A/N: Hello, readers! Welcome to another chapter! Also, I decided to have Seirin watch the semifinal, but Tadahiro and Karasuno won't meet them until season three when they are about to go against Shiratorizawa. Enjoy!

edited on october 27th, 2021 @ 6:35am

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CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX - THE IRON WALL CAN BE REBUILT AGAIN AND AGAIN

OUTSIDE OF THE SENDAI CITY GYMNASIUM, onlookers were looking at a certain group walking towards the building. All of them were wearing the same white, black, and red jacket. However, it was the school name that had caught everyone's attention the most.

Seirin.

The group entered the building when they caught the eyes of a bunch of volleyball players who had finished their games.

"Hey, isn't that..."

"I heard about them! The basketball team that defeated Rakuzan during the Winter Cup finals! Seirin!"

"What are basketball players doing at volleyball qualifiers?"

"Looks like we have gained some attention even in the volleyball community." Hyuga commented.

"It seems so, Hyuga-san."

Hyuga yelped as the team's phantom player appeared next to him. "Give me a little warning next time, Kuroko!" He exclaimed.

"My apologises." Kuroko said with a blank stare. "Kagami-kun, you never mentioned why we came here."

"I figured since we have a practice match in Miyagi tomorrow, we could watch the semifinals today, and stay a day later to watch the finals." Taiga explained. "Besides, according to my Nii-san's texts, Aoba Johsai is playing their quarterfinal right at this moment."

"Aoba Johsai? That's the team they lost against in the Inter-High, right? I remember Tadahiro-kun mentioning that." Riko said as Taiga nodded.

"Did you even tell Kagami-senpai you were coming?" Furihata then asked.

"No. All he knows is that we were going to make a visit for the finals. He doesn't know we came a day early." Taiga responded. "Ah, shit! I really hope I don't get recognized by him or Sawamura-san!"

"You really didn't think this through, Kagami-kun."

"Shut up, Kuroko!"

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"Go, go, let's go! Let's go Date Tech!"

"Go, go, let's go! Let's go Date Tech!"

Tadahiro could hear Date Tech doing their cheer as his eyes were glued on the game down below with Date Tech and Aoba Johsai, with the two schools on their second set with Aoba Johsai in the lead with 8 points and Date Tech with 6.

"Um... It seems that Seijoh took the first set."

"Ah, Karasuno!"

Tadahiro blinked as he glanced over to see the third-years from Date Tech who must've come to cheer on their juniors. Sugawara, Daichi, and Asahi did so as well. He sighed before turning his attention back towards the game.

He watched as Oikawa sets the ball to Hanamaki who did a feint and got the point. However, not long after, Date Tech got the point back, but it was still a two-point difference between them and Aoba Johsai.

Tadahiro watched as Hanamaki did a jump serve, as a player from Date Tech receives it. He noticed Date Tech's Number 7 getting under the ball to set, making him raise an eyebrow in curiosity.

"It seems Date Tech has a new setter." Tadahiro thought as he watched the ball go into his palms. "I wonder what kind of set he'll do—"

He paused his thoughts when he widened his eyes and choked on air. "Wh-What the hell was that?" He asked himself as the setter had tossed the ball way high up for anyone to reach.

Tadahiro sighed when he saw Futakuchi run forward and spikes the high toss, however Aoba Johsai blocked him and he had touched the net, so the point went to the opposing team.

He leans back into his chair, shocked but slightly amused by Date Tech's new setter as he watched Hanamaki serve the ball, it hits the net and the ball falls to the ground, making Date Tech get the lucky point.

Tadahiro watched as the ball gets served again as both teams tried to connect the volleyball. He saw how Date Tech's Number 7 helped Aone block a spike from Iwaizumi. "He's huge for a setter." Tadahiro thought as he looked at his appearance.

His hair was mostly blond, except for the middle of his fringe, which is black and styled up. His eyebrows were the same color as his fringe, implying that his hair was dyed blonde.

"That's our new weapon." The third-year from Date Tech spoke, as Tadahiro guessed that Daichi, Sugawara, and Asahi were commenting on the setter.

"The giant setter, Koganegawa."

