*Ding~

Bzzt. Bzzt.

Penalty 3:

《Get praised by Kita Shinsuke》

Reward: 95 points
Failure results in INSTANT DEATH.
Time limit: 479 hours, 31 minutes

Good Luck!
≥3≤

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The second ball was promptly tossed to Coach Kurosu by Suna as the coach added more strength to the hit compared to the last time. And once more, M/N received the ball with ease, with his stance still being utter trash.

The Inarizaki team had no words, could they consider the second time as luck again? Will they?

After the first perfect receive, Coach Kurosu wasn't as surprised. In fact, he looked determined. Turns out, he had severely underestimated M/N way too much. Deciding to throw away any previous assumptions, Coach Kurosu decided to hit the ball as per usual, using the same amount of power as he would to any one of the starting Inarizaki players.

This time, everyone could see the change in M/N. His stance was finally stable and not flimsy. All watched as he smoothly went through a transition, stretching both his arms straight out into proper position. M/N literally went from looking like he didn't know anything, to looking like a well-trained volleyball player in a matter of seconds. It was enthralling!

And just like the previous two times, M/N got the ball perfectly, sending it straight to the setter position. Once more, the team erupted into chaos as everyone was just in complete wonderment.

It wasn't that that particular hit had been particularly difficult to receive, but rather, no one had expected M/N to be able to get the ball(much to M/N's personal dismay). They have most definitely overly belittled M/N's competency in volleyball. After all, M/N's lack of time being in an official team did severe injustice to his capability in Volleyball.

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Atsumu was just about to die, turns out the person whom he glossed over was actually pretty decent at volleyball. Sure, he was unsure of his other skills like spiking, setting, and serving but having such a stable solid receive was valuable enough. Plus, M/N had said that his last position was a Libero. With this, maybe Atsumu could come to like M/N, just maybe.

Suna didn't anticipate this at all, and it was rather intriguing. Seeing his teammates look of surprise would always bring entertainment to him. Especially now that it was permanently saved in his gallery, it would prove to be exceptional blackmail material someday. Though, he was honest that he hadn't actually expected the new member to be of a decent standard. After all, he barely participated in official games(more like didn't at all) and was let into the the club thanks to Riseki.
But now, Suna could see the potential radiating off M/N. He believes that they would be great friends, definitely.

M/N wanted to murder someone.
Their faces of amazement to him frankly went from flattering to disgusting real quick. By the third ball, M/N was feeling kind of icky already. Just how lowly did they think he was to be that astonished? How rude.

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Next came the fourth ball, and this time Coach Kurosu held nothing back, he literally let it rip, using full power to smash the ball. It was a rather powerful hit. Kurosu himself had yet to try it with his regular Inarizaki students, but for some reason, he wanted to do so with M/N. It was an unexplainable feeling, and even Kurosu himself was surprised at himself. M/N wouldn't be able to get that ball, would he?

The Inarizaki team's eyes widened as they witnessed the unfamiliar style and strength of their coach's hit. It was different. The strength used was higher than normal and the ball spun in a way that was rather unusual— and that very spin caused the ball to swerve abruptly at the very end. It was a flabbergasting and a truly unexpected hit.

No one believed that M/N would be able to receive it. They'd admit that M/N wasn't completely clueless but there was no way he'd be that good to get that fourth ball. No way.

M/N eyes the ball in mild shock as he accessed the information that he had in lightning speed. He had to calculate the path and speed of the ball as quickly as possible to ensure that it aids him in reacting appropriately(M/N could cheat but where's the fun in that?).
It had to be absolutely precise. A little bit off margin, and it may just backfire on him, and M/N certainly didn't want to receive another ball with his face.

The ravenette's face was serious as his eyes were locked onto the ball. M/N's legs were wide apart looking as stable as a mountain. His hands were outstretched, fully straight, knees bent, and ready to receive the uninvited guest(the ball).

