Hey hey hey! Surprise, surprise! :D I know you didn't expect another chapter fo a month but here I am anyway! Truth be told, I'm a student in archeology and the month is spent on an excavation site. But clumsy silly me got hurt on the first day so, to avoid being TOO hurt and resting correctly a ltitle bit, I'll go back home every weekend. I'll try posting a chapter every weekend but it will depend of how exhausted I am and whether or not I have written another chapter so don't have your hopes TOO high either...
Anyroad! Thank you all for favoriting and following this story! Over 60 favs; 70 follows and 80 reviews?! I cannot believe this, it makes me just SO happy, thank you so much! :D
Chocogirl24 : I do hope that the match will be intense - I tried my best! ;)
Areil408 : There will many almost kisses, and they will be interrupted (probably by Akaashi but I'm not sure yet whether or nothe'll be the official kissblock of this story). As for Ayaka and Bokuto together... read till the end~?
curlystruggle : Ahah, not noly two chapters in one day but chapters much earlier than planned! ;) I hope yo'll like these chapters as well~
SoulXHunter : I like the character of Ushijima, partly because his bluntness and stick-upthe-ass are funny but also because I think he is so much more complexe than that. I'd like to explore him more in this fanfiction~ Well, they did reveal it to the teams but remember that nothing is official yet. AND AS INTERESTING AS A DOORKNOB HAS BECOME ONE OF MY FAVORITE THING TO SAY SO! I NEEDED TO USE IT! As for Akioo and Kenta, they really do think they're doing everything to ensure Ayaka's happiness and both of them have more to them than just "I'm a stick-up-the-ass businessman ready to marry my daughter/sister to the first great name" Also Kenta is a lot like his fatther to make sure Akio wouldn't go 'bad' on his little sibling (oops spoiler maybe on some future things?) I LOVED writing Ayaka's speech for the regular, I love it when she goes all 'Kanemoto mode' and that everyone gets to see it. Her speech will come back and I was (highly) inspired by Bokuto's t-shirt in the manga he hadbought during the InterHigh. And coincidences such as Ayaka drawing Fukurodani in the F Group will appear EVERYWHERE in the story! So many things an hidden eggs just to prove that this whole (love) story is FATE! :D
Vamp-Girl27 : Your review made me so happy, I'm so glad it created so many emotions in you! :D I hope you'll love what comes next as well! :D
FANFICTION
HAIKYUU! : SOWLMATES
CHAPTER XXVI : Fukurodani's Ace – Part I
"Do not be embarrassed by your failures, learn from them and start again."
— Richard Branson
"We always see our worst selves. Our most vulnerable selves. We need someone else to get close enough to tell us we're wrong. Someone we trust."
— David Levithan, Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List
The first three days are only matches among the groups. The two teams with the best results will be selected to move into the eighth finals. In the group F, Fukurodani Academy had managed to pull first into the temporary results but nothing was won yet. They still had a match, the final one and the most determining one.
"Tomorrow morning, we'll have the match against Usui High-School and then, we'll have the results of the groups in the afternoon." Yamiji announced, "You have done very well so far so, keep up the results and work the way you do." He said with an encouraging smile. "Stretch a little more then shower and we'll go back to the hotel for the night." He ordered.
The boys finished stretching calmly, their muscles aching after two days of intense matches, their minds already numbing from giving their all for every match. It was exhausting them and even the usual over-excited ones were calmer than usual.
When they went back into the main hall, Matsuoka and the first-years made sure to put the bags into the bus while the others were slowly emptying the gymnasium.
Bokuto had bought himself an energy drink and was going back into the main hall, throwing the can up into the air before catching it in one hand. He caught it just as his gaze focused on something else, or rather, two people.
Ayaka was talking with Ushijima, the two away from everyone else. The few from Shiratorizawa who were nearby had left the fiancés alone to talk. She was smiling up to him, nodding to something he had said.
Bokuto kept his hand around the can before going straight towards the two.
"Then, I'll take my leave," Ushijima said with a nod.
Ayaka threw him a tight smile just as Bokuto arrived. Ushijima eyed Fukurodani's Ace before giving a short nod and leaving.
"Bokuto-san, what are you doing here? I thought everyone was already in the bus…" Ayaka said.
The two students from Fukurodani turned towards the exit, walking calmly to reach their bus.
"Almost everyone, I think Konoha and Sarukui went to the restrooms. And I was thirsty," he said, shaking lightly his can.
