A/N: Hello, readers! Another chapter is here! Enjoy!

edited on august 23rd, 2021 @ 5:01am

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CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN - GEARS

HIDEAKI GATHERED AROUND HIS TEAM as the huddled. "This is the final set. We've been losing throughout this training camp. We'll rip at least one set away from Fukurōdani, the most powerful team at this camp, before going home!" Daichi encouraged as his team smiled at his comment.

"Yeah!"

They all pulled apart and turned to stare at Fukurōdani, who looked back at them, with Bokuto challenging smiling at them.

"Let's play!" Karasuno shouted at the opposing team as they get onto the court.

"We're gonna get this one!" Daichi announced.

"Yeah!"

"All right! Bring it, Karasuno!" Bokuto challenged, the referee blew the whistle as Hideaki was serving the volleyball.

"Hideaki, nice serve!" Nishinoya called out.

Hideaki did his jump serve as he thought they were going to get the point but Fukurōdani's libero saved it.

"Bokuto-san!"

"Right!"

Hideaki watched as Akaashi sets to Bokuto, as Tsukishima moves to the sides near, Kageyama blocked the attack.

"Left, Number 4!" Daichi shouted. Hideaki watched as the duo jumped and blocked Bokuto who blinked in surprise.

"Out!" Fukurōdani's libero exclaimed, as the ball went out.

"All right!"

"Damn it, we were so close." Hideaki thought with a frown as he glanced at Tsukishima with a smirk. "At least he remembered what Kuroo had taught him."

"You guys keep getting better every day, and it's annoying." Hideaki heard Bokuto mumble, making him chuckle.

They played a few more rounds with Karasuno at 5 points and Fukurōdani at 6.

"Left, left!"

Hideaki spiked the ball but Konoha saves it. Akaashi follows the ball into the air and tosses it to a spiker on his team as he slammed it down and got a point.

"Break it off after the first one!" Kinoshita shouts from the sidelines.

Hideaki watched as Bokuto moved up front, he kept his eyes on the ball as it goes up and it was served. "Nishinoya!" Daichi called out as Nishinoya received it.

"Nice receive!" Hideaki  praised as Kageyama sets the ball up and Tsukishima slams it down, but the ball got saved by the libero.

"Nice, Saru! Give me the last one!"

Hideaki runs over and aids Tsukishima and Kageyama as the three block Bokuto's spikes, however Bokuto did a cut shot, Tanaka dived down to try and save it, but the ball was quick.

"Talk about an insane cut shot." Hideaki thinks to himself, blinking in shock as he got up.

"All right! Did you see that, Akaashi? Hey, did you see my awesome cut shot just now?"

"I did. Amazing."

"It was pure luck, though!"

Hideaki sweat dropped at Bokuto before turning his attention away. "That's amazing, even if it was luck." He mumbled to himself. "I wonder if I could hit something like that."

Soon, Hinata was swapped in with Nishinoya swapping out and Tsukishima's turn to serve the ball.

Hideaki looked over to Hinata and smiled. "I wonder if he'll do the special attack... Most likely." He thought, remembering what Bokuto was telling him.

"A special attack?!" Hinata announced in exicitement.

"Yeah!" Bokuto replied. "Listen up! The best way to describe this attack is something born from upsetting the balance of stillness and motion." He added as Hinata seemed even more interested.

"Whoa! Whoa..."

"There he goes, trying to sound cool again."

"Do you have any idea what he's talking about?"

"I have an idea."

Hideaki glanced at Akaashi and Kuroo who were talking as they continued to listen to Bokuto. "This attack isn't you use to flee from the enemy." Bokuto continued, making Akaashi sigh at his teammate. "With perfect timing, a perfect toss, a perfect position for spiking... just when everyone thinks a powerful spike is incoming... moreover, the moment where you yourself think you can land a powerful shot is the perfect opportunity!"

"Leave it to me!" Nishinoya assured as he re-entered the game and saved the ball.

"Nice receive!" Hinata praised as Kageyama sets the ball up and Hinata jumped up to hit it, Hideaki watched as he swung his hand, the words Bokuto said echoed in Hideaki's mind.

"As if you want to mock them, give it to 'em!"

Hideaki smirked in pride as he watched Hinata perform a feint, making not only his teammates but also Fukurōdani shocked as Karasuno scored a point.

"When the feint succeeds, there's a great feeling that's different from when you land a spike. You know how a handful of receivers will dive for the falling ball?" Bokuto spoke as Hinata nodded.

