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

edited on febuary 10th, 2021 @ 8:16pm

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CHAPTER FOURTEEN - THE IRON WALL

"GAUGING FROM THEIR FIRST MATCH, they'll start off with a powerful serve. The serve breaks for formation, then they block your return. Dateko's strategy is to attack those who can't keep up. So, for the first serve, make sure your receive is solid." Ukai informed as the team gathered around him.

"Yeah!"

Ukai smirked and looked over at Kageyama. "You know what to do. Right, Kageyama?" Ukai asked.

"Yes." Kageyama replied, nodding. Atsushi raised his eyebrow in curiosity.

"All right. Now, go tear down the iron wall!" Ukai announced with pride.

"Yeah!"

Daichi made the team huddle, as they put their heads together. "Karasuno. Fight!" Daichi yelled.

"Yeah!" The rest of the team shouted back.

They all get into positions, Atsushi was in the front with Kageyama, Hinata with Asahi, and Nishinoya and Daichi in the back.

TWEEEET!

"Bring it on!" Nishinoya yelled.

"Let's do this!" Tanaka shouted from the sidelines.

Atsushi watched as the guy from Dateko serves. "Kamasaki, nice serve." A teammate of his shouts, as Kamasaki spikes the ball over the net. "Daichi." Nishinoya called out as the ball went over to their captain, who saves it.

"Nice receive." Kageyama praised as he gets under the ball to set, Kageyama jumps up as Hinata jumps up to spike. However, Atsushi widened his eyes when he saw that the team member with no eyebrows notices where Hinata was and went over to block.

Hinata gave the ball a soft hit, as the ball touches the ground on the other side of the court, Karasuno got a point, but just barely.

"All right! Nice spike, Hinata!" Tanaka yelled from the sides, cheering on Hinata. Atsushi watched as the big guy with no eyebrows walked away from the net as he narrowed his eyes at him.

"He can do a block read... It's not as strong as Tendou-san's guess-blocking, but it's still troublesome." Atsushi thinks to himself.

Soon it was Kageyama's turn to serve, as he spun the ball. "Kageyama, nice serve." Daichi encouraged.

"Nice serve. Let's score." Hinata added. Atsushi just stared ahead. Kageyama did a jump serve, however, the ball was going to Dateko's libero.

The libero saves it as Atsushi kept his eyes on the ball, the guy with no eyebrows spikes it down, however, Nishinoya was there to save the ball. "Atsushi, sorry. Cover." Nishinoya spoke up as Atsushi nodded and got ready to cover for him.

"All right." Atsushi assured as he held his arms out.

"Back!" Asahi announced his way, making him glance over and nod.

"Asahi-san!" Atsushi called out to him, sending the ball over. Asahi jumps up and spikes down the ball, however, he got blocked, making Atsushi click his tongue at this.

Dateko had gained a point when the ball dropped to Karasuno's side of the court. "Damn." Nishinoya growled.

"Don't worry about it. Don't worry! Switch it up." Atsushi heard Ukai yell from the benches.

Nishinoya bowed at Asahi. "I'm sorry, Asahi! I'll save the next one." He promised as Asahi just smiled and pats Nishinoya on the shoulder.

"Yeah. I'm counting on you, but I'll score next time." Asahi stated.

The game continued. It was a tie so far with each team having one point. Kageyama had set the ball over to Atsushi, making him eye the ball and jump up to spike, however, he saw two blockers in his line of vision. Atsushi growled in annoyance.

"Fucking bastards." Atsushi thought as he had to hit it straight forward, making the blockers from Dateko win and the ball coming back to Karasuno's side of the court and get a point.

Atsushi narrowed his eyes at the blockers, but stopped when he heard the referee blow the whistle at them, and he looked over. The referee indicated that Dateko touched the the net, making the point go to Karasuno instead.

"All right!" Karasuno cheered as Atsushi sighed of relief, but he still didn't like how he got blocked.

"That was a close call... Too close for my liking." Atsushi thinks to himself, looking down at his palm. Karasuno stared down Dateko, as they wait for the ball to be served, which it eventually does.

Atsushi watched as Dateko's setter tosses the ball to a spiker. "Futakuchi." The setter calls out as Atsushi noticed the guy from earlier. He jumps up to spike the ball, Daichi tried to block him but was unsuccessful as the ball came hurdling at him. Atsushi crouched down slightly to save the ball.

"Open!"

"Asahi!"

Atsushi watched as Daichi saves the ball and the ball made its way to Asahi, who jumps up, but got blocked once more, however the ball got out, making Karasuno gain a point instead. Karasuno cheered a little, but Atsushi noticed how Asahi curl his fists together.

Atsushi stared blankly at him but figured it was best not to say something. Dateko serves the ball next as Atsushi watched from his side, Futakuchi spikes it, as Hinata jumps up to touch it, Hinata managed to one touch it.

"Nice one touch, Hinata." Tanaka praises from the sides as Hinata raises over to the other end of the court with his speed.

