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

edited on november 14th, 2021 @ 2:55pm

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CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR - THE FORMER COWARD'S FIGHT

ATSUSHI WATCHED AS KYOTANI THROWS the volleyball high in the air as he did a jump serve. He winced when he saw how he slammed the ball over the net as Daichi managed to receive it, but he fell over from the impact of the powerful serve.

"Sorry! It's long!"

"Mattsun!"

Atsushi's eyes followed the ball as it goes towards Aoba Johsai, as Matsukawa scores a point when he spiked the ball down. Atsushi took a look at the scores.

Aoba Johsai

23

Karasuno

18

Atsushi bit his thumb, wanting to go out there and play. He looked back as he sees Asahi telling the others to scoot back a bit, making them do so, as the ball gets served once more. Kyotani does his jump serve as Tanaka was quick on his feet as he crouched down and saved the ball.

"Tanaka!"

"Yeah!"

The volleyball goes to Kageyama who jumps and sets to Hinata who quickly hits it down, getting Karasuno a point, making Atsushi sigh in relief. He hears Sugawara chuckle making the brunette blink and look over to him.

"It's obvious you want to play." He informed.

"After our lost against Seijoh in the Inter-High... My Nii-san said something that really ticked me off." Atsushi explained as Sugawara raised an eyebrow in question. "I want us to defeat Aoba Johsai so I can show my older brother just how amazing my seniors and the rest of my teammates are."

Atsushi flashed Sugawara a smile, in which he almost teared up at his junior's words. The two focus back on the game as Hinata was serving. "Shoyo, nice serve!" Nishinoya encouraged.

Atsushi widened his eyes when he saw how Yamaguchi was taking Hinata's place as pinch server.

"I'm sorry, we're making a subsitution." Takeda informed as Atsushi saw Yamaguchi walk onto the court with confidence. He watched as Hinata jogged over to grab the number plate from Yamaguchi.

"Yamaguchi, go get 10 points!" Hinata exclaimed, making Yamaguchi stare at him.

"That would end the match."

Hinata then offered the ball to Yamaguchi. "I'll forgive you." Hinata told him as Yamaguchi smiled and nodded. Atsushi smirked when he saw Tanaka and Asahi look at Yamaguchi with nerves.

"G-Go give 'em one, Yamaguchi!" Tanaka stuttered as Asahi was stiff.

"Y-You gotta k-keep your cool!" Asahi added on as Atsushi sweat dropped at the two.

"Nice serve!" Kageyama spoke bluntly to Yamaguchi, making Atsushi snicker in amusement.

"Nice serve." Atsushi heard Tsukishima sigh out, but at least he was providing some encouragement. He saw Daichi walk over as he must've been telling Yamaguchi to give it his all.

Suddenly, Sugawara smirked as he grabbed Atsushi's arm, making him blink in confusion when suddenly Sugawara, Hinata, Nishinoya, Ennoshita, Narita, and Kinoshita moved in unison.

"One, and..."

As they pose and point at Yamaguchi, Atsushi was just offering a smile.

"Yamaguchi, one more! Nice serve!"

Atsushi chuckled as he looked over at Sugawara. "Suga-san, do you ever feel embarrassed when you do that?" He questioned.

"Not at all!" Sugawara replied.

Atsushi let out a long sigh before looking ahead. "Of course, you don't." He mumbled under his breath.

Atsushi watched as Yamaguchi calmly breathed in, noticing that he wasn't as tense whenever he was up to serve, making him smile.

"He can do this if he believes in himself." Atsushi thought.

The whistle blew as Yamaguchi took in a deep breath. It was silent as everyone focused on what would happen. Yamaguchi eventually throws the ball up in the air as he jogged forward and jumped up, as Atsushi smirked when he performed a perfect jump floater.

"Out!"

"You sure about that?"

