A/N: Hello, readers! Welcome to another chapter! Enjoy!

edited on january 23rd, 2021 @ 9:22pm

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CHAPTER FOUR - FOUR VS FOUR MATCH

"ALL RIGHT. LET'S GET STARTED." Daichi spoke up, getting everyone's attention. "Sugawara and I will be on Tsukishima's team." This caused Hinata to yell in shock.

"What? You, Captain?" Hinata freaks out.

Daichi chuckled. "Don't worry. Tanaka's a better attacker than me. Though, I won't go easy on you, either." He said as Tanaka looked terrified.

Tsukishima cleared his throat. "Um... that little one and Tanaka, which one shall I crush— I mean— block first?" He asked, pretending that the others couldn't hear him. "Oh, yes, yes. I'd like to see the King lose too."

"Tsukki, they can hear you. Watch it." Yamaguchi warned.

"I'm saying it so they can hear." Tsukishima replied before smirking at Kageyama who had his back turned. "I sure hope they lose their cool."

"Talking shit about your opponents already, Tsukishima? Let's hope you can back up your shit talking." Atsushi thought.

"Our special feature is the King, who's been abandoned by his underlings." Tsukishima spoke as Kageyama tensed a little.

"Don't listen to him, Kageyama. He's just trying to get under your skin." Atsushi reassured him as Kageyama just nodded.

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The whistle blew, signaling that the game was starting. Kageyama tossed to Tanaka who spiked down the ball as Tsukishima tried to block him.

The whistle blew once more as Atsushi received the ball to Kageyama who got ready to toss it. Hinata smirked as he ran towards the net.

"Hinata!" Kageyama shouted as Hinata jumps up, shocking everyone excluding Kageyama, Atsushi, and Tanaka. However, when Hinata's hand made contact with the ball and he spiked it, he was blocked by Tsukishima.

"You surprised me the other day, too. You sure can jump. If only you were 30 centimeters taller, you could've become a superstar." Tsukishima said as he walked back to his position as Hinata's eyes narrowed at the tall blonde.

"One more!" Hinata announced.

The game continued as Kageyama tosses to Hinata again but when he went to spike down the ball, he got blocked again. Atsushi sighed at him. "Don't repeat your actions over and over. Tsukishima will eventually see it coming." He thinks to himself.

The game restarts as it was Yamaguchi's turn to serve. However, he didn't score a point as when the whistle blew, Yamaguchi served the ball and the volleyball hit the net. "Sorry, Tsukki." He apologized.

"Don't mind, don't mind." Daichi reassured him as Kageyama picked up the ball and went over to the serving line. He did a jump serve as he jumped and spiked the ball over the net. However, Daichi saved it from touching the ground.

"Huh?" Hinata and Kageyama commented in unison.

"He's the captain. He obviously has more experience then we do." Atsushi thought. "I don't know why they're surprised. I saw it coming."

Sugawara got ready to toss the ball. "Yamaguchi." He called out as he tossed it to the freckled boy who jumped up and spiked it down. However, Atsushi saved it, shocking Yamaguchi.

Daichi chuckled a little as he looked over at the duo. "Did you think you'd score a few points?" He asked, making Kageyama tense up. "I don't have outstanding talent, but I've been doing this a couple of years longer than you. My receive is well-integrated into my body." He said.

"Don't think you can get past me that easily." Daichi finished as he got into a receiving position. Atsushi smirked.

"Ah, did you forget who I'm related to, Daichi-san?" Atsushi questioned. "You may have done this longer, but I've received my brother's spikes until bruises appeared on my arms. I may be younger than you, but you shouldn't underestimate me." He added as Daichi looked at him in surprise.

"Hey, king." Tsukishima announces, causing Kageyama to look over at him. "Maybe you should start getting serious."

"What's your problem? You haven't stopped getting in our faces since the other day. What's this king toss?" Hinata hissed.

"Don't you know why they call him the king?" Tsukishima questioned.

Hinata tilted his head. "He's called that because he's so good that guys at other schools are intimated by him, isn't that it?" He replied.

Tsukishima laughed. "I'm sure there are others who think that's why. However, his nickname "King of the Court" was given to him by the guys of Kitagawa Daiichi. By the teammates of the King. What it means is... he's the self-centered King. The oppressive dictator." He explained.

"I heard rumors, but I was convinced when I saw that match. He got too oppressive and had to sit out on the bench." Tsukishima continued as he continued explaining how no one was there to spike the ball when he tossed it.

"He doesn't set up quick. Is that because he's lost a nerve from that match?" Tsukishima questioned as Kageyama continued to stay silent.

Tanaka stepped forward to defend Kageyama, but Daichi shook his head at him, telling him not too.

"He made a toss, but no one jumped—" Tsukishima started to talk once more but got interrupted.

"You are right."

Everyone looked towards Kageyama. "I made a toss, and no one was there. It's truly frightening." Kageyama informed.

"But you were only in junior high, right?" Hinata asked as Kageyama turned to him. "You toss to me just fine. It makes no difference to me."

