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

edited on october 27th, 2020 @ 3:55pm

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CHAPTER FOUR - FOUR VS FOUR MATCH

"ALL RIGHT. LET'S GET STARTED." Daichi spoke up, getting everyone's attention. "Sugawara and I will be on Tsukishima's team." This caused Hinata to yell in shock.

"What? You, Captain?" Hinata freaks out.

Daichi chuckled. "Don't worry. Tanaka's a better attacker than me. Though, I won't go easy on you, either." He said as Tanaka looked terrified.

Tsukishima cleared his throat. "Um... that little one and Tanaka, which one shall I crush— I mean— block first?" He asked, pretending that the others couldn't hear him. "Oh, yes, yes. I'd like to see the King and the Phantom lose, too."

"Tsukki, they can hear you. Watch it." Yamaguchi warned.

"I'm saying it so they can hear." Tsukishima replied before smirking at Kageyama who had his back turned. "I sure hope they lose their cool."

"Talking shit about your opponents already, Saltyshima? Let's hope you can back up your shit talking." Rei thought.

"Our special feature is the King, who's been abandoned by his underlings." Tsukishima spoke as Kageyama tensed a little.

"Next we have the Phantom, who had left his teammates in the dust." Tsukishima added as Rei held an emotionless expression.

"Whatever you're trying to do, Saltyshima. It's not working on me." Rei informed, walking up to Kageyama.

"Don't listen to him, Kageyama-kun. I know you have your regrets, but for me it's different. I don't regret leaving my junior high teammates like that." Rei told him as Kageyama only nodded.

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The whistle blew, signaling that the game was starting. Kageyama tossed to Tanaka who spiked down the ball as Tsukishima tried to block him.

The whistle blew once more as Rei received the ball to Kageyama who got ready to toss it. Hinata smirked as he ran towards the net.

"Hinata!" Kageyama shouted as Hinata jumps up, shocking everyone excluding Kageyama, Rei, and Tanaka. However, when Hinata's hand made contact with the ball and he spiked it, he was blocked by Tsukishima.

"You surprised me the other day, too. You sure can jump. If only you were 30 centimeters taller, you could've become a superstar." Tsukishima said as he walked back to his position as Hinata's eyes narrowed at the tall blonde.

"One more!" Hinata announced.

The game continued as Kageyama tosses to Hinata again but when he went to spike down the ball, he got blocked again. Rei sighed at him. "Don't repeat your actions over and over. Saltyshima will eventually see it coming." He thinks to himself.

The game restarts as it was Yamaguchi's turn to serve. However, he didn't score a point as when the whistle blew, Yamaguchi served the ball and the volleyball hit the net. "Sorry, Tsukki." He apologized.

"Don't mind, don't mind." Daichi reassured him as Kageyama picked up the ball and went over to the serving line. He did a jump serve as he jumped and spiked the ball over the net. However, Daichi saved it from touching the ground.

"Huh?" Hinata and Kageyama commented in unison.

"He's the captain. He obviously has more experience then we do." Rei thought. "I don't know why they're surprised. I saw it coming."

Sugawara got ready to toss the ball. "Yamaguchi." He called out as he tossed it to the freckled boy who jumped up and spiked it down. However, Rei's blue orbs glanced over at the ball as he disappeared and appeared again as he saved it, shocking Yamaguchi.

Daichi chuckled a little as he looked over at the duo. "Did you think you'd score a few points?" He asked, making Kageyama tense up. "I don't have outstanding talent, but I've been doing this a couple of years longer than you. My receive is well-integrated into my body." He said.

"Don't think you can get past me that easily." Daichi finished as he got into a receiving position. Rei smirked.

"Ah, don't forget they have me, Daichi-san." Rei stated. "You may have done this longer, but I was on a team that thought winning was everything. I may be younger than you, but don't underestimate me." He said as Daichi looked at him with surprise.

"Hey, king." Tsukishima announces, causing Kageyama to look over at him. "Maybe you should start getting serious."

