Chapter 8: Volume I: First Year Chapter 8: Third Years Retiring
Weeks went by and we four did our daily match of two on two everyday. Thanks to that, the three of them can now recive my serves at its ten percent power, I'm planing on to increase the power behind it gradually, so that they won't be overwhelmed.
Even though, Kiyoko became the manager of the club, we have decided not to request her to stay behind for the first three months. Since she's still new to volleyball, so she asked us for some time until she gets all the rules and regulations thourghly.
On the day before of our match day for the interhigh preliminary first round, captain called us at the gym and said "Tomorrow is the interhigh prelims! We can't leave any regrets!"
"Yes." All of us said in unison.
"Our goal is to win the Nationals!" He emmpasized that one.
"I was thinking earlier, can't you think of a more realistic goal? Too high of a goal will make lose their confidence." Shou-san asked Tashiro-san
"That only applies when there is another match after right?" Katashi-san asked Shou-san
"What, do you really think that we can win?" Shou-san said looking at Katashi-san.
"Adopting that kind of negative attitude is not good either." Ryo-san told Shou-san
Hearing all this the captain looked surprised, seeing him with a surprised face, Shou-san asked "..... What?"
"When I used to say "win Nationals" you guys just agreed to humor me?? But now it's different! Why am I so happy?" Tashiro-san asked, confused with his own words.
"How should I know?" Shou-san said.
"It seems like we are uniting around the goal! We're much stronger now!" Tashiro-san said
"Yeah." All the players were excited.
"And no matter what the goal is anyway you still get the feeling that you don't want to lose! We will definitely win!" Tashiro-san declared.
The next day we went to the gymnasium to play the first round in the Interhigh prelims against Yugama High, Tashiro-san was enthusiastic as ever. When we went there Kiyoko also came with us as she's the manager.
The first set began with the serve of , as they say 'it only barks, never bites.' that was the situation of Karasuno team in the first set itself. In the first set, our team only allowed Asahi to play, that too only for two rally, they didn't alow us to play an rotated with the second years and third years only. Most of the points scored by the Yugama High was by service ace, and the first set was lost with 15-25.
In the second set it was our serve first, but there was no service ace as the opposing team received them like childs play, we tried to request to substituted, but Hiroki-san denied it saying that the third years will retire after Interhigh, so we have more chances. Well, that was the end of the second set with our loss 19-25.
As we were packing we heard the audience saying,
"Even though they said that Karasuno was a strong team we were sure lucky that we got to play them." One of the Yugama High spectator said.
"Yeah, but we're against Seijo next, so we can't relax." Another one said.
"Sigh.... Karasuno has fallen." A middle aged man with a cap said.
Hearing all of this Daichi, Asahi, and Suga started to sob a little. Because even though they were confident, the seniors didn't allow us to play properly.
'Can't say anything either. Since they will be retiring after this and they won't be playing in the Spring High prelims, and thanks to them retiring, there will be no libero in the team, so we would have to play with only eight player's. But I don't think the second years will be up for it, but we can always try.... ' My thought process was disrupted by a tap to my shoulder. When I turned to see who it was, I saw Kiyoko standing beside me and she said "Let's go."
I just nodded and walked out of the stadium and went to my home. Kiyoko was with me, since her house was only five houses distance away from mine.
Day's passed like this and it was time for Spring Tournament, but just as I thought, Hiroki-san, the current captain didn't want to participate in the prelims without a libero. Even though we tried hard to change his mind, it was impossible. After the winter holidays, we went to the gym to do some drills.
As we opened the door we saw our former Captain Tashiro standing there alone. When he heard the door opening he turned around seeing us he smiled and started to speak "We..... unified too late. "Opportunity only comes to those who prepare for it." Maybe Karasuno won't be strong again. Even if it does get strong again, it won't be for many years." Then we started to hear sobbing of Tashiro-san "But even if it's like this, if there's an opportunity, make sure you grab it."
Giving us the advice he went away from the gym, leaving us four there. Looking at Daichi I said "Let's do the drills."
"Hai."
Months passed by and it was time for final exams of first year, since there weren't any practice matches or tournaments we could participate we just studied for the exam.
°
°
°
<Chapter 8 End>
— New chapter is coming soon — Write a review
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone