

"Eh! What about me?" Yachi asked, concerned about her role.

"You've got to practice, Yachi, because sooner or later, it's going to be you alone out there. You can do this," Aeris encouraged her.

"Eh! What do you mean, Aeris-san?" Yachi asked, a hint of confusion in her voice.

Kiyoko smiled and corrected her, "Aeris, right, Yachi? You can do this. Fighting!"

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

— sidenote
• idk, but it's a thing here in asia to ask someones age so they know, how to address them
• sorrt for late updates, i'm a bit busy