Nekoma Vs Karasuno [1]

Author's Note:I forgot the webnovel version existed, sorry about that.Anyways, enjoy.===============BOOM!Sora unleashed another powerful jump serve, the tension thick in the air. Yaku narrowed his focus, tracking the ball's trajectory with unwavering concentration. However, as the ball soared, Yaku's eyes widened in disbelief.The ball seemed destined to sail outside the court, and for a fleeting moment, he halted his pursuit. To his astonishment, the ball gracefully landed on the line."Tweet!"07-00 in favor of Karasuno. Another ace by Sora, leaving Nekoma trailing and frustrated.Yamamoto couldn't help but express his frustration, muttering, "Tch! That damn serve is hard!"Yaku, despite the challenges, maintained his composure. He observed Sora, who was gearing up for another serve. Over the past 10 minutes, Yaku had tirelessly attempted to receive Sora's serves, grappling with the overwhelming speed, precision, and power.As the struggle continued, Yaku sensed a gradual adjustment within himself. Rather than succumbing to frustration, he perceived Sora's serve as a formidable test. Determined to overcome the challenge, Yaku braced himself to face Sora's serve once again, viewing it not as an obstacle but as an opportunity for growth.Tweet!Sora sent another thunderous jump serve.Yaku's reflexes kicked into overdrive as he tracked the ball's trajectory, determination etched into every sinew of his being. This time, his effort bore fruit as he managed to receive the serve, albeit a bit high, causing the ball to land on Karasuno's side."Sorry!" Yaku's exclamation filled the air, echoed by Sora's concerned call to Kageyama.With lightning reflexes, Kageyama swiftly adjusted to set the ball, his movements precise and calculated.Across the court, Hinata sprang into action, his feet a blur as he dashed towards the net.In a seamless display of teamwork, Kageyama's set found its mark, and Hinata soared into the airBAM!His spike thundering against the court.The Nekoma players, caught off guard by the lightning-fast attack, were left rooted to the ground, unable to react in time.A collective gasp reverberated through the gymnasium as the spectators bore witness to the stunning display of skill.Tweet!The scoreboard flickered to life, displaying Karasuno's commanding lead: 08-00.Yasufumi Nekomata, the coach of Nekoma, recognized the need to regroup and called for a well-timed timeout.==============="Okay, I know we're trailing behind so far, but let's be calm," Nekomata asserted, his voice a steadying presence amid the heated match. Turning his gaze towards Karasuno's side, Nekomata's eyes focused on Sora, acknowledging, "Sora's serves are nothing short of exceptional. The power and speed he generates, especially for a high schooler, are truly impressive. We must find a way to handle them."His attention then shifted to Shoyo and Kageyama. "Their quick attack is quite dangerous. Shoyo and Kageyama's coordination is remarkable, catching us off guard. We need to be vigilant."Nekomata's gaze finally settled on Kenma, who felt the weight of the coach's expectations.Sensing the unspoken inquiry in Nekomata's look, Kenma responded, "It's only been 10 minutes, and I haven't had sufficient time to analyze their strategy properly, primarily due to Sora's dominating service."Pausing to collect his thoughts, Kenma continued, "But even within this limited time, I've observed a pattern. Karasuno seems to utilize Sora's powerful service as a strategic move to overwhelm opponents from the outset. This tactic hinders opposing teams from dissecting their other strategies effectively."Kenma directed his attention to Shoyo, emphasizing, "Shoyo appears to be their main attacker, particularly with their quick attack. If we manage to receive Sora's serve successfully, we should focus on shutting down Shoyo to disrupt their offensive rhythm."Yaku's gaze bore into Sora, marking him as an obstacle that demanded confrontation. The tension between the two players hung thick in the air, a silent challenge acknowledged by Yaku with a determined resolve.Meanwhile, on Karasuno's side, the team gathered under the watchful eye of their coach, Keishin."You guys are doing great so far, keep it up!" he encouraged the team before singling out Sora for special instructions. "Sora, I want you to continue what you're doing. Deliver more