Chapter 53, Challenge

THIRD POV

"Captain.... are you okay?"

The girl smiled at the team with her eyes closed albeit her slight anxiety, "Yes. Are you?"

"Well yeah..... how about you? Please be honest," They all stared at her with worry in their eyes.

Shirome remained silent and undid her ponytail. She sighed and tried to look calm for them, "I'm fine. Please don't worry about me, I got myself under control."

They weren't convinced but they let it drop, afraid that if they didn't they would get in trouble.

Ameri took the initiative when the team went ahead and whispered to her, "You sure you okay right now?"

"What?" Shirome confusedly asked.

"You didn't eat, you barely got any decent sleep, your brain is fried from work," The cherry head frowned and crossed her arms.

"I'm just worried," Ameri sighed heavily.

"..I'll be fine, Ameri. You know I'll tell you if I can't pull myself together anymore, right?" She reassured her.

The girl motioned for Kuro to continue on ahead with the team after noticing he was standing idle near them and waiting.

"Ameri," She took both her hands in hers and smiled warmly, "I'm alright— I promise. Being not okay is not okay for me because it can affect other people that's why I'm doing my best to convince myself I'm doing great. No more asking if I'm okay or not alright? I appreciate it, but I'm okay – really. I just want us to focus right now. I'm sorry if I came out harsh..."

"Stupid heather," Ameri pouted as Shirome let her hands remain limp by her sides.

Shirome tilted her head to the side, "Eh? Who's Heather?"

"Never mind," Ameri expressed a tired face and just dragged her along to the court. She had Kuro tie Shirome's hair to a middle-level ponytail and let her bangs loose.

The crowds cheered as Fushichou Academy and Kaminoha Academy lined up face to face. It was the finals of Nationals for the girls, they can't help but feel nervous and excited.

Akaashi sighed as Bokuto was loudly cheering Shirome on.

Bokuto with Akaashi, they both sat nearby and watched both girl teams as they watched for theirs.

Shirome's heart never skipped a beat as she approached Kaguya who wore a calm smile paired with her eerie silver eyes that had a slight hue of purple. Her red lips contradicted her pale white skin, silver hair in a low ponytail.

"Captains," The coach motioned for them both to approach.

The people watching them were awed by their overwhelming beauty and glistening skin paired with their white as snow hair.

Kaguya smiled at her, "So you're able to stand on finals with me."

"Of course," Shirome tightened her clasp on her hand, "I'll win."

She chuckled, "I have always admired your obstinacy. No wonder how you got versatile and tenacious these days. Was it fun being number 1 as always, Shirome? How you hone your skills to perfection, magnetizing anyone and everyone, left and right, spoiled by dear mommy and daddy. Say, how is brother?"

"I'm not here to chat," Shirome smiled bitterly.

Kaguya closed her eyes with a lipped smile, "I see."

"Well then. Do your best, my dear little sister."

Shirome gripped her hand tighter to the point both their hands were throbbing, but Kaguya didn't mind and remained calmly smiling, "I refuse to associate myself with you. If you're really my sister..."

"Why did you abandon me?"

The taller captain remained blank, "I will spare you the explanation as to why I did what I had to. It's not that deep. I left you – so what? Did it make your perfect life worse? No."

Shirome shook her head, "You're wrong-"

"I might be made from the half of your bloodline, but father will always be the one who introduced the world to me before you," Kaguya whispered.

"The face shown of the coin will be serving first. Heads is Fushichou, Tails is Kaminoha."

The referee flipped the coin in the air and it shone in slow motion. It dropped to the ground with a slow clink as it revealed Kaminoha.

"Well then, we'll be serving first. Good luck, ojou-sama," Kaguya teasingly said at the end. (ojou-sama -> high rank young lady/master)

Shirome turned around with a cold, blank face, "We'll be receiving first."

The team ignored her cold demeanor and focused on the game ahead.

Kaguya bounced the ball heavily on the ground as she waited for the whistle. She had a light lipped smile as her ghostly eyes bore deep into Shirome's blood red ones.

Whistle. Kaguya threw the ball high up in the air and made a run approach, her left palm meeting contact with the ball. The spherical material almost got damaged by her hard impact as it zoomed fast and heavy towards Shirome.

I'll show them what I'm capable of. Kaguya landed with ease.

The bleachers buzzed with extreme noise when the ball made a harsh spin, flying out of bounds when it made contact with Shirome's arms. The girl's brows furrowed as she released a silent frustrated sigh.

