Author's note:
Happy 2023!!!
(To people who are reading this in order of the table of contents, I'm writing this and subsequent birthday chapters after I've published OVA 2.)
I hope you all have a wonderful year ahead, and thank you for being with me through this story! Year 3 of writing, here we come! ⭐️
Sorry for the confusion with 1.13 Rivals the other day! I didn't know I'd made two of the same chapter lol. I was editing something small in the chapter and I think the app glitched because of my bad connection. I didn't change much, so you don't have to reread it. Anyway, this is a brand new chapter fresh out of my drafts!
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So... I think one of the reasons why I'm so slow at updating is because there is some stuff I can't write about until I finish editing previous stuff.
Let me explain...
I usually jot down new ideas of what I can add on to previous chapters whenever I think of them. (Like a new scene here, and a new phrase for someone to say there...; that sort of thing.) And I also write brand-new chapters from scratch. (Like the birthday chapters and season 3.) And sometimes, I find out that in order for the new stuff I'm writing to make sense, I have to finish the ideas that I have in bullet points in old chapters and publish that first.
Like, I'll think of a new dialogue with Tsukishima in 2.14 Growing Fast part one (please go ahead and check out that chapter because I wrote something new in it!), and I won't be able to refer to it when I write season 3 because I haven't written the edit for 2.14 yet.😭 And then, that dialogue with Tsukishima won't make sense unless I've posted a chapter about Ai's past for context.😭😭 And it keeps on going further back, changing my order of priorities constantly.😭😭
It's just a lot of going back and forth between new chapters I need to write and things I have to edit first.
So yeah... Really sorry for the wait, haha... But I'll have more content for you if you stick around for future notifications! ❤️
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Also, I apologize if these birthdays are getting boring to read. I try to change them up a little depending on the character, but it can get monotonous. 🙁
(I had absolutely no intention of making this one so long... I don't know what happened lol. I think I was going through writer's block, but I missed writing! I don't think it was Date Tech's fault though 😔)
(P.S. I don't know why Futakuchi does most of the talking in this chapter, but he does lol)
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Moniwa's stage actor is so pretty!! The pretty setters apply to all setters 😌
And, here's a second picture of Moniwa!
If you have any gift ideas for any of the characters, it would help tremendously! (Main or minor characters. I can't think of a good present for Fukunaga 😢)
***
Reference:
Date Technical High School (Date Tech):
Coach & Faculty Advisor - Oiwake Takurō
Manager - Nametsu Mai - 2
[Interhigh]
#1 Kamasaki Yasushi (Vice Captain) - 3 - MB
#2 Moniwa Kaname (Captain) - 3 - S
#3 Sasaya Takehito - 3 - WS / Opposite Hitter
#6 Futakuchi Kenji - 2 - WS / Outside Hitter
#7 Aone Takanobu - 2 - MB
#12 Obara Yutaka - 2 - WS
#13 Sakunami Kōsuke - 1 - Li
[Spring Nationals]
#1 Aone Takanobu - 2 - MB
#2 Futakuchi Kenji (Captain & Ace) - 2 - WS / Outside Hitter
#3 Obara Yutaka - 2 - WS / Outside Hitter
#7 Koganegawa Kanji - 1 - S
#8 Onagawa Tarō - 2 - WS / Opposite Hitter
#11 Fukiage Jingo - 1 - MB
#13 Sakunami Kōsuke - 1 - Li
***
Reference:
At the end of Season 1 Episode 17, Aone and Futakuchi do the next episode's preview!
(Also, Date Tech's New Year scene in the stage play is so cute ☺️)
***
Thursday, September 6
Aone wondered if his phone would get a text today while walking toward his senpai's classroom. He usually kept it turned off and stowed in his schoolbag. But, today, he couldn't help but keep it in his pocket. If she sent something for his senpai, he wanted to have his phone within reach — out of respect for both people.
"Where's Pantaloons?" Futakuchi asked.
The outside hitter on his left answered, "He has chem right before this so he said he might be late."
"Damn. That chem teacher takes so long to end class, too."
