Happy 2021!!!
I hope you have a wonderful year!!!
Also, I would be so grateful if you would answer a couple of questions...
— Anime or manga?
— English sub or dub?
(The reason I ask this is because the anime is sometimes different from the original manga, and I haven't read either of them to write this book.😔 The characters' lines differ from sub and dub, so I get confused with one to use or quote.)
Thank you!!!
(Warning: Long chapter...)
***
Reference:
Aoba Johsai Private High School (Seijoh):
Head Coach - Irihata Nobuteru
Coach - Mizoguchi Sadayuki
#1 Oikawa Tōru (Captain) - 3 - S
#2 Matsukawa Issei - 3 - MB
#3 Hanamaki Takahiro - 3 - WS / Outside Hitter
#4 Iwaizumi Hajime (Vice Captain & Ace) - 3 - WS / Outside Hitter
#6 Yahaba Shigeru - 2 - S / Pinch Server
#7 Watari Shinji - 2 - Li
#12 Kindaichi Yūtarō - 1 - MB
#13 Kunimi Akira - 1 - WS / Opposite Hitter
***
24-24.
"Oh-oh-oh, Seijoh!"
"Seijoh!!!"
The cheering audience for Aoba Johsai screamed their chants, making Karasuno's three spectators look pathetic.
At their bench, the libero in orange ruffled the first-year duo's heads, complimenting their last quick attack. Kageyama looked thoughtful, but Hinata said something to him that refueled his enthusiasm. Nishinoya went in for Tsukishima, and the guys on the side cheered for their teammates.
Hinata's consecutive broad attacks were picked up by the opposite libero, again and again. However, it didn't stop him from running back and forth across the court. As he grew tired, his jumping peak lowered, and he barely tipped the ball with his fingertips over Iwaizumi's block. The energetic middle blocker fell and tumbled to the side.
24-25, Karasuno.
... 25-25.
Oikawa's powerful serve barely grazed past Nishinoya's head. He glanced behind at the ball that landed behind the white line, with his head still tilted to the side.
"Is it really true that Seijoh has never made it to Nationals?" Shimada incredulously said. "They're such a solid team."
Ai had to agree. Their psychological strength during the painstakingly long match was admirable. Iwaizumi and Oikawa were a magnificent combination. Still, prodigies existed, and there seemed to always be someone better than the other.
The deuce made the set go on until both teams had 30 points each.
It was hard to watch. Both teams were exhausted out of their minds, but they kept chasing after each other, one point after another. Ai knitted her brows while looking on. Unfortunately, she didn't have the stamina to verbally cheer for her team. Kiyoko also gripped her pink notebook from her seat on the silver metal bench. Kunimi scored the leading points with the energy he somehow still had left, and an unexpected feint.
Seijoh's match point.
"Kageyama, quit second-guessing!" Sugawara shouted, doing his part in removing the lonely king. "What is everyone on our crew?"
"They're good at what they do," he replied, truly believing his words.
Daichi dived and connected another one of Oikawa's weaker serves, and Nishinoya received Kindaichi's untouched direct attack over Hinata's short block.
"Kindaichi! Kunimi!" Iwaizumi shouted.
"Yes, sir!" they replied at the net beside him.
Finally, Kageyama tossed the ball perfectly to Hinata, who was in turn completely shut down by three blocks in white.
Everything was in slow motion as Hinata's feet touch the ground once more and he looked behind him. The ball fell. Kageyama, Nishinoya, and Asahi all dived in but didn't make it.
33-31. Aoba Johsai.
They were devastated.
The coaches bowed to each other as the players ran to the net for handshakes. The players bowed to the people behind their black flag, with Kiyoko joining them beside Daichi.
Applause resonated, even though the stadium was sparsely filled. Ai clapped along with the three fangirls to their far-right, and she bowed back to her team.
"Good job," Shimada smiled.
"That was a good game," Takinoue added positively.
Everyone kept their eyes down as they ran back for feedback from the coaches. The third-years looked especially frustrated.
"Remember when we lost?" the blond alumni began. "I used to hate it when someone told me it was a good game. I was like, 'But I lost!'"
Shimada listened to his friend as they recalled their past days.
"But now that it's my turn to say something, it's the only appropriate thing I can think to say."
Ai pursed her lips. She saw Tanaka putting a hand on Hinata's back, and Nishinoya did the same for Kageyama. She bit her lower lip between her teeth. "My team in middle school never lost."
Her sudden comment made the two men turn to her in surprise. However, she kept watching the team in a semicircle, listening to the younger Coach Ukai's speech.
