Disclaimer: Haikyuu is not my property. It belongs to Haruichi Furudate, Weekly Shōnen Jump, and Shueisha.
Chapter 37 – Hunger for Growth.
Since Hinata and Kageyama-kun had arrived when they did, they were allowed to compete in Karasuno's final set of the day, thankfully. They were up against Shinzen, the host school's team and it had been going very well.
In fact, they were doing so well that they were just one point away from gaining Set Point.
"Eikichi! Stop that Number 10!" one of Shinzen's players called out to his team-mate but it was no use.
As Shinzen's Middle Blocker jumped to stop Hinata and Kageyama-kun's freak quick attack, Hinata spiked, sending the ball speeding over Shinzen's block and crashing to the floor of the court to quickly for them to receive it.
"Dammit! What the hell's that quick strike!?" one of Shinzen's benched players, who was manning the score board complained, as the Set came to an end in Karasuno's favour.
I could see why they were upset. Flying fall receive drills weren't exactly a fun activity, but it was the one agreed on.
I sighed, and smiled, going to pick up some of the towels and bottles to bring to the boys' and approached Hinata, Kageyama-kun and Tanaka-senpai who was standing nearby, complaining to the two first years about something.
"-posing like that for... Don't try to look cool, tardy failing-grade duo..." I caught the end of his complaint, as Hinata and Kageyama-kun froze up at the accusation.
I chuckled quietly, and caught Tanaka-senpai's attention, giving him his water bottle and towel.
"Here you go, senpai. Good work, again!" I said to him and he perked up immediately.
"Thanks...!" he said, taking the water bottle and towel happily.
I turned to Hinata, who seemed to be thinking to himself. He seemed a little troubled, and that in turn troubled me. I approached his side and tilted my head, looking to him from the side.
"Hinata-kun, are you okay?" I asked him and he jumped.
Flushing, he rubbed his head, "Y-Yeah! I'm fine!" he said, and lowered his head, frowning, "It's just... I've got some stuff on my mind." He added.
"Oh? Is it something I can help with? You know... I've always got an open ear, for you... or something like that." I said, smiling to him.
A smile appeared on his face, albeit small, "I know... But I'll figure it out on my own. Thanks—" Hinata was cut off when someone else's call distracted him.
"Yaku-san! Nice receive!"
The call directed his, and my attention over to Nekoma and Ubugawa's match which was still going on. He looked towards the benched players, and spotted someone.
"Eh? Inuouka's on the bench?" Hinata questioned, surprised.
"Haiba!" Inuoka was calling out, cheering for Haiba-kun who was taking part in this match in his stead, it seemed.
We continued observing the match from afar, and watched as Haiba-kun jumped to spike, his arm moving like a whip and cracking against the volleyball. It broke through Ubugawa's guard and Nekoma scored the point.
"Who's that?" Hinata asked, not recognizing the new player.
I nodded, volunteering myself as informer; "That's Haiba Lev-kun, one of their first-year middle blockers. Like you, Hinata-kun." I told him.
"Like me? He's huge!" Hinata gasped.
"Well, he's half-Russian you see. The other girls and I theorized that it's his European blood that gives him his height." I said with a small laugh.
"R-Russian...!" Hinata parroted, shocked, and I nodded.
Hinata only looked shocked and maybe a little afraid for a few moments, before his expression morphed into a serious one. That one he gets when there's an opponent he wants to face against, and test himself against.
A small smile slipped onto my face, as the coaches called out for us to call it a night and tidy things away.
The next day, something a little strange happened. It was just as people were getting ready to start up their first practice match of the day. Karasuno were going to be facing Ubugawa first today.
I was working with Yachi-san and Shimizu-senpai to get a few things ready when Shimizu-senpai looked up, then down to me.
"Mogami-chan, it looks like you're needed." She said to me and I looked up, and then followed her eyes to the space behind me.
Hinata was standing there, rigid with his arms glued to his sides. He was barely able to hold eye contact with me, his own brown eyes darting around the gym anxiously.
"Hinata-kun? Did you need me for something?" I asked him, curious.
He jumped, and his cheeks flushed red, "A-Ah... Um, actually there was something I wanted to talk to you about. Something important...!" he said to me.
I 'ah'd, realising. Maybe this was the thing that was bothering Hinata yesterday after the Set against Shinzen...?