"Chance ball!" Nishinoya called out as he receives it, the ball made it's way to Kageyama who tosses it up and Hinata jumps up to spike it down, Atsushi sees Hinata look over at an area where there was no blockers so he spikes it that way, however the guy with no eyebrows read Hinata's tactic and moved his arm to block the ball.

Atsushi sweats at this, Dateko scored a point as the ball touched Karasuno's side of the court.

"Nice block."

"Nice, Aone!"

Atsushi watched as the guy with no eyebrows, named Aone high fives his captain. Karasuno looked at Dateko. "I'm getting irritated..." Atsushi thought as he was getting anxious.

"Damn it." Hinata growled, getting fidgety.

"Don't worry about it. On to the next." Kageyama assured. "We'll definitely score with the next one."

"Tobio. You better pull a miracle out of your ass." Atsushi thinks to himself.

"Definitely? Are we doing it?" Hinata beamed as Atsushi toned out the rest of their conversation, no longer interested in it. He heard someone clear their throat as he looked over and saw Futakuchi smirking at him.

"Hi there. I know this may seem sudden and random, but I wanted to introduce myself." He informed, giving him a smile. "I'm Futakuchi Kenji, second-year."

"Uh... Ushijima Atsushi, first-year." Atsushi greeted back, feeling a bit suspicious.

"You know, you're pretty talented. Perhaps you should join Dateko once this is all over. I mean, it must be better than Karasuno, yeah?" Futakuchi offered to him.

Atsushi blinked at him. "Are you... underestimating my team?" He asked in annoyance. Futakuchi seemed taken aback but chuckled.

"Nah, not really. But I just think you should join the winning team. Doesn't that sound more appealing?" He grins at him.

Atsushi chuckled darkly. "When this is all over, I will be on the winning team. You wanna know why? Because Karasuno will get our revenge. Besides, if my older brother couldn't convince me to go to Shiratorizawa, you can't convince me to go to Dateko." He informed.

Futakuchi seemed taken aback once more as Atsushi turned away and left.

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Atsushi noticed the coaches from Dateko look at Kageyama. Kageyama also noticed as he stared at them.

Futakuchi serves the ball as the ball came hurdling at Atsushi. "Atsushi." Nishinoya calls out to him.

"All right." Atsushi assured as he saved the ball with ease, Hinata races forward as Kageyama does their freak quick attack.

They surprised Dateko as they scored a point. Suddenly, the audience cheers and gasps at their quick attack. "All right." Hinata announced happily.

"Good." Kageyama exclaimed. Atsushi couldn't help but smirk at Dateko.

"What was that you were saying before, Futakuchi? You mentioned something about me joining the winning team?" Atsushi teased with a grin as he saw Futakuchi get all flustered. Atsushi turned to walk off the court.

Karasuno all ruffled and praised Hinata as Atsushi watched from afar. He was never good at praising someone, so he just stayed silent. Soon Nishinoya leaves the court and Tsukishima comes over. Atsushi also leaves the court to have Tanaka take his place.

"We're counting on you, Tsukishima." Nishinoya grinned.

"Yeah." Tsukishima assured, walking calmly onto the court.

Atsushi walked by Tanaka who gave him a slap on his shoulder. "I'll do my best! You don't have to worry about a thing, Atsushi!" He exclaims brightly. Atsushi winced at the contact.

Atsushi walked over and stood besides Sugawara. "Oh, here you are. You must be thirsty." Sugawara offered a polite smile.

"Thanks, senpai." Atsushi mumbled, as he took the bottle from him and drank it.

Atsushi watched as Hinata served, however he sighed and shook his head when the ball hits the net, making Dateko gain a point.

"I'm sorry!" Hinata apologises.

"Airhead, Hinata, you lousy airhead!" Kageyama hissed as Atsushi could tell he wanted to strangle their orange haired teammate.

"Don't worry. Don't worry." Daichi assured, as Hinata walks off the court looking defeated.

"Noya, I'm sorry." Hinata sighed.

"Leave it to me." Nishinoya reassured as he jogs happily onto the court.

Hinata came over to Atsushi, he was glum and Atsushi felt as though he should say something. He looked away, not making eye contact. "You did good. Hitting the net happens to everyone." Atsushi stated, blushing from embarrassment as he was not used to comforting someone.

He heard Hinata sniffle at him. "Ats..." He paused as he suddenly clinged onto the brunette's arm. "Atsushi! You do care!" He whines, making Atsushi panic.

"Get off me, Hinata!" Atsushi exclaimed.

Aone soon serves, as Nishinoya saves it, Kageyama tosses the ball to Tsukishima who spikes it down, getting Karasuno a point. Atsushi watched as Aone walks off the court and stares over at Hinata.

"Nice, Tsukishima. One more." Hinata shouts, smiling brightly.

"Tsukki, nice!" Yamaguchi shouts as well. Atsushi gave Aone a curious look as he glanced at him.

Atsushi was a bit taken aback when he gave a head nod, like he was respecting him or something, and walk to the sides. "What was that all about?" Atsushi thought with confusion as he looked away.

