Everything has changed

Chapter 5: Practice

The morning sun streamed through the windows of Karasuno High, casting warm light over the bustling gymnasium. The faint sounds of sneakers squeaking on polished floors and the rhythmic thud of volleyballs echoed through the space, a familiar melody that filled Yachi Hitoka with a renewed sense of purpose. After the exhilarating training camp with Nekoma, Fukurōdani, and the other schools, the energy of her teammates radiated through the air, infusing her with motivation.

Yachi stood near the sidelines, her heart racing with excitement. She had returned to her role as the manager of the Karasuno volleyball team, but this time, she felt different. After the interactions with Kuroo, Bokuto, and the others, she had started to see her own potential, she is useful. Though she still felt the familiar flutter of nerves, she resolved to be more proactive in her support.

“Hey, Yachi! Can you toss the ball to us?” Hinata’s voice broke through her thoughts. He bounced on the balls of his feet, his face alight with enthusiasm. Next to him, Kageyama stood with his arms crossed, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

“Of course!” Yachi replied, her voice steady. She took a deep breath, stepping closer to the court. Grabbing a volleyball, she felt a rush of adrenaline. Tossing the ball wasn’t the same as playing, but she was determined to help her friends improve in any way she could.

As she approached the net, she looked up at Kageyama, who was ready to set. “Kageyama, are you ready?” she asked, her eyes bright with anticipation.

“Yeah,” he replied, his tone serious. “Just make sure to throw it high enough.”

Yachi nodded, her confidence rising as she focused on the task at hand. She tossed the ball into the air, watching it spin before it fell into Kageyama’s waiting hands. He set it perfectly for Hinata, who jumped with all his might and sent the ball soaring over the net.

“Nice!” Yachi cheered, clapping her hands together. Hinata beamed at her praise, his smile wide and infectious.

“Let’s do it again!” he shouted, already positioning himself for another attempt.

Yachi tossed the ball again, this time with a little more force, watching as Kageyama executed another flawless set. Hinata’s jump was impressive, and he managed to spike the ball down with precision. The sound of the ball hitting the gym floor resonated, and Yachi couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride.

“Good job, both of you!” she exclaimed, a genuine smile on her face. “Your timing is improving!”

Kageyama glanced at her, his brow furrowing slightly. “It’s not just us. You’re doing great too, Yachi. Your tosses are getting better,” he said, a hint of appreciation in his voice.

“Thanks, Kageyama!” she replied, her cheeks warming at the compliment. Yachi’s heart fluttered; she knew she was still shy, but moments like these fueled her desire to grow.

As they continued their practice, the gym became a whirlwind of energy. The air was thick with laughter and friendly banter as other players joined in. Tsukishima and Yamaguchi were working on their serves, while Tanaka and Nishinoya practiced their digs. The camaraderie was infectious, and Yachi found herself swept up in the moment.

During a break, she pulled out her phone to check the group chat, “Training Camp All-Stars.” The messages flew in like confetti, filled with excitement and enthusiasm.

Kuroo: Hey everyone! What do you think about a rematch? We can’t let the training camp be our only showdown!

She chuckled to herself, imagining Kuroo’s playful smirk. His enthusiasm was infectious, and it reminded her of the camaraderie they had all shared.