I nodded, eager to help him sort through his thoughts, "Of course. What is it?" I asked, stepping towards him.
For some reason, he stepped backwards in return, looking nervous. He still couldn't hold eye contact.
"N-Not right now...! If it's okay, can we talk after the matches are done? It's just, right now I want to focus on volleyball, but it'll make me feel better if I can talk to you later on." He said and I blinked.
I nodded slowly, feeling a little confused. First he approaches me, and then he backs away. I wondered what exactly he wanted to talk to me about...
"Okay... If that's how you feel, then I accept. We'll talk later." I agreed, and gave him an encouraging smile, "Whatever it is, don't let it distract you from having fun today. Do your best!" I said.
His smile was wobbly, but undeniably pleased and relieved. He nodded enthusiastically.
"Yeah! Thanks!" he said, and bowed his head quickly, before rushing off to join warm ups.
"I wonder what Hinata-kun wanted to talk to you about... He seemed nervous," Yachi-san commented as the orange-haired boy sped away.
I nodded, "Yeah he did. He said he had things on his mind yesterday, though... I hope that I'll be able to help him." I replied.
Yachi-san spoke up, "I-I'm sure whatever it is, you can help him. Hinata-kun trusts you, after all!" she encouraged. I blushed, looking down at her.
"E-Eh? He trusts me..." I gasped, surprised.
Shimizu-senpai chuckled quietly, "You didn't realise?" she asked, and stood up, "Everyone's noticed that he holds your opinion very highly. I'm sure you'll be able to help him with whatever it is." She added, sure.
I lowered my gaze, my cheeks still pink, and nodded, "I hope I can help him..." I agreed.
Ten minutes later, the match between Karasuno High School and Ubugawa Academy had already started up, the score resting at 5 – 5, a tie, when Ubugawa called their first time out of the day.
I glanced over towards Nekoma High School and Fukurodani Academy's practice match in the next court over, as Yamamoto-san called out, "Left, Left! Kenma, cover it!" to the team Setter.
As he did, Haiba-kun raced into position, enthusiastically calling out, "Pass it here!" to the quiet boy, who flinched ever so slightly, before sending it over to him as asked.
And just like yesterday, with a whip-like crack Haiba-kun smashed past Ubugawa's defenses and scored a point.
Haiba-kun then turned to Kozume-san, "Sorry I spoke so casually... I got caught up in the moment." He apologised.
"I already said I don't care about things like that. More importantly, it's problematic if you call out for a broad like that all of a sudden..." Kozume-san said to him calmly.
"OH! SO IT'S CALLED A BROAD?! COOL!" Haiba-kun said happily and I sweat-dropped a little, smiling.
"Eh? That broad was off the cuff?" I heard Kageyama-kun say, and glanced to Hinata and Kageyama-kun who were observing the match during time-out.
"BUT ANYWAY...!" Haiba-kun continued, and smirked, "I pulled it off, didn't I?" he lowered his volume and spoke confidently.
"A Centre Ace..." I heard Hinata mumble in wonder, and I saw some sort of longing in his eyes.
Later on in the morning, teams rotated around and it came to be that Karasuno was facing off against our rivals, Nekoma High School, and by proxy, Hinata would be facing off against the new Middle Blocker, Haiba-kun.
Michiko joined me at my side, manning the scoreboard with me as the match got started up.
"Apparently, Haiba-kun and Hinata talked last night." Michiko informed me and I looked at her in surprise.
"Really?" I asked her, and she nodded.
"Yeah and it sounds like they challenged each other to some sort of battle. On the volleyball court, that is. So this aughta be interesting!" she said with a smile.
I hummed. What kind of challenge could it be, between two Middle Blockers? Who blocks the most balls?
I'd better pay attention to the match, then.
The match started up, and after a few minutes, Karasuno was in the lead with a score of 1 – 2, but I knew better than to assume Nekoma wouldn't change it around during the Set. An early lead isn't a victory.
The ball flew over to Karasuno's side and Kageyama-kun called out to Daichi-senpai, "Sawamura-san!" he called, and Daichi-senpai got into position and cleanly received the ball, sending it back into play.
Hinata ran in, ready to attack, and Kageyama-kun in turn sent the ball to him. But Haiba-kun had his eyes on him, it seemed, and he jumped into the way of the ball's path and held his arms up to block.
