A/N: Hello, readers! We're finally at nationals! Enjoy the chapter!

edited on may 9th, 2022 @ 5:11am

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CHAPTER FIFTY - EVERYONE'S NIGHT

"TEN, WHY ARE WE HERE AGAIN?"

Takashi was currently wearing a white hoodie with a dark blue wind breaker over it. He was at the shrine with Tenma as they were walking up the steps.

"Do you remember our first visit to the shrine?" Tenma asked, completely ignoring Takashi's question, making him huff in irritation.

"It was our third-year at Karasuno." Takashi answered. "We came before nationals started."

"What did you ask for that day?"

"I asked the gods to guide us in our matches." Takashi replied. "Not like it really mattered. We lost against Nekoma in the quarterfinals. But you still haven't answered my question."

"This was our tradition every time nationals came around." Tenma replied. "No way in stopping now, huh?"

Takashi stood in front of the shrine as he clapped his hands together and had his eyes closed.

"Please give Tobio and his team the guidance they need during nationals." Takashi thinks to himself. "I know it's asking for a lot, but I really want them to succeed."

Takashi steps away from the shrine and interlocked his hand with Tenma's.

"Hey, isn't that Coach Takashi?"

Daichi's sudden question brought attention to Sugawara, Asahi, and Kiyoko.

"Hmm? Yeah. Who's the guy he's with, though?" Asahi asked.

"Might be his husband." Sugawara responded. "We've never seen the guy, but that's the only person that comes across my mind."

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Karasuno was currently on the bus heading towards Tokyo. Hinata, Nishinoya, and Tanaka had their faces pressed onto the windows.

"That's the actual..."

"...Skytree!"

"It's huge!" Hinata exclaimed.

"Hey! We're going to be dropping off our luggage at the inn, then we're going to be lightly warming up at the gym that Nekomata-sensei arranged. Listen up, I'm sure you know this, but don't you dare cause a ruckus at the inn." Daichi told the chaotic trio, giving a deadly look.

"Right..."

"All right. We're almost there. Great job enduring the trip."

"Thanks!"

The bus came to a complete stop as everyone got off. "Seriously?" Tanaka questioned, looking up at a tall building. "This is the inn?! Holy crap!"

Ennoshita then pointed over towards where they were actually staying in.

"Sweet! We're totally gonna see a house ghost here!" Tanaka exclaimed, who had stars in his eyes, along with Hinata and Nishinoya.

"Let's go explore!"

"Yeah!"

Daichi gave him one of his looks, causing the three to stop in their tracks and look towards him.

"Right."

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"Bring it!"

Everyone was currently warming up in the gym.

"Is it just me, or is there less oxygen here?" Asahi asked.

"Um, we're not in the mountains, so..." Ennoshita trailed off.

"Make sure you're breathing, Asahi!"

"Looks like all the nervous ones are already getting antsy." Ukai commented.

"I thought that Hinata-kun had gotten used to keeping his nerves in check, but I guess they can't help it, since it's their first national tournament." Takeda pointed out.

"But this is exactly why I treated Tattsun to some beer. There's no reason to worry." Ukai said.

Soon enough, everyone was back at the inn. "There's something I want you guys to see." Ukai announced.

"Are we going to be analyzing our opponents for the first match?" Daichi questioned.

"No, not right now." Ukai replied. "What we're going to be watching is Takinoue's Electric Shop's very own 'I'm Awesome Video.'"

"This is a collection of your very best plays." Ukai continued explaining as each Karasuno member appeared on the tablet's screen. "We have some from all of you."

"Holy crap!"

"I wanna see!"

The first clip was of Nishinoya receiving the ball during the finals against Shiratorizawa.

"Oh, man! That's cool!"

"Th-This song... Th-This is much higher quality than I was expecting... Do they actually get their own theme songs?"

"Tattsun even checked with their family and friends ahead of time." Ukai explained.

"I thought we were going to be analyzing our opponents right up until game time, but..." Takeda trailed off.

"There's no point if we aren't able to give our all." Ukai interrupted. "I'm gonna have you boys engrave your best selves into your brains with these videos and music. Being able to think back on this is incredible important."

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It was finally the first day of nationals as Takashi was wearing his Japan volleyball jacket. Matsuda and Miura were next to him.

"Boy, the nostalgia is hitting me like a brick." Matsuda commented. "Taka! Both Nekoma and Karasuno made it to nationals. The Battle at the Garbage Dump is finally happening again after five years!"

Takashi chuckles. "That's only if both Karasuno and Nekoma make it through their matches." He reminded him.

"Of course they will! Our high school's current team are both strong, after all." Matsuda said before he smirked. "Just don't be a sore loser when Nekoma kicks Karasuno's ass."

"I should be saying that to you." Takashi teased, nudging Matsuda a little who just huffed in irritation.

The trio then entered the stadium, where they were getting looks of awe and excitement from the nearby players.

"It's the representatives for the Japan National Team!"

"I didn't know they'd be spectating!"

"I'm gonna make sure I work hard in the matches now!"

Miura chuckles to himself. "Well, this is the only tournament we spectate closely of course everyone's gonna be on edge." He commented, causing Takashi to hum in agreement.

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"Thank you for waiting. We will now begin the opening ceremonies for the National High School Volleyball Tournament, otherwise known as the Spring Tournament."

The drums soon started pounding. "The championship flags are now entering. And the 47 representative schools from across Japan are now entering, as well. Hokkaido's first representative, boys, Ohya Tech." The man on the intercom spoke. "Hokkaido's second representative, boys, Morikawa High School."

Hinata was looking around nervously. "You need to go to the bathroom again?" Tobio asked.

"No!"

Karasuno then began walking out. "Miyagi Prefecture's representative..." The man paused as Daichi walked out, holding the sign.

"Boys, Karasuno High School."

"Girls, Niiyama Girls' High School."

"Fukushima Prefecture's representative... Boys, Furukata High School. Girls, Iwaki Girls' High School."

"It's starting."

"The battle on the orange court!"

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A/N: And the nationals have begun! Thanks for reading!

Word Count: 1059 words.