Chapter Text
[Name]'s eyes widen, watching Daichi spike the ball to the other side of the net. Ikejiri ran after the ball even when it's outside of the court and she held her breath. She wishes for the boy to be able to receive the ball because she know how devastating it is not to be able to make it to the ball in time. However, she'd remind herself that she had the motivation to run after the ball.
She pulled her lips into a thin line when Ikejiri didn't make it and Karasuno scored a point. The boys screamed for the point while those in Tokonami approached Ikejiri. She let out a sigh, turning her attention to Hinata who's going to serve and she watched Tokonami receive the serve effortlessly.
"Bring to the left!" Ikejiri announced, his hand up.
"Ikejiri-senpai."
Ikejiri approaches the net, his eyes focused on the ball and he jumps, spiking the ball. Unfortunately, Azumane and Tsukishima blocked, Azumane being the one to shut out Ikejiri and that was the first match point. The referee blows his whistle, signaling with his arms for the teams to rotate, [Name] and Kiyoko are giving water to the boys.
"You looked cool, Nishi," [Name] praised, smiling at him.
Nishinoya pulled his lips into a thin line, blushing and he looks away. [Name] noticed and she was about to open her mouth when Tanaka bumps into her, a fake pout on his lips as he gazed at her. "What about me, [Last name]?"
[Name] smiles wider. "You, too!"
Tanaka smiles wide, thrusting his fist in the air and he walks over to Nishinoya. Tanaka starts talking to Nishinoya with a smirk on his lips and that flustered expression disappears from Nishinoya's features. [Name] wondered if she shouldn't praise Nishinoya, perhaps it embarrasses him like a mother giving affection to her son in public. She didn't like that comparison.
The referee blows the whistle and the players return to the court.
"Nice serve, Kageyama!" Daichi encouraged.
[Name] watched the black haired first-year toss the volleyball up and perform a service ace serve. [Name] clapped, smiling wide as Kageyama's service ace was really good and he scored a point with it, too. Kageyama continued to do another four service aces, scoring five points in total for Karasuno with his service aces.
Kageyama did another service ace, but Tokonami was able to pick it up. The ball is going towards the net, a bit too high to spike, but Ikejiri and Daichi are up on the net together. Both of them applying pressure to the ball to get it to either slip on one side, but Daichi was able to push the ball onto Tokonami's side.
However, Daichi touched the net so the point goes to Tokonami.
"All right!" The players on Tokonami exclaimed.
"Maybe we shouldn't be so happy about one lousy point."
"It's fine. One point can be the beginning of a scoring streak."
[Name] smiled at the team.
Karasuno is in a match point, but Tokonami doesn't look like they're going to accept defeat. [Name] smiled at the sight of Tokonami still having their fighting spirit with them and she liked Tokonami only because they're not giving up despite the point difference between them. Nor are they going to let the one point that Karasuno needs to win the game waver their determination.
Tanaka serves the ball and Sakuari receives the ball. The setter sets the ball to Ikejiri, the number 4 player approaching the net with his eyes focused on the ball and he jumps, ready to spike the ball on Karasuno's side. Ikejiri spikes the ball past Hinata and Daichi, Azumane goes in the path of the ball and receives it. The ball lands in Kageyama's hands and he sets it to Hinata, but Ikejiri receives the ball.
Due to Ikejiri receiving the ball, Tokonami is able to score a point after the setter had set the ball to a wing spiker. Nishinoya had went to save the ball, but it hit the floor. Tokonami screams to scoring a point, but Nishinoya is louder than them.
"Damn it!" Nishinoya screamed, he goes back to his position. His arms low and out with his knees bent. "I'll save the next one for sure!"
"One more! Let's turn it around," Daichi yelled, being near the net.
"Yeah!"
[Name] smiles, Karasuno still playing serious and not easing up, knowing that they only need one more point to win the game. She smiles when Kageyama sets the ball, Hinata being the decoy and the Tokonami blockers falling for him, but Kageyama set the ball to Daichi who scored the last point for Karasuno.
[Name] packed up her supplies, slinging the strap of the bag over her shoulder. She helped Kiyoko pick up and gather the towels and bottled waters while Ukai and Takeda are having a conversation together. The others had left the court except for Hinata and Kageyama. Hinata is standing there, gazing at the court while Kageyama is packing his things away.
"Hey. Quit spacing out, airhead," Kageyama advised to Hinata. "Let's go."
"We won," Hinata stated.
[Name] held the strap of her bag in her hands, gazing at Hinata.
"Yeah," Kageyama replied.
Hinata turns to face him. "Do we play... another match?"
Kageyama stands up, "Yeah, because we won."
"We won," Hinata said, looking down at his hands. His hands are red, hitting the ball during the match so much and [Name] noticed the redness. His hands probably sting or tingle. "We won. We won! We can play another match. We can stand on the court again."