Haiba-kun managed to solidly shut out Hinata's spike, sending it hurtling to the ground on Karasuno's side, tying up the points.
"ALRIIIIIIIIIIGHT!" Haiba-kun cheered with his team-mates, pleased at the successful block and was congratulated.
Nearby, Takeda-sensei and Ukai-san were commenting on the play.
"H... He blocked it... That quick strike was... stopped so early in the game..." Takeda-sensei said, surprised.
"That's 'cause Nekoma's gotten even better at coping with that Quick since our last practice match. Plus, the newbie player's height and reflexes are incredible." Ukai-san commented.
I noticed that Haiba-kun and Hinata's eyes locked after the play, and with a smirk, the half-Russian gave a 'bring it on' gesture, clearly confident that he could continue to shut Hinata out.
I pouted, "He's way too confident..." I complained.
Michiko blinked, and glanced to Haiba-kun, and understanding, laughed, "You're not wrong there. It gets on Yamamoto-senpai and Yaku-senpai's last nerve, especially. But having confidence is a good thing, right?" she replied.
"Being too confident isn't a good thing." I said, still pouting.
Michiko laughed, patting my back, "There, there~" she 'soothed', unhelpful.
The game started up again after Fukunaga-san served, and the ball quickly went in Tanaka-senpai's direction. He received it and the ball was in play for our side.
I watched, wondering what they would do, since Haiba-kun managed to block the freak quick.
Kageyama-kun looked like he was sending it to Hinata again, at first glance. And it looked like it was a normal quick instead of their super-fast ones.
Unfortunately, Haiba-kun seemed to have assumed that it was going to Hinata again, and didn't see Asahi-senpai also going in.
Asahi-senpai spiked the ball hard, sending it bursting through Haiba-kun's block and I cheered, pleased. Looks like they weren't expecting the decoy route even though that's technically one of Hinata and Kageyama-kun's specialties.
"O-One touch!" Haiba-kun yelled back to his team-mates, and Yaku-san received it, sending up the Free Ball.
I tsked quietly to myself and Michiko chuckled from my side.
The ball was quickly sent through Kozume-san and to Haiba-kun again, and he managed to get a spike through, scoring a point.
I pouted, annoyed that we'd lost the point when I was so sure Asahi-senpai got it. But then, I knew it was never going to be easy to beat Nekoma. They were a skilled team.
Ukai-san called a time-out and called everyone over. I nodded to Michiko, and then hurried over to join them.
"Keep your cool. They've been on high alert for that quick strike since the beginning, so it's understandable. For now, Azumane and Tanaka on the left as the pivot of the attack against Nekoma." Ukai-san said, and the boys nodded.
"Got it." Kageyama-kun nodded.
"Ossu!" Asahi-senpai nodded.
"Hell yeah!" Tanaka-senpai said.
I glanced around at the others, and saw Suga-senpai looking down at Hinata with a concerned expression. So I moved my attention to Hinata solely. His fists were clenched, and his head was hung. After a moment, he moved a hand to grip at his jersey.
I furrowed my brows, and went over to his side. Suga-senpai saw this, smiled, and stepped aside.
I patted Hinata's shoulder and when he didn't move, I spoke; "Hinata-kun," I called his name, and he looked up, surprised; "Don't let this setback stop you. I know you can get past Haiba-kun if you try your best. You could try thinking outside of the box. I'm sure you'll find a way that works for you." I advised him.
He blinked, cheeks pink, and nodded, "Ossu..." he said, and grinned, "I'll definitely win against that guy." He said, and I smiled.
Looks like he wasn't as down as I thought he was.
"Okay. I'll be watching." I nodded.
And so, after a few more words from the Coach, the match continued.
The match was going well, for a few moments, but as soon it was Karasuno's chance to spike, I could see right away that something was going to go wrong. Kageyama-kun had sent the ball to Asahi-senpai, who was already jumping to reach it, but Hinata was also going in for the ball!
I yelped, and flinched, as they violently crashed into each other and Hinata tumbled to the ground; or rather, as Hinata crashed into Asahi-senpai. Was he not looking around him?
"Hinata-kun!" I yelped out, unable to hold it back. That looked like a painful landing!
"A-Are you o-o-okay!?" Asahi-senpai cried, shocked at what had just happened.
