Author's Note:
Oh my gosh, life can be so busy sometimes! I'm so sorry for not updating. I'll be honest, I only wrote here and there in my list of drafts for the past few months and barely worked on this particular chapter. But, my plans for this story still stand! I have to say, though, these birthday chapters were really kicking my butt haha. I think it's because I don't have a substantial image in my head of what each chapter will be about. (Feel free to give me ideas of what I should do or write about! 😊) While I had writer's block with the birthday chapters, I worked on fixing and writing some other chapters, both published and not yet published!
Anyway, thank you to old and new readers for sticking with me! Your comments and votes/(anonymous) reactions really help, too! Love you all!
Fukurōdani Academy:
Head Coach - Yamiji Takeyuki
Coach - Takizawa Yoshifumi
Manager - Suzumeda Kaori - 3
Manager - Shirofuku Yukie - 3
#2 Washio Tatsuki - 3 - MB
#3 Sarukui Yamato - 3 - WS / Outside Hitter
#4 Bokuto Kōtarō (Captain & Ace) - 3 - WS / Outside Hitter
#5 Akaashi Keiji (Vice-Captain) - 2 - S
#7 Konoha Akinori - 3 - WS / Opposite Hitter
#10 Anahori Shūichi - 1 - S
#11 Komi Haruki - 3 - Li
#12 Onaga Wataru - 1 - MB
About a week earlier...
Ai-san: Hello Keiji-kun, I hope the second trimester's going well for you. I sent a package to your school for Kōtarō-san's birthday today. It's addressed to your managers, but I wanted to let you know, too.
The ping from his phone drew the setter to check the device. A soft smile spread across Akaashi's face once he saw who had texted.
Keiji: Hi Ai-san. Thanks. You didn't have to do that for us. I'll let them know. How are you doing lately?
He relaxed in the seat of the train while other students with Fukurōdani uniforms and people commuting to work in suits had to stand in the aisle. The morning train ride was always packed with students on their way to school early for club practice or people with black office bags. Being a punctual person, Akaashi usually secured a seat in the less crowded cars of the train and read a book.
Ai-san: I'm doing well. Our culture festival's coming up, so I'm busy going between my class and the clubs. The team and I are doing a yakisoba stand, and my class with Chikara and Kazuhito is hosting a planetarium. How are you doing?
Keiji: I'm doing good, too. Those sound like great ideas. The food stand seems tough to organize, though.
Ai-san: I know it'll be hectic, but either Kiyoko-senpai or Hitoka-chan will be there most of the time, and we have a handful of guys who I can trust with the cooking.
Keiji: Good luck with it. Hope it's a success. Our club might do a shooting game for our school's festival next month.
Ai-san: That does sound fun. I can imagine Kōtarō-san having a blast with it.
Keiji: It was his and Konoha-san's idea. I think it'll be simple enough. It's mostly just giving out prizes for successful hits on targets.
Ai-san: I can't wait to hear all about it. I'm picking up rumors about a final group training camp in October, too.
Keiji: We might have that at Nekoma. I think Kuroo-san would know more about it. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Ai-san: Same here. Tell Yukie-san and Kaori-san to contact me if they need anything? And of course, that extends to you, too.
Keiji: Will do. Thanks, Ai-san.
.
When he got to school, Akaashi told the third-year owl managers about his texts from earlier. As he was talking, the smile on the setter's face garnered attention from Konoha and Sarukui. The two thought he was getting the girls' advice on a crush he secretly had on someone, but it was only about the birthday package for their captain from his friend in Miyagi.
"I still can't get over how you joked about being her love affair," Konoha barely laughed as they stretched in the gymnasium.
"Yeah. Wasn't it a little uncharacteristic of you?" Komi wondered.
"Plus, that boyfriend of hers seemed really intimidating at the barbecue. Like, the way he carried himself was so regal."
"Imperial," Sarukui added, agreeing to Konoha.
"Exactly."
"I think she said he has an Emperor Eye, whatever that means. I was standing near Nekoma when they played basketball at Shinzen. Boy, I never would've thought she'd have them play a basketball game at a volleyball training camp." The libero laughed. "It was pretty cool, though."
"I WANT A COOL SKILL NAME LIKE THAT, TOO!" Bokuto bounded over to them energetically.
Konoha rested a hand on his hip with a knowing smile. "I thought you'd say that, Bokuto."
"It won't hurt to brainstorm ideas, Bokuto-san," Akaashi replied. Later, this would become the next entry in Akaashi's Bokuto Prediction Journal.
—
September 18
(Tuesday)
"Shirofuku, Suzumeda. I believe this is for you ladies." Coach Takizawa brought a cardboard box with a shipping label to the gymnasium.
Yukie and Kaori immediately knew what it was and thanked the coach for bringing it from the faculty office.
"We've got it from here. Thank you, Coach." Kaori carried the box and placed it next to the managers' bags along the wall. "It's not too heavy," she noted.
"That's good. We can probably keep it in the girls' locker room until then. Or, if it takes up too much space for the other girls, we can store it in the club room and tell Akaashi and Washio to keep an eye on it," Yukie suggested.
