Noya/Hinata Ennoshita Tanaka

Kageyama Tsukki Shoji

===

Kiyotani Kindaichi Kunimi

Fujii Watari/ Kaku Yahaba

The boys walked onto the court to begin the first set. Tsukishima faced the net and across from him was Kindaichi. He didn't have a personal vendetta against Seijoh's middle blocker, and honestly they got along just fine at the Shiratorizawa training camp last year. Still, he was annoyed.

"Where's your coach?"

"Family emergency," he kept his answer short.

Kindaichi frowned. "Not that I care, but is that teacher experienced enough? This is the city finals."

"Mirae's experienced enough."

"Wait, what?"

Tsukki smirked. It was true that their manager helped with their training and yes, she was a volleyball prodigy too, but Mirae was also a strategist. She could see things that other's couldn't.

"Man, she doesn't look so good. Is she okay?"

He didn't bother with a reply. He rolled his eyes and watched Seijoh's setter, Yahaba, prepare for his serve. The referee blew the whistle and he ran up, throwing the ball in the air. It came towards Nishinoya with extreme force. He growled, coming in one step too late for the receive.

"Sorry, Kageyama, cover!"

"Got it!"

Kageyama stepped forward and with his back to the net, he lunged underneath the ball. Using the method that Mirae had taught him a few weeks ago, he snapped his torso upright and sent the ball to Hinata.

It wasn't the dropping set that his middle blocker was used to, but it was precise enough that Hinata could execute a fast attack between the two blockers.

"Yeah!"

"Whoo!"

Hinata bounced on the balls of his feet, complimenting Kageyama's set from such a tricky place. The latter rolled his eyes and nudged him. Together, they faced the Coach's bench and raised their fists at Mirae.

Her eyes softened.

25:23

"Amazing job, boys!" Takeda Sensei praised. He was pacing left and right, giving each player an extra boost of confidence. "You're all in great form and you're communicating better than ever."

"See, there's nothing to worry about!" Tanaka slung his arm over Mirae's shoulder. "We're playing exactly how we trained and you've got Coach's notes. We didn't even need to use our time outs."

"Just keep that pretty smile on your face, Mirae. There's nothing to worry about."

She patted Noya's back, nodding.

The biological explanation of what nerves are and how they work is easy enough to understand, but that did not make this easier. She felt that if she opened her mouth, she was going to be sick.

"Um," Yachi stepped forward and tapped Mirae's shoulder. "Take a breather, sit down and drink some water. The boys can sense your anxiety."

She looked away. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Assistant Coach is an intimidating title to live up to especially in the finals when you have no real coaching experience. You have nothing to worry about, they know what they're doing. If anything, they need to know that you know that they know what they're doing."

"Right," Mirae cocked her head to the side. "I know that I don't know what you said."

Yachi froze. Mirae grinned. Both of them laughed.

The second set started off with and intimidating serve from Seijoh's Ace, but Ennoshita picked it up easily as though he had been anticipating it. Kageyama tossed the ball to the right where Shoji was waiting. Two blockers jumped at him.

He spiked the ball, aiming at their forearms for a bounce out.

The referee awarded the point to Karasuno and Shoji turned around, looking at the Coach's bench. When he caught Mirae's eyes, he smiled at her. She gave him a thumbs up.

They continued the game with Seijoh chasing Karasuno one or two points short of a lead. Then, after Tanaka's third consecutive spike, Aoba Johsai had to call a time out.

"They're not using commit blocks anymore." Kageyama thanked Mirae for the water bottle. "I think Kindaichi's trying to narrow Hinata's spiking zone. Oi, dumbass, I told you to practice your line shots."

Hinata's eyes widened. "I did!"

"Then what was that spike earlier? You barely tapped it."

"It still went over."

Takeda Sensei cleared his throat as he approached them. "Hinata."

He blinked and turned around.

"Yes, Sensei?"

"You need to calm down a bit. I've noticed that you're running around with less care than usual. Remember, you're sharing the court with five other players."

"Right!"

"Dumbass."

"Shut-up."

The referees were taking their places again and Mirae slung her arms over Hinata and Kageyama's shoulders. "I'm proud of you boys," she said before they could begin another argument. "Now, let's win the next set so we get bragging rights."

27:26

"Tanaka!"

"Uagh!"

"Got it, got it!"

"Yahaba-san, nice receive!"

"Left, left!"

"Two blockers!"

"Nice receive, Ennoshita-san!"

"Kageyama!"

"Yeah!"

"Yes!"

28:26

Karasuno pried the second set from Seijoh at the expense of Hinata.

Takeda Sensei and Mirae ran towards him. He was on the ground, clutching his ankle, his face red and eyes shut tight.

"Hinata, where does it hurt? Let me see."

He shook his head, holding his ankle tighter.

Mirae bent down and rubbed his back. It was drenched with sweat. "You know, Emiko will kill me if anything happens to you, right?"

"I'm fine," he gritted out.

"You landed on your ankle with that last side jump, didn't you?"

He couldn't hide it from her. He opened his eyes and nodded. "I don't want to stop playing."

"It's not about what you want, but what you need," Takeda Sensei explained. He reached for Hinata's arms and helped him up. Yaotome pushed through the small crowd that had formed and offered support.

"Don't worry, Miss. Manager Mirae. Yachi and I will take him to the nurse."

Hinata glared at the ground, clenching his jaw. He began to hop off the court.

"Oi," Kageyama called to him. Hinata looked back just in time to see him raise his chin. "You're coming back."

Whether it was an inside joke or a boost of confidence in the exclusive Hinata/Kageyama language, no one knew. Though, it was enough for Hinata to push his own shoulders back and nod.

Yachi and 'Tome helped support Hinata as they walked out the gym.

"Okay," Kageyama turned to Mirae, "who's being subbed in?"

She looked at Tsukishima. "It should be Takita."

"What?" their first year deadpanned. "No."

"What the hell do you mean no?" Shoji growled.

"I mean," Takita snapped back, "no. No, no, no. That's a terrible idea."

"It's Mirae's idea. Are you saying her idea is terrible?"

"Yes-" he jumped back when Shoji ran towards him. "I'll choke you Shoji, I'm not kidding. Don't touch me."

Mirae concluded it was the nerves because engaging in child's play was the last thing she expected from those two.

"Captain, what do you think?"

"I trust your judgement," Ennoshita agreed, "however, Kageyama hasn't spent much time practicing with him. It'd be a risk."

"I can adjust. We'd need some time and it would risk a few points but I can get the ball to him."

"He's the best choice," Tsukki added. "I worked with him at the training camps. Even if his quick attacks need work, his blocks are effective."

"We can't pair him with Shoji." They turned around to see the two first years using the towels to hit each other around Takeda Sensei. Mirae called out to him.

"I don't want to go in."

"You're on the freaking team for a reason you loser!"

"Who are you, Emiko?" Takita scoffed. "I'm on the team but I'm not ready to be on the court. I have PTSD."

"From what?"

"From your face. It's horrendous."

This time, Ennoshita and Tanaka had to hold Shoji back.

"What about Narita?" Kageyama asked, calling their teammate over. "I've practiced with him a lot since training camp. We could sub him in."

Mirae eyed Takita. He was resting his weight on his left leg and glaring at Shoji as though preparing to sprint away at the first sign of an attack. He was nervous and for good reason to. He hadn't played in any real games yet. This would be his first. From what she remembered, he hadn't played in tournaments in middle school either.

"If Takita isn't confident about playing yet, we shouldn't force him to."

Tsukishima narrowed his eyes. He looked like he wanted to argue more and convince their first year to get on the court or else, but Mirae reached out and tapped his arm.

"What?"

"He'll get there. Just not now."

He frowned, frustrated with her leniency towards Takita.

The third set was beginning now. Narita was subbed in for Hinata. Shoji and Tsukishima glared at Takita from the court, but he smiled back at them and even wiggled his eyebrows.

19:25

"Listen here you little shit," Shoji growled and grabbed Takita by the collar of his shirt, "this isn't about what you want. It's about what we need. And we need you to stop being such a freaking baby, wear your big boy pants, and get your twig-self on the court."

Takita blinked. "In what universe do you see me as a twig? I have muscles, for your information. Lots."

"You do not."

"Do too. I follow the Karasuno Bible to the bone and you'll be jealous to hear Mirae gives me gold star stickers each week."

Shoji narrowed his eyes. "Lies."

"Truth. Want to see them?"

"Lies," he growled, "I get them only. Mirae said so."

"What the hell are you two fighting about?" Tsukishima scowled and pulled them away from each other.

"This loser," Shoji emphasized his insult, "won't get on the court."

"I don't have to."

"Yes, you do! Our team needs you. Don't you see, our morale is going down?"

"Our morale is fine."

Shoji crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm going to hit him if he says another stupid excuse."

Tsukishima pushed him back. "The last thing we need is you two fighting and giving Mirae more to stress about."

"Dude, look, you're a good player. You practiced your blocks during our training camp and Kageyama said he can adjust to you. Why don't you give it a try? If you play terribly I know Mirae will ask to sub you out anyway. So, what's the problem?"

Takita spun around and whined. "I don't want to."

"Now I'm going to hit you," Tsukki muttered. "Why did you train so hard during the training camps?"

"Because it was a training camp?"

"Sure, but after the first two days you started taking it more seriously. You would stay for the individual practice and you stopped complaining. Why?"

When Takita didn't answer, Shoji did. "He didn't like being compared to Lev from Nekoma. Emiko kept saying he was better."

"Lev can die in a ditch for all I care," Takita snapped.

"Are you nervous? Scared?"

"He's a whiny loser who's full of shit."

"Die."

"Is there a reason we're attacking each other?" Mirae asked. She cautiously approached the three boys, eyeing them. "Ennoshita warned you guys that if he hears any more threats he'll give you a time out."

"Shoji's bullying me."

"Jokes on you," Shoji snarled. He leaned against Mirae and smirked. "I'm her favourite first year so she knows I'm innocent."

"I don't play favourites." She pried him off. "What's the reason you two are ganging up on Takita?"

Shoji pouted. "He's being a smartass dumbass and won't get on the court."

"He's nervous but I know his blocks are effective. He should at least try."

"Why won't you try?"

Takita frowned. "I'm not experienced as much as Narita or Kinnoshita or Tadashi. They should play instead of me. They're reliable."

"With Hinata out, Tsukishima is the middle blocker whose judgement I trust."

"Wait," Tsukishima pushed himself in front of her, "you trust Hinata more than you trust me?"

Mirae blinked. Then she turned back to Takita. "As I was saying, I trust his judgement. If he says you are our best bet, then I agree. Besides, don't you want to tell Emiko how you were subbed in and how you played today? I know Lev from Nekoma will be texting her details about his game."

That sentence alone was enough to convince him. Takita straightened his back and narrowed his eyes.

"Fine."

"Fine?"

"Fine," he nodded. "I'll go in."

|Note|

Takita's first game!! Hope you're excited to see this middle blocker in action! Also, we hope you caught on to Shoji's spike earlier; he hit at an angle the way Bokuto taught him :D He's growing so quickly!

Fun fact: Mirae is a liar. Emiko does not text Lev about anything. She's loyal to her boys, she's a real one :P

We're also really sorry for hurting Hinata... again... first it was at the prelims and now at finals. We won't hurt him again, we promise.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter :) Please don't forget to vote!

|End Note|