CHAPTER SEVEN

      To describe the emotions running through the Inter-High tournament was a hard task. The teams, the spectators...everyone who attended this tournament came with vastly different thought processes. Some nervous, some excited, some scared...emotions ran high in the Sendai City gymnasium.

      Though there was no reason for her to feel this way, the slightest amount of fear had settled in Misaki's heart. She had to clear her head; she couldn't go into the match like that. Instead of watching the start of the Karasuno match, she had excused herself to go to the bathroom, leaving her things with Yuki.

      The girl's bathroom was slightly crowded. Among the vast majority of players, Misaki was sure she was the only manager present. But, eh, that wasn't relevant. She opened her ponytail in front of the mirror; her red-burgundy hair falling over her shoulders. She ran her fingers through it, smoothing it out before she tied it up again. She stared at herself in the mirror, her expression nothing but calm and collected. (Though internally, her nervousness remained)

      Misaki finished washing her hands and quickly wiped them on her handkerchief. As she walked away, she passed a girl dressed in a black and grey uniform. Their shoulders brushed slightly and Misaki uttered a quick apology.

      'I hope I'm not too late,' She thought as she basically ran out of the bathroom at full speed, rushing towards the stands to join the team.

      Finally, she fell into her seat besides Yuki. The first year girl gave her a look of concern. "Are you okay?"

      "Maybe I shouldn't have run," Misaki said with a sheepish smile. She panted a little, before turning her attention to the front. One row ahead of them were Iwaizumi, Oikawa and Kindaichi. Oikawa had a bored expression on his face while the other two were leaning against the railing, staring down at the match that was about to begin.

      Misaki counted down in her mind. 'Five, four, three, two...'

      At one, she heard the whistle blown by the referee. Both teams bowed to each other. The match was about to begin.

      Misaki scanned the Karasuno team, noticing the two new players. One of them was a libero and the other was a much taller guy. 'So they've got new players? I wonder how they play?'

      As it turned out, Karasuno played well beyond what she had expected.

      The taller, bearded guy had powerful spikes, though she was sure Iwaizumi had even stronger ones. The libero was incredible in his own way; his speed at retrieving the balls left in her immense awe. And the way he received all the serves sent over by the opposing team was just a delight to watch.

      'That libero is going to be interesting to play against,' Misaki thought. 'I wonder if he can retrieve Oikawa's serves.'

      Then it happened. 

      For the first time since the practice match, Misaki saw it again. The freak quick of Kageyama and the orange-haired player, who was called Hinata if she remembered correctly. The reactions from those watching the match were amusing to watch. Misaki turned her head to look at Yuki. The younger girl's mouth was hanging open in shock. That same expression was mirrored by the teams and the spectators who had their eyes on this match.

      This was the one match that said everything. This was the beginning of the rise of the crows.

      The Miyagi play-offs were going to be pretty interesting this year.

      Karasuno won their match with ease. And now they would face off against Dateko in the next match. But Misaki wouldn't let herself be concerned about their matches now.

      "Yuki, make sure you stick close to Yuda, okay?" Misaki instructed. As per the official rules, only one manager was allowed on the bench. As the 'senior' manager, Misaki would be the one sitting on the bench while Yuki would watch from the stands alongside the rest of the cheer squad. Back in her first year, with the manager before her, she had done the same and the experience of being part of that squad was amazing.

      Though, even that wouldn't compare to the experience of watching the team play right in front of your eyes.

       "Yes!" Yuki nodded eagerly. Misaki squeezed her shoulders gently, sending her a grin. She grabbed her bag from her seat and got up. She sent Yuki one last wave before she followed the team.

      As a seeded team, Seijoh had the advantage of playing in only one match on the first day. Expectations were high. But Misaki knew they would easily breeze through this round. She caught up with Oikawa and Iwaizumi as she walked, the two slightly parting to make space for her in the middle.

      The three of them walked together as they always had, all of them with equally determined faces.

      Rule the Court, Seijoh's banner said. Rule the Court.

      Rule the court with incredible serves, with impeccable tosses, with powerful spikes. They were the commanders of the court and Oikawa was at the top, recognizing his team's potential to be superior to all others.

