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

edited on july 9th, 2021 @ 8:00pm

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CHAPTER TWELVE - GREED

"GATHER 'ROUND!" Daichi shouted as Karasuno ran towards their two coaches. They were about to play a game with Nekoma, so all of them had determined looks.

"Our first game today is with Nekoma. How did we do yesterday?" Ukai asked before he asked Kiyoko for some of her notes from yesterday's games.

Kiyoko gets her notebook before flipping through the pages. "This will be our third set overall with Nekoma. Yesterday, we had two sets against them and lost both, 17-25 and 19-25." She informed.

"Well, that just means we haven't won a set off of them yet. But if we calm down and give it all we've got; we should be able to give them a good challenge." Ukai smiled as Takashi noticed him glancing over at Nekoma who were surrounding their own coach as well as Matsuda.

"Hinata and Kageyama, this is your first Nekoma set in a while, isn't it? You guys go beat them up a bit!" Ukai encouraged.

"Right!" Tobio and Hinata shouted in unison.

TWEEEEET!

Karasuno turned around as they headed off onto the court to play. "Nice serve, Fukunaga!" Yaku's voice broke Takashi out of his thoughts as he looked towards the opposing team.

However, his eyes were more fixed on Lev who was smirking at Hinata. Takashi looked over at the orange haired male who wasn't smirking back but instead just narrowed his eyes at the tall male on the other side of the court.

"Come on! Bring it!" Hinata exclaimed once everyone was ready to begin. Karasuno faced down their destined rivals with them giving them the same determination back.

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The ball was up in the air as Nishinoya dived down to receive it. "Nice receive!" Tanaka called out, as the ball made it's way towards Tobio who sets to Hinata and the duo do their famous quick attack, making Karasuno score a point.

"All right!"

"Damn it, that's amazing!" Takashi heard Lev announce, amazed by the attack.

"Shake it off, Lev! That was close!" Yamamoto yelled to him.

"Yes sir!" Lev replied as Takashi narrowed his eyes as the volleyball was served once more. The volleyball goes back and forth from both teams, as Daichi crouched down and saved it.

"Nice receive, Daichi!" Tanaka praised. Takashi noticed Hinata run forward and jump up.

Tobio and Hinata do their attack once more, except this time, Lev was able to read the attack as he used his height to successfully block the ball. Nekoma gains a point when the ball lands on Karasuno's side.

"All right!"

"He actually did it!"

Takashi glanced back to Hinata who had his back faced to him, so he couldn't tell what expression he had. Lev was walking by to get his original position, but he stopped to stare at the orange haired male, at first nothing happened between the two, until Takashi saw him lift his arm up and did a motion for Hinata to come at him.

Tobio walked over to say something to Hinata, but Takashi was too far to hear what he was saying. But he did see Hinata had a calm but eerie look on his face. Takashi looked away to see that Kenma was serving.

"Nice serve!"

The ball goes to Karasuno's side. "Ryu!"  Nishinoya shouted.

"I got it!" Tanaka reassured as he saved the ball and sent it towards Tobio, who sets to Asahi as Hinata was used as a decoy.

At first, Takashi figured they lured Lev to think that the ball was going to Hinata, but they were wrong as instead he went over to block Asahi, in which he managed to one touch it.

"Chance ball!" Yaku announced as he received the ball back up into the air. The ball goes towards Kenma who tosses it to Lev as the gray haired male spiked it down.

Nishinoya had ran over to save it but he was too slow as Nekoma got the point.

"All right!" Nekoma cheered for their point.

TWEEEET!

Ukai had called for a timeout as Karasuno crowded around their coach. "Now, calm down. They started off guard against the fast attacks. For the time being, when we're up against Nekoma, let's have Azumane and Tanaka focus on attacking from the left." Ukai informed.

Asahi and Tanaka nodded in understanding.

"Got it!"

"All right!"

Takashi didn't hear Hinata say anything, which made him worry. He was off today and he didn't know the reason why. Sugawara and Ukai must've detected that he wasn't being himself either.

"Let's calm down and get that point." Yamaguchi spoke.

TWEEEET!

They all headed back onto the court once they heard the whistle and cooled down. Once everyone was back in position, the ball goes into the air.

"Cover! Cover!"

"Left!"

"Double block!"

"Got it!"

Yamamoto jumped up to spike the ball, in which Kageyama reacted and saved it. "It's up! Nice, Kageyama!" Tanaka yelled as well as the ball goes to Daichi.

"All right, let's get the last ball!" Daichi encouraged his team as he sent the ball into the air. "Sorry! It was a bit short!" He apologized.

"Asahi!"

"Last ball!"