"He was like a little animal, hungry for victory..." Takeda trailed off, smiling at the excited and happy Hinata. "...and now he's tasted it for the first time."
"Yeah."
---
[Name] sits in front of Hinata, squeezing ointment into her hands to help with the stinging feeling on Hinata's hands. Nishinoya is helping Tanaka stretch while Azumane is sitting, Sugawara is going through his bag and [Name] thinks that Kageyama is mediating. He looks like he is so she's going to assume he is.
"Karasuno was amazing. Especially that little #10! He was unreal."
Hinata stood up and [Name] gazed up at him in question, the cool feeling of the ointment spread on her hands. She sees the odd expression on his face, his eyebrows raised with a blush on his cheeks and his lips twitching nervously probably to prevent himself from smiling so widely. [Name] let out a sigh and she stands up, rubbing the ointment into his hands.
"I know, right? His quicks were right on the money."
His odd expression turns into shock and [Name] looks over her shoulder. Kageyama is gazing at him, a silent judging expression on his features as he gazes at [Name] over her shoulder and she held back a snicker.
"Wh-What?" Hinata asked, [Name] still rubbing the ointment in Hinata's hands. "I'm happy. What's wrong with that? No one's ever said stuff like that about me before." [Name] finished rubbing the ointment, crouching down to grab a towel and she wiped the rest of the lotion from Hinata's hand.
"I didn't say anything," Kageyama said. [Name] looks up to see a devious smile on his lips. "I'm glad you're getting all the attention. The more our opponents are wary of you, the more they'll bring out the best in you."
"Yeah, I don't really understand what you mean, but you're scary when you're smiling," Hinata stated.
[Name] stepped away from them, the towel thrown over her arm and the container of the ointment in her hands. She approaches Nishinoya and Tanaka, sitting beside Tanaka and Nishinoya's eyes flickered to her. She held up the container, smiling at them although her gaze is more focused on Nishinoya.
"Do you want some on your arms, Nishi?" [Name] asked.
He shakes his head, a slight smile on his lips. "No, I'm okay. Thank you, though."
[Name] opens her mouth to suggest, but the sound of Hinata voicing his pains caused her to lift her head to see Kageyama gripping Hinata by the top of his head.
"Yeah, he's right," Ukai said, approaching the team and referring to Hinata's and Kageyama's conversation. Daichi is behind Ukai, holding a piece of paper and reading it. "'That little #10' gets a big reaction. The bigger, the better. The more Hinata shines, the more he blinds the defense." [Name] puts away the ointment and towel while all the boys are standing up and having their attention on Ukai. "So, the starting lineup for the next match will be the same as the first."
Daichi reads the paper. "Our next match is at 1:30 PM. Keep yourselves warm."
"Have a light lunch," Ukai advised. "Don't fill yourselves up."
"Yeah."
[Name] walks away from the team, holding a bento in her hands and she goes to sit outside. She eats by herself, knowing who their next opponents are and knowing it's going to be rough for Azumane and the others. However, mostly for Azumane because that's the team that made him quit. She can only hope that they won't lose and they'll be able to take part in the next match.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she took it out, seeing the caller ID and she smiles so wide her cheeks hurt.
Answering the phone, she said, "Waka!"
"Assuming your tone is one of happiness, Karasuno won their first match?"
"Yes, but I'm always happy when you call me," [Name] chuckled, kicking her legs as she sits on the bench. She chews on her phone, her gaze lowered to the cement ground. "Our next match is at 1:30 so I have some time to relax. Our next opponent won't be easy to win against."
"Hm? How come?" She could hear voices on the other end. "I'm talking to [Name], Tendou. Is there something you need?"
"Hi [Name]-chan!" Tendou's voice replaced Ushijima's. "Is it true that Wakatoshi is spending the night at your place?"
"Yes."
"Wakatoshi wants to talk to you. He's glaring at me!"
"Hello?"
"Hi, Waka."
"How come the next opponent won't be easy again?"
"We'll be playing against Dateko. The last time we went against them, Asahi-san was shut out completely and their defense is practically god-like. Three months ago was when we last went against them and Asahi-san quit. I don't want that to happen again and I know Karasuno will struggle against them, but hopefully we can pull through."
"Dakteo is known for their defense. However, I believe that Karasuno will win."
"So, what would you like to do tonight, Waka?" [Name] asked, fiddling with the chopsticks in her hand.
"Anything you'd like to do."
"What do you want to do, Waka?" She asked again.
She knows that he's content with doing whatever she wants to do, but she would also like to do what Ushijima would like to do as well. Only because she wants to enjoy what he wants to do and have fun with him. He's always fine with doing what she wants to do even if they're just watching movies, cooking, or simply taking a nap in her room together.
There's silence on his side of the call and [Name] wondered if he hung up on her. She knows he wouldn't, but it didn't stop her from pulling her phone away from her ear to make sure that she's still on the phone with him. She put her phone back to her ear and she opened her mouth, but Ushijima responded.
