Thank you so much for waiting!!!

I really appreciated all of your comments and suggestions for the mix! I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint too much... but next week will also be about this barbecue.

And, I kind of added Kasamatsu's birthday to this, instead of making it separate.

For the last day, the teachers had planned a barbecue supplied with their pocket money. Ai joined the girls in cutting up the vegetables and preparing the meat. Plates, chopsticks, and cups were the females' responsibility while the men helped set up the grills, coal, and fire. The barbecue was a good idea, since the guys could crowd around the grills and cook for themselves; it meant less work for the managers. Everyone drooled and waited with anticipation for the meat to finish cooking.

Ai helped supervise the event, making sure everyone had a chance to eat plenty. She stood by Yachi's side as the small girl tried to get some food for herself and waitressed everyone. Needless to say, she got hit on more than once. Nishinoya, Tanaka, and Taketora had a secret meeting, where the libero indoctrinated the other two on protecting Karasuno's oldest goddess. So, while Kiyoko had the three of them as bodyguards, Ai defended herself.

"You must be mistaken. I'm not your maid." Just because she took care of them didn't mean that she was their servant. Ai nodded to Konoha and Komi with regality, and gracefully walked away. It resulted in the two third-years pulling back at the tone of her voice and eyes. She caught Kuroo sneering from the side and gave him a smirk.

Ai had an opportunity to talk with Akaashi for a while, both of them handing Kageyama a cup of water when he choked on his food, before she wandered to the Nekoma team to enjoy their company for the last time. Her heart was already starting to ache dully at the thought of leaving. She would miss them when she goes back to Miyagi. Just another team in Tokyo she'd grown to love.

Yaku was thoughtful and had her number exchanged with everyone, so that they would always be only one call away. She laughed and joked with the first and second-years. The three third-years of Nekoma watched her affectionate interactions with their teammates. Ai gave each of them a pat on their arms before going to entertain her basketball guests.

Kise, Kagami, and Kuroko sat high on the grassy slope that Karasuno had spent much of their time sprinting up. They sat back and relaxed. Nigou was also happy to run around by people's feet, snacking on any unfortunate accidents that had dropped on the ground or scraps of vegetables from the cutting board.

"It's been a while since I've seen a barbecue." Kagami grinned at the several grills of flaming coal.

"Only we don't have the traditional American BBQ sauce," Ai shrugged. Bokuto looked to be happy with the yakiniku lunch nevertheless; his favorite food.

Kuroko remembered when Seirin went to a steakhouse after a practice match with Kaijō at the beginning of last year. He and his teammates had challenged eating a 4kg (about 8.8lbs) of steak in under thirty minutes. They'd barely made it out of the restaurant without paying anything; all thanks to Kagami's insane appetite. It was bigger than Nishinoya's and Daichi's, rivaling Aomine's and probably the amount of snacks Murasakibara eats.

"We were saved by Kagami-kun's very big stomach. All of the senpais gave up shortly after I did. I wouldn't have been able to finish it even if I had a week," the shadow said in his gentle voice.

"Hey! What do you mean 'very big'? It's normal!" his partner growled.

"It's definitely not normal. It's anything but normal."

She smiled at their bantering, and Kise spoke up as he recalled something.

"Oh, yeah! Kasamatsu-san was really happy that you texted him."

"I'm glad he thought that way. But, that reminds me..." She took out and opened her phone. "I haven't checked my messages yet." Sure enough, there was a reply from the former captain of Kaijō.

Ai: Hello, Kasamatsu-san. Happy birthday. I hope you have a wonderful year.

Kasamatsu-san: Thanks. You have a good day, too.

Kise laughed when he saw her phone. "He sounds so calm over text, but I bet he was really flustered when he read it! He even texted me asking how he should respond!"

"Well, we've only met a couple of times. I'm sure he still feels a bit stiff with me."

"Nah, Senpai's just not good at talking to girls."

She hummed, remembering how Taketora had a similar problem. "Careful not to flirt too much, Ryōta-kun. I know you have fans, but you could lose others' respect if you overdo it." Ai thought of a playboy of another blue-colored team, but they were both good people deep down.

