A/N: Hello, readers! Can you guys believe we're already halfway through season two? Enjoy the chapter!

edited on september 5th, 2021 @ 5:45am

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CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO - PLACE TO PLAY

"EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE MORE nervous than usual." Nagata commented, looking down on the court as his gaze turned over to the third-years. "Especially the third-years."

"I don't blame them." Takashi hummed. "After their lost against Seijoh, they decided to come back for a shot to go to nationals."

"Screw Aoba Johsai!" Uyeda screeched out. "They were weak back in our day and now they're strong because of some pretty boy setter?! Karasuno better take revenge and kick their ass!"

Nagata karate chopped his head. "Shut up, you idiot! You're too loud!" He scolded.

Takashi sighed to himself, feeling a headache coming on already.

TWEEEET!

Karasuno lined up by their number, staring at Johzenji High as the whistle blew.

TWEEEET!

"Let's play!"

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Takashi could hear the Johzenji chant as the game was about to start as Asahi was the first to serve.

"Asahi-san, nice serve!"

Takashi glanced towards the referee who blows the whistle making Asahi do his jump serve, the ball reached the other players as it goes into the air. Takashi saw Terushima race after the ball.

"Chance ball!" Tobio shouted. Takashi widened his eyes when he saw Terushima had jumped up and managed to spike the ball from all the way back of his side of the court, making Johzenji get a point while Karasuno was shocked at the sudden action.

The crowd cheered as Takashi blinked. "A strong hit from the end line? On top of that, it was right after a quick spin." He mumbled as Kobayashi hummed in agreement.

"Normally, you'd return it with an underhand pass." Kobayashi added. "The last time I've seen an attack like that was when Nagata-senpai did it during nationals."

Johzenji serves the ball as it comes over to Karasuno's side. "Got it!" Asahi said as he receives the volleyball.

"Left!" Tanaka announced, making Tobio toss the volleyball over to him.

Tanaka had jumped up and smacked down the ball as a guy from the opposing team managed to save it, but the ball hits the net, making Takashi think Karasuno was going to get a point, but to his surprise the guy who tried to block him used his foot to save the volleyball from touching the ground and the ball goes into the air.

No one from Karasuno had time to block as a spiker from Johzenji slams it down and gets a point. Takashi scowled a little as the crowd chants Johzenji's cheer.

"One more!"

The ball gets served from Johzenji. However, the volleyball hits the net and lands on the ground, making Karasuno get a point.

Soon Tsukishima was up to serve. "Tsukishima, nice serve!" Daichi encouraged, as Tsukishima sends the ball into the air. A guy from the opposing team saves it as a spiker jumped up and smacked down the ball, getting Johzenji another point.

Johzenji's #3 serves, as the ball goes over the net, dropping over to Karasuno's side. "We're lucky! It's a net ball!" Terushima said.

"Damn it!" Tanaka said as he dived down to save the ball.

"Nice reaction!"

"But I don't know if they'll be able to connect."

Takashi looked over and gasped when he saw that Hinata had jumped after the ball, connecting it back to them, however, he panicked a little when he saw that Hinata may hit the wall.

"Hinata, look out!" He called out but he saw that Hinata managed to place his foot onto the wall and bounce off like it was nothing.

Takashi watched as Nishinoya dived down as well, and saves the ball in time, sliding across the court as the ball goes back up. It went over the net as he saw that Karasuno gained a point when Johzenji didn't reach the ball in time.

Takashi watched as Tanaka, Nishinoya, and Hinata high fived each other.

"Yeah!"

"Man, Karasuno's libero is insane!" Kobayashi exclaimed. "You were right, Nagata-senpai. With this team, Karasuno will get their glory back!"

"Damn straight." Nagata smirked.

Soon it was Tobio's turn to serve. "Go! Killer serve!" Hinata exclaimed as Tobio did his usual jump serve. The ball gets saved as Takashi watched as the guy from Johzenji did a one hand set as the spiker slammed down the ball, Kageyama managed to save it, meaning he couldn't set.

