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A Growing Connection – Riku and Hana's Day Out
After their private meeting at the café, Riku and Hana's time together continued to feel natural—something neither of them wanted to end too quickly. They began texting more often, sharing snippets of their daily lives, and planning more opportunities to meet in secret.
One particular afternoon, Hana suggested they take a walk through a quiet park on the outskirts of Inarazaki. It was a perfect spot—far from prying eyes, where they could simply enjoy each other's company without interruptions.
"It's nice to have some peace like this," Hana murmured, as they strolled along a winding path lined with cherry blossoms.
Riku glanced at her, his expression soft. "Yeah… I like this. Just being here, with you."
She smiled, tilting her head slightly. "It's rare, isn't it? To have a moment like this… where it feels like time slows down."
Riku nodded slowly. "After everything with Nationals, I wasn't sure I'd get moments like this again. But here we are."
Hana's smile grew, and she reached out to gently touch his arm. "We deserve this—something just for us."
Their conversation continued naturally, easy and filled with laughter—stories from their childhood, dreams of what they wanted to achieve, and even playful teasing about their families. Riku found himself opening up more than he ever had, revealing parts of himself he hadn't shared with anyone else.
---
An Invitation to Join the Team
Back at school, the team had gathered for an informal practice session. The energy was lighter now that they had achieved victory, but still focused on building their strength. Riku, standing by the sidelines, noticed a familiar figure walking toward them—a tall, athletic young man with dark hair tied back, carrying himself with quiet confidence.
"Oi, Riku!" Aran called out from across the court. "Come introduce us to your girlfriend!"
Riku's eyes widened slightly, and he glanced at Hana, who was standing nearby, her expression calm but curious.
"I…" Riku hesitated for a moment. This was uncharted territory—introducing Hana to his team was something he'd never imagined happening so soon.
But then Hana stepped forward, a graceful smile on her face. "Nice to meet you all. I've heard a lot about you."
Aran's face broke into a wide grin. "Oh, so you're the mystery girl Riku's been hiding. Good to finally put a face to the name!"
The Miya twins, standing nearby, exchanged sly glances, while Suna leaned against the wall, observing with his usual smirk. "Looks like things are heating up for you, Riku."
Riku could feel the warmth in his chest—his team had welcomed her effortlessly, teasing but never crossing a line. It made him feel part of something greater.
---
A Gathering with the Team – Bonding Over Celebration
Later that evening, the Inarazaki volleyball team gathered at Aran's family's spacious house to celebrate their recent win. The mood was light, laughter ringing out as they shared stories, ate together, and simply enjoyed each other's company.
Hana had joined Riku, sitting quietly with him on the edge of the living room, sipping tea. She watched as Riku interacted with his teammates, a relaxed ease that seemed natural around them.
"They seem close," Hana commented, nodding toward the group.
Riku followed her gaze and smiled. "They've been through a lot together. We've been like family since we started."
She chuckled softly. "It's nice to see you like this—so comfortable, so happy."
For a moment, Riku simply looked at her, feeling the warmth in his chest. "This is new for me. Being like this… with you."
Hana's smile deepened, and she reached out to gently take his hand. "It feels like we've found something special."
Just then, Aran approached them, giving a knowing glance to Riku before speaking. "Hey, Riku, you gonna introduce us to your special someone or what?"
Riku chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "This is Hana—my… someone important to me."
Aran raised an eyebrow. "So serious about it, huh? Well, welcome to our chaos, Hana. We're like family—sometimes loud, sometimes quiet, but we've got each other's backs."
Hana smiled, nodding. "It's nice to be included. Thank you."
_ _
Late Night – A Quiet Moment by the Garden
After the festivities, Riku and Hana wandered out to Aran's garden, which was quiet now that the house had fallen into calm. They stood together in the cool evening air, the stars above casting a soft glow.
"This has been… different," Riku said softly. "Not just the win, but everything that's happened after."
Hana turned to him, tilting her head. "Different in what way?"
Riku looked at her, his expression more contemplative, his eyes reflecting the soft light of the stars. "I've always been so focused—so determined to keep moving forward, to prove myself. But now… I feel like I can actually relax. Be myself."
Hana reached out to gently touch his cheek. "That's a good thing. You've earned this."
He sighed, feeling more at ease than ever. "You've helped me see that. Just being you—kind, understanding."
Hana's eyes softened. "You deserve someone who understands you, Riku. And I'm glad I found you again."
For a moment, they simply stood in silence, the quiet of the garden settling between them. The air felt heavier, charged with something more—the warmth of the connection between them, the unspoken emotions building.
Without thinking, Riku gently leaned in closer, his gaze locking onto hers. His heart thumped in his chest, the anticipation palpable.
Hana mirrored his movements, tilting her head slightly, her lips parting ever so slightly.
And in that quiet moment beneath the stars, they finally closed the distance between them—soft, tender, their lips meeting in a gentle kiss.
It was slow, deliberate, and filled with the shared emotions they had been building since they first found each other again. Every moment stretched, the world fading into the background as they lost themselves in each other's warmth.
Riku's hand reached up to cup her cheek gently, his touch feather-light, as if savoring the moment. Hana's hand brushed against his arm, fingers curling slightly, pulling him closer.
The kiss deepened ever so slightly, filled with an intimacy they hadn't dared explore before—a connection that felt effortless, yet profound.