Chapter Text
Shouyou hadn't thought much of the invite to join Kuroo Testurou for coffee until he arrived at their favorite coffee shop to see Kuroo sitting alone at a table with only one empty chair. Even more damning was the blatant lack of an apple pie sitting on the table. Hesitantly, Shouyou moved forward toward the remaining seat.
"Good afternoon, Kuroo-san. Not that I'm not happy to see you, but where is Kenma?"
Kuroo looked up with a smirk. "The first time we've seen each other since the season started in Brazil and all you can ask about is my husband? Should I be worried, Chibi-chan?"
Shouyou snorted as he sat in the open chair. "As if Kenma won't grill you on everything I tell you during this conversation."
Kuroo laughed, the loud braying sound unchanged from high school. Shouyou smiled at the familiarity. "True enough. I suppose I know you both too well at this point. Unfortunately, catching up is only part of the reason I set this up with you today."
Shouyou felt his eyebrows rise. "Oh? Are you here in your role at the JVA then?"
"Hmm. Partially. I'm also representing the Olympic committee."
"Really?! But, wait, Kuroo-san, isn't it too early? I know ‘Tsumu hasn't gotten a call yet. We didn't expect them until next year."
Kuroo sighed and sat back in his chair. "That's because I'm not here with that call. Hinata-kun, did you know Japan has been competing in international Beach Volleyball competitions since 2021?"
Shouyou blinked dumbly. "Since 2021? Oh, since we had the host’s spot in Tokyo?"
"Exactly. We managed to pull together a pair to compete for both the men's and women's beach competitions for Tokyo. The women didn't do so hot, but the men managed to graduate out of pool play."
"I had no idea. I was so overwhelmed by my first Olympics that I didn't pay attention to any of the other sports."
Kuroo nodded. "I figured. Well, they got knocked out in the first match of single elimination. It was their bad luck to go against the ultimate silver medalists in the first round. The two competed in tournaments from 2022 to the beginning of 2024 but couldn't quite make the cut for Paris."
"Is the JVA involved in beach?" Shouyou interrupted. He hadn't heard about any of this before, and he spoke to Kuroo pretty frequently because of Kenma.
His companion smiled, showing a flash of white canines. "We weren't, but you're looking at the head of the JVA's new beach volleyball department. I couldn't help but wonder if a bit of support would have made the difference for those two last year. I'm also the liaison for the Olympic committee for beach since no one in Japan is close to the sport."
Shouyou grinned at his old friend. "I'm really happy for you, Kuroo-san! If you have any questions about beach or need someone to help with marketing, you know I'd be glad to help!"
He chuckled. "I know you would, Hinata-kun. But that's not actually why I wanted to talk to you." Shouyou cocked his head in confusion, so Kuroo continued. "One of our players is retiring. Nishimura Kaito was already on the older side for a professional volleyball player in 2021 and, after missing the cut for Paris, he decided not to try again for LA. We finally have the institutional backing for beach but no team to back."
Before Shouyou could summon a response, Kuroo captured his gaze with flickering golden eyes. "We also have a wild card. Even after all these years, Ninja Shouyou is still a legend in Brazilian beach, especially coming off three successful seasons with São Paulo."
"Kuroo-san, I told you I'm happy to help you promote the sport. I can help you pitch to high school and university students if you'd like now that it's off-season."
"I was actually wondering if you'd be interested in getting back on the sand yourself."
Shouyou felt his mouth gape. He stared in silence at Kuroo for a moment. "Kuroo-san, I'm on the national team. I can't possibly try to play both indoor and beach at the same time."