"I'm- I'm SORRY!" Hinata squealed, getting up, looking just as shocked; he got into the dogeza position and began bowing deeply, "I wasn't looking where I was going! Sorry! Did you get hurt!?" he cried.
"I-I'm just fine...!" Asahi-senpai said, as Kageyama-kun yelled 'dumbass' at Hinata.
"Hinata, are you alright?" I heard Daichi-senpai call over.
Tanaka-senpai laughed a little, "Come on, be more careful~" he said.
"Yeah, between you and Asahi, you're the one who's gonna get knocked out, ya know?" Nishinoya-senpai added.
"I'm sorry!" Hinata apologised again.
As Ukai-san let loose on Hinata, yelling at him for not paying attention, I sighed out, exasperatedly, "What am I gonna do with him...?" I moaned, covering my face, and Michiko laughed.
"Hey, if you really like him, you're stuck with that, you know? Are you really sure?" she asked me. I sighed again, and nodded, uncovering my eyes to watch the court again.
Luckily, Hinata wasn't hurt.
He was stepping towards Kageyama-kun, like he had something to say.
"Hey, Kageyama." He said to the Setter, who looked to him.
"Hm?" he asked.
"About the freak quick... I'm going to stop closing my eyes." Hinata said and I widened my eyes.
"Huh? What did Hinata say?" Michiko asked, having not quite heard it as I had. I opted to not respond, too caught up in what was unfolding.
"Hah? Come again?" Kageyama-kun sneered, not amused by the idea.
Hinata flinched, and continued, "It's no good the way things are now. I can't just close my eyes and hope that you'll send the ball to my hand anymore." He explained his reasoning, and I guess I could see his point.
That way, there was no way for him to improve and broaden his range of spikes.
Kageyama-kun sighed, and spoke, "We do it this way because you couldn't do it on your own, remember? Remember when we tried the normal quick strike?" he asked Hinata, and turned away, "I don't know what's on your mind, but I'll listen to it later. However, if you're saying that you'll stop closing your eyes from now, I have to tell you – I have no intention of tossing to someone who'll miss." He said seriously, walking away to his position.
Hinata watched him go, with a stubborn looking frown.
I furrowed my eyebrows concernedly, wondering what Hinata would do.
Could this be the thing that was on Hinata's mind that he wanted to talk about? Maybe he was so nervous about it and that's why he looked so flustered? ...For some reason, I couldn't be certain on that theory.
Because...
He looked like a nervous school kid about to confess he liked a girl... was I hoping too much for that result, because of my own feelings?
I don't know... liking someone is too confusing.
The match carried on, and it was clear that the exchange between Hinata and Kageyama-kun had caused some sort of rift. Yachi-san and Shimizu-senpai had both noticed it too.
"I might be imagining it, but... D-Don't things seem strained between Hinata-kun and Kageyama-kun, now?" Yachi-san asked, and Shimizu-senpai and I both nodded.
"Yeah." Shimizu-senpai agreed, "But it's not just between Hinata and Kageyama. Since the collision with Azumane, everyone's tensions have been running high." She added.
Michiko decided to join in, "Hinata's probably given those guys something to think about, huh. I mean, that guy's competitive spirit and hunger for growth is something else." She said and Yachi-san and Shimizu-senpai looked over to her.
"E-Eh? Nekoma's manager knows Hinata?" Yachi-san asked, surprised. Ah. That's right, she didn't know, yet...
I nodded to Michiko while turning to Yachi-san, "Micchan, Hinata-kun and I all went to Yukigaoka Middle School together, you see. Back when Hinata-kun used to practice in the same gym as the girls' volleyball team, which we were on." I explained.
"Eh?" Yachi-san blinked, surprised.
"Yeah, since there was no official boys' team at first, he sweet-talked Coach Tezuka into letting him use a corner of the gym. That's when Moeka-chan here decided to approach him and help him out with his practice. They've been tied at the hip ever since." Michiko told her.
I blushed, "That's an exaggeration. Although we've been close since." I admitted.
Shimizu-senpai gave a gentle smile, "Ah, then I suppose it was only a matter of time," she said cryptically and I flustered, kind of getting the words she left unsaid.
They didn't need to be said. It was obvious, and I knew this now. I wondered if it was obvious enough for Hinata to see...
