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

edited on june 4th, 2022 @ 5:08am

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CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE - VIVID

"LINE UP!" Daichi told his team.

"Nice game!" Tashiro's voice was brought to Daichi's attention. "You did so good!"

"Congrats!" Shimada said.

"Good work! You guys did great!"

"Tashiro-san and Kurokawa-san are here!" Daichi told Sugawara and Asahi.

"Sawamura! Sugawara! Azumane!"

"You didn't notice, Daichi?" Sugawara asked.

"I didn't notice them for a while, either." Asahi admitted sheepishly.

"Thank you very much!"

"Thank you!"

Karasuno then bowed to their supporters as they clapped.

Karasuno High School proceeds to round 2.

Afterwards, they met up with Tashiro and Kurokawa. "Oh, crap. You're way bigger up close, Sawamura." Tashiro commented.

"Wait, did I gain weight?!" Daichi asked.

"No, I mean your bigger in general." Tashiro replied.

"Hello, Kurokawa-san!" The second-years greeted Kurokawa.

"I guess he's an alumnus." Yamaguchi commented.

"Oh! So he's our senpais' senpai!" Hinata said.

"Hinata! Yamaguchi!" Daichi called their names. "Kageyama and Tsukishima, you guys come over here, too."

They walked over. "Let me introduce you guys. This is Tashiro-san, who was the captain when I was a first-year. And this is Kurokawa-kun, who was our captain when I was a second-year." Daichi introduced the two.

"Hello!"

"Hello." Tobio greeted as Tsukishima only nodded.

"Whoa!"

"Are they really first-years?" Tashiro questioned.

"Sadly..." Sugawara responded.

"We should have some bentos, so go ask Shimizu about them, and hand them out to everyone." Daichi said.

"Right!"

"That first-year setter and middle blocker... Who are they?" Kurokawa asked.

"Kageyama, the setter, is an amazing kid that's also a candidate for the All-Japan team. The tiny one... Er, I don't know what to say..." Daichi replied.

"He's an energetic brat." Sugawara said.

"An athletic monster." Asahi added on.

"What about when he was in middle school?"

"He was totally an unknown. And sometimes... He's like a completely unknown force..." Daichi answered.

"He picked a fight with Shiratorizawa's Ushiwaka." Sugawara added on.

"Seriously?! With the Ushiwaka?!" Tashiro exclaimed in disbelief.

"An unknown force..." Kurokawa commented, getting their attention. "I'm pretty sure that's what the other schools think of Karasuno right now. Make sure you win the next match, too."

"Right!"

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Takashi was currently spectating Nekoma's match with Matsuda while Miura was spectating Fukurodani's.

"Nice receive!"

The opposing team did a feint as Kenma easily dived down and saved it.

"Out!"

The ball hits Kuroo's hands. "One touch!" He shouted out.

"Fukunaga!"

Fukunaga spikes the ball down as Nekoma won their first match.

Nekoma High School proceeds to round 2.

"Nekoma has successfully made it pass the first round, no surprise there." Takashi commented. "Let's go meet up with Miura."

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Later, Takashi, Matsuda and Miura were back in the stadium, watching Kamomedai's match.

"Left, left!"

Hoshiumi then jumped high in the air, spiking the volleyball down on the court.

"He's supposed to be amazing, right?" Yamaguchi asked Tobio. "Wasn't he in one of the magazines?"

"Nah. Apparently, he absolutely hates interviews." Tobio responded. "My Nii-san hates them, too. Says interviewers pry too much."

"Really? I'd be super excited to even do an interview for the school paper." Yamaguchi commented as Hinata stood up suddenly.

"Where are you going?" Tobio questioned.

"I want to watch from up close!" Hinata replied.

"Korai!"

Hoshiumi dived down and saved the ball on time before he blocked a spiker from scoring.

"Stuffed! Look at that block!"

"That was Hoshiumi-kun again, wasn't it?"

"Indeed, it was."

Hoshiumi spikes the ball, getting Kamomedai another point as he kept scoring.

"Again?"

"Wow..."

"Dang, he can do anything."

"Who the heck is their #5?"

The whistle blew as Hoshiumi jumped high in the air and served the ball.

"Service ace! Hoshiumi does it again! He can't be stopped! The one-man army is on a roll! He's indeed..."

"Don't even think about saying it." Takashi muttered.

"A little giant!"

Takashi gave an irritating smile before an intense aura surrounded him, causing both Matsuda and Miura to gulp.

"Wow..." Sugawara muttered. "Hinata's never faltered against two-meter-tall opponents, but I wonder if it's more shocking for him to see someone in a similar situation that's above him. That just popped up in my head for a sec."

The whistle blew as Kamomedai came out victorious against Chiuida.

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"Tobio." Takashi called out, getting Tobio's attention.

"What is it, Nii-san?"

Takashi closed his eyes as he suddenly pulls his younger brother into an embrace, making Tobio get taken aback. "I know I don't say it often, but I'm really proud of you and how far you've come." Takashi opens his eyes. "I know Gramps would be, too."

Takashi heard some sniffling as he smiled. "Are you crying?" He questioned.

"Shut up. I'm doing no such thing." Tobio denied.

The older Kageyama chuckled before releasing his brother and placing a hand on his shoulder. "Do your best tomorrow. It's only going to get harder from here." Takashi informed.

"I will, Nii-san."

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"Oh, Ten. You're still up?"

Tenma glanced over, seeing his husband had just gotten back. "Still studying." He replied. "How'd the first day of nationals go?"

"Karasuno won their match in straight sets." Takashi replied.

"Good for them." Tenma said as he looked over at Takashi. "You got your thinking face on. Something bothering you?"

"I'm worried about how Karasuno will beat their opponent tomorrow."

"Is their opponent strong?"

"It's Inarizaki." Takashi responded. "Hyogo's representative. They were seeded 2nd and have some pretty talented players. Only downside is that their captain is not a regular."

"So Karasuno shouldn't have any trouble, right? You've said so yourself that a team isn't complete without their leader. It makes things unbalanced." Tenma pointed out.

"Mmm. That's what Miura said. But the thing with their captain is he's exactly like Nagata and Daichi — A defensive specialist." Takashi explained. "I have no clue why they would bench their captain, a bad move on their part if you ask me. But for that reason, they shouldn't be underestimated. It proves that they have strong players that they had to move their captain to the bench."

Tenma sighed. "You're overthinking this, Kashi. Karasuno made it this far without any problems, didn't they? Plus, they got one thing Inarizaki doesn't." He informed.

"And what would that be?"

"Your Emperor toss."

Takashi chuckles. "It would be nice to see that move being used during nationals. Inarizaki is a perfect opponent to use it on." He admitted. "You're right, Ten. I got nothing to worry about."

"I hope..." Takashi added in his head.

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A/N: Who's excited for Karasuno's match against Inarizaki? Thanks for reading!

Word Count: 1118 words.