A/N: Hello, readers! Welcome to another chapter! Enjoy!

edited on october 30th, 2020 @ 11:49pm

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CHAPTER FOUR - THE NEKO-KARASU REUNION

KARASUNO FOLLOWED THE NEKOMA TEAM into the building as Hideaki saw Hinata run up to the same guy he saw when he went to find him. "Kenma!" He shouted making the guy, known as Kenma, to pause and stare at him. "Hey, you're with Nekoma?" Hinata asked with shock.

"Oh. Yeah." Kenma replied, looking away.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Hinata whined.

"Because you didn't ask..." Kenma replied, making Hinata confused.

"But you said 'see you soon.' You must've known something." Hinata stated as Kenma looked at the orange haired boy.

"Your t-shirt said 'Karasuno High School.'" Kenma replied.

"Hey, hey, hey."

Hideaki noticed one of Kenma's teammates who had short, thick eyebrows and a mohawk that was dyed blonde, giving him a intimidating appearance. He also had cat-like eyes, similar to most of Nekoma's members.

"The Nekoma version of Tanaka..." Hideaki thought.

"What business might you have with our setter?" He hissed, making Hinata nervous as he backed up.

"It's fine." Kenma reassured his teammate as Hinata was shaking like a leaf.

"S-Sorry..." Hinata apologized as he bumped into Tanaka who radiated the same energy as the other guy.

"You too... What business might you have with our first-year?" Tanaka hissed back. Hideaki looked at the two, watching the scene unfold.

"Is there a problem?"

"Wanna fight, city boy?"

Sugawara looked at Tanaka with an annoyed look. "We're going to "fight." That's why we're here to play the match. And stop the "city boy" thing. It's embarrassing." He scolded.

"Yamamoto, you're always quick to pick a fight. Stop it. It makes you look stupid." A guy with light brown hair and eyes and short added.

Sugawara and the guy started apologizing for their teammates. "They're both raiding off mom energy." Hideaki thinks to himself.

Kiyoko walked over to him. "You okay? You seem distracted." She asked. Hideaki smiled at the manager. "I'm fine. Just a bit anxious." He replied as Kiyoko giggled a bit.

He suddenly heard Yamamoto yell making Hideaki look over to see him staring at him and Kiyoko. "A lady... manager... beauty... cute boy... as well..." Yamamoto stuttered, backing away.

"Score!" A Nekoma member exclaimed.

"A lady manager! And a cute guy too!" The other added.

"We win yakisoba bread!" The two shouted in unison.

"I don't even wanna know what that's about..." Hideaki thought.

"Setter..." Hideaki heard Kageyama mumble making him look at his junior with confusion.

Karasuno walked into the gymnasium where Hinata is instantly amazed by it. "Wow, the ceiling's so high!" Hinata exclaimed.

"This is normal." Kageyama stated bluntly.

Hideaki looked over to see Daichi smiling at what he guessed was the captain of Nekoma. He was lean with broad shoulders, well-built arms, and a muscular frame. He had narrowed eyes and hazel-colored cat-like eyes. His hair was black and looked like bed head. He also had fringe on his right side that covered his right eye.

"We're looking forward to our match today."

"We're looking forward to it, as well."

The two captains smiled, but Hideaki could tell that it was fake. He walked over to Daichi. "Daichi, where do we put our bags?" He asked as him and Nekoma's captain looked at him.

"I'm sure Suga knows. But my guess is somewhere to the side of the gym." Daichi replied.

"All right, thanks." Hideaki said, turning towards the Nekoma captain.

"I'm Izuki Hideaki. You can just call me Hideaki though. I don't mind." Hideaki greeted, as he felt rude that he walked into him and his captain's conversation without introducing himself.

"I'm Kuroo Tetsuro. But I don't mind if you can call me your boyfriend..." Kuroo grinned, kissing Hideaki's hand and wiggling his eyebrows at him, making Daichi tense and look at the Nekoma captain with a protective glare.

"Tōru would definitely not like this guy..." Hideaki thought as he pulled his hand away.

Before Hideaki could reply, Daichi dragged him and pushed him towards Sugawara. "Watch him. We just got Hideaki back. We don't need them trying to take him away from us. I won't allow it." Daichi stated.

