Traffic was occurring, and the cars were all wrangled up like a herd of cattle. In the mix, Shotarou was impatiently waiting in a taxi, but only got up to one foot a difference. He tapped his knee, frowning as he exhaled deeply.

"Geez," he mumbled, "I'm already late to the game."

Bzzt... Bzzt....

"Mm?" He pulled out his phone. An unknown caller id. Curious, he picked it up anyway.

"Hello? Yes, this is Shotarou Paul. Is there something wrong?" He listened as the caller continued.

"!?..W-what? When? Hai...I'll get her and meet up. Thank you." Shotarou banged on the window where the driver was.

"Hey, I need to get going. Its an emergency."

"I'm sorry sir," the driver gave a worried look, "but as you can see, we won't get there for at least an hour."

"Dammit. Never mind."

"Ah--hey!" Shoutarou got out of the car and started running down the street. Without a break, he kept going as he panted.

"I may be old," he huffed, "but I'm still a good runner. I hope I can reach Mizuki in time."

>>>>>>>>>Fast Forward>>>>>>>>>

"Go~!"

BAM!

The crowd cheered. Both teams went back to their positions. On the bench, Coach Ukai and Mizuki watch as the boys play.

"So far they're doing good," Ukai thought.

"That was a good strategy from earlier," Mizuki said to Uaki, "using the trick Kenma used to fool the opponents with their eyes. That way they think their opponent will strike there. Kageyama made good use of that."

"It sure did."

"That may be true," Mizuki implied, "but what happened a few moments ago... I'm starting to worry."

"You saw it too?" Mizuki nodded.

'The quick strike Shoyo and Kageyama are doing is working so far,' she thought to herself, 'but it can't stick forever. Now that Shoyo's in the back, Aoba Johsai can concentrate on the front. Kageyama is losing focus...'

She glanced at the raven-hair boy. She could see the look in his eyes.

"Aoba Johsai's four points ahead," Mizuki stated, "I wonder how this will turn out."

"Yeah," Ukai nodded.

A few minutes later....

"This is bad." Mizuki gave a worried expression, frowning a bit. As the game continued, she noticed that Tanaka was missing each chance he got to spike, ending with the blockers blocking his movements. The whistle blew, and Aoba Johsai won another point.

"Keishin."

"Hai. Sensei."

"Right." Takeda called a timeout. From the stands above, Shimada and Takinoue were making looks of worriment.

"In volleyball," Shimada implied, "where making the connection is everything, when you miss the serve repeatedly, the guilt and loneliness is like no other. Will the bald guy be okay from here on out?" He glanced at Tanaka from the back of his head. Hinata was doing the same, giving an uncertain expression.

'Should I say something,' he thought to himself, 'normally when I'm feeling down, Tanaka-san was always there to cheer me up. Maybe I should...' Hinata then opened his mouth.

"Um--"

SLAP!

"Geh!" Hinata cringed when seeing Tanaka give a huge slap on both sides of his face. The team looked at him, surprised by his action. Within moments, Tanaka looked at them, having the red imprint on his face. He took a deep breath, and then bowed a low as he could.

"I'm sorry!" He shouted.

"Ryu! There are some things that can't be helped!" Nishinoya tried to defend Tanaka.

"That toss was hard, and it was a three person block. I should have--"

"I didn't call the toss!"

"!" The team blinked at him, a bit startled.

"Damn it! I got scared for a second! There's no point in someone worthless like me bringing everyone down because I'm upset about my mistake! I'll get it next time!" After he finished, Ukai and Mizuki showed a look of impressment. Mizuki laughed longer than Ukai.

"What you said just now," Mizuki grinned at him, "you showed just how worthy you are to the team. So yeah, you'll get it next time." Tanaka smiled as he rubbed his head.

"If you try receiving it by just using your arms," Uka explained, "it'll just deflect. Use your legs, too." That's when Nishinoya looked at Asahi.

"You should be like Ryu, Asahi-san."

"If I could, I would," Asahi sweat dropped at him. Mizuki sweat dropped at the two, feeling sorry for Asahi. Her attention then went towards Aoba Johsai. She saw Oikawa, closing his eyes as if concentrating or perhaps planning ahead in their strategy. Either way...

'What a frightening guy,' she frowned with a smirk.

The match continued. The players were in position. Oikawa had the ball in his hands, bouncing it up and down as the Karasuno waited. Within seconds, Oikawa threw the ball up and jumped. He spiked the ball, which was directly headed to Tanaka. He readied himself. Just then, the ball went down and slammed him in the chest and bouncing off. Tanaka grit his teeth, as his eyes went to the ball that was few inches away from hitting the floor.

'Damn it,' he cursed in his head, 'the ball is falling--'

Swoop

Hinata dove right in and saved it. Kageyama hit it over the net.