As if reading my mind, Michiko harshly slapped my back, "Well, Hinata's as dense as you are, so I think you're safe until you work up the nerves to tell him!" she said cheerily as I rubbed my back.
The match was over relatively quickly, and Nekoma was victorious yet again. And yet again, Karasuno had to do the penalty lap of flying fall receives.
We spent time between matches scoping out the other teams that were still in the middle of their matches. By observing, I learnt that Ubugawa specialized in serves, Shinzen focused on combination attacks to confuse blockers, and that Fukurodani, the team with Michiko's crush in it, not only had an impressive Setter, but also a very strong Ace. His silver and black hair colour combination was an interesting look, but it definitely suited him.
But in getting caught up in watching the other matches, I hadn't noticed when Hinata and Kageyama-kun slipped away somewhere. Remembering the tension between them earlier, I started feeling worried.
Yamaguchi-san must've noticed how worried I was, and he approached me.
"Hey, Mogami-san, are you okay?" he asked me, and I looked over to him.
"Ah, yes! Only... Have you seen Hinata-kun and Kageyama-kun anywhere?" I asked him.
"Oh yeah. I was looking for them too," Ukai-san said, stepping off from leaning against the wall nearby.
"Oh. They went outside a little while ago..." Yamaguchi-san informed us.
I followed Ukai-san to go outside and as we approached the opened gym doors, we heard the tail-end of the conversation.
"There is no need for you to think on your own in that Quick attack." We heard Kageyama-kun say, supposedly to Hinata if the subject had anything to do with it. We were then surprised to find him walk in through the door we were by.
He looked to us, caught off guard at seeing us there, before nodding out of politeness and carrying on. Ukai-san and I glanced to each other, wondering what that was, before we heard Suga-senpai speaking.
"Sorry, Hinata. Now that I've... heard Kageyama's viewpoint, I think he's right this time. That Quick attack is amazing enough already. I think it would be best to refine other forms of attack around it, instead." senpai said and I frowned.
But that's just stifling Hinata's own development...! It's forcing him to rely completely on Kageyama-kun, without any of his own individuality. And that way, Hinata would be essentially just following orders from other people instead of thinking for himself...!
A whistle sounded behind us, signaling the end of Ubugawa and Shinzen's match, and Ukai-san stepped forward ahead of us, agreeing with Suga-senpai.
"Even if you say 'I want to fight on my own', the Freak Quick is a split-second battle. Frankly, I think it'd be too much for you to do something in that small a window of time." He gave his opinion.
I pouted, annoyed that they were shutting Hinata down. It didn't matter that they had a point, at least not to me.
"But... When I'm in good form, I can see everything as if it's in slow motion. Like what Tanaka-senpai described once..." Hinata said.
"Well... there are times you can block more clearly than normal," Ukai-san said, uncertain.
"During the final point in the practice match with Seijoh, I could see the Gra—Oikawa-san's face. I could see his eyes. And during the 3-on-3 match, I could see the other side of the court. I could see where Tsukishima was moving to, and Captain too." Hinata explained.
"Y-You're just saying 'what it seemed like', aren't y—" Ukai-san cut himself off, and I stepped outside to see. Hinata's eyes, they were clear, and focused. He was totally serious about what he was saying, as farfetched as it seemed.
"Hey!" Daichi-senpai popped up behind me, scaring both Ukai-san and I; "Our match is starting!" he added.
"C-Coming!" Ukai-san said, heading back inside.
As Hinata came up towards the entrance, I tugged his sleeve and he looked at me, pausing.
I gave him a smile, "For what it's worth, Hinata-kun, I believe you could see it." I told him.
He stared for a moment, before relaxing and smiling, "Thanks." He said, and headed back inside, ahead of me. I followed behind.
Onigiriri: Sorry for the delay! The part of UK I'm living in is currently having a bit of a heatwave, and I'm not used to these temperatures since it's usually quite cool, wet, miserable in England, haha. To make a long story short, I've been melting. xD
Anyways, here it is. Y'all know what's coming next if you've seen Season 2...! :O
Also, I'm gonna do a special for Chapter 40. It may be a two-parter, haven't decided, but I'm going to be writing scenes in other characters' POVs. I'm planning on Hinata, and stuff from Seijoh's side, but if you guys want to see ANY other people's POVs, let me know in the reviews!