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

edited on october 13th, 2021 @ 5:22pm

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CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN - PLACE TO PLAY

TERUSHIMA'S TEAM DECIDED THAT THEY would be receiving as Karasuno was going to serve first. Rei could tell that everyone was nervous as it was the qualifiers. "Those are so awesome!" Hinata exclaimed, making everyone turn to him. "Your new glasses look so cool, Tsukishima!"

This made Rei blink as he looked towards Tsukishima and was a little surprised to see he was wearing professional glasses instead of his normal ones.

"You've been saying that nearly every day, Hinata." Yamaguchi mumbled, as Tsukishima gave the orange-haired male his usual annoyed look.

"Hinata, your standards of "cool" make me uneasy, so I'd like for you to stop saying that." Tsukishima informed, making Hinata irked.

"What was that?"

Rei sighed as he rolled his eyes at them.

TWEEEET!

Karasuno lined up by their number, staring at Johzenji High as the whistle blew.

TWEEEET!

"Let's have a good game!"

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The sounds of Johzenji cheering could be heard as Rei focused onto Ukai who gathered the team around before the game officially started.

"We're finally at the qualifiers. And we're up against a semifinalist from the Inter-High preliminaries. I see good competition. For the first shot, give it you got Azumane!" Ukai spoke as the ace nodded.

Daichi gestured to have everyone get into a circle. "Karasuno fight!" He exclaimed.

"Yeah!" His team shouted back in unison. Rei was on the court with Tanaka on the sidelines.

"Asahi, nice serve!"

Rei glanced towards the referee who blows the whistle making Asahi do his jump serve, the ball reached the other players as it goes into the air. Rei saw Terushima race after the ball.

"Chance ball!" Kageyama shouted. Rei widened his eyes when he saw Terushima had jumped up and managed to spike the ball from all the way back of his side of the court, making Johzenji get a point while Karasuno was shocked at the sudden action.

The crowd cheered as Rei blinked. "A strong hit from the end line? On top of that, it was right after a quick spin." He mumbled as Tsukishima glanced at him.

"Normally, you'd return it with an underhand pass." Tsukishima added as Rei nodded in agreement before turning his attention back on the game.

Johzenji serves the ball as it comes over to Karasuno's side. "Got it!" Asahi said as he receives the volleyball.

Daichi had jumped up and smacked down the ball as a guy from the opposing team managed to save it, but the ball hits the net, making Rei think Karasuno was going to get a point, but to his surprise the guy who tried to block him used his foot to save the volleyball from touching the ground and the ball goes into the air.

No one from Karasuno had time to block as a spiker from Johzenji slams it down and gets a point. Rei scowled a little as the crowd chants Johzenji's cheer. Rei sighed, running a hand through his black locks.

"These guys are really hard to read... How troublesome." He thought.

"One more!"

The ball gets served from Johzenji. However, the volleyball hits the net and lands on the ground, making Karasuno get a point.

Soon Tsukishima was up to serve. "Tsukishima, nice serve!" Daichi encouraged, as Tsukishima sends the ball into the air. A guy from the opposing team saves it as a spiker jumped up and smacked down the ball, getting Johzenji another point.

Johzenji's #3 serves, as the ball goes over the net, dropping over to Karasuno's side. "We're lucky! It's a net ball!" Rei heard Terushima say, making him narrow his eyes.

"Like hell I'll let you get that chance!" Rei thought, using his misdirection as he dived down to save the ball.

"Damn it!" Rei said as he slid on the court.

"Nice reflexes!"

"But it might not connect!"

Rei looked back and saw that Hinata had jumped after the ball, connecting it back to them, however, he panicked a little when he saw that Hinata may hit the wall.

"Hinata-kun, look out!" He called out but he saw that Hinata managed to place his foot onto the wall and bounce off like it was nothing.

Rei watched as Nishinoya dived down as well, and saves the ball in time, sliding across the court as the ball goes back up. It went over the net as he saw that Karasuno gained a point when Johzenji didn't reach the ball in time.

Rei grinned as him, Nishinoya, and Hinata high fived each other.

"Yeah!"

Soon it was Kageyama's turn to serve. "Go! Killer serve!" Hinata exclaimed as Kageyama did his usual jump serve. The ball gets saved as Rei watched as the guy from Johzenji did a one hand set as the spiker slammed down the ball, Kageyama managed to save it, meaning he couldn't set.

The ball went back to the opposing team as it got slammed down once more, but Daichi was there to receive it. "Daichi-san, nice receive!" Rei praised as he watched Hinata quickly run to the net and him and Kageyama do their quick attack.

Karasuno got the point as Rei saw how Terushima looked at the duo with an impressed look. Rei looked back to see Kageyama accidently high fived Hinata's hands too hard, as he saw how Hinata's hand was twitching.

"It's hard to predict the opponent's movements, but it's not like the ball is going to disappear. Let's calm down and go at them." Daichi spoke as everyone nodded.

"Yeah!" Hinata beamed at their captain, as Rei saw how Terushima had his eyes narrowed a little at Daichi, as if he was in deep thought.

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"Number 10! Number 10!"

Kageyama sets the ball, however Hinata turned out to be a decoy as Asahi was the one to slam it down, successfully getting Karasuno a point. "All right!" Rei's team cheered as he smiled a little.

They continued on with the game, as the ball goes back and forth between both teams, as Rei saw how two players from Johzenji accidently crashed into each other when they tried to save the ball.

Rei chuckled a bit as the ball goes back into the air as Daichi jumped up and Kageyama sets the volleyball to him. Daichi slammed it down, making the Johzenji player to save the ball almost fall over.

Rei watched as Tsukishima tried to block but widened his eyes in confusion when he saw the setter run to the back row as another guy from Johzenji had set instead and the setter spikes it down and gains a point.

Rei looked at the scoreboard to see that each team had 17 points. Rei saw Terushima give him a sly smirk, making the black haired male glare at him. The game continued as Rei watched Terushima slam down the volleyball and got a point.

Rei saw how the setter from Johzenji crashed into the net, making him deadpan a little but Karasuno gained a point from him touching the net. The ball gets served once more as Rei saw how Hinata slammed down the ball when Kageyama tossed to him, Karasuno didn't get a point as the ball went to their side after a blocker touched the volleyball.

Kageyama and Hinata suddenly do their quick attack and get a point, making Karasuno cheer.

"All right!"

Rei glanced at the scoreboard once more.

Karasuno

19

Johzenji

17

"We're not doing that bad. We just need a few more points and we'll take the first set." Rei thought as he focused back on the game. Kageyama sets to Asahi who slammed down the volleyball, but the libero receives it as Kageyama got ready to block the ball.

Kageyama jumped up until a loud smack was heard followed by the volleyball going back to Johzenji's side and land on the ground, getting a point for Karasuno.

"Nice block, Tob—"

Rei paused his praise as he jumped back when he saw that the volleyball had slammed into Kageyama's face, as he had a nosebleed with a red mark on his face.

"Time out!"

TWEEEEET!

They all look at Kageyama who continued to have a nosebleed as some of his teammates stared in shock. "Kageyama, don't die!" Hinata begged, as Rei glanced over to him.

"You're over exaggerating, he's not going to die." He told him.

"Hey, until you stop bleeding, we're subbing you out."

"My nose isn't bleeding!"

"It is! Why would you lie about that?"

Rei watched as Kiyoko gave some tissues to Kageyama so he could wipe away the blood. "How are your eyes?" Kiyoko asked.

"They're fine." Kageyama responded, holding the tissues to his face.

"Do you think their excitement caused him to lean forward?" Takeda asked Ukai.

"Well, this is a good opportunity to cool your head. You won't be able to go back out there until you stop bleeding anyway, so go get yourself looked over." Ukai told Kageyama who didn't look too pleased about that, as Yamaguchi gently gestured for Kageyama to follow him.

"Come on, let's go."

"Hey, Kageyama!"

Rei looked over to Hinata as did Kageyama. "I'll handle things while you're gone." Hinata promised as Sugawara then walked over.

"Yup, leave it all to your upperclassman." Sugawara grinned as Rei saw Yamaguchi was pushing Kageyama by his back to get off the court.

Tsukishima was bouncing the volleyball since it was his turn to serve.

"Tsukishima, nice serve!"

The game went on as Johzenji got a point from their spike. Rei sighed at this and ran a hand through his black locks.

TWEEEET!

Rei blinked as he saw that Narita was switching in for Hinata, he was confused but didn't question it as everyone greeted Narita on the court.

Rei saw how Sugawara sets to Narita who spiked down the ball and got Karasuno a point. "Oh, who knew Narita-san was good." He thinks to himself as his team crowded him. Nishinoya was happily shaking Narita by the shoulders.

"That's it! That's it!" Nishinoya praised.

They focused back on the game as Terushima was serving. Rei watched when he spikes down the ball and got a service ace. Rei sighed as he looked at Terushima who bounced around happily.

"Whoo! Service ace! Whoo!"

Rei felt annoyed by him, as he felt his eyebrow twitch. "He acts like he just scored three points. It's really pissing me off..." He mumbled as Narita chuckled at him. Daichi clapped to get his team's attention as Rei looked over at him.

"Don't get swept up in their excitement! We're gonna rush them and grab the first set!" Daichi announced as Rei nodded at him in agreement as the game continues, the ball coming back to Karasuno's side.

"Nishinoya!"

"Got it!"

"Nice receive!"

Rei watched as Sugawara sets to Narita who slams the ball down and gets Karasuno a point. "Nice kill!" Sugawara praised as him and Narita high five. Rei turned to the scoreboard.

Karasuno

23

Johzenji

21

"Looks like we're taking the first set." Rei noted.

"Chance ball!" Narita announced as he sent the ball back up. "Got it!" Sugawara said as Asahi, Daichi and Tsukishima all ran forward in unison, doing their synchronized attack.

The three of them jumped up as Sugawara tossed to Daichi who slams down the ball and got a point for Karasuno.

"All right!"

"We're at match point." Rei thinks to himself. He looked over at Johzenji and raised an eyebrow when he saw them gather around and started talking to each other.

Rei thought nothing of it and got back into his position.

"Narita, one more! Nice serve!"

The volleyball went over the net as Rei saw Johzenji's libero save it, but to his surprise the opposing team were also doing a synchronize attack, they all jumped as Terushima had a big grin on his face.

"All right!"

Rei watched as Terushima completely misses the volleyball and the ball hits the court, getting Karasuno a point and winning the first set.

From the audience, Ryuu sighed to himself in disappointment. "I'm actually not surprised that didn't work. Terushima-san tends to be reckless and doesn't think clearly." He commented.

"Ain't that the truth." Terada agreed. "I mean, it's pretty obvious Karasuno had to practice a bunch to even do an attack like that. Only national teams can pull a synchronize attack like that off. It's amazing that Karasuno was able to do it."

"Nevertheless, Rei-chan never ceases to amaze me." Ryuu commented, looking at his childhood friend. "He seems to be a lot happier when he's playing. That's good."

TWEEEET!

Karasuno walked off the court as Kiyoko started handing out water bottles and towels. Rei thanked her as she gave him a towel and water bottle. The black haired male put the towel around his neck and gulped down his water.

"This has been bothering me... Johzenji High School's banner..." Takeda spoke up as Rei followed his gaze to their opponent's banner.

Simple and Strong.

"They're the complete opposite of that..." Rei thinks to himself.

"It somehow doesn't seem to mesh with how the team acts, don't you think? If anything, something like "Free and Wild" may be a better match." Takeda stated as Rei hummed in agreement.

"Actually a long time ago, or rather, up until recently, simplicity and fortitude described Johzenji's team accurately." Ukai commented.

TWEEEEET!

