Ai arrived to morning practice right after Kiyoko did, and the first thing she heard was someone yelling, "That coward!"

She knew that voice. "Yū."

They all faced her as she entered the gym, surprised to hear her voice. "Tell me, who are you calling a coward?"

Nishinoya grinned. "Ai!"

She sighed. "Wrong answer."

He laughed her off and hooked an arm around her shoulders. She was a few centimeters even shorter than him, making her the smallest. In height, at least. "Long time no see!"

"Liar," she smiled. "We see each other in the hallway. Our classrooms are on the same floor."

"That doesn't count!"

He laughed again but was interrupted by Tanaka telling him off about showing some respect towards the upperclassmen. Frustrated, Nishinoya stormed outside.

During a talk with Takeda-sensei in the faculty room, she drilled down on him and made him confess that he was trying to recruit Mr. Ukai from the store downhill. All in a single look. The fire in her eyes crackled. "I understand, Takeda-sensei. I'll talk to him as well."

"A-Akatsuki-san, you really don't have to.."

"Yes, I'm aware. However, I'll help in any way that I can."

Including encouraging the ace to come back to our team, she thought. She bowed and excused herself. The other teachers who saw her eyes made way for her as she walked out of the staff room.

She skipped practice that day to speak to him after school. Nishinoya would be with the team, so that provided some relief in exchange for her absence. "Asahi-san."

He looked up from his feet was he shuffled down the hallway of the third-year floor.

"Oh, hey there, Ai."

He smiled the most gentle smile. "It's been a while."

She returned the gesture, her heart softening at his relaxed personality. "Yes, it has."

They started descending the remaining flight of stairs. "Would you care to join me this afternoon?"

"Me? Sure, I guess," he accepted timidly. "Uh, but don't you have practice?"

"Yes, but I'm not going today," she replied. "Unless you want to, that is."

He laughed nervously, so she took that as a no.

They sat in the courtyard at an encircled tree. She pressed her knees together and folded her right hand on top of her left. With her back straightened, her posture was perfect. "Are you thinking of joining a different club? I know sadō may not be your first choice, but we'd be happy to have you over as a guest."

"Honestly, I haven't thought that far."

He looked down at his hands, his elbows resting on his knees. "But, you're right. Sadō isn't really my first choice."

He laughed admittedly.

Ai was glad the mood was lighter than she'd anticipated. She looked up at the sky. It was still a bright blue because of the early hour, with white fluffy clouds. "You know, a couple of my friends from basketball thought of quitting before as well."

He sighed, and his tone got depressed. "Did they?"

"For a while, they skipped practice. But, they eventually found their love for it again."

"How long did it take them?"

"I won't answer that."

He turned his head, shocked that Ai would deny something so bluntly.

She offered him a smile. "Not with malice, of course. It's just that they both had different reasons; reasons that differ from yours, as well," she explained. "Would you like to hear more?"

He was quiet for a while. After what seemed like their conversation had terminated abruptly, he spoke again. "What happened to them?"

She smiled softly, reminiscing. "Once upon a time," she started, hoping the fairytale opening would lift the heavy feeling.

"There was a team that was obsessed with winning. Their motto was 'A Hundred Battles, A Hundred Victories' (百戦百勝), and each person on the team did their own play. They weren't much for making an effort in teamwork. One day, one of the team members felt unhappy, even though they had won. He didn't feel the joy in playing his favorite sport anymore."

She faced him. "But then, in high school, he joined a team that supported each other and valued teamwork. He realized that playing basketball with others, both with teammates and nemeses, is what made it so fun. And, that realization led him to discover his own style of play.

"I know I can only offer words of encouragement, and they may not mean anything to you. However, you shouldn't have to feel so much responsibility. You're a team, something I envy at times, to say the truth. You're not the only one standing on the court."

"... And the other person?"

"Well... he's a different story. Contrastingly, he became too strong, and the opposing teams would plainly give up in the middle of the game. I suppose it was disrespectful to him, as someone who simply wanted to play basketball. He played because it was fun, and he was so passionate about it. But, what fun would it be if there were no opponent?"

He closed his eyes and stood. "Sorry. I get you're trying to get me back. But, I can't."

He frowned. "I'm not strong enough."

"That's what the second-years think, too."

She stood too and began to walk toward the gates.

For a second, he had an expression of shock. "Where are you going? What about practice?"

"Why, you're my escort today, Asahi-san."

She turned and held out a hand, waiting.

He smiled, relenting to her ways. "This isn't Suga's doing, is it?" he asked cautiously.

"No. It's all on me."

She took his arm and felt incredibly short next to him. It wasn't a new feeling.

They walked down the hill to the small shop. As they say: two birds with one stone. He opened the door for her, showing more chivalry. She thanked him and stepped inside.

"Welcome," the man behind the counter mumbled halfheartedly while reading a comic book.

"It's on me. As appreciation for talking with me today, senpai."

He blushed slightly, out of shyness. She paid for two protein bars. "I'll take these, please."

"Sure."

The man rung her up.

"Also,..."

"Huh?"

He started to give her an annoyed look, but it quickly changed to that of alarm. "Er..."

Ai gave him a small grin with her fuchsia eyes in full blaze. "My name is Akatsuki Ai, from the volleyball club, for your future reference. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

She curtsied, grabbed the snacks from the counter, and turned her back to him. Her hair flowed behind her from the movement, like the red robe of a certain king of the court.

The man with blond hair was stunned as she went back to her big friend, handing him one. "Pork buns are for when you come back to the team," she chastised.

He laughed in defeat. "Ok, ok."

He may be timid, but he had a light and soft heart.

They left the store, her silhouette casting a dark shadow. Her long black hair flowing behind her was like the wings of a fallen angel. Or perhaps, she was a raven with magenta eyes.

Because she had skipped practice that day, it wasn't until the next morning when she heard about the arrangement with Nekoma High. The practice match was scheduled for the last day of Golden Week break, after the annual training camp.

Should I add a bit of romaji Japanese in the dialogue?

To set the scene?

Let me know; I'd be happy to edit it!

10/18/2020

Total Word Count: 1270