"You know it's forbidden to drink and eat in the bus, you should drink it here."
"I keep it for tonight – otherwise I won't have any sugar."
"Is this why you're always so hyped? Your daily dose of sugar at night?" She asked with a light smile.
"I don't usually drink energy drinks in the evenings but when practice or matches had been particularly exhausting, I take one, with some snacks otherwise I can't hold until the morning and breakfast…" He explained.
Silence fell between them as they saw from afar the bus from the academy.
"So… Ushijima and you, uh?" Bokuto hesitated, throwing a quick glance at the girl next to him.
She flushed and turned to him, shaking her hands:
"Oh no! Nothing is happening between us!" She quickly exclaimed, feeling the terrible need to come clean to Bokuto more than anyone else.
"Uh? But I thought you guys were… engaged?" Bokuto hesitated, slowing down a little.
"N-not officially. And honestly, I doubt it'd… ever happen. Ushijima-san is… he is a good player and nice guy, I suppose but he's so…"
So unlike you… She thought to herself, unable to finish the sentence.
"Adamant?" Koutarou proposed with a smile.
Ayaka turned to him with a light, surprised smile.
"I never thought you'd know the word 'adamant', Bokuto-san…"
"I thought that 'stick up the ass' might be a little too harsh for your not-really fiancé," he replied with a teasing smile.
She chuckled and smiled, thinking about all the times she actually said 'stick up the ass' to describe Ushijima Wakatoshi.
They arrived at the bus and even if they had barely had time to talk the last two days, the little exchange had been enough to lift both of their spirits. Especially after the awkward almost-kiss that didn't happen (thanks to Akaashi). Neither Koutarou nor Ayaka had talked about this moment they had had before the opening ceremony, both ignored it and pushed it in the back of their minds but they were glad it hadn't disturbed their current relationship.
Just before dinner, the boys were resting in their rooms grouped by four. Akaashi was reading a book, or rather, he was trying to. Konoha and Komi were discussing today's match while Bokuto was on his phone, laying on his bed.
"Bokuto's spikes were powerful. The others' block was useless." Konoha commented.
"Yeah, it was reassuring to see that no matter what, Bokuto could get us points."
"He was pumped up today, that's why."
"He's very effective when he's in a good shape and mood."
Akaashi couldn't help but glance up at the two, letting his book on a side.
"I…" He hesitated, intervening in the conversation, "I must be honest, but I didn't think Bokuto-san would be so effective. I thought you were always childish but you are an actual, trustful Ace and–"
They all turned towards the Ace but his phone was on his stomach and he was fast asleep. The three boys remained silent before smiling in an amused way.
"He's asleep…" Komi remarked.
"Good observation, Sherlock," Konoha mocked.
"I'm going to draw something on his face and take pictures!" Komi exclaimed, reaching into his bag for pens.
"Draw a dick!" Konoha suggested with a chuckle while Komi approached the Ace's bed softly.
Akaashi didn't intervene, letting them do their thing. Akaashi went back to his book but he didn't read much. He thought back to the matches during the preliminaries and the first two days of the InterHigh. The team had been much stronger and more effective than he would have initially thought – they were all so childish, it was hard to imagine them going to nationals. But when they were playing, they were surprisingly… serious… Especially Bokuto. Akaashi didn't think it was the case before, but Bokuto was actually aware of his position of Ace and taking it more seriously than any other.
"OI! The hell you're doing?!"
Akaashi looked as Bokuto got up suddenly, woken up by the tickling of Komi's pen.
"You just drew a dick on my face, didn't ya?!" Bokuto shouted before running to the bathroom, "I'll have my revenge Komi!" He yelled while the two other second-years were rolling and laughing on the ground.
Akaashi sighed and quickly enough, they were called for dinner – Bokuto had managed to take off all ink but he had rubbed so much that his cheek was now a pretty red. For some reason, everyone kept chuckling and slapping Komi's butt during the meal. Half-way through it, Washio took off a paper in his back that read "I love being slapped on my ass" – written and put by Bokuto earlier obviously.
After dinner, the boys all retreated for a good night sleep – or rather, a good pillow fight then a good night sleep.
Ayaka was drawing absentmindedly when Shirofuku came back into the room they were sharing.
"Bathroom is ready…" Yukie said, flopping down her bed.
"All right," Ayaka answered, getting up and taking her stuff with her.
She glanced quickly at the manager, noticing her cheeks red and an exhausted look on her face.
