[Karasuno vs Johzenji: Second Set]

BUNT/HUP!

"Ah/Gasp!"

"Woah, those are some amazing reflexes!"

"Actually, I think he was expecting that."

"Eh?"

"Daichi-san, nice job covering their asses!"

"Don't say it like that!"

Karasuno's captain sees the ball recovered by the opposing team before it goes to their captain.

"He's going for another insane hit!"

FWOOM!

SMACK!

BUNT!

Just as Terushima spikes the ball, it rebounds off of Sawamura's arms.

FWOOM!

Shoyo jumps to the other side as Kageyama tosses it to him.

POW!

Fweet!

"Yosha~!"

"We got it this time!"

After earning a point, the first-year duo walks up to their captain.

"I-I'm sorry! Nice cover!"

"Thanks."

"Now matter how much you were told to calm down, Sawamura chuckles, "I figured you guys might do something like that right when you got back, because you would get too excited."

"Hm/Ngh!"

They go stiff feeling embarrassed from hearing the truth of the matter. On the other side of the net, Terushima is watching.

"I can't do any fancy plays, but I can give you guys a solid foundation."

"!?"

Somehow, staring at Sawamura's back towards them reminds Terushima of his own former captain.

"Well, go all out."

"Thanks!"

"... ..."

On the bench, Ukai smiles to himself.

"In terms of wild and free, it's not a guaranteed that Johzenji would beat us...but..."

His eyes focus on Karasuno's captain.

"That's not all that we have."

[Moments Later...]

TOSS!

WHAM!

Fweet!

"Alright~!"

Near the scoreboard, the point-difference is getting bigger, with Karasuno with 13 points and in the lead.

BUNT!

"It's up!"

"Get back!"

Johzenji's manager notices Karasuno going to the back of the court.

WHAM/BUNT!

"Tanaka, nice!"

POW/BAM!

"Yosh/Counter~!"

TOSS~

Fweet!

SQUEAK/FWOOM!

BAM!

Fweet!

Within minutes, Karasuno is earning points be it offense or defense. Only because they're under the influence of their headstrong captain's strategy and keen sense.

FWEET!

In the stands, Yachi and Takinoue are watching.

"The other team called a timeout."

"It's good to be on the offensive, but Johzenji are definitely panicking."

On Johzenji's side, Misaki's watching her team act like their usual energetic selves.

"Let's get hyped!"

"Yeah, hyped! Super hyped!"

"It'll all work out."

"So, what are we gonna do about #10's quick?"

"What are we gonna do?"

"W-What will we do?"

"Don't worry too much about it."

"We just have to go at them harder! Yeah!"

But the more Misaki hears them talk, the more she becomes upset. In that moment, she happens to lock eyes with Mizuki, who bows her head with a smile. Somehow, remembering the words of advice she gave earlier, reminded Misaki of her once beloved captain's.

[What are you gonna do now, Misaki?]

"...Mm..."

"Let's go all out! Way out!"

"Yeah~!"

"What do you mean 'way out'?"

The boys freeze on the spot before slowly turning to their manager. And she isn't happy.

"You guys try way too hard to solve things by getting riled up and excited."

"Eh/Ngh!"

"Eventually, there will be a time that's not fun," she strongly advises, "having fun when you're inferior or not doing well?! If anyone's actually like that, they're either creeps or weirdos!"

"Uh/Eh..."

"M-Misaki...what's wrong?"

"I'm sorry, sensei...but if I don't say this when they have an idea of their weakness, I don't think they'll get it so please let me finish."

"Eh? Uh, okay..."

Misaki puts both hands on her hips, still holding her deadpan expression.

"Okudake-kun told me to give these guys a spanking..."

"Spank?"

"Hana-san...said 'spank'?"

"Well, yeah, the situation right now isn't fun. It's annoying, but those guys are playing around more freely."

"Okudake-kun always said in order to play, you need a place to play. Endure through the time that isn't fun and play all the way to the end."

Misaki then looks to Terushima.

"I'm pretty sure you realize now what Hinata-san said to you. Am I right?"

His eyes widen and recalls the conversation before this match began.

FWEET~!

Once timeout ended, Karasuno notices a change in the atmosphere around Johzenji.

"Now that we're in the middle of our second set," Ukai comments, "it looks like we're finally starting the second round."

"Looks like it."

WHAM!

"Urgh!'

Fweet!

"Woah/Yosha!"

WHAM/WHACK!

"Nice block, Tsukishima~!"

With the game still in motion, Johzenji is actually playing more seriously than anyone anticipated.

BUNT!

"It's up!"

"Hinata!"

WHAM!

BUNT!

'A receive that close up?!'

TOSS/WHAM

BAM!

Fweet!

"Yosha~!"

"So their play is to touch the ball," Sawamura mumbles, "before we can hit into the space they can't reach."

