THANK YOU ALL FOR SO MANY VIEWS AND VOTES!!! <3
Enjoy the chapter! (This song is making me tear up and get emotional...)
***
In Miyagi
At Karasuno High School
Coach Ukai blew the whistle after having imitated spikes for much-needed receiving practice. "Alright, take a break!"
Immediately, the libero turned his head towards the caged clock on the wall and ran to his laptop sitting on the corner of the stage. "IT'S STARTING!!!"
"Nishinoya, quiet. You don't have to scream." Ennoshita walked over, a towel in hand.
"Shimizu-senpai! I brought us a laptop to share!" Yachi smiled.
Kiyoko made a kind face, reserved only for the younger managers. "Thanks, Hitoka-chan. Let's sit back on the stage." She and the blonde went to the back to watch the streaming together, with just the two of them, peacefully.
Yamaguchi turned to the tallest middle blocker. "Isn't it exciting, Tsukki?"
"Shut up, Yamaguchi."
The green-haired first-year laughed, knowing that Tsukishima was just too shy to express his interest. "Sorry, Tsukki!"
As Nishinoya set up the laptop he'd brought, the other guys were full of anticipation.
"I can't see, Kageyama!" Hinata bickered, even though there was nothing extremely interesting on the screen yet.
"Don't push, moron!" he barked back.
"No fighting, you guys," Sugawara said, although he knew the guys probably didn't hear him.
"Her team's probably going to win this, no doubt. You know, 'cause it's Ai." Kinoshita shrugged as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Yeah, she seemed pretty confident about her old team members. Not to mention they're practically a group of pure geniuses," Narita added.
"That mini-game they played at the Shinzen barbecue was insane!"
Tanaka suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. "Dude, what if she quits volleyball and decides to stick with that Vorpal Swords team?"
"No way! She said it's only a one-time thing," the Number 7 answered. The second-years were a tight-knit bunch, especially with Ai in the middle as a sort of mediator at times. They'd spent countless days of countless hours together. The five of them couldn't imagine not only club practice, but also life without her.
Ennoshita and Narita glanced at each other. Ai had been managing Nekoma during the most recent training camp, and she went directly to team Vorpal Swords afterward. They couldn't wait for her to come back to their Karasuno team, and also for school to start so they could be in the same classroom everyday again. They could tell Tanaka missed her too, and the three backup players already knew that Nishinoya would be inseparable from her as soon as she steps foot in their multipurpose gymnasium.
"Ai's so cool to be managing a famous basketball game," Asahi commented softly.
Daichi laughed. "She's always there for our volleyball games, too."
While the twelve students crowded chaotically over the single laptop, Coach Ukai had also brought his own tablet to spectate.
"You're watching Akatsuki-san's game as well, Ukai-kun?" Takeda-sensei smiled.
The volleyball instructor smirked. "Hmph, let's see how great they are."
When the cameras panned over to the respective teams' sidelines, they didn't see her jet black hair or her glittering magenta eyes.
"Hey, she's not even on the bench!" Ukai grumbled.
A few yards away and sitting on the floor, Hinata exclaimed, "Oh, look! There's that guy!"
"That's her boyfriend, huh?" Sugawara hummed thoughtfully, and Daichi nodded.
"He must be the captain since he's wearing the number four," Tsukishima said to no one in particular.
In the beginning, the guys cheered and wow'ed, celebrating Aomine's dunks and any long-distance three-pointer shots that Midorima made. However, as the match continued on, they simply sat with their mouths open in shock and astonishment.
Some of them took glances at the basketball goals in their small gymnasium. The hoops were so high off of the ground. The things they saw on screen didn't match up with reality.
"Does Izumin practice like this, too?" Hinata wondered, mumbling his friend's name from middle school.
"I've never seen our basketball club do these kinds of skills," Narita awed.
Kageyama didn't understand it fully, but he also knew that these plays were something to applaud.
Either way, they knew one thing for sure: as sports players themselves, they disliked the distasteful attitude and bad sportsmanship of the Jabberwock team.
