Chapter 43: Quick Practice Match
"So what do you write in this box over here?"
"That's where you write the numbers of the players when they get substituted into a game."
On a table near the entrance of the gym three girls were talking as they were looking over a volleyball score sheet.
Kiyoko was teaching Mahiru and Yachi how to go through a score sheet as well as teaching them some volleyball lingo to help them understand how a volleyball game is played better.
"When should we start setting up the gym since we have a practice game today right?"
Yachi asked since Ukai had said yesterday after practice that a school had contacted him to see if it was okay if they had a practice game with Karasuno. Ukai agreed to the offer as he wanted the team to get as much experience as they could against other teams to improve their own individual skill as well as their connection together as a team.
Kiyoko looked at her watch and thought for a bit.
"They should be done running outside in about 5 minutes. I think we could start now since we still need to set up some chairs and other stuff."
When the two girls heard this they got up and opened up the storage room to set up chairs for both of the teams going to play today.
"Hoh, it's getting so hot already. I guess summer break is just around the corner huh."
"I want to eat something cold…"
"Same.."
A few minutes passed when Haruto and the others walked into the gym slightly sweating as they had a quick warm up run outside as the weather was very welcoming at the moment.
"Kiyoko-san! Do you need some help?"
"Yea! We would love to help out!"
Nishinoya and Tanaka saw Kiyoko setting up chairs and ran towards her to help. Hinata and Kageyama also went to help Yachi while Haruto grabbed some chairs to assist Mahiru.
The gym became noisy as the laughs and sounds of people helping set up the gym echoed and there was also some excitement in their voices as this was the first match they played since the Inter Highs.
"Seems like everyone is energetic today."
"They've been itching to play a game so I guess it was inevitable. Oh I think the school is here already."
Ukai heard a coach call out to him and told everyone to start peppering with a partner to continue warming up for the game. The team grabbed the volleyballs and began to pepper as they saw their opponents enter the gym.
The other team also started to warm up but their eyes always wandered back onto Karasuno's side. Especially towards the bench where the three girls were.
"Hey, do you see those girls over there.."
"Yeah… Do you want me to roll the ball over there so you could talk to them?"
They whispered to each other and agreed to the idea they had. One of the boys chased the ball after it rolled towards the direction Mahiru, Kiyoko and Yachi were standing.
"Oops, is this your ball?"
As he was getting close a guy entered his vision and it was Haruto who picked up the ball and passed it back to him.
"Y-Yeah thanks a lot."
"No problem, I was just trying to help out."
Haruto gave him a 'friendly' smile, having the guy from the other school quickly rush back to his side.
"Haruto, you did us good."
"Nice job Haruto!"
Haruto felt two hands on his shoulder as Tanaka and Nishinoya gave him a thumbs up. Haruto paused for a second before giving a thumbs up back, making the girls who saw the whole scene blankly stare at them.
"Okay everyone line up and we can get started!"
"YESS!"
Ukai called out and both teams greeted each other before finishing up what they needed to do and finally start the practice match.
***
"Spread out the block, it's going outside!" Ukai yelled out as the other gave a high toss towards their outside hitter.
Haruto, Tsukishima and Kageyama got into position and waited for a bit before jumping together with their arms spread out. They managed to cover the line and cross making it difficult for the other team to hit.
'The block is tall.' The hitter grimaced as he didn't know where to hit so he tipped it over the block.
"I got it!" Nishinoya quickly got into position and managed to pick it up, making for a good pass for them to use.
"Watch their number 13!" The opponents coach yelled out making the blockers near the front slightly tense as they grouped up near Haruto who got a set from Kageyama.
"Omff." Haruto gave out a breath as he swung at the ball making it bounce down and go past the gap by blockers arms. Haruto landed after getting the point and remembered back to how the ball contacted his palm.
'Hmm, I need to add more power to my hits." Haruto thought as he clenched his hand and remembered the last talk he had with Ushijima.
"Haruto, get ready for the next point!"
"Yes!"
Haruto snapped out of his thoughts and rotated from his position since the other team had served previously making the score now [17-13]. Kageyama served the ball to have the set continue and got the ball into motion.
"It looks way more intense when I see them play up close."
"I get what you mean. The sounds they make each time they hit is heard more clearly when we're up close."
Yachi and Mahiru watched the game near the scoreboard as they were the ones keeping score. They were able to catch the difference in experience when they watched the team play up close compared to when they were standing by the stands.
The set continued and both teams were playing hard to score points but Karasuno was slowly increasing the gap between the points and were nearing the end first.
"Cover!" The other team's coach once again called out as they touched Tskuishima's hit and had the ball flying to their side. They were able to recover the ball slightly and attack but were slowed down by Karasuno's block.
"I got the cover!" Asahi called out loud and passed the ball towards Kageyama. He once again set the ball towards the middle trying to end the set as it was currently [24-18].
Tsukishima swung his arms across his body and hit a cross from the middle. The ball flew into the opponent's chest and flew back near their side of the net. Haruto watched the ball fly back onto their side and saw the chance to hit it directly.
He jumped up and swung his arm while snapping his wrist quickly, hitting the ball back earning another point.
"Ohh that felt so nice!" Haruto smiled as the others went to celebrate the point with him.
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The ref blew the whistle indicating the end of the set and both teams returned to their side of the court.
"Alright I guess you guys enjoyed that first set since Inter Highs?" Ukai said while smiling as the team nodded their heads.
"For the next couple of sets I will be switching up the lineups so that you guys can have more experience playing with people you usually don't play with." Ukai began to explain his plans and told them what was the lineup for the next set.
"Alright everyone, fight!"
""Fight!""
The very brief talk with Ukai ended and they returned back to the match with a different lineup from before, ready to once again play another set.
***
"Sorry Mahiru, were you waiting long?"
"Nope I actually came back from getting some books from my locker so you're fine."
Haruto quickly walked towards Mahiru who was waiting near a bench beside the gym. He had to stay for a bit longer to talk with Ukai about some stuff about the trip to Tokyo and he got his questions answered.
"How was it watching one of our games up close?"
"Kiyoko taught us more about the rules on volleyball and it was very interesting actually knowing what is happening specifically."
Haruto asked Mahiru a question about the practice match as they were walking back home and Mahiru shared her thoughts. They continued to talk about the game and about some funny moments that happened during it.
"But who would've thought that you would get hit in the face when you dove for that one ball."
"Ugh I swear I didn't put that much force into my dive to move that close to the ball…"
Mahiru laughed out loud as she recalled that one moment and Haruto covered his face as he remembered how a big red mark was still left on his face when he got up.
They continued to walk and Mahiru's eyes wandered to a bright sign that caught her attention. It was a sign for a cafe that had a sale for one of their desserts being half off.
"Do you want to get some?"
Mahiru heard a voice near her ear as she saw Haruto looking over her shoulder. She flinched a little, surprised to see Haruto suddenly near her.
"Well I just saw the bright colors and it got my attention…"
Mahiru said but Haruto was able to see her eyes wander towards the display near the glass window at the front.
"Hmm, let's go inside and see what kind of food they have. I'm feeling kinda hungry."
Haruto quickly led the flustered Mahiru into the cafe who failed to hide the curious expression she had on her face. She saw Haruto in front leading the way and quickly increased the pace of her steps to stand right beside him.
***
Afterschool date?? I hope you enjoyed it. Peacu
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