Hinata then points to Tsukishima. "The real problem for me is how I'm gonna get past you." He declared, causing Atsushi to chuckle at him.

He walks over to Kageyama. "We'll win against Tsukishima, become official club members, and you will bravely play setter. And you'll toss for me. What else is there?" Hinata announced.

"How pure and straightforward... and irritating." Tsukishima grumbled lowly.

Kiyoko blew the whistle as Tsukishima was the one to serve for his team. "You can't make up for height by psyching yourself up. If you believe effort alone will win out... you're dead wrong." Tsukishima said to Hinata as he threw the ball up in the air and spiked it. Atsushi thankfully saved the ball.

"I got it!"

"Tanaka-san!"

The two then waved around to Kageyama. "Toss to me!" They both said in unison. Kageyama opened his mouth.

"Tanaka-san—"

"Kageyama!"

Hinata was already in the air. "I'm here!" He added as Kageyama tossed to him. He didn't actually spike it, but he did manage to touch the ball as it went over the net. Daichi tried to save it, but it didn't matter since the ball was already out.

"That was close. I almost missed it. It's out though." Hinata stated.

Kageyama turned to him. "What was that for?" He asked.

"But the ball came to me! Forget about junior high. I'll take any tosses I can get. Gratefully. I'll jump anywhere. I'll hit the ball. So..." Hinata explained as he placed his hand where his heart was. "Toss it to me!" He finished.

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"Hey guys, you know how to do quick hits?" Tanaka asked as in shock as he broke the silence. "Quick hits?" Hinata repeated with confusion in his voice.

"A fast attack like the one you just did." Tanaka stated as Hinata shook his head.

"Not at all. All I've spiked are balls that get tossed up high." Hinata informed.

Tanaka tilted his head. "But you just did it. And when you were in junior high, I saw you spike a missed toss by the beginner setter. That's what I mean." He stated.

"Huh? But I don't remember how I did it. But I'll spike any toss! I'll spike it, understood?" Hinata responded turning to Kageyama with determination.

"We've never got coordinated. A fast attack is impossible." Kageyama said bluntly.

"There's something weird about you. Your weakness is giving me the creeps. Weird!" Hinata announced, pointing his finger at Kageyama.

"Shut up." Kageyama responded.

Hinata crossed his arms like a child. "It's not like you, King." Tsukishima taunted, making Hinata snap once more.

"I'll spike it past you. Wait and see!" Hinata declared.

"There you go again, all psyched up. Just getting psyched up isn't going to make things right. Some people aren't cut out for things. Clearly, you're not cut out to be a spiker." Tsukishima commented harshly.

"That's true." Hinata replied. "Even when I was in junior high, I would jump and jump, but I kept getting blocked. Height is needed for volleyball. No matter how high I jump, I can't get past the overwhelming height. But... I know I want to become like that. So I don't care if I'm cut out for it or not. I'm going to do battle with this body, win and win, and be on the court as long as I can."

"But you don't have what it takes. This isn't a matter of psychology. You can't make up height with feelings. If you could play libero, that would be a different matter." Tsukishima said.

"It doesn't matter if he can or not." Atsushi spoke up, getting everyone's attention. "It's true in volleyball, height matters. But you shouldn't underestimate someone no matter how weak or strong they might be. My older brother taught me that."

Hinata tried to spike Kageyama's toss, but it didn't go so well. "You got fast reflexes, so go like pah like gwah." Kageyama instructed.

"Is it pah or gwah, which is it?" Hinata questioned.

Moments passed as Hinata spiked the ball. However, Atsushi noticed something. "He... had his eyes closed? Surely he couldn't have 100% trust in him?" He thinks to himself.

Soon enough, Atsushi, Kageyama, Hinata, and Tanaka had won. Atsushi tried catching his breath as Ennoshita gave him a water bottle. Atsushi said his thanks as he drank the water from it. He looked over at Hinata who was trying to shake hands with Tsukishima.

Daichi grabbed their application forms from them. "Shimizu. The stuff is here, right?" Daichi called out to Kiyoko who nodded. She appeared with the box that had 'Karasuno High School Volleyball Club' written on it.

"I think they should fit but let me know if you need anything." Kiyoko informed.

"Thanks."

Atsushi put on his Karasuno volleyball jacket, looking at it. "Black definitely looks better on me than Shiratorizawa's purple and white does." He thought.

Atsushi looked over to see everyone else was trying to get Tsukishima to put on his jacket. He finally gave up and put it on as the first years lined up.

"We're the Karasuno Volleyball Club from here on..." Daichi said as he puts his jacket on.

"Ready and..." Daichi counted off as the first years stared at the second and third years.

"Good to have you with us!"

Kageyama and Hinata began to practice their quick. That's when a teacher with short curly hair and glasses barged in. "Must be the advisor." Atsushi noted in his head.

"It's decided! It's decided!" Takeda shouted, making everyone stop and turn at him. After introducing himself, he continued.

"The practice match. It's against one of the top four teams in the prefecture. Aoba Johsai High School." Takeda informed. Atsushi paled when he heard the school name.

