A/N: Hello, readers! Welcome to another chapter! Not sure if I already mentioned this, but I'm gonna be updating this book a lot to get where I'm at in the anime, which is season two. Enjoy!

edited on febuary 19th, 2021 @ 8:14pm

════ ∘◦ᵒ 𓅓 ᵒ◦∘ ════

CHAPTER SIXTEEN - CONDUCTORS

ATSUSHI AND HIS TEAMMATES WATCH from the stands above the court, their eyes focusing on Aoba Johsai's game. Atsushi watched as Oikawa did a jump serve that made the ball swerve to the side and get a point. "What? Again?" Hinata asked, shaking.

"That's his fourth ace served in a row." Asahi stated as Atsushi looked over at the score.

Aoba Johsai

21

Oomisaki

10

"I somewhat feel bad for the other team. They're seriously losing, and it's the second set. There's no way they can make a comeback." Atsushi stated in his head.

"His power goes without saying, but that control is pretty nasty too." Ukai commented from behind Hinata.

"But if they can do something about that serve..." Hinata spoke but trailed off.

"It's true that his serves are scary, but Oikawa, as a setter, is completely unknown to us." Sugawara spoke, staring down at the game.

Atsushi watched as Oikawa did another jump serve, the opposing team managed to save the ball as the ball goes up in the air, however, it was Aoba Johsai's chance ball as Atsushi saw a player from Aoba Johsai receive the ball.

Oikawa gets into his setting position. "You know, setters... are like orchestra conductors." Atsushi heard Ukai mumble from behind. Atsushi glanced at him. "Even if you have the same song and same orchestra, if the conductor is different, the sound is different."

Atsushi looked over to see Oikawa toss the ball to Iwaizumi, who spikes the ball onto the court and getting a point for his team.

Iwaizumi scores another point for his team as the audience for Aoba Johsai cheers. "How do I put this... They've got a very smooth transition." Sugawara mumbled.

Atsushi saw that Kageyama was concentrated on the game. "Oikawa and Iwaizumi, that #4 on the left. Apparently those two have been on the same team since grade school. They're linked, both mentally and physically." Kageyama explained.

"That makes them even more dangerous." Atsushi mumbled.

"I don't really think the second-year setter's level was lower in the practice match. I mean, they're Seijoh." Ukai stated as Takeda nodded.

"Right." Takeda agreed.

"I think it's just that Oikawa knows everything there is to know about Seijoh's team and is helping them bring out their A-game." Ukai continued as everyone was silent. Atsushi stared at Oikawa, who was serving again.

"The Great King is so awesome!"

Everyone looked over at Hinata who was beaming down, Nishinoya was also looking excited. "I want to hurry up and play him!" Hinata exclaimed.

"Yeah! I hope he aims his serves at me!" Nishinoya added in determination.

"I totally want to get them!"

"Noya's awesome, too!"

Takeda and Ukai chuckle at the duo. "Well, isn't that promising..." Ukai grins in amusement, as Atsushi saw Nishinoya look down and point at something.

"Hey, look, Shoyo! A TV crew's here!" Nishinoya announced.

"TV?! Awesome! I wanna be on TV, too!" Hinata added as the two were excited like children on Christmas, Atsushi rolled his eyes at the two.

"Hey, now..." A voice spoke up, making Atsushi look down to see a guy staring at the two.

"You two junior high— maybe you're grade school kids? Quiet down a little." The guy stated as Nishinoya and Hinata wince at this and they both had a depressing aura around them.

"Grade..."

"Sorry..."

Their team chuckled and snickered at the two, finding it very amusing. Atsushi looked back over to the game to watch Oikawa sat the volleyball to his teammate, who scored the winning point.

TWEEEET!

The crowd cheers for Aoba Johsai who won the game as the team walks off the court. Atsushi watched as Kageyama also gets up to walk off with his bag as his team followed now that the match was over.

Atsushi glanced back at Oikawa who felt someone's eyes on him as he flinched and turned around. He turns around and gave Atsushi a wave.