Kuroo's face pinched a bit. "That's true and brings us to the crux of the matter. After dropping from silver in Tokyo to bronze in Paris, the Olympic committee is concerned that our current team may not be strong enough to medal by 2028. They're also looking at the long run. The current team is almost entirely composed of members of the Monster Generation. They're concerned the whole team is going to age out in one cycle, and then we won't have any experienced players to rebuild. We've got some real talent on the current U19 team, and the committee would like to try to ensure the LA team is a mix of veterans and younger players. I know Yaku decided to retire after Paris and Ojiro-san is still figuring out if he can rehabilitate his shoulder after his surgery this season, but at most that's only two spots. I'm not on the selection committee so I don't know who they're considering replacing, but I figured this could be an opportunity for you to make your own call. I mean, players step out of the Superliga for beach all the time, right?"
"Well, yeah, I guess. One of my São Paulo teammates just announced he was retiring to beach after this season, but that doesn't mean I ever considered it."
Kuroo smiled, not his usual cat-like smirk but the gentle smile most often directed at Kenma. "I'm sure you haven't, and you don't need to make a decision right now. We have a year before Olympic selections even start. But if you think there's even a chance you'd want to try it, I want you to meet the other player, maybe join a couple tournaments while it's off-season. See how you work together and if you'd be interested in trying. You always knew you wouldn't be on the Olympic team forever. If it's not 2028, it'll be 2032. What do you want to do afterwards?"
Shouyou stared down at his quickly cooling tea, considering the question. What did he want to do after volleyball? There had never really been an "after volleyball" for him. The goal was the Olympics, then a medal, now a gold. If he did stand on the court in LA and they somehow managed to beat both Italy and Argentina for gold, then what? Did he even have another dream? Kuroo was right about 2032. Shouyou knew he was nearly thirty already. He only had a half dozen professional seasons left in him most likely and had already declined to renew his contract in Brazil.
He sighed loudly and looked back at Kuroo. "I'll think about it. I want to meet my proposed partner first though. What do you know about him?"
Kuroo grinned. "Excellent! It's possible you know him actually. He's around our age and played high school volleyball in Miyagi from what I've heard. His name is Terushima Yuuji."
"Uwwwaahh? Really? I didn't know Terushima-san played beach volleyball! He's probably really good at it. Johzenji did a lot of two-on-two games in practice during high school, so he was already used to playing as an all-rounder, and he was very mobile on the court."
Kuroo laughed loudly as Shouyou rambled. "I should have known you already knew all the Miyagi players. But yes, he debuted in beach on the collegiate scene in the US. His partner, Nishimura-san, was playing professionally in Australia at the time. The two were Japan's best shot in Tokyo since you had publicly stated at the time that you were switching your focus from beach to indoor."
"But they couldn't win. They didn't even qualify for Paris, you said. Do you really think Terushima-san and I could do better when we’ve never played on the same team?"
Shouyou was surprised by the absolute certainty on Kuroo's face as he nodded. "I do. Nishimura-san was good, but he'd slowed down a lot. And, personally, I don't think he was ever as good as you. I think your play style will compliment Terushima-san's well, and you have a full season to get in sync before anything starts counting toward FIVB Olympic rankings. If you two play as well together as I suspect you will, I think you have a real shot at a medal."
They sat in silence for a moment as Shouyou considered the conversation. "I'm not sure, Kuroo-san. I wasn't planning to go back to beach to be honest, and I love playing on the national team with ‘Tsumu. I'll definitely have to talk to him before making any decisions."
Kuroo nodded, smiling back at him. "Of course. As I said, you have time to think about it. I’d rather you keep the details about the Olympics on the down-low, but I know you’ll want to talk to Atsumu-san before making any decisions. So, I guess, just ask him to be discrete also.”
Shouyou agreed and the two switched their conversation to catching up, with Shouyou launching into a flurry of stories about the recently ended season. Before long, both were standing and saying their goodbyes.
“Here’s Terushima-san’s number,” Kuroo said, pushing a piece of paper into Shouyou’s hand. “Talk to him. I haven’t told him who I’m looking at for his partner, but if he has any common sense he’ll have already wondered if you could be on the list. Also, let me know if you have any questions. There’s a lot left to work through, but the JVA is ready to work through it with you.”