Damn it. Shirome looked back at Kaguya with sharp eyes, but remained a calm face.

"Oh my! What a service ace indeed! Top 2 ace, possibly overthrowing top 1?! This will be a MATCH to see! Hahaha!"

Damn those guys up there. Kuro scoffed and crossed his arms, cracking his knuckles as he intently watch Shirome get comforted by her team and wishing her the best.

Shirome released another calm, long sigh as Kaguya was given a ball again. She made her stance firm and eyes focused sharply on her.

Come. She slightly narrowed her eyes. Bring it, Kaguya.

"Na, Akaashi. This is the first time we've seen Shiro super serious, isn't it?" Bokuto asked without taking his golden gaze off of the girl.

Akaashi slightly gulped and nodded, "Indeed."

"Damn it, that was a really good serve too. If I was the one there to receive that there's no doubt I'll fall down," Bokuto mumbled.

Kaguya smiled before the whistle blew off. She made her serve faster.

Don't hate me. You'll understand everything as soon as I get to have what I want.

This time, Ameri dove in front of her. Although the receive wasn't decent Aoi helped with the toss and Hito hit it over the other side of the court. The ball was bumped with ease by their libero as it was passed to their official setter. She tossed it to a wing spiker but the hit was received by Kira.

"Captain!" She called out to the white haired.

Shirome slightly jumped by the net and tossed the ball to Leki who made a wipe out from two middle blockers.

Ameri approached her, "Shi-chan, a passes or not?"

The team stared at her waiting for an answer.

"They already know how we play for they watched our previous recorded matches. Any pass is fine," She said with a deadpanned expression, her red gaze sending chills to anyone's spine if they mistakenly looked at them.

If they win, we only get 2nd place.

I want 1st place.

I need to beat Kaguya.

"There, there. Don't pressure yourself," Ameri grinned as they all got to their position as Kira went for the serve.

One of their middle blockers received and the setter tossed it to Kaguya. Shirome was intent to win against her so she joined Hito and Aoi for the block.

Too slow. Kaguya tsked.

The ball went pass Shirome's arms gap and thudded on their side of the court with a loud impact. Leki, Kira, and Ameri were too late to save it.

"Ara? What's wrong, hime-sama? Is the top 1 doing bad?" Kaguya taunted with an innocent smile planted on her face. (hime-sama -> princess)

"You shit," Hito and Aoi glared at the taller girl, irk visible on the side of their temple.

The silver head smiled bigger, "Thank you," She said and retreated back to her position, their setter serving this time.

"She's, like," Ameri pursed her lips, "Shi-chan but like.."

"Annoying, cocky, more physically mature, tall, white eyed, paler, and uses a hell lotta lipstick," Kira continued as Leki, Hito, Aoi, and Ameri nodded their heads in agreement.

Shirome slightly frowned, "She's not wearing lipstick. It's her natural lip color," The girls frowned as well.

The smaller captain focused on the said girl who was just wearing a calm lipped smile. The team got on their stance and looked at Shirome when she spoke.

"She might be better than me but if possible, don't screw up. Don't take her too lightly. I only became one top ahead of her because of my skills despite playing for a short time— but there's no denying that Kaguya is a better player than me or anyone else here," She side eyed them, "That's why, do your best and don't worry about her tripping me."

They hesitantly nodded and focused on the game.

"Kaguya-san!"

The taller captain jumped as the setter called and tossed for her. She spiked it towards Shirome who barely caught it but managed to get it up the air. Ameri made a libero toss and Aoi pulled a feint on three blockers. Kaguya slid for the falling ball with ease and passed it to the setter, who made a spike dump.

Shirome slid on her knees and tossed it backwards to Kira jumping forward from the back line. She ignored the harsh scrape and impact of her knees on the ground and watched the genius 1st year earn a point from her spike.

I should've worn kneepads. The small captain thought as she breathed, manipulating her adrenaline to overpower the stinging pain.

"Nice serve!" The girls hollered when Shirome got on the serving area with a ball. Ameri gulped when she saw her knees were slightly red.

She played with it for a bit and waited for the whistle. Kaguya stared at her with her cold and chilling gray nearing white eyes, pressuring her with her gaze alone.

The familiar ringing sound blew and Shirome threw the ball high. She ran and jumped, connecting her small palm with the ball. It crippled for a bit from her touch before it went fast on Kaminoha's end line.