The manager with a high ponytail nodded. "Sounds good. I'll let Akaashi know that it's here."
.
Keiji: We got the box today. We'll give it to him on his birthday.
Ai-san: I'm glad it got to you. Thank you, Keiji-kun.
Keiji: Should I know what's inside of it?
Ai-san: It's mostly party goods and goodies; nothing perishable. You can store it in your club room or anywhere you'd like. If you and your team are planning on having a party, I think they'll be useful.
Keiji: That's great. We'll use them for sure. Thanks again, Ai-san.
Ai-san: You're very welcome. My best to the Fukurōdani team.
—
September 20
(Thursday)
"Don't you guys have something to tell me?" Bokuto looked to his fellow club members expectantly as they walked to morning practice after changing their clothes. He pointed his shining eyes of anticipation towards his friends, like a child awaiting a compliment on an art project.
"Oh yeah..." Konoha replied casually. "Have you heard about the new special menu at that one cafe?"
Bokuto, who was prepared to hear the phrase of the day, changed from perking up hopefully to being perplexed. It wasn't the sentence the ace was hoping for. "Huh?"
"Ham and cheese sandwiches there are good," Sarukui followed along.
"Halloween's coming up soon." Komi leisurely walked with his hands hooked behind his head. The holiday the libero spoke of was still over a month away.
Onaga had been trying to fake a nonchalant smile since they'd left the club room.
"Happens to be on a Wednesday this year," Akaashi said.
"Hat tricks would be a nice party event," Washio thought aloud.
Since no one was about to say the thing he was waiting to hear, the dubbed "youngest sibling" of the Fukurōdani volleyball family was about to start sulking. However, the group knew how Bokuto was, and they decided that they'd teased him long enough.
"Happy birthday," they said happily in unison as they reached the gymnasium.
The ace visibly brightened instantly from his sullen look. "Aw, thanks, guys!" He laughed care-freely as if he wasn't just about to go into "Emo Mode". "I thought you guys forgot about my birthday!"
"How could we when you spent all day yesterday nagging us about it?" Konoha joked. He opened the door first, and they went inside to be greeted by the two managers and a handful of other Fukurōdani club members.
"Happy birthday, Bokuto!"
"Happy birthday, captain!" they cheered and whooped.
The ace got the brightest smile at the small surprise. "Wow! Thanks, everybody!"
They joked around laughing for a bit while the managers brought over the package for the ace to open.
"There's a box for you to open before you start warmups," Yukie said.
"Really?! A box?! I can open it now?"
The team rarely saw the captain look this excited for things other than volleyball. Bokuto crouched in front of the cardboard box that had magically appeared in time for his special day.
Open on the morning of September 20th, it said on the side of the package.
Without an ounce of hesitation, Bokuto tore the tape off and opened the flaps of the box like a kiddo on Christmas. Inside were various party goods like banners, party hats, and party poppers, just like she had told the vice captain.
"Wow! Look, guys!" Bokuto beamed at the people nearest to him.
The starting team crowded around the ace to see what was inside the box they'd kept hidden for two long days. They smiled and were awed as Bokuto took out baggie after baggie of vibrant colorful party goods.
And, of course, there was an envelope with his name in cursive that he discovered in the box as well.
Bokuto squinted at the handwriting on the front. "Does... that say my name, do you think, Akaashi?"
"Yes. It's English with cursive lettering."
He held the letter away from him with extended arms, staring at it with wide eyes like it was an alien object. "I-is this from a foreign person?"
"You have friends in other countries, Bokuto?" Konoha asked half-jokingly.
"Just open it. You'll see," the setter encouraged.
Dear Kōtarō-san,
I hope you and your team are doing well. The training camps were so fun this year. Thank you for inviting us to your group of schools.
Please take care not to catch a cold this start of fall.
Happy 18th birthday. I hope you have the most wonderful year.
Sincerely,
Akatsuki Ai
Apparently, Bokuto hadn't realized who the box was from until he read what was inside of the handmade card. "Wow! It's a present from Ai-chan, Akaashi!" he exclaimed.
"Yes, Bokuto-san. She sent it to us from Miyagi," Akaashi replied.
"That's amazing! I have to tell her thanks!"
"We can call her after school if you'd like."
"Yeah! That'd be awesome!" Bokuto went back to admiring the contents of his gift.
"Don't take everything out and make a mess. We're going to bring it to the club room and put up the decorations in there, so we can have a party after school," Kaori explained.
"Ohh, that's a good idea." Konoha grinned. "Well, I guess we should wait until after classes to celebrate big, Bokuto."
"Aww, I want to celebrate now..." he moped, gazing at the exciting party goods longingly.
Akaashi stepped in to assist. "We can after school when the managers have prepared everything for you. Why don't we start stretching and I can give my birthday gift to you?"
"What birthday gift?" the distraction worked.
"I'll toss to you however many times as you want today, Bokuto-san."
"Really? Then, what are we waiting for? Let's warm up!" The captain stood and ran over to the open space in the gymnasium and started their stretch routine. "Come on, guys! Let's get started already! We can have a practice game before classes!"
"We're going to get all sweaty even before the day's begun," Komi half laughed as he walked over, stretching his shoulder as he did.