———
At a Basketball Stadium
in Tokyo
There was a slight glimmer in his left eye that shined yellow-orange as Akashi moved fluidly with precision. His Emperor Eye saw through and tipped the ball away from Nash.
It went out of bounds; opponent's ball. It had been a while, almost a year since he'd played with Seirin, so he was the slightest bit rusty. But, knowing him, he would warm up in no time. Nothing, especially not a mere lack of training, could stop him. His orders were absolute.
And now, with the Emperor as their ally, there was no one as dependable as him.
Ai was elated. The last time she'd seen him was years ago, when they graduated from Teikō. She finally got to see him again. Her lips turned up into a grin.
"It's like he can see the future or something," Yaku observed.
"'Or something' is right," Taketora agreed.
She let out a small giggle. "He can. Seijūrō's game sense is so keen that he can predict the opponent's next move," his girlfriend explained.
While being their absolute captain, the heterochromatic Akashi was an enemy in middle school. There was a sliver of a chance that bringing him out would send the team balance crumbling. Even if the imperial ruler still had the selfish, independent personality, the rest of the Generation of Miracles were past that immature phase. They had all changed. They knew that working together is the best way, and Akashi had trusted them to keep their good momentum and attained teamwork.
Not one of them thought of the Emperor as their enemy, and neither did he think of the others in that way. Not anymore. This was completely different from having to change because of the fear of losing to another one of his prodigious peers. Her heart was bursting with happiness for them.
Akashi's Ankle Breaks were as sharp as ever, and he blended well with the team. However, Team Jabberwock seemed to understand the limitations of his ability. Vorpal Swords took a timeout.
There were still two men guarding Midorima, and in front of Akashi again was Nash. The shooting guard positioned his hands and jumped without the ball. Startled, the players in front of him froze in disbelief. Akashi, with impeccable timing, threw the ball into his hands, and Midorima made the shot. It scored a three.
Everybody was amazed that they would use his and Takao's exclusive technique, but Ai had never doubted what they were capable of accomplishing. Akashi had never even practiced it as Midorima and Takao did, but he succeeded on the first try. The crowd roared.
It was just as Midorima always said; do everything in your power and you won't need to rely on luck. And, as the Oha Asa Horoscope predicted, Cancers were at their best today. Even when they lost some points, Midorima got it back three points at a time.
Not to mention, Midorima and Akashi were meant to be paired together. Ai felt a pang in her heart as she remembered the days when the three of them had worked side by side at club meetings. Midorima was the captain's right-hand man while she represented the manager's position from Akashi's left. The vice-captain and she had plenty of opportunities to work together in running the club with Akashi, often meeting in empty classrooms after school since she spent lunchtime with Momoi. So many memories. Ai sighed, the impatience of wanting to jump into their arms growing.
71-74, only three points behind.
That was when Nash began to play seriously. He got through Akashi's future-seeing Emperor Eye and easily passed the ball to his teammate. He had a special eye as well: the Belial Eye.
A play with people who can both predict the future, but Nash's Eye proved to be more powerful. He dribbled and drove past Akashi's watch and snatched the ball from Aomine's dunk. After leaving Akashi fallen backward, he made a basket count with a pushing offense from Kagami.
It was a sight she didn't expect to see, Akashi panting while sitting in defeat on the floor. She felt a stabbing pain. However, Murasakibara lent him a hand to help him up.
The titan from Yōsen walked over to the bench, borrowed a hairband, and tied his long strands up and out of his face. Murasakibara marked Silver and went against him one-on-one.
It reminded her of the time he had called her to complain about his seniors training him. After they had lost to Seirin, the third-years had stuck behind for a while to teach him a few things about basketball. Until then, he had been mostly playing with the reliance of his overpowering physique instead of strategies, and his basic form was sloppy. Murasakibara had vented to Himuro and Ai about learning useless information, but now that he was faced with an opponent who was both bigger and stronger than himself, the challenge excited him.
Looking forward to a fight with a stronger opponent, he was just like Hinata and Kageyama. She chuckled softly at their shared exuberance. To think that a day like this would come.