"What's your problem? You haven't stopped getting in our faces since the other day. What's this 'king toss?'" Hinata hissed.

"Don't you know why they call him the 'king?'" Tsukishima questioned.

Hinata tilted his head. "He's called that because he's so good that guys at other schools are intimated by him, isn't that it?" He replied.

Tsukishima laughed. "I'm sure there are others who think that's why. However, his nickname 'King of the Court' was given to him by the guys of Kitagawa Daiichi. By the teammates of the King. What it means is... he's the self-centered King. The oppressive dictator." He explained.

"I heard rumors, but I was convinced when I saw that match. He got too oppressive and had to sit out on the bench." Tsukishima continued as he continued explaining how no one was there to spike the ball when he tossed it.

"He doesn't set up quick. Is that because he's lost a nerve from that match?" Tsukishima questioned as Kageyama continued to stay silent.

Tanaka stepped forward to defend Kageyama, but Daichi shook his head at him, telling him not too.

"He made a toss, but no one jumped—" Tsukishima started to talk once more but got interrupted.

"You are right."

Everyone looked towards Kageyama. "I made a toss, and no one was there. It's truly frightening." Kageyama informed.

Tsukishima smirked. "And let's not forget the Phantom. Who left his teammates in the dust during the junior high Nationals. Who knows if he'll do the same to us as well?" He taunted.

"Like I said, Saltyshima. Whatever you're trying to do, it's not gonna work." Rei repeated. "I was on a team full of arrogant bastards who thought winning was everything. If you don't know the full story, then shut your mouth."

The rest of the team was shocked by this. They could tell that Rei was really sensitive on the subject, even though he didn't show it.

Hinata then points to Tsukishima. "The real problem for me is how I'm gonna get past you." He declared, causing Daichi and Tanaka to chuckle at him.

He walks over to Kageyama. "We'll win against Tsukishima, become official club members, and you will bravely play setter. And you'll toss for me. What else is there?" Hinata announced.

"How pure and straightforward... and irritating." Tsukishima grumbled lowly.

Kiyoko blew the whistle as Tsukishima was the one to serve for his team. "You can't make up for height by psyching yourself up. If you believe effort alone will win out... you're dead wrong." Tsukishima said to Hinata as he threw the ball up in the air and spiked it. Rei thankfully saved the ball.

"I got it!"

"Tanaka-san!"

The two then waved around to Kageyama. "Toss to me!" They both said in unison. Kageyama opened his mouth.

"Tanaka-san—"

"Kageyama!"

Hinata was already in the air. "I'm here!" He added as Kageyama tossed to him. He didn't actually spike it, but he did manage to touch the ball as it went over the net. Daichi tried to save it, but it didn't matter since the ball was already out.

"That was close. I almost missed it. It's out though." Hinata stated.

Kageyama turned to him. "What was that for?" He asked.

"But the ball came to me! Forget about junior high. I'll take any tosses I can get. Gratefully. I'll jump anywhere. I'll hit the ball. So..." Hinata explained as he placed his hand where his heart was. "Toss it to me!" He finished.

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"Hey guys, you know how to do quick hits?" Tanaka asked as in shock as he broke the silence. "Quick hits?" Hinata repeated with confusion in his voice.

"A fast attack like the one you just did." Tanaka stated as Hinata shook his head.

"Not at all. All I've spiked are balls that get tossed up high." Hinata informed.

Tanaka tilted his head. "But you just did it. And when you were in junior high, I saw you spike a missed toss by the beginner setter. That's what I mean." He stated.

"Huh? But I don't remember how I did it. But I'll spike any toss! I'll spike it, understood?" Hinata responded turning to Kageyama with determination.

"We've never got coordinated. A fast attack is impossible." Kageyama said bluntly.

"There's something weird about you. Your weakness is giving me the creeps. Weird!" Hinata announced, pointing his finger at Kageyama.

"Shut up." Kageyama responded.

Hinata crossed his arms like a child. "It's not like you, King." Tsukishima taunted, making Hinata snap once more.

"I'll spike it past you. Wait and see!" Hinata declared.

