Chapter 87: Representative Playoffs
Days that turned into weeks continued to pass and with each passing moment, Haruto and everyone at Karasuno have been trying their best to fit in as much practice as possible.
The sun had finally begun to set and inside Karasuno's General Park Gymnasium, the sounds of shoes kicking off the floor was noticeable alongside the sounds of people yelling.
"Hey kid, get the second ball!"
A person on Haruto's team called out as he tried his best to push the ball towards him to use.
Over the past weeks of him attending the various practices of the Kaji Wild Dogs, Haruto had gotten the opportunity to try many different things other than hitting.
'Will he run up?'
Haruto saw the ball come to his direction on the left side and noticed the two people who were at the front with him.
His eyes widened slightly when he saw Tsukishima go up for a potential set and rubbed his fingers a bit, before planting his feet and jumping up to set.
The ball met his palm and fingers to which Haruto tried his best to set a quick for Tsukishima who ran at a faster tempo.
Tsukishima hit the ball that came his way but wasn't able to fully extend his arm since the ball was a bit shorter than what he's used to.
"Nice pickup, Akaizawa-san here!"
Getting his hit in, the opponents on the other side brought the ball up to the setter with a light touch and he gave a fast set to his outside hitter.
Haruto got in place for a cross while Tsukishima went up for a block.
'The ball is a bit off the net and Akaizawa-san favors doing his cross spikes…'
Learning to find habits from Haruto, Tsukishima watched carefully before jumping up right when Akaizawa brought his arm down to swing. The ball was met by a strong block which killed it, making it land back onto their opponents side.
"You managed to finally block him." Haruto smiled as he repeatedly smacked Tsukishima on the back.
"I guess so, also that set earlier was too short for me."
"I tried my best alright…"
Haruto clicked his tongue before turning silent and tried to think of what other things he needed to do in order to help him. Tsukishima just stared at him while he repeatedly moved two of his fingers on his left hand.
"Akaizawa-san, I told you my brother will show us something amazing!"
"Guh…hey kid! Let's run that play one more time." Akaizawa on the other side of the net called out to Tsukishima but was suddenly interrupted by another person on his team.
"The set's done already. Plus we haven't taken a break yet so now's a good time. "
With his words reaching his ears, Akaizawa looked at the score and saw that it was [25-22]. He felt reluctant to end on that one play but he decided that he will get his comeback during the game after their break.
"You keep shaking your fingers, is something wrong with it?"
"The ball on that last block hit my finger weird."
While they were on the benches Haruto noticed his actions and decided to look for something inside his bag.
"Probably a jammed finger. You know how to wrap your fingers right?"
"Yeah."
Taking the sports tape from Haruto's hands, Tsukishima wrapped his fingers together and tried his best to make it so it doesn't affect him in any way when he's playing.
"It's almost here."
"What is?"
While he was wrapping, Tsukishima suddenly spoke out, making Haruto slightly confused with what he was saying.
"The playoffs."
"Ahh, yeah it's a week from now huh. The month went by really fast."
"Are you nervous?"
Haruto glanced at Tsukishima who was next to him and saw that he was still attempting to wrap his fingers together.
"I would be lying if I wasn't but that doesn't overshadow the fact that I can finally have the opportunity to get revenge for what happened during the finals in the Inter Highs."
Tsukishima took his eyes away from his fingers and looked at Haruto who for once had a very serious look, compared to the happy and joking face he is so used to seeing.
"Plus I get to play some more so what else could I ask for."
"....I don't understand you sometimes."
"Psh, it's just you who overthinks too much."
He felt his eyebrows twitch when he heard Haruto and just scoffed.
"Let's go, break seems to be over already."
"Sure, sure~"
Following behind Tsukishima, Haruto returned on the court to play some more and subconsciously rubbed his fingers together when he saw that they were set to play one more game.
***
"Sendai City Gym we meet again!"
"Stop yelling so loud, idiot."
Kageyama let out a yawn as he bit on a granola bar that Takeda handed out before they walked out of the bus. Haruto who was right behind them, was chewing on an apple while he stared at a piece of paper.