The rest of the team passed their balls to him the most while Akashi thought of a way to counter Nash's Eye.
77-87. They were still behind, but it wasn't a bad place. Murasakibara and Aomine high-fived while running back; the sight warmed her heart. Her precious teammates.
It was as if he was free to play without holding back. Ai knew that Murasakibara was a kind person, and whether he knew it or not, there was a part of him that took mercy on his opponents so that they wouldn't get badly injured by his abnormal strength.
With Silver, he was unrestricted to put out his true power without worry.
Are you watching, Tatsuya? she thought. Atsu-kun is having so much fun playing.
Silver knocked into Murasakibara as he dunked and scored.
He fell to the floor on his hand. He gripped his arm in pain as the referee blew the whistle.
Coach Kagetora and everyone rushed to his side as the members of Seirin took on grim faces. Ai gasped and stood, holding her notebook and pen. "Atsu-kun...!"
"What happened?!" Bokuto screeched.
"I think he fell on his arm," his setter relayed.
"Excuse me," she said to Tsuchida, who was sitting next to her. Dropping her things on the floor, she squeezed past him to the aisle.
Akaashi and Nekoma's first-years watched her with worried faces. Running down the steps, Ai rushed to the partition helplessly.
Coach Kagetora shook his head, indicating to her that his arm was indeed broken. Her team glared at Silver and his friends, clearly infuriated. After looking at Kuroko's expression, Murasakibara gave in and walked to the bench. The Phantom Player took his place on the court.
"Atsu-kun! Satsuki!" she called.
They turned toward her voice. Momoi glanced at the hurt player, but she gave her a reassuring wave.
Exhaling the breath she held, Ai nodded and reluctantly returned to her seat.
"Is he okay, Ai-senpai?" Inuoka asked.
"He will be." She gave them a wobbly smile. In the meantime, Momoi helped Riko bandage the center's arm in a white sling.
Mitobe's large, warm hand covered her own and squeezed. She looked up to see his compassionate expression, and Ai was grateful for the center player.
There were still over two minutes left, and they were losing by eight. Two reds, two blues, and a green. Akashi was still struggling to find an answer, but a fire lit inside Aomine. He blocked a shot, and Kagami stopped Silver from a dunk. Both of them were in the Zone.
"The awakening of the Double Aces!" Koganei cheered.
The climax was approaching, and Akashi gave orders for the plan. He passed in an unexpected direction, and Kuroko was there to hit it towards the hoop where Aomine was waiting. Silver reacted to his jump, but he moved mid-air and scored a Formless Shoot from behind the goal.
Next was Kuroko's steal to a Phantom Shot that entertained the audience.
When Nash got past Akashi, Kuroko, and Midorima to dunk over Kagami's head, they were stunned. He hadn't been playing with his full power yet. From a flashy play of street basketball to refined moves of orthodox basketball, his style changed.
A little over a minute left, the aces worked together to gain back points. The rest of the team played cooperatively as well, but the gap wasn't shrinking. Going on to thirty seconds left, Furihata started praying with his hands grasped tightly together.
Then, Akashi finally broke through and passed to an awaiting Midorima.
90-91. Checkmate.
As Jabberwock passed the ball around to use up the time, Kuroko came out of the shadows and tipped the ball from Nash's hand. He dribbled past and threw the ball high into the air. The opposing captain tried to stop them, but Kagami and Aomine dunked over him.
"It's over, Nash!!! Die, Jabberwock!!!" both screamed.
Ai shook her head, a smile playing at her lips.
Show-offs.
The buzzer rang.
"Victory goes to Vorpal Swords!" the speakers announced.
The spectating crowd erupted in a loud cheer, jumping up and crying. Shining confetti in silver and gold showered onto the court from the ceiling. Everybody cheered for the winning team, and the announcer spoke through the speaker over the celebratory shouting.
Her players celebrated while the others in the black and green jersey had looks of defeat.
