You Did it Sumire!

Surprise

Sumire's alarm rang at 4:00 AM, breaking the serene silence of the early morning. Groggily, she sat up, stretched, and yawned, shaking off the remnants of sleep. She shuffled to the balcony door and opened it, letting the cool morning breeze wash over her. No matter how busy her day promised to be, she always made time for this small ritual. With a steaming cup of tea in hand, she stepped out onto the balcony. The gentle chirping of birds filled the air, a peaceful symphony that helped center her thoughts before the rush of the day began.

Today was particularly significant. It marked her first test at the university and her team's crucial practice match. As much as she wanted to be there for the team, her commitment to her academics took precedence today. Determined to support her team in every way possible, she decided to ensure everything was ready and organized so that "Where are the bottles?" would be the last thing on their minds.

Returning inside, Sumire meticulously packed her bag, her mind running through her checklist: pen, laptop, charger, lunch boxes, medicines, water bottle, ID card, protein bars. She double-checked each item, making sure nothing was forgotten. "Yes, that's everything. Let's go!" she murmured to herself with a determined nod.

She quickly put on her shoes and headed out of the apartment. As she was leaving earlier than her friends today for the surprise but as she couldn't tell them so, she sent them a message: "Dear Suna-san and Kita-san, I am on my way to the library. I will be there revising until 8:00 AM before my test begins. No, I am not nervous, Kita-san, and I won't cry after the test, Suna-san, because I am well-prepared. I hope you both are well-prepared too. Hold down the fort till I come to cheer you on. ALL THE BEST!"

She also took a moment to send a "Good luck!" message to the volleyball team's group chat, hoping her words would bring them a bit of extra motivation.

With that, Sumire made her way to the gym, her steps brisk and purposeful. She was determined to make sure everything was perfect for her team, even if she couldn't be there in person. The gym was still and quiet when she arrived, a stark contrast to the bustling activity it would soon witness. Sumire unlocked the doors, went to the storage room and took out the 'surprise 'from under the shelves- something she had dedicated the past week to crafting: a DIY water bottle holder. Observing the chaotic routine after every practice, where either she or Kita-san was tasked with distributing water bottles to the thirsty players, she decided it was time for a more efficient solution.

With a vision in mind, Sumire had set out to create a custom-made water bottle holder using sturdy shoe boxes. Each box was meticulously selected (from sports shoe shop with the help of Miya san's contact it was fairly easy) ensuring they were compact yet spacious enough to hold multiple bottles. The cardboard she chose was of high quality, resilient against wear and tear from daily use. Sumire designed each box with three partitions, allowing for easy access and organization. To make it even more personal, she attached a name slip to each section, ensuring every player had their designated spot. She dragged an extra bench from the locker room, positioning it strategically against the wall near the coaches' area. With care, she arranged the boxes on the bench, aligning them perfectly, then filled each one, the cool liquid splashing against the sides as she worked quickly but efficiently. Once filled, she placed each bottle in its corresponding slot within the boxes, a sense of satisfaction washing over her as she completed the task. Stepping back, she admired her creation: the neat rows of boxes, each one labeled and filled, ready to serve her teammates during breaks. It was a simple yet thoughtful gesture, one that would save time and enhance their practice experience. A smile spread across her face as she thought about how surprised they would be. She also clicked a picture and sent it to Miya san and thanked for his support.

Sumire then gently placed the protein bars next to her carefully arranged water bottle holder, ensuring they were neatly aligned. She took a moment to write a heartfelt note on a piece of colorful paper, her handwriting flowing with encouragement: