A/N: Hello, readers! Rei will finally reunite with Nakamura! Enjoy!

edited on september 27th, 2022 @ 11:00pm

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CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE - VIVID

FUKURODANI WAS CURRENTLY IN THE middle of their match with Eiwa High School. "Bokuto-san!" Akaashi shouted, tossing the ball over towards Bokuto, in which his spike got received by the other team.

"All right!"

"Counter!"

One of Eiwa's spikers spiked the ball past the blockers, making them gain a point.

"Okay, one more!"

Bokuto then had a look on his face, causing a lightning bolt to go through Akaashi. Yamiji then called for a timeout.

"I think things are going pretty well."

"That Bokuto guy's not a big deal at all."

Both schools were cheering as Fukurodani was silent. "Hey, what's wrong? Cheer up, already!" Komi told him, patting him on the back.

"I... I wanted to play in the main arena, too!" Bokuto claimed. "It's way bigger over there, and there are more people. This isn't fair!"

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"Line up!" Daichi told his team.

"Nice game!" Tashiro's voice was brought to Daichi's attention. "You did so good!"

"Congrats!" Shimada said.

"Good work! You guys did great!"

"Thank you very much!"

"Thank you!"

Karasuno then bowed to their supporters as they clapped.

Karasuno High School proceeds to round 2.

Afterwards, they met up with Tashiro and Kurokawa. "Oh, crap. You're way bigger up close, Sawamura." Tashiro commented.

"Wait, did I gain weight?!" Daichi asked.

"No, I mean your bigger in general." Tashiro replied.

"Hello, Kurokawa-san!" The second-years greeted Kurokawa.

"I guess he's an alumnus." Yamaguchi commented.

"Oh! So he's our senpais' senpai!" Hinata said.

"Hinata! Yamaguchi! Shiro!" Daichi called their names. "Kageyama and Tsukishima, you guys come over here, too."

They walked over. "Let me introduce you guys. This is Tashiro-san, who was the captain when I was a first-year. And this is Kurokawa-kun, who was our captain when I was a second-year." Daichi introduced the two.

"Hello!"

"Hello." Kageyama greeted as Tsukishima only nodded.

"Whoa!"

"Are they really first-years?" Tashiro questioned.

"Sadly..." Sugawara responded.

"We should have some bentos, so go ask Shimizu about them, and hand them out to everyone." Daichi said.

"Right!"

"That first-year setter, middle blocker, and libero... Who are they?" Kurokawa asked.

"Kageyama, the setter, is an amazing kid that's also a candidate for the All-Japan team along with Shiro, the libero. The tiny one... Er, I don't know what to say..." Daichi replied.

"He's an energetic brat." Sugawara said.

"An athletic monster." Asahi added on.

"What about when he was in middle school?"

"He was totally an unknown. And sometimes... He's like a completely unknown force..." Daichi answered.

"He picked a fight with Shiratorizawa's Ushiwaka." Sugawara added on.

"Seriously?! With the Ushiwaka?!" Tashiro exclaimed in disbelief.

"An unknown force..." Kurokawa commented, getting their attention. "I'm pretty sure that's what the other schools think of Karasuno right now. Make sure you win the next match, too."

"Right!"

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Rei was currently watching Nekoma's match with his team. "They're good... But I mean... There's basically no team here who doesn't have someone amazing." Sugawara commented as the ball was soon received.

"Nice receive!"

The opposing team did a feint as Kenma easily dived down and saved it. "Oh, man... This is hard... This is so exhausting..." Asahi commented.

"You're empathizing way too much with Kiyokawa's ace." Sugawara told him.

"Those are some nice receives." Daichi complimented.

"Out!"

"Out!" Hinata commented.

"There was nowhere he could go with that." Tanaka stated.

The ball hits Kuroo's hands. "One touch!" He shouted out.

"Fukunaga!"

Fukunaga spikes the ball down as Nekoma won their first match.

Nekoma High School proceeds to round 2.

Daichi soon stood up. "We have a little time after we eat, so you guys can go shopping if you want." He said.

"I'm gonna go buy a 'The Way of the Ace' shirt!" Hinata exclaimed.

