A/N: Hello, readers! I just realized I should probably publish the prequel, lmao. Some of y'all probably don't know who these random OC's I keep mentioning are. But in case you don't, the OC's I mention/have mentioned are the people from Takashi's high school team.

Enjoy!

edited on august 19th, 2021 @ 8:01am

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CHAPTER TWENTY - A SIMPLE AND PURE STRENGTH

TAKASHI ALMOST FLINCHED WHEN HE saw Yamaguchi almost get a ball spiked to the head by the tall player from Kakugawa. Yachi also freaked out at the sight of him. Soon, the game began as both teams lined up and bowed to one another.

"Are you sure they'll be fine, Kageyama-san?" Sakai asked.

Takashi smirked. "They'll be fine, Sakai-chan. You have to give them some credit, you know? We may not have a player that's two meters tall, but that doesn't matter. They'll win no matter what." He said.

TWEEET!

"Tsukishima, nice serve!"

Tsukishima serves the ball as a player from Kakugawa received it. The ball goes to the setter as the setter tosses the ball to the tallest player.

"A daring, straight, head-to-head competition!"

"Hopefully the ace's first shot will set the mood." Ukai Sr spoke up.

Takashi watched as Tanaka runs over towards Hinata and Tobio as he got ready to block the attack with them.

The three of them jump up, however Takashi clicked his tongue in annoyance when he saw that the tall player was going to smack the ball over them. The ball touched the court, making Kakugawa gain the first point.

The game continues with the ball going up.

"Coming in from the left!"

"Hyakuzawa!"

The ball gets smacked down again by the tall player, Nishinoya shifted over and received the ball back into the air. "Sorry, cover!" Nishinoya announced. Tanaka ran over to the ball, watching it as he narrowed his eyes before looking over at Hinata.

"Hinata, get the last!" Tanaka encouraged before sending the ball over to Hinata.

Hinata jumps up, Takashi saw how he was going to do a feint, but sadly Hyakuzawa stopped the ball with ease, making the ball go back down on the court and the opposing team getting another point.

Hinata pouted before turning to Tanaka. "Sorry! The ball was a little low." He apologized as the second-year patted his shoulder.

"Don't worry about it."

Takashi looked around to see that more people have came to watch the match.

"There's even more people now. This guy on Kakugawa's team must be a big deal." Takashi thinks to himself, looking over to the opposing team and narrowed his eyes.

"Something wrong, senpai?"

"It's strange." Takashi began as Sakai raised an eyebrow. "Even though he's two meters tall, his stats are really low."

"Huh? Are you serious?!"

"Wow, he's big."

"Oh, Mikako-sensei."

"Oh? Hello, Onoya-san!"

"This is my neighbor. Mikako-sensei is the adviser for a junior high volleyball club." Onoya explained.

Mikako bowed to Ukai Sr who just nodded his head. "One of the players on the opposing team is really tall. Everyone on my team is so small, so I can't help but cheer for the smaller team." She said.

"No need to worry. That big guy's got nothing on Karasuno's #10. Right, Ukai-sensei?"

"It's true that he's got a disadvantage, like with height and speed. Once a simple and pure strength grows past a certain level, it becomes something that overwhelms an ordinary person. In head-to-head competition, at least." Ukai replied.

"Well, if Hinata is anything like how Ten was, one tall player won't faze him." Takashi stated. "Especially if he has Tobio as his partner."

"What the heck?"

Takashi looked over and saw Hinata staring at Tobio who was looking down at his hands. "Why are you moving your fingers like a pervy old man?" Hinata added.

"Hah?"

Hinata moves back, scared of the intense aura Tobio had, as Tobio went back to look at his hands.

Tanaka charged forward and jumped up, smacking down the ball but it got blocked. The volleyball goes up in the air.

"Up! Above the net." Tanaka called out.

"Push it in, Hinata!"

Takashi watched as Hinata jumps up to push the ball onto the opposing team's side, however the tall player won the pushing match and Kakugawa gained a point once more.

The person to serve the volleyball next was a guy from the opposing team, as they serve the ball. "Out!" Nishinoya announced as they watch the ball go out and Karasuno gained a point. Soon it was Tobio who was serving.

"Kageyama, nice serve!"

