I'm late to update again; so sorry!! But, we're (slowly) getting into the main parts of the movie!

Thank you so much for your comments and suggestions in the previous chapter! They've really helped me get good ideas for the Vorpal Swords match. Unfortunately, I decided to leave Karasuno out for this one (since I think they'd have to go back to Miyagi), but I will add Nekoma and the two owls from Fukurōdani. Stay tuned for that in future chapters!

Thank you all so much for your votes as well!

"So, you'll be staying for a basketball game?" Takeda-sensei asked when Ai joined to have lunch at the adults' table. Today, Karasuno was driving back to Miyagi in the evening.

"You're still doing basketball? I thought you switched to volleyball and sadō," Ukai said, sitting across from her, and took another bite of food.

"Sadō?" Coach Nekomata gave a hearty laugh beside his old rival's grandson. "That explains your tranquility and manners."

Ai hid her pink-tinted cheeks as Naoi hummed thoughtfully her on her right. She wasn't used to getting compliments, even while she accomplished feats people normally couldn't fathom, all for the sake of her team members. Though she was as talented as a manager as the Generation of Miracles were in basketball, managers who worked backstage didn't get recognition very often. And, like with Akashi, people were sometimes too intimidated to talk to her.

"I think I heard something about a spontaneous match tomorrow at the big basketball stadium in the city," the younger coach for the cats recalled.

"And, you'll be managing one of the teams playing? Takeda-sensei must be proud to have such a talented manager like you," Coach Nekomata said, making her club advisor smile. "Almost makes me want to keep you for Nekoma," he half-joked.

"What do you think? Would you consider?" Nekoma's other coach played along. He smiled, but she knew he didn't expect her to answer.

Ukai fell for it nonetheless. "Naoi! You know she's our manager!"

"Come on! You guys have two others," Coach Naoi bantered with the former setter.

Amidst it all, Ai quietly thought to herself, 'I think I'd rather transfer to Rakuzan, if I were to change schools at all'.

As they were finishing eating, Daichi suddenly called her name. "Hey, Ai."

She turned around to see him with Sugawara, Yaku, and Kuroo.

He beckoned her over. "Meet with us for a sec?"

Excusing herself from the table of teachers, she went to stand with the third-years, between the two captains. "Sawamura-senpai?" she asked, wondering what they wanted to talk to her about.

Kuroo tried to slip a hand around her waist to hold her, but she playfully slapped it away. Smirking, he rested his elbow on her shoulder instead, taking advantage of their height difference.

"We just wanted to say good luck with your game tomorrow. And, don't worry about us. Just do your best." Her captain smiled confidently, relaying that the Karasuno team would be okay.

"But, you have to come back to Miyagi for us after, got it?" Sugawara grinned.

"Suga..." Daichi half laughed. "You're taking three days off, right? There's no rush."

The captain leaning on her shoulder spoke up as Ai nodded. "You can stay with us longer you know, Chii."

"Hey," Yaku scolded. "As much as I want to agree with this guy, that's not what we wanted to ask." The libero turned to her. "Can we go watch your basketball game?"

"Of course," she smiled, but glanced up at Kuroo accusingly.

"It wasn't my idea!" he screeched, holding up his other hand in innocence.

"Actually, the second-years suggested it," Yaku disclosed. "Fukunaga and Yamamoto, even Kenma was a bit interested. We thought we'd ask you if it'd be ok before inviting the first-years, if they want to come. Kai's on board with it too, if he isn't busy watching over his little brother."

However, they had a feeling that Lev, Inuoka, and Shibayama would all say yes.

"It'd be wonderful if you came," she smiled. "I'll send Kenma the details, then."

"Why Kenma? Why not me? I'm the captain," Kuroo whined playfully.

"We both know Kenma's the best at digital communication, and he's good with information." She tapped his arm to get him to release her.

Yaku laughed. "Can't argue there."

Ai smiled at the four of them sweetly and bowed a little before returning to her seat.

.

The teams played a few more matches in rotation and ended the training camp just as the sky was beginning to vibrantly change colors.

When it was time to pack into the bus, but they weren't loading Ai's overnight bags, Kageyama mumbled to himself, "Ai-senpai's not coming with us?"

"You weren't listening, Kageyama-kun?" Hinata teased.

"S-shut up!"