aces!"Sora responded with a closed smile and a thumbs up, showing his readiness to carry out the coach's directive.Keishin then turned his attention to Shoyo and Kageyama, emphasizing, "And I want you both to execute the quick attack if they manage to receive Sora's serve."In unison, Shoyo and Kageyama nodded. However, amidst the encouragement and tactical planning, Sora couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. A shiver ran down his spine, prompting him to turn around.There, he met Yaku's intense stare. The sight sent a chill through Sora; Yaku's expression was formidable and, in Sora's eyes, even a bit intimidating.'Holy moly, no wonder Lev Haiba is scared of him even though he's short!' Sora thought.Sora knew the source of Yaku's intensity; it stemmed from the Nekoma libero's competitive spirit, especially when confronted with a formidable opponent, like Sora's powerful serve.===============Tweet!The gymnasium brimmed with anticipation as Karasuno and Nekoma returned to the court, eager to resume their exhilarating match. Sora unleashed another devastating jump serve, the sheer power behind his technique sending ripples of excitement through the crowd.Yaku positioned himself to receive the incoming ball, his focus unwavering. However, despite his efforts, the ball soared higher than anticipated, causing it to veer off course."Sorry!" Yaku's apology echoed across the court.Meanwhile, Kenma took his place on the court, his mind already calculating the next move. As he prepared to set the ball, Tsukishima watched his every move with keen interest. Tsukishima's analytical gaze followed Kenma's subtle movements, predicting the trajectory of the upcoming set.Anticipating the ball to be set towards his left, Tsukishima braced himself to block. Unbeknownst to Tsukishima, Kenma was acutely aware of his scrutiny. With a subtle shift in strategy, Kenma executed a deceptive set, sending the ball in the opposite direction of Tsukishima's expectations.Nobuyuki Kai, Nekoma's opposite hitter, unleashed a powerful spike set by Kenma.BOOM!Sora positioned himself to receive Kai's attack. With precise timing, he dug the ball, sending it soaring into the air.Kageyama swiftly moved to set the ball, his fingers brushing the surface with finesse. Shoyo, in perfect sync with Kageyama, leaped into the air, his eyes locked onto the ball.BAM!With a resounding thud, Shoyo's spike found its mark, evading Nekoma's blockers and landing squarely on their side of the court. The crowd erupted in cheers, their voices echoing through the gymnasium.Tweet!The scoreboard reflected Karasuno's growing lead: 09-00.===============During another timeout, Nekomata gathered his team, his eyes fixed on Kenma. "Kenma, do you have any insights?" he asked, his voice carrying a mix of urgency and trust.Kenma nodded, his mind racing with observations. "I've noticed something peculiar about Sora. His movements seem slightly off, especially when he's running. It's almost as if he's compensating for an injury."Nekomata's eyes widened, realizing the significance of Kenma's observation. "So, you're suggesting we target Sora?" he inquired, seeking confirmation.Kenma nodded again, his voice steady. "Yes, if we exploit his potential injury, we might be able to weaken their defense and disrupt their rhythm. We should aim our attacks at Sora and force him to move more."Yaku's determination intensified, his gaze locked onto Sora. He understood the strategy and was ready to implement it.===============The match resumed, and Nekoma executed their new strategy. They targeted Sora relentlessly, sending spikes and serves his way, forcing him to move and test his limits.At first, Sora managed to hold his ground, his determination evident in every move. However, as the game progressed, he felt a familiar pain creeping into his knee.'No... not now,' Sora thought, gritting his teeth against the discomfort.He had hoped the pain was gone for good, but it had returned with a vengeance. Suspicion gnawed at him—why had the pain disappeared before, only to come back now?Despite the pain, Sora pushed on, determined not to let his team down.Memories of his last volleyball match in his previous life flooded his mind, where he had failed to receive a crucial ball. The trauma of that moment still haunted him, driving him to keep his current injury a secret.He couldn't let history repeat itself.