The brunette just scowled at him before following his teammates.

════ ∘◦ᵒ 𓅓 ᵒ◦∘ ════

Atsushi was now on the bus, on the way back home. He was sleepy just like everyone else who was already asleep. He had managed to grab a window seat on the side with Kageyama right next to him.

He had his headphones on, listening to music that came from his phone. His eyes were heavy as his head rested up against the window. He couldn't help but remember when he first got interested in volleyball and his older brother practiced with him.

"Come on, Nii-san! I wanna play volleyball! Vol-ley-ball! You told me you'd teach me!" A seven year old Atsushi begged a ten year old Wakatoshi.

"Okay, okay, Sushi. Stop dragging me." Wakatoshi told him.

The siblings' father had bought a volleyball net to place in their backyard ever since he found out his youngest son wanted to play volleyball.

"Toss to me!" Atsushi said excitedly.

Wakatoshi chuckled at his younger brothers enthusiasm as he tossed the ball towards him. Atsushi jumped up and spiked it over the net.

"Did you see that, Toshi-nii? Did you? Did you?"

"I did, Atsushi."

"Hey, Toshi-nii. Do you know about that national stage where only the best high schools play other schools from different prefectures?" Atsushi questioned.

"Yeah."

"You and I are gonna be there together, Toshi-nii! We'll stand there with Shiratorizawa, the strongest high school team!"

Atsushi smiled as he looked out the window."Standing on that court together, huh? Things really do change." Atsushi thought. He looks over at his teammates, who were still soundly asleep. "I'm gonna make it to Nationals with them, and I'm gonna stand on that court even if it kills me."

Atsushi sighed as he closed his eyes, deciding to get some rest.

════ ∘◦ᵒ 𓅓 ᵒ◦∘ ════

Atsushi didn't know how long he was sleeping for, until he felt someone poke his cheek making him grumble and swat away their hand. They poked him again, making him furrow his brows and groan in annoyance.

"He looks calm while sleeping. Can we let him just stay like this?"

"Stupid, we can't leave Atsu on the bus."

"Kageyama's right. We need to wake him up."

"Oh, before you do, let me get a picture first!"

"Noya! You're too loud."

SNAP!

"Hey, can you send me that later?"

"Daichi, can you wake him up?

"Sure."

Atsushi felt someone shake his shoulder gently. "Hey, come on, time to wake up." He heard Daichi call out to him.

Atsushi groaned as he opened his eyes to see his teammates staring at him. "We're home. Time to get up." Daichi informed with a gentle look. Atsushi just nodded as he stretched and followed his team off the bus.

"Oh, and Noya-san?" Atsushi spoke up.

"Yes?" Nishinoya asked.

"You better delete that picture of me sleeping and not send it to anyone. Got it?" Atsushi growled, bouncing off the bus as he heard Nishinoya gulp.

"S-Scary..." Nishinoya mumbled out.

"All right. We're going to have a meeting." Takeda announced as everyone got off.

"Right." Everyone replied tiredly.

"Takeda-sensei! The volleyball club is on TV!" A teacher from the school calls out, this gained the teams attention.

"TV?!" Hinata, Nishinoya, and Tanaka yell in excitement as they raced over.

Everyone got inside the faculty room, interested to see themselves on TV. "Please excuse us!" They said as they entered and looked at the TV.

"Now then... the first and second matches of the Miyagi Prefecture Preliminaries for the Inter-High School National Sporting Competition Volleyball Tournament were held, and heated matches ensued." The lady on TV announces.

"Oh!"

"It's really on!"

"TV!"

Atsushi stared at Hinata, Nishinoya, and Tanaka who were sitting right at the front of the TV to watch. "It's just the local news." Tsukishima stated bluntly.

"Shut up!" Tanaka hissed at the tall first year.

"TV is TV!" Nishinoya added as Atsushi sighed at the two.

