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

edited on september 8th, 2021 @ 2:40am

════ ∘◦ᵒ 𓅓 ᵒ◦∘ ════

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO - GEARS

REI GATHERED AROUND HIS TEAM as the huddled. "This is the final set. We've been losing throughout this training camp. We'll rip at least one set away from Fukurōdani, the most powerful team at this camp, before going home!" Daichi encouraged as his team smiled at his comment.

"Yeah!"

They all pulled apart and turned to stare at Fukurōdani, who looked back at them, with Bokuto challenging smiling at them.

"Let's play!" Karasuno shouted at the opposing team as they get onto the court.

"We're gonna get this one!" Daichi announced.

"Yeah!"

"All right! Bring it, Karasuno!" Bokuto challenged, the referee blew the whistle as Asahi was serving the volleyball.

"Asahi, nice serve!" Nishinoya called out.

Rei watched as Asahi did his jump serve. Rei thought they were going to get the point but Fukurōdani's libero saved it.

"Bokuto-san!"

"Right!"

Rei watched as Akaashi sets to Bokuto, as Tsukishima moves to the sides near, Kageyama blocked the attack.

"Left, Number 4!" Daichi shouted. Rei watched as the duo jumped and blocked Bokuto who blinked in surprise.

"Out!" Fukurōdani's libero exclaimed, as the ball went out.

"All right!"

"Damn it, we were so close." Rei thought with a frown as he glanced at Tsukishima with a smirk. "At least he remembered what Kuroo-san had taught him."

"You guys keep getting better every day, and it's annoying." Rei heard Bokuto mumble, making him chuckle.

They played a few more rounds with Karasuno at 5 points and Fukurōdani at 6.

"Left, left!"

Asahi spiked the ball but Konoha saves it. Rei watched as Akaashi follows the ball into the air and tosses it to a spiker on his team as he slammed it down and got a point.

"Break it off after the first one!" Kinoshita shouts from the sidelines.

Rei watched as Bokuto moved up front, he kept his eyes on the ball as it goes up and it was served. "Nishinoya!" Daichi called out as Nishinoya received it.

"Nice receive!" Rei praised as Kageyama sets the ball up and Tsukishima slams it down, but the ball got saved by the libero.

"Nice, Saru! Give me the last one!"

Asahi runs over and aids Tsukishima and Kageyama as the three block Bokuto's spikes, however Bokuto did a cut shot, Rei dived down to try and save it, but the ball was quick.

"Talk about an insane cut shot." Rei thinks to himself, blinking in shock as he got up.

"All right! Did you see that, Akaashi? Hey, did you see my awesome cut shot just now?"

"I did. Amazing."

"It was pure luck, though!"

Rei sweat dropped at Bokuto before turning his attention away. "That's amazing, even if it was luck." Rei said to his teammates.

"I'd love to hit something like that." Asahi said in determination.

Soon, Hinata was swapped in with Nishinoya swapping out and Tsukishima's turn to serve the ball.

Rei looked over to Hinata and smiled. "I wonder if he'll do the special attack... Most likely." He thought, remembering what Bokuto was telling him.

"A special attack?!" Hinata announced in exicitement.

"Yeah!" Bokuto replied. "Listen up! The best way to describe this attack is something born from upsetting the balance of stillness and motion." He added as Hinata seemed even more interested.

"Whoa! Whoa..."

"There he goes, trying to sound cool again."

"Do you have any idea what he's talking about?"

"I have an idea."

Rei glanced at Akaashi and Kuroo who were talking as they continued to listen to Bokuto. "This attack isn't you use to flee from the enemy." Bokuto continued, making Akaashi sigh at his teammate. "With perfect timing, a perfect toss, a perfect position for spiking... just when everyone thinks a powerful spike is incoming... moreover, the moment where you yourself think you can land a powerful shot is the perfect opportunity!"

"Leave it to me!" Nishinoya assured as he re-entered the game and saved the ball.

"Nice receive!" Hinata praised as Kageyama sets the ball up and Hinata jumped up to hit it, Rei watched as he swung his hand, the words Bokuto said echoed in the black haired male's mind.

"As if you want to mock them, give it to 'em!"

Rei smirked in pride as he watched Hinata perform a feint, making not only his teammates but also Fukurōdani shocked as Karasuno scored a point.

"When the feint succeeds, there's a great feeling that's different from when you land a spike. You know how a handful of receivers will dive for the falling ball?" Bokuto spoke as Hinata nodded.

"Yeah!" Hinata replied as Bokuto grinned.

"You're usually above eye level with them or above, but the moment they try to reach for the ball, miss, and then look up... It's the best feeling." Bokuto smiled.