==============With each play, the pain in Sora's knee intensified. He could feel his movements becoming more labored, but he refused to show any signs of weakness. The match was at a critical juncture, and his team needed him.Kenma noticed Sora's struggle. He signaled to his teammates, and they intensified their attacks on Sora, aiming to exploit his injury further. The pressure mounted, but Sora's resolve remained unbroken.In a pivotal moment, Sora received a powerful spike from Kai.The pain in his knee flared up, nearly causing him to buckle, but he dug deep, his reflexes taking over. He managed to keep the ball in play, setting up another opportunity for Karasuno to score.As the rally continued, Sora's mind raced. He had to stay strong, had to push through the pain. His thoughts flickered to his teammates—Shoyo, Kageyama, Tsukishima, and the rest.They were counting on him.With a final surge of determination, Sora executed a perfect receive, sending the ball flying to Kageyama. The setter, recognizing Sora's effort, set the ball with precision. Shoyo, with a burst of energy, delivered a devastating spike, securing another point for Karasuno.Tweet!The scoreboard showed Karasuno's lead widening: 12-03.===============During the next timeout, Keishin approached Sora, concern etched on his face. "Sora, are you okay? Your movements seem off."Sora forced a smile, hiding the pain. "I'm fine, Coach. Just a bit tired."Keishin wasn't convinced but decided to trust Sora's judgment for now. "Alright, but let me know if you need to rest."Sora nodded, determined to continue. He couldn't afford to let his team down, not now. The match was far from over, and Karasuno needed every bit of strength and skill he could muster.Unknown to Sora, Shoyo was analyzing him. Unlike Keishin, Shoyo knew Sora the most. He knew that Sora was hiding the pain in his knee. Sora had always been the type of person to hide what he was feeling, preferring to keep his struggles to himself rather than burden others. It was a trait that Shoyo had seen countless times, from the small, everyday annoyances to the larger, more significant problems.Shoyo remembered when they were kids, and Sora had twisted his ankle during a game of tag. Despite the pain, Sora had brushed it off, saying he was fine, and continued to play. It was only later that night, when their mother noticed the swelling, that anyone realized how bad it was. Sora had always been like that—strong, resilient, and unwilling to show weakness.As Shoyo watched Sora on the court, he saw the telltale signs. The slight hesitation before moving, the subtle wince when putting pressure on his knee, and the forced smile when Keishin asked if he was okay. Shoyo's heart ached, knowing his brother was pushing through pain to avoid letting the team down.During the timeout, Shoyo approached Sora, his eyes filled with concern and determination. He waited until they were a bit apart from the rest of the team before speaking."Aniki, you should stop," Shoyo said softly but firmly.Sora's eyes widened. He looked down, avoiding Shoyo's gaze. Was Shoyo disappointed in him?Unbidden, memories from Sora's past life flooded his mind. The last volleyball match between Akihiro and Estrein played out in vivid detail. He remembered the critical moment when he had failed to receive a crucial ball. The disappointment and blame from his teammates had stung deeply, leaving a scar that still haunted him.'If Karasuno loses in this practice match, they will blame me,' Sora thought, the fear gnawing at him. Unintentionally, he clenched his fists and bit his lip. His fists shook with the intensity of his emotions.Shoyo's eyes widened as he analyzed Sora's gestures. He had never seen Sora like this. In tennis or volleyball, Sora was the type to be composed and almost 'ice-like,' hence his nickname "Ice King" in tennis."Anik-"Tweet!The referee's whistle cut off Shoyo, signaling that the match would continue. Sora, still grappling with his inner turmoil, forced a smile and turned to face the court, ready to push through the pain once more.As the players took their positions, Shoyo's concern deepened. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong, but the match had to go on.Determined to support his brother, Shoyo steeled himself, ready to give his all for Karasuno, even as he kept a watchful eye on Sora.