Unpolished Gems

Chapter 21

"All right!"

The score was 7-10 with Karasuno in the lead. Both teams on the court were playing their best as the crows hoped to maintain the lead without knowing that the cats had a certain plan under their sleeves.

"This is great! They're at their best!" Takeda cheered as he watched his team cheer happily.

"They give me the willies," Keishin replied back with a tight expression on his face. "It's like they're feeling us out. Like we're being scrutinized."

With a high jump, Hinata barely managed to spike the ball down over Inuoka's hands. Another point for Karasuno was called while the brown-haired first-year whined at his failure in stopping the ginger. 

"Dammit!"

"Shake it off!"

The scores were now 11-14 with Karasuno still leading by 3 points.

"You almost had it!" 

Kageyama couldn't help but freeze at this statement as he had a sudden realization. 'Their number 7 is keeping up with Hinata.' He thought as he gave the team in red a small side glance.

"Nekoma has moved their blockers to the side," Takinoue commented as he watched the team's new position.

"Yeah, a dedicated block." Shimada nodded at that as he leaned his arms on the railings in front of him.

'This block isn't dedicated to keep the ace marked.' Kageyama thought as he looked behind him to observe the blockers of Nekoma. 'Could it be...'

'They're attempting to lead Hinata?' Keishin thought as he too saw what Nekoma was planning to do.

Over on the court, Inuoka held a focused look on his face as he had his eyes set on one goal and one goal only. 'Follow number 10, follow number 10...'

Seeing Hinata leap up into the air, Inuoka was quick to jump up with the intention of blocking the attack. Unfortunately, he was still a step too slow and was only manage to touch it, not shut it down as he wanted to.

What he didn't know though was the growing unease within Karasuno's setter. 'He touched it again?!' Kageyama thought with knitted brows.

The ball went flying off to where Yaku was standing allowing him to bump it over to where Kenma was waiting. 

"It's a fast attack!" Hinata said as he positioned himself behind Kenma. Watching Kenma jump up, Hinata waited to see who would Kenma set to only to freeze when the ball was already falling next to his feet.

Nishinoya did his best to get the ball but that proved to be futile seeing as how he was still a bit too far to reach it. "Damn!"

"A setter dump," Takeda whispered more so to himself once he saw the play. "Kageyama did that too during the match against the Neighborhood Association."

Over at the front, Hinata couldn't help but feel a bit frustrated for not even moving his feet during Kenma's sudden setter dump.

"Hey, don't get too tense." Kageyama walked next to Hinata all the while keeping his eyes on the team on the other side of the net. "They can see your weaknesses."

Nodding, Hinata wordlessly went back to his designated position.

The next play was quick to start as the ball was at Nekoma's disposal to set up an attack. Jumping up high, Kai gently tipped the ball over the hands of Karasuno's blockers.

"Front!"

Tanaka was quick to react as he dived down to save the ball. "I'm sorry Noya! Cover it!"

"I've got it!"