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Hinata was off his game today, after getting blocked by that Inuoka so many times. So now, Kageyama was trying to do more weaker sets.

"I could never switch something like that so quickly mid-game." F/N sighed heavily. She leaned back in her seat, slumping down with a dead expression. "Man Kageyama is so freakin' intense... He's so weird..."

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And as much as you hoped and prayed for Karasuno to win, those turned out useless as Nekoma won the set.

"One more time!"

Hinata had yelled out, just as everyone had slumped down in exhaustion. He was just as eager to play as when they had first gotten there. Your eyes had widened for a second, then went back to a regular size.

"I wonder how he stores so much energy in such a little body."

"Right?! I'd be dead by then!"

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"Again!"

Hinata had yelled once they finished their second game. His team had lost both times, and yet the little boy was still just as determined as ever. Ukai picked up the boy from under his arms, not-so-subtly sending him a glare.

"Give them a rest, ginger. If they stay, they're gonna miss the last train."

"Circle up!"

You stood silently, flipping through the pages of your journal. The coaches had switched teams to give feedback and constructive criticism to each team. Once both of them had finished giving the feedback, they had all started to clean up the gym.

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"There's no point in trying to set you up with someone if you always reject them." F/N groaned, swiping through the app.

"Exactly. So just give up already."

"Ooh! Here! It's a cute guy! He likes... music, he goes to Shiratorizawa... and his name is Eita! Apparently, he's on their volleyball team! Ooh, and he said his friend Tendou set him up on here! Hey, he sounds like you!"

You looked over at the phone. He was pretty cute, with really light platinum hair with sort of darker tips. His hair looked really fluffy. He was pretty cute.

"He's 5'10, in his 3rd year... and looking for someone who will listen to his problems! Y/N-sama, you're great at listening to people's problems!"

"I don't know F/N. I'll look at it more when I get home."

"Okay, you better Y/N-chan! I'd never pass up an opportunity with a guy like him!" F/N pointed at your chest playfully, smirking. You pressed your finger against her nose, pushing her away from you.

"Yeah, of course, well you're crazy about romance."

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"GOODBYE KENMA-CHA-"

"I hope to see you again, Kenma." You smiled, your hand over F/N's mouth. "You too, Kuroo."

"See you later I guess... L/N..." The blonde boy mumbled, some hair falling into his face. "You too FL/N."

"I'll take you out when we meet again, how about that?" Kuroo offered, smiling brightly.

"Ahah, you're so great at humouring us Kuroo-chan! My Y/N-sama would never go out with a guy like you!" F/N who had somehow gotten your hand clasped off her mouth pointed at his chest, her eyebrow twitching in irritation. Her smile was vicious, as much as it tried to appear sweet.

"Yours? Unlikely. I'm sure she would."

"That's hilariously desperate. Why would a 10/10 go out with a 3/10 at best? She has higher standards than you."

The two stared at each other, only for you to separate them. "Kuroo, I'm so sorry for her. Just for that, I'll go out with you if you bring Kenma along and ask me properly. Okay? Okay. Goodbye, see you whenever."

"Wait- Y/N that's not-"

You were already gone.

"Kenma...?"

"No."

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"Are you actually serious? You're gonna go out with Kuroo the next time you meet?"

"I don't see why not. We're friends. Plus, he'll bring Kenma along."

"Pffft, yeah well, I'm not gonna be going." F/N put her hands on her hips. "I hate that rooster-top."

"Of course, F/N," You said blankly.

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"Hm? What're you guys so excited about?" Hinata asked. You, who was walking next to him, kneeled down and looked over Sugawara's shoulder.

"Look," Tanaka said, giving the book to Suga, who in turn stretched his arms out so you could all see it. "That's Ushiwaka from Shiratorizawa Academy. They named him one of the three players to watch in this year's nationals."

"That's the school Kageyama didn't get into!" Hinata exclaimed.

"Would you shut it?!"

"So... who's Ushiwaka?" The ginger asked curiously.

"You seriously don't know who that is?!" Tanaka snapped his head towards Hinata, shocked.

"Of course not, he only cares about the Tiny Giant," Sugawara said with a tired smile.

"That's his nickname. His real name is Ushijima Wakatoshi. I met him once when I was talking to the principal about my journalism. I bumped into him in the hallway. I sometimes meet up with him to talk about stuff. He says I'm similar to him." You said with a blank look.

Sugawara looked over his shoulder to you with a nervous grin. "You know... your emotionless face does kinda remind me of him..."

"Oh really? I'll be sure to smile more, then."

"Just look at him, that's what an ace is supposed to look like," Daichi said. Everyone suddenly looked at Asahi, and he recoiled back and looked away in guilt.

