Chapter 7

Like the anime, we won the second set pretty easily, I hit a couple of good serves. But nothing too crazy. Sets tied 1-1.

We also got off to a great start in the third set, and since Oikawa didn't start even that set, he started to really piss me off. Damn what an arrogant dude, thinking he can do whatever, but we'll see if he's all talk or not. I have so much gas in the tank left, better start hitting some crazy shit now.

It was the start of the third set, and my serve. I was going to make Oikawa start playing earlier than he did in the anime (he literally started on Karasuno's match point).

My serves so far were pretty mediocre, and I did not apply all my strength. However, I was no longer going to hold back, fuck the butterfly effect.

I threw the ball up, and hit a jump spike with all my power. Contrary to my expectation, it was received. I realized that while my serve had immense power, locating it became harder with more speed. Thus, it was sent to their best receiver, who was able to pass it up, allowing for an easy spike opportunity.

0-1 for opposition. (Karasuno - Aoba Johsai)

This kinda pissed me off, as I had been getting quite proud of my serve and for it to be received that easily was surprising to say the least. Honestly, this made sense though, I've just recently started playing volleyball and my match experience is nonexistent. Playing and performing in a match is much more difficult than playing against freshmen in a 3v3 practice game. Looks like I was getting too arrogant, and hampering my team's overall ability.

Thus, instead of trying to take the game completely over, I played a solid team game, allowing my teammates to shine. I hit a couple of powerful spikes, but none at my apex, and played more defense than offense. I was getting a bit frustrated as I wanted to show off my skill, and then went to Kageyama.

Me: "Yo Kageyama, score is tied at 17-17. We need a few points, and my serve is next. Give me a good set."

Kageyama just nodded but seemed hesitant, maybe thinking back to his old days when he used to be the "King" and demand his teammates to do certain things. Sensing this moment of disunity, Daichi called a timeout. His face was a bit stern.

Daichi: "Sei, this is a team game, and while I realize you haven't played at your best level today, we are trying to take this as a learning experience for the team and not just for one player. Kageyama will set to the player who has the highest chance of scoring."

At that moment, I wished to scream at Daichi and tell him that I had spiked the ball thrice today, and while they weren't my best, as a wing spiker, having three spikes if fucking unacceptable. If only I got a bit more opportunities, I would be able to get in a rhythm. But then I realized that screaming would just mess the team dynamic, and instead tried to calm down. Sugawara then came to rescue the situation.

Sugawara: "Sei I understand your frustration, in my opinion, you're already playing very well. Lets trust each other and I'm sure we can all prosper."

I agreed and the match resumed. This became a team building moment, as we went on a good scoring run, winning a few points. I hit a few aces to get the game to 24-18. This was when Oikawa checked into the game for the first time and the place went bananas. The girls were screaming and the opposing team found new life. Guys you're down match point, relax.

Oikawa then served to Tsukishima, earning the team a few points, since the latter's receiving was not great. But then like the anime, Tsuki finally received it and Hinata hit the spike to win the game. It was a thrilling and climactic ending to the game, which felt good for everyone on our team except myself.

We paid respects to the other team, and I was treated like a role player. The opposing team did not feel fear towards me, and when Oikawa met us in the parking lot, he only mentioned Hinata and Kageyama. Damn, I was mad, like really really mad with my performance, but also the way I conduced myself on the team.

The upperclassmen would soon be re-integrating with the team, and with this level of performance, I would probably be benched. 3 spikes and 5 aces is not a bad stat line for a match, but not great at all. The entire bus ride, I was thinking and freaking out about how I played like an absolute bum. I was starting to regret joining Karasuno, and starting thinking if I should have joined a weaker team, giving myself a clear cut ace role.

Karasuno was a well-rounded team that did not need me, no matter how well I would play, because it would only take away from the brilliance of Hinata and Kageyama. Sure I had more upside, skills and IQ than Hinata, but he would also become a monster, and the setter has better affinity with him either way.

When we reached the gym, we talked about the match, conveniently not mentioning the way I talked to Kageyama. After the post-game discussion, I went to the gym and worked out for the next 3 hours, trying to blow off some steam.

Alright, so here are the facts. I am a monster athlete with a damn near 50 inch vertical. I have an excellent and consistent receive, super-strong spike (absolutely unblockable when I'm playing with intention), very good serve (scope to improve on power and location), little to no match experience, and crazy alpha mindset which could sometimes reek of ego, resulting in disunity of the team. Sure I had impressed every player in practice, and earned a lot of respect, but Karasuno would rather have a trash player with great team skills rather than a star player with ego, that's just their system.

Despite winning, I wanted to dominate from start to finish, and stop this hide your power crap. It was getting on my nerves. Thus, I decided to sleep on it, and think about making a decision in the next few days. My future in Karasuno was uncertain.