Rei watched in amusement as Hinata stared down at the three players who look up at him. "I wonder what he's feeling right now..." He wondered before turning to Bokuto who started to yell.

"A feint?"

Rei saw Akaashi growl a little as he looked towards his captain.

"You're the one who taught it to him."

Bokuto tensed a little before sheepishly looking away as the three players who dived down to save the ball but failed, all growled and glared at Bokuto. Rei chuckled in amusement before looking over at Bokuto.

"Thanks for teaching Hinata-kun how to do a feint."

Bokuto continued to look away in sheepishness as Rei saw Kageyama look totally shocked by Hinata.

"You actually used your head? You're gonna get a fever." Kageyama said as Hinata gave him an irked look.

"You are the only person who doesn't get to say stuff like that to me!"

Rei looked back at Bokuto who crosses his arm. "I won't let them get another point from now on!" He declared.

"I think it's impossible to completely shut them out—" Akaashi began but was interrupted by Bokuto.

"Akaashi, back me up once in a while! Damn, that shorty! We're not gonna lose!" Bokuto announced as Rei and the rest of his team stared at him.

The game continued onwards. "Number 2! Number 2!" Daichi called out as the ball gets spiked, Daichi crouched down and saved it.

"Kageyama!" Asahi called out for a toss, running forward and jumped up as Kageyama sets the ball to him as Asahi slammed it down.

"Yeah!" Tanaka cheered from the sidelines as Asahi got past the blockers.

They continued to rally until Rei saw Kageyama perform a dump and Karasuno got a point. "All right!" His teammates cheer.

They continued to rally until Rei saw Kageyama perform a dump and Karasuno got a point. "All right!" His teammates. The black haired male walked over to pat Kageyama's shoulder.

"Good job, Tobio-kun! Keep it up!" Rei praised him as Kageyama blushed and nodded.

Soon enough, Tsukishima was serving. "One more, Tsukishima! Nice serve!" Daichi called out as Tsukishima serves the ball forward. The ball got saved as it then made its way forward to Karasuno's side, Daichi dived down to save it.

"Sorry! Cover!" He exclaimed as Rei got under the ball.

"Tobio-kun!" He shouted to the first-year setter as he sent the ball his way.

Kageyama sets the ball to Hinata who spiked it down, but it got saved. Rei watched as it goes to his team and Asahi saved it.

"Asahi, nice receive!" Tanaka yelled from the sides. Hinata ran forward with Kageyama about to set.

Hinata was in the air as Rei could tell he was watching Kageyama, it was eerie and intense as Rei watched Kageyama set the ball to Hinata, the black haired male widened his eyes.

"Is this... their new quick?" Rei thought as he watched the ball get slammed down by Hinata and Karasuno got the point.

Everyone was silent, much in shock wondering what they just witnessed. Rei saw Kageyama and Hinata look at one another, until they both smiled and had amazed and flustered looks.

"Wait! You've got to be kidding! If we're gonna do that, let me know beforehand!" Kageyama scolded.

"I just felt like we could pull it off! Didn't you?" Hinata grinned happily.

The two of them began to bicker, as Rei smiled and walked forward, swinging his arms around both of their shoulders.

"I knew you two could pull it off! Nice going!" Rei praised the duo, in which they both became flustered.

════ ∘◦ᵒ 𓅓 ᵒ◦∘ ════

Hinata and Kageyama do their quick attack again, and Karasuno gains a point once more. Rei took a look at the scores to see they were tied with both teams having 9 points. Hinata and Kageyama seemed to be happy their new quick attack was working out.

"All right!"

"What the heck was that? That was awesome!"

"All right!"

"Nice Hinata, Kageyama!"

Rei's coach and teammates from the sides all cheer for the duo, making him smile. He saw Kageyama stare down at Hinata, making him flinch.

"What? You wanna start something? But that's awesome! So cool! It stopped right before my eyes! It was like "shoop!" This time I felt like it would totally succeed and stuff! But when it actually stops in front of my eyes, it freaks me out! You really are amazing after all!" Hinata ranted as he complimented Kageyama.

He seemed incredibly shocked by the compliment, as he shook a little. "Wh-What's up with that, moron?" Kageyama stuttered as Hinata jumped up and down.

"Awesome! So awesome!" Hinata grinned happily.

Rei watched in amusement from the sides. "Kageyama's facial expression is turning into something very difficult to describe." Daichi said as Tanaka walked over.

"What's up with his facial muscles?" Tanaka teased.

"It's not often Hinata praises Kageyama in a straightforward manner." Asahi noted as Rei smirked.

"It sure is entertaining though." Rei commented.