"Don't worry, Ai-cchi! I know," the yellow-haired ace sang, grinning.

.

After a while, they had even more visitors: Akashi, Mibuchi, Midorima, Takao, Aomine, and Momoi. It was a miracle. They were here. It must have been one of the happiest moments of her life, to see almost all of the people she loved in one place and at the same time.

Ai sprinted to greet them, but running wasn't the only thing that left her breathless. The three who'd come early also got up from the grass and joined the guests.

"Ai-chan!" Momoi yelled happily, giving her a big hug. "Long time no see! And, we come bearing gifts!" She turned around. "Show her, Dai-chan!"

Aomine grunted and put a big, blue cooler box on the ground. "Where do you want these, Akatsuki? They're heavy."

"I heard you were having a barbecue, so we brought extra food. It took some time to have it prepared." Akashi glanced back at the few more containers that the others carried.

Takao grinned, but couldn't wave with his hands full. "Hey, Ai-chan!"

"We had spare time." Midorima kept a cool facade.

His teammate from Shūtoku cleared his throat. "Actually, he was really excited to come to Saitama and see you again," the point guard with Hawk Eyes teased, whispering not so discreetly.

It ticked the green ace, and he grunted. "Shut up, Takao!"

Akashi guided her attention to the tall shooting guard with beautiful emerald eyes. "Ai, this is Mibuchi, Rakuzan's vice-captain," he introduced.

She bowed to the only third-year of the group. "A pleasure to finally meet you, Mibuchi-san."

"Please, call me Reo! And, the pleasure's all mine, Ai-san." He smiled with a soft gentleness. There was a light joyfulness to his person, too. "I'm so happy to finally meet Sei-chan's beloved girlfriend. I've heard so much about you."

"All good things, I hope," she said, sliding a grin to Akashi.

He chuckled. As if he would say bad things about her, if there were any to find.

Then, her initial shock started seeping back in, and she exhaled deeply. "I... don't know what to say. Thank you... for being here." Ai smiled at all of them and gave Momoi another hug. Then, she stepped into Akashi's open arms as he waited for her embrace.

He held her tightly, not minding that the others were watching. "Anything for you," he said next to her ear. His arms around her back squeezed her as close as possible.

Ai rested her head against him and savored his touch. Then, she had an idea. Pulling back at arm's length from her boyfriend's hug, Ai glanced behind him at the rest of the basketball players. "I know you've all just arrived, but could I ask a small favor from you?"

"Sure!" Kise replied first.

"Aren't you gonna ask what it is first?" Kagami retorted.

"Well, if Ai-cchi says she needs something, who are we to say no? Besides, it can't be that bad... right...?" Kaijō's ace trailed off, suddenly starting to feel unsure the more he thought about it.

Momoi giggled. Their caution for Ai's mysterious unpredictability hadn't changed.

"What is it?" Kuroko asked on everyone's behalf.

"I'll explain in a minute." She had the guys drop the boxes of food off at the tables and quickly ran to get permission from Shinzen's teachers. Then, Ai collected her Karasuno team from the barbecue grills with Daichi's help.

"Karasuno! Group up!" the captain called.

One by one, they slowly gathered, some still chewing on their meaty lunch.

Ai stood at the border of the two sports, facing the volleyball group. "Everyone, I'd like to introduce you all to the rest of the Generation of Miracles. Former captain of Teikō and Rakuzan's captain, Akashi Seijuro. Ace of Tōō Academy, Aomine Daiki-kun. Master of the Perfect Copy, Kise Ryota-kun. Flawless three-point shooter, Midorima Shintarō-kun. The phantom sixth player, Kuroko Tetsuya-kun. And, my former colleague as managers, Momoi Satsuki. These are their current teammates in high school, Kagami Taiga from Seirin, Takao Kazunari-kun from Shūtoku, and Mibuchi Reo-san from Rakuzan."