"Got it." Sugawara agreed, grabbing onto Hideaki's arm.

Hideaki just sighed. His teammates were overprotective, but then again, he was grateful for it.

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Everyone was in their uniform as they surrounded Daichi. "Let me be frank. We've all just met. We're awkward and fragmented. But regardless, we're facing our first match. We know nothing about Nekoma's team, nor the kind of walls we'll hit. But when we find a wall, that's our chance to jump over it." Daichi said with a smile as everyone nodded in agreement.

Hideaki noticed Nekoma's team surround each other, but didn't know what they were saying. Soon, everyone headed towards their positions as Hideaki stretched his arms and legs so he wouldn't pull a muscle.

TWEEEET!

Both teams lined up. "We now begin the practice match of Nekoma High School versus Karasuno High School." The announcer shouts out.

"Let's play!"

Somewhere at a garbage dump, a crow flew in the air as it cawwed at a cat, who was in a fighting position, ready to pounce at the crow.

"You're not nervous today, right?" Daichi asked Hinata.

"Right." Hinata grinned.

Hideaki was standing next to Asahi. "Wow. Short..." A guy from the Nekoma team stated as he looked at Hinata. The guy had spiky brown hair and matching brown eyes. Hinata seemed to get irked by the guy who called him short.

"D-Don't underestimate me!" Hinata growled.

"I'm not underestimating you at all." The guy informed, making Hinata be taken aback.

"Really?" Hinata asked.

Hideaki saw Kageyama glare at Hinata which made both our teammate and Nekoma's player shiver at Kageyama.

"Shoyo. I told you I thought we're a strong team, but it's not me that's strong. It's everyone together." Hideaki heard Kenma inform Hinata as the orange haired boy stared at the setter with curiosity.

"Is he?" Hideaki thinks to himself. "I think he is... Nekoma's Brain.... Kozume Kenma, second-year. I've heard about him. I should keep an eye on him."

TWEEEET!

Kenma was the first to serve for his team. "Kenma, nice serve." A member from his team shouted out, as the ball went to Karasuno's side. Hideaki was quick to save it.

"Hideaki!" Asahi called out.

"All right." Hideaki informed. But the save was a little short. "Sorry, a little short." He called out making Nishinoya scoff.

"That's what you get for ditching a month, Hide!" Nishinoya scolded, making the ace pout.

"I'm sorry." Hideaki apologized.

Hideaki watched the ball as it neared Kageyama and Daichi. "Kageyama, cover." Daichi yelled.

"Yes." Kageyama replied as he got under the ball. Hinata was quick on his feet as he raced to the side. Kageyama tossed it to Hinata who spiked it down with his quick reflexes. Nekoma stared in shock, wondering what happened.

"Amazing speed. What the..." The brown haired guy that Hinata was talking to earlier gasped. Hideaki grinned a little at this.

"That was amazing." Kenma spoke up. "I'm shocked."

"Nice, Hinata!" Sugawara called from the sidelines. Hideaki noticed Kenma stare at Hinata, making him narrow his eyes at him.

"Thanks!" Hinata called back. It was Tanaka's turn to serve. "Here goes." He said as he serves the ball. A Nekoma member saves it, as Kenma then sets the ball to Yamamoto. The ball went passed Tsukishima, but Nishinoya was there to receive it.

"Nice receive!" Kageyama called out as he got ready to toss the ball. Hinata jumped, making Nekoma's team jump as well but Kageyama tossed it to Hideaki who spiked it down. Nekoma's libero saves it, only managing to touch it as it went out of bounds, making Karasuno gain another point.

"This is too easy..." Hideaki thought, getting suspicious. Nishinoya walked off the court as Tsukishima walked on. The game continued as everyone kept the ball in play. However, they didn't score a point as Hinata kept messing up.

"I'm sorry." He apologized as Nishinoya rushed back onto the court.

"Hinata, you idiot!" Kageyama shouted.

Hideaki sighed at his two underclassman, feeling a headache coming on. "Don't mind, don't mind." Nishinoya reassured Hinata. The game continued as Kageyama tossed to Tanaka.

"My turn." Tanaka yelled as he spiked the ball, gaining a point for Karasuno.