Suddenly, a Dateko player yells as he scored a point. "All right. If they score, we score back." The Dateko player announces.

"Nice, Kamasaki!" Another player from Dateko praises.

"We'll score back!" Tanaka yells in determination.

"All right." Nishinoya added.

Atsushi watched as Karasuno scored another point from Asahi, but then Dateko got a point. It was nerve-wracking to watch. Karasuno then got another point when the ball was out of bounds after Dateko served it.

Soon Hinata went back onto the court, Atsushi stayed on the sidelines, which he was fine with as he needed to relax a bit. He watched as Futakuchi jumps up to spike, as Kageyama and Hinata jump up to block, but was unsuccessful as Dateko scored a point.

The game goes on as Kamasaki from Dateko did a jump serve, the ball hits the top of the net as it rolled down onto Karasuno's side. Nishinoya quickly dives down and receives it. Kageyama ran over to the ball and jumps up to set it from afar.

Hinata was already up in the air and he spikes it down with ease. Atsushi grinned. Dateko was surprised once more when Karasuno scored a point.

"All right." Kageyama cheered to himself.

TWEEEET!

Dateko calls for a timeout, as they all got off the court to relax a bit. Atsushi handed some of his teammates their water bottles, Hinata gulps down his drink.

TWEEET!

Soon the teams get back onto the court, Atsushi still wasn't playing, letting Tanaka have all the spotlight. Atsushi could tell that everyone was starting at Hinata, but it's like Ukai said, "That little #10" gets a big reaction.

"Bring it!" Hinata shouted, challenging the other team. Atsushi watched as Kageyama tossed the ball and Hinata spikes it down, getting Karasuno a point.

"Good job, Hinata. Way to go. Give us another one!" Sugawara called out.

"Nice serve. One more!"

Soon the ball goes up as it came towards Nishinoya. "Nishinoya." Daichi yells, as Nishinoya saves it as Atsushi sees Tanaka and Hinata rush forward.

"B!" Tanaka shouts out.

"Send me the toss!" Hinata exclaims as well.

Atsushi watched as Hinata runs forward to spike, the blockers of Dateko jump up to block, however, Hinata didn't jump right away, he did a delay jump. Atsushi recalled that move from the match with Nekoma. Hinata then jumps up to spike the ball, and got Karasuno a point.

The game goes on after Karasuno cheered at their point, as the ball went to their side. Kageyama gets ready to toss as Hinata once more gets ready to jump, however like last time he didn't jump but instead runs to the other side of the court to get the ball.

However, Aone saw this and follows Hinata as he jumped up to block. Atsushi gritted his teeth at this. "Shoot. They're getting used Hinata's surprises." Atsushi thought. Dateko gets a point as Aone gave a small shout to cheer.

"Stay calm!" Yamaguchi calls out.

"One more!" Sugawara exclaimed.

Futakuchi serves the ball as the volleyball made it's way over to the court. Daichi was quick on his feet as he saves it. "Sorry! Cover!" Daichi exclaims.

"Ryu!" Nishinoya shouts at Tanaka.

"All right!" Tanaka replies back as he gets ready to receive it.

"Centre!" Hinata shouted as Tanaka nodded.

"Hinata." Tanaka shouts as he sends the ball toward their orange haired teammate.

"Yes." Hinata shouted as he runs forward towards the net and jumps up to spike, however, he got blocked, but lucky for Karasuno, Nishinoya was already there to save the ball.

"All right." Nishinoya cheered as Tadahiro saw Sugawara smile brightly.

"Nishinoya!" Sugawara calls out with pride.

"Nice one, Noya!"

"Kageyama." Nishinoya yelled for Kageyama who gets under the ball to toss it.

"Yes." Kageyama replied back, keeping his eyes on the ball. Atsushi saw Daichi, Tanaka, and Hinata run forward. He could tell Dateko is trying to pinpoint who will spike the toss.

"Bring it!"

Hinata had yelled and jumped up to hit the ball, Aone however followed Hinata's moves and jumped up to block.

"#10!" Aone had exclaimed.

Atsushi chuckled to himself, causing Sugawara to raise an eyebrow and Yamaguchi to back away from him. "Idiots. Hinata isn't used just for quick attacks you know." Atsushi muttered to himself.

Unknown to Dateko, Hinata was only a decoy as Asahi had jumped up from behind Hinata, as Kageyama had tossed the volleyball over to their ace, who kept his eyes on the ball and spikes it down with a powerful hit.

The volleyball hits the ground as Karasuno gets a point.

"All right!" Ukai yelled in happiness, the whole gym who witnessed this also cheered for them. Tanaka, Daichi and Nishinoya all run over to praise their ace. Atsushi grinned, happy that Asahi got them a point.

"Yes!" Sugawara cheers to himself.

"All our secret weapons are out in the open." Ukai mumbled. Atsushi couldn't help but smirk to himself.

"Not all..." Atsushi thinks to himself. "I'm not related to Wakatoshi just for show after all..."

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

Word Count: 2604 words.