34 Inter-High 2013 Preliminaries

The bus ride on the way to the venue of the second round match for the Inter-High Qualifiers was nothing short of uneventful. In fact, it was almost comical, because of Asuma Genji's extreme pre-game jitters and anxiety. Even though the distance towards the Nara Central Stadium wasn't that far from their school, the journey still sent the rookie spiker in a spiraling daze.

He accidentally puked on Hiro's pants.

The middle blocker, who already marked the little redhead for his earlier declaration of 'beating him to being better', got more pestered at this recent outrageousness. And this happened just few hours after their coach told them to be in rhythm and work closely as a team when they will play later.

Their teamwork is already in shambles this early because of this rather uncomfortable and awkward skirmish. Hiro just won't easily forget about this freshman's audacity to make him his vomit target.

"GOMEN, HIRO-SENPAI!" Asuma told the sophomore, whose eyes were anything but forgiving.

He decided to diss the first year and launched a savage threat at him in his most menacing tone. "Try doing that for another time and you'll never get to play volleyball again, huh?"

Asuma shuddered from Hiro's remark, and looked a lot more sick rightafter. Once they were out of the bus, Asuma hurriedly went to the restroom to relieve himself.

He got out from the comfort room still looking funny, so this prompted Megumi to step in to offer some help. "Are you alright, Asuma-kun? Do you need some medicine for your – err – stomach problems?"

Actually, he looked like he's really constipated right now. Which isn't a good thing since their game is gonna start in just a few more minutes. It wasn't really a case of bad stomach or constipation, it's more like, Asuma's nerves are just off the charts, and he can barely contain his mixed emotions of excitement, worry, nervousness and anxiety. His insides are doing multiple 360s, that's why his mouth digestive system is manifesting it.

"Do you have some of those, Megumi-san? Can I please have one?" He asked their manager in return.

Soon enough, Megumi got him some of these medicine and Asuma took it to steady himself prior to their warm-ups. Hiro approached him just to leave him a remark on his nervous behavior.

"Oi, oi, what happened to the guy who'll beat me to being better? Is he still around? I can't seem to find him."

Kakuzo who heard it let out a little laugh, and left his own comment to to add some more salt to Hiro's remarks. "It's maybe soz he's so short, senpai, that he can't even be seen."

"Watch out later, you Kakuzo bakayaroooo!" The redhead went ahead and attempted to tackle their team titan, who easily got a hold of the much smaller guy and contain his movements.

"Stop this at once, and let's begin warming up." Maki prevented the chaos before it fully ensues, and that's when the two rookies and Hiro ceased to banter with each other and focus instead on their upcoming game.

"Ye keep being lame and shaking like that, and Toshiro-senpai will reclaim the position you're playing, not that you are better than him, anyway." Kakuzo made a funny face at Asuma when he whispered these words in hurry near his ear just to taunt him, which is actually effective.

Now, Asuma wondered what could have gotten to Coach Soma's mind when he picked him over his reliable senior. But since he's given this chance and opportunity, he made up his mind to just maximize it.

In the second round of the prefectural preliminaries, the Stags of Shiroshikata Gakuen were about to have a game against Omibouzo High School. The winner will proceed in the next round, and the loser shall be immediately terminated from the championship run.

The banner "Wild and Free" was sprawled in the bleachers for everyone to see. It has been displayed for the past 7 years to fire up the Shiroshikata volleyball team, so it's actually quite filthy. But last week, Megumi actually brought it to her house, fixed the tears around its edges and washed it. She also asked her artist friend to repaint the calligraphy written on it. Now, the banner is displayed in its full glory, looking as if it's new. A new surge of inspiration washed over the team after seeing it before going in to the court.

"Nice work, Megumi-chan!" Kouha thanked the manager for her hardwork and dedication to this job.

"Don't sweat the small stuff." She said as more players began to thank her - to the third years specifically, who are quite emo after seeing the banner. The whistle was blown, signalling the start of the game.

"Okay boys, Omibouzo has a solid floor defense. Their senior libero is really good at digs, and their ace sure packs some power in his spikes, but don't let that get into you. Just perform like how you usually do and get us to Tokyo." Coach said.

"Hai! Shiroshikata, fight!" Captain Maki said as they huddled before going in to the court.

"Fight!" The rest of the team replied in chorus.

"Ganbari!" They heard their two managers say. That was more than enough to get them fired up.

The game began and Shiroshikata served first. The opponent cleanly bumped Kouen's jump serve and the rally continued. The ball traveled to the opponent's setter, who tossed it to their ace for a resounding spike. The ball was awkwardly bumped by the still jittery Asuma, and it went out. First point was scored by Omibouzo.

"WAAAAH, SORRY!" He apologized for the bad receive. 'Dammit, Kakuzo must be feasting for that mistake of mine!'

"Focus, Asuma, let's get the next one!" Gai said from the back, trying to reassure the rookie that it was fine.

The next serve was made but Maki was there for the clean dig, and the ball went to Kouen, who made a C-pass to Hiro to score their first point.

[C-pass, or Back-One: A ball set relatively low (or quick) to the middle hitter or to the right side hitter, directly behind the setter.]

The first set flowed on and soon the score was 24-23. The opponent sued for time when the Stags scored the last point that brought them at set point. When they returned, it was Hiro's turn to serve. He gave their opponents his nasty jump serve but it was raised shakily by Omibouzo's libero.

"Sorry, follow!" Their formation was broken.

"LEEEFT!"

The setter tossed the ball towards their ace who was in a rather tight spot - he did manage to hit the spike, however, Kakuzo and Asuma both jumped at the same time. The spike hit Kakuzo's right palm and the ball got deflected back towards the opponent's court. It hit the floor.

"That's it, Shiroshikata's famous serve-and-block! That's another kill from the rookie, Kakuzo Ryohei! With the excellent support of his fellow rookie, Asuma Genji! And an incredible serve from Nara's center ace! How many has it been now, partner? And we're still in the first set. My, my." the commentator said.

Yes, Arakata Hiroaki actually earned the title "Center Ace" last year during his incredible performance in the entire tournament, coupled by his participation in the NYTC. He will not say it, but he finds the title somewhat cool and he likes it.

Shiroshikata won the first set. And the next set. They swept the game at 2-0.