Nekoma ended up getting a point since Nishinoya didn't get the ball on time. Kageyama sets the ball for Hinata who spikes it down and got Karasuno another point.

Hideaki still felt off as he looked over at Kenma who seemed to be staring at Hinata. "He's planning something. I just know it." Hideaki thinks to himself.

Nekoma's coach called for a timeout, so the game was paused as everyone headed to their respective sides. Sugawara handed Hideaki his water. "Thanks." Hideaki said as he drank the liquid. His eyes were on Nekoma's team.

"Whatever you have planned, I'll see it before you can do it." Hideaki thought.

Soon the game continues, suddenly Hideaki felt like he was being watched. He turned to see Nekoma's team eying Karasuno.

As the game went on, Kageyama tossed to Hinata who got them a point. "Damn it!" The guy who tried to block Hinata shouted.

"Don't mind, don't mind." Yamamoto told him.

However, Hideaki noticed something was up when Hinata spiked the ball. "That was a close one. Their #7... he's following Hinata. They also moved their blockers, and those blockers aren't there to mark me. I see now... They're trying to pin down Hinata." He thinks to himself.

Kageyama had set to Hinata who jumped up to spike once more. Nekoma's #10 jumps up to block, as he only managed to touch it. "Touched again..." Hideaki thought as Karasuno saw Kenma about to set.

"Fast attack's coming." Hinata stated as Kenma jumped up.

Hideaki's eyes turned into a lighter gray as he saw what he was about to do. "A setter dump, huh? Smart. Unfortuntely, I can't let you do that." Hideaki thinks to himself. He was right. Kenma dumped the ball over the net.

Kenma saw a flash of black hair as Hideaki quickly saved the ball. "Nice receive, senpai!" Nishinoya shouted at his upperclassman while the rest of Karasuno grinned. Nekoma was shocked by this, including the coach.

"Did he read Kenma? No... No one has been able to do that. It's like he already knew what Kenma was about to do." Kuroo thinks to himself.

Hideaki quickly stood up. "I have to admit, a setter dump was a smart idea. Especially since you're the "brain" of Nekoma. That may have worked on my teammates, but not someone who has the eyes of a hawk. I'm not just Karasuno's ace you know. I'm also their eyes." He explained.

Kuroo clenched his jaw. "Eyes of a hawk? What the hell does that suppose to mean?" He asked himself.

Hideaki walked over to Kageyama and Hinata. "They can detect the tiniest fault." He commented as Kageyama nodded in agreement. He went back to his position as the game went on. The ball made it's way to Nekoma's side as Yamamoto jumped up to spike, Tsukishima jumped up to block, but Yamamoto got the ball through.

"In front!"

Hideaki saw Tanaka dive down and save the ball. "Sorry, Noya! Cover for me!" Tanaka called out as Nishinoya ran over. "I got this!" Nishinoya shouted as he receives the ball.

"Right!" Kageyama shouted, calling for a toss.

"Kageyama. Last." Nishinoya shouted as he tossed the ball over to Kageyama who jumps up and spikes the ball, gaining Karasuno a point.

Kageyama pointed at Hinata. "Hey, that's called a straight. It goes straight along the sideline. Learn to discriminate with your spikes." Kageyama informed.

Hideaki walked over to Kageyama and pat his back. "Good job." He complimented, then lowered his tone.

"You must also notice the way Nekoma is doing now, right?" Hideaki asked as Kageyama nodded.

"Keep pulling tricks like that. We can't afford to have them on Hinata throughout the game." Hideaki added.

"Yeah." Kageyama replied. Hideaki glanced at the scoreboard.

Nekoma

16

Karasuno

18

"It's only the first set... I need to figure out a strategy, and fast..." Hideaki thought.

Tsukishima jumps up and dumps the ball over Nekoma's blocker. "Nice one, Tsukishima." Daichi praised as the ball touched the ground and gained Karasuno another point.

Kenma glanced up at Tsukishima but glanced away when Tsukishima looked back at him. It was Hideaki's turn to serve as he bounced the ball. He quickly looked at each of the Nekoma players as he activated his Hawk Eye, looking at the empty spots on the opposing side of the court

"There!" He thinks to himself, finally deciding to aim at the farthest point to where they couldn't receive it.