"There you go again, all psyched up. Just getting psyched up isn't going to make things right. Some people aren't cut out for things. Clearly, you're not cut out to be a spiker." Tsukishima commented harshly.

"That's true." Hinata replied. "Even when I was in junior high, I would jump and jump, but I kept getting blocked. Height is needed for volleyball. No matter how high I jump, I can't get past the overwhelming height. But... I know I want to become like that. So I don't care if I'm cut out for it or not. I'm going to do battle with this body, win and win, and be on the court as long as I can."

"But you don't have what it takes. This isn't a matter of psychology. You can't make up height with feelings. If you could play libero, that would be a different matter." Tsukishima said.

"It doesn't matter if he can or not." Rei spoke up, getting everyone's attention. "Ever heard the phrase, don't judge a book by it's cover? Well, that's exactly what you're doing to Hinata-kun right now. You're underestimating him."

Hinata tried to spike Kageyama's toss, but it didn't go so well. "You got fast reflexes, so go like pah like gwah." Kageyama instructed.

"Is it pah or gwah, which is it?" Hinata questioned.

Rei sighed to himself. "Kageyama-kun sounds exactly like Ryu-kun when he explains things. It's kinda irritating." He thought.

Moments passed as Hinata spiked the ball. However, Rei noticed something. "He... had his eyes closed? Surely he couldn't have 100% trust in him? Not even Kai-kun and Fuji-kun had that!" Rei thinks to himself.

Soon enough, Rei, Kageyama, Hinata, and Tanaka had won. Rei tried catching his breath as Ennoshita gave him a water bottle. Rei said his thanks as he drank the water from it. He looked over at Hinata who was trying to shake hands with Tsukishima.

Daichi grabbed their application forms from them. "Shimizu. The stuff is here, right?" Daichi called out to Kiyoko who nodded. She appeared with the box that had 'Karasuno High School Volleyball Club' written on it.

"I think they should fit but let me know if you need anything." Kiyoko informed.

"Thanks."

Rei put on his Karasuno volleyball jacket as everyone else was trying to get Tsukishima to put on his jacket. He finally gave up and put it on as the first years lined up.

"We're the Karasuno Volleyball Club from here on..." Daichi said as he puts his jacket on.

"Ready and..." Daichi counted off as the first years stared at the second and third years.

"Good to have you with us!"

Kageyama and Hinata began to practice their quick. That's when a teacher with short curly hair and glasses barged in. "Must be the advisor." Rei thought.

"It's decided! It's decided!" Takeda shouted, making everyone stop and turn at him. After introducing himself, he continued.

"The practice match. It's against one of the top four teams in the prefecture. Aoba Johsai High School." Takeda informed. Rei paled when he heard the school name.

"The one nicknamed Seijoh?" Sugawara gasped in shock.

"Yikes." Tsukishima commented.

"No way." Yamaguchi mumbled.

"A practice match with one of the top four!" Hinata exclaimed.

"Aoba Johsai..." Rei and Kageyama mumbled, both of them looking at each other.

"You know someone there too, huh Oshiro?" Kageyama questioned.

"You could say that." Rei replied.

"But Sensei, how did you get a powerhouse like Seijoh to agree?" Sugawara asked with shock.

"You didn't get on your knees and beg again, did you?" Daichi sighed.

"Do I even wanna know?" Rei thinks to himself.

"No, no. I'm good at getting on my knees and begging, but I didn't have to do that this time." He assured making Daichi and Sugawara stare at their club advisor with an unamused and tired expression.

"But they had two conditions." Takeda said as he looked down at the sheet of paper.

"Conditions?" Daichi repeated with confusion.

"Kageyama must play setter the entire game. And Oshiro must play the whole time as well." Takeda informed as everyone widened their eyes.

"What's that about? Sounds like they're not interested in Karasuno. They just want to assess Kageyama and Oshiro. Are they underestimating us? Are they?" Tanaka hissed, getting into Takeda's face for answers.

"Well, that's not quite how it is." Takeda assured.