"I'm glad we actually believed in this and waited."

"Yeah."

Rei turned back to Kageyama and Hinata. "Anyway, next time, make sure you—" Kageyama was interrupted by Yachi.

"You did it! You did it! You did it!" She cheered for the two, jumping up and down on the spot. "Nice kill, Hinata, Kageyama!" Yachi announced as she turned to Rei.

"Did you see that Rei? Did you!" She beamed as Rei smiled.

"I sure did, Hitoka." Rei replied, amused by her energetic yelling. He looked towards Kageyama and Hinata, only to jump back when the two held their fists out towards him and Yachi. Yachi smiled at the two. Rei chuckled before smiling back.

"It only took them three weeks to be on good terms with one another again." Rei thought. Hinata smiled down at his hand.

"One more time!" He announced. Rei heard Tanaka groan.

"I'm so jealous! Let me look cool, too!" He whined.

"We can't let them beat us." Daichi added as Asahi smiled as well.

"Let's keep up!" He encouraged.

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't get cocky, you guys! Hey, hey, hey!"

"All right!"

They get back into playing again, as Rei crouched down and saved the incoming ball. "Nice receive!" Daichi praised as Rei watched Kageyama set the ball, however it was short and Hinata missed it.

"All right!" Fukurōdani cheered.

"Kageyama, shake it off!" Hinata smiled but even Rei jumped back when Kageyama leaned over Hinata's form with Hinata holding Kageyama's wrists to stop him from tumbling forward onto Hinata.

"Damn it! That pisses me off!" Kageyama exclaimed.

"Why's that? There's nothing else I can say in this case!" Hinata whined as Kageyama growled a little.

Rei sweat dropped at the duo. "Well, it's not something that will go all that perfectly in the first place." He spoke to them as Daichi came to his side.

"And in times like that..." He grins as Tanaka spoke up.

"It's time for the upperclassman!" He smirked.

Rei looked over at the scoreboard in curiosity.

Karasuno

10

Fukurōdani

12

They go on with the game, as the player from the opposing team spikes the ball as Hinata one touched it. Kageyama ran over and receives the ball, however that just meant he couldn't set to anyone.

"Got it!" Nishinoya assured as Rei watched him run over.

"Is he going to try and set?" Rei thought.

Nishinoya looked at the line and jumped in time to toss the ball, Asahi was quickly there to spike it past the two blockers, however it was an out, making Rei sigh.

"Sorry, my toss was a but low. Damn it!" Nishinoya apologized. Asahi panicked and went over to reassure his friend.

"I-It was great! I think that was more a mistake I made there." Asahi reassured him as Nishinoya snapped his head up to the ace.

"If it's not good, you gotta say it's not good, Asahi!"

"Oh, okay..."

The two of them lightly bickered, well, Nishinoya was the one who was bickering. Rei laughed at them in amusement.

"That's it! Keep it up!" Ukai called out, as Daichi nodded in agreement. They continue the match, with the ball now up.

"Got it!"

"Left! Left!"

They had played a bit longer with the opposing team now at 15 points with Karasuno at 12. The ball went up, as Rei kept his eyes on it.

"Now!" Daichi shouted.

Asahi and Tsukishima nodded as Daichi, Tsukishima and Asahi all run forward to try their synchronize attack.

They all jump up as Kageyama sends the ball to Asahi, making him grin as he let out a yell and spiked the ball, getting Karasuno a point. Everyone was a little stunned.

"All right!" Tanaka cheered for him.

"Kageyama, nice toss!" Daichi praised.

"Thank you!" Kageyama replied back.

Rei was soon swapped out with Tanaka, as he patted his back before entering the court. Rei walked over to stand with the others.

It was Asahi's turn to serve, as Rei watched him do his jump serve. Karasuno gained a point when the ball bounces off a players arm from the opposing team.

The game goes on as Rei kept his eyes on the ball, Akaashi sets it up, as Bokuto slammed the volleyball down, but Tsukishima and Daichi stopped him.

Or at least, Tsukishima one touched the ball. Kageyama saved it and sends it back up, with Nishinoya doing his toss, and Daichi spiking it, getting a point for Karasuno. Rei was impressed by his team.

"Everyone is improving..." Rei thought.

TWEEEET!

"All right!"

It was a timeout as each team had 18 points. "Yes, yes, yes! We're actually neck in neck with Fukurōdani at the end of the game." Tanaka stated with a smile.

"Yeah!" Nishinoya responded in happiness.

"That doesn't mean you should get too confident. The real battle begins now." Ukai informed as everyone nodded.

"Right!"

