Everything has changed

Chapter 15: Road to Nationals

The weeks following the training camp seemed to pass in a blur. The tension and excitement of the camp's end still lingered, but life had quickly moved on. For Karasuno's volleyball team, that meant focusing on the upcoming tournament.

The energy within the team had shifted, their bond strengthened by the shared experiences of the camp. Every practice felt more intense, more purposeful. The players were eager to prove themselves, to show that all the hard work, the sweat, and the dedication had been worth it. But there was more than just the weight of their own goals. They kept a close eye on the other teams as well-teams they'd met at the camp, teams they knew would be formidable opponents.

Yachi was busier than ever. As the players honed their skills, Yachi's presence on the sidelines became more assertive. She made sure everything was organized, every player was supported, and that the team's morale stayed high. But in the quiet moments, she found herself thinking about the other teams-the managers, the players she had met during the camp.

The group chat was still buzzing with activity. Messages flowed in nonstop-tips, friendly banter, and even photos from the training camp.

Yachi's eyes lingered on one photo that had just been shared. It was a group picture, capturing everyone together in a rare moment of calm amidst the intensity of practice. She paused, her fingers hovering over the screen as her thoughts drifted back to how that picture had been taken.

The air was thick with the energy of the training camp, players scattered across the court, each focused on their own goals, but in between the drills and scrimmages, there were moments when the camp felt more like a gathering of friends than a competition. It was one of those moments that led to the group photo-something spontaneous, yet entirely fitting for the bond that was forming between the teams.

Yachi had just finished organizing a set of water bottles when she noticed the other managers huddling together near the sidelines, pulling out their phones. Hinata, his usual energetic self, bounced over to her with a wide grin.

"Yachi! Come on, we're taking a group photo!" he said, his hands already pulling at her arm, his excitement impossible to contain. Eri, the manager from Shinzen High, had a similar smile on her face, though hers was a little more reserved.

Eri handed her the phone with a kind nod. "Don't worry, Yachi. You'll love the photo later. Besides, it'll be a great memory."

As they all gathered, Yachi found herself standing beside Hinata, who had already thrown his arm around her shoulder, laughing with his usual exuberance. On the other side, Eri smiled brightly, her presence a calm contrast to Hinata's lively energy. But it was Kuroo, who had stepped in behind Yachi, that truly made the moment feel alive. He was trying to subtly adjust his position so that he could stand just behind her, not too close, but just enough that Yachi could feel his presence-a quiet, stabilizing force.

"Move a little to your right, Yachi," Kuroo murmured, his hand gently guiding her into place, his voice low enough that it felt like a private conversation, though the others were all too absorbed in their own excitement. His touch was brief but it left a warm trail across her skin, making her heart race.

Yachi was acutely aware of Kuroo's proximity, but his calm demeanor seemed to put her at ease. She shifted slightly to her right, her side brushing against Hinata's, the contrast between his energy and Kuroo's steadiness making her feel balanced. It was a rare moment where the quietness around her was comforting instead of overwhelming.

Kuroo gave a small nod of approval, stepping back just enough to let the others take their places. "Perfect. Now, everyone smile. This is for posterity," he said with that familiar grin.