𝐂𝐇. 𝟓𝟎

⋅. ˚₊ ‧ 𐙚 ‧ ₊ ˚ ⋅

The gym felt different today—still the same floor, the same nets, the same echoes of volleyballs, but somehow quieter, softer.

Today was graduation day. The day we all had been dreading and anticipating at the same time. The last day I'd be the manager of Aoba Johsai. The last day I'd walk these halls as a high schooler. The last day I'd get to watch Oikawa with this team.

I sat on the bench, clipboard resting on my lap, fingers tapping nervously. The team filtered in one by one, faces smiling but eyes holding that bittersweet "end of an era" look.

Oikawa came and sat beside me, his usual cocky grin replaced by something gentler, more vulnerable.

"You nervous?" I asked, nudging him lightly.

He shrugged, avoiding my gaze. "A little. Mostly just... ready, I guess."

I smiled, trying to keep my voice steady. "Me too."

⸻

The graduation ceremony was a blur of speeches, diplomas, and polite applause. I caught glimpses of proud parents, teary-eyed teachers, and the exhausted relief on the faces of my teammates.

But all that was just background noise compared to the quiet moments afterward—when we were finally away from the crowd.

Oikawa found me outside by the cherry blossom trees, where petals drifted lazily in the spring breeze like soft pink snow.

He reached for my hand without a word. I let him.

"I know I've been a lot," he said quietly, his thumb tracing small circles on my skin. "Too loud, too annoying, sometimes too much."

I looked up at him, surprised by the sudden sincerity.

"But you..."

He swallowed and met my eyes. "You make me want to be better. Not just on the court, but everything. You're the one thing I don't want to mess up."

My heart clenched, and for once, I didn't have anything clever or snarky to say.

Instead, I squeezed his hand. "You've already made me better."

⸻

We walked slowly down the path beneath the blooming trees, petals brushing against our shoulders.

"It's strange, isn't it?" I said softly. "How something that felt so normal can suddenly feel so... fragile?"

He nodded. "I don't want this to end. But I know it has to change."

I hesitated, then took a breath. "Maybe it doesn't have to end. Maybe this is just the beginning of something new."

He stopped walking and turned to face me, eyes searching mine like he was hoping for a sign.

"Oikawa," I whispered, "will you be my boyfriend? Like, officially this time?"

He grinned, that playful sparkle returning to his eyes.

"Only if you promise to keep being your stubborn, amazing self."

I laughed, the tension melting away.

"Deal."

⸻

Later, the whole team gathered one last time in the gym for a casual celebration. Matsukawa was being ridiculously dramatic about how "third-years are a dying breed," and Hanamaki was trying to rally us into singing an impromptu song that no one remembered the words to.

Coach Nobuteru gave a surprisingly heartfelt speech about growth and teamwork, and Iwaizumi teased Oikawa mercilessly about finally settling down.

Oikawa pulled me aside, the noise of the party dimming behind us.

"Thank you," he said softly, his fingers entwining with mine. "For all the times you believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself."

I looked up, blinking back tears. "No, Oikawa. I'm the lucky one."

He smiled, brushing a loose strand of hair from my face.

"I guess that means I win."

I shook my head with a grin. "Don't get cocky."

He leaned in, kissing me gently—the kind of kiss that promises forever.

Pulling back just enough to whisper, "See you at practice, future wife."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the smile that spread across my face.

"Yeah, yeah. No, Oikawa."

⸻

As the night settled and the team slowly said their goodbyes, I felt a sense of peace.

We had started as a team full of noise and chaos, and now, standing here surrounded by these people I'd come to call family, I knew we were ready for whatever came next.

Oikawa slipped his hand into mine, warm and sure.

"We're just getting started," he said.

I nodded, heart full.

"Together."

[ thank you to everyone who has read this book, favorited, commented, added it to their lists, and took the time to read this book. love yall sm 🥹 ]