"Yukie-chan, are you all right?" Ayaka asked hesitantly.
"Mmm…" She mumbled.
Ayaka approached her friend and put a hand on her forehead.
"You're burning! You have a fever! Wait, I have some medicine somewhere in my bag…"
Ayaka started looking frenetically in her bag until finally finding the medicine. She pulled it out, almost dropping it and stumbling on the floor before reaching her senpai with a glass of water.
"Thanks, Aya…" Yukie murmured, lying on her bed, looking exhausted.
"You must have exhausted yourself with all of your work… Will you be all right? Perhaps I should tell Coach Yamiji?" Ayaka asked.
"No, I'll feel better after a good night sleep… Thanks, you can go take your bath now…"
"Are you sure?"
Yukie nodded before snuggling under the covers. Ayaka hesitated before going into the bathroom. When she got out, her senpai was asleep and she didn't have to wait for a long time before sleeping as well.
When her phone rang her awake the next morning, Ayaka quickly turned it down hearing the usual sleepy moans from her senpai. She got up and opened the curtains and went to check on Yukie.
"Yukie-chan… do you feel better?" She asked worriedly.
Yukie turned around, blinking sleepily and moaned. Ayaka checked the temperature and gasped when she felt the hot skin.
"Yukie-chan! You're burning, I'll go tell Coahc Yamiji right away that you don't feel well…"
"Ayaka…" Yukie started, forcing herself to sit up despite her hoarse voice, "You'll have to take my place today…"
"Eh?"
It took a moment for Ayaka to understand clearly what her senpai had meant and it took all of her willpower not to scream, instead she covered her mouth with her two hands and shook her head violently.
"No! I-I don't know what to do! Or how to do it!"
"You don't have a choice.. the boys'll get lost without… urh… manager…" She murmured, closing her eyes.
"Wait! Don't die!"
"I'm not dying! I just need to rest!" Yukie exclaimed, falling against her pillows and her voice breaking, "Urrh… you and Bokuto are both such… what's the word…"
"Overexcited? Exaggerating?"
"Drama queens…"
"I'd tend to disagree in my case."
"Urrh… Just get ready and tell coach… uh… tell coach that I'll be on my feet… soon…"
"B-but…"
"Ayaka… I count on you to take care of the boys…" Yukie murmured, looking back at her despite her sleepy and sick gaze.
"I…" Ayaka hesitated, panic rising in her chest, "I'll try my best…" She squeaked.
It seemed to be enough for Yukie who smiled, nodded then closed her eyes, half-asleep. Ayaka quickly got dressed and ran to the boys' floor. She told Coach Yamiji about Yukie and a nurse was sent to take care of the second-year girl who couldn't even get out of bed. Ayaka then went down to take breakfast along with the boys. Some of them were still sleeping, some were about to fall back asleep and some were awake and already chatting excitedly.
"Good morning, Kanemoto!" Suda greeted with a smile before blinking, "Shirofuku isn't with you?"
"No… she… she's sick…" Ayaka answered, a little pale herself even if it had nothing to do with sickness.
"Oh, I hope she'll feel better soon…" Suda continued, Matsuoka nodded next to him, "Looks like you'll be our manager for the day then!"
Ayaka stared with wide eyes at Suda who realized that she was panicking.
"But don't worry! I-it'll be like every other day… I'm sure… You'll do great…" He quickly said, trying to reassure her.
"T-thanks…" Ayaka murmured before going to join the second and first years.
She ignored Komi snoring on the table next to her and Washio's sleepy (read scary) face. Bokuto was eating enthusiastically huge plates and bowls of food but he glanced at Ayaka and waved his chopsticks are her as a good morning.
"You look kinda down today, you're all right?" Akaashi asked, his bed hair absolutely awful.
"Yukie is sick. I'm… your… manager… for the day…" She murmured.
"Eh? Yukie? I didn't think she'd be able to ever get sick…" Konoha answered, "Hey, cheer up! It's not like you're going to die! Your job shouldn't be much different from usual – I think."
"I-I know but I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do when you guys play… Talking about you… you stayed up late last night?" She asked, glancing at Komi and elbowing him.
The libero almost fell off the table and blinked at the others.
"Wasn't sleeping…" He mumbled.
"No, you were so awake that you woke us all up with your snores," Ayaka mocked.
"She feels better," Bokuto remarked after swallowing loudly, "She's being ironic once again."
"I'm not ironic!"