Because the third-years of Date Tech's volleyball club had retired after Interhigh, the current members were on their way to Moniwa's classroom during lunch break. The second and first-years had practice after school, and the third-years probably wouldn't linger around. So, the new captain had suggested that it might be best to catch him at lunch.
"Should we wait for him?" the new first-year setter asked, towering over the other students they passed.
"Nah. The lab's down the other corridor. He'll get here."
"If he doesn't stop by his classroom first," Sakunami said thoughtfully.
Obara began to walk half a step behind Futakuchi so they weren't taking up the entire hallway. "I think Nametsu's got gym, too."
"Oh yeah... Dang it, maybe we should wait."
The already assembled group picked a spot and waited for a couple of minutes. The bell for lunch had rung at 11:45, and it was now 11:51. The walkway was crowded with people hurrying to the cafeteria, the student store, and other good picnic spots around campus. The guys huddled close to the wall and nodded occasionally to the senior students.
From the door to Class 3-A, Kamasaki came bustling out while joking with other students. He laughed and branched off from his classmates, quickly spotting the top of a blond head with black fringes. "Kogane?" The former middle blocker walked closer to investigate. "Huh? What're all you guys doing here?"
"Nothing. Just waiting for someone," Futakuchi said boredly.
"Who're you waiting for?"
"Nametsu and Onagawa."
Kamasaki quirked a brow and tilted his head back. "Why? This is the third-years' floor."
"I know that," the second-year replied and rolled his eyes. Then, a grin spread across his face as he poked fun at him. "Weren't you on your way to getting lunch, Kamasaki-san? I bet you need to eat tons of food to maintain those muscles. Oh, but don't go overboard 'cause you don't come to practice to exercise anymore."
"Futakuchi, you little... I was just asking!"
"We're here!" Nametsu came just in time to divert their attention. Onagawa shuffled behind her.
Fukakuchi made a dramatic sigh. "Finally."
"Did you get the stuff?" the manager asked.
"Yup," Obara responded, holding up a paper bag.
"Right, then. Let's go." Futakuchi pushed his back off of the wall he was leaning on and started forward.
"Go where?"
"Did you forget what day it is today?" the new captain teased cockily; ever the pain-in-the-ass underclassman.
"'Course I know what day it is. It's Moniwa's birthday."
Futakuchi motioned with his hand. "There you have it. Let's go, gang."
Aone nodded to the retired senior and followed his friend to Class 3-C. The group followed along, and Kamasaki trailed them, too. When the volleyball team looked through the doorway, they saw people surrounding Moniwa's desk, with Sasaya among them.
"...the first on the team to turn eighteen!" the wing spiker grinned, crouching next to the desk with one elbow propped up. Moniwa was sitting in his chair while three other classmates stood around the school desk.
"Yeah. I guess I should start studying for my driver's license now." The third-year students of the technical school laughed.
"Well, thanks for the present, guys."
"No problem. It's just one gift from the three of us," one of his classmates replied. They grinned.
"We're going out to get food with Kamasaki after school, too," Sasaya explained.
"Moniwa-san, you haven't forgotten about us yet, have you?"
Moniwa looked up. He turned his head toward the hall and saw all of the volleyball team members in the doorway, with the new captain in front. "You guys!"
"Excuse us," the athletes greeted as they entered the third-years' classroom. Aone nodded politely, but it looked as intimidating as usual.
The three friends from his class waved and left to make way for the next gift-givers. Only Sasaya remained as their former team weaved through the other desks to get to Moniwa's seat near the center of the classroom.
"What are you guys all doing here?" Moniwa started to stand but soon sat back down.
"For your birthday. Why else?" the current captain quipped.
Nametsu nodded a little to Sasaya who nodded back, sitting on his heels.
Kamasaki entered the classroom, too, saying Hey's and high-fiving some friends.
When the team surrounded the front of Moniwa's desk, Futakuchi took the lead. "Ready, and..."
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" everybody said at once, in their usual voices that they used in the gymnasium. Heads turned toward the sudden shout. Some people jumped a little.
Moniwa winced and held out his hands. "Not so loud, you guys! We're in a classroom!"
"Well, how else are we supposed to wish you a good birthday?" Futakuchi retorted.
