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

edited on march 7th, 2022 @ 5:17am

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CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE - LOST

AT SHIRATORIZAWA ACADEMY, Washijo was facing the first-years. "Usually, you'd face each other from opposing teams in the qualifiers. But while you're here, you're not opponents. Just the fact that you're doing something out of the ordinary is important. Take whatever you can from each other and get even better. That's all." He spoke.

"Thank you very much!"

"Let's see..." Anabara looked at the clipboard in his hands before looking up. "First, we're going to do passing drills. We're going to have you remember each other's names. Make sure you pair with someone that's not completely equal with you."

Sakamoto nodded over towards Tsukishima who nodded back. "Hey, you're Tsukishima, right? Sushi-chan's teammate?" The silvery-white haired male asked.

"Yes." Tsukishima responded.

"Where is Sushi-chan, by the way? I would've thought he would be invited to come." Sakamoto questioned.

"He got invited to the All-Japan Youth Camp with the King." Tsukishima replied.

"Eh? Sushi-chan got invited to the All-Japan Youth Camp?" Sakamoto repeated in shock. "Well, that's not really surprising. His volleyball skills are top notch."

Sakamoto then looked over towards Hinata. "Wow, he really is the odd man out. Even though he's a regular on Karasuno's roster..." He thought.

"All right, next. Spiking drills!"

Hinata widened his eyes as he rushed to join the others. "Hey." Washijo called out, causing Hinata to stop. "You're going the wrong way, ball boy."

"Sorry! I went the wrong way!" Hinata apologized.

Koganegawa tosses the ball towards Tsukishima who spiked it. "How was my set?" He asked.

"Fine, I guess?" Tsukishima answered.

"Tell me more!" Koganegawa said in irritation.

"Koganegawa from Date Tech. His technical skills are lacking, but he seems to be getting taller." Anabara commented. "Very nice. A giant setter."

"Nice kill!" Hinata complimented as he rushed to save a ball.

"Be more careful! Pick up those damn balls!" Washijo shouted out.

"Yes, sir!"

"Keep your eyes on them!"

"Yes, sir!"

The ball was set up for Tsukishima who jumps up to spike, hitting the volleyball past Koganegawa and Hyakuzawa.

"Nice kill!"

Goshiki jumps up to serve as the practice game continued on.

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It was eventually dark out as everyone was leaving the gym. "Hey..." Tsukishima spoke up. "Could you hurry up and get ready to leave? Unlike the King and Atsushi's camp, this isn't an excused absence. We have to go to school tomorrow, like usual."

"Tsukishima-san." Hinata spoke. "I-I-I-I'm... sorry for the trouble—"

"Yeah, could you not apologize?" Tsukishima interjected. "It's not like being an impulsive dumbass is anything new for you."

"You mad that you can't really touch the ball? Serves you right. Wanna cry saying you're gonna quit? Keep doing your best, ball boy. Make sure you don't waste a precious five days of practice before the Spring Tournament." Tsukishima continued to insult.

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Meanwhile, in the Shiratorizawa dorms, Tendou had entered Wakatoshi's dorm room. "Hey! Gimmie back this week's "Jump"!" Tendou exclaimed.

"I'm still reading "Removes Unnecessary Hair and Leaves Skin Feeling Silky Smooth." Wakatoshi stated bluntly.

"Could you read the actual manga instead of the adverts?" Tendou questioned. "By the way, you're gonna go to the first-years' training camp tomorrow, right, Wakatoshi-kun?"

"Yeah." Wakatoshi responded.

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It was the next day at Shiratorizawa Academy as everyone was on the court, stretching.

"One, two, three, four..."

"Five, six, seven, eight..."

"Today we'll be doing serve and spike drills. After that, we'll have a practice game."

"Right!"

The group soon began practicing as a ball was slammed right past Hinata. "Hey! Wake up!" Washijo scolded.

"Sorry!" Hinata apologized.

Goshiki jumped up to spike as Hinata missed catching the ball.

"Nice kill!"

"Tsutomu!"

"Yes, sir."

Goshiki went over to Washijo as he told Goshiki what he did wrong. The spiking drills continued as Hinata tried his best to catch the balls.

"All right, next, form up for a game!"

"Right!"

"Shoyo, get the vests!"

"Oh, right!" Hinata responded.

"Nagamatsu!"

The volleyball was spiked but it was then received. Eventually, the Shiratorizawa third-years arrived.

"Hello!"

"So we're really lucky. Some third-years and alumni from Shiratorizawa agreed to play a practice match with you boys." Anabara announced.

"Bleh." Kunimi commented.

"Seriously?" Kindaichi questioned while Tsukishima just sighed.

"It's Ushijima-san!"

"Ushiwaka... It's actually him."

"First, decide on who's going to play and the signs you'll use. Talk to each other."

"I spot the #10 from Karasuno!" Tendou announced. "I'm gonna cut you down to size even more!"

"I—" Hinata started to say.

"Hey! Could you make me more drinks?"

"Right! Sorry!" Hinata said, taking the water bottles.

Tendou tilted his head in confusion. Hinata bowed and went on his way. Wakatoshi's eyes glanced around. "Chikao." He called for the silvery-white haired male.

"Yes, Ushijima-san?" Sakamoto asked, walking up to him.

"Where's Atsushi? I thought Washijo would send him an invitation." Wakatoshi responded.

"Uh..." Sakamoto began. "According to his teammate, Tsukishima, he was invited to the All-Japan Youth Camp with their setter."

"Huh? Atsushi's good enough for All-Japan?" Tendou said, overhearing. "You're not mad, Wakatoshi-kun?"

"Of course not." Wakatoshi answered. "Atsushi could learn more if he practices with the best players in Japan than if he was here."

"Let's play!"

TWEEEEET!

The practice match began as Reon spiked past Tsukishima and Koganegawa. "Blockers! You put your hands down way too early!" Washijo scolded. "Don't give up the block that easily!"

"Yes, sir." Tsukishima replied.

"And you need to stop crouching too low before you block. That's why you're always late." Washijo continued on.

"Yes, sir!"

Kunimi ran forward as he jumped up, spiking the ball but ended up getting blocked by Tendou and Semi.

"Someone could've followed up on that! I need to hear your voices more! Talk to your teammates!" Anabara told them.

"Wakatoshi!" Semi called out, tossing the ball towards Wakatoshi. Kindaichi and Sakamoto tried to block him as Koganegawa barely received it. However, the impact knocked him back.

"So heavy..." Koganegawa thought as his arms were red.

"Koganegawa! Another serve's coming!" Kindaichi informed.

The practice match resumed as Tendou pushed the ball over the net. "Just because we're at the net, it doesn't mean we have to slam the ball through." Tendou said.

"Right." Hyakuzawa nodded.

TWEEEEET!

The practice game had finally ended. "Time for a lap of diving drills!" Goshiki announced.

"Right!"

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"I think we can win the next one!" Koganegawa exclaimed.

"Pretty sure you're imagining it." Kunimi told him in a blunt tone.

"But our blocks are finally starting to work." Kindaichi pointed out.

"Now that our blocks are actually coming together, it makes things in the back much easier. I need to have my team's blockers learn from this."

Hinata then stepped out of the storage room, getting the attention of Tendou and Wakatoshi as Tendou narrowed his eyes.

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A/N: So, this is kinda like a filler chapter. Kinda gives you the perspective of Wakatoshi finding out about Atsushi being invited to the All-Japan Youth Camp, and all that. Thanks for reading!

Word Count: 1218 words.