Shouyou thanked his friend again before turning and making his way to unlock his bike. Osaka’s sprawl made biking less popular than in some of Japan’s more compact cities, but after Rio and the mountains of Miyagi, Shouyou found the kilometers of flat pavement almost relaxing. Before he could even turn on music for the trip home, his phone rang. Shouyou smiled at the contact name.
“Hey Kenma! I was surprised that you weren’t here for coffee.”
He heard the soft laugh through the headphones as he began peddling away from the shop. “Kuro was worried we’d get distracted if I came. But he’s bringing me apple pie so it’s ok.”
Shouyou laughed loudly. “Good. I always suggest this place since it has your favorite. I would have felt bad if you’d missed out.”
Kenma hummed softly and the faint sound of video game music reached Shouyou’s ears. He waited. This silence was comfortable, especially after so many years of friendship, and Shouyou felt no need to break it.
He had just turned down a new road, the elevated train tracks running parallel to him, when Kenma spoke softly, “What do you want to do?”
Shouyou sighed, having already figured this was why Kenma had called him instead of texting. “I don’t know. I miss beach of course, you know that, but I never planned to go back. It was a way to get better, to reach the international stage. It never occurred to me that beach had its own international stage.”
Kenma snorted softly. “International beach.” They both laughed. “I don’t know why you’re so surprised. You’re good at volleyball, no matter where you play. And you’re interesting. That’s why I sponsored you when you started playing there. Of course you’d be the first choice for the team.”
Shouyou felt his face warm a little and was glad Kenma couldn’t see him. He stopped at a light, taking the opportunity to wipe the light sheen of sweat from his forehead. Osaka was already uncomfortably humid in the last week of April, even after the season in São Paulo. “I just don’t know if I’m ready to leave the court yet. All I’ve ever done was to stay on the court the longest. This feels like giving up.”
“That’s stupid, Shouyou.”
Despite himself, Shouyou found himself laughing through his surprise. “Kenmaaaa,” he whined, though he fought back a grin.
“You can play tournaments in the off season and sign back with a league here in Japan for next season. You don’t have to leave the court. You just got good enough to unlock a new playable area. It would be dumb not to explore it.”
“Yeah, I guess so. Playing in a couple tournaments won’t change my upcoming Jackals contract or take away my national team jersey for World Championships this year.”
“And you can get back on the sand.”
Shouyou laughed, bright and happy as he felt a weight lifted from his chest. “I do miss the sand. You know, that’s one of my favorite parts of playing for São Paulo. I love pickup games on the beach on days off.”
Kenma snorted again. “I don’t think you understand what a day off is, Shou.”
They laughed and bantered for a few more minutes before Kenma had to hang up and prepare for his stream. Another ten minutes found Shouyou carefully locking up his bike before heading up the stairs to his and Atsumu’s third floor apartment.
The hum of the AC was the only response to Shouyou’s called greeting as he slipped off his shoes in the genkan. It seemed Atsumu wasn’t home yet from practice. It was too early to start making dinner, so Shouyou grabbed his laptop and pulled up YouTube, quickly searching for recordings of the Olympic beach matches in Tokyo. He found Japan’s elimination round recording without too much trouble.
Shouyou snorted when he saw the players. Terushima had always stood out from the crowd, even in high school. As an adult, he had clearly leaned into the more liberal culture in the US. Full tattoo sleeves swirled out from under his tank top, and the familiar blond undercut was bleached platinum now. This only increased the contrast between him and Nishimura, a stoic, salt-and-pepper haired giant that reminded Shouyou of his old beach partner Heitor.
The longer Shouyou watched, the more he understood Kuroo’s argument. Both men were clearly very good, but Nishimura didn’t have the mobility necessary to be a truly great beach player. A difficult dive at the beginning of the second set left him favoring his left leg, allowing their opponents to widen the point gap. Terushima employed every bit of the insane athleticism he’d been known for in high school, but it wasn’t enough when he could only touch the ball every other hit.