To be honest, the four first-years were surprised that the second-year manager was going to stay in Tokyo for a basketball game; they had thought she would stick with their team of crows every second possible.

However, Ennoshita, Narita, and Kinoshita knew how much her old sport meant to her, and they wished her luck with smiles and obliging hugs. Nishinoya was dejected that he couldn't stay with her, but Tanaka appealed to him that they could practice more back at Karasuno and show her their new and improved volleyball skills after.

Daichi, Sugawara, and Asahi told her not to worry about hurrying home, reminding her that she deserved a small break.

"We'll watch the game on TV in Miyagi," Kiyoko smiled.

Yachi nodded in agreement, the young blonde's eyes shining with admiration.

"Thank you, Kiyoko-senpai, Hitoka-chan," Ai said, relinquishing the volleyball notebooks and equipment under their care.

As much as Karasuno wanted to stay to watch the famous Vorpal Swords game that had the basketball sports community buzzing with anticipation, it would be too much of a hassle to call the students' parents and gain permission to extend the Tokyo trip. Takeda-sensei and Coach Ukai agreed that this was the better choice.

And so, after their goodbyes, Ai was left behind by the Karasuno team as they returned to Miyagi. She waved them off with Kuroo, Kenma, and a few others out of the Nekoma parking lot.

"So, what now, Chii?" Kuroo asked once the bus was out of sight.

"I suppose I'll take my things to Seijuro's house."

"You could come to my place." He grinned playfully.

Ai laughed. "Although your house next to Kenma's sounds lovely," she threw a smile at the setter next to them, "I'll humbly decline your offer."

Taking out her phone, she called Akashi privately, waiting a few seconds before he picked up. They only needed to speak a bit, and he agreed to send a car to pick her up while he practiced at the Aida Gym's borrowed gymnasium a little more.

Inuoka and Shibayama whispered about her not talking in English this time, which earned curious questions from Taketora.

.

It didn't take long at all for one of Akashi's chauffeurs to arrive, driving a shiny black car. It wasn't a limousine; just a common vehicle, per Ai's request.

After saying goodbye to the Tokyo team, she got into her ride. Of course, everyone from Nekoma came to see her off, plus Bokuto and Akaashi. They promised to see each other at the stadium tomorrow. Waving back from behind the closed door, the driver started the car and she left the volleyball school.

.

Staring out the window and watching the city street blur by, Ai coincidentally saw Kuroko and Coach Kagetora running on the sidewalk. They were driving down a street in Roppongi and weaving through traffic. Her eyes followed them, and she saw the two entering a club of some sort. Ai quickly asked the driver to stop the car and got out. Her baggage would be delivered to the villa without her.

Ai entered the building and tailed the two to a private lounge area where people drank glasses of amber-colored brandy. She waved off the attendants who tried to help her, thanking them and saying that she knew where she was going.

The men entered a shiny room, with colored lights reflecting off of the tiles like clouded crystals. The set of double doors were wide open. Peeking in, she saw the members of the American team Jabberwock sitting back on the couch around a cluttered table. Deciding to watch things play out for a bit, Ai noticed how Kuroko's appearance seemed to surprise Kagetora.

He confronted the foreign players about their rude comments; people shouldn't need a qualification to play basketball. Kuroko didn't need courage or bravery to disagree with them, just like the time when he had caught delinquents in a street basketball court with Kise and Kagami last year. One thing led to another, and the shadow got kicked in the stomach by their gold-haired leader.

"Stop," she called, stepping up to them. Ai crouched down beside Kuroko as he held his abdomen in pain.

"A-...Akatsuki-san?" He grunted and grimaced. "Why... are you here?"

"You, too?!" Kagetora exclaimed in shock.

She glared up at Nash's green eyes and stood. "How pathetic, resorting to violence. Do not harm my player."

Nash and his guys laughed and cheered.

"English, huh? Looks like the women here aren't as disappointing as these monkeys."

Ai carefully approached him and Silver, who stood on the captain's left. "We'll see," she smirked, her fuchsia eyes sparkling under the lights. Ai strode towards him, strutting with confidence. Internally, she hoped Nash wouldn't see through her ruse. Just by looking at them, they were all much bigger than her, with power like Murasakibara and brawn that she, unfortunately, couldn't stand up against. Her strength would be no match for these tall, muscular guys. Distract them, Ai thought.

