(August 15)

In the raging summer heat, the male athletes concentrated on blocking practice today.

They repeated running from left to right quickly in front of the net from a spread shift position.

Kageyama stayed in the middle where the setter would be, while Tanaka and Tsukishima shifted to complete a speedy triple block

Asahi and Yamaguchi stood by watching. Ai stayed next to Narita; her classmate was quiet as she scrutinized the players' training.

Ukai stretched casually near the stage as he let the boys do their thing. He also listened to Takeda-sensei discussing something on the teacher's clipboard.

"How do you think they're doing?" the second-year middle blocker asked her quietly.

"Well enough, I suppose..."

Narita smiled, knowing she was thinking of tips to teach the guys when they took a break.

"Alright, switch out! Azumane, Yamaguchi, in!" the coach declared.

"Yessir!"

Ai quickly got an armful of towels and water bottles. "All of you come here for a second."

They gathered around, and the three who were out of breath took the supplies with thanks.

She spoke while Kageyama rehydrated and rested for a few seconds before having to join block training again.

"Shinkyō Academy's basketball team had a two-meter player like Yūdai, and their defense was to pressure their opponents."

"Yūdai? You mean that Hyakuzawa guy?" Tanaka asked.

She nodded. "There will be players who are stronger, taller, better, or all of the above. Don't let them play comfortably. It'll be for your benefit."

Yamaguchi nodded in understanding, being a middle blocker too, other than a pinch server.

"Shintarō-kun's school has strong fundamentals at the core of their plays. Shūtoku also had a good scorer, Ōtsubo-san. He was their center as well as their captain last year."

Ai turned to the three players who were practicing the drills next. "Pay attention to the details. Be conscious. You have time now to refine your skills, but the real match will have a much faster pace."

"Right!" they replied as if she were their coach.

Once the guys were back on the court, she talked to the wing spiker who was gulping down water. Narita listened in, too.

"Ryu, stop fully before jumping upwards. Put strength in your arms up to your fingertips, and put them out forward, not just up." She grinned up at Tsukishima. "Right, Kei?"

"Yes," he mumbled against his towel, remembering Kuroo's lessons.

.

Asahi and Yamaguchi triple blocked with the younger setter for a bit, until the other six players came back from playing a three-on-three in the First Gymnasium.

"Alright, group up!" Coach Ukai called, and everyone congregated. "It's a bit early, but we'll end it here today. You'll have time for individual practice after this meeting." He looked to the faculty member. "Sensei, you have an announcement, right?"

"Yes." Takeda-sensei addressed the students and took over with a kind smile. "Since it is Obon tomorrow, we won't have practice. Please take the day off and rest. You've been training every day in this hot weather, so take some time to stay at home and greet your returning ancestors. This is a great opportunity to finish up any remaining summer homework as well, for those of you lagging in that."

The four people knew who they were, without everybody else glancing their way.

"Do them now, and you'll have an easier time with the finals for the second trimester," Ai said.

Kiyoko agreed silently.

After they disbanded the meeting, Kinoshita came up to her in a light jog. "Hey, Ai?" He leaned in to whisper when she turned to him. "What are you doing for Narita's birthday?"

"Oh, let me in on that conversation," Ennoshita joined in.

They double-checked that Narita was out of earshot on the other side of the gymnasium, chatting with the green-haired first-year.

"You talking about Kazuhito's birthday?" Nishinoya also bounded over.

Ai held back a wince at his energetic voice, but her classmate didn't seem to notice.

"I'll make sushi egg rolls for everyone and bring them to practice. It'll just be one dish, so you'll all still have to bring your own lunches."

"Sweet! Can't wait!" the libero beamed.

Ennoshita smiled. "Alright. What about a present?" The four of them thought for a moment, and Ennoshita suggested, "We could get him a new wallet."

"Oh yeah. I think he said that he's been using it since middle school," the No. 7 recalled.

"Cool, that's decided! I'll tell Ryu!"

"Thank you, Yū. And, I'll go shopping for the gift tomorrow."

"I'll go with you," Kinoshita said.

"I'll go, too," Ennoshita offered. "You're already doing so much."

She smiled. "I'll text you tonight, Hisashi, Chikara."

.