The Russians won in straight sets, knocking the home team out in the first round of elimination play.
Frowning, Shouyou searched for other matches—pool play, the 2023 Beach Volleyball World Championships, continental matches—anywhere he might find the lone representatives from Japan. Every match showed him the same dynamic. Terushima was fast and strong, but he didn’t have the strategic brilliance to force mistakes from his opponents before they could exploit Nishimura’s weaknesses. And with each passing year, there were more weaknesses to exploit. A clip compilation from Nishimura’s professional run in Australia proved that the man had earned his spot on the international stage, but it was clear his mobility had never recovered from whatever injury he’d sustained in Tokyo.
“I haven’t seen ya watching professional beach matches in a while, Shou. What’s the occasion?”
Shouyou tilted his head to the side, letting his husband nuzzle into his neck to watch the screen. “They’re Japan’s only competitive beach pair.”
“We have a beach team?”
“They’re not terrible,” Shouyou hedged, chuckling at Atsumu’s disbelieving scoff. “Really! They were top 16 in Tokyo, but they weren’t able to qualify for Paris.”
Atsumu hummed into the juncture of Shouyou’s shoulder. “Still dunno why yer watching them, Shou.”
“See the shorter one with the bleached hair? I played him in high school. He’s from Miyagi like me.”
This finally got Atsumu’s attention. He rounded the couch and flopped next to Shouyou, leaning forward to see the screen. “Another bottle blond? Should I be worried Shou?”
Shouyou laughed, leaning closer to his husband. “It was worse in high school. Almost as bad as yours.” He laughed again as Atsumu squawked in protest. “The tattoos are new, but you should have seen his tongue piercing. Might have been the only one in the prefecture.”
“Yer killin me, Shou. Do I need to go find a parlor so you won’t leave me for beach boy here?”
Shouyou was gasping now, stomach aching as he doubled over from the force of his laughter. “’Tsumu, how are you going to sit for a piercing or worse a tattoo when you almost passed out over the COVID vaccine?”
“Hey! I was nervous after the first one made me so sick.”
They laughed together for a while longer before a comfortable silence finally settled over the couch. Shouyou stared at the still playing beach match, fingers tracing idle patterns over Atsumu’s thigh. “Kuroo-san asked me to coffee today. The JVA has a new beach division.”
Atsumu turned his head to look at Shouyou, but didn’t interrupt.
“They want to try for a spot in LA since we missed the cut in Paris.”
“If he thinks this pair can make it, I’d hate to disappoint ‘im but I think the big guy is too old.”
Shouyou smiled, but it felt forced. “Nishimura-san just announced his retirement. Kuroo-san is looking for new blood.” With a deep breath, he turned to face Atsumu fully. “He thinks Terushima-san and I are Japan’s best chance at the podium.”
Atsumu’s eyes widened before his face relaxed into a smile. “Of course Ninja Shouyou is Japan’s best chance. This ain’t about Japan though,” he added, gaze sharpening. “What do you want, Shou? I know how the events are structured. Ain’t no way you can do both. If you step out on the sand, you have to hang up your number 10.”
Shouyou groaned, throwing his head back. “That’s the problem. I never imagined hanging up my jersey. Kuroo-san says I don’t have to decide yet, that Terushima-san and I should try a tournament or two this off-season and see how it feels, but my stomach is twisting everywhere like gyaaaah.”
Atsumu pulled him into a hug. “Then don’t decide yet. Can’t believe I’m saying this, but I agree with the greasy cat. Get back on the sand and enjoy yourself. No matter what happens, I’ll be right here.”
“Even if I retire from the national team before you?” Shouyou couldn’t suppress the quiet crack in his voice.
“Hey, volleyball might’ve brought us together, but I married Shouyou-kun, not the national team player or the Ninja—the person. You could decide to give up volleyball for good and start streaming with Kozume, and I’d still be right here, bragging to everyone ‘bout how cool my husband looks on stream.”