Hideaki tossed the ball into the air as he jumped up, aiming the ball towards his where he wanted to go and smacked the ball with power.

"Nice serve!" Daichi shouted.

"Yamamoto." Kuroo called out.

"Didn't you listen to me before?" Hideaki questioned in a bored tone as the ball hit the ground before Yamamoto saved it, gaining Karasuno another point. "There's no way you can beat someone with my eyes."

"Izuki-san is on fire today!" Tanaka exclaimed.

"I agree, it's nice seeing him in his natural habitat again." Nishinoya stated. "I forgot how amazing Hide's hawk vision was. It's refreshing that someone with his eyes is on our side." Nishinoya thought, seeing Hideaki's eyes still staying a lighter gray.

The ball ended up going to Kenma, as Hideaki saw him look to the right. Which made Tsukishima also go to the right. "Tsukishima, don't—" Hideaki shouted out, as he knew that Kenma was deceiving the toss.

He turns out to be correct as Kenma tossed the ball to the left instead. The spiker ended up spiking the ball down as Nekoma gained a point. "All right." Nekoma cheered as Tsukishima observed Kenma who runs to join his team. Hideaki walked over to the first year.

"I know that you're an observant guy, but, don't always fall for the obviousness. That's what they want you to do." Hideaki stated, glancing over at Nekoma.

"You knew he was tossing to the left?" Tsukishima asked him, shocked.

"Of course. It's a beginner move that setters use. I see it all the time. I tried to warn you, but it was already too late." Hideaki replied as Tsukishima nods in understanding.

"I don't think I've ever seen you like this, senpai." Tsukishima stated.

"Hmm? What do you mean?" Hideaki questioned.

"In this match... You're more... observant. From what I've seen so far, you never look at the opposing team. Now, you're being the opposite of what I see you on the court. Observing and coming up with strategies in your head." Tsukishima explained.

Hideaki chuckled. "It's what I do best. It's like I said. I'm not only the ace, but I'm also Karasuno's eyes. Besides, I'm home again. You never know how much you miss something until it's gone." He said as Tsukishima kept quiet but takes in his words.

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Hideaki watched Kenma toss the ball to Kuroo who spikes it down, Tsukishima tried to block but was unsuccessful. Nishinoya also failed to save the ball, making Nekoma gain a point. Hideaki sighed tiredly at this.

The game went on as Hinata spikes the ball but #7 managed to one touch it, as Nekoma's libero quickly saves it. Hideaki saw Kenma spike the ball to Yamamoto. Nekoma gets another point.

"Damn it..." Hideaki thought, panting. He looked at the scoreboard angrily.

Nekoma

24

Karasuno

22

"Set point for them... that's not good." Hideaki thought. The game goes on as Hideaki watched the ball and dunked down to receive it. "Nice receive!" Tanaka praised as Hinata looked at the ball and runs forward. Hinata jumps and was about to spike, until #7 was in front of Hinata, blocking the ball and making Nekoma win the first match.

TWEEET!

Hideaki panted as he was bewildered as to what happened. Hinata's special quick attack had failed. "Damn it... Nekoma got used to Hinata's quick attacks." He thinks to himself.

They all group up, as the team took drinks of water. Hinata was quiet making the rest of the team nervous. "Hey, we can't afford to get discouraged. We'll take the next set." Kageyama reassured Hinata.

"There's no such thing as an unstoppable spike. Don't think otherwise." Ukai added as Hinata looked up.

"You'll score next time, Hinata."

"Wham!"

Hinata looks at Nishinoya and Tanaka before having a determined look. "Yeah." He shouted.

"In the meantime..." Hideaki spoke up, making everyone look at him. "Let me deal with Nekoma's #5."

"Are you sure, Hideaki?" Daichi asked worriedly.

"Their setter is also their brain. He observes players and makes strategies with them. That's where I come in. After all, I have a hawk's vision." Hideaki replied. "Besides, if I'm able to frustrate him, the rest of the team will loose function."

TWEEEET!