"The one nicknamed Seijoh?" Sugawara gasped in shock.

"Yikes." Tsukishima commented.

"No way." Yamaguchi mumbled.

"A practice match with one of the top four!" Hinata exclaimed.

"Aoba Johsai..." Atsushi and Kageyama mumbled for different reasons.

"But Sensei, how did you get a powerhouse like Seijoh to agree?" Sugawara asked with shock.

"You didn't get on your knees and beg again, did you?" Daichi sighed.

"It's happened before?" Atsushi thinks to himself.

"No, no. I'm good at getting on my knees and begging, but I didn't have to do that this time." He assured making Daichi and Sugawara stare at their club advisor with an unamused and tired expression.

"But they had two conditions." Takeda said as he looked down at the sheet of paper.

"Conditions?" Daichi repeated with confusion.

"Kageyama must play setter the entire game. And Ushijima must play the whole time as well." Takeda informed as everyone widened their eyes.

"What's that about? Sounds like they're not interested in Karasuno. They just want to assess Kageyama and Atsushi. Are they underestimating us? Are they?" Tanaka hissed, getting into Takeda's face for answers.

"Well, that's not quite how it is." Takeda assured.

"Sounds good." Sugawara spoke up, making everyone turn to him in surprise.

"We don't get chances like this that often." Sugawara added and Atsushi frowned at him.

"You're gonna agree to that, Suga? You're the official setter of Karasuno, Suga." Tanaka exclaimed.

"I... I want to see how effective Hinata and Kageyama's attack will be against the top four team." Sugawara admits, causing Hinata and Kageyama to gasp at him.

Sugawara looked at Daichi and nods at him. "Sensei, may we have the details?" Daichi asked, changing the subject.

"Sure. Um... the schedule is rather sudden, but it's set for Tuesday next week." Takeda informs as everyone surrounds him. "It'll be after classes, so there will only be time for one game. We'll rent a bus after school..."

Once everyone got the details, everyone went to clean up the gym. "Oikawa-san must've had something to do with this. Wanting both Kageyama and I to be in the entire game." Atsushi growled in his head.

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Later, after practice, the team went to go get pork buns. Atsushi was walking with Kageyama and Sugawara, zoning out their conversation.

"What about you, Atsushi? You froze up at Aoba Johsai's name too." Sugawara stated as him and Kageyama looked at him.

"I know two upperclassmen that go to Seijoh. Actually, one of them has some sort of vendetta against my brother. He always tries to beat him but fails every time. It's kinda pathetic." Atsushi replied as Kageyama snickered, knowing who he was talking about.

"I see. But both of you are pretty talented. So I don't think we have anything to worry about." Sugawara said.

"That's true." Daichi spoke up, walking out of the store with two bags. "But we'll show them that Kageyama and Atsushi aren't the only ones they need to worry about. Right, Hinata?"

Daichi grinned as he turned around to look over at the orange haired first-year. Only to see that he was already stuffing his face with pork buns.

Sugawara, Daichi, Tanaka, Kageyama, and Atsushi all had the same dead inside expression. Soon Kageyama and Atsushi run over and hold the first-year in the air.

"Why are you eating first?" Atsushi yelled.

"Are you kidding?" Kageyama exclaimed.

The store owner came out. "Hey, volleyball club! Don't make a ruckus in front of the store!" He shouted.

"Sorry." Kageyama and Atsushi said in unison as they dropped Hinata.

Atsushi walked over to Sugawara as he handed him a pork bun. "Thanks." He said as he took the pork bun.

"Excuse me. Is there a curry pork bun?" Kageyama asked.

Atsushi saw Daichi bow at the store owner. "Eat your dinner properly." The owner informed as Daichi bowed once more.

"Hey, you guys come and eat, too!" Tanaka called out as Atsushi looked over to see Tsukishima and Yamaguchi.

"Thanks." Yamaguchi yelled as he ran over to them while Tsukishima walked calmly to them. Atsushi saw Hinata looking at everyone, including Atsushi, with a smile on his face.

"Hey, Atsu." Kageyama said as Atsushi looked at him while biting into his pork bun. "I've actually been curious since the start. What made you come to Karasuno instead of Shiratorizawa?"

Atsushi swallowed the bit of pork bun that he had in his mouth. "I didn't want to be known as Toshi-nii's little brother. I came to Karasuno because I wanted to beat him."

"I had an amateur setter back in junior high. He was okay but his tosses were inaccurate which made my spikes fail all the time. Apart of me thinks he just wanted to humilate me or something." Atsushi continued. "I don't want to be like Toshi-nii, I want to be better."

"Let me be that setter to give you that power then." Kageyama told him. "You want to surpass your brother, right?"

"Alright then, Kageyama." Atsushi said.

"Tobio."

"Huh?"

"Call me Tobio." Kageyama repeated. "We're friends, aren't we?"

This made Atsushi smile. For the first time since junior high, he finally felt like he belonged on a team. A team that didn't care who his brother was.

"Yeah, we are."

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

Word Count: 2774 words.