After Aki finished tying the handkerchief and them introducing each other, Izumi and Aki stood on the balcony, the night breeze gently brushing against their skin as they looked up at the stars.
"It's quite serene here," Izumi remarked, breaking the comfortable silence.
Aki nodded in agreement. "Yes, it sure is. Sometimes, a moment of peace like this is rare in our lives"
They shared a smile and gazed at the starry night, their conversation flowing effortlessly under the shimmering canvas of the heavens.
"The air is a little bit chilly" Izumi remarked, shivering a bit.
Aki nodded, "It sure is!"
"So you do have the capability to have casual conversation like this" Izumi said with a playful smile.
Aki seems a bit surprised by Izumi's comment— "What? Where did that come from?"
Izumi chuckled. "Weren't you kind of cold towards me the whole time? Though it was kind of cute when you bandaged my hand."
Aki blushed. "Who are you calling cute?"
"You, of course!" Izumi grinned.
Aki pouted playfully. "Mou, you are a tease."
"Anyway, sorry for calling you a glutton," Izumi said sincerely. "Though your reactions were kind of funny."
"What do you mean funny?"
"When I initially introduced myself to you, you didn't even give me a glance. But when I commented on your eating, you became super hyperactive."
Aki laughed. "I couldn't help but do that when someone talks about my eating."
Izumi smiled. "I'm not saying it was bad. It was kind of cute."
Aki blinked in surprise. "Hypoglycemia."
Izumi looked puzzled. "What?"
Aki explained, "Hypoglycemia! That's what I have, It's a medical condition that makes my blood sugar drop rapidly if I don't eat regularly. That's why I can get pretty... intense when it comes to food, and if I eat as much as normal kids around my age, my stomach would rumble loudly."
Izumi's eyes widened in understanding. "Oh!"
Aki continued, "That's why I can't even eat with other people at my school. Not that I have many friends."
Izumi empathized, "So, your friends don't know about your condition, huh? That's depressing."
Aki sighed. "It sure is."
Izumi's face suddenly brightened with determination. "Alright, I've decided."
Aki raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"We're going to the same middle school when it's time for us to go to middle school," Izumi declared.
Aki seemed surprised. "Why!? You sure you aren't a stalker?"
Izumi chuckled. "How many times do I have to tell you that I'm not? Anyway, I said that because if we go to the same school, then you won't be alone while eating."
Aki blinked in suprise, "You'd do that for me?"
Izumi nodded with a sincere expression. "Well, I can't leave you hanging like that."
Aki couldn't help but ask, "But why?"
"Because I want to!" Izumi replied with a grin.
Aki raised an eyebrow. "That doesn't make any sense."
Izumi looked straight into her eyes. "Then how about this: I want to help my friend."
Aki blinked again, taken aback. "But when did we become friends?"
Izumi's smile grew even brighter. "From now on. What do you say, friends?"
Aki couldn't help but smile back. "Friends." It was the start of a new friendship, one formed on a cold, starry night on a balcony.
As they talked more, the conversation grew more casual and comforting, and they were enjoying their newfound friendship. However, their conversation was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Izumi!" The voice belonged to Izumi's best friend, Rin.
Izumi turned to Rin, smiling. "Oh, Rin, what are you doing here?"
Rin raised an eyebrow. "I should be the one asking that. I was searching all over the party for you"
'I have a feeling that we had this kind of conversations before'
"By the way, who's that?" Rin pointed at Aki, when she noticed her.
Izumi chuckled. "Let me introduce you. Aki, meet Toshaka Rin, my friend."
Izumi continued, "And Rin, this is Adagaki Aki, my new friend."
Rin nodded, understanding. "Oh, so this is whom he was talking about."
Izumi looked a bit puzzled. "Talking about? What are you saying, Rin?"
Rin quickly clarified, "Sorry, it's just we recently met Mr. Adagaki, and he mentioned his daughter. Leaving that aside, it's nice to meet you, Adagaki-san."
Aki smiled and replied, "Nice to meet you as well, Toshaka-san."
Rin was friendly and added, "Oh, you can call me Rin."
Aki agreed, "Then call me Aki."
Izumi was curious and asked Rin, "Anyway, Rin, you mentioned you were looking for me? What was that all about?"
"Oh, I was looking for you so we could check out some sweets together before the party ends," Rin explained.
Izumi was pleasantly surprised. "Oh, that sounds great!"
Rin turned to Aki and suggested, "Aki-chan, why don't you tag along as well?"
At first, Aki hesitated, but seeing her unsure, Izumi chimed in, "Yeah, Rin's right. Aki, come with us."
As Izumi said that Aki finally agreed and joined the duo in their hunt for sweets.
