~Back In The Game~

~Chapter Twenty-Nine~

-Last Time-

"Right. First and foremost...receiving." Ukai says addressing everyone.

--

"If you can't do that, you're useless. We focus on that starting tomorrow!" Ukai continues.

"Yes, Coach! Thank you very much!"

"Don't forget your cool-down stretches."

"Okay, guys! Stretch out!" Daichi instructs.

"Yeah!!"

"Graaaah..." Ukai sighs.

"...? Are we really so terrible at receiving that it's worth that heavy a sigh?" Takeda asks.

"Nah. Yeah it's bad, but... that's not what I was thinking."

"...?"

"Back when I was a player and I was on the side that got picked to play, I never gave it any thought, but...when you're on the side that does the picking as a coach...you can get stuck with some real tough decisions." Ukai says while looking at Suga and Kageyama talking.

"..."

"Clean up now! Hurry!" Ukai yells.

"Yes, Coach."

On your way to help clean, you see Hinata looking off into the distance. Just as you're about to check on him, he speaks.

"Asahi-san!"

"? Yes?"

"I...I'm no Ace, but...I'm gonna be the Greatest Decoy...so that I can open up the way for the Ace!" Asahi looks at him surprised.

'Way to go Hinata!' You think proudly.

"Oh! Um! I still can't do that without Kageyama's setting though. But, uh...um...ah...uh...er...ummm..."

"Listen, um... It's usually the wing spiker playing on the outside left that gets labeled the Ace, right? So that'd be me or Tanaka."

"? Right."

"Yeah, hitting through triple blocks and getting most of the sets when things get tough... that's all part of the Ace's job. But getting your setter to say something like that about you? I think that's pretty awesome too."

"...?"

"Uhh...so umm...yeah. A-Anyway! What I'm trying to say is...despite whatever position anybody plays...don't you think the coolest player is the one the other team watches out for the most? Like if they said "Watch out for that small middle blocker! He's crazy fast!" and stuff."

"!!!" Hinata nods ferociously.

"If you want my spot, I won't let you take it that easily." You smile at the two.

"Yes, sir!!"

"Um...that's assuming I get to be back in the starting lineup though." You deadpan.

"Geez, Asahi! You are so timid for such a big guy." Suga chuckles.

"It's good to have you back too...Suga." Daichi says.

"I'm sorry I was such a wishy-washy, namby-pamby, fidgety-flighty, indecisive wreck."

"I wouldn't go that far." You chuckle. "And it's good to have our reliable libero back. Right, Noya?"

"Yeah!" The libero answers enthusiastically.

"But no more smacking the vice principal around and breaking stuff, got it?" Noya freezes and has an embarrassed and scared look on his face. "Oh yeah. I guess we got our wuss of an Ace-only-in-name wing spiker back too. I'd almost forgotten." You giggle at Daichi's words and Asahi's facial expression.

"Right. Let's finish this off and call it a night, folks!" Ukai announces as all the players gather in a circle while you, Kiyoko, Takeda, and Ukai stand to the side.

"Karasuno...Fight!" Dachi cheers.

"Yeah!"

"Oh, Coach." Takeda says getting the man's attention.

"?"

"These are the team's managers. This is Shimizu Kiyoko, a third year." He introduces, gesturing to the girl, who bows.

"It's nice to meet you." Kiyoko says.

"Same to you."

"And this is (L/N) (Y/N), a first year." Takeda gestures to you. You bow and then look up to see Ukai has a look of disbelief and hope. When he sees your face fully his expression turns to recognition and shock.

"It's nice to see you again, Keishin-san." You say shyly. This surprises Takeda.

"You two know each other?!" He asks.

"Yeah. My gramps used to teach her when she was younger..."

"Don't forget you would help too."

"Yeah, you were a terrible student." He smirks.

"Hey! No, I wasn't. You were just a bad teacher!!"

"Whatever you say, kid." You give him a playful evil look. You then get serious.

"So, how is he?" As you and Ukai talk, Kiyoko and Takeda go their ways to let you catch up. The team sees you two talking and wonders if you know each other, and if so, how.

"Okay. Next up...the training camp. Right?" Ukai asks.

"Right." You reply.

-Bonus-

You're walking home with Hinata Kageyama, Tanaka, and Noya when Hinata speaks.

"Hey, (Y/N)..."

"What's up?"

"So I saw you talking with Coach before we left..."

"Okay...What about it?"

"W-Well, you looked like you know each other..."

"Oh!" You giggle. " Yeah, I know him. His grandfather used to teach me when I was little."

"Really?!" Hinata, Tanaka, and Noya ask. You laugh at their reaction.

"Yup! Keishin-san helped Coach Ukai from time to time as well."

"Wow! That's awesome!" Hinata says before he starts asking a million questions. This leads to Kageyama getting annoyed and yelling at Hinata. You laugh as you watch your four friends chat and bicker.

'I can't believe I found such amazing friends.' You think.

~To Be Continued~