"Yeah!" Hinata replied as Bokuto grinned.

"You're usually above eye level with them or above, but the moment they try to reach for the ball, miss, and then look up... It's the best feeling." Bokuto smiled.

Hideaki watched in amusement as Hinata stared down at the three players who look up at him. "I wonder what he's feeling right now..." He wondered before turning to Bokuto who started to yell.

"A feint?"

Hideaki saw Akaashi growl a little as he looked towards his captain.

"You're the one who taught it to him."

Bokuto tensed a little before sheepishly looking away as the three players who dived down to save the ball but failed, all growled and glared at Bokuto. Hideaki chuckled in amusement before looking over at Bokuto.

"Thanks for teaching my junior that feint."

Bokuto continued to look away in sheepishness as Hideaki saw Kageyama look totally shocked by Hinata.

"You actually used your head? You're gonna get a fever." Kageyama said as Hinata gave him an irked look.

(A/N: As a manga reader, this sentence hurt me the most. Haha, I'm in spain without the s).

"You are the only person who doesn't get to say stuff like that to me!"

Hideaki looked back at Bokuto who crosses his arm. "I won't let them get another point from now on!" He declared.

"I think it's impossible to completely shut them out—" Akaashi began but was interrupted by Bokuto.

"Akaashi, back me up once in a while! Damn, that shorty! We're not gonna lose!" Bokuto announced as Tadahiro and the rest of his team stared at him.

The game continued onwards. "Number 2! Number 2!" Daichi called out as the ball gets spiked, Daichi crouched down and saved it.

"Kageyama!" Tanaka called out for a toss, running forward and jumped up as Kageyama sets the ball to him as Tanaka slammed it down.

"Hell yeah!" Tanaka grinned happily once he got passed the blockers.

They continued to rally until Hideaki saw Kageyama perform a dump and Karasuno got a point. "All right!" His teammates cheer along with Hideaki.

They continued to rally until Hideaki saw Kageyama perform a dump and Karasuno got a point. "All right!" His teammates and Hideaki cheered. The black haired male walked over to pat Kageyama's shoulder.

"Good job, Tobio! Keep it up!" Hideaki praised him as Kageyama blushed and nodded.

Soon enough, Tsukishima was serving. "One more, Tsukishima! Nice serve!" Daichi called out as Tsukishima serves the ball forward. The ball got saved as it then made its way forward to Karasuno's side, Daichi dived down to save it.

"Sorry! Cover!" He exclaimed as Tanaka got under the ball.

"Kageyama!" He shouted to the first-year setter as he sent the ball his way.

Kageyama sets the ball to Hinata who spiked it down, but it got saved. Hideaki watched as it goes to his team as he saved it.

"Hideaki, nice receive!" Tanaka yelled. Hinata ran forward with Kageyama about to set.

Hinata was in the air as Hideaki could tell he was watching Kageyama, it was eerie and intense as Hideaki watched Kageyama set the ball to Hinata, Hideaki widened his eyes.

"Is this... their new quick?" Hideaki thought as he watched the ball get slammed down by Hinata and Karasuno got the point.

Everyone was silent, much in shock wondering what they just witnessed. Hideaki saw Kageyama and Hinata look at one another, until they both smiled and had amazed and flustered looks.

"Wait! You've got to be kidding! If we're gonna do that, let me know beforehand!" Kageyama scolded.

"I just felt like we could pull it off! Didn't you?" Hinata grinned happily.

The two of them began to bicker, as Hideaki smiled and walked forward, swinging his arms around both of their shoulders.

"I knew you two could pull it off! Nice going!" Hideaki praised the duo, in which they both became flustered.

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Hinata and Kageyama do their quick attack again, and Karasuno gains a point once more. Hideaki took a look at the scores to see they were tied with both teams having 9 points. Hinata and Kageyama seemed to be happy their new quick attack was working out.

"All right!"

"What the heck was that? That was awesome!"

"All right!"

"Nice Hinata, Kageyama!"

Hideaki's coach and teammates from the sides all cheer for the duo, making him smile. He saw Kageyama stare down at Hinata, making him flinch.

"What? You wanna start something? But that's awesome! So cool! It stopped right before my eyes! It was like "shoop!" This time I felt like it would totally succeed and stuff! But when it actually stops in front of my eyes, it freaks me out! You really are amazing after all!" Hinata ranted as he complimented Kageyama.

He seemed incredibly shocked by the compliment, as he shook a little. "Wh-What's up with that, moron?" Kageyama stuttered as Hinata jumped up and down.