The TV showed Shiratorizawa. "First, in the I Block, we have the ace player, Ushijima Wakatoshi, leading the reigning champions at Shiratorizawa Academy in their first game. They played against Ohgiminami High School, winning 25 to 10 in the first set, and 25 to 6 in the second set, not giving their opponents the slightest chance against them. They showed everyone why they're reigining champions." The lady on the news announced.

"25 to 6?" Atsushi heard Asahi repeat in shock.

"Well, that's my Nii-san's team for sure." Atsushi commented as everyone looked at him.

"Will they be able to make it to Nationals once again or will a team appear that can stop them? It'll be worth seeing." The lady stated as they moved away from Shiratorizawa.

"Next, the A Block is also drawing interest." The lady started as Hinata, Nishinoya, and Tanaka inch closer, as this was Karasuno's block.

"That's the gym we played at today!" Hinata announced.

"A player you should definitely watch out for is Aoba Johsai High School's team captain, Oikawa Tōru. His dashing good looks draw in female fans, so he's a player with both skill and popularity to spare." The lady on the TV set said as Atsushi saw Tanaka look as though he was gonna kill Oikawa, Nishinoya had a displeased look on his face, and Hinata just stared blankly at the screen.

"Tomorrow, going up against Aoba Johsai is a team that sped to unbelievable straight-set victory against Date Tech who were to place in the tournaments top eight the powerhouse, Karasuno High School." The lady spoke up, as Atsushi slightly paid attention when he heard his team.

"We're gonna be on!" Nishinoya, Tanaka, and Hinata beam and blush at this, the screen cuts to Oikawa outside the Sendai gym, smiling at the camera. He waves making Tanaka and Nishinoya have a deadly look as Hinata once again had a blank look.

"We asked him what he thought about his opponent, Karasuno High School, who he'll be facing in the third match."

"They're a great team." Oikawa waves at the camera. "I hope... they go for broke." Oikawa informed the crew once more as everyone had a dark and depressing aura around them.

"They'll definitely be more heated matches tomorrow. We wish them the best. Next is the weather. We have Komata reporting from the Sendai Station." The lady announced as Atsushi saw a teacher who called us over panic when he saw the team's aura.

"Th-There was a glimpse of your match at the very beginning! You all looked very cool!" The teacher says but it clearly didn't help them.

"Sensei, thank you." Daichi lowly spoke.

"Oh, it was nothing..." The teacher flinches.

"All right. Well, then... let's do this." Daichi spoke turning around as everyone nodded and walked out of the room with a dark look.

"Do what?"

"A m-meeting!"

Everyone headed inside of the gym. "Today's match against Date Tech is what you call 'the first sip of beer.'" Ukai announced as everyone stared at him with a deadpan look.

"What is he going on about?" Atsushi thought.

"That deliciousness of the first sip of beer is special, and you only get it in that first sip." Ukai added as everyone stared at him in confusion on what their coach was on about.

"Ukai, we should phrase that differently for the minors here." Takeda suggested as Ukai looked at them.

"Ahem. Well, the match with Date Tech was the first time we used the freak quick against them. Therefore, we were able to catch our opponents off guard. But we fought Seijoh once in the past, so they know at least some of our tricks. Still, I'm certain that your offense is stronger than theirs. First, we need to endure Oikawa's serves. His serves controlling the game's pace is what we want the least, but that's most likely that will happen. So, for right now, we have the basic 'everyone who's not the setter goes after the ball' formation to receive serves." Ukai goes on as they see him draw on the whiteboard.

"However, this time, we won't have the middle blocker, Hinata or Tsukishima, participate in receiving the serve. They'll concentrate solely on attacking." Ukai informed as Atsushi glanced at his two teammates.

"Kay." Tsukishima responded with boredom.

"Okay." Hinata frowns.

"Hey, don't get so bummed out. We're just dividing up the work." Ukai assured the two before looking back to everyone else. "Oh, also, you guys saw Seijoh and thought, 'Oh, crap. They're strong' right?" Ukai asked as everyone widened their eyes at him.