"Yeah!"

Takashi observed as Asahi charged forward and had jumped up to slam the ball down. He thought that Karasuno would get a point, however, he saw Hinata had jumped up as well. Takashi was in shock as his eyes were completely fixed on the ball, he also didn't seem to notice Asahi.

"What is he doing?" Takashi thought as everyone watched as Asahi bumped Hinata in the air, in which he falls down from the collusion.

Hinata landed on his back as the ball came back down and landed on Karasuno's side of the court, no one really paid attention to the point as they all stared in shock at Hinata. Asahi of course, was the first one to panic.

"H-H-Hold—" He stuttered, shaking like a leaf, but paused when Hinata got up. He paled at Asahi, realizing what happened.

"I'm sorry!" Hinata apologized, then started to bow repeatedly for a second. "I was focused on the ball! I'm sorry! Are you all right? I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" Hinata continued to ask for forgiveness which made Asahi sweat drop at him.

"I'm perfectly fine..." He reassured him.

"I'm so sorry!" Hinata exclaimed.

Tanaka stared at Hinata with a concerned look. "Hey, be careful." He said, wanting Hinata to calm down.

"No matter what, Shoyo's the one that goes flying." Nishinoya added with a worry but slightly amused look.

"Why do you think we call things out, you blockhead?" Ukai exclaimed, pointing at Hinata who shrunk at the scolding while Takashi was rubbing his head.

"Right, I'm sorry." He apologized as Tobio went over.

"Moron! Hinata, you moron!" Both of the siblings hissed, making Hinata jump back in shock.

"Now, now, calm down, Kageyama."

"Yeah, you and Coach Takashi should ease a little."

"We'll calm down, when Hinata stops being a moron!"

"Yeah!"

Everyone sweat drops at the two fuming Kageyama siblings. "They're so much alike, it's scary..." They all thought.

"I'm almost certain Hinata was acting on instinct just then, but it looked like he was trying to steal the toss from the ace." Takashi noted, staring at Hinata. He then glanced at Asahi who was also sweating at their teammate.

Takashi kept his eyes on Hinata who walked over to Tobio. "Hey Kageyama..." He spoke, making Tobio look at him with curiosity.

"What?" Tobio replied bluntly.

"The quick attack goes like whoosh... I'll..." Hinata trailed off as he paused. Everyone else waited for him to finish his sentence.

"...stop closing my eyes."

Everyone gasped lightly as Takashi watched Tobio blink before giving Hinata an annoyed and dark look. "Huh?" He questioned, making Hinata jump back before regaining his posture.

"We can't keep doing this. It's no good to do a fast attack that you let me hit." Hinata spoke up as Tobio raised his eyebrows.

"You learned the normal fast attack because the other was something you couldn't manage, right?" Tobio asked, which made Hinata go quiet and not respond right away. "I don't know what's going on with you right now, but if you have something to say, I'll listen to it later." Tobio spoke as everyone could feel the tension between them.

"But if you're saying you're gonna do that right now, I have no intention of tossing the ball to someone who I know will miss."

Takashi watched as Hinata narrowed his gaze as he tightened his fists as he watches Tobio walk away from him. Everyone else also watched, unsure of what to do.

They decided to continue on with the game.

"Nice serve!"

The volleyball headed towards them as Tanaka stood behind Asahi. "Asahi!" He shouted to him, since the ball was coming towards him. He nodded and sends the ball up into the air.

"Sorry, cover!" Asahi announced as the ball was kept in play, the volleyball heads over to Tobio. Tanaka smacked the ball down that was sent to him as three blockers from Nekoma managed to one touch it.

"One touch! Chance ball!" Lev exclaimed. Takashi took note on the atmosphere around the team which was tense. After all, everyone was on edge ever since Hinata and Asahi collided and then having to deal with the tension between Tobio and Hinata.

The ball gets spiked down by Nekoma as Nishinoya dived down to receive it but it was too late as Nekoma won the match.

"All right!" They cheered.

Karasuno had to endure the penalty, which was to do flying laps. They all lined up, as Daichi was the first one to go.

"Let's go!" He shouted.

Takashi thought back to what Hinata had said to Tobio which made him anxious. "At this rate, Hinata's continued greed to improve, will bring down the team." He thinks to himself as he looked at the orange haired male who tried to do a flying lap, but hit his chin as Nishinoya chuckled in amusement, but Hinata just smiled up at Nishinoya.

Takeda had soon gestured them to come closer to him, in which they rushed over. He gave them all a closed eyed smile. "You guys are the weakest of the teams that are here right now, right?" He asked bluntly, which made everyone stare in a dark and defeated look.

