Everything has changed

Chapter 6: Memories

As the last few weeks of school rolled in before the much-anticipated summer break, the atmosphere at Karasuno High buzzed with a mixture of excitement and a touch of bittersweet melancholy. The halls were adorned with brightly colored posters advertising various summer activities, but the talk of the school's volleyball team revolved primarily around one event-the upcoming summer volleyball camp.

These final weeks served as a refreshing break from the usual grind of school life. Instead of the relentless cycle of assignments and exams, Yachi found herself immersed in a vibrant atmosphere filled with laughter, camaraderie, and the thrill of impending freedom. The air was charged with anticipation as students began to let go of their stress, eager for the warmth of summer and the adventures that lay ahead. In those moments, the hallways buzzed with excitement, and Yachi felt the familiar weight of her responsibilities lift, replaced by a sense of hope and possibility.

Yachi couldn't help but feel a flutter of anticipation each time she walked through the bustling corridors. The thought of spending more time with the teams filled her with a warmth that made her cheeks flush. While she was still shy, the confidence she'd gained over the past few months made her eager to embrace the opportunities that lay ahead.

"Yachi! Did you see the message from the group chat?" Hinata voice boomed, startling her from her thoughts as he bounded toward her, his energy infectious as always.

Yachi blinked, shaking her head. "N-no, I haven't. What happened?"

Hinata leaned in conspiratorially, his eyes sparkling. "They sent a picture from their last training session! I think they're already getting pumped for camp! You should take a look!"

"Okay!" she replied, her curiosity piqued. Yachi quickly grabbed her bag in search of her phone. Her fingers tapped the keyboard as she opened the group chat, where messages were flying in like confetti.

There was an image of Fukurōdani's team in their distinctive colors, arms draped around each other's shoulders, all wearing the biggest grins. Bokuto, with his signature wild hair, was in the front, pulling an exaggerated face that made her giggle.

"Wow, they look so happy," Yachi murmured, admiring the camaraderie. It reminded her of the countless moments they had shared at practice. The chat continued to fill up as players from other teams began sharing their photos, each capturing the spirit of their respective squads.

"Guess who's ready for camp!" the message read. Yachi felt her heart race as she gazed at the picture Kuroo had shared.

The Nekoma team stood together on the grass outside their gym, all wearing matching smiles, their jerseys bright against the sunlight. Kuroo was at the center, as usual, his confident grin pulling her attention right away. His eyes glinted with playful mischief, one hand casually resting on his hip while the other held a volleyball high in the air. His expression was effortlessly cool, but Yachi could see the warmth in his eyes, a lightness she always associated with his presence.

Yachi became restless as she waited for their picture. She could already imagine how it would feel to be included, her heart longing for the moment she'd stand alongside them, looking just as vibrant and excited.

After what felt like an eternity, the moment finally came. Daichi, bursting with enthusiasm, sent a photo of the entire Karasuno team, arms raised in victory, laughter evident on every face. Yachi felt a smile stretch across her own face as she looked at the familiar faces: Tanaka grinning widely, Kageyama crossing his arms with a proud expression, and of course, Sugawara, who had photobombed the shot with an exaggerated pout, making it all the more endearing.

The memory of when they took the picture flooded back to her.

"Okay, everyone! Let's get ready for our group picture!" Tanaka's exuberant voice had echoed in the team's locker room, drawing attention and excitement. He had a knack for rallying the team, and on that day, it had worked like a charm.