Hello!
Welcome to the last episode of the Second Season! :)
(I'll update next week with OVA 2, but please see the author's note at the end for more information.)
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Thank you so much for reading and voting and commenting!!!
(Tomorrow is Akashi's birthday!! Let's celebrate by reading up on his character
https/kurokonobasuke./wiki/Seijūrō_Akashi )
A spot-on toss from Kageyama, followed by Hinata's spike. A triple block by Iwaizumi, Kindaichi, and Kyōtani. A failed receive from Oikawa.
26-24, Karasuno.
Yachi and Saeko hugged each other in glee while the two other adults cheered for the high school team.
Ai finished writing the last detail in her notes, and then retrieved her phone from Yachi. This had definitely not been an ordinary prefectural qualifier match. The level of the game was too intense. The manager was glad that she'd gotten at least part of it on camera.
"We did it, Ai-senpai!" Yachi beamed.
"I know," she said quietly, watching the court still.
Shimada paused cheering for a second and wondered, How can she stay so calm? The grocery store clerk turned to his right. "Takinoue, are you crying?"
"I'm not! Shut up!" the blond retorted with a sniffle.
Hanamaki seemed especially disappointed at the result of the game, and Kyōtani kept his head down, too. The third-year players of Karasuno — Sugawara, Asahi, and Daichi — smiled and looked happy while walking to the edge of the court together.
The two starting setters from Kitagawa Daiichi glared at one another through the net for a moment and exchanged a few words. They turned around sharply to line up as well.
Coach Ukai and Takeda-sensei were proud of the team's accomplishment. Even Kiyoko was getting teary-eyed, standing in front of the bench.
The captains shook hands with the referees, and Daichi and Ai noticed the change in Oikawa's usual light mood. They got quick feedback from the opposite coaches and bowed to thank the audience in the stands. The disheartened third-years slapped Iwaizumi's back, who stood crying.
This wasn't like their third round of Interhigh. Kageyama trusted his teammates more now, not just his freak-quick partner, Hinata.
And, it looked like Oikawa was able to predict where the small No. 10 was going to hit. If the ball hadn't been caught by the block, changing its course, he might have picked it up.
On the court, she saw Nishinoya and Hinata run and jump into their team circle. Like dominoes, everyone fell down. Some laughed, some yelled at their stupidity.
Aoba Johsai's second-years watched the scene, burning the picture to their memories. They were frustrated to lose, but they'd be back next year to return the favor.
.
Ai took her time going downstairs from the upstairs bleachers.
As she walked down the halls alone, she saw two people coming from the opposite direction.
Kindaichi glanced up and did a double-take, looking behind him. Ai noticed that the corners of his eyes were a little red from crying.
"Kageyama went the other way," Kunimi told her.
She nodded. "Thank you, Akira."
Ai walked up to the two silent first-years who stood with tangled feelings of defeat. Gently, she shook hands with each of them. "I look forward to seeing you again, Yūtarō, Akira."
Neither of them met her eyes. It was understandable.
Her voice was soft and relayed her sincerity. "Give my best to the second-years for me. I'd love to talk with them sometime."
The next occasion would most likely be Kyōtani's birthday in mid-December. The only thing was that she didn't know Kyōtani, Yahaba, or Watari's personal contact information.
The first-years pursed their lips. Kageyama's manager was hard to hate.
Nodding to them both, she respectfully took her leave.
.
The younger setter was already with the group when she got to them.
"Ai!" Nishinoya shouted when he noticed her. He ran towards her with his hands raised for high fives.
"Yū." She ignored his intentions and hugged him instead. "Congratulations. I'm so proud of you."
The libero laughed and squeezed her tighter, spinning them around in circles.
When her dear friend let go, she glanced around at the others' faces.
They were grouped up in their own conversations with each other or the adults, but the guys stopped to look at her when Nishinoya's yelling had gotten their attention.
All of them seemed happy to have won, but Hinata was quieter than usual. The orange-haired boy knew that Oikawa had reacted to his last spike.
She smiled at them. "Daichi-san, Asahi-san, Kōshi-senpai, Ryu, Shōyō, Tobio, Kei, Tadashi. All of you were outstanding. Congratulations."
They grinned back and voiced various replies.
"Yeah!"
"Thanks."
"Yes!"