The referee blew the whistle and Tobio did his jump serve, the libero saves it but they fall back, another guy covers for his teammate as he sets the ball up to the tall player. Daichi, Hinata, and Tanaka jumped up to block, but it was no use as Hyakuzawa smacked down the ball and got a point.

TWEEEET!

Karasuno had called for a timeout, making them get off the court to gather around Keishin. Takashi had widened his eyes in realization.

"I see now. That makes so much more sense of why his stats were low."

"What makes more sense?"

"Kakugawa's #9 has just recently started playing volleyball. My guess is that he has been playing for at least six months." Takashi replied.

"Huh? And he can play volleyball like that?"

"He's like Lev from Nekoma. Minus the speed and senses." Takashi explained. "I only see low stats on players who just started playing volleyball. Well, except for Lev. His were incredibly high, but he's on Nekoma's team so it's expected."

Takashi turned to face Sakai. "My point is, he may have the height. But Karasuno has the strength and experience. There's no way Kakugawa is gonna win this. Volleyball isn't a one person sport. They'll learn that the hard way." He finished.

The whistle blew for the game to continue. Kakugawa having four points with Karasuno only having one.

"Left, left!"

Tobio tossed to Hinata. Hyakuzawa jumps up to block him, but Hinata did a feint instead, making Karasuno gain a point as Takashi sighed in relief, glad that they managed to get past the tall player.

Tanaka threw the ball up as the libero saves it, but just barely. Hyakuzawa jumps up to spike the toss his setter performed, but Nishinoya had his eye on the volleyball and saved it once more.

"All right!" Nishinoya cheered to himself.

Hinata raced to the end of the court, as Takashi made the realization that him and Tobio were going to try their new quick attack. Takashi smirked as he watched the quick attack happen and the shocked faces of the opposing team.

The crowd in the audience who also witnessed the attack were also shocked.

"He may be the tallest player in the prelims standing at 201 cm. But the one who'll be toying with him the most, might only be 162 cm tall." Takashi smirked in pride.

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Tobio and Hinata performed their new quick once again, getting Karasuno another point. Takashi turned his head to look at the scoreboard.

Kakugawa

14

Karasuno

15

"Are we at the top of our game?"

"Hell yeah!"

"Are we at the top of our game Kageyama-kun?!"

"Shut up, you guys."

Takashi sweat dropped at Nishinoya, Tanaka, Tobio, and Hinata as Daichi told them to be quiet. Hinata was serving the ball next as he took a big breath to relax.

"Hinata, relax!"

Soon Hinata serves the ball, as players run to receive it. The ball goes around to each team a few times as the tall player spiked down the ball, only for Hinata to save it by getting hit in the face.

"It's coming back! Hit it directly!"

"You're not the only one..." Takashi began as he smirked when he saw Tsukishima jump up to block the spike. "With a tall player on your side!"

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"#10! #10!"

Hinata and Tobio once again do their quick attack, getting Karasuno a point. "All right!" The two cheered.

Takashi looked back to see the score and saw that Karasuno was at match point.

Tobio serves the ball, as the libero saves it in time. He watched as Hyakuzawa spiked down the ball his team's setter tossed to him. Asahi managed to crouch down and receive it, but the ball bounced off his arm and the point goes to Kakugawa.

The ball goes back up in the air as Takashi watched Kageyama toss to Tanaka, who spikes it down powerfully, but a player from the opposing team saves it, making Takashi huff in annoyance.

The ball gets spiked once more from Kakugawa, but Nishinoya shifted down to his knees and saved the ball. The ball goes into the air as Tobio gets ready to set to Hinata, however it was a fast attack this time and Karasuno gets a point, winning the first set.

TWEEEET!

Karasuno eventually came off the court. Takashi looked over to find that Sakai was shaking. "Terrifying... they're terrifying. I'm getting flashbacks..." The brunette mumbled.

Takashi snickered. "I see you haven't changed that much, Sakai-chan. That's good." He said.

TWEEEET!

It was the start of the second set, the ball goes into play, as Asahi crouched down to receive it.

"Nice receive!" Tanaka complimented as Takashi watched Tobio sets to Hinata who smacks the volleyball down. The libero slightly saves it.

