A/N: Hello, readers! Welcome to another chapter! Also, thank you for 2K votes on this book! You guys are amazing! Enjoy!

edited on october 3rd, 2021 @ 8:17am

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CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX - THE IRON WALL CAN BE REBUILT AGAIN AND AGAIN

"GO, GO, LET'S GO! Let's go Date Tech!"

"Go, go, let's go! Let's go Date Tech!"

Takashi could hear Date Tech doing their cheer as his eyes were glued on the game down below with Date Tech and Aoba Johsai, with the two schools on their second set with Aoba Johsai in the lead with 8 points and Date Tech with 6.

He watched as Oikawa sets the ball to Hanamaki who did a feint and got the point. However, not long after, Date Tech got the point back, but it was still a two-point difference between them and Aoba Johsai.

Takashi watched as Hanamaki did a jump serve, as a player from Date Tech receives it. He noticed Date Tech's Number 7 getting under the ball to set, making him raise an eyebrow in curiosity.

"It seems Date Tech has a new setter." Nagata pointed out as Takashi nodded.

"Yeah. I wonder what kind of toss he'll do—"

Takashi paused mid-sentence when he widened his eyes and choked on air. "Wh-What the hell was that?" He asked himself as the setter had tossed the ball way high up for anyone to reach.

Takashi sighed when he saw Futakuchi run forward and spikes the high toss, however Aoba Johsai blocked him and he had touched the net, so the point went to the opposing team.

He leans back into his chair, shocked but slightly amused by Date Tech's new setter as he watched Hanamaki serve the ball, it hits the net and the ball falls to the ground, making Date Tech get the lucky point.

"Date Tech's setter is a first-year, right? #7." Kobayashi asked.

"Yeah." Nagata was the one who replied.

Takashi watched as the ball gets served again as both teams tried to connect the volleyball. He saw how Koganegawa helped Aone block a spike from Iwaizumi. "He's big for a setter. Then again, so am I." Takashi commented as he looked at his appearance.

His hair was mostly blond, except for the middle of his fringe, which is black and styled up. His eyebrows were the same color as his fringe, implying that his hair was dyed blonde.

Takashi deadpanned when Koganegawa sets the ball too high for Aone in which the ball flies out of the court as Date Tech's coach catches it.

Takashi chuckled a little as he saw how Koganegawa was apologizing to Futakuchi who was trying his best to reassure him before looking over at the scoreboard.

Date Tech

08

Aoba Johsai

11

Takashi watched as Koganegawa performs a setter dump, but it was too obvious as Hanamaki saves the volleyball, as the ball goes towards Oikawa who sets to Iwaizumi, who spikes past the blockers.

The libero managed to receive it as another player tossed the ball to Futakuchi who spikes the ball, however Aoba Johsai's blockers got a one touch in. Takashi watched with curious eyes as Oikawa sends the ball to Hanamaki.

"Huh? Don't tell me Number 3 is going to toss? I thought wing spikers couldn't do that..."

Takashi turned out to be correct when Hanamaki sets to Oikawa who charged forward, however Futakuchi and Aone saw the spike coming and raced over to block, but there was an open spot beside Aone for Oikawa to spike the ball.

He was suddenly surprised when he saw Koganegawa rushing over to Aone's side and jumped into him, aiding the block, as Oikawa hits the ball but the volleyball slams back down towards the court and Date Tech gets the point.

Takashi snorted in amusement when Koganegawa's body collided into Aone's side in which Aone accidently collided into Futakuchi who falls over to the side. He chuckled once more as he crossed his arms.

The game went on as Aoba Johsai countered and got the point back. "Well, I guess that was to be expected." Takashi thinks to himself as Futakuchi seemed to be scolding the new setter, Koganegawa. The game between the two teams continued on as Takashi took a look at the score.

Date Tech

16

Aoba Johsai

18

Takashi heard the sounds of Aoba Johsai cheering as Oikawa did his jump serve. He sighed when Oikawa slammed down the ball and got a point. Oikawa serves the ball again, but this time, Futakuchi was ready as he dived down and saved it, however this gave Aoba Johsai a chance ball.

The ball gets smacked down again by Aoba Johsai, but Date Tech's libero was there to receive the incoming ball and get it high enough for Koganegawa to do what looked like a jump toss as Aone charged in and spiked the ball down, successfully getting a point.