"Well, at least I can put a name to a face." Tadahiro thought as he went back to watching the game. He deadpanned when Koganegawa sets the ball too high for Aone in which the ball flies out of the court as Date Tech's coach catches it.

Tadahiro chuckled a little as he saw how Koganegawa was apologizing to Futakuchi who was trying his best to reassure him before he looked over to the third-year from Date Tech.

"Your new weapon, huh? How totally lame." Tadahiro taunted as the third-year flinched.

"H-He's still in the process of developing! It's only been a short time since he became a setter! He's going to become a big name in the future!" The third-year announced.

"You really have so much faith in him, don't ya?" Tadahiro teased as he felt Daichi whack him on his arm. "Ah, Dai-chan!"

"Must you always be an asshole?" Daichi sighed at his boyfriend. "I apologize about him. Small mistakes like that happen often."

Tadahiro looked over at the scoreboard.

Date Tech

08

Aoba Johsai

11

Tadahiro watched as Koganegawa performs a setter dump, but it was too obvious as Hanamaki saves the volleyball, as the ball goes towards Oikawa who sets to Iwaizumi, who spikes past the blockers.

The libero managed to receive it as another player tossed the ball to Futakuchi who spikes the ball, however Aoba Johsai's blockers got a one touch in. Tadahiro watched with curious eyes as Oikawa sends the ball to Hanamaki.

"Huh? Don't tell me Number 3 is going to toss? I thought only I was able to do that..."

Tadahiro turned out to be correct when Hanamaki sets to Oikawa who charged forward, however Futakuchi and Aone saw the spike coming and raced over to block, but there was an open spot beside Aone for Oikawa to spike the ball.

He was suddenly surprised when he saw Koganegawa rushing over to Aone's side and jumped into him, aiding the block, as Oikawa hits the ball but the volleyball slams back down towards the court and Date Tech gets the point.

Tadahiro snorted in amusement when Koganegawa's body collided into Aone's side in which Aone accidently collided into Futakuchi who falls over to the side. He chuckled once more as he crossed his arms.

The game went on as Aoba Johsai countered and got the point back. "Well, I guess that was to be expected." Tadahiro thinks to himself as Futakuchi seemed to be scolding the new setter, Koganegawa. The game between the two teams continued on as Tadahiro took a look at the score.

Date Tech

16

Aoba Johsai

18

Tadahiro heard the sounds of Aoba Johsai cheering as Oikawa did his jump serve. He sighed when Oikawa slammed down the ball and got a point. "Him and that damn monster serve." He thought. Oikawa serves the ball again, but this time, Futakuchi was ready as he dived down and saved it, however this gave Aoba Johsai a chance ball.

The ball gets smacked down again by Aoba Johsai, but Date Tech's libero was there to receive the incoming ball and get it high enough for Koganegawa to do what looked like a jump toss as Aone charged in and spiked the ball down, successfully getting a point.

Date Tech was now at 17 points with Aoba Johsai being at 19. "So fast! So high!" Hinata exclaimed as everyone watched with shock.

"Putting it right where the spiker will hit it..." Ennoshita spoke up as Tadahiro hummed in thought.

"That was a combination play that was possible only because the peak of the setter's jump is really high." He informed his teammates.

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Date Tech

20

Aoba Johsai

23

Tadahiro watched as Oikawa did a setter dump, which resulted in Aoba Johsai to get the point. Tadahiro hummed and looked at the score. "So, it looks like Seijoh is at match point now." He informed, as he could tell the tension around his teammates was visible. After all, if Aoba Johsai wins this match, they would be their next opponent.

Tadahiro glances over at Aoba Johsai's bench players once more as he narrowed his eyes. "What's really bothering me is they haven't put their Number 16 in all throughout the game. Damn it, I hate facing the unexpected." He thinks to himself.

Hanamaki does a jump serve, as the ball gets received by Date Tech. Tadahiro saw how Futakuchi calls a toss as his teammate does so and sends the ball his way making Futakuchi gain the point when he slams down the ball.

The ball gets served once more as it also gets saved. The ball goes from player to player as Oikawa then sets to Iwaizumi who spiked it, but the opposing team got a one touch, Koganegawa goes under the ball, as Tadahiro wonders who he'll set it too.