Akashi smiled with the team on the court briefly and immediately started looking around for a glimpse of her in the audience.
Seeing this, Ai got up and ran down to the front row as well. Kuroo, Bokuto, Akaashi, and the rest of Nekoma followed her with their eyes. She waved her hand when she reached the lowest level, not even bothering to go against the crowd's loud voices.
He saw her at the bottom of the steps, and her heart swelled with emotion as they met each other's gazes. Akashi jogged to the barrier that separated the onlookers from the shining polished floor. He stopped right in front of her, disregarding the strangers around them who had come to watch the game.
The public didn't know who she was or why she was wearing the same fuchsia sweatshirt as the Vorpal Swords uniform. Ai imagined that they were surprised also that the player, who had been fighting Jabberwock until seconds ago, would come to interact with the audience like that. He was the captain of the winning team.
However, his gaze was focused only on her.
"Seijuro." She smiled with tears in her magenta eyes.
"Ai." Reaching out to her, he pulled her into a hug. It was a bit awkward because of the separation between them, but she was the first person he had come to see.
"Congratulations," she said into the crook of his neck.
His hand patted the back of her head as a few more familiar voices came closer.
"Ai-chan!!!"
"Ai-cchi!!!"
Momoi, Kise, Aomine, Murasakibara, and Midorima ran or jogged towards her to celebrate with their other dear manager. Even Kagami tagged along, too. Akashi went back to arm's length so that she could talk to them, too.
"Akatsuki-san, we did it," Kuroko beamed.
"I know. Congratulations."
"You can jump over here, you know," Kagami said.
"I can carry you over the separation, Tsuki-chin," Murasakibara offered.
"You hurt your arm," Aomine pointed out. "Let me."
Ai shook her head in protest. "I'm wearing a dress, so no thank you."
"It would be easier if Akatsuki would just go around and come through the entrance," Midorima stated.
"Oh! We're going to have a group photo after this! You'll be in it too, Ai-chan!" Momoi smiled the brightest and happiest smile she'd ever seen.
Akashi tugged on her hands lightly to get her attention. His forehead rested against hers for a moment. "Meet me outside, so I can hold you properly."
She nodded, and Akashi took one of her hands and brought it to his lips, kissing the back of her fingers.
Ai didn't want to leave them even for a second, but she wanted to hug him more, too.
"Go," he urged gently. He squeezed her hands. His eyes, both maroon-red once more, told unspoken words. I'll be waiting for you.
Pursing her lips, she had to tear herself away from the team to go to the exit upstairs.
Akashi watched her go for a moment before turning toward Kuroko and Midorima. "Let's go meet her."
"The team's not complete without her," his former vice-captain agreed.
.
"Seijuro!" She ran into his arms.
He caught her in an embrace and hugged her back tightly. He smelled of sweat and hard work, but she didn't care. All she thought about was how he was with her, right then and there.
She had noticed through his playing style that he'd had a revelation during the game. "Seijuro..." she lightly sobbed against his chest. She felt so emotional at the moment, for him and for the team.
"Ai. Were you okay watching the game from the stands?" The captain of their victorious Team Vorpal Swords wrapped his arms snugly around her back.
"Yes. I sat with Seirin's team, and I watched your entire match." She squeezed him tighter, hiding her tears. "Congratulations. You must be tired."
"Ai-chan! Did you see?! We won!!!" Momoi squealed beside her.
Ai giggled and let go of her boyfriend to celebrate with the whole team for the second time. "I did. Congratulations, everyone. You were all amazing."
And as if flicking a switch in her brain, Ai immediately went to Kise and Murasakibara. She went to work and treated the fatigued and injured athletes.
Akashi understood and watched her managerial skills with a hidden proud smile.
Doing a comehither motion to the blond, Ai had Kise lean down so she could place her hands on the sides of his neck. She felt his temperature, but he didn't feel cold or too hot, which was a good sign. "Ryōta-kun, how are you feeling? We'll get you something to eat and drink, and you should rest some more."