"Cover!" He called out.

Takashi then watched as Hyakuzawa slams down the ball once it came to him. Nishinoya tried to save it, but the ball just bounced off his arms.

"All right!" Kakugawa cheered for their point.

"Damn it!" Nishinoya cursed.

"Shake it off! They got a point, so we'll get two."

"Right!"

"That's why we increased the number of weapons for our arsenal!"

The ball goes back into the air Nishinoya sends it up to Tobio. "Nice receive!" He praised. Soon, Tsukishima, Asahi, Daichi, and Tanaka run forward in unison, doing their synchronizing attack.

After Tsukishima faked doing a spike, Tanaka made sure to slam the ball down powerfully and got Karasuno a point.

"All right!" Tanaka cheered.

The game continued, with each team not giving up. Takashi watched as Hyakuzawa slammed down the volleyball.

Tanaka shifted his feet as he received the ball. "Sorry, it went too high!" He apologized, wiping the sweat that was running down his forehead. Hyakuzawa reached the volleyball when it was close to the net and slammed it down, getting Kakugawa a point.

"All right!"

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Karasuno got a point when Tanaka slammed down the volleyball. "All right!" Karasuno cheered as Takashi sighed and glanced over at the score.

Karasuno

24

Kakugawa

19

"They're at match point..." Takashi thought with happiness.

"Tanaka, nice kill!" Sugawara praised from the sidelines. They had rotated with Daichi, Hinata, and Tanaka being at the front.

Tobio did his jump serve, the ball gets saved as it makes its way to the setter, who tosses to the tall player as he ran forward.

"Not yet! Hold it for a bit." Daichi told them.

"If a wall doesn't work... we'll use a plate!"

The three of them jumped as they made their hands flat, making them get a one touch. Asahi dived over and saved the ball.

"Asahi-san, nice!" Tanaka praised as he ran over and covered for him, sending the ball back up.

"Nice, Tanaka!" Asahi exclaimed, getting back up.

Takashi watched as Hinata jumped up, as three more blockers jumped up as well. Takashi smirked when Hinata managed to hit the ball at the tall player's fingertips, making the ball go up as it touched the court and Hinata crashed onto the floor.

TWEEEET!

Karasuno had won the match, making them cheer in excitement.

"All right!"

Asahi went over and held up Hinata, in which the orange-haired male smiled as Daichi, Tobio, Nishinoya, and Tanaka clapped for him.

"Good job, Hinata!"

"We made it through the prelims!"

"Nice going, Shoyo!"

They all headed to the court to line up.

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Takashi was walking next to Sakai. "Ah, those were really great matches! I wish I could come watch the qualifiers, but university and my job are really keeping me busy!" Sakai sighed in disappointment.

"It's no problem, Sakai-chan. I'm sure Uyeda will keep you updated on it."

"Huh? W-What do you mean?"

Takashi chuckled. "You two are dating right? It's about damn time. You two flirted constantly back in high school." He teased.

"S-Shut up, senpai!" Sakai punched his arm as Takashi yelped.

"Don't hit your elders!"

"You're only two years older than me, Kageyama-san!"

"Come on, just your number!"

Takashi and Sakai stopped talking and looked at one another before heading to the voices.

"Sorry... Sorry, I have people waiting for me."

Takashi saw that Kiyoko was cornered by two guys, making him narrow his eyes as he realized she looked uncomfortable. "It only takes a second to give me your number." The guy with blonde dyed hair, and wearing a red shirt said. Takashi glanced over to see Hinata who was shaking on the spot with nerves, so he decided to step up and help out Kiyoko.

"I'm sorry."

"Well, I'll just get it from your phone real quick."

"Hey."

The three turned to Takashi, who had an unamused expression. "She said no, so leave her alone." He said as he calmly walked over to get in between Kiyoko and the two guys.

"Hm? And who are you?" The guy wearing a green shirt and brown hair asked him. Takashi glanced at him, his stotic expression not leaving his face.

"You better not pay close attention to volleyball, kiddo." Takashi stated. "Anyways, I'm the guy who's gonna kick your ass if you don't leave Kiyoko alone."

"S-Senpai! You can't just threaten someone like that!" Sakai exclaimed.