"There's no stopping him now," Sarukui shrugged, and Washio and Onaga followed quietly with a smile.
.
After School
"I'm glad you liked it. Have a wonderful rest of your birthday, Kōtarō-san."
"Thanks, Ai-chan! Today was the best! Tons of people wished me a happy birthday!" He laughed with pure brightness. "Come visit Tokyo again soon!"
"I hope I can. And, thank you, too, Keiji-kun. For helping me organize this."
Akaashi retracted his phone after letting Bokuto speak into it for a while. "No problem. Thanks for everything, Ai-san."
"I'll talk to you soon."
Beep.
That day, the Fukurōdani volleyball team members celebrated before and after after-school practice. Bokuto, being the positive beam of sociability, was told "Happy birthday" more times than he could count and from nearly every person at school. Kuroo texted him a happy birthday, too, as fellow captains of their schools' volleyball teams and with a usual instigating remark.
After Coach Yamiji ended practice, Akaashi and a few middle blockers stuck around for Bokuto's extra spike practice. After that, they had a blast with the party goodies Ai had sent. They almost had a few noise complaints from the nearby clubrooms, but only a few people were lingering at school that evening. They stayed in the clubroom until the security person told them the school was closed and they had to go home. It was safe to say that the ace of Fukurōdani had a wonderful birthday with his teammates.
Author's Note:
I'll get to writing about sports day! Hopefully for both Karasuno and Teikō. 😊
Sometimes, I think I exaggerate Bokuto's personality, but when I rewatch his scenes, I feel like it might be accurate lol.
Another Author's Note:
Also, I visited Akashi's house! (Or what Akashi's house was modeled after!) I got a tour of the place and took a bunch of pictures that I'll share with you all. 😊
If you didn't know, Akashi's mansion is modeled after the Kyu-Ishikawa-gumi Seishi Seiyoukan (translating to the Old Ishikawa Group Silk Production's Western-Style Mansion 旧石川組製糸西洋館) in Saitama prefecture. (Funnily enough, it's the same prefecture that Karasuno did their summer training camp at Shinzen High lol. I think I'll stick with Akashi's house being in Tokyo though, unless anyone has more information about it from the story!)
You can read more about the place here: /2021/08/20/we-take-a-trip-around-the-archetypal-rich-kid-house-from-anime-music-videos-and-movies/
And here: post/169719391392/notes-for-storming-the-castle-chapter-7
They said the mansion was built a hundred years ago. It was a pretty nice-sized house for current Japanese standards, so you can imagine how big and grand it was to people back then. But, when I write about Akashi's house, somehow I imagine him having a bigger place with a sizable yard. Or at least enough space outside to have a yard and for him to play basketball with his mom. So, I might have to just use the Western Mansion as a reference/starting point and make something up on my own.
The layout was really cool, and I'll include as many details about the real mansion as I can in this book, but there were really few bedrooms... (They were just a simple bedroom on the first floor and a fancy guest bedroom upstairs. The rooms were small and, maybe I'm wrong for thinking Akashi lives in a palace or a castle, but I thought he'd have a bigger house than that. Lol) But then again, I guess it is kind of big for Japanese standards.
I might use the manor layout from Devil Butler with Black Cat as a better reference since it might be closer to what I'm thinking. (By the way, this game is SO good and interesting, and I just love the story, so please check it out if you're at all interested! Unfortunately, the game itself is only available in Japanese and Korean, but I think there's a lot of content in English on Tumblr and X (Twitter). It's called Akuma Shitsuji To Kuroi Neko or Akuneko for short! It has Kunimi, Terushima/Koganei, Yamaguchi, and Suna/Sakurai's voice actors! It's kind of like Disney's Twisted Wonderland game, but the story's less chaotic, I think. If you know twst, you'll find Azul, Silver, Sebek, Jack, and Kalim there, too! Isagi from Blue Lock is also in Akuneko😊)
storybrook-and-fruitsbaskets/721626560378093568
Long story short, I'm planning on editing the scenes at Akashi's house a little bit! (I'll do it later though... I've got birthdays to write about and boys to celebrate!) There's so much to rewrite!
Another Another Author's note:
(Last one, I promise!)
Have you all seen the recent movie? I won't say much so I don't spill any spoilers, but I cried all four times I saw it. The soundtrack is super amazing, too! I can't get over it... I could listen to it for hours and still get hyped up lol.
Anyway, I will definitely write about the movie! There's still a long way to go with seasons 3 and 4 before that, but I'm so excited! I hope you are, too!
I have another chapter I'll be posting within the next few days, but I have absolutely no idea when I'll be posting after that... It may be in a week, it might be a month, or it could take me three months😭 All I ask is that you come back from time to time to see if I have anything for you :) I really appreciate all of your messages too, if you feel like writing me one! Hearing y'all say that you want to read more motivates me to write more than anything
Anyway, endless thank yous to all of my patient readers You're the best!
Do Bokuto's older sisters still live with him? Or have they moved out/have families of their own now?
Total Word Count: 3020
(Why do I always write so much?😭 I have to work on making them shorter so I can give you all more frequent updates. )