Shouyou let out a watery laugh before burrowing deeper into Atsumu’s arms. “What if I started working at Osamu-kun’s restaurant?”
Groaning, Atsumu squeezed him tighter. “Yer killin me Shou. But yes, I’d love you even if you betrayed me and started workin with Samu.”
Before he went to bed that night, Shouyou grabbed his phone and the slip of paper from Kuroo, quickly typing a polite greeting and vague request to meet up. He sent the message before he could overthink and turned off his phone.
* * *
Once the season finally ended for Atsumu, he and Shouyou packed up for an early morning train ride to Miyagi. They tried to visit both of their hometowns each off-season, but this year’s trip was a mix of work and pleasure. After that first message, Shouyou and Terushima had made plans to meet up and talk as soon as Shouyou was back in Miyagi. The former Johzenji captain had apparently returned to Miyagi after grad school and stayed in the region, working as a private fitness instructor and assistant coach at his old school.
Shouyou spent his first couple days back in Miyagi catching up with his mother and sister, who was also back in town after a successful year with her own professional team. However, on the third full day of the trip, he and Atsumu, along with Natsu who refused to be left behind, took the train to Sendai. The address Terushima had sent turned out to be a small café across the street from a large rec center.
The bell tinkled pleasantly as they entered, prompting scattered calls of "Irrashaimase!" from the baristas. Shouyou spotted Terushima at once, at a little corner table in the back of the café, bent over his phone.
Atsumu squeezed him on the shoulder, then grabbed Natsu and pulled her toward the counter. "We'll get your drink, Shou, so go sit down."
Shouyou took a deep breath before walking over and taking a seat across from his former opponent. "You know, I was always a bit surprised that Coach Anabara let you play with the tongue piercing. I can't believe he's letting you coach with the tattoo sleeves."
Terushima jumped at the sudden interruption but set his phone down and laughed along with Shouyou. "He couldn't exactly kick me out over the piercing. I'd just been named the incoming captain for the new year after all. He does make me cover up my arms during practice. Something about not giving the kids any ideas. Not like there's a tattoo parlor in Miyagi who'd serve a high schooler. I'd know—I tried. But what about you? Still a shrimp but not a skinny high school brat anymore. How many Olympic medals do you have under your belt now?"
Shouyou scratched self-consciously at his neck. "Only the two for Paris and Tokyo. After everything, Oikawa is making out the best of us Miyagi alumni. He's got a pair of golds now."
Terushima laughed. "Never went to nationals but took the Argentinians to a pair of golds. Bet they taste all the sweeter for it. So, I guess you're still chasing gold?"
"I guess so, though there's been a bit of a wrinkle."
"Nah, not a wrinkle so much as an opportunity," Atsumu interrupted, setting a hot chocolate down in front of Shouyou.
Natsu dragged over an extra chair from the next table and sat down on Shouyou's other side. "Nii-chan has options but that means he has to make choices. He sucks at that to be honest."
Shouyou groaned. "Guys, really?"
Terushima glanced between the new additions, looking torn between nervousness and humor. "Didn't realize we were supposed to bring an entourage. Also, can't say I was expecting to meet more members of the national team. Pity I forgot to bring a pen. Could have gotten an autograph. Woulda paid for my bus ticket."
Atsumu cackled. "Mouthy. I like it. Miya Atsumu, nice ta meet ya. Shou's told me about you. Wish I'd gotten to see you in action in Tokyo, but we were a little preoccupied."
"I couldn't pull my head out of the sand long enough to think of anything else until we were knocked out. I did get to see the indoor finals though. You all played well." He paused, looking back and forth between Shouyou and Atsumu. "You know, I definitely thought you two were a tabloid invention. Wouldn't have guessed they had a leg to stand on."
Shouyou glanced at Atsumu, looking a little flustered. "Ah, we try to keep it fairly quiet. The team and our families know of course, but we try to avoid the media attention."
