Hey guys! How y'all doing?
I had another crazy week. Sometimes I feel like this weekly crazy life isn't that bad to live, huh? lol
I hope y'all having a happy day, and thank you, HalfwayParanoid and Tsukiyomi-Hio for supporting my two stories! Shout out to you two! I'm really happy to see that you enjoy my work. Thank you yannieXD for the compliment on Scorcher :) You all have given me the motivation I need to start up my computer and touch my keyboard everyday!
Really, thanks so much!
Then without further adieu, please enjoy!
Disclaimer: Chikae is mah girl :)
23-24.
She never thought Yamaguchi could have done it.
Chikae never thought she'd be able to see this score. After so much struggling, Karasuno is only one step away from victory.
Then, the pain starts to come back.
Her eyes meet his and it feels like something snaps inside of her. That look on Oikawa-san's face - look of the betrayed - just one microsecond his eyes and hers met, somehow has opened up an unknown area of her.
She's positive now that she knows him because he feels so excruciatingly familiar.
The more she tries to think about it, the more pain it brings her. Not just inside her head. The tingling runs slowly through her veins, then, down her toes. The pain seems to have melted with her blood, making her squirm every where it goes.
Chikae tries to control it, suppressing it by focusing too the only sound she could hear – the sound of ball hitting the floor. She can't even tell how the score has gone. It's all a blur for her. The virtual game she creates inside her head is in shambles now. Like a TV that loses signal, all the names and places of the players she keeps inside her head are nothing but annihilated information.
She can't keep up.
"They took it right back," Takeda-sensei speaks, forcing her to look back at the score.
25-25.
Her head throbs too painfully for her to feel anything. They had a chance. Had. It's getting harder to breathe again. But this time she knows it's worse.
"Are you alright?" Kiyoko-san's voice morphs into strange high-pitched echos, and her hand resting on Chikae's shoulder burns her skin.
"Ukai-kun!" Takeda-sensei's grip on her shoulders comes suddenly. She can't even make out the line of his face let alone his expression.
His voice sounds worried, but she can't feel anything but annoyance for it. It's too loud. Again. How many of these attacks are gonna come?! The team isn't doing good right no-
"Argh!" she squeals, gripping down her head.
"Chikae, you need to stop," Koushi-san demands, "You in this state isn't going to help anyone."
"N... No!" she chokes, "No. I'm f-"
"You are not fine. Stop saying that you are!"
"Keep... your voice... down," the girl siths, "Give me status report."
"Status report is that you need to lie down and rest," Koushi-san persist, "I'm not letting you do this to yourself."
"I'm-I'm not let-letting you get in my way," Chikae fights back, "I can do this. I just need some air."
The third-year wasn't satisfied with that.
"You can't," he stubbornly tries.
But Chikae had enough. "I can," the girl spits a breath out, swallowing every bit of fresh air she could get, "You are not in the position to decide if I can, or cannot continue. I didn't sit here to back off w-when things get rough. I... I'm the coach. I-I'm gonna see this end!"
She hears the ball hit a metal space and see the score turns to 26-26. That has got to be Oikawa-san. Her subconscious somehow realized it. It's like she should have known him – like he is important, like she shouldn't have let herself forget.
Speak of the devil it's his turn to serve again. By the way he steals their points with ease, it's possible her prediction came true. Oikawa-san has managed to perfect his attack in the span of this game. And they are now facing his wrath.
Great.
Wonderful.
The ball goes with a speed that Chikae didn't think a serve could achieve. Unknowingly to her, she stands up. Daichi-san rushes to the front. Even Yuu was render motionless. Their effing libero wasn't fast enough for that ball.
But captain made a clean receive. The ball goes aerial again.
"Alright!" Takeda-sensei cheers. It isn't a long cheer though because number 12 from Seijoh was already there waiting for them. He slams the ball down, hitting Tanaka's wrist.
It's a battle for one point.
If Karasuno gets it, they still have a chance. If Seijoh gets it...
Asahi-san pulls out his strike. It hits Seijoh's crazy 16 clean, bouncing off. They're gonna attack. Who's gonna make that spike?!
Chikae tries to think. She tries to analyze. Her head hurts so bad she can't even think straight. Seijoh's formation jumbles up. The girl can't pick up any good movement. She doesn't know who's gonna attack.
"DEFENSE!" she yells in desperation.
The ball goes. 28-26.
They lost the set.
Δ
"Fuck," Chikae curses, her knees finally gives out.
"I got you," a familiar voice comes closer as she feels two shoulders steadily rest under her arms.
"Koushi-san..." she recognizes and relaxes under his care.
"They're changing sides," he says, "Let's go."
"I thought you'd kidnap me and lock me up in the infirmary or something," the girl smiles weakly, "Why the change?"
"We're in this together right?" he asks. And she just smiles, doesn't say a single thing in return.
Together.
Right.
"YAMAGUCHI! THAT WAS SOME NICE SERVING BACK THERE!", Yuu and Tanaka shouts, getting her attention.
They aren't... feeling down?
They aren't giving up. What the fuck is she doing giving up?!
"Thank you," Chikae speaks, "Thank you. All of you."
"We'll win this, Chikae," Koushi-san smiles, "Together."
"Together." she nods
Δ
"KARASUNO! FIGHT!"
"OH!"
Third set. Final chance. It's now or never. Somehow Chikae is extremely glad the starting members are too focus to notice her struggle. Hell, they sure make her feel the urge to have to chase after them. After all this time, for the first time, she isn't here to help them. These boys are here to help her. They don't need her to guide them. They need her to work with them.
She can't make anymore mistake. She can't let them down anymore.
She hasn't been able to read them. She didn't fully understand them.
These boys work differently.
They work as a team, equally. They add to each other's lackings.
And they need her to be what they are not – a cool headed coach who could read the game from a greater point of view, not getting caught up by the tension and lose focus.
The pain makes her job a lot more difficult, and she probably should have figured this out a long time before as their official coach for the game but none of that helps now.
Pain shouldn't stop her. Pain sure as hell doesn't stop Daichi-san or Yamaguchi. And it isn't going to stop her either.
She'll make this set count.
This time she's gonna do it right.
This time she's going to stand by their side and fight with them.
Δ
Alright. Think, Chikae. How are you gonna help them get through this?
07-06. The score is extremely close.
No more slip up. No more mistake.
Karasuno's balance so far is good. They barely hold it off against Oikawa-san's serves and number 16's attack. Adding a few more experienced players, like the third years, it is pretty much valid for her to say that her team is doing a very good job. However, if that balance break, it'll be the end for Karasuno.
"Kiyoko-san" she calls out, "What kind of guy do you think Tanaka is?"
The question seems to have surprised the manager considering how much time she's taking to pick her words.
"It's alright," the girl elaborates, "Don't think too much about it. I just want to confirm my own theory."
"He's a very... competitive." the manager answers, "In a bad way."
"Would you say he's... aggressive? Play-wise?" Chikae continues, her eyes locked on the bald-cut second year. She didn't need to hear Kiyoko-san's answer because she knows for about 80% that Tanaka isn't conscious of his action.
His instinctive – nearly primal – provocation aiming at number 16 has started to show through their play. Chikae is half sure that the genius captain of the team has also started to take notice of this. She has no clue how the almost lunatic 16's response to the constant tension from Tanaka will bode for Karasuno. It would be her preference that this kid crumbles under the heat and implode.
It's Asahi-san's turn to serve. Her heart races like crazy inside her chest when he throws the ball up and runs to it. His arm strikes down like a whip, pushing it off fast. It was a clean score. None of Seijoh's players were fast enough to react to it.
07-07. Chikae breathes a bit better. Hot heart and a cool head, she chants, hot heart and cool head.
Of course everyone else was going crazy. They just made a deuce. If there is any chance to turn the tide around, it's now. Though the girl knows that with how Seijoh has been the last set, there is no way they're gonna let Karasuno have this one so easily. 07-07 isn't a safe score. Practically speaking, anything could happen from now on. How she's going to keep the momentum going is the real problem here.
08-07.
As she thought, Seijoh is fiercely fighting back. But the story to tell is still yet been written. Number 16 still hasn't gotten any chance yet and she'd like to see if her prediction is right. That, and if the blockers read the situation well enough to notice.
Seijoh's pass goes to the kid. Expected. Tsukishima suddenly switches place for Tanaka right before that punk spikes. The ball ricochets straight back to their ground. 08-08. Good, the girl shadow punches, Tsukishima knew.
It isn't unusual since the boy has always been so perceptive but a good shutdown is a good shutdown. And that right there was brilliant, fucking denied right up 16's ass. Tanaka's declaration of war has gone well for them. If she can makes use of that, Karasuno will win.
Tsukishima's turn to serve.
Good.
Chances are 16 is angry and impatient right now. He just got blocked clean out by Tsukishima. He's going to pay a lot of attention to that boy. Her first year is going to draw out that illogical beast inside of him and let it bites Seijoh back.
"OUT!" Tsukishima yells, dodging the line of spike from 16.
Good call.
Now the score is 08-09. Full score 15. Your move Seijoh. 16 is riled up now. The way things go, this could very well be the end.
"What do you do?" Chikae crackles, glaring at the captain of the team in white, "Yeah. Like hell I'm gonna let you take this one home."
Δ
"Your eyes were like crazy," Yuu chuckles, "I liked it."
"What do you mean?" Chikae asks, before deciding that she's wasting precious time, "Sorry," she turns back to the boys, "Good job on that last play. Tsukishima, great job on the decision. So here's my speculation. And I want you all to listen very carefully. That alright?"
"Right!" they reply.
"Good," she nods, "Just keep doing what you are doing. My thought is that they are gonna sub 16 out, I'm sure some of you think so too."
"I do." Tobio agrees.
"I do too!" Hinata chimes in.
"Yeah right", the setter mocks, "You're too du-"
"Shut it," Chikae growls, "We can discuss stupidity later. These guys are gonna try to put 16 back in again as soon as he has calmed down. He brings pressure to you guys. They aren't gonna give up on him. I'm willing to put a bet on it. So score as many points as you can before he's on the court again. Keep your lead. 16 might seem like a crazy lawless but his skill and movement is instinctive. That means he's pretty much a Seijoh's Yuu- I mean Nishinoya. Keep that in mind. You are dealing with a Nishinoya who can spike."
"That doesn't make me feel good," Asahi-san comments, looking sideways.
She chuckles, shaking her head. "It isn't meant to sugarcoat," Chikae explains, "It's a heads up."
"Thanks," their captain grabs her hand, "We won't let this go to waste."
"I dare you really."
Chikae laughs. With how intensely they listened, she's sure that the boys will be fine. On the other hand, she's barely holding up. Knowing that she's going against the mind of someone who could bring out so much potential from an unpolished diamond crust, and knowing that the throbbing pain is starting to come back right when she needs it least, Chikae can't say for sure how long she can keep up. Oikawa-san really is a monster, but she is too. Maybe a wounded, unstable one, but one nevertheless.
It's time she lets them know the result of her days running around like dogs collecting info on the slightest changes in a human's physiques.
Δ
16-16
And her head is spinning like crazy.
Isn't this game suppose to be like a 15 points game? Wait. Is it? It hurts so bad that she can't even remember the fucking rules.
"Curses!"
This is bad... Really bad.
None of the team is willing to give it up. Neither is she. But her condition doesn't seem like it can hold off any longer.
If this is a 25 point game. Then it's gonna take 9 more points. She's gonna have to sit through 9 more damned points before she can get out of this place. How is it that every time she thought the pain has subsided, it comes back stronger? Did she violate anything, say, the Law of Irony?!
She's gonna have to sit through who knows how long with a head like someone stuck a corkscrew into it and twisted it around some for a little fun.
"W-What's the score right now?" Chikae asks, hands gripping on the jacket. She can't even scream. She has to be the one with a right mi-
"18-18" Takeda-sensei answers.
"Not yet." she growls.
The score moves so slow that the girl can swear maybe her being on the court might help more than her sitting here. At least she can do some real receives against the bloody opponent. She knows how Oikawa-san's choosing his course. She can at least be there where he's aiming it and receive the serve. She should be used to the speed and the force by now. Maybe her being out there is better than her sitting here.
The girl can hear a weaker slam down towards Karasuno's side. She can't see clearly, be it the lack of oxygen due to her having breathing problem or the pain that is pressing her brain, blocking all processing acts.
That would make 19-18.
Six more points.
Karasuno is losing.
"D-don't let Seijoh hit 20." her voice is hardly audible.
"Seijoh hits the 20 point first!", a voice in the crowd notifies.
Fuck.
How many points are they ahead? One? Two?
"How are we behind?" Chikae asks.
"20-20. We're tied." Takeda-sensei says.
She's gotta do something. How far the team can goes really count on this moment. They need a miracle. They need something that will earn the points unlike the way they are doing right now. Battling against Seijoh is bounded to wear the boys down. They need a short break.
"Y-Yamaguchi," she calls, flinching when the pain runs straight down her toes, "You're subbing for Hinata."
The first-year nods, running up to her. "Serve like it's your last." she orders before taking in and pushing out deep breaths.
There's no indication that she could pull through and see this game ends. Hell, there's no indication that she can last until score hits 23.
What should she do? The girl can't seem to do any analysis either.
She can't do anything for them right now.
"S-Sensei" the girl pants, "I want you to tell the boys that they need to shut down Oikawa-san's serve no matter what. I'm gonna call for a time-out before things turn for the worst."
Her eyes glances at the 22-23 score. She has a very bad feeling about this. It's the (possible) last few points. That freakish captain is gonna take it. He's gonna take this chance to stop Karasuno for good.
"Koushi-san," Chikae waves at the boy. He comes close the moment he saw her, "I don't think I can hold out. It hurts a lot, but I'm not drinking medicines. I don't want the others to see. I'm hoping that the straight face I pulled is working... But I need you to lift the team's spirit because I can't right now. I'm sorry if I'm making you worried. Please just humor my selfis-"
"I've got your back," Koushi-san smiles, his assuring hand on her shoulder.
Oikawa-san's turn to serve. The ball cuts right on the field's line. None was able to stop it. That's my cue, Chikae huffs, shaping her hands into a T.
They're facing defeat now. 2 points behind. And it hurts her more to say that it isn't the defeat that is in her head, it's the pain, as well as the concern for how long it will last.
Δ
Chikae chugs down on the Oolong tea. The cold pad on her forehead stings like a thousand needles against her burning skin. She can't give up.
Takeda-sensei relayed her message. Koushi-san shapes up the boys. Kiyoko-san even went out of her way to patch her up without the starting member noticing. Her mind feels a bit more refreshed now and she can't honestly thank these people enough for sticking with her even though minutes ago all she wishes was for the game to be over regardless of who turns out victorious.
She can't afford to let them down anymore.
She made that vow to herself the moment third set begins. Chikae's gonna see this game through.
So far Seijoh has the upper hand. Sadly, the only thing she can do right now is hope that her boys got it in them to turn that around. They know what must be done. Whether they could do it or not...
Another serve from Oikawa-san. Can't say she didn't feel the murderous intent infused into that ball. But they're up against her guys. Ain't no way they're gonna let things slide.
Daichi-san flashes towards the impact points. The ball hits his wrists. It flies back into the air, and their captain flies backward.
"Shit that's scary," Chikae grins, "But..."
All the starting member rushes up. A synchronize attack.
The ball goes to their ace, and he delivers. A straight spike right onto Seijoh's court. "We don't get scared that easily, punk!" she yells.
24-23 now. They're gonna get that 2 points even if it kills them.
Next turn they'll lose Yuu. Tsukishima will hit the court in return. Hinata will be on the court also. It's best now if they go full offense. She'll have to put a strain on Daichi-san for defense but it's their captain, Chikae isn't worried.
"Koushi-san. You're going in. Tsukishima out"
She commands.
The team needs motivation. Having all three third-years on the court is the best motivation she could think of at the moment. She's gonna have to put her bet on this last push to victory.
One point behind isn't bad.
For these boys, it might be the very thing that will lead them to victory.
"GIVE 'EM A GOOD ONE!" Chikae shouts to Koushi-san. It's been awhile since she show the boys that she's still here, looking at them.
"HERE GOES!" the third-year shouts back, serve a light ball towards Seijoh.
It's like Yamaguchi's serve, not as skilled, but good enough. He aims it at 16. She knew he would. But the moment 16 overhanded that ball, the girl curses. It takes a lot for her to try and calm down. It takes a lot for her to not openly freaking out about an incoming attack. Both number 12 and 16 are rushing for that toss, until 16 suddenly changes course to behind his teammate.
It was too fast for her to say anything. Hinata and Tobio both jumped, the shorter one strangely pushing his partner out of the way. The ball hits Hinata's palm, going back to Seijoh's court.
"YEAH!" the girl jumps, "GOOD JOB, HINATA!"
That makes it even.
If they can score two more points. Two more.
Two more.
"Here goes!" Koushi-san announces once more.
Chikae watches the ball curves its way to Seijoh's front line. He's attacking the place where not many are gathered.
Nice choice, Koushi-san!
The experienced number 4 sprints forward, barely in time to catch that ball.
Immediately, their opponent takes the chance. Seijoh launches an attack. Tobio jumps for a block. The ball touches his hand, straying off course.
"Defense!" Chikae scream the moment she saw the ball was heading towards an unguarded part of the court.
"I GOT IT!", Koushi-san responses, the ball goes up again.
Fuck.
That Oikawa-san. He must have predicted that she was aiming for the pinch setter play. He saw through her tactics! FUCK!
The girl panics. That was it. She sent Koushi-san in because she thought it's been awhile since Seijoh saw him on the court. They must have not thought that he'll go for the same attack. Oikawa-san destroyed the only play she's got to offer.
The tossing role goes to Tobio as he jumps up.
It's not gonna help.
They already have eyes on Hinat-
The swift change of course in the attack shocked her.
How could he? How could he even be able-
"A dump?!" Chikae squeals.
At this time of the game and he has the nerve to handle a dump?! Yes, it was strategically excellent. But is it even humanly possible to pull that off?!
She has never played as setter before, but the girls know two things now. One, she wouldn't be able to accomplish what the boy just did were she to be in the same position. Two, playing setter is not going to be on her bucket list. It's bad for her heart just watching.
24-25.
One more point.
They can't be pull back any longer.
Chikae asks for a change to the cooling pad. If she has to force it, it's fine. She'll literally cool her head down if the situation calls for it.
Δ
"GO!" she screams.
Chikae loses count of how many times she has shouted when both teams were entangled in a war against gravity. Neither side wants to let the ball hit the ground.
Her mind goes blank whenever Seijoh starts their attack on Karasuno, and her heart stops everytime Karasuno fights back.
But that one powerful toss that is aimed at Hinata rings a bell inside her. Like a call from a long time again, the girl watches in slow motion as the kid hit the ball, and it slips through the blockers. Like a gust of wind, that ball slides through the air and gazes Oikawa-san's arm and falls away from the court.
"They did it," the girl mumbles.
She drops down on her knees. In one go, all strength leave her. The cooling pad now becomes cold. It's amazing that her heart is still beating after the stress they put her through.
"They... did it."
It slowly comes her as a fact, along with warm fresh tears. The girl quickly wipes them away, looking up to the audience seat to search for her dad. It didn't take long. She saw him jumping up and down pumping his fist in the air.
"They did it dad!" she yells. Hardly believe it herself how hoarse her voice could be.
They have to leave. They have to get clear from the court for the next team to come in and play. And Chikae knows exactly where she's going.
She has tried to put it off along with the headaches.
But she can't wait anymore.
Tomorrow is the final play to decide whether these boys can advance into the next round, but if she lets this go now, the girl feels like she's never going to know.
She needs to know.
Chikae dashes out of the gym, looking around for the familiar jacket.
"Shiratorizawa..."
The word hits her eyes, right before seeing the name Aoba Johsai. "Oikawa-san," she breathes out, "Can we talk?"
"Who's this?" the large Shiratorizawa player asks.
"My name is Chikae Ukai from Karasun-"
"Ukai?!" Oikawa-san seems surprised, "What do you me-"
"Karasuno," Shiratorizawa looms over her, "That's where Shoyo Hinata and Tobio Kageyama are."
"Yes, but-"
A sudden yank by the wrist startles her. "Let's go," Oikawa-san barks as he drags her away from the stranger who seems to know of their first-years.
"You wanna talk?" the handsome boy says, "Let's talk."
Yep. Let's talk LOL. oikawa is such a difficult character to write. I don't really know what he'll do so it's hard to keep in character :) I can say that for everybody though lol
Don't you just love Haikyu! for how unpredictable it could be? :)))))