"So we can't play Nekoma... unless we defeat them first?" Hinata said to himself, looking down at the magazine.

"Remember boys, Shiratorizawa's not the only good team," Ukai said, now walking up to them.

"They're the biggest threat based on last year, though," Suga added on.

"Thank you for stating the obvious, but there's a whole lot more than just them. Wakutani South had great defence and solidarity. Date Tech been called the Iron Wall because their team has higher blocks than anyone else around. From what I understand, these guys beat us two to nothing in the public prefectural tournament back in March."

"Date Techs' team has been top-form material for a good long while, but last year they only ranked in the top 13 after losing in round 3 to Shiratorizawa. So, depending on how the brackets are laid out, we could end up having to face them in the 1st round. The next team is..." Ukai shuffled the papers for a second, then stopped.

"Oh, that's right. I heard you guys played a practice match against them not long ago. Their captain posses the most offensive power on the team on top of being an excellent setter. He might even be the top player in the overall prefecture. Aoba Johsai, led by Oikawa Tooru."

'Him again? Geez, what's up with Karasuno and Seijoh's banter? Thought we were done with him by now.'

"Yeah, the Great King..." Hinata shivered.

"They ranked in last year's top 4 too. Now last, but definitely not least, Shiratorizawa, headed up by that famous ace, Ushiwaka. That's the short version. I'll give you more detailed info later."

"Wow, Coach Ukai's got his stuff together!" Suga and Daichi said simultaneously, smiling.

"You two smart-asses want to pay attention, or do you wanna share your thoughts with the class?!"

The two shook their head, no, still smiling.

"Anyway, I think those are the 4 teams you have to look out for. If you keep staring at the top, you'll get the rug pulled out from right under ya. Don't make the mistake of thinking we're the only team there wanting the number 1 spot. We're not. Sure, we're gonna be training our asses off, but all the other teams are gonna be training their asses off too. No matter who won last year and who lost, everybody's aiming to win it all. Never forget that."

"One more thing. Don't let those bastards call us the wingless crows ever again!"

The boys all replied, 'right'.

Takeda walked (stumbled) in, holding the piece of paper for the preliminaries. Karasuno, if they and Date Tech cleared the first round, would be up against each other.

"Don't get too ahead of yourselves, you guys. Aoba Johsai is seated in our block this year. That's not good." Tsukishima pointed out with a scowl.

"I don't like those odds..."

"Hey, did you already forget what I told you?! If you focus on the top-"

"Yes, we know, sir. We'll focus... one game at a time."

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"Oh, Asahi." You walked over to him, sort of half-leaning on his desk. He looked up at you and smiled.

"Hey L/N, what's up?"

"So, I heard you're going to a tournament. Interhigh, was it? I'd like to document about it." Oh, that's right. I forgot to mention you and F/N were gone right as Ukai started his preaching. You both really didn't want to stay for that.

"Oh, right. Um- you can ask Coach or Takeda about it... and I don't know about the others, but I'd love to have you cheer for us."

You felt a sort of urge to smile. You shook your head and broke the eye contact. "Oh... well, I'll be sure to convince them then. I'll... get F/N to cheer for you guys."

You had walked away, covering your face with a light-rising flush.

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And after all the hardships of having to go up and present a speech, constantly working on a small project and having to deal with F/N, it was finally the time.

F/N had gone home earlier, saying she was way too tired to deal with everyone and that she didn't know how you did it.

You were silent next to the girl; she talked quietly while you just stood blankly. You and she walked over, climbing up and hanging a banner up. Once it was hung, you both walked down.

"Yeah! You're awesome, Y/N-chan and Kiyoko! We're fired u-"

"Wait, listen guys. I think there's more."

You walked over next to her, patting her hand with a small smile. She returned it, looking down and mumbling out something only loud enough so that they could hear. "Y-You... can do it."

You gave them a half, wonky smile that looked more like a sneer. "We believe in you."

...

"Kiyoko... L/N... they've -sniff- never done anything like this before!"

Kageyama and Hinata looked at the banner in awe, Hinata jumping up and yelling out. "Wow! You're so amazing Y/N! You too, Kiyoko!"

Noya and Tanaka stood there, tears streaming down their faces in complete and utter shock as Yamaguchi and Tsukishima watched in pure horror.

"I don't get it- why are they so freaked out about this...?"

"Well... L/N-san's usually cold... that fact she's done something like this for us is amazing. Same thing with Kiyoko." Yamaguchi had said with a nervous smile, looking up at his best friend. The blonde, however, had only clicked his tongue and looked away.

The cheers were going on non-stop, not that you minded, not at all.

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