"Out!" Kaguya called out, but it turns out Shirome's serve was in.

She.... developed a new jump serve? Or did she hone it to perfection just like how she does with literally everything she learns about? Not bad, for a tiny girl. Kaguya chuckled and looked back at her.

The ball almost popped from the impact and bounced high to the point it almost reached half the height from the ground to the high ceiling.

"One more, captain!"

Her serves were on spree but unfortunately halted by the 4th point when Kaguya took the initiative and received it with ease. The silver head smiled and jumped for another toss, Shirome cocked her head to the side as the ball dangerously went right pass the side of her face by a few centimeters. It wasn't out though, she just dodged it because she didn't want to be subbed out when she gets herself hurt.

Damn it all. Shirome breathed shakily to maintain her anger.

She has everything I don't have.. that's true, that's why she left me. The smaller captain waited for the other team's serve.

She has everything no one noticed I have, that's painfully true. I just need to break her even more until everyone realizes I'm just as good as her to be recognized by father. The taller captain waited for their response.

I'll win over her.

The game continued on, both teams were warming up and adjusting to the opposing team's techniques. Their strategies are puzzling that even a watcher can't comprehend what their true logic is.

"Captain!" Kira called and tossed.

Shirome ran and jumped, intimidating their blockers because it reminded them of their captain, not to mention her insanely high jump. Her red eyes glowed as she spiked the ball through their arms and made their libero fall. Kaguya grinned from the side after watching how she spiked.

I can barely see through your techniques, you're becoming better than me. Kaguya thought, reassuring her blockers with her usual calm smile and signature eerie facade.

The first set ended with Fushichou winning, only four more sets to go and three to win for the phoenixes.

"Iyaa, I never knew Shirome-chii was this good," Kaguya hummed and sipped on her water bottle.

A blonde raised a brow at her, "Kaguya-senpai, are you even trying?"

"Did I look like I was not? I'm doing my best," She smiled but sarcasm was in her eyes.

Their manager approached her and dried her face, "Otsutsuki, go all out. Take this more seriously."

"Are you my parent?" She glared at him but her smile remained intact. They were really tiring her.

He refrained from choking her, "If you'd be a little more respectful, I'd appreciate that. We came here to win not to reunite with someone you barely know."

She clutched the collar of his jacket with a balled hand and brought him up to her eye level, "Shounen, you should talk with more respect to your senior," She said, ignoring the fact that he labelled Shirome as someone she barely knew.

"So respect is based on age now?" He scoffed and tried to move away from her grasp, but she was effortlessly stronger than him, "Are you seeing how disgusting you're acting right now, senpai?"

"Alright that's enough, both of you," The coach intervened and Kaguya removed her hold.

The vice captain got in front of Kaguya, "Act like a captain. We don't need a tyrant leading us. You became the captain all thanks to your superiority in class and rank in the volleyball world albeit being a high school student."

The silver head lightly laughed and stared at them with a close eyed bitter smile, "All of you really hate my guts, don't you all?"

They didn't reply and instead got back on the court when it was time to start the second set.

Kaguya calmly made a lipped smile and pushed back the anger, jealousy, and sadness at the back of her head. All she needed to do today was to prove that she was the better breed from her father, the rightful heiress, and the better person that deserves a lot more respect than her favored sister.

All because of her goal.

I am not my little sister's cheap copy. I am not damaged.

She didn't want to be like her biological mother who died from birthing her. Kaguya wanted to prove herself, and eventually carry the heavy burden instead of Shirome — that was originally her only goal since she was born and raised separately from her biological mother's environment.

The Furumi bloodline only wanted one child. Although Kaguya was older by 3 years and Shirome's older brother was older than Shirome by 6 years, they wanted the perfect breed because it was their tradition. White hair, red eyes, strong versatility, professional attitude, and obedience. Simply put, the 21 year old guy and 18 year old girl didn't meet the qualifications.

Kaguya felt ridiculous because what she had gone through as a kid. Her maid had tattooed her lips in red so some color is still visible in her face when she was 2 years old. Her albinism made it hard for her in every way possible— she blamed herself for having such gene 'malfunction'. Her being made from another woman and not born from their pure bloodline was also one of the major upset in the Furumis. Especially when Shihana (their mother) found out that she had a step-child.