"Wait, Hinata! I'll go with you!" Yamaguchi called out.

"That's Karasuno's setter. Man, he looks intense."

"He's definitely got a presence."

"I need to go check out the new T-shirts, too." Kageyama thinks to himself.

Rei stood up, deciding to go see if there were any shirts for liberos. He walks into the main lobby and towards a stand, looking at the T-shirts.

"Can I get a medium in that shirt, please?" Rei told the vendor, who nodded.

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"I... I wanted to play in the main arena, too!" Bokuto complained. "The main arena's bigger!"

Fujita could only watch as Yamiji scolded Bokuto.

"Well, whatever. He'll get into it eventually."

"This happens all the time. Whatever."

TWEEEET!

"It's not like Bokuto's always on point anyway."

"Senpai, you say the best things." Akaashi commented.

"Say more!"

Konoha was trying to get Bokuto out of his depressed state. The match continued with no signs of Bokuto being interested.

"Fukurodani Academy is slowly catching up!"

"Though their ace, Bokuto Kotaro, hasn't gotten many hits through yet."

"Eiwa High School was the most cautious about Bokuto so they may be a bit confused right now."

"Fujita!" Akaashi called out, receiving the ball.

"Right!" Fujita jumped up as Eiwa's blockers did as well.

"Saru-san!" The dark-green haired male tossed to his senior, who jumped up and spiked the ball down on Eiwa's side of the court.

Sarukui held out his hands for a high five as Fujita gave him one. "Nice kill." He complimented as Bokuto had his hands out.

"Nice kill, Sarukui!"

"Bokuto-san." Akaashi said. "This is basically the center court. The main area is definitely bigger and has more people. But... Only about a quarter of those people are actually watching you, Bokuto-san. But the only ones competing here are us. Everyone... is watching you."

"I mean... the number of people watching basically doesn't change..."

"And..." Akaashi points over where Hinata and Yamaguchi were. "Your student has come to see you, too!"

"Hey, he saw us. Bokuto-san!" Hinata shouted out, holding up a shirt.

Fujita looked up in the stands and noticed a certain someone watching. "Bokuto-san." He spoke, getting Bokuto's attention. "If you embarass me in front of my former senior, I'll kick you."

"Fujita's blunt as usual..." Both Konoha and Sarukui thought.

Komi rushed over to save the ball. "Sorry, cover!" He shouted out.

"Bokuto-san!" Akaashi shouted, tossing the ball towards Bokuto, who jumped into the air.

"Three blockers!" Konoha informed.

Bokuto then slammed the ball hard onto the other side of the court with his line shot.

"And there it is! Line shot!"

"That shot was right on the line!" Yamaguchi exclaimed.

"Bokuto!"

"Nice kill!"

"Good job, Bokuto!"

"Bokuto-senpai!"

"Hey, hey, hey!" Bokuto cheered.

Fukurodani eventually won the second set. "Hey, hey, hey!" Bokuto shouted as Hinata and Yamaguchi clapped for him.

"We're lucky that the little guy from Karasuno showed up at the perfect time. I'm surprised you found him." Sarukui commented towards Akaashi.

"Yeah... But even if Hinata didn't show up, we just needed to make an opportunity." Akaashi said.

"Akaashi, you know you can ignore Bokuto sometimes. Though we might be in trouble if he doesn't get back on game at times." Konoha stated.

"I don't know about that, Konoha-san. Akaashi-san is the only person who can get Bokuto-san out of his depressed state, because they might be... you know." Fujita clicked his tongue and crossed his two index fingers together.

Akaashi reached over and grabbed onto his ear. "What are you implying, Fujita?" He asked.

"Ouch, ouch! Nothing, Akaashi-san!"

"He made a bet with Saru and I about you and Bokuto being together." Konoha admitted.

"Konoha-san, you bastard! That was supposed to be between us!"

"Whoops."

"I'm sorry, Akaashi-san! It was just harmless fun! Honest!" Fujita said as Akaashi stopped pulling on his ear.

"I'm only able to draw out just a part of Bokuto-san's abilities. And... Watching Bokuto-san when he's on top of his game is really satisfying." Akaashi then claimed.