After having chatted with Shimada and Takinoue for a minute, Ukai called everyone to hurry and change so they could head out. However, there was one more thing Ai wanted to do before they left.
.
The matches for today were over, ending with two semifinals, one of which Karasuno had won. The audience and school teams were leaving or had already left. The staff of the tournament were taking down the nets in the big gymnasium. The audience already left, and school teams were just about to leave after changing out of their numbered uniforms.
Speculating where the captain would be, Ai wandered around until she saw Ushijima and Oikawa in conversation by the entrance. Just who she was hoping to find.
The one in turquoise noticed her first as she slowly approached the two, careful to not interrupt. Oikawa finished what he was saying and smiled bitterly at her.
Seeing his change in expression and line of sight, Ushijima turned around. "Akatsuki Ai."
"Ai-chan, what are you doing here?" Oikawa tried to keep a light and friendly tone.
She froze still for a millisecond and then curtsied a little before the Great King and Eagle Ace. "Ushijima-san, Tōru-san."
"Do you need something?" Ushijima asked when she didn't leave.
"I was hoping to speak with Tōru-san, if the two of you are finished with your talk." She looked in between them for any indication of their thoughts.
Oikawa glimpsed at Ushijima before turning his back to them. "A murder of crows may be able to kill even the great white eagle when they flock. Right?"
She and the purple captain both wordlessly stared at his jacket, with AOBA JOHSAI VBC written in English capital letters on the back.
Oikawa let out a chuckle. "C'mon, Miss Raven. Let's walk together."
Ai followed Oikawa as he started walking, stopping briefly to bow to Shiratorizawa's third-year. "Until tomorrow, Ushijima-san."
He didn't particularly respond, so she hurriedly caught up to the setter in the white and aqua jersey. Watching his strong back gave off the undeniable aura of a reliable captain, even though his height was a bit shorter than Asahi or Kuroo.
Seijoh's official setter spoke to her when he heard her footsteps behind him. "Sorry to bring you along! I have to get everyone together before the bus leaves." Oikawa smiled back at her.
"Please think nothing of it. Thank you for seeing me."
They turned the corner to another hallway, towards the restrooms.
She halted in her tracks, getting to the point. "Tōru-san."
"Hm?" He stopped as well and looked back to see why she wasn't following him anymore.
She hesitantly closed their distance, keeping her gaze downwards. She felt his eyes watch her as she reached out tentatively for his arm. When he didn't object, she gripped the sleeve of his jacket.
"What's up, Ai-chan?" Oikawa asked softly when she kept quiet.
"Your school colors are very similar to the ones I had in junior high. I was a manager of their very strong basketball team."
"Hmm," he mused. "I didn't know you did basketball."
She grimaced a little, and her grip involuntarily got a little tighter. "I used to feel ashamed whenever I saw these colors. But now, I miss them so much."
Akashi had gone to Rakuzan and still wore the same colors.
Perhaps she should have studied more and applied for Aoba Johsai Private High School.
Ai shut down the idea immediately. If she hadn't gone to Karasuno, like Kageyama, she probably wouldn't have changed. She probably would have stuck with the apathetic personality, and she wouldn't have become the person she was now.
Oikawa let her have a moment to compose herself, then became more serious. "And? That's not all you wanted to tell me, is it?"
"No." She looked up at him and his eyes, which were brown like his hair color. She let go of his sleeve, knowing it was rude of her to impose physical contact.
"You remind me of another captain, a stupendously intelligent one. But, I believe you're more compassionate and thoughtful of your team than he was before. You're just and fair as you lead your army, bringing out the best from your teammates with the perfect tosses and passes..."
Her lips turned up a bit. "Thank you for the advice you gave Tobio in the summer. I was cold to you before, and I'm sorry. I would love for us to be sincere friends." She gave him a folded piece of paper.
Oikawa took it and opened the note, reading what was written inside. It was a phone number.
"It's my contact information. I hope that my status as a student of Karasuno or my being a year younger than you won't strain our relationship."
The third-year captain smiled and pocketed his small parting gift. "Is that a love confession?"
Her smile became apologetic. "No. But I'm sure you have many others who fawn over you."
"Ah, so you're not single?" he teased, smirking.
"No," Ai replied affectionately. "But, you resemble him."