"Awesome! So awesome!" Hinata grinned happily.

Hideaki watched in amusement from the sides. "Kageyama's facial expression is turning into something very difficult to describe." Daichi said as Tanaka walked over.

"What's up with his facial muscles?" Tanaka teased.

"It's not often Hinata praises Kageyama in a straightforward manner." Asahi noted as Hideaki smirked.

"That, and he never got complimented like that back in junior high." Hideaki commented.

"I'm glad we actually believed in this and waited."

"Yeah."

Hideaki turned back to Kageyama and Hinata. "Anyway, next time, make sure you—" Kageyama was interrupted by Yachi.

"You did it! You did it! You did it!" She cheered for the two, jumping up and down on the spot. "Nice kill, Hinata, Kageyama!" Yachi announced as she turned to Hideaki.

"Did you see that Izuki-san? Did you!" She beamed as Hideaki smiled.

"I sure did, Yachi." Hideaki replied, amused by her energetic yelling. He looked towards Kageyama and Hinata, only to jump back when the two held their fists out towards him and Yachi. Yachi smiled at the two. Hideaki chuckled before smiling back.

"It only took them three weeks to be on good terms with one another again." Hideaki thought. Hinata smiled down at his hand.

"One more time!" He announced. Hideaki heard Tanaka groan.

"I'm so jealous! Let me look cool, too!" He whined.

"We can't let them beat us." Daichi added as Asahi smiled as well.

"Let's keep up!" He encouraged.

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't get cocky, you guys! Hey, hey, hey!"

"All right!"

They get back into playing again, as Hideaki crouched down and saved the incoming ball. "Nice receive!" Daichi praised as Hideaki watched Kageyama set the ball, however it was short and Hinata missed it.

"All right!" Fukurōdani cheered.

"Kageyama, shake it off!" Hinata smiled but even Hideaki jumped back when Kageyama leaned over Hinata's form with Hinata holding Kageyama's wrists to stop him from tumbling forward onto Hinata.

"Damn it! That pisses me off!" Kageyama exclaimed.

"Why's that? There's nothing else I can say in this case!" Hinata whined as Kageyama growled a little.

Hideaki sweat dropped at the duo. "Well, it's not something that will go all that perfectly in the first place." He spoke to them as Daichi came to his side.

"And in times like that..." He grins as Tanaka spoke up.

"It's time for the upperclassman!" He smirked.

Hideaki looked over at the scoreboard in curiosity.

Karasuno

10

Fukurōdani

12

They go on with the game, as the player from the opposing team spikes the ball as Hinata one touched it. Kageyama ran over and receives the ball, however that just meant he couldn't set to anyone.

"Got it!" Nishinoya assured as Hideaki watched him run over.

Nishinoya looked at the line and jumped in time to toss the ball, Hideaki was quickly there to spike it past the two blockers, however it was an out, making him sigh.

"Sorry, my toss was a but low. Damn it!" Nishinoya apologized. Hideaki went over to reassure his friend.

"It was great! I think that was more a mistake I made there." Hideaki reassured him as Nishinoya snapped his head up to the ace.

"If it's not good, you gotta say it's not good, Hideaki!"

"Well, forgive me for trying to make you feel better."

The two of them lightly bickered, well, Nishinoya was the one who was bickering and Hideaki mostly sighed.

"That's it! Keep it up!" Ukai called out, as Daichi nodded in agreement. They continue the match, with the ball now up.

"Got it!"

"Left! Left!"

They had played a bit longer with the opposing team now at 15 points with Karasuno at 12. The ball went up, as Hideaki kept his eyes on it.

"Now!" Daichi shouted.

Hideaki and Tsukishima nodded as Daichi, Tsukishima, Hideaki, and Tanaka all run forward to try their synchronize attack.

They all jump up as Kageyama sends the ball to Tanaka, making him grin as he let out a yell and spiked the ball, getting Karasuno a point. Everyone was a little stunned.

"All right!" Tanaka cheered. 

"Kageyama, nice toss!" Daichi praised.

"Thank you!" Kageyama replied back.

It was Hideaki's turn to serve, as he did his jump serve. Karasuno gained a point when the ball bounces off a players arm from the opposing team.

The game goes on as Hideaki kept his eyes on the ball, Akaashi sets it up, as Bokuto slammed the volleyball down, but Tsukishima and Daichi stopped him.

Or at least, Tsukishima one touched the ball. Kageyama saved it and sends it back up, with Nishinoya doing his toss, and Daichi spiking it, getting a point for Karasuno.

