Unpolished Gems

Chapter 41

Tossing up the ball, Daichi gave a simple but still strong serve to Date Tech. The opposing team received it well and set up an attack which Nishinoya caught.

"Mine!" Asahi yelled as he approached the net with conviction in his veins. It's either now or never for him to actually start stepping up as the team's ace. He can't just keep relying on the first years no matter how strong they are.

As always though, Aone was quick to run up to block his path. Frustration built up within him at the sight before he heard the familiar voices of the girl's volleyball team cheering his name.

"Go, Azumane!" The call made him feel even more pumped up as he reeled his hand back and spiked harder than ever. At the force of the hit, Aone was sent stumbling back as the ball went flying out of bounds, giving their team another point.

"Nice one, Asahi-san!" Tanaka cried from the sidelines while the other players on their team cheered him on. A warm feeling spread over him at all the positivity causing him to blush and just smile.

Even a few players watching the match couldn't help but be awed by the ace's strength considering how he made even one of the strongest blocker fall back. One by one, more people started to watch and even cheer for the crows.

With Karasuno feeling more determined than ever, the match progressed with them still in the lead. It was a no-brainer that Date Tech felt displeased by this seeing as how they used a few time-outs just to ruin Karasuno's streak.

Walking over to the serving spot, [Name] hummed in thought as he bounced the ball and even spun it a few times. His mind wandered over to Oikawa and his serve and for a moment, he couldn't help but think if he could do that too.

Looking over at the scoreboard, it displayed 17-20 with them still in favor of the match. If he missed this serve, it would be fine seeing as how they'd still be in the lead. Besides, he could easily take the point back after.

Making up his mind, he tossed the ball up once he heard the whistle and jumped. A loud bang erupted in the gym as the ball flew towards Date Tech at high speed. The opposing Libero stood there stunned as he lowered his stance to try and receive the stong looking serve. 

Just as it approached, the ball swerved last second as it landed right on the line. Another point was given to Karasuno as everyone took a moment to process what exactly happened.

'A monster serve this late in the match?!' Multiple players thought once as they watched the white-haired player look at them with blank eyes, oblivious to the thoughts floating in his head.

"Huh, can't believe it went in." [Name] mumbled with just as much surprise as everyone else once he landed back on the ground. In all honesty, he expected the ball to go out considering the force he accidentally put into that hit.

He never really attempted jumping serves before despite the insistence of his previous teammates and friends in Blue Lock. Who would have thought it would be this fun?

"Yo, what the hell?!" Nishinoya screeched out from the sidelines as he watched the surprising turn of events. Even the coaches were quite shocked considering their gaping mouths.

[Name] turned to look at them and was about to say something before a pair of hands grabbed his shoulders and shook him hard.

"When did you learn that?! Were you always able to do that? Why didn't you do it before?" The setter asked one question after another while Hinata let out noises of awe in the background.

"Why don't you stop shaking him for a moment...?" Daichi cleared his throat as he looked at the genius duo with a tired look on his face. "He won't be able to answer anything with you shaking him like that."