Yukigoaka vs Kitagawa Daiichi (Part 1)

It was finally the day Shoyo and Tobio met for the first time, and I'm excited about how they will interact.

From what I've remembered, Shoyo and Tobio's first interaction was not the best. But, with my interference with Shoyo's life, will he be able to talk with Tobio better?

Dressed in our volleyball uniforms, we have now entered the volleyball gymnasium.

Looking at my teammates, I saw them being nervous. I then looked at Shoyo, who looked a little nervous.

To ease their worries, I approached my teammates with a reassuring smile, "Hey, everyone, I know there are jitters, but remember, we've worked incredibly hard for this moment. We know our abilities, and we trust each other. Let's go out there and play our best game, supporting one another every step of the way."

The encouraging words uplift the spirits of my teammates and Shoyo alike. As we took to the court, I saw Shoyo's nervousness subsiding, replaced by a newfound sense of determination.

"Sora-San, thank you for teaching us how to play Volleyball even though we're not always present in practices," Izumi said softly.

"I agree with what Izumi-San said. You helped us," Koji said.

I smiled at them and said, "I want to thank you both for attending practices."

I and my team have been training hard for the past three months, and this Yukigoaka Team is more prepared than the team from the anime or manga.

But is it enough to beat a powerhouse school like Kitagawa Daiichi?

*BAM!*

The door slammed open, and in walked the Kitagawa Daiichi Team. They were tall and looked intimidating. And there, among them, I spotted Kageyama Tobio, who had an imposing look.

I suddenly remembered Shoyo getting intimidated by them in the manga or anime, so I again turned my attention to Shoyo. Instead of being intimidated, he has a look of astonishment.

I'm unsure why he looks astonished, but I will ask him later.

As the Kitagawa Daiichi team walked past us, I swear I saw Kageyama wearing a cape and crown.

"Wait, did anyone else see that?" I muttered, rubbing my eyes. It turned out to be an illusion, and I couldn't help but chuckle. "Wasn't Shoyo the one with the vivid imagination? How come I'm starting to imagine things?"

Seeing Kitagawa Daiichi heading to the Volleyball court, I realized we were still near the entrance.

I gave Shoyo a thumbs up, signalling him to remind the team that it was time for warm-ups.

*clap* *clap*

Shoyo then clapped his hands, garnering the attention of the team.

"Okay, everyone! It's time for warm-ups! Let's go!" Shoyo said.

======================

After the warm-ups, team huddles, and introductions, it was finally time for the coin toss.

The coin toss is critical as it determines which team will serve first in the match.

The referee stepped forward and tossed the coin into the air. We watched intently as the coin twirled and landed on heads, indicating that Kitagawa Daiichi would serve first.

As the coin landed, I could feel the tension in the air. We would have to receive their service first, and the pressure was on. But I knew that we were ready, and we had worked hard to face any challenge that came our way.

With the coin toss settled, we took our positions on the court, ready to give it our all and show Kitagawa Daiichi what we were made of.

Although being a libero was my speciality, I decided to be the main setter for this team since Shoyo and I have practised the 'Quick Attack' for the past three months.

Koji became our libero since he's pretty good, while Izumi became our outside hitter and other members filled in the other roles.

On the other side of the net, I saw Kageyama, the main setter for the Kitagawa Daiichi.

Looking closely at Kageyama, he is tall and stands at 5'9", which is impressive for a middle schooler.

On the other hand, I stand at 5'8", making me one inch shorter than Kageyama. His height and reputation as an exceptional setter didn't intimidate me. I was determined to play my best and support my team.

My eyes inadvertently locked onto Kageyama's intense scowl, and I quickly realized he had caught me staring at him.

His piercing gaze bore into mine, and it felt like he could see right through me. It was a moment of vulnerability that I hadn't anticipated, and I found myself momentarily at a loss for words.

"Why are you looking at me?" he demanded, his voice laced with a mix of suspicion and annoyance.

I knew from the manga that Kageyama was known for having difficulty making friends and changed after his grandfather passed away, but I couldn't help but let my irritation begin to seep through, overshadowing any sympathy I might have had.

His question hung in the air, and for a moment, silence reigned between us.