TWEEEET!

"All right!"

It was a timeout as each team had 18 points. "Yes, yes, yes! We're actually neck in neck with Fukurōdani at the end of the game." Tanaka stated with a smile.

"Yeah!" Nishinoya responded in happiness.

"That doesn't mean you should get too confident. The real battle begins now." Ukai informed as everyone nodded.

"Right!"

"It's true that you shouldn't let your guard down. But it's also true that the cogs that all of you have created are starting to mesh with one another." Takeda spoke, stepping forward. "In the course of fighting out this set, please work on honing them even further!" He announced as everyone nodded at his words.

"Right!"

"Also, just as planned, you haven't been letting their ace spike too freely. Though there was that one cut shot. But that was because Tsukishima was able to put in that one-touch." Ukai informed, making the blonde nod.

"Oh, right."

"If we can keep Number 4 under control victory is in sight. Let's finish this!"

"Right!"

They all get back onto the court, Hideaki watched as the ball gets spiked and Fukurōdani gets their point as Nishinoya accidentally hit the ball out.

Karasuno

18

Fukurōdani

19

"Damn it! I'm sorry! It was our chance to turn things around."

"Don't worry about it!"

"Noya, nice fighting!"

Hideaki watched as it was Bokuto's turn serving, as he looked a little grumpy. "All right, I'll leave them in the shadows with my serve!" He had yelled, making Hideaki smirk, as he could tell he was getting annoyed by them.

"Bokuto, nice serve!"

Hideaki looked at Akaashi who sighed at his captain

"Bokuto-san, stay calm."

"I am calm!"

Hideaki almost choked on his laughter at Bokuto snapping. "Reminds me of that one time back in junior high Tōru served a volleyball to Hajime's head and was asking him to calm down. Hajime replied back saying that he was calm, when he really wasn't. I had to interfere before Hajime strangled him. Good times." He thought. The whistle blew as Bokuto gets ready to do a jump serve.

"All right! Here I go!"

Hideaki watched him hit the ball, however he almost hit the back of Konoha's head which the player shrieked in surprise as Karasuno gained a point.

"Damn it! I'm sorry!" Bokuto whined as Hideaki saw Konoha still shaking at almost getting hit by a powerful serve.

"Calm down."

"Don't worry about it."

Hideaki held in the chuckles as he was shaking. "Is it bad that I'm finding Bokuto getting all out of control funny? Damn you, Tōru, Hajime! This is your fault!" He thought.

Soon it was Tanaka's turn to serve in which the second-head serves the ball, however he accidentally aimed it for the corner.

"You jerk!" Bokuto grumbled as he dived down and saved the ball in time. Tanaka seemed relieved as he jogged closer in the court.

"Give it to me! I'll finish this in one hit!" Bokuto yelled, as Hideaki watched Akaashi get ready to toss, he was wondering who he will set the ball too.

"Bokuto-san!" Akaashi announced, sending the ball up as the third-year jumped up and spiked down the ball.

However, Hinata, Daichi and Hideaki block him, as the ball goes back to Fukurōdani. "Got it!" The libero assured as he saved the ball.

"One more time, Akaashi!" Bokuto yelled out, as Hideaki could see the setter was getting troubled.

"Here."

"All right!"

Bokuto charged in again, as he jumped to slam down the volleyball. Hideaki, Daichi, and Hinata block the attack and Karasuno gained a point. Hideaki saw Akaashi tense a little at this, making the hawk-eyed male blink in confusion.

"All right!" Karasuno cheered, as they were getting close to winning the set.

Hideaki looked over to the opposing team and saw how Bokuto was panting heavily, while his teammates looked at him in tense.

"Uh... should I be worried?" Hideaki wondered.

"Akaashi..." Hideaki heard Bokuto mumble, making him gulp. Hideaki watched as Bokuto raises his hand.

"Don't toss to me anymore for today!"

Hideaki blinked a little in surprise before he deadpanned at Bokuto. "Huh?" He mumbled to himself in confusion, he also saw his own teammates confused.

"What the..." Daichi commented.

Hideaki looked back at Akaashi who had a blank stare. "All right." Akaashi agreed, as Hideaki saw Bokuto be taken aback a little.

"Then, while I'm not tossing to you, please calm yourself down." Akaashi scolded as he jogged to get back in position.

Hideaki almost laughed at the blank look on Bokuto's face.

He looked back to see his teammates all determined to win the match.

"I believe in all of you... let's win this practice set!"

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