Chapter 23

                                    

                                          
At Y/N's home, the warmth of family was palpable. As Y/N walked through the door, her father and brother greeted her with enthusiastic hugs. The cozy kitchen was filled with the aroma of a delicious home-cooked meal. As they sat down to eat, Y/N's father and brother chatted animatedly about their day, with Y/N enjoying the lively atmosphere.
Her brother, ever the instigator, couldn't resist steering the conversation toward Y/N's life outside of home. "So, Y/N," he began with a playful grin, "how's your favorite volleyball player, Bokuto-kun? Still causing chaos on the court?"
Y/N's face flushed a deep shade of pink at the mention of Bokuto's name. Her father noticed her reaction and, with a knowing smile, said, "It's okay, Y/N. We're curious about how things are going with him. Feel free to share."
Y/N hesitated, her gaze dropping to her plate. The room fell silent for a moment, and then she took a deep breath. "Actually," she said softly, "I like him. I've liked him for a while now."
The revelation hung in the air. Y/N's father and brother exchanged astonished looks before tears of joy welled up in their eyes. Y/N was puzzled by their emotional response.
Her father wiped his eyes and said, "We're so proud of you, Y/N. It's wonderful to see you open up about your feelings."
Y/N, still trying to make sense of their reaction, asked, "Why are you both so emotional?"
Her brother chuckled through his own tears, "It's just not every day you talk about something like this. We've seen how much you care for him."
Her father nodded, adding, "And I approve of Bokuto-kun. He seems like a good person who makes you happy."
Y/N's cheeks turned an even darker shade of red. "Thank you," she murmured, feeling both embarrassed and touched.
Throughout dinner, her father and brother continued to tease her playfully, but Y/N handled it with her usual grace, smiling and laughing along. The conversation then shifted to other topics, but Y/N's thoughts often wandered back to Bokuto.
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Spoiler alert ⚠️
Weeks passed, and the dynamic between Y/N and Bokuto had subtly shifted. Both were still grappling with their feelings for each other, but neither had made a move. Their interactions were more frequent and comfortable, though neither had mustered the courage to confess.
The nationals approached, and Fukurodani secured a spot in the tournament. Despite a valiant effort, they lost to Ichibayashi. The team, though disappointed, took pride in how far they had come.
After the tournament, the team gathered for a feast to celebrate their hard work. The coach's heartfelt speech was followed by touching words from Kaori and Yukie. As the attention turned to Y/N, the team watched with eager anticipation.
Y/N stood up, her heart racing. For the first time, she prepared to address the team with a speech. Clearing her throat, she began, "Everyone, I know today didn't end the way we had hoped, but I want to express how incredibly proud I am of all of us."
She looked around at her teammates, their eyes focused on her. "This season has been full of challenges, and while we didn't win the final match, we've achieved so much more. It's not just about the victories or defeats, but the journey we've shared together."
Y/N's voice wavered slightly, but she continued with determination, "Bokuto, your energy and support have been a guiding light for the team. Akaashi, your calmness and strategy have been instrumental in our success. Each of you has contributed in ways that words can't fully express."
Her voice broke as she added, "I will always cherish the memories we've made and the friendships we've forged. This team has been more than just a group of players; you've become a family to me."
As Y/N finished, her eyes were misty, and several teammates wiped away tears. Bokuto, overwhelmed by the emotional speech, let out a loud, heartfelt sob. The team burst into laughter at the unexpected display of emotion.
Bokuto, through his tears, managed to ask, "Why is everyone laughing? I'm just... really moved."
Y/N, her usual cool demeanor momentarily forgotten, laughed loudly. The sound was so rare and genuine that it caught everyone's attention, including Bokuto's.
"Alright, alright," Y/N said, trying to compose herself. "Let's not let our food get cold."
The team cheered, "Yes, ma'am!" with exaggerated enthusiasm, eliciting a soft, pleased smile from Y/N.
Throughout the meal, Bokuto couldn't help but glance at Y/N. Each time their eyes met, he noticed her cheeks turn a lovely shade of pink. Y/N, catching Bokuto's gaze, smiled back, her heart fluttering. It was a moment of mutual understanding, and even though neither of them spoke of it directly, their feelings were clearly evident.
Bokuto's own face turned a deep shade of red as he quickly looked away, trying to focus on his food. But the smile on his face was undeniable, and the rest of the team noticed it too.
Konoha nudged Komi and whispered, "Did you see that? I think Y/N just made Bokuto blush."
Komi grinned, nodding. "This is gonna be interesting."
As the evening progressed, the team's playful teasing and shared laughter created a warm, happy atmosphere. Bokuto and Y/N's lingering glances and subtle smiles spoke volumes, and it was clear to everyone that their bond was growing stronger with each passing day.