He grinned at her teasingly but there must have been something wrong because it didn't seem to reach his eyes. She glanced at all the second and third years and realized they all looked tense. She wondered if something had happened but she couldn't tell.
"They went to bed at two am," Akaashi answered.
"How do you know the hour? You were sleeping," Konoha answered.
"I had been sleeping until you woke me up with your ruckus at two am."
"Oh, sorry about that…"
"I'm done! Thanks for the meal!" Bokuto exclaimed, getting up, "I'll go have a nap, wake me up when we have to go!"
"Next time, just sleep a full night then you wouldn't need a nap!" Ayaka answered but he waved and walked to put his tray away.
She frowned then turned to the others:
"Is he all right? You all look tense…" She remarked.
They lost their sleepy smiles and looked down at their trays.
"Let's just say we don't have good memories of the last time we had faced Usui High-School…" Konoha answered.
Ayaka didn't understand but didn't say anything else.
While the boys were getting dressed, Ayaka quickly checked with Yukie who mostly needed calm and rest for the day. She took her stuff and joined the boys into the entrance hall to wait for Coach Yamiji.
"See, we're not late, Akeeagshi!" Bokuto's voice resonated as the Ace and setter joined the others.
"Watching videos non-stop won't be of any help if you exhaust yourself, Bokuto-san," Akaashi answered calmly.
Ayaka glanced at them from the corner of her eyes, wondering what they were referring to. Bokuto had said he'd go take a nap, what did he do?
When they arrived in the gymnasium, the boys started warming-up along with Usui High-School, helped by Ayaka who also had to fill the bottles and prepare the towels. The girl couldn't help but notice how tense her owls all were. They weren't as loud or enthusiastic as usual and it was disturbing.
"Kaba-kun," she called, walking towards he fellow first-year, "Do you know why everyone is so tense?"
"That's because of Usui High-School. Last year, we faced them during the Spring Tournament but we lost…"
Understanding suddenly fell on Ayaka and she felt like an idiot. Now it all made sense why everyone had been so tense.
"The opposing team just kept blocking Bokuto. His cross were constantly read and stopped. His pride took a huge hit and we lost the match." Yukie had told Ayaka in the beginning of the year.
The reason why Bokuto had trained so hard to be able to spike straights… It was because of Usui High-School.
"Kanemoto-san," Yamiji called, "For now, you don't have much more work but when they'll play, here is what you'll have to note: both our team and the other's results. What they do, their habits, if you notice something in particular… It's similar to practice but it's for two teams rather than one and… let's just say things are a little more official today. Will you be all right?"
"I-I think…" She answered hesitantly.
"Good, we'll get moving soon. Suda!"
"Gather around everyone!" The Captain immediately shouted.
Everyone stopped their actions and they went into the other gymnasium where the match against Usui High-School would occur. The two teams' Captains decided who was to serve first and after Suda announcing they were receiving, everyone gathered around him.
"We won't let what happened last year occur another time!" HE EXCLAIMED, putting his hand in the middle, everyone adding theirs above, "This time, we'll definitely win against Usui High! FUKURODANI! FIGHT!"
"OOSSS!"
They all threw their hands up in the air and Ayaka watched them going into their positions. Bokuto walked past her and without quite knowing why, she grabbed his hand. Surprised, he looked back at her and she flushed.
"U-umm… I-I know that Usui High is… is the team you lost against last year… I-I just wanted to tell you…"
She hesitated before taking a deep breath, forcing her heart to calm down from the intense way Koutarou was staring at her.
"You're different from last year. You're stronger. You'll win! I'm sure!" She exclaimed.
Bokuto's lips opened then closed. His heart beat with pride and his eyes shone. He gave a short, determined nod.
"I'll win." He said with a strong voice.
Ayaka let go of his hand with a smile and he joined the others.
The girl looked around, feeling a little out of place. Fukurodani's band was cheering enthusiastically above. The court felt so much hotter than the seats. It was so different to be in the middle of it all rather than watch from away.
Ayaka turned around to watch the regulars. Her gaze and Bokuto's met and he grinned at her, lifting up his thumb. She felt her heart swell with pride just to know that the Ace was no longer the one who had confronted Usui High last year. He knew how to spike straight, he was stronger and jumped higher. Despite his fear of failing, unlike the beginning of year, he felt much better now. He'll win. They'll all win.