"Moniwa-san, this is from all of us." Obara handed over the paper bag with a smile.
"We hope you like it," Nametsu added.
"Moniwa-san! Happy birthday!" the excited first-year setter exclaimed. "I'm going to work really hard to live up to your example!"
"Happy birthday, Moniwa-san." Sakunami stood between Onagawa, who had a lazy smile, and Aone. The middle blocker without eyebrows made a shallow bow to the former captain, and the first-year middle blocker did the same.
"Wow. Thanks, you guys." He started to tear up and placed the present on his desk.
"It's nothing to cry about, Moniwa-san," the current captain razzed lightly, rolling his eyes for the act.
Nametsu almost elbowed him in the gut if it weren't for Obara standing between them.
"Pick where we're going out to eat yet?" Kamasaki sauntered over.
"Nope," Sasaya answered, still squatting.
"How about noodles?" Moniwa said, looking at them.
Sasaya shrugged with a light smile. "It's your birthday. Your choice."
"I heard there's a nice local ramen shop near the Aoba Castle train station. You can get up to three refills of noodles there." Sakunami glanced at Onagawa. "It's called Chindōchū, I think?"
"Think so," the second-year replied.
"Sounds good. Better eat something now, too, though. I won't last until after school." Sasaya got up and walked back a few rows to his seat. He picked up the lunchbox that he'd brought with him, since he didn't want to bother buying food at the cafeteria today.
Now that they were thinking about food, there was a growl from someone's stomach that they all heard above the other chatter in the classroom. Everyone looked at the dye-blond setter.
"Sorry!!! I'm getting pretty hungry!"
"Geez, even your stomach's loud, Kogane." Futakuchi sighed.
"Well, I guess we'll take our leave. We have a quiz in Math A next, for fourth period." Sakunami gestured to himself and the first-year setter.
"Oh... Good luck." Obara gave a bitter smile. He remembered how tough that class was last year.
"Thank you." The libero reciprocated the grimace.
Aone stared at Futakuchi, in his own way of communicating.
However, the ace just sliced a hand between them. "Chill, Aone. We can be a little late to PE."
"..." Aone brooded a little, and he glanced at his phone to check the exact time. Twelve minutes to go, and no new messages.
"This is the best birthday ever." The former setter had a big smile that didn't seem to leave his face. A heartwarming celebration from his entire team! Even though he'd already retired from the club. He didn't know how this day could get better.
Futakuchi bumped an elbow into Aone's arm. "Any news from her?"
The middle blocker shook his head.
"You waiting on something?"
"We're waiting to see if Karasuno's manager texts Aone again," he answered Sasaya, who'd returned and borrowed an empty desk of a classmate next to Moniwa's seat.
Kamasaki scrunched his nose at the school name. "Karasuno? Why?"
"Aone got her number in a birthday card last month on his birthday, and she texted congrats on Sakunami's birthday, too."
Something clicked in the former setter's brain. "Oh. I don't know if this is the same person, but I got a letter this morning when I ran into Coach in the hallway. He gave me an envelope that came through the school mailbox, and I'm pretty sure it said Karasuno High School on the return address."
"What?!"
Aone's nonexistent eyebrows shot up, surprised at how quickly she worked.
"Can we see?" Futakuchi asked surprisingly nicely.
The former captain dug through his schoolbag and showed it to them. Sasaya and Kamasaki looked at the pale blue envelope containing a mystery letter curiously.
"She's way ahead of the game," Sakunami awed.
"Wanna open it now?" the retired wing spiker asked.
Moniwa shrugged upon Sasaya's suggestion. "Sure." He flipped it over and peeled off the seal. The setter took out the card in teal, white, and black card stock. The design was simple, with square-shaped ink marks and cut-outs and a "Happy Birthday" stamp in English.
"Wow. That looks handmade," Nametsu awed. "It looks really good."
"It's way better than the ones you can buy." Obara had seen Aone's birthday card last month, and both looked like it was from a trade professional.
"Read what's inside, man." Despite his feelings toward Karasuno, Kamasaki was genuinely intrigued.