Most of their mouths hung open, and all of them stared with wide eyes at her basketball friends. They'd very briefly met Akashi, but seeing almost all of the Generation of Miracles at once was... intense, to say the least. Hinata especially stammered at the group of tall guys, and Asahi couldn't believe that they, except Mibuchi, were a year younger than himself. Sugawara and even Daichi were appalled by the group of well-built high schoolers; they were a different type of athletes. Nishinoya stood proudly up to her friends from middle school, confidence stemming from his own close friendship with Ai. Their height difference didn't matter. The libero believed that he had spent as much time with her, getting to know her as much as they did.

Tsukishima kept his poker face, but Yamaguchi's expression showed his fright. Kageyama's eyes darted from one face to the other, trying to determine who the "setter" of the bunch was. Kinoshita and Narita were speechless. They were the friends she had always mentioned? How? This entire situation was unbelievable. Ennoshita was a bit surprised as well, and while Tanaka wanted to go against the Basketball City Boys, he also kind of sensed that he wouldn't stand much of a chance.

The curious cats peered at them, but they kept a respectful distance from Karasuno and the Generation of Miracles. It didn't seem like it was their place to join in. However, that didn't stop Lev from bombarding Yaku with questions as the other three first-years stared with as much awe as the rest of them. Kuroo wore a sour expression and crossed his arms, standing next to Kai. Taketora had his hands on his hips with a glare, ready to defend their temporary manager if need be. Fukunaga watched as quietly as always, and Kenma looked up from where he was sitting on the concrete steps of the gymnasium. Inuoka and Shibayama wanted to react and say something, but they couldn't find the words.

Akashi watched her guests from afar, and Bokuto asked the setter who they were with his mouth full of meat. The others from Fukurōdani stared too, and Shinzen's guys had no idea who was visiting their school and for what reason. Ubugawa's team didn't seem to mind as much and kept the food cooking with the other uninterested people.

Kiyoko and Yachi stayed with the other female managers for the time being, but the young blonde wondered if she should go stand with Ai. She really looked up to her two seniors.

Ai turned around to the basketball players. "Could I possibly ask you all to play a short game for us? Two quarters is all I'm hoping for."

"A game of basketball now? With these guys? I'm in!" Kagami punched a fist into his palm, pumped up and ready for a fight.

"Good idea! Isn't it, Dai-chan?" Momoi smiled, clapping her hands together.

"Ha! I won't mind." Aomine grinned.

"Sounds fun! Right, Shin-chan?" Takao also agreed.

Midorima adjusted his glasses with his taped fingers. "You're too loud, Takao."

"If that's what you wish." Akashi took her hand in his and squeezed affectionately.

"Yeah! You got it, Ai-cchi! This is so exciting!" Kise's eyes were sparkling.

Mibuchi sighed playfully with a smile. "Fine, if Sei-chan insists."

She smiled. "I'll pick the teams, and if Satsuki could be the judge?"

"Okay!" Momoi threw her hand up.

.

Everyone moved to enter the empty gymnasium, and someone from Shinzen retrieved a basketball for them. Once inside, Ai took charge again.

"Sugawara-senpai, could I ask you to record the game?"

"Sure," he agreed, taking her phone. He pressed the record button without further ado.

"Oh, but first..." She surveyed the members of her team and debated who she should choose. When she was quiet for a while and unable to come up with an answer, Akashi stepped up next to her.

He held the small of her back at the end of her ponytail. "The rook," he whispered in her ear.

She smiled, understanding his chess term reference. "Tobio, your turn. Show us your toss. Hitoka-chan, would you find an empty plastic bottle for us?"

"O-okay!" The blonde ran out to get a bottle she and Kageyama had been using the past few nights.

Ai walked to the equipment room for a volleyball. When she emerged, Kageyama appeared confused but was loosening his shoulders.

Yachi came back shortly. "Where do you want it?"

"In the open space, please."

The youngest manager did as she was told.

"Thank you." She held the ball out to the auditioning setter. "Ready?"

He nodded. There was no net, but it wasn't necessary.

She glanced at Kise, who gave her a thumbs up. Ai threw the ball high enough for Kageyama to do a jump toss.