Oikawa laughed. "I can't choose if that's good or bad!" He smiled. "Fine, we'll be friends. But, I'm not sharing you with Iwa-chan!" He gave her a hug, leaning down in the process. He had strong arms but a gentle touch.
Ai smiled a little, but didn't respond. She'd let them figure that out between them.
Pulling back, he stood apart from her again. "I guess you were the reason Tobio changed so much," he murmured, looking her over. Every touch, every action of hers seemed to be for the sake and benefit of others.
"One of them, I hope. To be honest, I wasn't very different from him last year, when I didn't know what it truly meant to be a team," she admitted. "I'd wager you knew more about that than us combined."
"Of course I do!" his ego exclaimed proudly. "But, we all have to learn it from someone."
Ai nodded. Then, she took his hand and brought it to her lips.
He blushed as kissed the back of his hand with respect.
"Your Great Majesty," she greeted, taking Hinata's nickname of the Great King. "Please give my best to Hajime-san."
She turned to leave.
"Ai-chan."
She turned back. "Yes?"
Oikawa had a straight face as he made a promise. "See you again."
Ai didn't doubt his words one bit. As long as she continued to be involved with the sport, they'd certainly meet again.
"Tōru-san," she bowed and went to the bus outside.
.
As she went back to her team, she reminisced of the two short years when she wore Teikō's colors.
She was the last one to get on the bus, after having taken a picture of the bulletin board outside. The two sheets of paper described the matches for the next day.
Finals: Karasuno vs Shiratorizawa, at Sendai City Gymnasium, 11am.
Finals: Sei Domingo vs Niiyama Girls', at Sendai City Gymnasium, 2pm (scheduled).
.
While Takeda-sensei drove, the kids fell fast asleep on the ride back to school. Kiyoko and Yachi sat together up in the front, so Ai took a seat in the very back; she liked that she could oversee how everyone was doing and keep them out of trouble.
Nishinoya and Tanaka snored lightly on her right. Placing her bag on the floor between her feet, she observed as every last one of the players slept after the full-set match. Allowing herself to relax as well, she leaned comfortably against Narita.
.
Back at school, they tiredly stumbled out of the school bus. Waking them up to see them so sleepy broke her heart. However, as much as she wanted them to get their rest, they couldn't sleep on the bus all evening.
Upon arrival back at their school, the coach told the team to get their stuff and go straight to the gymnasium for a meeting. However, Michimiya and her two friends from the girl's volleyball team came out. Many of the students and teachers, including the English teacher Ono-sensei, had also stayed, and they cheered from the windows.
Getting permission to watch the news on the staff room tv, the team surrounded the screen, just in time for M-STA Miyagi.
"Good day-evening," the announcer said through the speakers.
"Good day-evening," a few of the boys repeated in chorus.
Ai couldn't help her giggle softly at their cuteness.
The program played recorded Seijoh and an interview of Oikawa, featuring very little of the crow team in the semifinals, much to Tanaka and Nishinoya's annoyance.
They soon introduced Karasuno's opponent for the next day, Shiratorizawa. They had three consecutive wins of this very tournament, and they had a cover player who was a nineteen-and-under Japan representative; the one and only Ushijima Wakatoshi.
The game that day with Shiratorizawa versus Kesenuma Nishi High School was also mentioned. An effortless victory of 25-20 and 25-21.
With grim expressions, the volleyball team traveled to their gymnasium for a meeting.
Aoba Johsai had never won ever since Ushijima had joined the school of white eagles, not even with Oikawa, which said something by itself. They were called the "Absolute Champions".
On the last note, Ai stood in front of them.
"Please get plenty of rest tonight. It overrules my homework to you." She grinned. "The stronger one doesn't win. The one who wins is strong. Karasuno has a chance to win against Shiratorizawa. They are not 'Absolute Champions'. If anyone is, it's the Generation of Miracles, and they play basketball, not volleyball."
Twelve faces smirked back up at her.
"Okay, dismissed!" Daichi called.
They turned out the lights and made their way towards their respective locker rooms.
"Ai!" Nishinoya called before she went off to the girls changing room. "We're gonna go to Tokyo this year! I know it!" The libero grinned, throwing an arm around her shoulders.
"Yeah! We'll show them who's boss!" Tanaka seconded.
"We've already gone to Tokyo twice for the training camps Nekoma hosted," Ennoshita piped.
Kinoshita laughed, and Narita smiled.