"If we were to have an official match with any of these teams, they would be difficult opponents. Do you see them as just an enemy, or do you see them as masters to absorb new techniques from? The fact that you are weak means there is potential for growth. Nothing can be more fun than that." Takeda stated, giving them another close eyed smile.

They were all taken aback by their teacher, as Daichi was the first to speak. "Thank you!" He said, bowing.

"Thank you!" The rest of the team repeated.

As they were on break, Takashi watched as Sugawara gestured for Hinata and Tobio to follow him outside. Takashi raised an eyebrow, curious to what he has to say so he followed them. He reached the gym doors and did his best to listen in.

"It wouldn't hurt to at least try. I mean, he was able to do a normal quick on the fly in the last Nekoma match." Sugawara spoke. Takashi guessed that he was looking at Tobio.

"At the time, there was a possibility the normal quick would work, and I thought that was the only chance we had." Tobio said in a calm but blunt tone, making Takashi hold back a sigh.

"Before I knew it, we lost the last set with Seijoh." Hinata spoke up, making Takashi tense a little. He heard a small gasp behind him, which made the black haired male almost yelp, only for him to relax when it was only Ukai who was also listening in.

"By the time I noticed what was going on, the ball was on the floor behind me."

Takashi frowned at the memory of Karasuno losing to Aoba Johsai. It was a rough day for everyone.

"I was the one that lost, so I don't want you to apologize to me, Kageyama. I want to fight for myself in the air, down to the very last moment!" Hinata declared, staring at him.

Tobio was silent for a bit. "With the Seijoh match, I understood, just a little bit, how the setter draws out 100% of the spikers." He said.

"That quick attack is your ultimate weapon. Even the smallest error in the timing of that quick attack becomes a fatal mistake. Your opinion is not necessary for that fast attack." Takashi continued. Takashi had to admit. He made a valid point.

Takashi heard Tobio walk off. He comes to the door and saw Ukai and Takashi, he didn't seem surprised. However, he just gave them a nod and walked inside the gym.

"Sorry, Hinata. This time, I've got to agree with Kageyama. I think he's exactly right." Sugawara spoke up. Takashi heard Hinata slightly gasp at his statement. "That fast attack is amazing enough already. Perfecting the other attacks with that at the core is probably what's best for us."

Ukai and Takashi sighed as the two of them walked out to see Hinata and Sugawara. "Yeah, I agree with Sugawara." Ukai spoke.

"Same here." Takashi added, making the two jump when they saw them.

"Coach Ukai? Coach Takashi?" Sugawara questioned.

"You say you want to fight with your own will, but the deviant fast attack depends on a split-second decision." Ukai spoke as him and Takashi walked over.

"I honestly think it's pretty hard trying to figure out what to do in that split-second mid air." Takashi spoke up as Hinata glanced at him and frowned.

"But when I'm doing well, I can see it in slow motion, just like Tanaka said." Hinata argued.

"Well, there are times where blocks are more visible." Ukai stated as he glanced over to Sugawara who nodded in agreement.

"In the practice match against Aoba Johsai... The last point... The Grand King... I could see Oikawa's face. I could see his eyes." Hinata said.

"Oh, you felt like you could?" Ukai asked with some sweat rolling down.

"The first time I nailed that fast attack in the 3-on-3, I could see the other side too. I saw the scenery from the summit." Hinata stated.

"So, you mean you felt like that's what you saw, right?" Ukai questioned as Hinata looked up, Ukai, Sugawara, and Takashi slightly flinched back at the seriousness in Hinata's eyes as he stared at Ukai.

"His eyes... They remind me of Ten's... I still get that same damn feeling. Power and determination from them." Takashi thinks to himself.

"Oh, there you are. We're starting." Daichi's voice spoke, making Ukai yelp as Daichi was looking for Hinata.

"Oh, we'll be right there." Hinata said as he came jogging over. Sugawara followed as they headed inside for their match against Fukurōdani.

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After that, everyone was doing some warmups as they got ready to face off against Fukurōdani Academy.

"Narita."

"Yes?"

"Switch out with Hinata next."

Everyone stared in surprise at this, Hinata was the most shocked as they all looked back at Ukai. "Uh, y-yes, sir!" Narita replied, also confused but didn't argue against him.

Ukai noticed the defeated look on Hinata's face and went over to explain why he was switching him out.

"Despite what you think you want to accomplish; you need to chill out today." Ukai informed as Takashi sighed at him.

"He makes a good point. Hinata isn't himself today. It could cause problems." Takashi thought.

"I can't possibly think that trying anything out in the current conditions will succeed. And I can't risk anyone getting hurt with collisions during play like either."