I took a deep breath, trying to contain my emotions, and then spoke firmly, "So? What are you going to do about it?" It was a defiant response, born out of my pent-up feelings and frustration with his seemingly impenetrable shell.

His scowl deepened, and it seemed he was about to snap back with a cutting remark. The tension between us was palpable, and I could feel the weight of our clash hanging in the air like a heavy storm cloud ready to burst.

*Tweet*

But before he could retort, the piercing sound of the referee's whistle pierced through the atmosphere, jolting us both.

The match was about to begin, and the moment's intensity abruptly ended our confrontation. Kageyama's eyes flickered with annoyance as he tore his gaze away from me, refocusing on the upcoming game.

As I turned my attention to Shoyo, I noticed the worried look on his face. He must have witnessed my interaction with Kageyama and was concerned about our tension.

Wanting to reassure him, I flashed a thumbs-up his way, letting him know that I was okay. Shoyo's expression seemed to relax, and he returned a small smile, relieved that everything was fine.

But there was no time to dwell on the moment as someone from Kitagawa Daiichi served the ball, and Koji was quick to receive it. The match had begun, and we had to focus on our gameplay.

As the ball soared, the adrenaline rushed through my veins, as I positioned myself to make the perfect set for Shoyo, hoping our 'Quick Attack' would catch Kitagawa Daiichi off guard.

I quickly set the ball to Shoyo as he quickly leapt into the air, and with perfect timing, he spiked the ball over the net.

BAM!

It was a powerful hit, and the sound of the ball meeting the floor reverberated through the gymnasium. Point for us!

3rd POV

The gymnasium fell into stunned silence as they witnessed the Hinata twins execute the 'Quick Attack' flawlessly.

The crowd was in awe of the swift and decisive move, and even the coach and members of the Kitagawa Daiichi volleyball club couldn't believe what they had just seen.

Sora then looked at Kageyama and smirked, which made Kageyama pissed off. It seemed that Sora's smirk had gotten under his skin.

As the match continued, the competition intensified. The rallies were filled with powerful spikes, precise sets, and incredible saves, captivating the audience. The Hinata twins and Kageyama were at the center of the action, showcasing their exceptional skills and determination to win.

30 minutes later...

Thirty minutes had passed since the intense match between Yukigaoka and Kitagawa Daiichi began. The scoreboard read 25-23 in favour of Yukigaoka, indicating that they had won the first set.

The lead had been significant at the beginning of the match, thanks to the Hinata twins' powerful 'Quick Attack' that caught Kitagawa Daiichi off guard. However, as the set progressed, Kitagawa Daiichi gradually adjusted their defence and strategies, managing to counter the quick attacks more effectively.

On Kitagawa Daiichi's side, the team huddled around their coach, their expressions solemn and determined. They discussed a strategy they hoped would turn the tide and lead them to victory in the second set.

Kageyama, in particular, had a tense look as he gazed across the court at Sora. He couldn't help but feel surprised at what he had just witnessed. Sora's skills as a setter were on par with his own, and that realization impressed and unsettled him.

Kageyama had been known as the "King of the Court" due to his exceptional setting abilities. He had rarely encountered someone who could match his talent level, let alone surpass it. Yet, here was Sora, showing the same level of proficiency in setting and proving to be a formidable rival.

It was a conflicting feeling for Kageyama. On the one hand, he admired Sora's skills and tenacity. It was evident that they both shared a passion for the sport and a deep understanding of the game.

But on the other hand, he couldn't deny the competitiveness within him, which made him want to prove that he was the best setter on the court.

He turned to his coach with determination and said, "Coach, I have a suggestion."

The coach and his teammates raised their eyebrows, curious about what Kageyama had in mind. "What is it, Kageyama?" the coach asked.

Kageyama pointed at the Hinata twins and said, "Can we do what those two usually did? Their 'Quick Attack' was so effective in the first set. I think we can do it too."

The coach considered Kageyama's suggestion but then shook his head. "No, that requires a lot of practice and coordination. We haven't trained for that specific move, and trying it now might backfire. Right now, we can focus on receiving well and predicting their plays."

Kageyama scowled, feeling a mix of frustration and disappointment. He understood the coach's reasoning but couldn't shake off the desire to showcase his skills as a setter.

Tweet!

The referee blew the whistle, signalling the start of the second match.