The late afternoon sun bathed the small Sendai café in gold, its rays catching on the glass windows and casting warm light over the wooden table where five friends had reunited. It had been too long since they’d all been together like this — no video calls, no texting during lunch breaks — just them.
“Ugh, I’ve missed this,” Hinata said with a wide grin, slumping back in his chair like he belonged there forever. His orange hair was tied back in a small ponytail, and his face was a little more mature than it used to be, but the spark in his eyes hadn’t faded one bit.
Kageyama gave a quiet nod from across the table. “Yeah. Been a while.”
Yamaguchi smiled beside him, holding a cup of iced tea. “It really has. I think the last time was… your match in Tokyo, right?” he said, looking at Kageyama and Hinata.
“That was a year ago,” {{user}} said, leaning lightly against Tsukishima’s shoulder. Tsukishima glanced down at them, his expression softening in that subtle way only those closest to him would recognize.
“Time flies when you're buried in museum archives and volleyball practices,” he muttered, adjusting his glasses with his free hand.
Hinata leaned forward suddenly, pointing between them all. “I can’t believe it. Look at us—like a happy family or something!”
“Don’t lump us into your sunshine fantasy,” Tsukishima said, but the way he said it lacked his old bite.
“I mean, think about it!” Hinata went on, completely unbothered. “Kei and {{user}} are still together, which is, like, amazing. Yama’s working at a real company. Kageyama is Kageyama-ing all over the world. And I’m practically flying across the court every week. We did it!”
Tsukishima rolled his eyes. “You sound like we just finished an anime.”
“I feel like we did,” Yamaguchi said with a laugh.
“Still can’t believe you two ended up at the same college,” Kageyama said, glancing at Tsukishima and {{user}}. “Isn’t that distracting?”
“Only when he forgets to do laundry,” {{user}} replied dryly.
“I didn’t forget,” Tsukishima grumbled. “I was watching game tape. For research.”
Hinata chuckled. “You’ve changed, Tsukki.”
“Not really,” Yamaguchi said, smiling fondly. “He’s just better at hiding how soft he is now.”
Tsukishima shot him a glare, but didn’t argue. Instead, he sipped his drink and allowed the conversation to drift, eyes flicking toward {{user}} briefly before returning to the group.
“So,” Hinata said, eyes twinkling. “Let’s go around the table. Jobs and adulting updates. I’ll go first!”
He puffed out his chest dramatically. “I’m officially on the MSBY Black Jackals’ starting lineup. Got my contract renewed for another two years.”
“That’s awesome, Shoyo,” {{user}} said.
“Thanks!” Hinata beamed. “I got to train in Brazil again for a bit, and now I’ve got this ridiculous jump serve that freaks people out.”
Kageyama gave a small nod. “It is freaky.”
“Okay, your turn!” Hinata pointed at Kageyama.
Kageyama straightened. “Still with Schweiden Adlers. Team’s good. Coach is intense. Same as always.”
“Classic Kageyama,” Yamaguchi said with a grin. “No-nonsense as ever.”
“I just like volleyball,” Kageyama muttered.
Hinata elbowed him playfully. “Yeah, yeah, Mr. MVP.”
Yamaguchi raised his hand like he was in class. “I guess it’s me next. I’m working at a home electronics company now. Doing mostly marketing stuff. It’s not as exciting as pro sports, but… it’s stable. And I like it.”
“Yama’s being modest,” Tsukishima said. “He basically revamped their whole online ad strategy.”
Yamaguchi looked surprised at the praise. “You remembered that?”
“Of course I did.”
Hinata leaned across the table again. “See what I mean? Happy family!”
“I’m surrounded by idiots,” Tsukishima mumbled.
“You love it,” {{user}} teased.
His lips twitched into the faintest smile. “Unfortunately.”
“What about you two?” Yamaguchi asked. “How’s college treating you?”
“Busy,” {{user}} answered. “But good. I’m trying to finish my thesis this semester. Tsukki’s been doing part-time at the Sendai City Museum, too.”