Hinata got blocked again on the second match. "Nice block, Inuoka!" Yamamoto praised their #7 whos name was Inuoka. Hideaki narrowed his eyes. "It's not just dumb luck. Their #7's getting used to Hinata's moves." He thinks to himself with a narrowed look at Hinata pants.

Hinata got blocked again, but Daichi quickly dives in and saves the ball. "Nice, Daichi!" Hideaki praised as he watched the ball and received it.

"Nice, cover!" Tanaka yelled as he spikes the ball.

"Tanaka!" Nishinoya exclaimed as Karasuno scored a point.

The game goes on as Hideaki saw Nishinoya save the ball and Hinata ran to spike it, Inuoka chases after Hinata on the other side of the net. Hinata quickly runs the other way, but Inuoka was fast and caught up to him, blocking the spike Hinata did.

"Damn..." Tanaka hisses as Nekoma gained another point. Hinata was panting, getting tired. Hideaki was getting more irritated by the minute, wanting to punch something. "I mustn't get angry. The match isn't over yet, Hideaki..." He told himself.

Hideaki looked back at Hinata only to gasp as he saw him look straight ahead with a smile on his face. Everyone in the gym also saw and were taken aback. "Hey." Kageyama spoke, looking concerned.

"Something's different. Different from the time when I couldn't see the 'other side' because of the blockers. I was at complete loss for what to do. But now it's different." Hinata explained as everyone listened to him.

"I can tell they're matching me by the skin of their teeth. I used to be afraid of blocks. I hated them. But when that guy's in front of me. I feel excitement. With your toss, and with some strategy, I'm sure we can break through this wall." Hinata stated as he turned to Kageyama.

"One more time... send me a toss."

Kageyama stayed silent before looking at Hinata dead in the eyes. "That goes without saying." He informed the orange haired male.

The game went on as Hideaki looked at the scoreboard.

Nekoma

07

Karasuno

05

"Nice serve!"

Hideaki watched as the ball went to Kageyama as he then tosses to Hinata. Hideaki glanced up to be taken aback when he noticed Hinata's eyes weren't closed like usual. He also noticed he was trying to spike the ball where there were no blockers, everyone on the team was also surprised by this.

However, Hinata was too focused in the air that he didn't spike on time, as the ball bounces out of bounds and Hinata tumbled down.

Everyone stared at the orange haired male. "T-Time!" Ukai exclaimed calling for a timeout.

TWEEET!

Kageyama walked up to Hinata who started to panic. "It's not that I didn't trust your toss, um... I wonder." Hinata said as Kageyama deadpanned at him.

"What are you panicking about?" Kageyama asked as Hideaki saw Ukai look at the two.

"Kageyama. Give Hinata a softer toss than usual. Not the usual direct delivery." Ukai suggested as Kageyama looked at their coach with questioning eyes.

"An indirect delivery?"

"In..."

Ukai looked at the two first years. "Instead of the usual fast toss on a straight trajectory, it's a slightly floating kind of toss. I realize it might be hard to suddenly change track, but..." Ukai explained as Kageyama looked like he was in deep thought before nodding.

"I'll do it." Kageyama accepted.

TWEEET!

Karasuno headed back onto the court. The first few tries of Hinata spiking at Kageyama's softer tosses didn't work out that much. After a few more tries, Ukai calls for a time out. Hideaki didn't pay attention to what everyone was saying, but he did notice his team smiling and having a few fun moments. He looked away from his team and drank some water.

Soon, the game continued as Hinata was swapped out. Hideaki stayed on the court. The whistle blew as Nekoma served it and Nishinoya receives the ball, Karasuno scored a point, so that was good. Hinata came back in and once again he and Kageyama try their softer tosses, Hinata kept failing, but he was getting slower.

Hideaki watched as the ball comes at him, making him blink as he received it.

After a few more tries, Hideaki noticed Hinata jump up and was about to spike the ball, as Inuoka was already going to block it. Hideaki gasped as he saw Hinata make the ball swerve to the side, however the ball was out.

"That was awesome. That was awesome, Shoyo!" Inuoka exclaimed as Hideaki saw Hinata take in a deep breath and look ahead with concentrated eyes.

"One more."

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A/N: Another chapter done! Hope you enjoyed!

Word Count: 3653 words.