Dear Moniwa-san,
Hello. I hope you'll excuse me for writing to you so suddenly. I thought your leadership during the volleyball tournaments was very admirable. Your team was and will continue to be a very formidable team to us, and I look forward to future games with Date Tech.
Best of luck in your future endeavors.
Happy birthday.
—Akatsuki Ai
(Karasuno's manager)
They all stood staring at the former captain, waiting for him to say something. When he didn't, Sasaya gave him a soft nudge.
Moniwa tilted the cardstock toward him so the other retired athlete could see.
Kamasaki came closer to look over Moniwa's left shoulder, too. "Holy crow, you got one of these, Aone?" he said after running his eyes over the message.
The new Iron Wall's middle blocker nodded silently. Aone had been preoccupied with thinking of how the design on the third-year setter's card was similar to the one he had in his room.
"Holy crow's right. That's so thoughtful of her," Sasaya commented.
"Was she at the Interhigh tournament? I wish I could've met her. She seems really sweet." Nametsu frowned since she hadn't been able to go to the summer tournament.
"It's not like we've met her. I don't think any of us have. I barely remember what she looked like." Futakuchi shrugged. "Aone's the one who kinda knows who she might be. Karasuno, apparently, has two managers, but I didn't see either of them when you did that lock on to their goateed ace."
That memory reminded Moniwa to say, "Please don't go around doing that to other teams in future tournaments."
"Fine, yeah, okay, I'll keep an eye on him." Futakuchi bowed and started turning toward the door. "Well, guess we'll get going. Have a good birthday, Moniwa-san!"
The others echoed well wishes as well, and the kouhai trooped out of the third-year classroom.
"Good thing Nametsu's still around for those guys. Managers are damn good to have for busy sports clubs like ours."
"Yeah." Moniwa smiled and put the card safely away in its envelope and into his school bag.
———
At Karasuno High School
"You forget who I am." Ai smirked when Kinoshita jumped after she suddenly came up from behind him.
"Damn near giving me a heart attack here, Ai!" He huffed, catching his breath. He took the offered water bottle from her hands and took a swig. It'd barely been forty seconds since he stepped off the court.
"Don't you expect me to come to you with water bottles and towels?" The raven-haired manager prioritized the players' well-being and paid close attention to be able to react immediately. Being quick on her feet was something she was terrifically good at.
"Where were you off to earlier? Prepping for sadō?" Tanaka asked, also taking a breather while Coach Ukai strategized with both setters about their new plan.
"No. I took a trip to Takinoue Electronics. Takinoue-san was helping me look for good video players."
"To watch your friends' basketball games?"
She gave him a smile. "That, too."
The sun was beginning to set; another day over. The last bright rays of sunlight helped illuminate the gymnasium from the windows, but soon, their only light source would be the electricity overhead. The temperature was becoming more comfortable with each passing day, cooling off from the sweltering summer heat.
She raised her hand to the joint of his right shoulder, applied pressure, and massaged the location. "We should do some stretches together if you'd like to work on your inner cross spikes. It helps to be flexible in sports like this, as you've seen in the Tokyo teams. Taketora-kun's pretty flexible, too, you know."
They watched her grin provocatively at the wing spiker who couldn't turn down a challenge, and stride away to continue in her notebooks where she left off. On her way to her workspace in the corner of the gymnasium, she walked by Ennoshita, and they shared a high-five.
"How does she know just what we need?" Kinoshita wondered aloud as the other wing spiker joined them.
"Tell me about it. I feel like I'm in the palm of her hand." Tanaka scrunched his nose and scratched his head.
"She's got us in the palm of her hand and Coach Ukai wrapped around her finger," the light brune added, shaking his head.
"She just knows us well enough to know if we need a slap on the back or a comforting hug," Ennoshita said as he stood with them. "That, and she has a skill of knowing how to use things to her advantage."
"Just!? That's gotta be some superpower or something. You can't know someone that well!" Tanaka insisted.
"Maybe she learned in middle school," Kinoshita said, the phrase that answered most all wonders about their peculiar manager. He watched as she wrote something down while watching Coach Ukai's training. "Having Ai in our club kind of makes me feel a little bad for schools without managers."
