Gears Forming

"Dammit!"

"Tsk."

"I got the cover!"

Watching the ball fall short once again, Kageyama clicked his tongue while Hinata who was watching the ball fall right in front of him cursed as he was too far to reach it.

Luckily Nishinoya swiftly saw the missed set and covered the location where the ball was falling. Getting under the ball he passed it over the net, trying to get the third touch over.

The ball briefly touched the tip of the tape and everyone at the front carefully watched the side where the ball would fall to.

"I hate these kinds of situations."

Daiki's libero frowned as he saw the ball gradually fall onto their side and tried to pass the ball high up so they could use it. The setter got into position and jumped up giving a quick set towards their middle to get a fast attack in.

Their middle jumped up and waited for the set to settle towards his left side and smashed the ball to avoid the block that was coming his way.

"That looks way too close."

Haruto whispered as he passed the ball coming his way as he almost let the ball go past him, but noticed that it would have been in if had done so.

"C! C-Ball!"

Haruto called out as everyone on the court started to move at the same time attempting to try a combination attack that they had practiced before. Kageyama glanced at all the players on his side and gave a set behind him that was slightly in front of the attack line.

Haruto jumped up before the attack line and swung his arm quickly to hit down the line where there was a gap through the blockers.

"Got it!"

Daiki's teammate tried to quickly get under the ball to pass it towards their setter but unfortunately was only able to pass it upwards, unable to absorb the power.

"It's still rough around the edges...."

Ukai who was spectating mumbled under his breath as he watched the team slowly integrate the new skills they learned into their own play but it was still not up to par with what he considers competition ready.

"Nice Asahi!"

"That rally was really long too."

He snapped out of his thoughts as he saw Karasuno crowding around Asahi as he got the point they needed to win their first set of the day.

The team returned to their bench and got some water to refuel to make use of the small break they would get before the next set began.

"Alright I will be mixing up the teams now. For now you three will sit out."

Ukai pointed towards Kageyama, Haruto and Daichi who were listening intently while drinking from their bottles. Hinata who heard this wore a winning grin on his face but was then subjected to annoyed punches from Haruto and Kageyama.

After settling with the new line up, Ukai called up everyone to discuss what they could practice on before sending them off towards the next set.

"Do you think we could use the gyms after we finish these practice matches?"

"I mean sensei did say they close the gym doors when dinner's finishes, so I guess so."

Haruto replied to Kageyama's question and they started to talk about each other's individual training and what they did to improve themselves before the training camp.

Ukai was near them and listened to their conversations and felt giddy after noticing all of the new skills his team was trying to integrate into their own.

'Asahi is now starting to jump serve and not to mention Nishinoya has also started to get involved with our new combination attacks.'

'Kageyama has started to polish up his new minus tempo set and Hinata's training with grandpa is also doing wonders with him now being able to calmly watch as he fights in the air.'

Ukai smiled as he saw Hinata adjust himself to match Sugawara's set and got a point by whiffing it to a spot near the blockers side.

'And it also looks like Haruto also refined his arm swing just like he said. It looks more compact and smoother compared to his previous one, like he was able to control his wild whip-like arm.'

Ukai glanced at his side where he saw Haruto and Kageyama talking and couldn't wait to see how this team would be once they participate in the Spring Tournament.

***

"Finally it's time for a break!!"

"Calm down you idiot, you're going to make me spill my yogurt."

"The chibi is still energetic as always."

Kuroo gave a smile as he watched Kageyama and Hinata bickering while he took a cracker off a plate and ate it.

It was currently the evening and they had finished all their practice matches and are now taking a small break before dinner comes around in a few hours.

The school had given them some small snacks to fill them up slightly as they allowed them to use the open gyms to play some more if they wanted to.

"Damn, I guess your team was the only one that didn't have to do penalties."

"Of course, they have me leading them so it's obvious we wouldn't lose!"

Daiki felt his eyes twitch after seeing Bokuto yell out loud with a boatload of crackers in his mouth. He sighed, feeling his tired body and grabbed a piece of cheese that was with the crackers.

"By the way, where's Haruto? I hadn't seen him in the line with us when we got our plates."

"I don't know, maybe he needed to take a fat shit."

Kuroo nonchalantly said as he stirred his yogurt around to mix its contents. Daiki thought of the possibility and agreed seeing that it would make sense. They casually talked for a bit before he saw Haruto walk into the cafeteria with Mahiru by his side.

Kuroo noticed Daiki with his eyes glued somewhere and turned his head to see where he was looking. Haruto and Mahiru were seen lining up and smiling together and slowly approached their table after getting some snacks.

"Here I don't really eat this type of jelly."

"So why would you even get it in the first place…"

"I thought it was just strawberries but it has bananas in it too once I looked closer."

Haruto gave a wry smile as he watched Mahiru reluctantly avoid his gaze and place the jelly on his tray. They arrived at the table where Haruto was headed and noticed everyone looking in their direction.

Mahiru gave a small smile and waved goodbye before leaving Haruto's side and going towards the table where the other managers were sitting.

"So he wasn't taking a shit but was flirting with a girl instead."

"What the hell are you saying?"

Kageyama understandably nodded his head and Haruto tilted his head in confusion as he sat down beside Hinata.

"I noticed this before but you seem to be into your manager with long blonde hair."

"Hmm? Yeah of course it's because I like her."

"Hoho my good man Haruto… would you like this lowly Daiki to help you in your journey to become her boyfriend?"

"...It's fine, I don't need it. Plus I don't think your help will work anyways."

Haruto opened up his jelly drink and quickly drank it after dismissing Daiki's casual offer of assistance, making some people around the table chuckle.

"Why not? I got to give back the blessing you gave me for pairing me up with that cute girl during the time at the beach."

"Well it's because she's my girlfriend already, what the heck this jelly tastes pretty good."

"....."

Haruto gave a casual response while Daiki who heard his answer felt like he had been betrayed by his closest friend.

"You traitor…"

"What?"

"YOU TRAITOR!!"

Haruto looked at Daiki who looked like he was crying tears of blood and glanced at the others who just turned their gazes away from him.

"I know you're a guy that girls drool over but I just thought you had volleyball on your mind but it looks like I was wrong… I'm so damn jealous…."

"Hey when did it happen I didn't even notice?"

"I'm curious too."

Hinata and the rest of the guys pushed the sulking Daiki away and bombarded Haruto with questions on what happened and he tried his best to answer them without revealing too much.

"Okay enough with the questions!!"

After a while Haruto felt exhausted with the questions and tried to find a way to get their attention elsewhere so he could eat in peace. He looked around and his eyes landed on Kageyama and his mouth turned into a bright smile.

"Ahem but I think Kageyama should also have some answers to your questions right? I remember he got the number of that girl we played volleyball with at the beach."

Kageyama tensed up after hearing his words and felt the stares of everyone around the table turn towards him.

"Don't tell me you got a cute girlfriend too.."

"N-No Kanoka isn't my girlfriend."

"Calling her by her first name is already fishy."

Haruto gave a sigh of relief as he began to eat his yogurt in peace but he tried his best to ignore the death glare Kageyama was giving him.

"Youth am I right?"

"Why are you acting like some old person…"

"Ehh really, anyways wanna join Bokuto and I with hitting later."

"Sure but let me have my food first."

Haruto replied to Kuroo who was leaning back onto his chair and ate his yogurt in silence as he watched Kageyama fend off the other guys with a flustered expression on his face.

***

Sorry for no chap yesterday,I had my own beach episode to attend. I hope you enjoyed it. Peacu.