~Back In The Game~

~Chapter Thirty-One~

-Last Time-

"The practice game between Nekoma High School and Tsukinokizawa High School will now begin." The referee announces.

"Let's go." Kuroo says firmly.

--

-Karasuno High School, Gym 2-

The boys are practicing their receiving skills. After everyone has successfully received five times in a row they move on to practicing serves. When Kageyama calls Asahi's name it catches your attention. You listen as Kageyama asks Asahi if they can run a few sets before afternoon practice. Asahi agrees happily. Ukai and Takeda are talking about how much stamina Hinata and Kageyama have until Ukai asks Takeda a question.

"Do you think Nekoma's made the trip up here yet?"

"They should be coming in on the bullet train today. I hear they'll be staying at the Karasuno Sports Park Facilities and will hold practice games with various schools every day. On the last day of their stay, of course... they'll be playing us. What sort of team is Nekoma?"

"Can't say what they're like now, but back in the day, they had a really solid defense. Every so often they'd have a star player on offense. But even when they didn't, they were a team with no holes whatsoever. Totally the opposite of us!... The "Cats"... like their name implies...are agile."

'And cute.' You think with a smile.

-Tsukinokizawa High School, Gym 1-

Kuroo dives to receive the ball and it's successful. He gets praise from his teammates.

"Man, even that big middle blocker of theirs is fast on the digs!" A Tsukinokizawa player on the side of the court says.

'What the heck is going on here?! We keep attacking, but nothing ever gets through!' A player on the court thinks.

The ball is heading to Kenma as he stands looking at it. He sets the ball to number 7, who spikes it past the block and earns Nekoma a point. The whistle is blown indicating the end of the game. Nekoma wins with a score of 23-21 in the first set and 25-13 in the second set.

"They don't have a single stand-out star on either offense or defense..." A Tsukinokizawa player begins as he and a few of his teammates watch Nekoma walk off the court. "...So how the heck are they that good?!"

-Karasuno High School, Gym 1-

"LUNCH BREAK!" Daichi announces.

"Yeah!!" Everyone responds happily. You're about to follow everyone until you see Ukai looking troubled.

"Everything okay, Coach?" You ask. He doesn't reply. You see the magnetic board with the player's names on it and realize what's going on. "Having trouble with the starting lineup?"

"Yeah. It's the setter spot." He replies. "I just...can't pick."

"...Try thinking out loud. It helps me sometimes." He looks at you uncertainly. You smile and nod reassuringly. He hesitates then sighs, giving in.

"If we're looking at pure athletic ability, it's Kageyama for sure. But... right now, Sugawara has the best chemistry with Azumane, our Ace. While their two years of experience playing is Sugawara's biggest strength... Kageyama has such overwhelming talent that I wouldn't be surprised if he finds some way to overcome even that deficit in no time flat. He's already using the rough-edged weapon that is Hinata with precision...as well as making good use of the other hitters. It only took him a month to manage that. If he was letting his talent go to his head and sitting back to rest on his laurels, that would be one thing... but the kid is one of the most dedicated players on the team."