~Back In The Game~

~Chapter Twenty~

"...!! Whoa!!" Hinata exclaims with a look of admiration. "So cool!!"

"!! H-Hey! Whoa! Don't be sayin' stuff like that right to a guy's face!!" Noya replies flustered. "You want me feeding you two Gari Gari Ice Pops?!"

"Yes sir!"

"Cola and pear flavor, got it?!"

"Yes Sir!"

"So! What's your specialty, Mr. Future Ace?"

"Huh?!"

"You suck at the defensive side of things, after all."

'Ouch. Harsh.' You think.

"But you've gotta have something right?" Noya continues.

"Um... D-De...coy..." Hinata says dejectedly.

"Say wha? Koi? Why do you sound all dejected about that?"

"Well, Compared to stuff like Ace or Guardian or Leader, it sounds kinda...dumb." Hinata explains. You want to comfort and reassure Hinata but don't want to interrupt the moment, so you wait to see what Noya will say.

"What's it matter what the name sounds like?" The second-year asks.

"But.." Hinata starts but is cut off as Noya continues.

"Because you're acting as a decoy, that means somebody else gets an easy attack right?" He asks Rhetorically. You see where this is going so you start walking to where the two and a few others are. " So if it doesn't sound as awesome as Ace or Guardian or Leader... your job is still just as vital as theirs." Off to the side, Tanaka and Kageyama nod their heads in agreement with Kageyama saying 'Yeah!'.

"...Okay..." Hinata says unconvinced. Noticing this, you reach Hinata's side and start talking.

"He's right, Hinata." Hearing this Noya becomes flustered." In the match against Aoba Johsai if it wasn't for your decoy skills we may have not won." You finish with a smile that reassures Hinata a little bit.

"I haven't seen you play in a real game or anything though!! So if you suck at being a decoy, I take that all back, 'kay?" Noya says while patting Hinata's Shoulder.

"Well, you won't be taking it back. Especially after you see him play in a game." You say.

-With Suga and Daichi-

"... He has a point." Suga says. Daichi looks at him questionably as he waits for Suga to continue. "Now, here at Karasuno we have The Greatest Decoy on our team. With Hinata and Kageyama working together...attacks that we couldn't make count before...are sure to get through this time!"

"Yeah." Daichi says while looking at you, Noya, Hinata, and Kageyama as you all talk. "I get the feeling that the "chemical reaction" Takeda-sensei mentioned isn't quite finished yet. We are going to keep changing. I just hope it's in a good way. Some things still worry me..."

"Hey! No pessimism!" Suga scolds Daichi

-After practice, Sakanoshita Market-

"Geez, Sensei! You're a real stubborn one"

"I know. It's one of the few things on my short list of strong points." Takeda says.

"Beg me as many times as you want -- I'm not gonna be their coach." The shopkeeper begins. "It was Gramps who did that stuff, not me. Teaching others isn't my thing."

"I disagree. I hear that you were exceptional at teaching your juniors in both high school and college. And that you had a gift for analyzing opposing teams. That sounds like talent to me." Takeda explains.

"Wha..? Who blabbed all that? Still...butter me up all you like-- I'm still just a youngster with no coaching experience. When you say you need someone to teach them actual volleyball skills, I'm sure you mean it... But... what you really want is the "Ukai'' name."

"...To be honest...yes. Ever since Coach Ukai left, schools we used to have close relationships with have grown distant. A novice like me, who was only recently thrown into being an advisor with no experience isn't going to be taken seriously. I have trouble setting up simple practice games. I know it seems very unfair...but..."

"You think that might change with the draw of the famous "Ukai" name?"

"..."

"Sorry, but I'm not gonna play babysitter to a bunch of bratty, snot-nosed little high schoolers."

"Thank you for your time. I'll come again later." Takeda says with a bow.

"I told ya I'm not doin' it. My answer ain't changing."

"I'm sorry I'm being so persistent about this... but I think if you watched them play, then you would understand why." Takeda says as he begins to leave. As he walks through the door he speaks one last time. "Good Night."

~To Be Continued~