However oddly, M/N had chosen to take three steps to the left. This had garnered a few disapproving looks from the Inarizaki members as the ball was clearly veering towards the right, so why was the newbie shifting himself in the opposite direction? Could he not see that?

But, despite the Inarizaki members' initial confusion, they'd come to realize M/N's intentions and predictions just moments after.

As the ball closed in, it made an unexpected detour as it switched direction, speeding towards the left. This caused multiple gasps to erupt from the team, but M/N was sufficiently prepared. He kept his stance firm and steady, posture unwavering, bracing for impact before the ball slammed harshly into his arms, and it ricochet off perfectly to where the setter was to be without even much of a grunt.

With jaws dropping, the team watched on. M/N's arms were red from the impact and it looked like it hurt like hell, but to someone who has experienced Ushijima and Oikawa's killer serves, it was neither unbearable nor unattainable.

Suna was stunned beyond words. What a curious person M/N was. One who claims to have barely any experience, and yet, there he was. So talented, shining so brightly. Suna didn't detect any lies from him when he told them that he was inexperienced. In fact, Suna knew that there was no deceit in any of the ravenette's words, but strangely, his words didn't seem to align.

Suna took a split second glance at his teammates from the side as he could clearly observe Atsumu visibly shaking, from what was a mystery.

"Scam... That boy is a scam I tell you." Atsumu whispered out softly.

But Suna could still make a decent guess, especially with Atsumu's mummers. After all, everyone in Inarizaki knew how seriously that blond(what's the color of his hair considered anyways?) haired boy took volleyball. To see M/N with that much potential must be either excruciatingly thrilling or agonizing.
(Side note: Suna though distracted, definitely snapped a very beautiful photo of Atsumu shaking.)

Besides Atsumu, Riseki's emotions appeared to be on a ride, fluctuating between concern, disbelief, and admiration. It appears that despite Riseki recommending M/N into the club, the boy had zero knowledge of M/N's capabilities. Simply fascinating.

Aran just looked to be in a constant viable state of incredulity, as if he couldn't believe his eyes, while the captain was simply silently astonished. Kita was certainly very proud.

Osamu simply let out a small chuckle filled with mirth. It wasn't as though he wasn't stupefied by M/N's skills, but rather something else managed to catch his attention— and that was the trembling figure of his own twin brother. Osamu was absolutely amused at Astumu's reaction. What a drama queen.

Meanwhile, Akagi's eyes twinkled eagerly as a figurative fire was lit deep within his core. He now aimed to achieve the level of competency that M/N was in, to be a better libero for the team.

At the same time, contrary to the other's reactions, Coach Kurosu was absolutely delighted! He had picked up a gem, a very precious diamond. He ought to thank Riseki for bringing along such talent into the team. Sure, he has yet to see that Akiri boy's mastery at the other aspects of volleyball like blocking and serving, but with purely just those receives, he'd already make a great addition to Inarizaki. He now has high expectations of the new boy.

Despite the team not being fully able to move past M/N's almost ideal receive, the coach signalled to Suna to toss the last ball just to get M/N's turn done and over with. They already had sufficient evidence of M/N's skills. There's no need for more.

However, what none of them accounted for was M/N's luck association... or more accurately the lack of such fortunes. Inarizaki was in for a disaster.

__________________

Author's note:
I failed Economics... Life sucks...
Anyways, thank you for your patience for this chapter cause I've been very distracted lately by a ton of fanfictions. Oops. But as compensation, I'll include a bonus scene regarding X in the next chapter. Also why is this chapter so boring, I want to write the exciting parts already :(

Also, I'd like to thank you guys so much for sending me fanart. Ah, they always make me so happy 😭. (I giggled a little at the X one, so cute)

Credits to: SimpAwayMyDude

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So, as per usual, please don't mind any errors, vote, stay safe and

Stay happy readers! (ᵔᴥᵔ)