Terushima raised a hand in defense. "Oh, I get it. Tabloids are poison to a relationship. Glad you've been able to make it work, honest."
Shouyou thanked him. "So, what about you?"
"Me? Like a relationship?" Terushima chuckled and ran a hand through his hair. "Nothing at the moment, but I'm not too concerned. Now, not that I don't love catching up with old rivals, but I'm dying to know why you wanted to meet up. No way this is a social call. So, what does Japan's Sunshine Boy want with a washed-up beach player without a medal? Or maybe you're here as the Ninja himself?"
Shouyou exchanged a look with Atsumu and sighed. "Kuroo-san approached me."
Terushima nodded, exhaling sharply. "Figured. The backup basically confirmed it. Finish your drinks. Let's go somewhere more private."
The others agreed and quickly finished their cooling drinks. Terushima led them across the street to the rec center and slipped inside. "The volleyball court is usually free a bit longer on Thursdays. We can toss a ball around while we talk."
"Where do you practice beach in Miyagi, Terushima-san?"
Terushima scoffed. "I've got an outdoor court near my place, but the nearest sand is east along the coast. It's one of many reasons we couldn't qualify for Paris. Once Kaito-kun officially moved back from Australia, he lost his beaches too. Real hard to play on concrete all year and only jump on sand during tournaments. Between that and the plane tickets to Europe and the Americas for the Challengers, we were swimming upstream. In the end, we couldn't scrape the points together for the qualifiers."
"Then why stay? Japan's got plenty o' beaches, and you've got the chops to coach wherever."
Terushima was silent as he grabbed a ball out of storage. Eventually he turned back, making eye contact with Atsumu. "Need to stay with my mum. I'm all she has left. We can't all drop everything for the love of a game."
Atsumu bristled, but Shouyou put a hand on his shoulder. "You're right of course. I know I got lucky being able to go to Brazil like I did. It was hard for Mum and Natsu, but they were ok without me."
The easy camaraderie of a moment before had been replaced with tension. Shouyou glanced between his partner who still looked peeved, and Terushima whose gaze was now fixed resolutely on the ball in his hands. "I have an idea. Let's play a two-on-two."
Terushima looked at him with an eyebrow raised. "I'm not quite at the level of two Olympic medalists."
"That's fine. 'Tsumu can play with Natsu, and I'll play with you. Those teams should be nearly even."
Terushima still looked skeptical, but he nodded. Natsu, on the other hand, started whining. "But nii-chan, then we'll be playing with two setters and no spikers. That's no fair."
Shouyou laughed. "Come off it, Natsu. I know you could qualify for any professional team as a libero, and I've watched 'Tsumu play enough two-setter formations with Tobio-kun to know he can spike. If anything, you should pity us, playing without a setter."
"Oh ya, 'cause the two experienced beach players really need a designated setter," Atsumu scoffed. "Whatever, Nacchan, let's wipe the floor with these two. I hardly ever get to play against your brother."
Natsu returned a vicious grin, and the teams were set.
At first, both teams played conservatively—high first touches and second or third tempo sets. A few points in, Shouyou watched as Natsu whispered something to Atsumu. His husband and sister exchanged feral grins, leaving Shouyou apprehensive. Natsu received the next serve cleanly, sending an arcing pass right to Atsumu. She sprinted forward before the ball even touched Atsumu's fingertips.
Shouyou saw the super quick coming and readied himself to receive it. Instead, Natsu spiked the ball into the back corner behind Terushima before the blond could react.
"Hell yeah! That's my favorite little sister!" Atsumu crowed, meeting Natsu mid-court for a double high five. Shouyou chuckled. Monsters.
"Nii-chan, are you really going to lose two-on-two to us? Ninja Shouyou's fans would be so disappointed." She gasped dramatically. "What would Kenma-nii say?"
"Whatever, it's just one point. We'll take it back." Shouyou turned to Terushima. "Guess we're not doing enough. What do you say we have some fun?"
