Chapter 8: You Got Served
It was one of those days again where Eijun, who recently just turned 11, visited the Karasuno gym just to see what his cousin, Daichi, was doing. As usual, he was greeted by everyone on the team lovingly. Even after practice, he and Hinata were always together that it looked like they're the same age, which Tsukishima and Kageyama never failed to point out to their orange-haired middle blocker, much to his annoyance.
Eijun always thought that volleyball was fun. He saw the look on his cousin's face every time Daichi is on the court along with the rest of the Karasuno team. When he saw Hinata running across the court to chase the ball, it gave Eijun goosebumps. The glittering eyes of Kageyama as he was about to set the ball for Hinata was something he was getting excited to watch out for. He saw how Asahi, who tends to be anxious outside (and sometimes inside) the court, changed gears and how everyone seemed to look forward to him spiking like the ace he is. He saw Nishinoya's never-ending determination to get a perfect receive for his teammates. He observed Tanaka's ferocity on the court and how Eijun joined him in his loudness, which ended up Daichi scolding them both. He saw everyone's effort of never giving up. What drives them to be this good? What is in volleyball that these people can't seem to stop?
Eijun's fingers started to twitch, like an electric wave pulling him in the court. His heart began to beat fast, his insides feel like going out.
It feels like the court itself is calling him.
"Daichi-nii," the 11-year old Eijun tugged his cousin's shirt when the team was having a short break.
"What is it, Eijun?" His cousin gave him a warm smile. The kind of smile that Eijun can't help but be more attached to Daichi.
"After your break, is it okay if I could join Sho-chan and Tobio's training?" His face was full of a child's curiosity.
"As long as you will behave yourself, I'll allow it. But remember your manners to the elders, Eijun. I don't want you to be overfamiliar with them by the honorifics you're giving them just because I am your cousin and I am their captain."
"Y-yes, Daichi-nii," He flinched at the sight of his cousin glaring at him.
Hinata and Kageyama overheard Eijun wanting to play volleyball and pulled him right away when their break ended.
He immediately got the hang of playing volleyball just by a few sets of practice with Kageyama.
"You move your body like this and whoop and a poom when the ball is in your way," Kageyama instructed, knees bent and arms open.
"I don't think that's how you would explain to a child who is a complete beginner, Kageyama," Suga said as he and the others were watching at the side.
"Don't worry, Kou-san," Eijun grinned. "I know what to do. He just explained it to me perfectly."
"He did?" Everyone tilted their heads.
Then, they watched Eijun threw the ball to Kageyama, and Kageyama tossed it in the air. It felt like time stopped when Eijun took that one big step before running after the ball. With a sloppy jump, he managed to spike the ball for the first time, but it was hit by the net. Eijun was a bit frustrated by that, but Kageyama saw something inside Eijun at that moment and insist that they keep doing it.
And with that, it was the start of what might be the birth of a new volleyball monster.
Volleyball. A game where you need to connect the ball to win. Eijun learned everything about volleyball through watching and playing with the Karasuno team. He tagged along (more like hiding) with them when they went to Tokyo for the joint training camp and saw everyone's struggles. The stamina, the sweat, the drills, the tears behind every loss, the smiles behind every win.
He heard Hinata and Kageyama fought when they returned from Tokyo, and only recently did he realized what they were fighting about. When Hinata and Kageyama managed to make their new and improved quick attack, he celebrated with Yachi over their success. He was there when Tsukishima asked Bokuto and Kuroo about their reason for giving everything they got in volleyball. Eijun was there when the Karasuno team finally made its way back to Nationals and won against the crowd's top pick in winning the Nationals. Through volleyball, he met different kinds of people who love him and, in return, respect them and respect the sport itself.
Eijun always thought he'd follow them when he goes to high school.
Volleyball is, after all, amazing.
"Hey Kazu-nyan, what's that you're reading?" Eijun was with one of his grade-schooler classmates one day.
"Ah, this? It's a manga about baseball. My sister lent it to me, and the story is really good," Kazuki showed him the chapter he was reading to Eijun. "This guy was a total loud-mouth until he got humbled by his senior, and now he's a total beast in their games. You want to read it?"
Eijun scanned the manga, and a spark in his eyes suddenly appeared.
"Sure!"
The start of Eijun's sudden interest in another sport: Baseball. He kept on borrowing Kazuki's manga over and over again. He admired the main character's personality and thought that they were similar. What even piqued his interest was the position of the main character of the manga: Pitcher. He wondered how one holds the ball and managed to throw it to the batter that the batter himself was left baffled by the pitch. Eijun can't help but be excited just thinking about it.
And that was only just the beginning.
He was hanging out in Wakana's house along with his childhood friends one day.
"Jikkyō Powerful Pro Yakyū?"
"Yeah! I heard it's a fun game," Wakana turned on the tv and grabbed the game controller. "Here, Eijun. I figured since you've been reading manga about baseball, this game might interest you as well!"
The beginning of a new path and the end of another.
Eijun had started to get more interested in baseball. He played less with Kazuki and the others in the gym, and he secretly made a baseball ball out of rubber, and it wasn't easy to make one, mind you. And he started just to throw. And throw. He joined the local kids playing baseball and realized how he wanted to play more baseball than volleyball.
Guilt struck him.
Just months ago, he learned everything about volleyball, and now he's just going to stop playing?
'So I will end volleyball just like that? Because I read a manga and played a videogame about baseball?' He thought one day in his room. He looked at the calendar and realized he would go back to Miyagi for his family reunion with Daichi soon. But he can't help it. There's something in baseball that pulls him further to the sport than in volleyball.
Ever so straightforward, he told what he feels to the Karasuno team in his second year of visiting them.
"Sports is meant to be free, Eijun."
Just that one line and everything makes sense to Eijun.
It's okay to play both sports. It's all good. Nothing wrong with it.
Kageyama was the most upset one over the news, and Eijun cried again, which resulted in the genius setter being tied down by the rest of the team and Hinata kicking him over again. Despite his decision to choose baseball over volleyball, he still joined them in their summer practice, and he was getting better and better in volleyball without himself knowing.
"You joined your school's middle school volleyball team?" A surprised 3rd-year Hinata stood up. Kageyama was with them. Even though he still wants Eijun to change his mind about quitting volleyball entirely, he too was surprised by the sudden news.
"Yeah," Eijun sheepily smiled. This will be his last time going to the Karasuno gym since he will start training in his team back in Nagano. "My school doesn't have a baseball team because of lack of members, and the club was cut due to funds."
"Are you okay with that, Eijun?" Kageyama said in concern.
"Can't be helped. I could just play baseball when I'm in high school. All you need is a bat and a ball to play baseball, after all!" Eijun grinned as he started warming up his legs and arms. "Now come on! Let's start playing. Better not let the new members wait for too long."
"You guys go first. I feel like I have a stomachache for some reason," Hinata said as he held his whole body down. Eijun did notice he looked a bit pale since a while ago.
"Hinata-boke," Kageyama clicked his tongue as he pulled Hinata away and went towards the gym door with him. "Hey, Yamaguchi. I'm going to take this idiot to the infirmary. Eijun will go there and help you guys out."
Too weak to even say anything, Hinata let himself be carried away by Kageyama.
Eijun stared, impressed by how close they are getting nowadays. Probably because Hinata's preparing to go to Brazil soon. That thought almost made Eijun cry again. He shook his head and joined with Tsukishima and Yamaguchi in their practice.
"You're going to Tokyo?!" The Karasuno team, except Tsukishima, glued their faces onto their screen. They had a video chat with Eijun. He just told them that a scout recruited him from one of the powerhouses in Tokyo.
"That's right. A powerhouse recognized the great Sawamura Eijun! Nyahahaha. Though even I couldn't believe it myself, and I happened to go and check the school with her," Eijun was lying down on his bed and was playing with his feet as he held his cellphone above his head. "I realized some interesting things in there, and to be good, I have to be with those who are good as well. Or something from that one line I heard from a movie."
"You told your teammates about it? What did Wakana-chan say?" Tanaka asked behind the screen. He was together with Kiyoko in their living room.
"Yeah. She and the others were the ones who encouraged me to go to Tokyo in the first place. I never wanted to leave them, but seeing them happy and supportive like that leaves me no choice. I got to do my best for them and me."
"What about your volleyball teammates?" Kageyama asked straightforwardly. Good thing they were in a video call because if it weren't, they would see the color of Eijun turning a bit pale. He still can't get over the fact his volleyball teammates did him dirty. Eijun stopped playing with his feet, and he sat back straight.
"They're fine with it. I might not play volleyball anymore in high school because I will dedicate my time to baseball. Oh, but do tell me when you guys are here in Tokyo!" He said, trying to change the topic right away.
"Have you told it to Natsu?" Hinata asked, hair full of sand. It looked like he's done playing beach volleyball.
Hinata Natsu, Hinata's little sister. Though she may look small, she's the same age as Eijun. They met when Natsu secretly followed her brother and watched him in the gym one day, and Eijun thought she was a spy from another school. Both ended up arguing.
First impression? To Natsu, he was an annoying, obnoxious brat. To Eijun, she was an angry little hamster. But the two ended up getting close, and after Wakana, Natsu became his girl best friend. Both loved volleyball, but the orange-haired loved the sport more than Eijun.
"Yeah," They could hear Eijun chuckling. "I told it to her before calling you guys. She was so happy for me. I heard she's going to THE Niiyama High, aiming to be their ace. She certainly has the same goal as me."
"Eijun in a powerhouse school in Tokyo and Natsu-chan in Miyagi's powerhouse, Niiyama High. Both are aiming to the ace in different sports. And to think you guys used to fight. Now, look how you guys grown," Suga sniffled behind the screen.
"Please don't dig up my embarrassing past like that, Kou-san," Eijun cringed. "Besides, it's Nacchan we're talking about! The school would be crazy if they didn't put her on their team. I hope I get to watch her when she's here in Tokyo for Nationals."
"I hope the next time we're in Tokyo, you will play volleyball with us, Eijun," Hinata smirked behind the camera.
"Geh! Please no. I might not be good at volleyball anymore when that day comes. And I don't want to play against you with Tobio-san, Shoyo-san. You guys are a scary pair after all."
"Oh, you will still be good, Eijun," Hinata said in a humming voice. "Believe me when I tell that If your mind doesn't remember, your body will."
Schweiden Adlers 1 - MSBY Black Jackals 0
"I'm sorry!"
"Junei, don't mind!" Bokuto pat him on the back. "That was so cool! You were almost a hair's away, though."