Even though their oarents already made up with each other, Shirome's father still resents himself, and lastly her brother, was forced to join as many sports competition he can possibly participate in even if it meant him travelling all around the globe because he wanted his father to see him as enough. Kaguya was slightly confused to this day as to why Shirome hasn't been a complete robot yet.

She focused back with sharp senses during the remaining sets.

Shirome was receiving most her spikes and in turn hitting some of them. Although she wanted to lead her team with majority of her spikes— she was still their setter no matter what. And she needs is to stick to her role.

Kaguya was in a spiking spree. Whenever she would attack Shirome was always away from her and with other blockers who fell for their techniques. And that said, Kaminoha won the 2nd set.

"Ojou-sama....," Kaguya stood by Shirome's doorway, watching her with dull eyes as the favored child stare innocently at her dolls.

Her blood red eyes brightened up, "Ah! Kyuga nee-san!" She cheerfully got up and approached her, craning her small head up to stare at her with her doll eyes.

"For the last time it's Kaguya," The corner of her lips slumped, "Dinner is ready. I'll be going away soon," Kaguya muttered and turned around to leave.

"W-Wait! Nee-san, we haven't played yet!"

"Shirome-chii," Kaguya halted and smiled at her, "Don't be a brat. I'm going."

The smaller girl could only look at her leave, eyes sad as she was once again left alone in her room with dull dolls that didn't entertain her.

•

"Kyuga nee-san! Look, isn't this dress pretty?"

The said girl turned around to see Shirome wearing a gradient sparkly dress that she drew from her notebook.

"No. Especially not when it's you wearing it," She bullied her and turned away.

Why can't all of you see that I'm just as enough as Shirome is?

•

"Kaguya, I'm taking you with me to another city," Her father said as he sipped on her wine. The mother could only sit still.

The girl frowned, "But father, am I not doing well? I can't just leave Shirome—"

"Kaguya, you're not fit for this environment," He sighed, making the girls' brows crunch in confusion.

"What–"

"Kaguya, I want you to live a life away from work."

"... But everything I've done for the past 10 years of my life was to please you both...," She started tearing up, "Mother, father.. please reconsider. I will never disappoint you."

"Kaguya. You are too young to involve yourself in my world," Her father sternly said.

She looked at them both in disbelief, "You say that... as if Shirome wasn't any younger.."

"Enough," Her father looked at her with soft eyes, "Please."

"... I understand," She let out and nodded, letting the guards lead her to a car that will separate her goals and her for a long time.

"Dear, is it necessary for young Kaguya to leave us?" She heard the faint voice of her mother.

Her father sighed, "It's for the best. Shirome carries our heritage."

•

"Go!"

Kaguya jumped with a huff as her setter sent a toss. It was a deuce and all they needed was one point to win the set.

Her eyes widened when Shirome successfully stuffed the ball completely on her side.

She sent a cold gaze to her older sister before going to the serving area.

She's going soft. That's good. Shirome thought as she spun the ball on her palm. Longing stamina was never her thing, her strong spikes are what makes her matches faster, so she isn't all that tired that it affects her gameplays.

It's different this time though. I'll make her surrender fast.

The white haired girl jumped and served her best. Kaguya attempted to steal the ball when her libero was about to bump it, but instead it flew off of the court and out of bounds. Fushichou won their 2nd set. 1 more set.

Bokuto shivered, "Akaashi, they're giving me the prickly skin."

"You mean goosebumps, Bokuto-san?" Akaashi frowned.

The human owl nodded, gold eyes stuck on the smallest setter, "Yeah, that. Both teams are really good."

"They are," The ravenette agreed and gulped, feeling the bit of anxiety just by looking at the harsh rally of spikes and blocks.

The 5th set was starting to get harsher than the previous sets. Some wing spikers were subbed with others, and both teams' libero were mostly put to rest but Ameri insisted she was fine.

And she was. The cherry head still had a large energy of adrenaline, losing stamina easily is not in her expertise.

Shirome was slightly getting difficulties with breathing, not because of losing stamina but because of overwhelming pressure on winning over the girl who irked her more than anyone.

Both teams rallied tough, but it was finally nearing the end of the set. Shirome made a spike dump and surprised them to the point they didn't have enough time to react.

The ball went long after Ameri had received it. She cursed under her breath.

Kaminoha's libero bumped the ball to their setter. Kaguya was already in the air to spike the ball. Fushichou's blockers jumped to bait her into spiking to Ameri's area.