"Sounds good." Sugawara spoke up, making everyone turn to him in surprise.

"We don't get chances like this that often." Sugawara added and Rei frowned at him.

"You're gonna agree to that, Suga? You're the official setter of Karasuno, Suga." Tanaka exclaimed.

"I... I want to see how effective Hinata and Kageyama's attack will be against the top four team." Sugawara admits, causing Hinata and Kageyama to gasp at him.

Sugawara looked at Daichi and nods at him. "Sensei, may we have the details?" Daichi asked, changing the subject.

"Sure. Um... the schedule is rather sudden, but it's set for Tuesday next week." Takeda informs as everyone surrounds him. "It'll be after classes, so there will only be time for one game. We'll rent a bus after school..."

Once everyone got the details, everyone went to clean up the gym. "I swear. Haya-kun had something to do with this. Wanting me to be in the entire game. When I see him..." Rei growled in his head, clenching his fist.

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Later, after practice, the team went to go get pork buns. Rei was walking with Kageyama and Sugawara, zoning out their conversation.

"What about you, Oshiro? You froze up at Aoba Johsai's name too." Sugawara stated as him and Kageyama looked at him.

"Like Kageyama-kun, a junior high teammate of mine goes there." Rei responded.

"Oh? One of the Inhumane Players?" Sugawara asked as Rei nodded. "That makes sense. Seijoh is a powerhouse school. They seem like they would snatch a player from Jindai."

"That's true." Daichi spoke up, walking out of the store with two bags. "But we'll show them that Kageyama and Oshiro aren't the only ones they need to worry about. Right, Hinata?"

Daichi grinned as he turned around to look over at the orange haired first-year. Only to see that he was already stuffing his face with pork buns.

Sugawara, Daichi, Tanaka, Kageyama, and Rei all had the same dead inside expression. Soon Kageyama and Tanaka run over and hold the first-year in the air.

"Why are you eating first?" Tanaka yelled.

"Are you kidding?" Kageyama exclaimed.

The store owner came out. "Hey, volleyball club! Don't make a ruckus in front of the store!" He shouted.

"Sorry." Kageyama and Tanaka said in unison as they dropped Hinata.

Rei walked over to Sugawara as he handed him a pork bun. "Thanks." He said as he took the pork bun.

"Excuse me. Is there a curry pork bun?" Kageyama asked.

Rei saw Daichi bow at the store owner. "Eat your dinner properly." The owner informed as Daichi bowed once more.

"Hey, you guys come and eat, too!" Tanaka called out as Rei looked over to see Tsukishima and Yamaguchi.

"Thanks." Yamaguchi yelled as he ran over to them while Tsukishima walked calmly to them. Rei saw Hinata looking at everyone, including Rei, with a smile on his face.

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Meanwhile, a blonde with blue eyes was walking back to his house from volleyball practice. He was wearing the Aoba Johsai uniform while his white blazer was hanging off his shoulders and he also had headphones in his ears.

He thought back to the crystal blue-eyed phantom from his junior high volleyball team. He was confused as to why he had chosen the fallen powerhouse, but in a way, he was glad that he did. The blonde remembered all of their moments together in junior high.

(Flashback)

A black haired boy was slammed into the lockers gently. They had just finished a match as their other teammates had left. "Rei-chan. Look at me please." The blonde ordered as Rei did as he was told.

"Haya-kun..." Rei muttered, playing with his volleyball jacket. It was one of the things he did when he was nervous.

"Use my given name, Rei-chan. Our teammates aren't around." The blonde ordered.

"S-Shou-kun..." Rei said as he mumbled something that the blonde couldn't hear.

"Speak louder, Rei-chan. I can't hear you." The blonde stated.

"Kiss me, please." Rei said a little louder.

The blonde smirked as he pressed his lips against Rei's.

(End Flashback)

The blonde chuckled to himself as he remembered the memory. He stopped and looked up at the night sky.

"See you very soon, Shirocchi..."

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A/N: You have been introduced to the first love interest! Hope you enjoyed!

Word Count: 2946 words.