She looked up at the purple-haired giant in a white sling next. "How much does it hurt, Atsu-kun? What can I do for you?" Ai looked at everyone. "You must all be tired. Let me help you now."
.
A few minutes later, Ai arranged to meet with Himuro. She couldn't have him leave without seeing each other; he'd come to watch in person all the way from Akita.
"Hey, Tatsuya!" Kagami slapped the third-year's back in a brotherly hug.
"Hey, Taiga. You were amazing out there, bro." Himuro grinned.
The red-haired laughed, obviously happy to see his longtime friend. "Thanks."
"Tatsuya, I'm so glad you could come," Ai smiled. It was a happy day.
"Hey, Muro-chin." Murasakibara waved with his good hand.
"Hey, Ai-san, Atsushi. Are you alright?" After a nod from the center, Himuro smiled as well and introduced her to Liu Wei. He was a teammate at Yōsen and an exchange student from China.
Coincidentally, she also saw Rakuzan's team as well. Mibuchi had cut his hair short, the new look flattering his gemstone green eyes. Hayama was as ecstatic as Bokuto, and Nebuya's laugh boomed as his enormous muscles flexed. It was the first time she'd met the Lightning Beast and Herculean Strength, but they were exactly as Akashi had described.
The volleyball players came by afterward, wandering the hallway and sort of exploring the stadium. Kuroo handed her her things that she had left behind on the bleacher seats, and the cats and owls bid her farewell. Since she wasn't leaving Tokyo until the day after tomorrow, it made it easier for the middle blocker captain to say goodbye for the day. Additionally, Ai promised to text the second-year setters later.
.
There was an afterparty at the Aida Gym where Coach Kagetora got drunk on beer, hosting the underage teenagers with food and soda. The members of Seirin were also invited.
Ai now sat with Momoi and Riko next to the Generation's table, chatting. Hyūga was back-to-back with her, and Murasakibara joined Aomine, Akashi, and Midorima after obtaining an armful of snacks.
"I thought this before," Momoi started, "but it looks like your father's a bit reckless with his wallet, Riko-san."
The assistant coach covered her face with her hands. "Leave me be," she wailed.
"Geez, this is what I was forced to come to?" Aomine sighed.
"I'm fine with it since there're lots of snacks," Murasakibara said, sitting down.
"Is your arm even ok?" Aomine asked.
"This is nothing." He ate a skinny stick of biscuit coated with chocolate.
The player with glasses held a small drumstick of fried chicken with his bandaged fingers. "By the way, is this okay, Akashi? Such disorderly..." Midorima trailed off.
"What are you saying? We used to have celebratory afterparties like this in middle school, remember? Besides,..." He smiled and held a hand out in Ai's direction.
She noticed from her peripheral vision and stood from her chair to walk the short distance to his table.
"What could be better than being here with you all?" His maroon eyes glistened as he took his girlfriend's hand, and the Generation of Miracles understood that it was more for Ai than anyone else in particular. Akashi kissed her hand as he relaxed in the large white chair. "Sit with us."
"Want a chair, Akatsuki?" Aomine asked. He was being surprisingly attentive.
"Thank you, Daiki-kun." She nodded as he pulled it up to the table between him and the captain. Ai perched on the seat, leaning slightly to the left toward her boyfriend after an appreciative tap on the thoughtful ace's forearm.
Akashi reached around her back, his palm warm through her fuchsia team sweatshirt. "Ai."
"Yes?"
He leaned close so that he could whisper in her ear. "Have you had time to check on the uniforms?"
"They've arrived and are ready," she replied in a small voice.
He nodded. "Good. Thank you."
She glanced at his profile as if she wanted to say something more, but an afterparty with many people wasn't the place for an intimate heart-to-heart.
"Yeah!" Kise came up from behind and stole a piece of Pokey from Murasakibara. The blond was oblivious to the purple titan's glare as he continued. "The more the merrier! Right, everyone from Seirin?"
"Y-yeah," Furihata agreed, feeling a bit intrusive. Nigou sat in his lap at the first-years' table.