"But..." Nash pushed her aside into the biggest guy of them all with silver hair, and he grabbed Kuroko's collar harshly. "I can't let him off that easily."

Silver caught hold of her arms, retaining her from running away. Kuroko had looked like a child when he stood next to him, coming up inches below the opponent center player. Compared to him, Ai was far shorter; the top of her head barely reached Silver's huge chest.

Ai struggled to free herself from his grip, trying to elbow him in the gut, but he didn't budge, as solid as a towering cliff. His large hands felt rough and foreign on her skin. She had only met Silver for the first time, and she didn't trust him enough to touch her. It was sickening, making her hold back a shiver, and it gave her goosebumps.

"Let her go," Aomine's deep voice reverberated, dripping with threat.

Just then, the rest of the guys had arrived, with Kagami throwing a punch at Nash. He and Aomine took a fighting stance while the blond captain backed away.

Ai took the opportunity to wrench herself free while Silver was preoccupied with the unexpected company. When she met his eyes, Ai had never seen Akashi look so infuriated before. He had a death glare for the American guys, if she ever saw one.

"What the hell do you think you're doing to our teammate and manager?" Aomine growled.

Kagami, being the closest one to her, grabbed her wrist and pulled her behind him protectively. She landed in Murasakibara's arms.

Her boyfriend looked her over, searching for any sign of pain, and asked her if she was hurt with his burning gaze. She gave him a slight shake of her head.

When Silver didn't back down, Kagami balled his hand into shaking fists. However, Akashi stepped up and gave the order to stop. Knowing Kuroko, the baby blue-haired athlete would want to beat them in basketball rather than fisticuffs.

Akashi gave the order to retreat for the night. "Let's go, Ai." He drew her to his side.

Aomine and Kagami bit back objections as Coach Kagetora sighed. Tending Kuroko's injury was the priority. They left without any more physical violence, and Kise helped Kuroko to his feet.

Silver laughed at them, the disrespectful team continuing their taunting.

"Shut up, you scum," Akashi responded to Silver's insults. He grasped Ai protectively, his grip on her waist tightening almost painfully. "You guys just be ready to lose. We are gonna mop the floor with you tomorrow."

.

Outside the club, Akashi didn't say a word to her. He only held her hand as they walked, leading the way. He entwined their fingers and gripped hard, as if to make sure she couldn't slip away.

However, Ai knew what he was thinking. She would just have to explain when they went back to his mansion. For now, the team headed back to the gymnasium for a place to take a closer look at Kuroko's injury. The guys trudged through the streets as a group. Kagetora followed from somewhere behind them.

Aomine sighed and broke the silence. "You okay, Akatsuki?"

"Did they do anything to you, too?" Kise worried, still supporting Kuroko with an arm around his shoulder.

"No. I'm okay." She squeezed her boyfriend's frustrated hand. "And, thank you for pulling me away back there, Taiga."

"Sure," Kagami grumbled, his mind somewhere else.

"Tsuki-chin, want me to carry you? I can give you a piggyback ride."

"I'm fine, Atsu-kun, really." Ai glanced back at Seirin's Number 11. "How are you, Kuroko-kun?"

"A little better." He was less hunched over now and could walk without staggering as much.

A silence fell over them again as they crossed streets and shared the sidewalk with other pedestrians.

The shooting guard sighed. "Since no one else is going to say it, I will." Midorima turned to her while they walked. "Akatsuki, did you mean it?"

"Mean what, Shintarō-kun?" she said softly, her mind filled and tired with thinking about so many other things.

"What you said at the burger shop. Is Karasuno your new team?"

Her mouth dropped open and she met his gaze. She didn't expect her small wording would plague their minds for the days since she last met with them. "They have been since last year," she answered in a gentle voice, but she was only stating facts. "But, of course you'll always be my team. All of you, always."

They all watched her reach her left hand out to touch Midorima's arm. Ai's right one remained snugly in her boyfriend's grasp. The guys relaxed their shoulders a bit, the small piece of tension leaving their bodies and minds.

The tall, green-haired team member chuckled once through his nose.

It was the confirmation they needed and were glad to have.

Author's Note:

I had a lot more planned for this chapter, but I couldn't finish it on time... Hopefully, I'll get it done asap and update!

(I got caught up reading "Red Queen" by Victoria Aveyard. I'll work on writing before I start reading the second book of that series haha...)

Total Word Count: 2515