"It's true that you shouldn't let your guard down. But it's also true that the cogs that all of you have created are starting to mesh with one another." Takeda spoke, stepping forward. "In the course of fighting out this set, please work on honing them even further!" He announced as everyone nodded at his words.

"Right!"

"Also, just as planned, you haven't been letting their ace spike too freely. Though there was that one cut shot. But that was because Tsukishima was able to put in that one-touch." Ukai informed, making the blonde nod.

"Oh, right."

"If we can keep Number 4 under control victory is in sight. Let's finish this!"

"Right!"

They all get back onto the court, Rei was still on the sidelines, letting Tanaka be in his place. He watched as the ball gets spiked and Fukurōdani gets their point as Nishinoya accidentally hit the ball out.

Karasuno

18

Fukurōdani

19

"Damn it! I'm sorry! It was our chance to turn things around."

"Don't worry about it!"

"Noya, nice fighting!"

Rei watched as it was Bokuto's turn serving, as he looked a little grumpy. "All right, I'll leave them in the shadows with my serve!" He had yelled, making Rei smirk, as he could tell he was getting annoyed by them.

"Bokuto, nice serve!"

Rei looked at Akaashi who sighed at his captain

"Bokuto-san, stay calm."

"I am calm!"

Rei almost choked on his laughter at Bokuto snapping. "I remember this one moment in junior high before everything went downhill. Haya-kun had accidentally served to Kai-kun's head and he was telling him to stay calm when Kai-kun replied that he was calm when it was obvious he wasn't. Good times." He thought. The whistle blew as Bokuto gets ready to do a jump serve.

"All right! Here I go!"

Rei watched him hit the ball, however he almost hit the back of Konoha's head which the player shrieked in surprise as Karasuno gained a point.

"Damn it! I'm sorry!" Bokuto whined as Rei saw Konoha still shaking at almost getting hit by a powerful serve.

"Calm down."

"Don't worry about it."

Rei held in the chuckles as he was shaking. "Is it bad that I'm finding Bokuto-san getting all out of control funny?" He thought as Sugawara gave him a nudge to stop him from laughing out loud.

"Ouch..."

Soon it was Tanaka's turn to serve in which the second-head serves the ball, however he accidentally aimed it for the corner.

"You jerk!" Bokuto grumbled as he dived down and saved the ball in time. Tanaka seemed relieved as he jogged closer in the court.

"Give it to me! I'll finish this in one hit!" Bokuto yelled, as Rei watched Akaashi get ready to toss, he was wondering who he will set the ball too.

"Bokuto-san!" Akaashi announced, sending the ball up.

"Huh, maybe Bokuto-san might score this time." Rei thought as he watched in interest as the third-year jumped up and spiked down the ball.

However, Hinata, Daichi and Asahi block him, as the ball goes back to Fukurōdani. "Got it!" The libero assured as he saved the ball.

"One more time, Akaashi!" Bokuto yelled out, as Rei could see the setter was getting troubled.

"Here."

"All right!"

Bokuto charged in again, as he jumped to slam down the volleyball. At first, Rei thought he might score, but then he smirked when Asahi, Daichi, and Hinata block the attack and Karasuno gained a point. Rei saw Akaashi tense a little at this, making the black haired male blink in confusion.

"All right!" Karasuno cheered, as they were getting close to winning the set.

"J-Just now, was that a block or something?" Yachi asked as Rei decided to answer her question.

"No, that just now didn't go over the net, so it was a missed spike." Rei responded as Kiyoko nodded in agreement at his words. Yachi just nodded in understanding.

Rei looked over to the opposing team and saw how Bokuto was panting heavily, while his teammates looked at him in tense. Even Fujita, which came as a shock to the crystal-eyed phantom.

"Uh... should I be worried?" Rei wondered.

"Akaashi..." Rei heard Bokuto mumble, making him gulp. Rei watched as Bokuto raises his hand.

"Don't toss to me anymore for today!"

Rei blinked a little in surprise before he deadpanned at Bokuto. "Huh?" He mumbled to himself in confusion, he also saw his own teammates confused.

"What the..." Daichi commented.

Rei looked back at Akaashi who had a blank stare. "All right." Akaashi agreed, as Rei saw Bokuto be taken aback a little.

"Then, while Fujita is tossing to you, please calm yourself down." Akaashi scolded as he jogged to get back in position.

Rei almost laughed at the blank look on Bokuto's face.

He looked back to see his teammates all determined to win the match.

"I believe in all of you... win this practice set!"

════ ∘◦ᵒ 𓅓 ᵒ◦∘ ════

A/N: Another chapter is done! Let me know if there's any mistakes! Thanks for reading!

Word Count: 3324 words.