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

Chapter 65: Gossip

𝖘𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖞𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖍𝖊'𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞
#101923
•••

Dance practice ended later than expected. Sweat rolled down Aeris' back as the music finally stopped, and the girls collapsed onto the floor, breathing heavily.

"That was intense," Otaha groaned.

Aeris grabbed her towel and wiped her face. "Tomorrow will be worse," she joked, even though her legs felt like jelly.

As she packed her things, her teammates gathered around her.

"Aeris, are you really going back alone?" Sumire asked.

"Yeah," Aoi chimed in. "We can walk with you at least part of the way. It's already late."

Aeris blinked, then let out a small laugh. "Guys... I live here. This is literally my turf. I know every corner of this place."

"But—" Tajima started.

Aeris bowed politely, lifting her bag. "Thank you for worrying, but I'll be fine. Really. I'll see you all tomorrow!"

Her teammates exchanged worried looks but waved as she jogged off.

The sun had already dipped low, painting the street in warm orange. Aeris breathed in the familiar scent of the quiet town, feeling the comforting weight of being home.

By the time she reached the training camp, the muffled noise of players chatting echoed through the halls. She slid open the door to the managers' room—and immediately, voices erupted.

"Aeris! Welcome back!"

"How was your practice?"

"You look exhausted!"

Aeris laughed, rubbing her neck. "I'm good, just... tired. Very tired."

Kiyoko approached with her usual calm grace. "You should eat something refreshing. I saved watermelon for you in the fridge."

Aeris's eyes widened. "Kiyo... you are my hero."

Kiyoko smiled. "Take a bath first. You'll feel better."

"I will," Aeris said. "Thank you. Seriously."

She headed to the showers and took her time—letting the hot water melt away the stiffness in her muscles. When she finally stepped out in fresh clothes, her body felt lighter, but her stomach growled in complaint.

Instead of heading straight back, she stepped outside the training camp and walked to a nearby convenience store. The fluorescent lights buzzed softly as she scanned the drinks section.

Her eyes landed on a large one-liter bottle of apple juice.

She paid, thanked the cashier, and walked back toward the camp—swinging the heavy bottle like it was some sort of treasure.

Inside the kitchen, a group of boys from Nekoma were gathered around a table, mid-conversation.

"So Karasuno really improved since the last match, huh?" one Nekoma player said.

"No kidding," another replied. "It's kinda scary."

Aeris stepped in. "Right? Crazy, isn't it?"

Instant silence.

Every boy's head snapped toward her like they'd been caught doing something illegal.

Aeris blinked. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Hi, Aeris-san," Kenma greeted, lifting his eyes just slightly from his handheld console.

Aeris smiled. "Hi! Can I sit?"