He tried to execute his new strategy, but it missed. The ball bounced and rolled away after making contact with the floor.

"Tch," he clicked his tongue.

Everyone was quiet, wondering what on earth she was planning.

"It's fine, Tobio. Thank you." She peered at her friends and saw Akashi in thought. "Ryōta-kun."

"Whew. Alright!" Kise clapped and rubbed his hands together. "Just so you know, I haven't played volleyball in years."

"He's gonna toss it?!" Bokuto shouted.

"Shh," Akaashi shushed.

Ai picked up the ball and threw it again, mindful that Kise's height was a bit higher than Kageyama's.

Kise copied his predecessor's form exactly, and the volleyball dropped beside the bottle, on the same spot it had landed a few seconds ago.

Everyone wowed.

"Do you think you can make it without an example?" she challenged the master of the Perfect Copy.

He grinned. "I'll show you I can."

Akashi smiled, entertained.

"I've never seen Ki-chan play volleyball!" Momoi exclaimed.

"Me either," Aomine said, and Kuroko agreed.

"Aomine-cchi inspired me to take up basketball. Soccer and the other sports were too easy and boring. I sometimes played other sports when people asked me to fill in, but I stuck with basketball after I joined Teikō's team." Kise passed the ball to her and stood in a different place than before. "Again!"

They repeated it a few times, adjusting the position of where he stood for the toss, before he succeeded, emulating Kageyama's novel weapon of the dropping toss. It was kind of cheating, since the crow worked on perfecting the set without moving positions, but it was astonishing nonetheless. "Yeah!" Kise cheered.

The younger setter was in silent awe while Hinata, Nishinoya, and the other vocal people shouted in amazement.

Momoi seemed to think about what they'd just witnessed, and Akashi gave him an applause.

"Intriguing. Well done, Kise."

Ai agreed with her boyfriend. "Yes, thank you," Ai slapped the blond's hand that awaited a high five.

"Are we done now?" Takao faked a whine.

She chuckled. "Yes. I apologize for the wait, Kazunari-kun." Ai cleared the fallen bottle and volleyball.

Passing the materials off to her younger assistant, she had the basketball players stand on the court. Ai divided the teams in four, with one side borrowing Karasuno's yellow jersey.

"Let's start with Seirin on one team and Shūtoku on the other..." She thought carefully with a hand on her cheek. "Seijuro with Kuroko-kun, Daiki-kun against Taiga, ...and Ryōta-kun may be on Kuroko-kun's team if he wishes, but try to incorporate the skills of people who aren't here as well. I suppose that leaves Reo-san against Seijuro, if you don't mind. We'll play full court, but two quarters only."

They got into place. Nishinoya handed his jersey with the number 4 to Akashi, and Tanaka, Ennoshita, and Kinoshita similarly lent theirs to his side of the team. Takao covered a laugh when the color of Kise's hair matched the jersey, and Tanaka seemed as if he wanted to pick a fight with Kagami for being an "American City Boy". Mibuchi, Midorima, and Aomine stretched their arms and legs while they waited.

After, Ai stood in between her libero and Kageyama. Nearby was Sugawara with her phone, making sure her voice and any comments she had were recorded into the video. Kuroo inched closer to her as well, leaning his back against the wall behind them. Yaku and Kai stood with their seven underclassmen as a group; the Nekoma players were curious about their new manager, too.

"Tobio, Shōyō, pay especially close attention to Kuroko-kun and Taiga. I want you to see their light and shadow in action." She watched them nod a bit confusedly.

While Karasuno had first row seats to the game, the others who were curious also came to watch. Coach Nekomata was happy to see the Generation of Miracles, an Uncrowned King, and others, who unfortunately didn't have a title, up close.

Ai held the orange basketball out to her friend. "Satsuki, will you?"

"Sure!" Momoi took the ball and skipped out to the middle of the court.

Akashi glanced at his girlfriend before the analyst did the tip-off, and the game started.

Nigou sat next to Ai, panting happily with occasional barks when one of the teams scored. Momoi kept score while Ai spoke to her Karasuno team.