Ai simply wrapped her arm around Nishinoya's torso in return and squeezed. "I'll look forward to it."
.
After wearing her school uniform again and feeling relieved to discard the uncomfortable pants, she went to the boy's club room upstairs. Passing by the gymnasium, she saw the bright lights on once again and heard voices that belonged to Hinata, Kageyama, and Yachi.
"If I hadn't become a manager, I wouldn't have been able to watch today's matches and feel so excited and flustered, or be so happy when you won, and my heart wouldn't have felt so passionately warm. If I hadn't been here, I would have never had that experience. So, thank you," the youngest manager was saying.
Ai smiled when she overheard it. She was glad that her junior felt that way. Honestly, she couldn't ask for more.
Continuing on her way to the club room, she climbed the steps and knocked on the closed door three times.
"That must be Ai," a muffled voice from Ennoshita said.
"Wow, she's fast!" Tanaka exclaimed.
"It's because you're too slow and lazy," Sugawara laughed.
"Hurry up, guys!" the captain urged.
A minute later, Kinoshita popped the door open for her. "Sorry to keep you waiting."
She chuckled and put her phone away. "Thank you, Hisashi. I don't mind." She entered the room. "Excuse me."
Taking off her shoes, she stepped onto the tatami mat with her right foot first and walked with ease. She was learning Urasenke as opposed to Omotesenke, which were the two types of styles for sadō.
"Daichi-san, may I offer you bruising cream for your cheek?"
He stopped in his packing and nodded. "Oh, yeah. I forgot we had that. Thanks."
She handed him the small container and passed along her hand mirror as well. He should probably see a neurologist, she thought. And an orthodontist.
"Having a hand mirror on you is so thoughtful," Sugawara said.
"Yeah. You'll make a great spouse one day," Asahi awed.
Ai simply shrugged. "Ryu, you were excellent today. Let me give you a massage."
"Hell yeah!" Tanaka sat down in the middle of the room with his back to her.
"Oh! Me next!" Nishinoya waved his hand for her attention.
"We'll be going now. Good night," Tsukishima mumbled, getting his shoes on.
"Good night," Yamaguchi echoed.
Ai quickly stepped over to the door before they left. She was a bit taller than usual as she touched their forearms and saw them off, thanks to the raised floor. "Good night, Kei, Tadashi. You were both remarkable today. Rest well."
Yamaguchi smiled shyly, remembering his proud serves, while Tsukishima reflected on his strategizing against Kyōtani.
There was a chorus of goodnights and good jobs as the remaining first-years went home.
She gave a few massages before she and the captain decided that it was late and they should all go home.
.
Ai walked home with Ennoshita that night. Both were quiet, but they were relieved to be in each other's company.
"Chikara," Ai said when she was about to branch off to her street.
"Hm?" He had a slight smile on his face.
She tugged on his sleeve to make him stop walking and went around to stand in front of him. She couldn't have given him enough admiration for stepping up as the captain's substitute even if she wanted to. Not to mention how he looked out for Yamaguchi as someone who'd also been through a spineless phase. "You were amazing today. I mean it."
He started to blush, but then smiled. "Thanks, Ai."
They said goodbye and parted ways for the night.
As she walked the rest of the way to her house by herself, Ai finally took out her phone. Her boyfriend answered almost instantly.
"Ai. How was your day?"
"Seijuro, it was…" she inhaled a breath, "incredible. Both games were such amazing matches." She smiled. "And, we made it to the finals. It starts tomorrow morning."
Akashi breathed a silent sigh, and his tone of voice got lighter after she eased his worries. "Congratulations. I'm glad you got more than victory from your matches today."
She nodded, but bit her lip. "I just hope we don't have any more accidents. I'd knock on wood right now if I could."
"Did something happen?"
"Two of the players had a collision in our earlier game today. They're fine now, but I'm still a little worried for the captain for hitting his head." She sighed and looked up at the dark October sky as she walked. "Seijuro, I know you're hardly reckless, but please be careful during your practices, too. I'd hate for you to get hurt, even if it's inevitable sometimes…"
Akashi hummed. "Yeah. Thanks for the reminder. I hope your captain will be alright."
Ai agreed into the phone.
"Who is your opponent tomorrow?"
"Shiratorizawa Academy."
A name he'd heard of before. "I wish you the best, Ai."