"They got it!" Takeda smiled. Oikawa received it, and Watanuki tossed it to Hanamaki. Hanamaki spiked it, but Nishinoya caught it.

"Nice receive!" Kageyama shouted.

"Sorry! Cover!"

"Left~~!" Tanaka bellowed. From the bench, Ukai watched Tanaka as he ran up to the net.

'Its not that he doesn't makes mistakes, and he's quick to let taunts get to him, but...he's the strongest after Azumane, and more importantly..." Tanaka jumped, letting one hand go forward as his dominant hand bent back in a position. Three blockers jumped from the other side.

'...his ability to perform when cornered doesn't deteriorate. That mental strength... those are unmistakably...'

The ball flew down to the floor, passing the blockers.

'...the qualities of an ace.'

The referee blew the whistle and put his arm out, earning a point for Karasuno. Tanaka made two fists and shouted.

"Yeah~~!"

"Tanaka-kun," Mizuki smiled, "you managed to stop Oikawa's momentum... all by yourself..." She looked at Shimizu, and she smiled as well.

The game continued, but things were getting difficult from here on out. Now there was a seven point lead for Aoba Johsai. From behind the net, Oikawa would look at Kageyama now and again. With the momentum changing, he could see his former underclassman feel nervous and agitated. He glanced at Kageyama after Karasuno scored a point.

'I heard about the nickname my underclassman was given in junior high...' he thought to himself, '....King of the Court. I thought it was high praise, but I realized what it meant after seeing a match. He has power...he has talent...he's hungry for victory, more than anyone else. That's what made Tobio strong. However...it was his only weakness.' His eyes slightly narrowed.

'You try to do everything yourself too much, Tobio. And that's not an easy habit to beak.'

Unaware to him, Mizuki was staring at both of them. She cradled her arms to her chest, watching them carefully.

From outside, Shotarou was running into the building. He found the closest employee he could find and grabbed him by the shoulders.

"Sir, can you... help me?" He was out of breath.

"Eh? Ah, yes, sir."

"Where is Karasuno... having.... their match?"

"Karasuno?"

"Tell me. Its an emergency...I can't waste anymore time."

BAM!

Aoba Johsa scored, making it 18 to 11. Kageyama looked at the score board with a frustrated look.

'Its no use. The gap isn't getting any smaller.' He kept thinking as the game continued.

'I have to do something.' He watched at the ball went to the net.

"Push it, Kageyama!"

"Keh!" At that moment, both Kageyama and Oikawa jumped and put both hands on the ball. Within that time, they used their fingers to push. Although, Oikawa was stronger, as he dumped it down, letting the ball bounce as Kageyama fell back on his butt. The referee blew the whistle, and the crowd cheered. Kageyama looked up at Oikawa, seeing the look in his eyes that showed his true nature as a setter. From the sidelines, Hinata bit his lip and frowned. Even if he wasn't on the court, he knew what was going on. Mizuki glanced at Ukai, who did the same.

On the next point, Kageyama was watching the ball come his way.

'I'm not going to lose! I'm not going to lose! I'm going...to stay on this court!' He jumped and set the ball to Tsukishima. However, both their eyes widened when the toss went off course. Even so, Asahi saved it and let it go over the net. From the sidelines, Irihata was watching closely at their movements.

'Oikawa has sense, and doesn't lack effort, but when you compare him to talent, he's an efficient player, not a genius. I can say with confidence that at this moment, the one who is the better setter... is Oikawa.'

Oikawa set the ball to Hanamaki, who smashed it passed their opponents. 20 to 11 the score was. The crowd cheered for them. The referee then looked in front and nodded his head. He blew the whistle, which caught Kageyama's attention. When he looked to his left, his eyes widened when seeing Sugawara coming, holding his number for a substitution.

"Sorry Kageyama," Mizuki said to herself, "but this is for the best." As Sugawara entered the court, he looked at his team. Without another word, he did his own special greetings, mainly hitting everyone except high-five Nishinoya.

"It'll be fine," Sugawara grinned, "let's break their streak." Except for Tsukishima, everyone else grinned at him.

>>>>>>>>>Fast Forward>>>>>>>>>

Things changed when Sugawara came to the court. He showed his true abilities as he conversed with his teammates. When Iwaizumi tried to spike the ball, he realized that Tsukishima had blocked it. It was because Sugawara and him switched places, catching them off guard. When Hinata was in the game, Sugawara gave him some advise that helped during the few points. Even Oikawa knew that the flow of the game had changed because of Sugawara, that it got Hinata to think more about his strategy. The crowd was in awe, some shocked by how Karasuno was still gaining points even though they were a few behind Aoba Johsai. Kageyama watched them, and seeing Sugawara give everything he's got. This made him realize what he needed to do, in order to play and be with his team. When it was break time, both teams were taking water, wiping themselves with towels and listening to their coach. However, they didn't expect what was coming into the gym. A person, to what seemed to be a staff member, walked up to the referees. He conversed with them, until they nodded in agreement. One of the referees went towards Karasuno while they were talking strategy plans again.