"Hardly," Sakusa eyed him. "Wouldn't even call that a serve."
"Were you perhaps thinking of something else, Eijun?" Hinata raised an eyebrow. He felt amused but at the same time was surprised when he first saw that kind of form of Eijun.
The embarrassed teen nodded excessively as he tried to calm himself down. He didn't know what came over him. He wasn't like this when they were practicing a while ago. Was it because of the crowd and more people watching him? Or perhaps the rising frustration of him wanting to pitch?
"Listen, Sawamura," Meian put a hand over Eijun's shoulder. "You might be overthinking things. That's why you did that out of stress. It's okay if you can't handle being the setter right now. We know you're not used to the position. We could try playing it safe in this set because I don't want you to injure yourself."
Eijun stood up straight. He didn't plan for this to happen at all. And now the captain and possibly the team are worried for his sake. He scolded himself as the team was wondering what on earth is he doing.
He then looked up. Unlike the open field in baseball, he could see the ceiling above and tried to refocus himself. He took a deep breath.
I am in the center court with players who play volleyball almost all their lives. I can't play half-assed. Focus.
He felt like sparks of electricity expanded all over his body. He shook a little bit to ease the tension.
For now, I am a volleyball player.
He looked at the team once more, and his expression was more focused than earlier. His eyes shifted to an intense golden brown, his face slightly calm, and his body looked relaxed.
"You were right about me thinking about something else, Shoyo-san, but believe me, it's not because of my position as the setter. Pardon me, Meian-san, but I'm not planning to lose this 1st set or even the 2nd set. Not to Haru. Not to the Adlers."
That's exactly what the team wanted to hear from him. Meian smirked, and Hinata and Bokuto gave him a proud smile.
"Then prove it when we're going to play," Sakusa waved at them as he went back to his position. "It's the Adlers turn to serve. Get ready for it. We have each other here to back each other up."
Meian extended his hand for a fist bump, and Eijun hit him with his hand as the captain went back in position as well as everyone else's.
Hinata stared at Eijun and smirked.
"Pitching and him?"
It's scary how Hinata can read him sometimes.
"Pitching and him." Eijun sighed.
"I don't know wha'cha guys were talkin' about but Eijun-kun! If ya won't win this set, 'Samu and I will tell everyone in yer team about how much ya have a cousin-complex!" Atsumu yelled from the side.
"He has a cousin complex?" Osamu commented at the stands near them. Eijun didn't see him since a while ago, and it kind of bummed Osamu, in which Atsumu couldn't help but laugh at his own brother's misery.
"Be quiet! Don't you blabber nonsense over there, stupid and annoying Atsu-san!" Eijun bellowed. For some reason, he felt sharp daggers shooting at him from the audience in the Adlers' side.
"Then put yer head back in the game!"
The referee then whistled.
Haru went out of the court and exhaled. He then went for a jump serve.
BAM
"Kotarou-san!"
BAM
Bokuto managed to receive it.
"Damn, he got a lot better in serving," Eijun muttered as he ran up and waited for the ball.
His eyes dilated, and it felt like time went slow. He could feel everyone's position and the sound of their squeaky shoes around the court. He admits he missed the sound of it.
Eijun can feel goosebumps at the back of his neck. He doesn't need to look at him to know where he is. He could hear him from his footsteps.
'The blockers are already waiting, Tobio-san is waiting at the back, and Haru is repositioning himself still. We don't need them to think about who I should set. We need speed and precision.'
Eijun grinned.
Eijun heard the loud kick on the ground when Hinata jumped.
This position.
This timing.
This angle.
"It's perfection," He whispered.
The ball fell on his fingers, and he immediately tossed it to Hinata. The look on Hinata's face when the ball was for him was like a child finally getting a gift from Santa. Hinata spiked it over the back row in the opponent's side. It was so fast neither of the Adlers reacted to it.
"He never tossed like that when we were in middle school. Besides, I thought he doesn't know how to toss?!" Haru was pissed, but he was smiling.
"He got better at tossing." Kageyama was talking to himself, but Haru can hear him and can sense a bit of amusement behind that tone of Kageyama.
If it weren't for the Black Jackals huddling together in celebration of their point, Eijun would've seen how much of an idiot Haru looked like right now.
Schweiden Adlers 1 - MSBY Black Jackals 1
Eyes glued on the television, mouths slightly opened, only the sound of their murmurs can be heard.
"That was Hinata-san, right?" Kawakami swallowed some air as he looked at the rest of the third years.
"He jumped so high. It's like he was flying!" Yui stood up when he saw Hinata about to jump a while ago. He almost didn't want Eijun to could give the ball to Hinata. He was sure the taller opponents would block his attack right away since he was smaller than them. But when Eijun tossed the ball in a flash, and the orange-haired responded quickly, he couldn't believe that the opponents weren't able to move an inch.
He finally went back to his seat when Hinata eventually earned them a point. He laughed like he still can't believe it. "Unbelievable. Hinata-san is incredible."
"Eijun-kun did pretty well," Haruichi commented. "Good thing he was able to recover after he tried pitching that big ball."
"Don't remind me, Haruichi. That was funny as heck," Kuramochi held his stomach from laughing. "I'm SO going to make fun of him when he goes back in here. GYAHA!"
"I'll tag team on that," Miyuki said while grinning. He still can't get over the fact of how Eijun managed to grip a big ball like that.
"His teammates must've comforted him after that," Okumura said. "His position is a setter, right?" He emitted a wolf-like aura around him.
"The brain in the court," Shirasu commented. Everyone still can't believe an important position like that was given to Eijun. But it won't hurt to give him the benefit of the doubt. Miyuki, Yui, and Okumura especially want to know how will Eijun fare as the catcher in volleyball.
They then watched as Eijun went out of the court to serve again. They all gulped and hoped that he wouldn't try to pitch again.
"Is that Mei?" Miyuki furrowed his eyebrows as he leaned forward from his seat.
He watched as the camera focused on Eijun, but behind him, a blonde-haired guy was only a few meters away from Eijun, trying to gain his attention. Itsuki kept him from getting near to Eijun as the catcher struggled to put his senpai back into his chair. Mei was right; that idiot can't hear him at all.
Eijun once again took a deep breath and tried to relax once more. He held the ball tightly.
I'm such an idiot. How could I compare these two unique sports? This is volleyball. And baseball is different.
The referee whistled.
'Focus, Eijun. You're in the court, not on the mound. Remember what you've learned.'
He exhaled deeply.
"Listen here, Eijun."
A flash of memory from when he was 11 years old.
"When doing this serve, it requires a certain focus; You need to look for a target."
He bounced the ball before throwing it up in the air.
Eijun already knows where to target his serve.
With careful footwork, he made contact in the middle of the ball with the center of his palm.
"What the-?" Haru blinked once, and the ball is already right in front of him. He instinctively tried to lift the ball, but the ball bounced between his fingers.
A service ace.
"Nice one, Junei!" Bokuto high-fived him. "I didn't know you can do a nasty jump float."
"I did that serve a lot when I was in middle school," Eijun explained, his face in a wide grin. "I was worried it wouldn't go over the net since this was the first time I tried it again after two years."
The team ruffled his head as he went back to the back of the court.
'Old habits die hard.' Hinata hummed, looking so proud of Eijun as they went back in position.
Schweiden Adlers 1 - MSBY Black Jackals 2
"One...more...time!" Thomas tried his best to speak Japanese to Eijun as he threw the ball back to him.
"I'm so happy he can still do the floater serve," Yamaguchi dramatically wiped a tear from his eyes.
"He stopped playing volleyball for two years, but he still managed to do that," Tsukishima commented. "Hmph, let's see how he will do well in this set. Unlike him, that Hyuuga kid has more experience in volleyball. It won't be too long till they're going to tire Eijun out."
Eijun looked more confident than before after doing a service ace from Haru. Again, he did a jump float serve, only faster this time. He can't wait to make fun of him after the match.
'That felt good just now.'
"Out!" Heiwajiwa dodged as it went between him and Kageyama.
But the ball changed its trajectory, and it went in the line behind them.
The announcer and the crowd went wild.
"No-touch ace! He made the defensive specialist and master, Heiwajima, ignore that serve of his! You heard that right, folks! Sawamura just did a service ace two in a row."
The Schweiden Adlers couldn't believe it while the Black Jackals were once again celebrating for Eijun.
Eijun let out a burst of shrill laughter, echoing across the court as he got the ball back.
"And that's why I love Tadashi-san's nasty jump floater."
Schweiden Adlers 1 - MSBY Black Jackals 3
"One more time, Eijun!" Hinata and the team encouraged him.
Eijun's heartbeat finally went back to normal. His serve made him relax, and his hands weren't shaky anymore.
'I feel really good right now.' He thought as he threw the ball up in the air.
'This time, right between Haru and Tobio-san.'
BAM!
'Oh shoot!'
The ball was too short- it's going right in front of Haru.
"I won't let myself lose to a goddamn pitcher!" Haru thought as he bent his whole upper body down and managed to overhand toss the ball right in the air.
"Not bad," Atsumu and Kageyama commented simultaneously.
Ushijima then tossed the ball to Hirugami, though Hinata and Meian blocked the spike. Hirugami never missed that smug look on Meian's face when the latter stopped him.
"Oh, you are so going to regret that, Meian," Hirugami smirked.
Kageyama luckily saved the ball in time, and thus the rally is still on.
Ushijima tossed it to Romero, who was already waiting for it. Although it's a three-person block on the other side, he managed to do a block out. Bokuto tried chasing the ball but failed.
Schweiden Adlers 2 - MSBY Black Jackals 3
BAM!
"You little-!" Eijun rolled over after he bumped the ball that went right straight at him.
'Damn, his serves are gotten stronger than when we were in middle school. He even targeted me, the setter.'
Bokuto managed to dig it up, and Hinata spiked it back. Kageyama predicted it already and positioned himself; he managed to receive Hinata's attack.
'This guy!' Hinata widened his eyes and held himself from getting pissed. Kageyama just gave him his usual smug look.
Ushijima tossed it.
"A back-row attack!" Eijun looked as Haru jumped over the line to spike it.
BAM!
Bokuto managed to receive the ball using his chest.
"Nice receive!" Bokuto yelled.
'He's doing it again.' His teammates stared at him dead-pan.
"Nyahaha! Great job, Kotarou-san!" Eijun grinned as he waited for the ball to come. "Omi-omi-san!"
'Not bad,' Sakusa looked impressed by the toss. It was high and steady, just how he likes it. He's surprised Eijun managed to toss it well.
BAM!
The ball went to Romero, but it bounced out from him.
"That's so nasty, Omi-omi-san!" Eijun went towards him for a high-five, but Sakusa just passed by him.
"FYI, calling it nasty is NOT a compliment," Sakusa glared at him.
"How many times have we told you, nasty and gross is a compliment!" Meian went between them before anything happens. Eijun just finds it amusing as he prepared to serve again.
Schweiden Adlers 2 - MSBY Black Jackals 4
The game went on and on. The Seidou team were all over their seats, and each time Eijun managed to bump a ball or used his whole body to break the ball's motion by rolling backward, Miyuki can't help but winced.
Coach Kataoka silently admitted that he, too, is worried for their pitcher's safety. If it weren't for those arm sleeves of his, there might be more than just a bruise on Eijun's arms.
"Oh, Miya Atsumu is in the court now," Zono commented. "Is that allowed or what? And that cool guy who was hit by the ball on his chest, was he all right?"
"Beats me," Asou shrugged, eyes glued on the television. Eijun did another nasty floater serve, but Haru managed to bump it up a bit short, just like what Eijun planned to. "What's that serve called? What did the announcer say again? A jumpy floatie serve?"
"A jump float serve," Rei said as she fixed her glasses. "It's the kind of serve when you hit the ball, and it has minimized rotational spin, causing the unpredictability of the movement of the ball. That's why when Sawamura-kun's was on his second serve of the jump float, the Adlers ignored it because it looked like it was going out, but it wasn't. To better understand the serve, think of it like a Knuckleball in baseball. According to Suga-kun, it needs a lot of practice and patience to get the serve right."
"And Sawamura, who stopped playing for two years, just managed to do it right away and even made those pros looking at it," Miyuki said, bemused. "He's something, huh?"
"Makes me think that he can actually do it," Kuramochi grinned, watching Eijun pointing at Atsumu, who he then set a toss for, and Atsumu managed to dink the ball, but the Adlers managed to dive it back up, but it was a mess. Finally, Kageyama set the ball for Haru, and he spiked it hard, but Sakusa managed to receive it. The Seidou team noticed the wide grin on Eijun's face as he set a toss to one of the players again.
"What're you smiling for, you idiot?"
Schweiden Adlers 7 - MSBY Black Jackals 5
"Hmm, looks like Eijun-kun's team is calling for a time out," Haruichi said.
"Makes sense," Okumura nodded. "Unlike standing on the mound, he's been running around the court and trying to give the perfect toss for the pros. Must be tiring for him."
The camera zoomed in around the Adlers' team as they were talking and then switched to the Black Jackals. Contrary to what Okumura said, Eijun didn't look tired and looked calm as he wiped his sweat from his towel. Bokuto placed his arms around his shoulders and probably said something funny that Eijun almost choked on his water bottle and laughed as well.
"His cousin mentioned Bokuto-san was one of his closest friends, also Hinata-san," Shirasu said, glancing to Miyuki and Kuramochi. "And it appears he and the rest of the team are close so well, seeing how he looked so comfortable with them."
"Yeah," Kanemaru clenched his fists on the table. "Makes me think that perhaps he's going to get recr-"
"Don't jump to conclusions, Kanemaru," Haruichi cut him off. "Eijun-kun's not going to leave baseball just because he played with the pros for a day."
"I'm not, but he used to love volleyball and probably does still. What if he realizes he's better off as a volleyball player? His cousin said he's a damn prodigy in volleyball already, and he knows many pros already. I won't be surprised the pros' coaches will go and recruit him after the game."
Kanemaru has a point which the team silently agreed. Miyuki and Kuramochi looked at him. The others imagined the possibility of Eijun switching to the volleyball club since they heard that the Seidou's volleyball team is also a strong team here in Tokyo. As loud and a bit annoying as Eijun is, whether, in the dugout or the fields, the team admits that he's the mood maker of the team, and it wouldn't be the same if he's not there. Heck, everyone got worried when he wasn't in the field with them this morning.
Rei and Kataoka watched them as they have worried looks on their faces.
"He won't leave baseball," Furuya said, matter-of-fact. "He always wakes up earlier than the rest and goes to sleep last. That's not the kind of person who will quit baseball so easily."
"Well said," Coach Kataoka let out a half-smile as the rest continued watching.
The game's flow was a bit faster after the time-out. The Black Jackals managed to score back, and the Seidou team cheered for them. Both teams are now in a race to see who will score the double-digit first.
Miyuki observed Eijjun's movements as a setter. Watching him play as a setter made Miyuki understand the position as well. How Miyuki thought the toss was for this certain player, but it's actually for another person and how these players lit up when the ball is meant for them. It's no wonder Eijun was having fun; these players are so greedy in getting the ball themselves that Eijun can pick whoever he wants to set the ball to, and he makes use of everyone's abilities as well. A soft chuckle went out of Miyuki.
'So that is a setter, huh.'
He continued watching as Eijun fool the blockers by looking at the other side but tossing the ball to the opposite of where he was looking at, much to the Adlers' annoyance, and Miyuki felt amused by that kind of tactic of Eijun. Miyuki and the team never missed that smug look on Eijun when he fooled the opposing team. They managed to score again, and both teams are now tied.
BAM!
Hoshiumi did a block out from Eijun's hands. The Seidou team's catchers were the only ones wincing in pain.
"His fingers," Miyuki bit his lower lip. "Can someone substitute him until the match is finally over?"
"I agree," Okumura muttered, not accepting the fact that he and Miyuki see eye-to-eye.
"You know that's not allowed. He's the chosen player after all," Nabe smiled, reassuring the evident concern of the team captain. "Besides, he has tapes all over his fingers. He would know the risk if his fingers were to bleed or fractured."
But no matter what, Miyuki can't help but be worried. Summer Tournament is right around the corner, and they still have a lot of scrimmages next week, and they're going to be busy for it, and seeing how well Eijun is during games nowadays, it's evident that the team needs him.
The Schweiden Adlers were the first ones who scored the double-digit, and now it's only just the beginning.
Schweiden Adlers 10- MSBY Black Jackals 9
Haru's serve was still nasty as ever, and everyone in the Seidou team even talked about how a high schooler can serve like that since a while ago. Perhaps because he's a volleyball player, it is expected of him to serve like that.
Atsumu managed to bump it, but it flew out of the court on the Adlers' side.
"Another score for the Adlers," Someone from the dining hall said.
Then, they saw Eijun running over the net and chasing after it.
"What the? Is that even allowed?" Miyuki looked at Kuramochi-as if asking another baseball nerd would be much of help. Kuramochi just gave him a lazy shrug as they continued watching Eijun passing the ball back in his side as he tumbled over the benches before running back to his team.
Hinata jumped once more, leaving everyone in awe with their mouths slightly open as he did. He spiked it at the back of the court, but Kageyama once again managed to bump it up. And the rally is still on.
"Free ball!" Thomas made a clean receive near the net.
"Nice receive, Thomas-san!" Eijun steels himself as he glanced at the opposite side. They're already waiting for it.
He looked at the Black Jackals as their eyes were set on the ball. The aura behind them leaves Eijun a certain amusement.
'I applaud for Tobio-san and Atsu-san keeping up with us spikers,' He thought as he prepares to toss the ball.
The blockers are in position, Kageyama preparing to receive the ball once it has been one-touched by any of the blockers, while the rest are in defense mode. Sakusa was the first one to jump, and the rest followed. The Adlers are on full alert.
'Good.'
THWACK
Eijun hit the ball, and it fell on the Adlers' side of the court. The back row players tried chasing it, but it had already bounced. Eijun looked at Haru, who was in the front row, and smirked at him.
"Feels good when your players are always hungry, huh?"
"You have no idea."
Schweiden Adlers 10 - MSBY Black Jackals 10
The Seidou team was baffled. They started asking themselves what on earth did Eijun do. And luckily, the announcer just saved them from the question that everyone won't have the answer for.
"A setter dump by none other than Sawamura Eijun! It's an effective move that got everyone thinking 'now of all times?' while the setter was thinking 'now is the best time.' A bold move for the setter!"
"Setter...dump?"
Eijun did a victory pose as he went back to the court to serve again.
"I recalled that Yachi-san explained to us that except the libero, everyone on the court could attack offensively, including the setter," Tojou let out a chuckle. "I almost forgot Eijun could attack as well. To think he made a fool out of the opponents again."
After that setter dump, it seemed like Eijun finally has the momentum. Since Hinata is back in the court once more, Eijun wants to use Hinata's skills as the greatest decoy ever.
They scored again when the Adlers thought the ball is coming for Hinata, but Eijun knew that they would and set the ball to Sakusa, who managed to spike it over Ushijima's hands, which gave the curly-haired a sense of achievement.
"What's wrong, Mei-san?" Itsuki looked at his fellow ace, who looked pissed for some reason.
"Ignore him, Itsuki. He's just worried that he's going to be your errand boy for a week." Carlos smirked, watching the expression of the three of them every time Eijun managed to surprise them and the rest of the audience continuously.
Narumiya Mei does not like how this turned out to be. He was so excited making Miyuki and the Seidou team worry the heck out of their pitcher and add to the fact that Eijun might suck and embarrass himself in front of live television. Sure it happened when Eijun did that embarrassing serve by trying to pitch the ball, which Mei will never forget and wished he took a video of it, but seeing how well Eijun plays volleyball was enough for him to be entirely baffled by it. And the fact he even bet he's going to lose because Mei was confident he would be. He glanced at Itsuki, who looked worried for him,
"Must be nice being good in both sports, I guess," Mei leaned back, arms crossed around his chest. He still has that frustrating expression. "but Hinata-san is amazing, also that other short player from the other side. Hoshiumi-san, was it? They're both short, but it seemed that it's no problem for them to play with the tall guys. And what the heck? How come those players are so effin' tall!"
"Being tall is an advantage in volleyball," Carlos said. "What lacks for those two, they make it up to their exceptional skills in both defense and offense."
BAM!
Eijun's serve was too short- it just went over the net. Haru managed to dive for it, too low still, but Hoshiumi managed to put it up back. Kageyama managed to toss it back to the other side.
"Free ball!" Atsumu yelled. He overhanded the ball high and steady.
"Nice receive, Atsu-san!" Eijun said as he waited for the ball. He then caught a glimpse at his team. They weren't moving yet.
'Synchronize attack!' His face lit up. He always wanted to do this with them, being the spiker instead of being their setter, that is.
The ball went to Eijun's fingers, and he tosses it to one lucky player.
The Black Jackals all went for it. Bokuto was tugging his jersey from the bench, wanting to join the fun as well.
Thomas was surprised it was tossed to him and managed to spike a back-row attack, earning them another point.
Schweiden Adlers 10- MSBY Black Jackals 12
The Adlers called for a time-out. After that time-out, the Adlers finally stopped the Black Jackals' momentum and the Adlers finally score a point quickly.
"That attack before the time-out was pretty good," Coach Ochiai said, playing with his beard. "Makes me believe that he's been playing volleyball even till now."
"I agree," Rei nodded, amazed by Eijun's adaptability to the team. "Daichi-san was right; perhaps if Sawamura-kun continued his volleyball career in high school, he would probably be a well-known player."
"Uh, sensei?" Sachiko called her and pointed her towards everyone who went all stiff when they heard her comment about Eijun.
They're not worried, not worried at all.
Coach Kataoka didn't say anything. He just continued watching Eijun play while subtly gripping his sleeves.
During the game, Haru managed to do a service ace two times in a row, fueling the competitiveness of Eijun.
Schweiden Adlers 13- MSBY Black Jackals 12
BAM!
"Kotarou-san!" Eijun yelled as he realized the serve is going his way. Bokuto went in front of him and tumbled after receiving the serve.
The rally was long, and each team isn't backing down.
Ushijima spiked to where Eijun was standing, and the pitcher bumped it up.
"Shoyo-san!" He called out as he took a step back.
Hinata gleefully tossed it to him, and he spiked it hard, and it went over Haru's legs as if to make fun of him. Eijun went back to the ground and gave him a teaseful smile.
"You cocky idiot-!" Haru fumed with annoyance as the teams are now tied.
Eijun's turn to serve, and it's a spike serve.
BAM!
"Eh?"
"No way!" Osamu widened his eyes, hands opened in front as he watched Eijun doing a spike serve when all he did since a while ago was a jump floater.
"What the? He could do that fancy jumpy serve too?" Mei gasped dramatically as he looked at Carlos, who was entertained by Mei's reaction and Eijun's skills in volleyball. "That's so unfair!"
"There's nothing unfair about that," Shirakawa said with a fixed expression. "I think it's a good strategy to bring let the enemy's guard down. Making them used to his serve in the first part and then surprising them with another one in the end."
"I think that's exactly what Sawamura planned from the start," Carlos smirked as he leaned back to his seat. "I hate to admit it, but he's really good. Probably even better than I thought."
Due to Eijun's surprising spike serve and the nasty spin it has due to his flexible elbow, it was another service ace for the team, and the Black Jackals themselves were also surprised by his sudden change of serve.
Schweiden Adlers 13- MSBY Black Jackals 14
"Nice one, Eijun-kun!" Atsumu yelled from the benches. "As expected, I am yer favorite player."
"No, you're not!" Eijun yelled back but was grinning. He didn't expect that his spike serve plan would work. Good thing it went between Ushijima and Haru at the back.
'One more. Just one more till we have this set!' Eijun bit his lip as he again did a spike serve. It went just over the net, but Hoshiumi managed to dive for it, followed by a low toss by Ushijima, and Haru spiked it back.
Everyone was in their seats in anticipation of each team's attack. Will the game be called to a deuce once the Adlers managed to take the point back, or will the Jackals take the 1st set?
"C'mon, Sawamura!" The Seidou team silently watched as each spike made by Eijun's toss kept on getting blocked or getting received by the Adlers. They watched as Eijun's expression change. It's probably the first time he is showing weakness to the team. Little did they know, he's actually planning something.
'Should I do a quick C-attack? It's still hard to set the position well, though. Shoyo-san is at the front, so maybe I could do a front slide attack for him. I almost forgot Kotarou-san is the libero, so I still can't use him to attack unless it'll be like a 5-1 synchronized attack, including me with Kotarou-san setting the ball. But it'll be too late, and we never planned it during our time-out. The Adlers will tie to us, and it will be a deuce if we didn't execute it well. But what about-'
The time that Eijun was thinking about these things in his head: 0.57 seconds.
"Junei!" Bokuto bumped the ball towards him, and it's a high one.
'Perfect! This might just work.' Eijun took a step back and run for it.
"He's going to spike it right after Bokuto passes it to him!" The Karasuno were biting their fingers at this rate already. They were all getting excited.
As soon as Eijun leaped forward to spike the ball, the blockers are already waiting for him, and they jumped as well.
Just what Eijun thought they would.
He changed his form, and he tossed the ball to Sakusa, much to the twins' amusement.
"Hmph," Sakusa smirked a little before hitting it to the other side.
BAM
'Shit. He got us.' Haru tried to receive the ball, but it bounced on his arms.
Schweiden Adlers 13- MSBY Black Jackals 15
MSBY Black Jackals win the 1st set.
"Court Change!"
It went to commercial break back in the Seidou dining hall.
Miyuki and the others surprisingly opened their jaws. Although they've seen how well Eijun plays volleyball, they didn't expect that he won by fooling the opponents once again.
"If I were his opponent, I'd be pretty pissed off that he made a fool out of me," Kuramochi frowned.
"Me too," Furuya glared at the television.
"He reacted so fast," Tojou commented. "And Sakusa-san was at the right place at the right time. It's a team effort."