"But... If you were seeing our match against Date Tech from the stands, you'd hesitate saying, 'What's with that blocking? Talk about scary, we can't win,' right? But you fought them, and won." Ukai stated as everyone listened to him.

"Tomorrow will be the same."

Everyone stayed quiet, taking in everything Ukai had told them. "All right!" Everyone announced as Hinata and Nishinoya jump up excitedly.

"All right. Let's clarify the formation a bit." Ukai announced.

"Right." Everyone replied.

════ ∘◦ᵒ 𓅓 ᵒ◦∘ ════

The meeting was finally finished. "All right. Make sure you're not late tomorrow." Ukai told them as they nodded.

"Right!"

Everyone headed off their own separate ways. Atsushi headed on home as he unlocked his door and closed it right behind him.

"Atsushi, you're back." Wakatoshi said.

"Yes." Atsushi replied. "They showed your match on TV. Didn't let your opponents have a comeback, huh?"

"Of course not." Wakatoshi responded. "Who are you playing tomorrow?"

"Aoba Johsai. You?"

"Shiratorizawa isn't playing until the final." Wakatoshi informed. "Perhaps I'll watch your match."

"You don't have too." Atsushi denied. "I don't want you to be disappointed in me if I lose." He thought.

"Tendou will most likely force me too." Wakatoshi told him.

Atsushi sighed. "I'm going to bed. Good night, Nii-san." He said.

════ ∘◦ᵒ 𓅓 ᵒ◦∘ ════

In the morning, Atsushi headed to school. He eventually arrived with the rest of his teammates, thankful that he wasn't late. Soon, Takeda drove the team to the Sendai gym.

Atsushi was ready to play an intense game of volleyball, as he knew that this wasn't gonna be easy like it was with Tokonami and Date Tech. Everyone was in their positions with Atsushi as wing spiker.

Atsushi watched as Daichi and Oikawa walked over to shake each others hands. "Let's play." Atsushi heard Daichi say.

"Let's play." Oikawa smiled. Atsushi had his eyes narrowed at Oikawa, as the two captains walked away from each other.

"Oikawa! Do your best!" A group of girls from above exclaimed, making Atsushi roll his eyes at them.

"Ain't no way I'm gonna lose! Let's go!" Tanaka exclaimed as he, Nishinoya and Hinata looked pumped up.

Atsushi saw Daichi walk over to Ukai, as he heard him say that Karasuno will be serving first.

TWEEET!

Some of Atsushi's teammates grabbed some volleyballs to practice before the game officially started. "Oikawa-senpai, do your best—" A duo of girls yelled out.

"Karasuno! Fight!" Daichi exclaimed, cutting them off, which make Atsushi smirk a little.

"Yeah!" His team shouted.

Everyone started practicing some spiking. "Fight!" Daichi yelled as Tanaka spiked down the ball.

"Fight!" Daichi yelled as Nishinoya practiced his receives.

"Fight!" Daichi exclaimed as Hinata spiked down the ball.

Next was Atsushi, as he got ready to jump and spike the ball. "Fight!" Daichi called out as Atsushi jumped up and spiked down the ball powerfully.

"Next, we'll do serves."

"Right!"

Everyone got in line as Yamaguchi was the first to serve. "Here I go!" He exclaimed as he did his serve, next was Kageyama who did a jump serve, after Kageyama it was Atsushi who threw the ball up as he jumped up and smacked it down. He walked back to the sides to let someone else do their serves, but paused when he heard a commotion going on at Aoba Johsai's side.

"I-Iwaizumi! Calm down! We're right before a match!"

"Let go of me, Kindaichi!"

"Now's not a good time! See? Everyone's staring hard!"

"I don't care. I'm gonna hit him."

"Hey! What are you saying?!"