The ball went back to the opposing team as it got slammed down once more, but Daichi was there to receive it. "Daichi-san, nice receive!" Tanaka praised. Takashi watched Hinata quickly run to the net and him and Tobio do their quick attack.

"Huh?!" Kobayashi and Uyeda said in unison while Takashi and Nagata smirked.

"So that's the insane quick Nagata-senpai was telling me about! It's so cool to see it in person!" Kobayashi exclaimed while Uyeda shivered in fear.

"Sure it's awesome, but nothing is as scary as Kageyama-san's Emperor toss..." Uyeda mumbled.

"Oi, Uyeda! That was years ago! You're still on my ass for that?!"

"I had a broken wrist for three weeks because of it, senpai!"

Karasuno got the point as Takashi saw how Terushima looked at the duo with an impressed look. Takashi chuckled a bit when Kageyama accidently high fived Hinata's hands too hard, as he saw how Hinata's hand was twitching.

"It's hard to predict the opponent's movements, but it's not like the ball is going to disappear. Let's calm down and go at them." Daichi spoke as everyone nodded.

"Yeah!" Hinata beamed at their captain, as Takashi saw how Terushima had his eyes narrowed a little at Daichi, as if he was in deep thought.

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"#10! #10!"

Tobio sets the ball, however Hinata turned out to be a decoy as Asahi was the one to slam it down, successfully getting Karasuno a point. "All right!" They cheered as Takashi smiled a little.

They continued on with the game, as the ball goes back and forth between both teams, as Takashi saw how two players from Johzenji accidently crashed into each other when they tried to save the ball.

Takashi chuckled a bit as the ball goes back into the air. "Tanaka-san!" Tobio called out as Tanaka jumped up and Tobio sets the volleyball to him. Tanaka slammed it down, making the Johzenji player to save the ball almost fall over.

Tanaka joins Tsukishima in blocking as Takashi widened his eyes in confusion when he saw the setter run to the back row as another guy from Johzenji had set instead and the setter spikes it down and gains a point.

Tanaka got irked at this as he growled and glared at the spot the ball had touched.

"What?"

Takashi looked at the scoreboard to see that each team had 17 points.

"In a match... In order to fully enjoy a match, you need strength." Nagata spoke up as Takashi, Kobayashi, and Uyeda turned to look at him. "That's what Coach Ukai always told us, right?"

Takashi watched Terushima slam down the volleyball and got a point.

"I didn't really get what he meant back then, but watching Johzenji play, I think I finally understand." Nagata finished.

Takashi saw how the setter from Johzenji crashed into the net, making him deadpan a little but Karasuno gained a point from him touching the net. The ball gets served once more as Takashi saw how Hinata slammed down the ball when Tobio tossed to him, Karasuno didn't get a point as the ball went to their side after a blocker touched the volleyball.

Tobio and Hinata suddenly do their quick attack and get a point, making Karasuno cheer.

"All right!"

Takashi glanced at the scoreboard once more.

Karasuno

19

Johzenji

17

"They're not doing that bad. They just need a few more points and they'll take the first set." Takashi thought as he focused back on the game. Tobio sets to Asahi who slammed down the volleyball, but the libero receives it as Tobio got ready to block the ball.

Tobio jumped up until a loud smack was heard followed by the volleyball going back to Johzenji's side and land on the ground, getting a point for Karasuno.

"Oh! That was a nice block!" Kobayashi exclaimed.

"T-That wasn't a block..." Uyeda stuttered as he dead panned as Kobayashi raised an eyebrow.

The volleyball had slammed into Tobio's face, as he had a nosebleed with a red mark on his face.

"That was his face..." Uyeda finished.

"Time out!"

TWEEEEET!

They all look at Tobio who continued to have a nosebleed as some of his teammates stared in shock. "Kageyama, don't die!" Hinata begged, as Tanaka glanced at Hinata.

"Don't kill him off." He said.

"Hey, until you stop bleeding, we're subbing you out."

"My nose isn't bleeding!"

"It is. Why would you lie about that?"