Atsushi grinned as the ball landed in the court, as the referee held up the flag, signaling that Yamaguchi scored them a point, making Karasuno go to 20 points. Atsushi saw how Yamaguchi was happy as him and the others cheered.

"All right!"

Sugawara and Ennoshita held back Hinata and Nishinoya from running over to Yamaguchi and engulfing him into a hug as Atsushi let out a chuckle.

"All..."

"...right!"

Atsushi cleared his throat. "Yamaguchi, nice serve!" He called out, making Yamaguchi smile at him. Tanaka started to ruffle his hair, as everyone praised him.

Atsushi saw that Tsukishima must've said something to him since Yamaguchi looked like he was about to cry tears of joy, which resulted in Tanaka to lightly punch Tsukishima in the chest a few times, smirking at him.

"Yamaguchi, one more!" Hinata exclaimed. Sugawara was anxious as he gripped onto Atsushi's sleeve.

"Give it all you've got. Give it all you've got, Yamaguchi!" Sugawara pleaded as Atsushi smiled.

"He'll be fine." Ennoshita spoke up as everyone glanced at him. "You always feel worse after you run away."

"I'm pretty sure Yamaguchi feels that way, too."

Atsushi looks back towards the game to watch Yamaguchi serve again. The referee blows the whistle making Yamaguchi do another jump float, Kyotani went to receive the ball, but he was too close, making the volleyball bounce off his arm and out of bounds, making Karasuno get another point.

"A-A second service ace!"

"Yes!"

"All right!"

Atsushi watched as his teammates all ruffle and pat Yamaguchi, excluding Kageyama and Tsukishima.

"Yamaguchi!" Hinata called out as everyone on the sides, including Atsushi all yelled in unison.

"One more!"

The referee blows the whistle once more for Yamaguchi to serve again. Except this time, the jump floater was dug up with an overhand receive. Atsushi watched as Oikawa sets the ball to the back row as Iwaizumi jumps up and spikes through the blocks, Yamaguchi was able to receive it with his body.

"Cover!"

Everyone shouted, as they wanted to win the match. Kageyama ran over and slid down to save the ball, sending it back up, soon Tsukishima jumped up and Daichi sets to him, as Tsukishima did a feint cross shot, getting Karasuno another point.

Atsushi took a look at the score and smiled.

Aoba Johsai

23

Karasuno

22

Atsushi felt himself wanting to play as Tsukishima picks up the volleyball and bounces it over to Yamaguchi who caught it easily.

TWEEEET!

Atsushi turned to see that Aoba Johsai had took a time out, making him huff in annoyance. Sugawara noticed his irritation as he patted his shoulder.

"Coach might switch you in next." Sugawara reassured him.

"I hope so because I kinda pissed off Oikawa-san before I was subbed out." Atsushi chuckled a bit, making Sugawara and the rest of the bench players sweat drop at his comment.

The whistle blew as everyone got back onto the court while Atsushi was still on the sides. "Yamaguchi!" Nishinoya shouted out.

"One more!"

Everyone on the sides including Atsushi called out to encourage their teammate. Yamaguchi bounces the ball as he breathed in. The whistle blew and he did another jump float serve, the ball hits the net but it rolled off and landed on the court, making Karasuno get a point as they were tied with Aoba Johsai.

The crowd watching their game cheered for them. "It's in!" Everyone announced.

Atsushi smiled, happy that they were tied with Aoba Johsai as the ball bounced back over to Yamaguchi.

"Yamaguchi, one more!" Tanaka called out.

"Yamaguchi, nice serve!" Hinata also shouted out.

"Right!"

Atsushi blinked as he looked over and saw Oikawa smiling at his teammates as he extended his arms. "Let's calm down, now." He informed, smirking. Atsushi fought back a laugh as everyone on his team just gave their captain a deadpan look.

"We're calm."

"Well, that one was unavoidable."

"We'll get the next one."