"Like Nekoma?" Ennoshita asked.
"Gosh, they must be super salty." He rested a free hand on his hip. "They only get her help for a few days, and then we take her back, and they're back to fending for themselves."
"Maybe they don't need managers all the time," the don of the second-years suggested.
"Have you seen what ours do? Haven't you been in the same class as her for over a year? There's no way they wouldn't want one," Kinoshita snarked. "One of ours, to be exact."
Ennoshita shrugged. "Every team is different. Besides, I think her basketball friends would be the bitterest of them all."
Even Tanaka grimaced. "Dude, you really said that."
"We've been caught up with all of her notes that we forget about everything else she does. She told me she's going to ask Ukai-san if he needs her to fill in more shifts at Sakanoshita. And, she has to practice at sadō club for the culture festival coming up," Ennoshita explained. "Shimizu-senpai and Yacchan are good managers too, but she really does so much. It's like we have a personal manager for our individual needs."
"She should get paid for this," Tanaka commented.
"I wouldn't be surprised if she used to get compensated in middle school." As soon as he said that, the No. 7 winced. "That didn't sound very right."
The other two wing spikers laughed. They all remembered the limousine that had come to pick her up at Shinzen.
Across the wooden-paneled gymnasium, Ai had a few different colored notebooks in hand, tapping them on the floor to stack them straight. Her eyes had a far-off look, staring at something and nothing at the same time. She turned to her left at the sound of footsteps coming closer, her mind still clouded by a thought she couldn't quite grasp.
Ai must have twisted her head too quickly by the looks of Asahi's bewildered expression.
"Asahi-san." She didn't know what she was expecting. Did she think he'd magically appear beside her again, just like that?
"Hey, Ai. Do we have tissues? My allergies are getting to me today."
"We do. I'll get them now." She stood and ran to get the first aid kit box. She willed her mind to become clear and focus on her task at the moment. I'm at club. I should think about the players.
Coincidentally, Daichi and Kiyoko had witnessed her reaction to Asahi's sudden appearance. The captain looked a little worried. "It's been a week since she got back. You think she's okay now?"
Kiyoko answered in her soft, reposed speech. "I think so. She hasn't been acting closed off and quiet like last fall." The third-year female pursed her lips into a thin smile. "I think she appreciates the company."
"That's a relief. I think we rely on her too much as it is, but I'm glad she's feeling better." The corners of his lips lifted a little. "Keeping her company is something our roisterous bunch is good at."
Kiyoko nodded.
After giving the ace a box of tissues, Ai followed Nishinoya to the group of second-years again.
"Hey, Ai, why'd you become our manager?"
She lifted a smooth brow. "You're sounding like Kei with a question like that, Ryū."
Nishinoya laughed. "What's got you asking that, bro?"
The buzz-cut wing spiker shrugged. "I dunno, is managing us different from what you did in basketball club?"
"Well, it's a different sport with different training methods. Though, I suppose being a sports club manager for them is fundamentally quite similar."
"How was it managing Nekoma?"
She turned to Kinoshita. "It was fun being around new people. A nice challenge and a change of pace."
"Did you like it?"
"I did. They're wonderful people. I'm happy I got to know them."
"Do you like managing a team alone?"
She took a second to think about it. "I wasn't discouraged by it. Managing a team alone is like doing a group project alone. You get to do everything yourself and know everything that's going on. Though, I think I like having other managers to work with. Other people have skills and perspectives that are different than mine, and I think it allows club members to experience different influences. And, that's not limited to managers and athletes." She folded her arms and smirked. "Now, are we done with my interview?"
Kinoshita shared a glance with Tanaka and shrugged. "Yeah."
She made a chuckle, finding their sudden curiosity about managers amusing.
The libero laughed, too. "You guys are introspective today!"
Ai just smiled at them. "You know, Seijuro's team had a manager last year as well."
"Is she still managing his team?" Ennoshita assumed.
"He already graduated, since he was a third-year. And, he played in the street basketball game as a part of team Strky."
"Ah... Sorry."