Considering the group F's results, Fukurodani and Usui were both sure to go forward. They were the two best teams of the group and had already pulled ahead with much more sets won than the four other teams. Fukurodani Academy and Usui High would go past this step anyway so the final results, the final win didn't really matter. In theory. Because out of all victories, this one would be the most important for the owls. Fukurodani Academy's team needed to win against Usui High to prove themselves and everyone they could win. Especially the second-years. Especially Bokuto Koutarou, the Ace.
"The match between Fukurodani Academy and Usui High-School will start!" The referee announced.
The two teams ran to the extremities of the courts, facing each other before bowing all at once.
"Let's play!" They shouted.
The two teams took their positions to show to everyone.
Ayaka was taking some notes before the beginning of the game when she glanced up and froze. Her father and Kenta were sitting in the seats – in the private and privileged seats, obviously.
"Oh no…" She murmured, slowly turning her head away in embarrassment.
Moto/Sasaki Tachibana Akiyama
MB/Libero WS – Vice-Captain Setter
Ikeda Nakahara Mori
WS – Captain WS – Ace MB
NET
Bokuto Konoha Washio
WS – Ace WS MB
Matsuoka/Komi Hisakawa Suda
MB – Vice-Captain/Libero Setter WS – Captain
"Ah, look, their Ace still looks like a bird!" Nakahara, Usui's Ace, teased.
"Nakahara, don't start," Ikeda, the Captain, sighed.
"Do you think he still doesn't know how to spike straights?" Akiyama, the setter asked to Nakahara.
They chuckled and glanced at Bokuto but he hadn't even blinked an eye. He was unusually calm and focused and from the warming-up zone, Akaashi blinked in astonishment to see him so taken into the game before it even started.
Sensing gazes on him, Bokuto quickly turned his head at Usui's team and they all startled upon seeing the look on his face. The look of a predator.
"Bokuto really is into the game… I hope he won't get too worked up…" Yamiji started, Ayaka hesitating into writing this or not.
"I… I think he'll be able to handle it…" She said, her pencil still hoovering over her paper, "He's been waiting for this revenge since last year. He'll win. We must have faith in him." She said, looking a little more confident.
Yamiji glanced at her before smiling and nodding. The first-year manager sure had changed since the beginning of the year.
The match begun with Usui High-School's serve. Moto started with a powerful jump serve that Suda received perfectly. Hisakawa ran under the ball, lifting up his arms to toss the first ball of the game, the first point of the game.
"Bokuto!" He called, tossing the ball.
The Ace took a few steps back before running forward and jumping up, throwing his arm backwards and swinging it down. The ball hitting the ground resonated as the Wing-spiker landed on the ground. Fukurodani had opened the score.
0 – 1
"Nice kill, Bokuto!" Konoha told him.
"Nice toss," the Ace answered, nodding at Hisakawa.
It was Suda's turn to serve. Unfortunately, their libero received it and sent it up for their setter. Akiyama ran and tossed to their Ace, Nakahara, but when he spiked the ball, Bokuto, Konoha and Washio were waiting for him.
"One touch!" Konoha shouted.
"Chance ball!"
Matsuoka got the ball and Hisakawa tossed it for a quick.
"Konoha!"
The second wing-spiker of Fukurodani's team spiked it but it was touched by their wall. Two players of Usui ran after the ball but they couldn't receive it in time.
0 – 2
"Good job, guys! Keep this up!" Ayaka yelled to the team even if she was sure they couldn't hear her.
Yamiji, on the other hand, kept frowning with his arms crossed, as if he could feel that something was coming.
Suda served once again and after some exchange, the ball was back on Fukurodani's side. Hisakawa tossed it up for Bokuto. He cross-spiked against the others' wall but once again, they had underestimated his power and another point was won by Fukurodani.
0 – 3
"Damn it, he's more powerful than last year…" Mori muttered, shaking his hand that had touched the powerful ball.
"Nice kill, Bokuto!"
"We just have to make sure to stop his balls. He only does cross spikes. If we reduce his options in direction, he'll have no choice but to play in our hands." Ikeda said, "Let's do our usual from now on."
Suda served once again but this time, the opposite team barely tried to mark a point. It made Yamiji frown and he wanted to warn the team but they continued playing as usual.
"Bokuto!" Hisakawa called.
The Ace ran for momentum then jumped up, lifting up his arm. Koutarou's eyes widened in the air when Usui's wall jumped to block him. They were so close to each other that there was no way a cross would go through. He spiked it despite his panic but Mori had determined the course and sent his arm just in time. Bokuto landed on the ground in the same time as the ball next to him. He stared with wide eyes at the wall of Usui. The three of them smiled as the whistle resonated for their point as Bokuto clenched his fists.