"Say what comes to mind. Be honest. It's the honorable thing to do." She paused while Shimada and Takinoue stared at her in awe. Then, she turned to them and bowed. "Thank you for joining the team and me today. It's been a pleasure."
Ai left the railing and went to meet her players downstairs just as the Seijoh team started to change their shirts to the blue-green color. They were going on to the quarterfinals.
.
"Ai-chan," Kiyoko greeted her when she met up with the group.
"Kiyoko-senpai." She bowed. A quick glance around, and she knew that four of her star players were missing. "Where are the others?"
"Outside to cool off."
She nodded to her senior and walked to a set of doors to the side. Before she could reach it, Tanaka and Nishinoya came back and entered.
"Oh, Ai," Tanaka said out loud.
She smiled kindly at them and closed their distance. Reaching a hand up to him, she took one end of the white towel that hung around the wing spiker's neck and lightly brushed it against his cheek. "Thank you, Ryu."
"Yeah," was all he said without meeting her soft gaze.
Next, she held Nishinoya's towel to his face and did the same. "Yū."
"You would've done better for them. Shōyō and Kageyama are still outside by the water fountain, but we told them the meeting's gonna start soon." Nishinoya tried to sound positive.
She didn't say a word in return, but pulled them both into a hug. "I'm so proud of you both. Now, it's my turn to help you." Feeling tired all of the sudden, she stayed in the embrace a little longer than usual and leaned into their strong bodies.
The two guys were exhausted as well and tilted into her. Takeda-sensei went to fetch the boys outside, and Ai walked in between her two dear friends, Tanaka and Nishinoya, back to the viewing balcony.
.
They had their meeting upstairs among the seating area while the managers and Takeda-sensei took down their black Karasuno Volleyball Club flag.
Her head was dizzy, and she couldn't think straight. So, she quickly hit the record button on her phone as soon as Coach Ukai started talking. The whole team was quiet.
Aoba Johsai won against Senseki High School with two straight sets; they would be going on to the semifinals and continue on their road up in the tournament.
.
They packed their bags and left the building. Ai trudged on, pressing a supportive hand on the backs of stragglers and keeping them moving. They were more tired than her. She couldn't fall now.
Per Coach Ukai's generosity, they were treated to a late lunch. They sat in front of a gorgeous feast.
"All that running and jumping puts stress on the muscles and tears the muscle fiber. At the end of a game, your muscle fibers will be in tatters." The coach looked down at the meal laid out on numerous plates. "You recover by eating. That's what gives you muscle." He sat down. "That will make you stronger.
"So, eat up. Eat a proper meal."
The captain and vice-captain looked at each other before putting their hands together in thanks for the food. The others followed suit.
At first, no one had the appetite. However, once they swallowed their first bite of food, they ate mercilessly. Their pent-up frustration was expended through eating. When the first tears spilled from their eyes, Ai got up from her seat beside her classmates and handed out towels and tissues. The students ate until they were physically unable to.
As they finally prepared to leave the restaurant, Ai stood from her seiza position. Normally, her feet would fall asleep and hurt, but her sadō training had done her well. It didn't, however, save her from the blackout.
She pushed herself onto her feet, ignoring the pain in her head for the umpteenth time that day. This time, her eyes went blind, and her body swayed. The next moment, she found herself lying on the floor on her stomach.
"AI!"
Everyone reacted at once. Coach Ukai made his way towards her from the other end of the table while Narita and Kinoshita hovered over her, unsure of what to do.
Groaning, she picked herself up.
"Did you hit your head? Don't move her!" Ukai rushed over and held her face, looking from side to side at her head for any injuries. Her precious necklace dangled precariously from beneath her white Karasuno T-shirt.
"Can we have some water?" Takeda-sensei called to the lady owner.
"Ai! What happened?!" Nishinoya couldn't see from where he stood behind Tsukishima, the farthest away from her.
"Hey, what's wrong? Stand up too fast?" the coach questioned her.
"I'm fine. It's fine. I'm sorry." She stabilized herself against the wall next to the line of backpacks. She breathed in deeply and shut her eyes, her eyebrows furrowed. Her tiredness was taking its toll.
"Here." Kinoshita handed her a cup of water.
"Thank you, Hisashi." She took a sip, and then her phone rang.
"Who is it?" Ukai clicked his tongue and asked, annoyed.
Ennoshita reached into her bag and pulled it out for her. He handed it over as it vibrated with an incoming call.
She took it from him. "Thank you, Chikara," she said, hoping it would prove to everyone that she was still coherent. She glanced at the displayed name as she answered the phone. "Shintarō-kun?"