"He says shit like that... and expects me not to think him and Bokuto-san are together?" Fujita questioned in his head.

"Why not just tell him that to his face?"

"No, no! Then he'll never shut up!"

"Hey, you guys!" Bokuto ran over towards the four. "You're right! The sub arena's the best!"

Fukurodani Academy proceeds to round 2.

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"Oh... Hoshiumi-san. Hi." Kageyama greeted from behind Hoshiumi as Rei was right next to him.

"Hello." Rei also greeted.

"Oh hey, Kageyama, Oshiro. How'd your match go?" Hoshiumi asked.

"We won." Kageyama replied.

"Ah, congrats." Hoshiumi said.

"Thanks."

"Thank you."

"So... Do you know him, Kageyama, Shiro?" Yamaguchi questioned.

"We were at the youth camp together. This is Hoshiumi-san." Rei was the one who answered.

"Youth camp!" Hinata and Yamaguchi exclaimed in unison.

"So they're on your team." Hoshiumi said.

"Yup." Kageyama simply said.

Hoshiumi walked forward towards Hinata, tilting his head up. "What position do you play?" He asked.

"Middle blocker." Hinata replied.

"How tall are you?" Hoshiumi questioned.

"16...5 cm!" Hinata answered, lowering his head.

"What's your running vertical?"

"333 cm!"

"I win!"

"Korai-kun, what are you doing? The game before ours is almost over."

Hoshiumi turned around. "Well, see ya, Kageyama, Oshiro." He told the two.

"Sure." Kageyama nodded.

"Good luck with your match, Hoshiumi-san." Rei wished him good luck.

"Thanks." Hoshiumi replied.

A lightning bolt struck through both him and Hinata before Hoshiumi walked off with his teammate.

"Make sure I don't get yelled at, too."

"I didn't want the 'Grit and Laughter' T-shirt to sell out."

"Don't worry. I'm pretty sure it's not that in demand."

"Why wouldn't it be?!"

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"Welcome back. Where's Ukai-san?"

"He's still talking to some of the previous Coach Ukai's acquaintances. How have the matches been?" Daichi asked.

"That #5 guy from Kamomedai is really amazing." Sugawara replied.

Asahi was flipping through the booklet. "Oh, here he is. Hoshiumi Korai. 169 cm." He announced.

"Left, left!"

Hoshiumi then jumped high in the air, spiking the volleyball down on the court.

"He's supposed to be amazing, right?" Yamaguchi asked Kageyama. "Wasn't he in one of the magazines?"

"Nah. Apparently, he absolutely hates interviews." Kageyama responded.

"Really? I'd be super excited to even do an interview for the school paper." Yamaguchi commented as Hinata stood up suddenly.

"Where are you going?" Kageyama questioned.

"I want to watch from up close!" Hinata replied.

"Korai!"

Hoshiumi dived down and saved the ball on time before he blocked a spiker from scoring.

"Stuffed! Look at that block!"

"That was Hoshiumi-kun again, wasn't it?"

"Indeed, it was."

Hoshiumi spikes the ball, getting Kamomedai another point as he kept scoring.

"Again?"

"Wow..."

"Dang, he can do anything."

"Who the heck is their #5?"

The whistle blew as Hoshiumi jumped high in the air and served the ball.

"Service ace! Hoshiumi does it again! He can't be stopped! The one-man army is on a roll! He's indeed... A little giant!"

"Wow..." Sugawara muttered. "Hinata's never faltered against two-meter-tall opponents, but I wonder if it's more shocking for him to see someone in a similar situation that's above him. That just popped up in my head for a sec."

The whistle blew as Kamomedai came out victorious against Chiuida.

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Everyone was soon packing up, ending the first day as they were going back to their hotel. "Oh, he's back." Yamaguchi spoke as Hinata rejoined them. "Hinata, Ukai-san's back, so we're taking off."

Everyone stared at Hinata, who had his fists clenched. "I'm... I'm so happy I made it here!" He declared.

This caused everyone to smile in determination. "Guess I was worried for nothing." Sugawara stated.

Rei was departing with his team. "Oshiro!" He heard someone call out his name, getting his attention.