They paled when Kaguya managed to spike at the line.

Ameri's eyes widened as she followed the ball in slow motion.

Or at least that's what they thought.

Shirome ducked, right hand on the floor and extended both of her legs into a middle split. She felt the speed of the ball go above just a few inches above her head.

Thud.

Whistle. Out.

The people who were watching cheered in shock as most of their eyes almost popped off of its sockets. Nekoma, who was watching, froze in intimidation. Kenma giggled as Kuroo sweatdropped.

"So that was what the hellish stretching routine is for," Kuroo laughed.

Karasuno had yet to recover from that save.

"Yeesh!" Bokuto winced in fear as he covered his face. Akaashi gulped.

I would've had my head blasted off of my body if my face didn't manage to dodge that spike. Akaashi thought.

"Are you kidding me??" Kaguya sneered.

Fushichou hollered at their small captain with her beautiful split save.

"That was dangerously close," Shirome mumbled as they rotated.

One more point and they win the finals.

Kaguya jumped high and spiked the ball unintentionally straight into Shirome's forehead. She remained calm and bowed after that.

Shit. Shirome gritted her teeth as she felt her surroundings almost distort.

Fushichou almost called for a time out, but Shirome stopped Guren with a sharp gaze as if telling him I dare you.

She kept herself focused when they rallied heavy attacks back and forth.

What sense is defeating strong schools of powerhouse schools of boys when I can't even defeat the one under my rank? Shirome thought.

Bokuto was covering his wide eyes with both hands, but made sure to peek every once and a while because his heart couldn't take the intensity. Akaashi just rubbed his temple with his fingers to calm himself down, telling Bokuto that it was just a match and it won't affect his heart.

Fuck! Kaguya's face blanched even more.

She saw Shirome jump her highest, left hand widely drawn back, legs at ease under her, and right hand posed in front as if it was telling a warning.

What terrified her more is the fact that even though slight blood was dripping down from the middle of her forehead and breaking down into two paths to her right and left cheek, she was able to keep a cold, calm gaze. Her blood red eyes seemed very dangerous and heavy— it immobilized Kaguya on her spot.

Shirome spiked it with her hardest. Too hard, to the point that the ball bounced from Kaguya's face, to their setter's, to their libero's, and to one of the middle blockers.

The girl landed with ease, forehead tingling from the wound. Her eyes became droopy and her surroundings became senseless.

"There's a big difference between those who work hard for talent and those who are already born with it," Shirome told Kaguya.

Karasuno, Nekoma, and the two owls cheered as they celebrated their win. Fushichou High ranked 1st in Nationals, female division.

A long sound was emitted from the speakers and showed that Fushichou won the finals. The whole team went to approach their captain but their smiles dropped when Shirome turned to them before collapsing in front.

Kuro was fast to react and caught her with ease, taking his jacket off and blanketing it on Shirome's chilly body. Her lips were slightly parted, face pale, blood embroidered her forehead to her cheeks, and breaths barely stable.

Bokuto and Akaashi stumbled their way through the crowd. The ace helped carry her to the bench where Kuro, Akaashi, and Ichinose aided her. The girls offered her energy drinks and painkillers.

"Shiro, you were really great out there!" Bokuto cheered as he knelt in front of her. She almost lost her balance on her seat but Bokuto supported her.

Bokuto was beaming to the point Akaashi had to force his energy to ease when Shirome's face showed discomfort at his noise. She appreciated it, but her senses are sensitive at the moment and Bokuto was not helping.

"Hey, hey, hey! Rest up little phoenix, you've done amazingly awesome today! When you come back from your rest— you'll know that we already won. Okay?" Bokuto beamed. Kuro nodded at him and Akaashi before escorting Shirome to the court for final handshakes with Kaminoha and awarding.

Kaguya surprisingly held her hand soft with a matching soft smile, "You've done great."

The taller girl lightly flicked the patch on Shirome's forehead before joining her team.

"....," The smaller captain ignored her strange actions and joined the team for awarding. She looked back to the crowd and noticed the two owls had gone to their final match already. So did the crows and the cats.

"Congratulations," The guy grinned at the smallest captain and looped the golden medal around her neck.

"Thank you!" The girls bowed at them as Shirome felt unsure of what to feel.

That was that... I've got what they needed and what I've wanted. The small setter thought.

Training with the boys, experiencing nationals, reuniting with Kaguya.

This year sure is remarkable.

—