Date Tech was now at 17 points with Aoba Johsai being at 19. "So fast! So high!" Hinata exclaimed as everyone watched with shock.

"Putting it right where the spiker will hit it..." Uyeda spoke up as Takashi hummed in thought.

"That was a combination play that was possible only because the peak of the setter's jump is really high." He informed his high school teammates.

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Date Tech

20

Aoba Johsai

23

Takashi watched as Oikawa did a setter dump, which resulted in Aoba Johsai to get the point. Takashi hummed and looked at the score. "So, it looks like Seijoh is at match point now." He informed, as he could tell the tension around everyone was visible. After all, if Aoba Johsai wins this match, they would be their next opponent.

Hanamaki does a jump serve, as the ball gets received by Date Tech. Takashi saw how Futakuchi calls a toss as his teammate does so and sends the ball his way making Futakuchi gain the point when he slams down the ball.

The ball gets served once more as it also gets saved. The ball goes from player to player as Oikawa then sets to Iwaizumi who spiked it, but the opposing team got a one touch, Koganegawa goes under the ball, as Takashi wonders who he'll set it too.

Takashi was surprised when he did a dump instead, but it was more of a slam than a dump, as Date Tech gets the point. Tanaka yelled beside Tobio in amazement.

"This time, he did a dump and smashed it!" Tanaka stated as Tobio nodded.

"Even if you had to read it, you couldn't pick that one up." Kobayashi stated as Takashi chuckled.

"Even I have to admit, that was a good move. Seems like he's learning." He commented.

The volleyball gets served once more, but Date Tech's libero received it as it was going back to Aoba Johsai's side. However, Koganegawa jumped up and saved the ball, as he sets it to Aone who slams it down, but Aoba Johsai's libero saves it.

Oikawa gets under the ball and tosses it towards Iwaizumi, who runs forward. Futakuchi, Aone and Koganegawa all jump up to block the spike that was incoming. However, Takashi was shocked to see Iwaizumi break through the iron wall and the ball touched the court.

The whole stadium was in silence as they stared in bewilderment. "He... He shot right between his arms!" Hinata exclaimed as the crowd cheered and Takashi sees Iwaizumi cheer for his point.

TWEEEET!

Takashi deadpanned as Iwaizumi was getting praised and his hair ruffled about by his teammates.

"He faced those three blockers head-on." Nagata commented.

"I hate to admit it, but that was awesome." Kobayashi stated.

Takashi chuckled. "Well, Iwaizumi is a fantastic ace. Not to mention he has Tōru at his side. So there's that." He added.

Both teams lined up and bowed to each other saying their thanks. "I guess we know... who we'll face next." Daichi spoke up. His team didn't reply, but instead stared at Aoba Johsai.

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"Are you sure they'll be okay?" Nagata asked as they were walking towards where Karasuno was practicing. "Their lost against Aoba Johsai during the Inter-High really shattered them."

Flashbacks ran through Takashi's mind as he watched Karasuno's defeat against Aoba Johsai during the Inter-High.

"I think we'll have nothing to worry about." Takashi replied as he entered the practice gym where everyone was on edge as he expected.

"Everyone, listen up!" Takashi's voice boomed throughout the practice gym, making everyone stop and turn to him.

"The hell you looking all nervous for? You haven't forgotten what I told you guys during the Inter-High, did you?" Takashi asked as his words rang through everyone's minds.

"You did your best out there, that's all that matters! You can't win every single game you have! Learn from your mistakes from this match and fix them! So that way, next time, you'll kick Seijoh's ass and get your revenge!"

"That time has come. The Karasuno that Seijoh faced in the Inter-High was the old Karasuno. You're stronger and more experienced. Now, wipe those sorrowful looks off your faces and go out there and take your revenge on them!" Takashi exclaimed.

"Right!"

Takashi smiled as he left the gym, walking back to the stadium with Nagata, Kobayashi, and Uyeda following him.

The four of them took their seats as they waited for the match to begin as Karasuno walked onto the court.

"This time..." Takashi thought as he narrowed his eyes. "This time, Karasuno won't lose!"

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A/N: And the rematch between Aoba Johsai and Karasuno begins! As much as I don't want to write it, it can't be avoided. Hope all of you got your tissue boxes ready. Thanks for reading!

Word Count: 1634 words.