She smiled, and wished she was there beside him. "I miss you."
"Winter break is just around the corner. We'll meet then," he said.
She huffed a sigh, smirking. "Two more months. I guess I'll keep myself busy with the clubs and the start of the holidays before then. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas... The three big events in consecutive months."
Her boyfriend chuckled. "I can't wait to see you again, too." Just as Akashi said this, he couldn't help but start to think of the future.
Will they really have to endure another year of going to separate high schools? Wouldn't they be able to see each other every day if they went to the same school?
They most likely wouldn't leave their current high schools until they graduate, but could they attend the same university for college? What paths lied ahead of them that they could take together?
It was something they'd have to have a long, thoughtful conversation about.
"Seijuro?"
"Hm?" He pushed the thought away for now. "What is it?"
"Will you call me again tomorrow? I think I'll be free in the evening. The tournament should be over in the afternoon."
"I'll call you. I promise." Akashi made a mental note to himself. No matter what else he had planned, he'd definitely call her. "Good night. Sleep well."
"Thank you. You too, Seijuro."
They stayed on the line quietly for a few more seconds, enjoying the invisible connection from the electronic device. Akashi waited for her to hang up.
Author's Note:
End of Season 2…
Next week will be a chapter for OVA 2!
It takes place during final exams before summer, so it'll be like a flashback chapter.
After that, I'm going to take a little break.
I'll be editing past chapters and posting them onto different forums. I also really want to make drafts of Season 3's ten episodes before I start publishing again.
I know I've skipped the 16 birthdays, so I will write those too (from Ushijima and Aone's to Kenma's). Check the end of chapter 2.14 Growing Fast part one for the specific dates!
To put it differently, I will still keep updating during the three months of taking a break; they just won't be episode chapters. The birthdays will be pretty short, depending on the character. I may add new scenes in previous chapters, but that will all be listed when I start season 3.
And I will always be writing!
I'll be active here on FFN, and over on Wattpad and Archive Of Our Own!
Meanwhile, I also kind of have a Tumblr account with the url below:
https/loveai2./
.
I mentioned this before in my long Author's Note at the end of chapter 2.17, but to recap what I said, I have a few ideas for the timeskip epilogue (some of which I admit that I have gone ahead of myself and wrote a bit of, lol). But, I'm waiting for the anime Haikyuu's season 5 (fingers crossed that it'll be soon! I can't wait ).
However, I may do some extras and publish those!! (I may copy them all into a separate book if you'd like to see that?) I'll also keep editing and editing and editing all of the previous chapters.
I originally started writing this whole thing because I found the first two seasons of Haikyuu on Netflix and also rewatched all of Kuroko no Basket.
I've also watched seasons 3 and 4 of the volleyball anime, but I haven't written them yet. But, that being said, I do have a few ideas for both seasons with both fandoms; I just don't have an exact date of publishing.
I want to continue this story as much as possible, including finishing up the Haikyuu nationals arc, year 3 at Karasuno, and Akashi and Ai's future. However, I really need to read the manga before I publish anything, but I kind of want to wait for the anime…
(We'll cross that bridge when we get there. Seasons 3 and 4 are first!)
I also still haven't read the manga that finished December 2020 — eternal thanks to Furudate-sensei for all of his hard work — because I'd rather read it in the original language, but my kanji skills are, unfortunately, very much like Kagami, Hinata, and Kageyama's. (Aka very bad. Lol)
But, I am Japanese and I speak it, so if you ever need anything regarding that, feel free to ask or comment! I'll also probably be up-to-date on the official news for the two anime (and possibly others), as they release it in Japan. (Follow their Twitter accounts! That's how I get my news haha.)
So, thank you so much for going on this journey with me and Akatsuki Ai, and I'll hopefully see you again if you're still into Haikyuu and KnB when I start publishing again! Until then, your votes are much appreciated, and please feel free to comment or send me a chat!!
I think the publishing date for 3.1 Greetings will be August 21, 2022.
(I also have an idea for a Haikyuu x OC story, but I want to work on this story first.)
I'll probably make some extras about the characters, and stay tuned for the OVA 2 vs. Failing Grades next week!!
Love you all, and many thanks for being so wonderful!!!
Question:
Which is your favorite opening/ending for Haikyuu and/or KnB?
Total Word Count: 4314