She touched his arm near his elbow. "That's alright, Chikara. It's good to eradicate implicit biases, one at a time." She released his forearm. "But, I'll have to ask Seijuro if there's a reason why Rakuzan doesn't have a manager this year. All of the others' teams don't either, except for Tōō. I wonder if Satsuki's thinking of looking for a successor, too."
"They don't?" Kinoshita repeated, surprised.
She nodded. "We have Hitoka-chan, so there's nothing to worry about."
"Why don't you ask him???" Nishinoya encouraged.
"Yeah, I wanna know, too," Tanaka said as curiosity overtook his brain.
"Ask him what?"
"Why he doesn't have a manager for his new team. I mean, it'll make a team better, right?" Tanaka spelled out his simple logic.
Although it wasn't something that would apply to every case, she considered the idea. Actually, she hadn't thought of that before. "I can't say that's completely untrue."
Slowly reaching into the pocket in her school skirt — one of the things she absolutely loved about school uniforms — she pulled out her phone. She opened the page to send her boyfriend a message and hesitated for only a second before starting to type.
Ai: Seijuro, are you going to get a new manager for your club?
She checked the time after she sent the text, which read 18:38 (6:38 pm), but got a response within the minute.
Seijuro: I haven't thought of it. Why?
Maybe he had free time right now.
Ai: You aren't going to look for one? Since Higuchi-san graduated?
A few seconds ticked by before there was another response. Her phone buzzed again.
Seijuro: Are you nominating yourself for the position?
Ai scoffed. Such a tease! The pensive feeling she had in her chest flew away in an instant.
Ai: My answer to that question hasn't changed since Kuroko-kun's birthday party, thank you very much.
She could almost imagine him chuckling at her sass to try to mask her fluster.
Seijuro: Sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. What made you ask?
She typed with pouty puffed cheeks like a chipmunk.
Ai: None of our old teammates have managers at their high schools except for Daiki-kun. Why is that?
Seijuro: It's because there's no one better than you, of course.
"That's so cheesy." Kinoshita was looking over her shoulder. "I didn't know he was the kind of guy to say that."
Ai didn't glance up from her phone as she added, "What's worse is that he doesn't realize he's doing this. It comes naturally to him." She shook her head.
Were all rich people like this? Tooth-rotting sweet flattery spouted from their mouths like fountains.
Ai: If your club can function better with a manager, why don't you recruit one?
Seijuro: What would you say if I said it'd feel like I was cheating on you if I did?
She blushed.
Ai: I'd tell you not to worry about it.
Seijuro: Cheating or not, I'm not looking for a manager at Rakuzan at the moment. I don't want anyone to replace you. I don't want them to care about me the way you do.
Seijuro: I'm sure the others feel the same. Momoi included.
How on earth could she reply to that? Ai temporarily forgot that there were people around her, reading this conversation.
She could feel his satisfied smile from behind the screen.
Seijuro: Does that answer your question?
She thought for a moment, wanting to say something equally as witty.
Ai: I hope you won't regret your decision when you go against Tōō next time. Daiki-kun and Satsuki together make a formidable opponent. Not to mention with Wakamatsu-san and Ryō-kun on their team.
Seijuro: Rakuzan will simply do our best when we face them.
Ai: I know what you're trying to do. Don't think I haven't noticed. I'm not going to get in the middle of the crossfire at Winter Cup.
Seijuro: You always seem to catch my insinuations faster than anyone.
Ai: I'm glad I can keep up with your sharp mind.
Seijuro: You outsmart me at times. I can't get anything past you.
Seijuro: I hate to cut this short, but I have to go. I'll call you later this week.
Ai: We may be going to Tokyo around Atsu-kun's birthday.
Seijuro: Tell me more later. I have to meet Coach Shirogane at his office.
After breathing out through her nose, she handed her phone over to an eager Tanaka and put her hands on her hips. "Satisfied?"
"Very," the buzz-cut wing spiker said, enjoying the entertainment with his buddy. Nishinoya ate this up like one of his GariGari-Kun popsicles.
She sighed and switched gears. "I should text Satsuki about Ryō-kun's birthday, too."
"Who's Ryō-kun?" her classmate asked.