1 – 3
"Reminds me of last year. It was how it had all started, wasn't it?" Nakahara mocked.
Bokuto didn't answer just as Konoha put a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't mind it, we'll get the next one." He said.
Bokuto turned around, frowning at himself for playing right into their trap.
Just like last year… He thought bitterly.
No one dared say a thing on the court, but everyone in Fukurodani had been surprised that their Ace had panicked and had been stopped by the hand of a single blocker. After the joy of marking the three first points, the reality that they were in the Inter-High facing the team that had beaten them last year fell on everyone. The mood of the entire team darkened and the one who felt it more than anyone else was Bokuto whose guilt started to wrap around his heart.
"Don't mind, we'll get the next one back," Suda told him.
"Try not to panic, otherwise you lose power and mess up your spike," Hisakawa told the Ace who nodded in silence.
Ayaka watched from afar, her pen still above the paper.
"I don't understand, their block had a hard time blocking. Why did they kill so easily Bokuto's spike just now?" She asked Yamiji who kept frowning.
"They had trouble at first because he's more powerful than last year but, in a few more plays they'll have no trouble stopping him at almost every ball. Plus, they just used their favorite trick. Unlike Datekougyou who stops balls will a high and powerful wall, Usui reduces the spiker's options in order to drive him into a corner. It was very well done just now… The three of them moved and jumped in order to keep Bokuto's options at bay: he had no other choice but to spike in the direction they wanted – it made him panic which is why he lost power. With the blockers' fast reflexes, they easily stopped his spike." He explained thoroughly.
Ayaka wasn't sure to have understood everything but she looked back at Bokuto who had his jaw still clenched. Usui High-school was known for its wall, one of the best in the country. And yet, even she could tell that Usui's players weren't as tall as Datekougyou's, but the way they moved was way faster and nimbler. Datekougyou's members had been fast to read a toss, to jump and react even while blocking. But Usui High-School bet everything on the speed of their players and the effectiveness of their block. It was a whole new level – it was national level.
It was Ikeda's turn to serve and it was another powerful jump serve. It went straight to Hisakawa who got it up in slight panic. It went towards Washio who tried to toss it up but it was low and weird.
"Bokuto! Direct!"
The Ace still jumped to hit this awkward spike but Usui's wall was ready and killed the ball.
2 – 3
"Damn!" He swore.
"Sorry…" Washio said.
"It wasn't your fault. We'll get the next one!" Bokuto exclaimed, turning around to be ready.
Ayaka was surprised Bokuto wasn't breaking down completely but she shouldn't complain. This ball couldn't be helped.
"They can't panic so soon…" Yamiji muttered, more to himself than anyone, "Keep calm! You're doing great!" He exclaimed so the team could hear.
It was another serve from Ikeda who, once again, aimed for Hisakawa but this time, they were ready:
"Got it!" Suda shouted, jumping at Hisakawa's place.
The setter quickly ran under the ball, glancing all around to determine the next toss. Bokuto, Konoha and Washio all ran and jumped up. Usui's team tried to block all three of them but they didn't see the real attack coming: a back attack by Suda. The block touched Suda's spike but it flew up and they couldn't save the ball.
2 – 4
"YEAH!" Fukurodani's band shouted.
"Don't look only at our Ace, he's not the only one with powerful attacks." Suda said with a grin.
Bokuto stared at his Captain, a little thunderstruck, remembering that he wasn't the only attacker that was being blocked. He was the Ace but he wasn't alone.
"Let's take our points back!" Suda shouted.
"YEAAH!"
Konoha's serve was cut short when Matsuoka's spike was blocked by Usui's dangerous wall. Every time a team started having a lead, the other was right behind, taking back points. Usui High-School's team was relatively calm but Fukurodani's defeat from last year was still fresh in their memories. Every time a ball was tossed to Bokuto, everyone held their breath but even if with his more powerful spikes, he managed to get some points, it wasn't enough to pull ahead. The more he failed, the more frustrated he got, clenching fists and jaw, swearing and ignoring his teammates' encouragements. The problem was that Hisakawa was getting just as frustrated by the lack of results and kept throwing faster and faster balls. Konoha even missed one toss and to add to Bokuto's effectiveness dropping the more his frustration rose, Hisakawa's tosses got less and less easy to hit. When Usui reached the 20s first, Hisakawa swore just as a time-out was called by Coach Yamiji.