He must have picked up on her weak voice. "Akatsuki, are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Just a small headache." She surveyed the crowd of worried faces. "Why did you... It was my horoscope, wasn't it?"
"... Yes."
"Thank you for calling. How is Ryota-kun?"
"He's perfectly healthy. Are you really fine?"
"Yes, or at the very least I will be. My team is here with me, so don't tell Seijuro. I don't want him to worry."
"It's his job to worry, but my lips are sealed. ...Get off of me, Takao," he grunted. "Take care, Akatsuki."
"Thank you. You too, Shintarō-kun. Bye, Kazunari-kun."
He ended the call, and she let her hand fall beside her, knowing that a certain someone was getting yelled at right then in Tokyo. She tried to give them a smile. "I'll be fine. Just give me a minute to drink this water."
Coach Ukai still wasn't convinced. "Fainting isn't good. Has this happened before? Want me to call an ambulance?"
"A-an ambulance?!" Hinata stuttered.
"It was more like collapsing than fainting," Tanaka commented.
She waved her hand. "Honestly, I'm fine. Ryu, it's not that bad. And relax, Shōyō. I'm okay." She sipped on some more of her water.
"Who was it?" Narita asked, changing the subject.
She was grateful. "Wouldn't you want to know, Kazuhito." She smiled softly. "A superstitious friend. He read our Gemini horoscope, Sugawara-senpai."
The third-year setter let out a small laugh of relief. "I guess he did."
"Anyway, let's stay here for a little bit." Coach turned to the woman chef. "Sorry about that."
"It's no problem. We'll be opening soon, but stay as long as you like." She smiled a motherly smile and started clearing the table.
Ai reached over to help, but Sugawara popped her on her hand. He tsked at her. "Just what do you think you're doing? You're supposed to rest."
"He's right, Akatsuki-san." Takeda-sensei scolded.
She pouted a little before leaning her head back. She stared at the ceiling and closed her eyes.
"Uh, not to burst your bubble, but is that really ok? Isn't fainting pretty serious?" Tsukishima interjected.
Yamaguchi nodded vigorously.
She opened her eyes in time to hear the captain speak.
"He's right. Are you sure about this, Ai? Why don't you call him, or your parents?" Daichi asked.
"Him?" Hinata pondered, wondering if he meant Murasakibara, the only Generation of Miracles he'd met so far.
"Y-yeah. Good idea, Daichi." Asahi looked anxious, as expected.
"I'll just be sure to sleep it off when I get home. Perhaps I'll miss school tomorrow, too." Although she said this, Ai knew she wouldn't, and so did the people who knew her for the past year and a half.
She wouldn't, they simultaneously thought.
"Liar," Nishinoya called out.
"Accusations aren't nice, Yū."
"Lying isn't either."
"Pfft," Tsukishima laughed at their immature exchange.
"Tobio, do me a favor. Steal Kei's glasses," Ai requested.
"With pleasure."
"Lucky," Hinata murmured, unfortunate that he missed a chance to toy with Tsukishima as he always did to him.
"Hey, what are you-," Tsukishima resisted and held Kageyama's snatching hands back.
"And give them to Tadashi," she added.
"M-me?" he asked, confused.
"Tsk." Tsukishima relented, and Kageyama took them off. He tossed them over to Yamaguchi.
"Careful with that!"
Yamaguchi looked unsure as he now held his friend's black-rimmed glasses. "Um..., what do I do now?"
"Count to ten, and then give them back."
He did, and Tsukishima grumpily retrieved it.
Everyone looked at her curiously, wondering why she'd done that. However, she offered them no explanation and exhaled.
She finished her water and sat up straight. Placing both of her hands together in front of her, Ai bent forward while keeping her eyes down.
To be honest, she didn't know what to say. Teikō had never lost such an epic battle. How could she even come close to commiserating with them? "Thank you," she finally said, not wanting to miss the opportunity to convey her appreciation for them.
She bowed flawlessly, with serenity and tranquility. They awed at the graceful results of her sadō lessons, but ground their teeth in defeat.
She raised her head and stood more carefully this time. Narita gave her a hand.
Nobody met anyone's eyes.
***
Author's Note:
Almost the end of Season 1... 🥺
But, I have a small surprise in addition to the next update!
It's not much, but I think it's kind of fun! Something to look forward to, I guess. 😊
***
Midorima is into birthday horoscopes and blood type theories.
What other spiritual stuff might he be interested in? (Tarot, healing crystals, chakras, meditation, etc.?)
Total Word Count: 2427