Seiya was surprised when he did a dump instead, but it was more of a slam than a dump, as Date Tech gets the point. Tanaka yelled beside Kageyama in amazement.

"This time, he did a dump and smashed it!" Tanaka stated as Kageyama nodded.

"Even if you had to read it, you couldn't pick that one up." Kageyama stated as Tadahiro chuckled.

"Well, seems like I was wrong about him. He's learning." He commented with a smirk.

The volleyball gets served once more, but Date Tech's libero received it as it was going back to Aoba Johsai's side. However, Koganegawa jumped up and saved the ball, as he sets it to Aone who slams it down, but Aoba Johsai's libero saves it.

Oikawa gets under the ball and tosses it towards Iwaizumi, who runs forward. Futakuchi, Aone and Koganegawa all jump up to block the spike that was incoming. However, Tadahiro was shocked to see Iwaizumi break through the iron wall and the ball touched the court.

The whole stadium was in silence as they stared in bewilderment. "He... He shot right between his arms!" Hinata exclaimed as the crowd cheered and Tadahiro sees Iwaizumi cheer for his point.

TWEEEET!

Tadahiro deadpanned as Iwaizumi was getting praised and his hair ruffled about by his teammates. Some of his own teammates were mumbling about Iwaizumi's performance.

Both teams lined up and bowed to each other saying their thanks. "I guess we know who we'll face next." Daichi spoke up. His team didn't reply, but instead stared at Aoba Johsai.

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"Seems like we know who Hiro-nii's team is facing next." Taiga commented from his spot in the audience.

"Think they'll be okay? Your brother seemed really down the last time we saw him after the Winter Cup." Hyuga stated.

Taiga smirked. "You're underestimating my older brother, Hyuga-san. He'll be fine." He reassured his captain.

Once Karasuno made it to the gym to practice before the semifinal began, the flashbacks of the last game Karasuno had with Aoba Johsai ran through Tadahiro's mind. It was obvious his teammates were on edge as Tadahiro was stretching his arms, thinking about last time.

"We gave it everything we had, and yet we still lost..."

The pain of his fellow third-years and his juniors after was sufferable.

"Hiro."

Tadahiro looked up to see Daichi looking at him. "What's up, Dai-chan?" He questioned.

"Are you going to be okay?" Daichi asked.

Tadahiro sighed as he stopped stretching. "Last time we went against Seijoh, we gave it everything we had and we still lost." He replied. "If we lose again, it's over for us. You know that, do you, Dai-chan?"

"It looms over my head." Daichi responded. "But things are different this time, Hiro. We're stronger and have more experience now."

"There's something else." Tadahiro continued as Daichi raised an eyebrow. "Seijoh has a new player. Number 16. He wasn't swapped in for the whole game. I know it's normal but I can't help but wonder who he is. You know I don't like unexpected happenings."

"I'm sure it's nothing. And whatever it is, you'll overcome it. You always do." Daichi reassured him while squeezing his hand.

Daichi placed his fist on Tadahiro's chest. "We'll win, and go to nationals!" He finished.

This made Tadahiro smile a little. "Damn right we are." He agreed.

"S-Swallow it! Do you need antacids? A heart stimulant? An AED?"

Tadahiro blinked before looking over to see Yamaguchi panicking as Yachi seemed like she was going to pass out.

"What's going on?" Tanaka asked in confusion and concern.

"Yachi's heart... her heart!" Yamaguchi exclaimed as Nishinoya smiled and bounced over.

"Calm down, Yamaguchi!" Nishinoya reassured him as Asahi spoke up, looking nervous.

"Do we need to call the cops?"

Tsukishima and Tadahiro both deadpan at the comment.

"That would be an ambulance."

After that was over, Tadahiro went back to do some last-minute stretching and practice as he paused when he heard Daichi's voice.

"All right, is everyone here?" He asked as he checked the time. "It's almost time." He added as his team all had determined looks.

"All right, let's go!"

"All right!"

Karasuno walked out of the gym and headed over to the main gymnasium where they were about to have their rematch with Aoba Johsai.

"This time..." Tadahiro thinks to himself as him and his teammates walked through the doors and onto the court.

"This time we won't lose!"

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A/N: And the rematch with Aoba Johsai begins! Thanks for reading!