Atsushi looked over to see Kindaichi holding back Iwaizumi who looked as though he wanted to strangle Oikawa who just had a charming and playful smile on his face. "Iwaizumi, calm down!" Kindaichi panicked as Iwaizumi struggles to hit Oikawa. Oikawa didn't look phased as he laughs and rolls the trolley of volleyballs.

"And I thought Hinata and Tobio were the troublemakers." Atsushi thinks to himself as he sweat dropped at the opposing team.

TWEEEET!

Atsushi looked over at Daichi who looked at everyone else. "Line up!" He ordered, as everyone got in line to face the opposing team. Atsushi saw Kageyama glance over at Oikawa who didn't look his way.

TWEEET!

"Let's play!"

Everyone got into position as the match was starting. "Hey, Tobio-chan. I came here excited to take down the genius setter, so do your best and hold on." Atsushi heard Oikawa say to his junior. Kageyama looked at Oikawa in the eyes.

"We will win—" Kageyama spoke up but got interrupted by Hinata jumping in.

"We won't lose!" Hinata exclaimed.

"Don't butt in when I'm talking, Hinata, you jackass!" Kageyama hissed as Atsushi saw Oikawa hold a blank look on his face.

Atsushi sighed as he rolled his eyes at the two, Kageyama then tried to hit Hinata from behind but Hinata sensed him and ducked just in time.

"Oi, you two. Stop fighting." Atsushi announced as they listened to him. Oikawa looked at Atsushi then looked at Kageyama.

"We won't..." Kageyama informed as he and Hinata stood side by side.

"...lose this, either!" They both announced.

Atsushi widened his eyes at them, tapping them on the shoulders. "Come on, Takeda-sensei is going to say some poetry stuff to us." Atsushi stated as they nod and headed off.

"Little Ushijima." Atsushi heard Oikawa say, making him look at him with a curious look.

"What do you want?" Atsushi asked.

"Do your best and don't hold back. I want to see what Ushiwaka's little brother is made of." Oikawa grinned smugly.

Atsushi chuckled darkly. "Oh, don't worry." He said as he gave Oikawa a chilling look. "I'll make sure you know just who you're dealing with."

Atsushi noticed Oikawa tense up as he walked away.

They surrounded Takeda who looked at them. "All of you have already defeated Aoba Johsai once. Even if our opponents were not the best at the time, I believe the fact that we won is enough reason to have confidence. Not conceit, but confidence." Takeda announced as everyone nodded.

"Right!"

Karasuno huddled, as Atsushi was between Tsukishima and Kageyama. "Karasuno... fight!" Daichi yelled.

"Yeah!" They all shouted back, determined to win this game.

Atsushi felt a shiver go up his spine as he looked at Aoba Johsai, it was as if the atmosphere around the team had suddenly changed. It made him feel a bit intimidated for a split second, before he shook it off.

They soon got onto the court and in positions, Atsushi being a wing spiker, he was in the front, in the middle alongside Kageyama and Hinata. Tsukishima, Asahi, and Daichi were at the back with Nishinoya at the side.

TWEEET!

It was Tsukishima that was serving first. "Tsukishima, nice serve!" Daichi encouraged as Tsukishima throws the ball high and it spikes down. Kunimi ended up receiving it.

"Kunimi!" Someone from Aoba Johsai shouted out.

"Nice receive!"

The two guys in the front line jump out, making Atsushi eye them down, wondering who Oikawa will toss too. "All right." Oikawa spoke up. Atsushi was surprised to see that Oikawa didn't toss to any of them, but dumped the ball himself.

He gets the first point as Atsushi widened his eyes as to what happened. The rest of Karasuno were shocked as well. "It was a setter dump! Just like what Kenma tried to do during the practice match with Nekoma. How come I wasn't able to stop it like I did back then?" Atsushi thought as he blinked. The stadium cheered for Oikawa.

"Come on. I'll be doing the same thing again." Oikawa told them. "Don't stand there so out of it. Pay attention." Oikawa teased.

Atsushi couldn't help but feel annoyed. "H-He said he'd do that again, but is he telling the truth?" Hinata whispered to him. Atsushi glanced over at his orange haired teammate.