20 – 17
"I want you all to calm down," he started, surrounded by his team while Ayaka was distributing towels and water bottles, "I know that your defeat from last year still haunts you but don't let it get to you. Hisakawa, make sure not to mess your tosses. Take your time and toss correctly."
"What's the point if it can't get past the blocks…" He muttered, looking away angrily.
Bokuto clenched his fist around his water bottle, the setter's words cutting deep in his heart. If there was one person it was directed at, it was the Ace.
"Finding a way to avoid or breaking through the wall is the setter's job, not the Ace's," Akaashi intervened.
Everyone glanced at him and he realized he had spoken up instinctively. Hisakawa glared at him and the first-year quickly looked away in embarrassment.
"If you're so good, then go do it yourself!" Hisakawa hissed.
"Hisakawa, calm down. Akaashi's right." Yamiji said, putting a hand on the setter's shoulder, "Remember our team's facets. Bokuto, Konoha, Suda, make sure to hit with all of your strength."
"Ooss…!"
"They've caught up on Bokuto's power now," Matsuoka remarked, "They know how to block his cross-spikes now and they read him too easily…"
Bokuto clenched his jaw, Akaashi glancing at him worriedly.
"A straight…"
Everyone glanced at Ayaka who flushed in embarrassment.
"A-a straight could break through their wall. Also… they don't know Bokuto can do that."
"But he can't, we never practiced it much. He's not cut out for straights, he sucks at it!" Hisakawa answered.
"No."
The heads whipped towards Bokuto who had his eyes wide open, as if a sudden revelation had struck him. He put his water bottle back into Ayaka's hands who almost dropped it from the sudden move.
"I've practiced it for months with Akaashi. I can do it. It's our only chance! I'll do it! I'll break through their walls with straight-spikes!" Koutarou exclaimed, taking a step forward, putting a hand on his heart and looking at everyone, "I know I've failed you all last year, and today I haven't done much to maintain your faith in me, the Ace… But I know I can hit straight-spikes! I know I can lead us to victory, if you give me a chance! Please!" He exclaimed, bowing down.
Everyone glanced at each other, a little thunderstruck that their Ace would be so confident.
"I trust you. I have faith in you, Ace." Ayaka said with a smile.
Bokuto glanced up at her, lips opening, his eyes gleaming with hope to know that at least one person was willing to put her faith in him. And Ayaka of all people… she had been here with him ever since he had started practicing straights with Akaashi.
She took a step forward, putting her hand on his strong shoulder and turning to the others.
"I've seen him practice only straights for months! He knows how to spike straights and he can let us win! Please, give him a chance, coach! I… I know he is the only one who can be our Ace and offers us victory…" She said, squeezing his shoulder.
Koutarou's heart beat faster just as Akaashi spoke up:
"I agree. Bokuto-san's straights have considerably improved and he can use it in a game." He said.
They all remembered the match against Ubugawa, weeks ago when Bokuto had instinctively tried to spike a straight – and had failed miserably. There hadn't been that much time since and most had doubts.
"If he thinks he can do it, then I trust our Ace," Konoha intervened.
"Me too," Komi added.
Washio nodded and most second-years did as well. Bokuto looked at all of his friends, his teammates, feeling tears filling his eyes. Tears of happiness to know that even after losing last year, even after failing constantly throughout the entire match, even if they had no guarantee he could possibly hit a straight… they all chose to put their faiths in him. Their Ace.
Beaming with confidence and pride, he was more than ever sure he could win this match. He turned back towards Yamiji, almost trembling in excitement, his strong arms vibrating with the sudden will to hit straights right into Usui's wall.
Coach Yamiji stared at all of them, a little thunderstruck before chuckling and shaking his head.
"No need to give me this look, I never had the intention of not letting you try, Bokuto. Hisakawa, toss to him so he can hit some straights."
The setter opened his lips to reply something but Bokuto turned to him, bowing ceremoniously:
"Hisakawa-senpai! I know I have failed the trust you put in me every time you tossed to me! But please, have faith in me a little while longer!" He exclaimed, eyes closed tightly.
Hisakawa hesitated, staring at his kouhai without knowing what to say or do…
"U-understood…" He finally accepted, the Ace straightening up at once, a huge smile on his face.
The referee rang the end of the time-out and Fukurodani's team, reinvigorated by their Ace's confidence, all went back on the court with grins of mad men and eyes gleaming like owls. Owls hunting at night and their prey was right in front of them.