Oikawa sweats at how calm his teammates were. "That's it, you guys! You guys are too great. It makes your captain sad." He announced, as he seemed a little dejected that his teammates didn't appear to be annoyed.

Atsushi chuckled as he also noticed Iwaizumi was laughing as well.

The whistle blew as Atsushi turned his focus back to the game as Yamaguchi took another deep breath as he threw the ball up and did another jump floating serve. However, it wasn't changing direction as Iwaizumi received it.

"Got it!" Iwaizumi called out, as he sends the ball back up, as Oikawa gets ready to set it.

Oikawa tosses the volleyball to his teammate on the far-right side of the net, Tsukishima also saw this as he ran over and jumped up, getting a one touch in.

"One touch!" He shouted.

"Nice one-touch!" Yamaguchi complimented as Atsushi kept his eyes on the ball.

He watched as Tanaka dived down and received the ball, sending it back up. Kageyama also runs over and sends the ball to Asahi.

"Azumane-san!" Kageyama announced as Asahi turned his focus on the ball.

"Nice, Kageyama!"

"Triple block!"

Atsushi watched as Asahi jumps up, getting ready to spike the ball, he hits the ball, but Oikawa's hand managed to have the ball rebound back to Karasuno.

"Back!" Hinata and Atsushi shouted in unison, Tanaka follows the ball, but Atsushi quickly realized it was going to be an out.

"It's an out!" Atsushi exclaimed as Tanaka trusted his words and paused himself from saving the volleyball as the volleyball goes out of the court, making Karasuno ahead of Aoba Johsai.

"All right!" Asahi cheered as Oikawa grumbled in annoyance.

"Atsushi, nice call!"

Atsushi smirked and gave Tanaka a thumbs up, in which he returned.

He turned to look at the scores and smiled when he saw Karasuno was at match point. "One more! Nice serve!" Daichi encouraged, Atsushi looked back at Yamaguchi, as the whistle blew for him.

"Yamaguchi! Just one more!"

Sugawara, Ennoshita and Atsushi covered their ears at Hinata and Nishinoya's yell. "Get it in there!" Hinata shouted as Atsushi sighed anxiously.

"Come on Yamaguchi... You got this." Atsushi thought as he watched Yamaguchi throw the ball up as he hits it over the net.

"I'll get it!" Aoba Johsai's libero reassured as he managed to saved the ball.

"Damn, he's good." Nishinoya commented.

Atsushi shrugged. "He is, but Yamagata-san has him beat by just a hair, or maybe even more." He stated.

"Yamagata?" Nishinoya questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Shiratorizawa's libero, Noya-san." Atsushi responded as Nishinoya let out an "oh."

Atsushi focused on ahead as Oikawa sets the ball to Iwaizumi who spikes it down past Karasuno's blockers, it bounced off of Yamaguchi's arms as it swerves out of the court making Atsushi's eyebrow twitch in irriation, as both teams were now at a tie.

"Atsushi." The brunette hummed as he looked over at Ukai who gestured for him to come into the court along with Hinata, making him smirk as he nodded as him and Hinata walked over.

TWEEEET!

Hinata was swapped in for Yamaguchi as Atsushi was swapping in for Tanaka. Tanaka pats his back in reassurance as the brunette nodded in response as both him and Hinata walked onto the court.

"It's about time." Atsushi thinks to himself. Nishinoya was coming onto the court, as him and Hinata had to swap out.

"Concentrate on the one!" Hinata called out as Atsushi grinned and got in position. The whistle blew as it was Aoba Johsai's turn to serve.

"This is a chance Yamaguchi gave to us..." Atsushi noted as he narrowed his eyes. The ball gets served and Daichi receives it, sending it back up.

"...don't let it get away!"

Kageyama sets the ball to Asahi who spiked it down past the blockers, getting Karasuno a point. "All right!" Karasuno cheered as the huddled together. They were at match point once more. The game continued with Aoba Johsai getting a point as well, making it a tie once again.