"I guess someone wouldn't usually do that again..." Hinata added, looking away.

"Then again, he's unpredictable. He's someone who's gone up against Toshi-nii. So you never know what can happen." Atsushi stated.

"I see! Atsushi, you're amazing!" Hinata beamed at him.

"I-I'm really not..." Atsushi said with an embarrassed look, not wanting his teammate to think so highly of him, because what if he was wrong.

"Hey, now. There's no point in dwelling on that. It's the same as trying to figure out what your opponent will throw out in rock-paper-scissors." Daichi spoke up. Atsushi nodded in agreement.

"You have a point. Though, I can't believe your comparing this to rock-paper-scissors, Daichi-san." Atsushi snickered as Daichi glared at him.

"Don't overthink it." Daichi assured them.

"Right!" Atsushi and Hinata replied to their captain.

The whistle blew as it was Aoba Johsai's turn to serve. "Nice serve, Matsukawa!" Atsushi heard a player announce, as the ball got to their side. Daichi saves it.

"All right!" Daichi announced.

"Daichi, nice receive!" Atsushi heard Tanaka announce from the sidelines as Atsushi kept his eye on the ball. Atsushi and Hinata raced forward.

"Come to me!" Hinata exclaimed.

"B!" Atsushi yelled out as Hinata and Atsushi jumped up. Kageyama uses the quick attack as Hinata spiked it down. However, someone from Aoba Johsai saves it, making Atsushi growl a little.

He sees Oikawa run forward, making Atsushi think he was gonna do a setter dump like he said he was. He then saw him jump up, in a spiking position.

Atsushi and Hinata jump up to block him. However, Atsushi widened his eyes to see him change his position mid-air as he tossed to Iwaizumi, making Atsushi gasp and land on the ground.

The second Atsushi's feet landed on the ground he raced over to Kageyama to help him block, but it was too late as Iwaizumi spiked it down and got his team a point.

"Damn it!" Atsushi said, feeling a bit irritated.

"Hey, hey, hey..." Daichi spoke, getting their attention as Atsushi and Hinata looked over at their captain. "You knew Oikawa was amazing to begin with. Our setter is just as skilled, and his attacks are just as flashy."

Atsushi looked over at Kageyama. "He's right..." He thought.

Soon Aoba Johsai serves once more, as the same guy, Matsukawa, his name was, was going to serve again. Matsukawa serves the volleyball. "Nishinoya!" Daichi called out as Nishinoya received the ball, Hinata runs forward.

"Bring it!" Hinata announced.

As Kageyama gets ready to toss, Atsushi ran to the side, jumping also to spike the ball. Atsushi noticed that Iwaizumi and Oikawa stared at him, as they thought he was going to spike.

Atsushi smirked at them as Asahi came from behind instead, Asahi runs forward and jumps.

However, to everyone's shock, Kageyama didn't toss to anyone as he instead did a setter dump. The ball bounces onto the court, getting Karasuno a point but they were confused as to why he did it without telling them first.

Soon the stadium erupted around them. Atsushi heard clapping from Sugawara. "Do it again!" Sugawara encouraged, making Atsushi sweat drop at the mother figure of their team.

Atsushi then looked back at Kageyama who walked close to the net. "I'll..." He starts off, catching Oikawa's attention.

"...be doing the same thing again. Pay attention!"

Atsushi was a bit taken aback by Kageyama's bold statement but smirked proudly. Oikawa, however, didn't seem pleased by his underclassman as he glared at Kageyama.

"You... stupid little brat." He hissed lowly.

Atsushi chuckled. "Sure, Oikawa may be an amazing setter. But Tobio is just as skilled. So give us your best shot, Aoba Johsai!" He thinks to himself.

════ ∘◦ᵒ 𓅓 ᵒ◦∘ ════

A/N: Another chapter done! Hope you enjoyed!

Word Count: 4101 words.