"Will it go on my record if I punch this kid? Actually, it doesn't matter. I'm knocking the daylights out of him."

"K-Kageyama-san!"

The blonde haired guy looks at Sakai before smirking. "You know, you're pretty hot looking yourself. Can I get your number as well?" He asked.

Sakai had an intense aura around her. "I change my mind. Senpai, kick his ass."

"With pleasure."

"Whoa!"

Takashi jumped back when Hinata ran over and stood in front of him and Kiyoko, he still looked scared, but Takashi had to give him effort for trying to defend them.

"Sorry! That's my lunch box!" Hinata added as he started to push Kiyoko, Takashi, and Sakai away from the two guys.

"Let's go! Hurry!"

They didn't get very far when Hinata got pulled back by the guy with the dyed blonde hair. Takashi watched as Hinata literally got tossed aside like he was a ragdoll.

"Wait up!" The stranger called out. Takashi deadpanned at him, still standing protectively in front of Kiyoko and Sakai. "We were still talking."

"Hinata!" Kiyoko exclaimed, concerned for the first-year. Takashi held his hand out, signaling for her to stay behind him as the guy inched closer, still talking to them.

"Listen here, I'm seriously not afraid to put you in the hospital." Takashi threatened but the guy just laughed in amusement.

"You two got a smartphone? Or an older one?" The guy asked Sakai and Kiyoko.

Hinata ran over with such speed and jumped into the air, making the guy back away from them. "Excuse me!" Hinata shouted as he lands on his feet, standing in front of the two.

"Sh-Shimizu-senpai is our precious manager, so um, um..."

"Huh? So you guys beat the two-meter guy."

"Huh? Well, yeah..."

"Aw... And I was looking forward to playing against the two-meter guy."

"Play?"

Takashi then smirked. "You're a volleyball player." He concluded, he could also see the guy had a tongue and ear piercing.

"Matches are super fun, aren't they?" He smiled, challenging them.

"Um... Did you get through the prelims?"

"Prelims? We didn't play in the prelims."

"Huh? So you guys were in the Inter-High quarterfinals?"

"Ah, I think it was the semifinals."

Hinata was clearly taken aback by thus sudden information. "S-Semifinals?!" He yelped. Even Takashi had to admit that was impressive. He watched as the blonde-haired male ruffled Hinata's hair.

"See ya. If we manage to bump into each other at the qualifier, let's have some fun and play." The guy smiled as him and his friend walked off.

"Have some fun and play..." Hinata mumbled. "Ah. A-Apparently he doesn't need your number anymore."

"Good." Kiyoko sighed in relief. "Looks like you got his attention, Hinata."

"Sorry about that, and thank you. You as well, Kageyama-san."

Takashi smiled at her. "It's no problem, Kiyoko. Sakai-chan was actually in the same position back when she was the manager for Karasuno. The whole volleyball team threatened to punch the guy if he didn't leave her alone." He said.

Kiyoko chuckled a bit before turning to Hinata, handing him his lunch box. "Here you forgot this." She informed.

Hinata grew flustered and tried to hide the lunch box. "This lunch box wrap is cute." Kiyoko commented.

"Th-This is Natsu's... My little sister's. Not at all mine!" Hinata informed. Takashi came up, patting Hinata's shoulder.

"Come on, we don't want to keep the team waiting any longer." Takashi informed.

Meanwhile, the Johzenji team was walking by Karasuno, giving them smug looks.

Suddenly, Bobata, the guy who was with the blonde, snapped his fingers in realization. "That guy back there! I finally realized where I've seen him!" He exclaimed.

"Huh?"

"That was Kageyama Takashi. You know, that famous volleyball player on Japan's National Team?" Bobata told his friend.

"You two bumped into him?!"

"Oh?" The blonde smirked. "How interesting..."

Soon after they left, Kiyoko, Hinata, Takashi, and Sakai head off as they made their way to the front of the building. They see the rest of Karasuno waiting for them outside.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!" Hinata called out.

"You're late, dumbass!" Tobio hissed.

"Kiyoko-san, thank goodness you're safe!"

"Did you find anything left behind?"

"A cute lunch box wrap—"

"You don't have to tell them!"

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

Word Count: 3044 words.