"It seems every time we get closer to match point, Aoba Johsai comes back and scores another point. Do they want this game to get dragged on forever?" Atsushi thought with irritation.

The game went on as Atsushi concentrated on the ball. Kageyama sets the ball as Atsushi ran over and spiked it down, getting a point for Karasuno as he smirked at the surprised looks of Kindaichi and Oikawa.

"All right!" Karasuno cheered as Daichi ruffled Atsushi's hair.

"Atsushi, nice kill!" He proudly stated.

Asahi was now serving this time, as he bounced the ball. "Asahi, get this!" Sugawara encouraged.

"Nice serve!" Kinoshita shouted out towards the ace. The whistle blew for Asahi to serve the ball. Asahi did his jump serve but Hanamaki managed to save it.

"It's long! Get this!"

Oikawa runs over as Tsukishima and Atsushi both jump up to block in case Oikawa was doing a dump, but Oikawa instead just gave a one handed toss to his teammate, Kindaichi slammed it down and the ball bounces off of Asahi, making Aoba Johsai get the point.

Atsushi gulped when he realized who's turn it was to serve for Aoba Johsai. "Damn him and his serves." He thought as he stared at Oikawa who had the ball in his hands. Karasuno all narrowed their eyes and focused onto Oikawa.

The referee blew the whistle as Oikawa throws the ball up with Atsushi getting ready to receive if it came towards him. Oikawa hits the ball and Nishinoya dived down to try and save it, however it bounced off his shoulder and goes towards the audience, hitting the rail as Aoba Johsai gained a point.

Atsushi glanced at the scores and huffed in irritation.

Aoba Johsai

27

Karasuno

26

"They turned the points so it would be match point for them. How bothersome."

"Damn it!" Nishinoya exclaimed as Atsushi turned to Daichi.

"This isn't possible with just the two of us." He stated as he gestured for Asahi to come over.

"Ah, I see. Daichi-san is expanding our defense..." Atsushi thinks to himself as Daichi looked over to Asahi.

"Asahi, please. We're counting on you." Daichi informed.

"Yeah." Asahi responded.

Atsushi turned his gaze over towards Oikawa who gets ready to serve again. The whistle blew for Oikawa to do his serve.

"Bring it!"

"Nice serve!"

Oikawa throws the volleyball up into the air as he runs forwards to do his jump serve, the ball comes at them.

"Daichi-san!" Nishinoya shouted for their captain who dived down and received the volleyball, however the volleyball was close to the net as Kindaichi slammed it down.

"Like hell I'll let you have that chance!" Atsushi shouted out as he extended his arm out and received it.

"Atsushi, nice!" Daichi praised as Atsushi shot a determined look at Kindaichi who scowled a little at the brunette.

"Tobio!" Atsushi yelled as Kageyama jumped up and sets the ball.

"Asahi-san!" Kageyama announced as the ball goes towards the ace who slammed it over the net.

But Hanamaki was there to save the ball and sent it back up. Atsushi saw how Kyotani charged forward, but he had a feeling Oikawa wasn't going to set the ball to him, as he saw how Iwaizumi jumped up from the back row.

Atsushi was too late as Iwaizumi hits the ball and gets the point. Atsushi huffed in annoyance at his slow reaction.

TWEEEET!

Karasuno had lost the second set, as they were now on the third and final set, making Atsushi sweat with nerves as they changed sides.

"Let's change it up!" Daichi clapped his hands.

"Right!"

Atsushi walked over to the sides to grab a water bottle, shooting the cool liquid down his throat before glancing over at Aoba Johsai. 

"The final set... If we lose this, it'll be all over. I'll never be able to surpass Toshi-nii, and my seniors... They won't be able to have a chance to go to nationals." Atsushi thinks to himself, clenching his fist.

"We have to win!"

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A/N: Another chapter is done! Thanks for reading!

Word Count: 2671 words.