In Kyoto

"Oh! Let's invite Akashi, too!" Hayama was saying in a conversation with three of the Uncrowned Kings.

"Oh, Sei-chan!" Mibuchi called to him as the captain walked into the locker room. "Do you want to go to the Obon Festival with us tomorrow?"

"For the Gozan no Okuribi?" Akashi clarified.

"Mhmm! They're lighting up the Daimonji around eight pm, but we're going to the festival stalls and booths before that. I'm thinking of wearing a yukata," Mibuchi hummed and smiled.

"You totally should, Reo-nee! What about you, Ei-chan?" Hayama asked.

"Hm? I can wear one, too. It'll show off these big guns and muscles!" Nebuya flexed.

"Yes, yes. I can already predict Eikichi running the food stands out of business for buying and eating all of their food." The vice-captain groaned sarcastically. "Are you wearing one too, Kotarō? I can help choose what color best suits you."

"Awesome! Let's see who can catch the most goldfish!" the Lightening Beast challenged excitedly.

"How about it, Sei-chan? Care to join us?" Mibuchi invited hopefully.

"I guess it's this time of the year again already," he said, mostly to himself. "I appreciate the offer, but I think I'll watch the event from my balcony." Akashi grabbed his bag and nodded to them. "Enjoy the festival. I'm sure it'll be fun."

"You sure you don't wanna come, Akashi?" Nebuya asked.

"I'm sure. Thanks for the offer, you three." He left the club room with a light smile, but only the Night Spirit caught it.

"Do you think Akashi's ever been to a summer festival before?" Hayama wondered aloud.

"Maybe. I think he has." Mibuchi smiled.

———

(August 16)

"Ai."

"Seijuro," she answered her phone after returning to her house. "How are you?"

"I'm doing well. How was your day?"

"It was lovely. It's my classmate's birthday tomorrow, so I went out to the mall today. I still have a bit of cooking to do, too," she replied into the receiver.

"You're planning a birthday celebration, then? They're lucky to eat the food you make."

She smiled. "We'll see how it turns out." Sitting at the desk in her room, she felt grateful that he'd called. "What about you? Anything new or special in your life, Seijuro?"

"Hmm. Mibuchi, Hayama, and Nebuya are down at the festival tonight."

"You aren't going?"

"I'd rather watch from here and talk with you."

A smile crept to her lips, imagining him relaxing on a balcony overlooking the city. "You must have a great view from your penthouse. My mom turned on the TV in the living room to watch it."

"Come over to Kyoto and see for yourself," he said. "You've only seen the mansion in Tokyo, but I think you'll like it here, too."

The couple talked for a while to make up for the long-distance relationship. It was a magical time of smiles and hearing each other's voices that they loved dearly. When it was beginning to get late, Akashi suggested that they end the call for that night; they both had more things to do before tomorrow came.

"Have a great day tomorrow, Ai."

"You too, Seijuro. Good night."

"Sweet dreams."

.

The manager from Teikō couldn't help but be in good spirits after a phone call with her boyfriend. She hummed to a few songs and measured six cups of white rice. After washing it, she added water and a sheet of konbu kelp for extra flavor before switching on the rice cooker.

While the rice was cooking, she beat eighteen eggs in a large bowl and added six teaspoons sugar, twenty-four tablespoons of konbu stock, and three pinches of salt. It took quite a while to make the rolled eggs, but she finished in time for the rice cooker's melody.

Then, with eight tablespoons each of vinegar and sugar,

and three teaspoons of salt, she dissolved the mixture and combined it with the steaming, freshly cooked rice.

She sliced the egg rolls, shaped the rice after it'd cooled off, and wrapped each one with dry nori seaweed.

One taste test later, she put the batch of her classmate's favorite food in the fridge for tomorrow.

———

August 17

Narita's birthday was a big success. He really liked the birthday present, and the other guys were thrilled with the lunchtime snack.

"Thanks, Ai." Narita smiled with happiness as he received the birthday card from her.

She reciprocated the feeling and smiled back. "You're welcome, Kazuhito. Happy birthday."

Daimonji is one of the five Gozan no Okuribi. They light up the torches arranged on the mountains one by one in order. (Don't worry, it's not a forest fire)

There's often a festival to accompany it where vendors can put out game stalls and food stands, because the event attracts customers.

Total Word Count: 1640