Takashi watched as Kiyoko gave some tissues to Tobio so he could wipe away the blood. "How are your eyes?" Kiyoko asked.

"They're fine." Tobio responded, holding the tissues to his face.

"Do you think their excitement caused him to lean forward?" Takeda asked Ukai.

"Well, this is a good opportunity to cool your head. You won't be able to go back out there until you stop bleeding anyway, so go get yourself looked over." Keishin told Tobio who didn't look too pleased about that, as Yamaguchi gently gestured for Tobio to follow him.

"Come on, let's go."

"Hey, Kageyama!"

Takashi looked over to Hinata as did Tobio. "I'll handle things while you're gone." Hinata promised as Sugawara then walked over.

"Yup. Leave everything to your senpais." Sugawara grinned.

Takashi watched as Yamaguchi pushed his younger brother off the court. "Tch, that damn brother of mine. Does he know that he's supposed to block with his hands and not his face?" He muttered.

"I wonder where he gets it from." Nagata stated, making Takashi irk at his comment.

"That was uncalled for, Nagata!"

Tsukishima was bouncing the volleyball since it was his turn to serve.

"Tsukishima, nice serve!"

The game went on as Johzenji got a point from their spike.

TWEEEET!

Takashi blinked as he saw that Narita was switching in for Hinata. Everyone was confused but greeted Narita on the court.

Takashi saw how Sugawara sets to Narita who spiked down the ball and got Karasuno a point as his team crowded him. Nishinoya was happily shaking Narita by the shoulders.

"That's it! That's it!" Nishinoya praised.

They focused back on the game as Terushima was serving. Takashi watched when he spikes down the ball and got a service ace. Takashi sighed as he looked at Terushima who bounced around happily.

"Whoo! Service ace! Whoo!"

Takashi felt annoyed by him, as he felt his eyebrow twitch. "He acts like he just scored three points. It's really pissing me off..." He mumbled as Kobayashi and Uyeda sweat dropped. Daichi clapped to get his team's attention as everyone looked over at him.

"Don't get swept up in their excitement! We're gonna rush them and grab the first set!" Daichi announced.

Nagata looked over to see Tobio bowing to Keishin. "Oh? Tobio's back." He commented, getting the other three alumni's attention.

"It seems as though they're not switching him in yet." Uyeda added.

The game continues, the ball coming back to Karasuno's side.

"Nishinoya!"

"Got it!"

"Nice receive!"

Takashi watched as Sugawara sets to Narita who slams the ball down and gets Karasuno a point. "Nice kill!" Sugawara praised as him and Narita high five. Takashi chuckled as he turned to the scoreboard.

Karasuno

23

Johzenji

21

"Looks like they're taking the first set." Takashi noted as he smirked.

"Chance ball!" Narita announced as he sent the ball back up. "Got it!" Sugawara said as Asahi, Daichi, Tsukishima, and Tanaka all ran forward in unison, doing their synchronized attack.

The four of them jumped up as Sugawara tossed to Daichi who slams down the ball and got a point for Karasuno.

"All right!"

"They're at match point." Takashi thinks to himself. He looked over at Johzenji and raised an eyebrow when he saw them gather around and started talking to each other.

Takashi narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "Don't tell me they're planning on trying the synchronized attack." He thought.

"Narita, one more! Nice serve!"

The volleyball went over the net as Takashi saw Johzenji's libero save it, but to his surprise the opposing team were also doing a synchronize attack, they all jumped as Terushima had a big grin on his face.

"All right!"

Takashi watched as Terushima completely misses the volleyball and the ball hits the court, getting Karasuno a point and winning the first set.

"I was kinda expecting that..." Uyeda commented.

"Well, it's not something that can be done just by seeing it once. It took the boys practically a whole week in Tokyo to perfect it." Takashi explained.

"If Johzenji continues to make reckless plays without thinking clearly, Karasuno will take the match from them." Kobayashi added.

TWEEEET!

Karasuno walked off the court as Kiyoko started handing out water bottles and towels.