At Ukai's words, Hinata grew silent as he looked down in sadness, but he didn't oppose the fact that he was switched out.

TWEEEET!

The game began as everyone kept an eye on the volleyball as it went to both sides before Takashi saw Bokuto jump up to spike the ball as Narita and Daichi tried to block him, but Bokuto got by as he grinned brightly.

"All right!" Bokuto cheered.

"Don't sweat it, shake it off!"

"One more!"

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Since it was the last day, with the Tokyo away games, they ended early so that they could go home. Takashi was talking with Matsuda. "It seems Karasuno has improved since I last saw them." Matsuda commented.

Takashi hummed in agreement. "Yeah. They took their lost against Aoba Johsai pretty hard. I suppose it was their wake-up call." He said.

"I can see where Tobio gets his anger issues from."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?!"

Matsuda laughed. "You both yelled at Hinata at the same time." He said.

"It was on instinct. God knows how many times I yelled at Ten for being an idiot. I lost count."

"By the way, don't you live in Tokyo? You going back to Miyagi with them?"

"Yeah. I know it's a waste of a trip, but I figured why not." Takashi replied. "Anyhow, about what I asked."

"Yeah. I'll teach your team's libero the toss."

"Thanks, Ren."

"Oi, Nii-san we're leaving." Tobio called out to him as he nodded.

"Yeah, I'm coming." Takashi replied as he waved to Matsuda who was standing with Kuroo and Kenma as well as other teams that came to see Karasuno off.

Soon, Takashi took his seat which was behind Hinata. He noticed that Tobio didn't sit next to Hinata like he usually did.

He really hoped the tension between the two wouldn't last long.

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Takashi had slept the entire ride back to Miyagi, when they had arrived back to the school to drop off the shuttle bus, Takeda turned to them with a closed eyed smile.

"All right, everyone, good work." Takeda spoke as they all bowed.

"Thank you!"

"So, as I mentioned, tomorrow there will be inspections in the gym, so there will be no club activities. You haven't had any time to rest lately, so take it easy and get some rest." Takeda told them, his smile not leaving his face as everyone nodded.

Everyone headed over to the clubroom to put away some things they had brought along with them for the Tokyo games. Takashi was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to go home and sleep.

Takashi walked out of the clubroom. "Are you heading off, Kageyama-san?" Yachi asked, walking over to him.

"Yeah. Do you want me to walk you home first?" Takashi offered as the blonde haired girl turned red.

"U-Uh, no n-need!" She reassured him.

"You sure? I don't mind." Takashi said, not wanting her to walk home in the dark alone.

"I'll be fine." Yachi said.

Takashi shrugged. "All right." He stated before walking off.

Takashi was walking with Tanaka. "I seriously can't believe you called Saeko to pick them up." He snickered.

"I'm just glad they made it to the training camp in one piece." Tanaka sighed.

"You and me both. She says she's a great driver but that woman drives like a maniac."

"Someone! Senpai!"

Takashi and Tanaka both stopped when they heard the voice of the team's first-year manager.

"Yachi, what's wrong?" Takashi asked.

"Hinata and Kageyama are fighting!"

Takashi and Tanaka looked at each other as they took off, following Yachi to the gym where they found Hinata and Kageyama arguing.

"Hey!" Tanaka shouted, getting their attention.

"Stop it, you two!"

Tanaka grabbed Hinata while Takashi grabbed his brother, successfully separating the duo.

They had calmed somewhat down. "Honestly..." Takashi began as everyone flinched at his cold tone. Even Tanaka was shivering with nerves.

Takashi gave Hinata and Kageyama his best cold stare. "...the both of you are pissing me off! I thought the two of you could work things out, but I was wrong. We are a team. I won't lie, when I first saw you two work together, you surprised me in a good way. But now? Now, I'm just disappointed." He ranted as everyone stayed silent, not used to Takashi being like this.

"Your pointless fights are not affecting just you. It's affecting the team as a whole. I accepted Keishin's offer to help coach this team because I want Karasuno's former glory to be restored like how it was when I played. But that won't happen if you're at each other's throats constantly." Takashi finished as he breathed heavily.

"I'm done. I'm heading home. Clean this place up once you're finished." Takashi stated before walking out of the gymnasium.

As he was walking to the train station, he thought back to when him and Tenma were in the same boat. He still remembered what he said to him that day.

"I'm a setter! My role is to support a strong player, not be the strong player! As long as you have me on the court, you're invincible!"

Takashi sighed at the memory. "Those two... are really us in a different time. I'm not sure whether or not I should be worried or not." He thought.

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

Word Count: 3568 words.