"How was your walk?"
The sun had already set when Alexandra arrived in front of Sakanoshita Market and saw Akari seated outside. She wondered why Akari even reached here which almost stumped her initially for not knowing the place where to pick her niece up.
"It seems you have plans to enter Karasuno for high school. Is that why you came here, just to check the school?" Alexandra asked as she looked towards the school on the hill nearby. "But you're not going to graduate any time soon, why the rush?"
Akari just smiled at her inquiry. If only her aunt knew what she was scheming, it--no, those ideas will totally blow her mind.
"At least give me a hint." Alexandra actually stomped a foot at having to beg for an answer after having her curiosity piqued.
Akari was amused at that childish act of her aunt. Seeing Alexandra pouting at her, she finally relented. "I told you I had a plan. I just asked a few people about any available space in the area."
"Why look for a place? Are you planning to move?" Alexandra asked, looking perplexed. "If you are, your aunt will not agree. I bet even those two twirps will be against you moving away."
"Of course not. It's for when I and my cousin enter high school. I want a fort of some sort. For now, it won't be used."
Alexandra did not ask how she had the money to do this, she knew how capable Francesca was, and having met an equally capable partner in Kenji, they most likely left a lot of inheritance for their only child. And for sure, Yumi did not even think of getting a cut out of it so she probably gave it all for Akari to handle.
Alexandra and Yumi initially wanted to wait until Akari reaches legal age to handle her finances but when they asked for Akari''s opinion, she asked to be able to handle a part of it to invest in a certain plan of hers.
It turned out it was to rent a place. But it really is a bit baffling why she chose this place.
"You found one already?" Alexandr looked around to identify which place it was exactly. She instantly rejected this small convenience store since there was clearly an owner using it so this is not open for rent.
Akari grins mischievously. "Of course, I already got myself acquainted with a few grandmas around here."
Alexandra looked impressed. 'You sure have the ability."
"Well, I do have a lot of pending things to accomplish and I was told to stop procrastinating so I figure I should start now. I can't keep letting others wait for me." Akari fixed her now lighter bag since the contents of both containers were all consumed and took the crutches she laid beside her.
Alexandra came over to support Akari as she stood up. "Does that mean–"
"Yes aunt, I'll go with you once summer break starts." Akari finally decided. She looks up at the starry sky and breathes in the night air, smiling contentedly. "It's the best way to catch up, and maybe it won't be that long to overtake them all!"
—
After learning of Akari's decision, the Hinatas were reluctant to send her away after they finally started leaving together. Though they understand that Akari really needed this so the reluctance was only with the parting but for the rest, they give their full support.
With that finally settled, Akari was finally allowed to attend her classes. Shoyo and his trio of friends were the ones who accompanied her when going to school and going back home. They acted like her bodyguards and whenever she saw their serious expressions as they acted their duties, Akari always had to stifle a laugh. She found them adorable but she refrained from telling them that in case they get disheartened.
They even wanted to do that in between classes but during those times, it was Akari's friends in class who wanted to do so instead and even had a bit of a contest on who her knight-in-shining-armor would be. The boys could only complain that the contest is rigged even though the girls say that it was random because every time, only girls won.
So during the entirety of July, Akari found herself always with at least two of her classmates because they want to be her guards in case anyone says anything unpleasant to their girl. But nothing of that sort happened.
What was different was the teachers finding out that Akari is performing far better in class. Some teachers had even become biased and started favoring her. No one complained though because Akari was always willing to help them with lessons they are having a hard time with.
So what if the teachers are biased and always favor her now? She deserves that! Isn't it perfect that now, they have a valid reason and can always interact with and be graced by this 'goddess' of theirs?
Of course, Akari knew what her classmates had always called her but now that they are even vocal and used that to her face, she was both embarrassed and squeamish due to finding it very weird but she can't really do anything so she decided to ignore being termed like that whenever she could.
Alexandra returned to the States since she also has two brats to teach and she has been away for a while. She also needed to prepare everything for Akari's stay but yes, it was mainly just to educate the two brats to be well-behaved when Akari finally comes.
Even though she could still not play, Akari still went to the Volleyball Club to help out after school. This is the time when all her teammates realized the true capabilities of an all-rounder. When the coach leaves, she takes the role of the coach and her teachings were on point too. When drills were conducted, they even experienced the spartan-like training that Akari previously subjected herself to.
They were hard but they truly became better players. She even showed her setting prowess (of course with no jump since she just stood in place while being supported with only one crutch on her left), surprising her partner in the team, the actual setter.
Akari also found time to meet up with the new friends she met. After they learned that she was about to leave, they each gave her all sorts of lucky charms, wishing for her quick recovery. She gives the promise to hang out again or play volleyball to her fellow volleyball enthusiasts and a promise to visit and play with her older generation friends when she's recovered.
After the semester ended, Akari spent a weekend with her aunt and cousins. She again unleashed one of the skills from her past and made a scrumptious dinner for them. The two tangerines fell in love with her baked goods already and now that they were made to taste Akari's cheesecake, they almost begged her to stay just to make that again.
Of course, they were just messing around and the night ended with everyone full and satisfied.
And so, the day of Akari's departure finally arrived.
—
"You did not forget anything?"
It was her Yumi who still felt like Akari might have forgotten something and was becoming restless.
"I'll be fine, Aunty. If I did forget anything, I'll just buy it from there or you can mail it to me." Akari said to pacify her.
"Why did that aunt of yours not come here? Doesn't that mean you'll be alone on this trip? Isn't that a little irresponsible?" Yumi huffed, still not quite convinced that it was okay to let Akari travel on her own, especially since this is her first time.
Akari just smiled while she internally prayed for Alexandra's future when she comes to visit the Hinatas. It was actually her who asked Alex to return since she'll be fine on her own. She has memories of traveling abroad so she did not think it was a big deal. Besides, she needed her aunt to brief the two fellows she'll be interacting with for months over there. After all, she's the same age as them.
Though, the matter that Akari wants to focus on at the moment would be her two cousins. Shoyo and Natsu were strangely quiet, from when they left the house to now standing in the airport.
She can understand Natsu because she is clearly focusing on not breaking down and crying since she's even biting hard on her lower lip to stop herself. But Shoyo…
"Yo-kun?" Akari said as she tugged at Shoyo's hand. Her aunt on the side came to Natsu and carried the little girl who finally could not hold it in anymore and bawled her eyes out.
Shoyo just looks at Akari's hand on his. "Will you be okay?"
"I will," Akari replied, somehow feeling that the question is not about simply her staying someplace else but a question about how she will be even after all the bad things that happened. She may be overthinking but she wanted to think like that since she already has an answer for it. "I'm okay now. I'm just looking forward to the future."
"How long will it take you?" Shoyo finally looks up, clearly in a dismal mood.
"Around a year?" Akari estimated. She knew it all depends on how well she can take the process and on how fast her body can recover fully so she can't really be sure. But seeing Shoyo dispirited and not acting like his bubbly and sunny self, she can't help but add; "But as soon as I am okay, I'll come back. Once I do, let's play volleyball together."
Shoyo finally perks up after hearing this and he shows a wide grin. "Okay, that's a promise!"