"Perhaps they've been planning that since before. I mean, who would even imagine that Sawamura could do a serve just like that Hyuuga guy? That's obviously his plan all along," Miyuki speculated as he leaned back to his seat, leaving out a deep and heavy sigh with a noticeable scowl on his face. The team all stared at him.
"What?"
"Nothing, it's just that you seemed annoyed even though Sawamura did well in the match," Shirasu pointed out.
"Do I?" He looked at them with a puzzling expression. Was it that obvious?
"Of course, he'd be annoyed," Zono yelled all of a sudden. "You guys haven't noticed his way of playing with the pros? He was quiet, focused, and I hate to admit it, but he looked like a different Sawamura than when he played baseball. I'd be annoyed as well. It's like he wants to be there."
Well, that's not the reason why Miyuki was annoyed, but Zono wasn't completely wrong about Eijun being a different person in the court than when he's on the mound. What Miyuki was annoyed at was-
"Though they tend to cuddle a lot every time they earned a point, right?" Haruichi suddenly spoke up.
Miyuki jerked up. Kuramochi figured he's just plain jealous that Eijun let these pros touch him. He was right.
"Huh, now that I think about it, you're right. And Sawamura just let them touch his hair like that as if he's used to it," Kanemaru agreed.
"It's not cuddling. It's a huddle, Haruichi," Kuramochi corrected his keystone partner. A subtle way to tell Miyuki that there's nothing to be jealous about. Sometimes he can't believe Miyuki has his childish moments. "I think it's their way of boosting the team's morale."
"Suga-kun did mention each player must have complete trust and closeness with each other," Rei fixed up her glasses. "It's common among these volleyball players."
A few minutes after, the broadcast was back on.
The team was once again surprised that Eijun is wearing a different set of jersey than the rest. They were all lined up and have switched courts. He was doing some jump squats and stretching his arms. Even in his white jersey, Miyuki can't help but groan again. Kuramochi made sure to watch Miyuki's expression this time. He doesn't want him to have another one of his pooping sessions.
"Ah, that's right. He's going to be the team's libero in the 2nd set," Kawakami hummed. "But why the change of outfit? I did notice Bokuto-san and Kageyama-san were wearing different jerseys too. And they were changing back and forth also."
"Didn't Yachi-san mention that the libero is always at the back? Perhaps that's why?" Zono said, also a bit confused about it.
To be honest, the more they watched these players play volleyball, the more they are confused about the rules. They didn't get about the net touch and were surprised that the point was given to the opposing team earlier or the rebound and the rotational system. Everything. They are just in awe of these players jumping and spiking ability. Perhaps when Eijun is back, they could ask him about the rules.
2nd set, Game start!
A few minutes ago, right after they switch courts.
"You got 5 minutes to change and use the rest of the time to practice your receives, got it?" Meian instructed Eijun, handing him another jersey.
Eijun widened his eyes as he took a good look at the jersey and grinned. The jersey still has his name and number at the back except this time, it's the Black Jackals' alternate jersey.
"It's either you guys planned this whole match or made this just for my souvenir."
"Kuroo-san and his team did, just like the jersey you're wearing now," Hinata said. "If we had it our way, we'd put the number 1 in your jersey since that's the number for the ace in baseball, right?"
"Shoyo-san…" Eijun tugged the jersey in his hands, trying his best not to blush right in front of them. Instead, he gave him a firm nod and excused himself to the changing room. He was always grateful for how supportive the team is to him in becoming his baseball team's ace. He recently heard that Natsu became the ace in her volleyball team and was happy for her, though a bit frustrated since he always wanted to be the first to get the ace title before she does.
When Eijun finished changing, he met up with the rest of the team. Coach Samson helped him in his receives while the team was trying to comfort Bokuto, who won't get to play in the 2nd set. They've been trying to find ways to get over it, but he still slumped down on the floor and wanted to hide between the benches again.
Ignoring him, Eijun continued practicing with coach Samson.
"One more time, coach!" Eijun crouches down as Samson hits another ball to the ground. Unlike tossing, Eijun seemed more used to receiving the ball. Back then, Daichi and Nishinoya would always emphasize that the best defense is a good offense, and hearing that as a child excited him and made him learn receives faster, much to Daichi's surprise. Next to spiking, his best skill is the court defense; if not for his instinct to spike every ball headed his way, that is. It's a good thing the team told him that his role was the setter a while ago. This time, they reminded him that he would be their libero for the next set, and it feels like a switch was turned on inside of him.
A few minutes later, the referee called them back again. Eijun is more confident as a libero than a setter this time, and he's sure as heck won't let the Adlers have the 2nd set.
"Ready?" The team glanced at him as they went into position. Atsumu is going to serve first.
"You guys just keep hitting," He looked at them, confident that they would. "because when the ball is flying my way, I'll make sure to put it back up. I'd guard everyone's back since I am your libero!"
"Why the heck didya suddenly say somethin' so cool, Eijun-kun?" Atsumu twitched as he and the team clenched their chests because of Eijun's sudden declaration. He's too precious.
"Nyahaha! You guys can count on me!"
When he was a kid, he always admired Nishinoya's personality when he's in the court. He reassured everyone from the team and always dug up the ball when all seemed lost, always excited Eijun as a kid. He was an amazing libero, and Eijun wished he could be as cool as Nishinoya someday.
The referee whistled at the start of the 2nd set.