Nekoma’s Team Vacation: A Well-Deserved Break
Nekoma's Team Vacation: A Well-Deserved Break
After the intense tournament and their glorious victory, Coach Nekomata surprised the team with an announcement during practice.
"Listen up," he said, crossing his arms. "You've all worked hard, and I'm not blind to that. So, we're taking a short team vacation. Think of it as a reward—and a chance to recharge before training resumes."
The room erupted into cheers and excitement.
"Where are we going, Coach?" Kuroo asked, his grin wide.
"A beachside resort," Nekomata replied. "But don't get too comfortable. I'm still your coach, so don't slack off completely."
---
Arrival at the Resort
The team arrived at the resort early in the morning, greeted by the sound of waves crashing against the shore. The white sandy beach stretched out before them, and the resort itself was nestled among palm trees, with a view of the ocean from every room.
"This place is amazing!" Lev exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement.
"It's… peaceful," Kenma said, already imagining himself with his console under a shady umbrella.
"Let's drop our stuff and hit the water," Wakasa suggested, surprising everyone with his enthusiasm.
"Is the mighty Wakasa excited?" Kuroo teased, laughing. "Guess miracles do happen."
---
Beach Day
The team wasted no time diving into the fun. Lev and Yamamoto immediately started a game of beach volleyball, with Inouka and Kuroo joining in.
"Watch out, Lev!" Inouka yelled as he sent a powerful spike over the net.
"Not bad!" Lev replied, diving dramatically but missing the ball entirely.
Kenma lounged under a beach umbrella, sipping a cool drink and watching the chaos unfold.
Meanwhile, Wakasa and Yaku raced along the shoreline, seeing who could outrun the waves. Yaku grinned when Wakasa got soaked by a large wave.
"You're fast on the court, but the ocean is faster!" Yaku teased.
---
Bonfire Night
As the sun set, the team gathered around a large bonfire on the beach. The warm glow of the fire lit up their faces as they roasted marshmallows and shared stories.
"This is nice," Kuroo said, leaning back on his hands and staring at the stars. "We don't get moments like this often."
"Yeah," Wakasa agreed. "It's good to just… relax for once."
Lev played his guitar, strumming an off-tune melody while Yamamoto sang loudly, much to everyone's amusement.
Kenma even cracked a rare smile, saying, "This might be the only time I'll enjoy Lev's music."
Coach Nekomata and Coach Naoi watched from a distance, sharing quiet conversation.
"They've earned this," Nekomata said. "But the next training cycle is going to push them even harder."
Naoi smirked. "Let them have their moment. They'll need it."
---
Team Bonding
The trip brought the team closer than ever. Whether it was Kuroo and Wakasa teasing each other over volleyball drills on the sand, or Kenma surprising everyone by joining a beach game, the bond they shared deepened.
By the end of the vacation, as they packed their bags and prepared to head home, Wakasa stood at the shoreline, watching the waves.
"Ready to go?" Inouka asked, walking up beside him.
Wakasa nodded. "Yeah. This was fun. But now it's time to focus again."
Kuroo called out from the distance, "Come on, Wakasa! Don't get all dramatic on us!"
Wakasa smirked and followed his team, the vacation marking a perfect pause before their next chapter. Together, they were ready for whatever came next.
The Message from Hinata
Later that night, as the lights in the hotel dimmed and the team prepared for bed, Kenma sat alone at the small desk in their room. He was scrolling through his phone, casually checking his messages and social media when a new notification caught his eye.
It was a message from Hinata.
Kenma's eyes narrowed as he opened the message, reading it quietly to himself.
---
Hinata's Message:
"Kenma, I just wanted to let you know… We lost. We couldn't make it through the prefecture tournament, so we won't be heading to Nationals this year. It's hard, but I guess that's the way it goes. I'm not giving up, though! I'll be back next year, and I'll make sure we make it to Nationals! Don't go getting too comfortable at the top. I'll catch up to you soon!"
---
Kenma put his phone down for a moment, a flicker of something crossing his face—perhaps a mix of sympathy and acknowledgment. He had expected it to happen. It had been clear Karasuno, despite their raw talent, was still unpolished. The loss wasn't a surprise, but the message from Hinata hit differently.
Wakasa, who had been sitting near the door, glanced over at Kenma. "What's up?"
Kenma met his gaze briefly before picking up his phone again. "It's from Hinata. Karasuno didn't make it through the Inter-High qualifiers."
Wakasa raised an eyebrow. "That's… unfortunate."
Kenma's lips quirked into a small, almost unreadable smile. "Yeah. But he's not letting it stop him. He's already planning for next year."
---
A Quiet Reflection
As Kenma typed a quick reply to Hinata—wishing him good luck for the future and acknowledging his growth—he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of respect for the small, fiery player. Despite the setback, Hinata was already thinking ahead, planning his comeback.
He closed his phone and leaned back in his chair, his eyes staring out the window at the city lights.
Wakasa, sensing the mood, stood up and walked over to Kenma. "He'll come back stronger. You know that, right?"
Kenma gave a slight nod. "Yeah. He's not the type to give up. That's what makes him dangerous."
---
The Team's Encouragement
The next morning, the team gathered in the hotel lobby before heading out to the venue. Kenma had already shared the news with the rest of the team, and the conversation naturally turned toward Karasuno's loss.
"I thought they'd make it," Kuroo said with a sigh, adjusting his jacket. "Especially with Hinata and Kageyama together."
Lev scratched his head. "Yeah, but they're still young. They'll figure it out."
Wakasa was quiet for a moment before speaking up. "Hinata's a lot more determined than he lets on. This loss will only make him push harder. We'll see him again next year, and next time, he'll come for us."
Kenma met his eyes and nodded. "I'm sure of it."
Wakasa smirked slightly. "Just don't expect him to catch up to me too soon."
Kenma smirked back. "We'll see about that."
The team exchanged lighthearted banter, but deep down, there was a shared respect for the player from Karasuno who refused to back down, no matter the odds. They all knew the competition was only going to get tougher from here.