He turned around, spotting a familiar white-haired male wearing a maroon jacket walking towards him.

"Oh, Daichi-san, do you mind?" Rei asked his captain.

"We'll wait for you." Daichi replied, making Rei nod as he separated from his teammates and walked over towards the older male.

"Nakamura-san!"

"It's been a long time." Nakamura said, placing his hands in his volleyball jacket. "Have you been well?"

"Mmm, yeah." Rei responded.

"I watched your match earlier. You seemed to pick a good team. Karasuno, right?" Nakamura questioned.

Rei nodded before smiling sheepishly. "They're really chaotic when they're not on the court, but I couldn't ask for better senpais and teammates." He admitted.

"I feel the same way with Inarizaki. Especially a certain pair of twins." Nakamura's eyebrow twitched in irritation. "Ah, I believe you've met one of them. Atsumu."

"Yes. I met him at the youth camp. He's a rather... interesting character." Rei said, not knowing how to describe him, causing Nakamura to laugh.

"Well, that's one way to describe him."

The amber-eyed male hummed as he felt his phone buzz in his pocket. Taking out his phone, he realized that his teammate had texted him. He sent a quick reply before pocketing his phone.

"Looks like I'm gonna have to cut our conversation short. Shin is looking for me." Nakamura said.

"I should get going, too. Don't want to keep my team waiting any longer." Rei stated, turning around to walk back to his teammates.

"Oh, and Oshiro." Nakamura spoke, causing Rei to hum and look back at him. The white-haired male gave him a grin. "Don't go easy on me tomorrow. I want to face you at your full power."

"Right." Rei said, bidding him farewell as he went to rejoin his team. However, the words of his former senior finally registered in his mind.

"Tomorrow? Is Karasuno's next opponent going to be Inarizaki?"

They were soon outside of the gym as the sun was setting. "Hey there, now..." The sound of Kuroo's voice was heard. "Looks like we've got us some country bumpkin crows. Good for you. You came all this way and you don't have to go back immediately."

"We didn't travel that far..." Sugawara mumbled.

Tanaka and Yamamoto clasped their hands together as both Karasuno and Nekoma talked with one another. Rei was conversing with Mizuki and Nishimoto.

"Well... Try to survive tomorrow, too." Kuroo told Daichi.

"Right back at you." Daichi said as the two captains sent each other a smirk before walking away.

"As both Kuroo-san and Daichi-san turned around, they stopped smiling. Surviving day 2... I was reminded just how difficult that was going to be." Rei noted before narrowing his eyes.

"And if what Nakamura-san said was true, Karasuno may be up against our toughest opponent yet."

Tournament Day 1: 40 teams disappeared.

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Karasuno finally arrived at their hotel. "Huh?" Daichi said, spotting the Niiyama Girls' volleyball team walking by them.

"They're from Niiyama Girls' High." Sugawara pointed out, looking up at the hotel.

"So they're at the hotel next door." Asahi said.

"The difference, though..." Sugawara commented.

"They're seeded, right? I mean, they won the girls' Inter-High." Asahi stated. "Maybe they just finished their practice."

"They really are royalty." Sugawara said.

"And their food must be..." Yamaguchi trailed off. "A luxury all-you-can-eat buffet!"

"But I love how crispy they fry up all the salmon here! And I really like their rolled omelets."

"Nothing beats the unlimited refills on the rice!"

Rei's phone buzzed, signaling that he got a text. He opened up his phone.

From: Shou-kun.
Subject: Nationals.
> Hey, Reicchi. How did the first day of nationals go?

To: Shou-kun.
Subject: Re: Nationals.
It went well. We won <

From: Shou-kun.
Subject: Re: Nationals.
> That's great. Good luck tomorrow. Try not to get sent home. I'll be watching ;)

Rei blushed at the winking face that Hayashi sent in his message.

"The hell are you blushing for?"

"S-Shut up, Tsukishima-kun! It's just the sunset!"

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A/N: You know I had to place some Bokuaka in here :) Who's excited for the Inarizaki match? It's going to be a wild ride for what I have planned for Rei! Thanks for reading!

Word Count: 2710 words.