"Excuse me."

"?" They all turned to see the man.

"Is there a miss Hinata Mizuki, here?"

"... I'm Mizuki," she turned to see him.

"Miss Hinata... someone is looking for you. A man named, Shoutarou Paul?"

"Yes, I know him. Did something happen?" The man gave a small nod.

"I'm afraid so. He says that one of your friends just got into the hospital today."

"Eh?" Mizuki blinked in confusion. She glanced at the others, who seemed to be confused just as she was. She turned back to the referee. He pointed his body in the direction where Shoutarou was standing. He was on the opponent's side, the far back of the court. Mizuki didn't know what to say, but instead, she walked away to see Shotarou. When she got there, Shoutarou gave a frustrated expression.

"What's going on?" She asked.

"Mizuki..." there was a long pause between them.

".... Its Akira."

"What?"

Both Karasuno and Aoba Johsai's team was preoccupied watching Shoutarou speak to Mizuki. As he did, Mizuki's eyes widened and slightly clasped her hand over her mouth. Above the stadium, the three girls saw Mizuki's reaction.

"What's going on?" Rin asked.

"I don't know," Matsuko implied, "but it looks like Mizuki is align to that guy."

"She looks sad," Hana thought.

"What's wrong with Hinata-senpai?" Kindaichi whispered to Watanuki.

"Don't know, but she looks shocked."

"We're requested to see her. Although, I said I could go in your place if you were too busy."

".... ...." Mizuki looked down at her hands as she gripped them together. She then looked at Shoutarou.

"The referee will give you some time to talk to your team. You have five minutes." Mizuki bowed to him, and then walked back to the team. The first to come forward was Sugawara.

"What's wrong, Mizuki?" She was silent at first, but she couldn't leave them in suspense.

"In America," she began, "there's a girl named Akira. She's my friend, but also my former rival. I just got word that she's in Japan, and she's in the hospital from collapsing." The boys' eyes widened.

"They're asking me to come see her, since her family is back in America."

"I see," Ukai sighed. He could see frustration in her eyes.

"I don't know what to do," she mumbled, "I can't help but worry about my friend...but at the same time, I don't want to leave you guys." She gave a frustrated, yet sad expression.

"I can't just abandon you during the game. Not when we're so close...I just..." Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder. To her surprise, it was Shoyo's, as he gave a smile her way.

"Its okay, nee-san. If your friend needs you, then you should go. I'm sure she'll be happy to see you."

"But Shoyo...I should be here helping you."

"We'll be okay," he puffed his chest out, "I'm just as strong as anyone here. We can handle it!"

"He's right, senpai," Nishinoya smiled, "we can take it from here. We'll make sure to win before you get back." Mizuki looked at Ukai and Takeda.

"I'll handle everything," Ukai smiled, "you go and make sure your friend is okay." Mizukis smiled back, and then looked at the team.

"Okay then...but before I go..." She first looked at her brother.

"Shoyo...make sure you do your best out there."

"Hai," he smiled.

"Sugawara, make sure you watch over him and Kageyama for me."

"Roger," Sugawara gave a friendly salute. Mizuki then looked at Asahi with a big smile.

"I never got to thank you for giving me this jacket," she tugged on the open part, "I'm really happy you gave this to me."

"You're welcome," Asahi nodded.

"You can do it. I'll be cheering you guys in spirit." Mizuki smiled as she put out her right fist. Asahi did the same, and fist bumped with her. She gave a short bow, and then started running off the court. When her silhouette disappeared, the team looked back at Ukai.

"Yosh! We can't let Mizuki worry about us. So let's get out there...stick to the strategy and give it all you got. Got it?"

"Hai!" They shouted.

Outside, Mizuki was approaching Shoutarou.

"How will we get there? By bus?" She asked.

"It'll take too long. Good thing I called in backup." He pointed his thumb at his vehicle. At the wheel, it was Mizuki's mom.

"Mom?"

"She had some time, so let's get going." Shoutarou and Mizuki went into the car.

"Buckle up, you two," Ms. Hinata smiled. She then drove off, leaving the stadium. Mizuki glanced out the window as they drove off.

'Akira... I hope you're okay.'

.

.

.

At the hospital, employees were everywhere, and patients were either in the rooms or waiting for their appointment to start. In one room on the second floor, there is a young girl, lying on a hospital bed. Her long hair, tied in a pony tail, was lying over the sheets; her sleeping face was still. The sun's rays shined on her skin. It shined to bright, it awoken her, as she stirred a little before revealing her blue eyes.