"Is it okay for us to be here, too?" Kawahara asked timidly.
Koganei tilted back in his chair. "Because Kagami has something he has to tell us."
No one knew what Kuroko and Kagami were talking about a few meters away in the dark. It was already night outside, and the two stood in front of the windows that reflected the lights from inside.
.
"So, that's how it was!" Kise sang.
"You guys!" Kagami exclaimed. He hadn't noticed the rest of Teikō's graduates joining Seirin's team members outside.
"I thought you were acting strange," the master of the Perfect Copy said while Aomine picked his ear.
"What, you're going to America, Kagami?" Murasakibara said in his lazy tone. He carried a bag of chips in his arm-sling — an extra shelf for him.
"Anyways, why you? I should have been picked for my skills," Aomine pointed out.
"Wait a minute. When did you become the best?" Midorima retorted.
"I'm sure you'll be scouted and picked next time, Daiki-kun," Ai giggled. "And don't read too much into it, unless you have dreams of playing basketball professionally as well, Shintarō-kun?"
Akashi chuckled. "Well, we all have varying thoughts about your news, but..." He spoke for the team. "We are rooting for you, too. Do your best, Kagami."
He walked down the steps. "It is a bit lonely. You were that much of a strong opponent, and the matches with you were very memorable."
The captain stopped in front of him. "I'm glad we met, Kagami Taiga. To us, you are the best rival and the best companion."
The female managers from Teikō grinned and leaned against each other.
"You guys..." Kagami looked at all of them, each with faces that reflected their personalities.
"As a parting gift from us, I have a proposal," Akashi continued.
The students from Seirin were surprised.
"Today, we played Kagami's last game in Japan. But, to Seirin, I thought it would be a bit lonely. Why don't we have one more match? With Seirin versus us, the Generation of Miracles."
Koganei doubted his hearing. "...What?"
"WHAT?!" they all screamed.
"Don't worry, I've already had your uniforms prepared," he said, as if that were the only thing wrong with his previous statement.
"How much of the future do you see, Akashi?!" Koganei screamed.
"Enough to make appreciated decisions," Ai smirked.
"But, are you guys okay? Your stamina..." Despite wearing the matching red shirt, Hyūga hadn't played during the match.
"Don't underestimate us." Aomine folded his arms. "We can easily play two games in one day."
"We've rested and recovered now, and we have Takao-cchi and the others to switch out for us, so it's totally fine!" Kise grinned.
Unbeknownst to them, Wakamatsu and Takao sneezed in the room inside.
Murasakibara sighed. "Ah, what a pain." He tilted his head back and enjoyed the crumbs of his chips at the bottom of the bag.
"Murasakibara, you do not have to play," Midorima said.
"A light game is okay. Besides, it's the perfect handicap." He waved his arm with a cast around it.
"No! You can't, even if you take it easy!" Kise shouted.
But Momoi only shrugged, so Ai guessed that it was okay for him to exercise.
"Atsu-kun, they're not begging. It's only your broken arm that's giving them an advantage," she corrected dispraisingly.
"That's what I meant," he drawled.
The pink-haired manager turned to whisper to Ai's ear. "Mukkun's so enthusiastic to play," Momoi said, and they giggled together.
"Then, it's decided. I've spoken to Kagetora-san already," Akashi informed them.
"But, just so you know, we won't hold back. Just because it's a parting game, don't let your guard down," Aomine warned them.
Kagami grinned, and they went inside to get changed.
***
Extra:
Nash: Idiot! Spit it out where the sponsers aren't looking!
Silver: *retching noises* Disgusting!!!
(I don't know what Monsters taste like, so I can't relate💀)
(images not mine!)
***
I'm hesitant to ask this because this might end up in speculations without evidence...
Who would use different/unique pronouns?
What would be their gender identity?
(The main person I'm unsure of when writing is Mibuchi, because the Night Spirit uses onee-speech, and it's commonly associated with the female gender. Also, Hayama's nickname for Mibuchi is Reo-nee, translating to "Big Sis Reo".)
Total Word Count: 4575