"A shooting guard at Tōō Academy. Daiki-kun's classmate. He apologizes a lot and, for some reason, vaguely reminds me of a Tibetan fox."
"Why a fox?"
She twisted her lips. "I'm not sure. I just have a feeling." She lifted and dropped her shoulders once. "When I met Koganei-san at the Vorpal Swords stadium, he reminded me of someone with a tongue piercing who I met briefly with Shōyō and Kiyoko-senpai, too."
"Huh. Weird," Ennoshita said. The two guardians of Karasuno's goddess were busy enthusing over her phone with Kinoshita and didn't seem to notice.
Oh well, she thought.
———
At Rakuzan High
After meeting with the coach, Akashi reread their most recent conversation. He read the messages that she sent over again, chuckling. 'My answer to that question hasn't changed since Kuroko-kun's birthday party, thank you very much.'
"Akashi's laughing," Hayama awed, still not quite used to seeing the strict captain smiling so often.
"Must be Ai-san." Nebuya guessed without so much as a shrug. He didn't think much of it at all.
"What's so funny, Sei-chan?" Mibuchi queried with a smile.
"Nothing." He just wished they could've been on a video call so he could see her endearing reactions.
"Do you want to wait a little more to start weight training?" the vice captain asked.
"No. Let's go to the weight room now." The red-haired captain turned off his phone and put it away in his bag, but the quiet chuckle didn't leave his lips for the rest of the evening.
***
Author's Note:
This is really confusing, but in Japanese, the way you'd answer a question changes if it's a negative question. For example, in English, it would be:
You did this? Yes, I did. Or no, I didn't.
You didn't do this? Yes, I did. Or no, I didn't.
But in Japanese, it would be:
You did this? Yes, I did. Or no, I didn't. (Same as English)
You didn't do this? No, I did. Or yes, I didn't.
It messes me up all the time lol.
.
I should've done Moniwa's birthday like this illustration instead. It seems more like what Date Tech would have done 😔💚
https://at.tumblr.com/storybrook-and-fruitsbaskets/%25E7%2580%25A7%25E4%25B8%258A%25E6%25B3%25A8%25E6%2596%2587-takigamiii-%25E3%2581%2595%25E3%2582%2593%25E3%2581%25AE%25E6%25BC%25AB%25E7%2594%25BB-9%25E4%25BD%259C%25E7%259B%25AE-%25E3%2583%2584%25E3%2582%25A4%25E3%2582%25B3%25E3%2583%259F%25E4%25BB%25AE-%25E3%2583%258F%25E3%2582%25A4%25E3%2582%25AD%25E3%2583%25A5%25E3%2583%25BC/nlj73duy8v0k
Futakuchi teases Kamasaki, but they're all harmless jokes. I don't think he says anything negative or mean to him.💚
***
Reference:
Chindōchū is the ramen shop that Seijoh went to after losing to Karasuno. 😭💙🍜
Also, you can get a regular driver's license from age 18 in Japan. (As opposed to like the US, where it's 16 or something depending on the state.) You can ride a motorcycle from 17, I think.
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Date Tech High School
Class 3-A: Kamasaki Yasushi
Class 3-C: Moniwa Kaname, Sasaya Takehito
Class 2-A: Futakuchi Kenji, Aone Takanobu
Class 2-B: Obara Yutaka
Class 2-C: Onagawa Tarō
Class 2-4: Nametsu Mai (I don't know why hers isn't a letter, but this is what it says in the official Haikyuu handbook that I have)
Class 1-A: Koganegawa Kanji, Sakunami Kōsuke
Class 1-C: Fukiage Jingo
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Author's Note:
I explicitly hadn't been using Koganegawa's name because he wasn't in the lineup at Interhigh (just like how the rest of Shiratorizawa's team hasn't been introduced yet except Ushijima), but I just realized that Onagawa and Jingo weren't in the Interhigh match either.
Oops.
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I don't know about you, but Date Tech looks like a really nice school 😳
I wonder if they have a dorm like Inarizaki and Shiratorizawa...
Thoughts??
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What would the Date Tech guys like to do in their free time?
Any hobbies other than volleyball practice?
(I'm not a tech or science person lol)
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