"Are you feeling nervous?"
"Hmm?"
Mahiru who was walking beside him, spoke up and Haruto peeled his eyes away from the paper. He noticed that she tried to put a smile on her face but it was a bit awkward, failing to hide what she's feeling.
"I feel like you're more nervous than me despite not even playing."
"Of course I am! The thought of you playing against those higher leveled players from last time is making me get the jitters."
Haruto noticed the slight frown on her face as she reminisced about her time during the Inter Highs and he just gave a small smile.
"Don't worry, just cheer me on with all your might and watch me do my best alright."
"That's obvious, your biggest supporter is right here."
He saw how she puffed up her chest in confidence and Haruto ruffled through her hair, making Mahiru giggle since it felt a bit ticklish.
After a while of checking, Karasuno found a spot where they could place their bags and everyone did their routines that they needed to do before their game.
"The washroom is where I meet very scary people…"
Hinata began to mumble to himself as he stood outside the boys washroom remembering all the players he's met.
"There was Kageyama, Haruto, and even more…"
"Hey Chibi-chan, what are you doing?"
"Eeek!?"
Hinata turned around and noticed that Oikawa and Iwaizumi who was right next to him, were looking at him from above.
"Where's Tobio-chan and Haru-chan? I don't seem to see them here with you."
"T-They're checking some stuff w-with our coach."
"Ooh really~"
Oikawa narrowed his eyes a bit when he heard his words and Hinata swallowed his saliva while he slowly moved backwards to get away from him.
As he was walking backwards he suddenly felt like he ran into someone and quickly apologized but froze when he saw who it was.
"Oof– I-I'm sorry, are yo–"
"Hmm? You were that person on Haruto Watanabe's team…. Hinata Shoyo, am I correct?" Ushijima narrowed his eyes when saw Hinata and remembered him during their match from before.
"Y-Yes!"
Hinata began to sweat bullets, noticing the people that started to crowd around him and felt like his stomach might burst from the amount of stress he's experiencing right now.
"How are you able to cause such a commotion when you just said that you were going to empty your bladder…"
"Haruto…"
When he felt like he might be overwhelmed by nerves, he felt someone place their hand on his head and heard a familiar voice making him almost shed a tear at his savior.
"Haru-chan…"
"Haruto Watanabe."
"Heyo Oikawa! And.. I'm pretty happy that you still remember me Ushijima."
"Oh course." Ushijima replied with a stoic look on his face
Haruto saw his flat response and felt like he was talking to a rock and whispered something under his breath.
"I knew he was quiet on the court but is he like this even when he's not playing…"
"...."
"...."
While he was whispering to himself, Ushijima and Oikawa were staring blankly at each other, making Hinata worried that a fight might break out.
"We'll win this time."
With some final words, Oikawa turned around with Iwaizumi leaving the three other guys to be left behind.
"I hope you have the skills to back up what you said back then."
With the same flat tone he always spoke with, Haruto saw the deep look Ushijima was giving him.
"You'll know once we play against each other."
"I see. I look forward to that."
A brief silence surrounded the two and Ushijima left without saying anything else. Hinata who was near Haruto let out a huge sign as he felt like he was suffocating from the serious air that happened before him.
Haruto gave a wry smile and told him to hurry up and go to the bathroom before he makes an accident when it's their time to go play their match.
'The bathroom is a scary place.'
***
"Everyone start getting your jerseys now. Date Tech's game is almost finished and it will be our turn to play."
""Osu!""
Ukai who held a folder in his hands, called out to Karasuno who were doing some light stretches to help warm up and they started to get everything ready.
"Don't be getting cold feet now~." Haruto smiled as he fixed the black jersey he wore.
"I should be saying the same thing to you but I think Hinata will need those words more."
"The hell are you trying to say?"
Kageyama scoffed when he heard Hinata's words but a smile still appeared on his face as he moved his fingers around.
Haruto stretched his arms in the air and held both fists right beside him where Kageyama and Hinata were at. They saw the raised fist and bumped theirs with his, as they walked onto the court where their first match will be held.
***
I hope you enjoyed it. Peacu.
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