At soon as the ball became a chance ball for Fukurodani, Hisakawa ran under the ball. He looked where Bokuto was and, thinking that it was a bad idea, tossed it for a straight. Bokuto jumped but when he hit the ball, it had a trajectory closer to a cross than a straight. It hit the wall and it was killed.
21 – 17
"Oi, did he just try a straight?" Akiyama asked in a low voice to Tachibana.
"If he did, he failed miserably… I don't even what that was…"
"Once more!" Bokuto exclaimed, covering everyone's voices.
Hisakawa clenched his teeth but nodded. But once again, Bokuto failed.
22 – 17
This time the trajectory was straighter but it lacked power and had been hard to hit.
"A little higher, Hisakawa! And further away from me, I need to be able to flick the wrist down and–"
"Don't boss me around! I know how to toss a straight-spike! You just don't know how to hit it!" Hisakawa hissed, glaring at his kouhai who startled, "This is useless! We're wasting our time! There is no way you could ever hit a straight-spike, Bokuto!" Hisakawa exclaimed, loud enough to be heard on the entire court.
"O-oi… Calm down!" Suda exclaimed.
But Hisakawa was glaring at Bokuto for making him appear like an idiot. An idiot for putting faith into an Ace who couldn't hit straights when he wasn't cut out for this.
Bokuto kept his mouth open in shock for a long moment, no one daring speaking up while the tension was sparkling between the setter and Ace. Finally, Koutarou closed his mouth and closed his eyes. He took a deep breath in, before breathing out and opening his eyes. The calmness and confidence that shone in his eyes, that surrounded him, made everyone freeze.
"A wise Ace should always show that his power and confidence are unwavering."
"Hisakawa. I know I have never hit a proper straight with you and I can understand better than anyone that putting your faith in me now is… stupid and ridiculous. I know that you don't trust me as an Ace and that I exasperate you – I'm childish, moody and not cut out for spiking straights or being an Ace… I know that. I know better than anyone…!"
He paused before continuing, still as calm as he was:
"Being the Ace is so much responsibility that I can't help but be terribly scared – to fail you the setter, to fail the team, our coach, our managers, our school and myself…"
He glanced quickly at Ayaka whose eyes widened slightly before Koutarou continued with a confident smile:
"Right now I can't count on being a pillar for the team, or guiding you to victory. I can't count on you trusting me… But I was told to have faith in the choices my teammates make. If you choose not to toss to me anymore, then so be it. But if you do toss to me…"
He paused, losing his smile. He looked straight into Hisakawa's eyes, his gaze hard and shining with strength and determination. Hisakawa startled, never thinking Bokuto would ever look at him this way. The unwavering confidence that emanated from the Ace right now was breathtaking and Hisakawa had to hold back the urge to take a step back.
"Don't do it half-heartedly. Give yourself at two hundreds percents!" Koutarou exclaimed with a loud and hard voice.
It wasn't an advice nor an order. It was a demand. A demand that couldn't be refused when the Ace was looking at you with such a gaze.
"He has to inspire his teammates."
Electricity sparkled between the setter and wing-spiker, both glaring at each other. The first from being discussed and ordered by a kouhai who was only half-good at his job. The second because he knew he was right and he couldn't accept any other way.
Koutarou knew he could hit a straight but Hisakawa wasn't even trying to throw him the right tosses, mostly because the third-year probably wanted to see him fail so he could shut him up. But Koutarou wouldn't give up. He had the team behind him. They were giving him the strength he had lacked the previous year. He had so many people putting faith in him, he couldn't disappoint them. He had to win but in order to do so, he needed the right setter.
The whistle resonated and everyone turned towards the side of the court. Bokuto's eyes widened before they sparkled in excitation, a huge grin appearing on his face.
Hisakawa's eyes widened in shock and his heart beat in panic, his lips opening in astonishment. Hisakawa's panicked eyes met Akaashi's determined ones.
Change of member for Fukurodani Academy's team: Hisakawa Noburu, number three, replaced on the court by Akaashi Keiji, number five.
I do'nt remember if I had said it in the previous chapters but the rules of the Nationals of groups and stuff, I invented them completely. Also, i'm sorry Yukie but I couldn't have Ayaka stuck in the seats away from her boys!
I hope I'm balancing well enough competition/volleyball and friendship/romance/fluff...
Anyway, next chapter whenever I can!
Yours Truly,
May