"This has been bothering me... Johzenji High School's banner..." Uyeda spoke up as Takashi, Kobayashi, and Nagata followed his gaze to Johzenji's banner.

Simplicity and Fortitude

"How do I put this? It doesn't really fit the team... does it?" Uyeda continued. "I'd say they're more 'wild and free.'"

"Actually a long time ago, or rather, up until recently, simplicity and fortitude described Johzenji's team accurately." Nagata commented with Takashi humming in agreement.

TWEEEEET!

It was the beginning of the second set as Karasuno headed back onto the court.

"Hinata, Kageyama, stay calm." Sugawara called out as Takashi sweat dropped when he saw how Hinata and Tobio were yelling to get themselves fired up.

"Shut up, jeez." Tanaka scolded the two. Takashi saw how Terushima was talking to Hinata but he couldn't make out what it was.

Soon enough, the game of the second set started.

"Nishinoya!"

"Got it!"

The ball gets sent into the air as Takashi watched Hinata and Tobio do their freak attack, however Takashi was taken aback when Hinata missed the ball completely.

"I warned you guys!" Sugawara told them. However, Daichi came to the rescue as he doved in and saved the ball on time.

"Daichi-san, nice job covering their asses!"

"Don't say it like that!"

Takashi looked back to see Terushima about to spike the ball, he does so as Daichi once again saves it, making him sigh in relief. Not long after, Hinata and Tobio do their quick attack once more, and this time actually getting it done correctly, making the first point of the second set go to Karasuno.

"All right!"

"All right!"

"Nice one guys!"

Yamaguchi beams at their teammates. "We got it this time!" He exclaimed.

"You know, Daichi kinda reminds me of you, Nagata." Takashi spoke up.

"Huh?"

"You didn't have the insane power like Ten and I had, or insane blocks and receives like Kobayashi and Uyeda. But you created a solid foundation for us." Takashi smiled.

"Huh?! Are you saying I was weak, Kags?! I'll kick your ass, you bastard!"

"Ah! I was complimenting you, you stupid ginger!"

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The game continued as Takashi watched Tobio set to Tanaka who spiked it down powerfully. "All right!" Tanaka cheered. Takashi glanced over at the score.

Karasuno

13

Johzenji

09

Takashi focused back onto the game when the ball gets blocked by Hinata and Daichi as Terushima and his team hastily save the volleyball and send it back up.

"Get back!" Daichi shouted as they listened to him and step back, making Tanaka save the ball on time.

"Tanaka, nice!"

Takashi's eyes followed Hinata who runs forward as him and Tobio do their attack and gets Karasuno another point.

"All right!" Sugawara cheered.

"Counter!" Yamaguchi added.

Soon Hinata was serving, but he hits the net and got Johzenji a point instead. After that, it was Terushima serving as he did a jump serve.

"Out!"

Terushima yells in slight frustration at his serve as Karasuno got a point. Now, Daichi was serving.

"Daichi-san, nice serve!" Tanaka encouraged as Takashi looked over to Daichi to see him serving the volleyball. Takashi noticed that Johzenji was getting panicked as some players were getting distraught since they didn't know who was going to save the ball.

Takashi saw how Johzenji's setter had jumped up to the volleyball. "Is he going to do a dump?" He muttered out loud as the setter hits the ball, but it was an out for them, making Karasuno get the point.

"All right!"

TWEEEET!

Johzenji took a timeout, as Takashi couldn't blame them.

"Johzenji is definitely panicking." Uyeda stated as Kobayashi nodded in agreement.

"They try too hard to solve things by getting riled up and excited." The white-haired male added on. "Still, they made it to the semifinals for the Inter-High. So they must've done something right."

TWEEEET!

The game had continued with Karasuno at 17 points and Johzenji at 11. Takashi noticed that Johzenji seemed to have new and determined energy surrounding them as they walked back onto the court.

"Now that they're in the middle of the second set..." Takashi began to say as he smirked.

"It looks like they're finally starting the second round."

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

Word Count: 2911 words.