"A massage."
"A massage?" She repeated. He hummed in response and [Name] nodded her head. "Okay. Like a back massage?"
"Yes."
"Okay. A back massage it is," [Name] chuckled.
---
"All right. We'll win the second match, too!" Hinata announced.
[Name] doesn't bother to acknowledge Date Tech although Aone practically towers over [Name] when he passes by her. He's so quiet and [Name] would love to see if him or Ushijima are taller. Although, she's never really seen Date Tech go against Shiratorizawa. When Karasuno would lose in the tournaments, [Name] would go watch Ushijima and Shiratorizawa play and she would cheer on Shiratorizawa.
Sometimes, the coach would let [Name] on the court because apparently, Ushijima was more motivated than normal.
"Go! Go! Let's go! Let's go, Dateko!" A shouter within Date Tech's cheering section started off.
"Go! Go! Let's go! Let's go Dateko!"
[Name] groaned, rolling her eyes as she rubbed her temples. She glared at Date Tech's cheering section, burning holes in their 'Iron Wall Defense' stupid banner and she narrowed her eyes at the team. All of them are huddle in a circle and the captain, Moniwa, has the biggest smile on his face.
"Dateko... fight!" Moniwa shouted.
"Yeah!" The players exclaimed, being loud as hell.
"Start running!"
"You're getting intimidated again," Tanaka stated, gazing at the trembling and shocked Hinata.
[Name] walks over to Azumane and she touched his arm. He jumped slightly, but he gives a kind smile to her and she returns his smile. His eyes widen when [Name] jumps up to wrap her arms around his neck to give him a hug and he's way too stunned to hug her back. Azumane is just an inch shorter than Ushijima, but normally Ushijima bends slightly so [Name] could wrap her arms around his neck. When he doesn't do that, she has to literally jump and most of the time, he doesn't bend.
"You'll be good out there," [Name] stated, standing on the very tip of her toes. "This will be different than last year. I promise."
Azumane chuckles nervously. "Thank you, [Last Name]. That means a lot."
"Of course!" [Name] pulls away, stumbling a bit, but she balances out.
The referee blows his whistle calling for the captains and [Name] moves to the bench. Tanaka and Nishinoya hound on Azumane, what they're saying [Name] can't tell because they're whispering. However, Tanaka's and Nishinoya's expression is different because it seems like they're both scowling or it looks like they are.
"I don't know how to say it..." Takeda said, a nervous smile on his lips as he gazed at Dateko's cheering section. "...but it's like Dateko has taken over the court."
Daichi runs over after shaking Moniwa's hand. "We're receiving first from this side of the court."
"Yeah," Ukai replied.
"Get ready to receive!" Daichi announced.
"Yeah."
Kiyoko pushes the cart of volleyballs while the players line up to Ukai and she holds out a volleyball. Daichi is first while Ukai is across from him and [Name] sits on the bench, watching them from afar. [Name] hopes that her words were able to make Azumane feel better about himself and if Karasuno loses, she hopes that it isn't like last year. And if they win, then she'll be very relieved.
"Here goes," Ukai announced, rolling his sleeves up. "Keep it in play."
"Yeah."
Ukai tosses the ball up, spiking it and Daichi received it perfectly, he then runs to the back of the line. [Name] watches the warmup, all the players receiving until Nishinoya is next.
"Rolling..." Nishinoya growled. Ukai spiked the ball to him and Nishinoya received the ball with his inner forearm. "Thunder..." He rolls and pushes himself to stand up, "Again!" [Name] smiles watching him chuckle as everyone has surprised expressions and he smirks. "That was perfect."
"Noya-san, nice receive," Tanaka praised, moving his hand in a 'come hither' motion. "Perfection itself! Except for the name."
Nishinoya snaps. "The name is perfect, too!"
"Teach me! Teach me the Again version, too!" Hinata asked.
"How's that different from the regular one?" Tsukishima questioned.
"What was that?" Sugawara laughed, holding his stomach.
"He saved it."
"Hey, Nishinoya, you're gonna make Daichi mad."
"All right. There's nothing to worry about," Nishinoya claimed, hands on his hips. "All of you, keep your eyes forward. Because you have me guarding your backs."
[Name] smiled widely, feeling her eyes sting as tears are building in them. She guess she shouldn't worry about them that much for this match, they're acting like themselves and Nishinoya reassured them with his skills as a libero. [Name] lifted a hand, wiping the tears building her eyes and she sniffled, gazing at Nishinoya as he stands with confidence.
"A-Awesome!" Kageyama, Hinata, and Tanaka exclaimed.
"Wow. He restored the team's confidence," Takeda added.
"Yeah. He's a truly outstanding libero," Ukai voiced.
The referee blows the whistle and the two teams line up.
"Let's play!"