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

Chapter 67: Well-Deserved Victory!

𝖘𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖞𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖍𝖊'𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞
#110223
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The gym still buzzed with leftover energy from the audience. Even backstage, the echoes of cheers seemed to cling to the walls, vibrating softly as the Karasuno Dance Team gathered together, breathless and flushed from their performance.

Sana bent over with her hands on her knees, exhaling dramatically. "Finally. I can breathe again."

Chie rubbed her temples, still dazed. "I swear... I don't even remember what we did out there."

"Same," Aeris admitted with a shaky laugh. Her adrenaline was still pumping, making everything feel unreal—like the stage lights were still shining right in her eyes.

Tatsuya clapped his hands together, a proud grin stretching across his face. "You guys were incredible. Seriously. I knew we'd pull it off. We deserve to eat everything in sight later."

The dance club cheered, the exhaustion in their bodies momentarily forgotten as excitement swept through them.

"Yeah! You guys were amazing!!"

Everyone jumped at the unexpected voice behind them. When they turned, the entire Karasuno Boys' Volleyball Team stood there, some waving, some grinning, some already snacking on convenience store bread.

"What are you guys doing here?" Aeris asked in disbelief.

Tanaka stepped forward proudly. "We came to cheer for you, of course! Gotta support our school teams."

Aeris's expression softened into a wide smile. "Thank you, really."

The dance club lined up and bowed politely, showing their gratitude. Seeing the volleyball team there actually made everything feel more real—like they weren't just dancing for judges, but for people who genuinely cared.

Coach Ukai stepped in, hands in his pockets. "If you're all done crying happy tears, can we go eat now? I'm starving."

Aeris shook her head, amused but firm. "Coach, we still have to wait for the announcements."

He sighed dramatically, as if she'd personally ruined his day. "What? Seriously?"

"You guys can go first," Aeris tried to reassure them. "We'll catch up after."

But Tanaka immediately shook his head. "No way. We're staying. We wanna know who wins."

So they all stayed. The gym's atmosphere slowly shifted as the remaining groups performed. The cheering grew quieter, more nervous, until it felt like everyone was holding their breath.

Aeris wiped her palms on her skirt. "My hands are sweating."

Sana slipped her hand into Aeris's and squeezed it. "Mine too."

Suga, standing behind them, smiled softly. "You're going to win. I'm sure of it."

The announcer finally walked onto the stage, microphone in hand. The crowd hushed instantly.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience! What an incredible Summer Dance Competition it has been. Now, it's time to announce our winners!"

Everyone leaned forward at once. Even Ukai stopped complaining.

"The third runner-up is... the talented troupe from Kaminari Institute!"

Applause filled the gym.

"The second runner-up... Akatsuki High School! Give them a big round of applause!"

The crowd clapped again, louder this time.

Aeris felt her heart hammering against her ribs. Sweat gathered at the nape of her neck as her thoughts spiraled.

Please... let it be Karasuno. Please.

"And now... the champions of the Summer Dance Competition..." The announcer paused, milking the suspense. "The team that amazed us with creativity, precision, and passion... The winners are—"

Aeris felt her breath catch.

"Karasuno High School!"

For a heartbeat, nobody moved.

Then the gym exploded with noise.

The dance team screamed. The volleyball team jumped in the air. Tanaka hugged Noya, Noya hugged Daichi, Daichi got tackled by Hinata, and Suga nearly cried from happiness.

Aeris felt her whole world tilt as relief and joy washed through her. Sana threw her arms around her, Chie joined the embrace, and suddenly they were all tangled together, crying and laughing at the same time.

The announcer's voice continued, drowned by cheers. "Karasuno High School has shown the power of hard work and artistry. Congratulations to our champions!"

The crowd applauded again as the team made their way to the stage to receive the trophy. It gleamed under the gym lights, heavy in Aeris's hands—but in the best way. A weight of accomplishment. A weight they had earned.

Their celebration continued into the evening at Shokudo Kokoro, where the dance club and volleyball team crowded into a long table. The small restaurant was lively, filled with chatter, laughter, and the clattering of dishes.

Aeris sat wedged between Sana and Kayo, still feeling like her feet weren't touching the ground. Winning felt unreal. Every time she blinked, the memory of the applause came back like a warm wave.

Tatsuya stood and raised his glass. "Everyone! I just want to say... thank you. For the effort, the passion, the late practices. And to the volleyball guys—thanks for supporting us. Let's celebrate the Karasuno Dance Club!"

Everyone lifted their glasses and clinked them together.

After they drank, the table burst back into conversations—arguments over which moment of the performance was the best, debates on who screamed the loudest when they won, and teasing comments thrown back and forth between teams.

Ukai suddenly frowned. "Oi. Where's the bottle opener?"

Takeda, ever prepared, stood. "Should I ask the staff for one?"

Ukai waved him off casually. "Nah. Aeris has one."

Aeris slowly turned toward him. "Coach."

The volleyball boys immediately leaned back, anticipating drama.

Ukai grinned like a man who loved chaos. "What? You always carry one."

Takeda adjusted his glasses, confused. "What do you mean?"

Coach Ukai sighed, leaning back a little. "She showed me how to open a beer bottle... in my own store."

Hinata practically exploded. "WHAAAT?!"

Akio turned to Coach Ukai, dead serious. "Okay, but do you know why she even did that?"

Before he could finish, Sana jumped in, nodding seriously. "Because she drinks."

"And smokes," Kayo added helpfully.

Aeris shot them both a deadly glare. "I do NOT."

Tajima leaned closer, eyes sparkling. "Aeris, are you sure you don't drink?"

Hitoshi raised a brow. "Because you look way too comfortable doing that."

Aeris sighed and crossed her arms, already anticipating where this was going.
"For the last time—yes, I'm sure. I'm a minor," she said firmly. "My uncles just... drink a lot. They taught me random stuff. That's it."

Her explanation did absolutely nothing to stop the teasing.

"Uh-huh," Tanaka said, smirking. "Very convincing."

« ֪ ׅ ֹ =͟͞ ♡ 𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗.