Everything has changed

Chapter 19: Decisions

The morning sun poured over the arena as the second day of the Spring Tournament dawned. A mixture of anticipation and excitement permeated the air, the gym buzzing with the chatter of players, coaches, and fans alike. Today's match was one that many had been looking forward to: Karasuno High vs. Inarizaki High. Both teams were known for their fierce playstyle and their rowdy fans, and the clash of such opposing forces promised an unforgettable spectacle.

Karasuno's team arrived at the arena first, their buses pulling up to the entrance just as the stadium began to fill. The Karasuno squad was in high spirits, each player talking amongst themselves, but it was clear that the intensity of the match ahead weighed heavily on their minds. The team gathered their bags, making their way to the locker room to prepare for their first match of the day.

Among them, Yachi couldn't help but feel a flutter in her chest as she stepped off the bus, her eyes glancing over the familiar faces of her teammates. She could still feel the excitement and the pressure. She had made so many new friends since joining Karasuno, and now, with the tournament in full swing, it felt like everything was building to something important.

"Alright, Yachi, ready to cheer us on?" Hinata asked as he passed her, a friendly grin on his face.

She smiled back, her usual nerves bubbling up but tempered by the support of her teammates. "Definitely," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "I'll make sure to bring my best cheering today."

Hinata chuckled before disappearing into the locker room with the rest of the team. Yachi watched them go, her mind already on the match, her heart beating a little faster.

Meanwhile, across the arena, Inarizaki was also preparing for their match, stretching and talking among themselves as they got ready. Atsumu Miya, always at the center of the chaos, was bouncing on the balls of his feet, grinning as he adjusted his uniform. His twin brother, Osamu, stood off to the side, arms folded and watching the other players with his usual quiet intensity.

As the Karasuno team made their way to the court for warm-ups, Yachi's attention was pulled away from her team. She saw a flash of blonde hair in the distance and quickly realized who it was. Atsumu. The Miya twin.

She froze for a second, remembering the encounter she'd had with him yesterday. His teasing had caught her off guard, and though she'd tried to brush it off, she couldn't deny that a part of her had been rattled. He had been a little too confident for her liking.

Yachi watched, feeling a little too aware of herself, as Atsumu winked at her from across the court. The playful gesture caused a wave of heat to rise to her cheeks, and she quickly turned her attention back to her team, hoping her blush would fade before anyone noticed.

Across the court, the familiar figures of Nekoma's team were taking their seats in the stands, preparing to watch the match. Kuroo's eyes scanned the arena, taking in the bustling energy of the court as the teams prepared for the upcoming match. The noise, the crowd, the anticipation-it was familiar, yet today it felt heavier. He focused on Karasuno's players as they lined up for warm-ups, his attention shifting from Hinata's boundless energy to Kageyama's sharp focus. But even as he tried to stay in the moment, a subtle tension lingered at the back of his mind.

He couldn't help but glance over to where Yachi stood on the sidelines. She was focused on her team, her eyes bright with a mix of excitement and nerves. She was always composed in her own way, balancing the pressure of being Karasuno's manager with unwavering support. It was one of the many things he admired about her.

Kuroo's expression softened for a moment, an familiar warmth settling in his chest.

Kuroo's mind drifted back to Kenma's words from the end of the traing camp.

They had been standing by their bus, watching everyone saying goodbye. Kenma, with his ever-present calm, had spoken in that knowing way of his.

"You don't have to know exactly what it is. Just don't let it slip away, if it's important. People like that don't come around often."

At the time, Kuroo had dismissed pretending not to understand what Kenma meant. But now, he knew. He knew exactly what Kenma had seen long before Kuroo himself had allowed it to surface.

She was important. More than just a friendly face or a part of a rival team's staff; more than just the girl who always seemed to look for him in the crowd. There was something about her presence that made him feel lighter, that pushed away the noise and pressure of competition and left something simpler, something truer.

He knew he had a decision to make. This realization brought a mixture of anticipation and unease that settled heavily in his chest. The tournament would soon come to an end, and the fleeting moments he had with her-the stolen glances, the shared smiles-would become just memories if he let them slip by without action.

He forced himself to look away, refocusing on his own team. Nekoma was set to play against Sarukawa Tech later, and he needed to be in the right headspace. There was no room for distractions, no place for thoughts that pulled him in directions he couldn't afford to go.

Kenma's voice cut through his thoughts. "You ready, Kuroo?" he asked, not looking up from the court but sensing the slight shift in his captain's demeanor.

"Always," Kuroo replied, his voice steady as he pushed aside the lingering thoughts. The day was just beginning, and the matches ahead would demand every ounce of focus he had. But somewhere in the back of his mind, that warmth remained, quietly anchoring him in a way he didn't entirely understand.

As the game progressed, Kuroo's focus was pulled back to the court, but his mind couldn't fully escape the thought of her. He stole another glance in her direction, finding her observing the game quietly.

Before Kuroo could let himself linger on the moment, he heard the announcer calling the teams to prepare. It was time for Nekoma to get ready for their own match, and he had to focus.

The Nekoma players stood, gathering their gear, moving toward the exits to the locker room. It was time to leave the stands, but Kuroo found himself glancing over his shoulder one last time. And there she was, her eyes trained on him from across the arena. In that brief moment before he turned away, he saw it-the silent exchange, an unspoken message.

It wasn't just her smile that reached him, but something more-something deep, something unexplainable, but undeniable. She didn't need to say anything. The look in her eyes said it all.

Kuroo nodded almost imperceptibly, feeling a surge of something unfamiliar yet undeniably real. His heart now beating for an entirely different reason. They would meet again soon-on the court, across from each other. And when they did, he would carry that small moment with him, the quiet good luck that now felt like a bond between them, stronger than any words ever could be.

With that, Kuroo turned and followed his team toward the locker room, ready for their match against Sarukawa Tech.