They made their way to the first floor where the party was happening, and together, they enjoyed some delicious sweets. Aki, who had already eaten a lot before, managed to hide her condition of hypoglycemia by not eating voraciously.
Soon the party came to an end, and slowly the guests started to leave. The Miyamura family, Toshaka's, and the Adagaki duo were the last people still in the shopping hub, aside from the staff of course.
Izumi and Rin were at the front gate of the mall, bidding farewell to Aki.
"See ya soon, Aki-chan," Rin said.
"Catch ya later, Aki," Izumi added.
Aki replied with a smile, "Yeah, thanks for today, both of you. I can't wait to meet you again."
At the same time, Mr. Adagaki finished the farewell pleasantries with Naozumi. Soon, both the Adagakis were already seated in their car. As the engine started, Aki's head popped out of the window, and she said, "You better keep your promise." Izumi nodded with a smile as the car slowly drove away from them.
"What promise was she talking about?" Rin asked.
Izumi replied, "Nothing big. I'll tell you later," noticing their parents coming near them.
"Ready to go, Rin?" Aoi asked.
"Yeah, Mom!" Rin replied.
"Alright, then we will see you guys later," Tokiomi said, turning toward the Miyamura family.
"Iori, I'll see you on our shopping trip next weekend?" Aoi asked while hugging her new friend— they became quite close during the party.
"Sure, I bet it will be fun," Iori replied.
"It sure will be, and we can talk about the camping trip as well," Aoi added.
"Sure will do," Iori agreed.
"See you at school tomorrow, Izumi," Rin said.
"Yeah, see you later," Izumi responded.
Soon, the Toshaka family also departed, leaving the Miyamura family alone at the gate of the mall.
They reentered the mall, where Naozumi instructed Lucas and the other staff about the expected customers for the next day.
After 15 minutes, the Miyamura family found themselves riding in their SUV back home.
"Today was fun," Izumi said.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it," Naozumi replied.
"Yeah, by the way, you were missing from the party a bit. Where were you?" Iori asked.
"Oh, I was with Aki," Izumi explained.
"Aki, Mr. Adagaki's daughter? What were you two doing?" Naozumi inquired. Izumi then narrated the whole story, from the verbal battle they had to Izumi saving her from the cactus, and finally, their promise to go to the same middle school.
Iori became worried when she learned that Izumi had been pierced by the thorn of the cactus, and her protective motherly instincts were on full display.
Iori's expression shifted to one of concern. "You got hurt? Are you okay, Izumi?"
Izumi smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Mom. It wasn't a big deal. Aki helped me handle it. We patched it up, and it's all good, look now I don't even have the handkerchief tier to my hand" showing his hand that was pierced by cactus.
Naozumi chuckled. "Izumi's got himself a friend, it seems."
"Yeah, seems like it," Izumi replied. "She's not as bad as she initially came across."
Iori gave a gentle nod. "Well, as long as you're okay, and you had a good time."
The car continued down the road, with the Miyamura family reflecting on the eventful day they had just experienced.
As the ride back home continued, Iori checked her phone to see if she had received any messages. She scrolled through her notifications.
"My phone is filled with messages; all messages came during the party," Iori remarked.
Naozumi, curious, asked, "what are the messages"
"Just some college friends saying stuff," Iori replied as she continued to scroll through her messages.
Then her attention was drawn to a specific message, and she paused, her eyes focused on the screen.
[Sender- Rixe Volleyball Association (RVA)]
"Oh, there's a message from your club, Izumi," Iori said.
Izumi's curiosity got the better of him, and he eagerly asked, "Huh! What did it say?"
Iori explained, "It says your club will be playing a friendly match against Sakuraoka Academy next Sunday."
Listening Izumi couldn't hide his enthusiasm— "Skauaroka"— Seems like the chance of facing Ushijima came sooner than Izumi expected, and he was excited for it.
"Sakuraoka? The team you played against in the finals?" Naozumi joined the conversation, recalling the summer tournament.
"Yeah, that one" Iori confirmed.
"Looks like you got a chance to pay them back, Izumi" Naozumi said with a smile.
"Yes, and this time we will win." Izumi said with ditermination clearly evident in his eyes.
With their conversation about the upcoming volleyball match and Izumi's rematch with Ushijima Wakatoshi, their ride back home continued.
Izumi was filled with determination and excitement, knowing that the match will be intense and fun—
'Ushijima... This time I will win'
[A/N- will wrap up the elementary school saga soon, only couple of things remain to end this saga like match against Skauaroka and the project orientation and that's it I think, may be add a thing or two if I remember something]
[We are aiming for 100 power stones this week and we are already half way through, so let's do our best to achieve it :)]