Terushima stared at Shouyou for a moment before laughing, an ease settling over his shoulders. He grinned, a bright expression that reminded Shouyou of the rowdy high school captain Terushima had once been. "Play hard and have fun. That was always my style."
Atsumu was next to serve, but Shouyou could feel the different energy on his side of the court now. They were done playing it safe.
He received the ball much like he had the prior serves, a nice clean arc just a bit in front of Terushima. The blond stepped into it then leapt, as if he was preparing a quick set. At the last moment he spun, spiking on the second touch right to the seam between Atsumu and Natsu. The blond settled back to the floor grinning at his hand. The smile seemed so genuine and carefree, it made Shouyou realize that every smile he'd seen from the other so far today had been tired and wan in comparison. What had happened in the years since high school to tamp the fire that used to burn so brightly in Johzenji's captain?
The rest of the match passed in a blur of laughter and friendly banter. The conservative tactics of the first dozen points had been replaced by a no-holds-barred flurry of athletic feats. Both teams were doing whatever they could to surprise and overwhelm the other, even though the off-the-cuff tactics caught their own teammate by surprise just as often. As Shouyou familiarized himself with Terushima's play style, they slowly improved, connecting on more and more of their plays. When Terushima scored match point by spiking an incoming free ball on the first touch, he was laughing, bright and free.
"Nacchan, how were we supposed ta compete with these lunatics? I'm starting ta think we don't even play the same sport!"
Natsu let out a breathy laugh, still bent over and struggling to catch her breath. "Monsters. The lot of you. I thought I'd finally be able to keep up, but I don't run half that much in a five-set professional match. I think I'm dying."
Shouyou turned away as Atsumu began to tease his sister. Terushima had picked up the ball and was now staring at it with a soft smile. "You played well. It's not a beach, but we played using beach rules. I don't know why you were calling yourself washed-up when you're still in your prime."
Terushima sighed and looked up. "Hinata-kun, I appreciate the vote of confidence from you and Kuroo-san, but I don't even have a partner. If Japan wants to build a beach team, I'll do what I can to support my country, but my Olympic run is behind me."
"Hmm, you could have told me that before I came all the way to Miyagi to see how well we'd mesh as a team." Terushima opened his mouth to say something, but Shouyou quickly continued, "Look, I can't make any promises. Yes, Kuroo-san asked me to try playing as your partner myself, but I'm on the national team. I won't lie to you and say I've made up my mind. What I will say is that I had fun playing with you today and that I miss the sand.
"It's too early to worry about LA. For now, what if we just chose a Futures tournament to compete in. We'll see how we do against actual beach teams and both get to hit the sand again. The JVA has promised some support, so we can just think of it as a volleyball vacation." Shouyou ignored the barely muffled laughter from behind him as he held eye contact with Terushima.
"A volleyball vacation, huh? Thinking we'll do some sightseeing in Europe while we're there? Visit Rome?"
Shouyou shrugged. "Why not. I don't think Tobio is back for the national season yet. He's a pretty shitty tour guide, but his teammates on Ali Roma at least speak some Italian."
Terushima's eyes were wide as he stared at Shouyou. "Wait, you're serious right now, aren't you?"
"I'm always serious about volleyball. Terushima Yuuji, if you'll have me, I would like to compete in a real beach tournament as your partner. If it goes poorly, it'll be a fun experience to tell at parties; but if it works, we can look at what that might mean for the future. You thought the Olympics were behind you. I thought the same of Ninja Shouyou. Who knows, maybe we were both wrong."
Terushima's eyes darted between Shouyou's and his outstretched hand. Finally, with a huffed laugh, he reached forward, and Shouyou took the calloused palm in a firm handshake. "Maybe this is crazy, but I do miss the sand. We'll see how one tournament goes."
"'The Return of the Ninja,' I can see it now, Nii-chan." Natsu made a grand arm gesture. "Your fans are going to go wild. I'll make the call to Kenma-nii."
Shouyou groaned.