It was the beginning of the second set, Tanaka was on the court instead as Rei sat out. He stood beside Sugawara and Yamaguchi, as they watched their team play.

"Hinata, Kageyama, stay calm." Sugawara called out as Rei sweat dropped when he saw how Hinata and Kageyama were yelling to get themselves fired up.

"Shut up, jeez." Tanaka scolded the two. Rei saw how Terushima was talking to Hinata but he couldn't make out what it was.

Soon enough, the game of the second set started.

"Nishinoya!"

"Got it!"

The ball gets sent into the air as Rei watched from the sides, Hinata and Kageyama do their freak attack, however Rei was taken aback when Hinata missed the ball completely.

"I warned you guys!" Sugawara told them as he shook Rei's form.

"S-Suga-san, please calm down." Rei told his senior as the older male finally relaxed. Daichi came to the rescue as he dived in and saved the ball on time.

"Daichi, nice ass-wiping!"

"I told you not to say it like that!"

Rei looked back to see Terushima about to spike the ball, he does so as Daichi once again saves it, making Rei sigh in relief. Not long after, Hinata and Kageyama do their quick attack once more, and this time actually getting it done correctly, making the first point of the second set go to Karasuno.

"All right!"

"All right!"

"Nice one guys!"

Yamaguchi beams at their teammates. "This time, we finally nailed it!" He exclaimed.

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The game continued as Rei watched Kageyama set to Tanaka who spiked it down powerfully. "All right!" Tanaka cheered. Rei glanced over at the score.

Karasuno

13

Johzenji

09

"At least we're ahead." Rei thought before focusing back onto the game when the ball gets blocked by Hinata and Daichi as Terushima and his team hastily save the volleyball and send it back up.

"Get back!" Daichi shouted as they listened to him and step back, making Tanaka save the ball on time.

"Tanaka, nice!"

Rei's eyes followed Hinata who runs forward as him and Kageyama do their attack and gets Karasuno another point.

"All right!" Sugawara cheered.

"A counter-attack!" Yamaguchi added.

Soon Hinata was serving, but he hits the net and got Johzenji a point instead. After that, it was Terushima serving as he did a jump serve.

"Out!"

Terushima yells in slight frustration at his serve as Karasuno got a point. Soon Hinata was swapped out as he went to Rei's side and now, Daichi was serving.

"Daichi, nice serve!" Tanaka encouraged as Rei looked over to his captain to see him serving the volleyball. Rei noticed that Johzenji was getting panicked as some players were getting distraught since they didn't know who was going to save the ball.

Rei saw how Johzenji's setter had jumped up to the volleyball. "Is he going to do a dump?" He muttered out loud as the setter hits the ball, but it was an out for them, making Karasuno get the point.

"All right!"

TWEEEET!

Johzenji took a timeout, as Rei couldn't blame them.

Rei decided to help Kiyoko out by giving out water bottles, as she thanks him. As Rei did so, he saw how Hinata was looking at the opposing team, making him confused as Kiyoko walked over as well.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"Kiyoko-san."

Both Kiyoko and Rei turned around to see Tanaka and Nishinoya looking at them with serious expressions. "I'm not sure why I'm asking, but would you scold us too?" Nishinoya pleaded at her, making Kiyoko confused at the comment.

"If possible, as if you're looking down upon us—" Tanaka added but Kiyoko interrupted him.

"No."

"Then..."

The two second-years turned around making Kiyoko deadpan at them.

"I will not be smacking your butts, either."

With that, Kiyoko walked off, Rei saw Nishinoya and Tanaka be happy about something Kiyoko had said.

Rei sighed to himself. "Why can't my upperclassman be normal?" He muttered.

TWEEEET!

The game had continued with Karasuno at 17 points and Johzenji at 11. Rei noticed that Johzenji seemed to have new and determined energy surrounding them as they walked back onto the court.

"Now the real fun begins, eh?"

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A/N: Another chapter is done! Thanks for reading!

Word Count: 2966 words.