      But Misaki pushed the high praise away from her mind. Too much arrogance and confidence could destroy chances at victory.

      For now, she would cheer and support her team from the sidelines. Do your job and do it right.

      Nightfall.

      The first day of Inter-High was over and multiple teams were eliminated, losing their chance to go to the nationals.

      But not Seijoh. They had destroyed their opponents completely, winning in two straight sets. They had no other match on the first, but the match tomorrow, on the second day, was the one to be excited for. Karasuno's victory against Dateko had been the deciding factor.

      The two teams would face each other once more, but this time, in an official match, which would make the stakes all the more higher.

      After a long meeting, during which they analyzed the performances from the match as well as making a basic plan to deal with Karasuno, the entire team had gone home to rest for the night.

      Well...not the entire team actually.

      Misaki was currently leaning against the wall of the building where all club rooms were situated. She tapped her foot on the ground, feeling impatient. She checked the time on her phone again.

      "What's taking those two so long?"

      (She was pretty sure the reason those two were late was Oikawa's fault)

       "I guess I'll just go and check on them in the club room," Misaki said to herself. She held the strap of her bag tightly, zipped up her jacket and stood up straight. She started climbing up the stairs to the club room. The volleyball team's club room was on the first floor only because of the sheer size of the team. Only the bigger rooms on the first floor were enough to accommodate the entirety of the team.

      Misaki walked past the doors of the other club rooms, stopping in front of their own. Before she could even knock, she heard noises from inside and nearly facepalmed herself when she recognized those as Iwaizumi scolding Oikawa.

      "Stop being stupid, Crappy Oikawa," Iwaizumi said in a tone she had come to be very familiar with. "I'm shutting the club room doors, so get out of here, Trashykawa."

      "Don't shorten the insults!" Oikawa whined back.

      "Trashy Oikawa!"

      Misaki quietly laughed at that. She knocked on the door, before she poked her head through to stare at the arguing pair.

      "If you two are done arguing," Misaki said. "Can we please lock up the club room and walk home?"

       "Misa-chan, tell Iwa-chan to stop being so mean to me," Oikawa said, pointing fingers at Iwaizumi.

      "Iwaizumi, let's just leave him in the club room and lock up for the day," Misaki looked at the boy in question who nodded.

      "I like how you think," Iwaizumi answered, smirking at Oikawa who was going on another one of his tirades about how mean his friends were to him. But, even then, both Misaki and Iwaizumi grabbed each one of the setter's arms and started dragging him out the door.

      Then Iwaizumi let go of him, and he took the opportunity to fully drape his arms around Misaki, like she was an armrest made for him. But she flicked his forehead.

     "Ouch! That hurt!" Oikawa pressed a hand to the spot where she had flicked him.

      Misaki stuck her tongue out at him, laughing. "Well, good. It was supposed to. Now get your arms off me."

      "Yes, ma'am," Oikawa said as he saluted her, though she had a feeling that he was doing that to mock her.

      "Let's go." Iwaizumi turned towards the other two as he finished locking the club room. Putting the keys in his pocket, he started walking towards the stairs. Misaki and Oikawa followed and once the three of them had stepped away from the club room building, they walked level with each other.

      Oikawa in the middle and Misaki and Iwaizumi at his sides. Walking home together...this was a familiar routine that three fell back into with ease, having done it since elementary school. The three of them had always been together. They were a team, making fun of each other but no one ever took offense. It was just how things were and how they would be.

      Later, she was back at home, sitting crossed legged on her bed watching the Karasuno vs Dateko match, with headphones plugged into her laptop to block out the argument between her parents. (They had both been busy a lot these days and were arguing a lot too...she wondered why, but it's not like it was her business to know.)

      Tomorrow was going to be a long-awaited day. Tomorrow was the Karasuno vs Seijoh match. A match between a genius and a hardworking, immensely strong athlete. This was a match that was bound to bring up some old memories.

      Tomorrow was going to be...interesting.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FAV. ANNOYING BOY THAT IS OIKAWA TOORU!  

This update was half-done, but I pushed through and finished it so that I could post it today. It's really just a filler chapter, but I can say that there are a few moments of foreshadowing here. The next chapter though, I can promise that it will be the usual length. Till then I hope you enjoy reading this. Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 

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