"I'll get the next one!"

"Hinata."

Sawamura walks up to Shoyo.

"Isn't there a move you haven't tried today? Your new special move."

The score is now 23-20 with Karasuno still in the lead.

BUNT!

"Nice receive!"

"Go, Hinata!"

TOSS~

"Bring it~!"

"Ngh!"

TAP!

Terushima and the libero slide but couldn't receive the feint, Karasuno earning another point.

"Alright you guys..."

Terushima gives a grin with enticement.

"Let's play for real."

Two-point difference. Match point for the team with the upper hand and an opportunity to turn things around for the other. That's all they had to do. It's anyone's game now.

Fweet!

TOSS~

WHAM!

"Got it!"

BUNT!

"Nice receive!"

TOSS!

"Ah!"

Takeda gawks when noticing the lineup Johzenji is doing.

"Another synchronized attack!"

"Get back," Ukai hollers, "this one's different than last time!"

FWOOM!

The one to take the strike is Terushima.

WHACK!

"Uh/Nah!"

Sawamura and Hinata look back as the ball passes between them.

.

.

.

.

BAM!

"..."

"..."

FWIP!

The flag rep raises the flag up as the referee blows the whistle

>>>>>>>Mizuki's POV>>>>>>>

Gulp...Gulp-Gulp...Gulp...Pwuahh

I wipe my mouth after drinking from my water bottle.

While the guys take a breather after their match, I decide to sit in an empty place on a bench. Just to have a moment's peace.

"Hinata-san."

"Hm?"

I look up and see Johzenji's third-year manager.

"Oh, hey Misaki-san. Did you need something?"

"I just wanted to say thanks, and..."

She bows to me.

"Congratulations on your team's win."

"Thank you. You guys did great, too. And thanks for straightening them out. I saw the looks on their faces like they were being scolded for a lifetime."

She awkwardly chuckles in response.

"Well, I hope to see you around."

"Yeah, you too."

"Get home safe."

"Oh, before that..."

"Huh?"

"There's someone who'd like to say goodbye too."

Misaki takes a step back. That's when I see Yuji around the corner.

"Hey, don't just stand there. Weren't you gonna ask a favor from her?"

"I-I know! Geez..."

Yuji walks over till he stands in front of me. He looks conflicted.

"...Um...you okay Yuji?"

"...Er..."

"Yeah?"

"Can I...before we leave, do you mind if I style your hair?"

"Uh...you mean braid it?"

"Y-Yeah. For old times sake..."

"...Hehe...sure."

While Misaki watches from afar, Yuji stands behind me as I sit still. I feel the brush run across my hair as he continues to talk.

"Say...you should let me do your hair from now on."

"Oh yeah?"

"Totally. Even when you go pro, someone's gotta sponsor you."

"Can a salon be a sponsor?"

"Hum~...I don't know, maybe."

"Well, one thing's for sure," I chuckle, "I'll know where to go and who to find if I have a hair emergency."

Swish-Swish...Swish

When I no longer sense the brush or feeling my hair being pulled, I look up as he puts a compact mirror in front of me. My semi-two-colored dyed hair is now styled into an up-do (two pairs of braids on the side connecting to the loose, low bun).

"Yuji, it's beautiful. You've gotten so much better."

Rustle

All of a sudden, his arms wrap around my neck, his head hanging to the side of mine.

"Guess I lost."

"Well, I don't blame you for wanting to play volleyball some more."

"That's not what I mean."

"Eh?"

"...I should've known I lost. Or rather, I was too stubborn to accept it."

I realize what he means and sigh, sympathetically, patting his arm. His hold loosens a bit.

"If he makes you cry, you better tell me. Cause you know I'll be here for you."

"...Aha...I bet you will."

He backs up bellowing a deep sigh.

"For now, I'll make sure you look your best for every game and publicity in the future."

"That's a long way to go...but thank you."

"Mm...and thanks for today. It was fun."

"Mizuki~!"

I hear my boyfriend from down the hall.

"See you around, Mizuki."

I look back to Yuji who gives a peace sign.

"...Yeah. You too, Yuji."

I smile before jogging over to Asahi.

"Hey, I was looking for y...oh, your hair!"

"Oh this? A friend of mine did it for me."

"Wow...you look so cute, Mizuki."

"Thank you."

FWEET...FWEET~!

We hear the whistle from inside and take a peek.

'Whoever won must be the next team we're playing.'

Scoring 25-19, it's the team from Wakutani Minami.

'They were in the top 8 teams in the Inter-high...this team will definitely give us a hard time.'

>>>>>>>No One's POV>>>>>>>

After the guys pack their things, they walk down the hall to find the exit.

"Once we leave," Keishin informs, "we'll have a brief meeting in the school's gym."

"(All)Hai."