"Kazunari-kun has Hawk Eyes, while Seijuro has an Emperor Eye. I've told you about Ryota-kun's Perfect Copy before, and Reo-san does a Void shot that disables his opponent to jump. It might be useful if we could try it. Shōyō, I believe you can learn to move as fast as Daiki-kun and fly as high as Taiga. Tobio, do you see how Kuroko-kun and Kazunari-kun support their aces? We'll see if we can implement the Ankle Break to our volleyball strategies."

She taught them each of the player's skills and how their personalities became their strengths.

In the end, Team Yellow with Akashi, Kuroko, Kagami, and Kise won.

.

After the small favor that she asked of them, they all sat around on the slanted grass.

Akashi sat next to her, of course, while the others gathered and surrounded them. He pulled the ribbon out of her hair, letting her black strands fall around her shoulders. "You look better this way," he whispered against her ear.

She blushed while he tied the silky black ribbon around her wrist. Ai introduced her clubmates to the basketball players. "They are Kiyoko-senpai, Sawamura-senpai, Sugawara-senpai, Asahi-san, Yū, Ryu, Chikara, Hisashi, Kazuhito, Tobio, Shōyō, Kei, Tadashi, and Hitoka-chan."

Kuroo and his team, Bokuto, and Akaashi also joined them, and it was becoming quite the crowd.

"This is the team from Nekoma High, and the ace and setter from Fukurōdani Academy. I've been serving as their manager for the time being," she explained.

Kuroo plastered on a fake smile and gripped Akashi's hand to shake. "I'm Kuroo Tetsurō. Nice to meet you."

"Akashi Seijuro," he smiled back challengingly. Her boyfriend returned the strong handshake and held Ai protectively at her waist after.

"Okay, that's enough." She tried to ease the tangibly thick tension. "Atsu-kun and Tatsuya came to Miyagi a while back, but it's a shame they couldn't come today."

"Their coach had the team go back to the hotel to prepare for the games tomorrow. All competing schools participated in the opening ceremony, but the teams who had games finished early," Akashi explained.

"We won, by the way." Kise grinned.

"Wait, Tatsuya went to Miyagi?" Kagami asked.

"Yes, he was very considerate to bring Atsu-kun over to visit."

Aomine laughed. "That explains it. Murasakibara would never do anything unless it was for snacks."

"The same goes for you with academics," Midorima stated.

"Shut up!"

"Shin-chan, you're not one to say. You'd never leave the house without your lucky item." Takao turned to the group. "He'd always call me in the morning to go obtain it for him," he snickered.

"Shut up, Takao. You speak of unnecessary things..." Midorima muttered.

"Shintarō-kun, you should be nicer to your friend." Ai smiled. "Isn't that right, Kazunari-kun?"

Momoi giggled cheerfully. "You never change, Midorin!"

Midorima huffed in mild irritation while the others laughed on with Tōō's manager, and Takao agreed with the females from Teikō.

Hinata stared around with giant eyes of amazement, as did the other volleyball players. The basketball athletes were just as fit or more, with strong arms and prominent muscles. They were astonished, and they hadn't even seen Nebuya.

As for the lovely couple, they especially emitted an elegant and royal aura. Akashi and Ai seemed more sophisticated than usual when they were together. It was a bit confounding that they would choose to affiliate themselves with hot and sweaty hobbies like sports. However, they succeeded in it and were incredibly skilled.

All of the people she'd brought together from two different worlds had an unforgettable, amazing time.

Reference:

The rook in chess is equivalent to Hisha or Hi (飛車 or 飛) in shōgi (I think... correct me anytime if I'm wrong), and it's the same character as the one in Kageyama's name, Tobio (飛雄).

(This was just Akashi's lucky guess. He didn't actually know the character for Kageyama's name. ;) )

Author's Note:

I've said this multiple times, but I will write about the KnB Last Game movie. I'm planning on fitting it in around episode 2.14 Growing Fast, after this training camp and the Spring High Prelims (not the Qualifiers), so please stay tuned!

More(?) drama coming in the next chapter!

Total Word Count: 3878