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Reference:

Aoba Johsai Private High School (Seijoh):

Head Coach - Irihata Nobuteru

Coach - Mizoguchi Sadayuki

#1 Oikawa Tōru (Captain) - 3 - S

#2 Matsukawa Issei - 3 - MB

#3 Hanamaki Takahiro - 3 - WS / Outside Hitter

#4 Iwaizumi Hajime (Vice Captain & Ace) - 3 - WS / Outside Hitter

#6 Yahaba Shigeru - 2 - S / Pinch Server

#7 Watari Shinji - 2 - Li

#12 Kindaichi Yūtarō - 1 - MB

#13 Kunimi Akira - 1 - WS / Opposite Hitter

#16 Kyōtani Kentarō - 2 - WS / Opposite Hitter

Karasuno High School:

Coach - Ukai Keishin

Teacher Advisor - Takeda Ittetsu

Manager - Shimizu Kiyoko - 3

Manager - Akatsuki Ai - 2

Manager - Yachi Hitoka - 1

#1 Sawamura Daichi (Captain) - 3 - WS / Opposite Hitter

#2 Sugawara Kōshi (Vice Captain) - 3 - S / Pinch Server

#3 Azumane Asahi (Ace) - 3 - WS / Opposite Hitter

#4 Nishinoya Yū - 2 - Li

#5 Tanaka Ryūnosuke - 2 - WS / Outside Hitter

#6 Ennoshita Chikara - 2 - WS / Outside Hitter

#7 Kinoshita Hisashi - 2 - WS / Pinch Server

#8 Narita Kazuhito - 2 - MB

#9 Kageyama Tobio - 1 - S

#10 Hinata Shōyō - 1 - MB

#11 Tsukishima Kei - 1 - MB

#12 Yamaguchi Tadashi - 1 - MB / Pinch Server

The guys were pumped up, and they raised their voices during warm-ups.

"Excuse us!" Ennoshita yelled when a ball rolled toward Seijoh's side, and Kageyama got into a small tussle with Oikawa even before the game began.

Yahaba and Kindaichi stared at the team with now three managers. The second-year setter was envious, and the first-year felt annoyed more than anything.

As Hanamaki warmed up with receives, one of them flew with velocity toward Yachi. Fortunately, Kiyoko deflected it.

A different ball rolled up to her feet from the other side of the court. Ai picked it up and turned toward the turquoise-blue and white team.

"Sorry!" Iwaizumi waved at her.

She walked over to give it back.

"Hajime-san," Ai greeted. "It's great to see you again." She bounced the blue and yellow Mikasa volleyball to him like she would a basketball.

"Thanks, Akatsuki. You, too." He caught it, feeling the slightest bit weird that she didn't throw it instead.

"Hello, Matsukawa-san, Akira."

The middle blocker and first-year each nodded to her. They looked at her without anything to say.

She was still basically a stranger to them, but Matsukawa had a slight smile at remembering how she'd celebrated the team's three previous birthdays.

Kunimi simply watched her from the corner of his eye, a bit judgmental.

Ai bowed politely and returned to her side of the team before Nishinoya attacked them. She left the team without managers in jealousy and awe. With Kiyoko, Ai, and Yachi, Karasuno now had a beautiful type, an elegant type, and a cute type of female managers.

Before going back to Karasuno however, she stopped by to speak to the other two.

"I hope you didn't think you could get past so easily, Shigeru-kun. I know what you're up to." She smirked and glanced at Kindaichi.

The first-year froze up, but his face heated within seconds. "H-hello!"

"Did I catch your attention, though?" the setter flirted.

She laughed. "You'll have to do better than that." Ai smirked and said before leaving, "But play as you do in the game, and I might become more interested."

Yahaba watched after she walked away. "Well, at least she knows my name." He shrugged, compromising.

Then, Ai caught sight of a new face. It made her speak a name without thinking. Honestly, she hadn't thought of him in years. "Haizaki-kun..." He had the same look in his eyes.

"Huh? Haizaki?" Nishinoya overheard and repeated. "Who's that?"

"Oh... Just a basketball player I once knew." She tried to smile persuasively.

Sugawara joined them. "What's up?"

"Nothing." She subtly glanced back. "Beware of their Number 16. He resembles a player I knew."

The two of them stared in the same direction, and Ai left without them noticing.

"Tobio." She hugged him tightly and then pulled back to look at each other. "Remember to rely on us. We're all here to support you. Lean on us."

"Right," Kageyama nodded.

She smiled and spoke to Hinata as well, before going back upstairs; Ai still had to look for her teal notebook.

"Shōyō, you have many weapons in your artillery now. You'll do fine." She held the side of his face for a second, making him blush furiously, and returned behind their stoic black flag.

.

Daichi confidently chose to receive first, knowing that the other captain was sure to be up first in serving that demonic serve.

The teams bowed, marking the start of the match.

Shimada and Saeko were joined by Takinoue as the game commenced. The older Tanaka introduced herself, and the adults made comments about how this was the semi-finals. If they won this and the next match, they'd be going to nationals.

"Well, only if they beat the next two powerful schools," Shimada said.

.

Ai found her teal-colored notes in the seating area near Date Tech had been.

She made sure to use her pen gifted from Nekoma's coaches, and Ai touched the heart necklace that she wore every day without fail.

Each side had team meetings, and Oikawa was about to say his usual phrase to his teammates.

The setter shook out his wrists and started in a light-hearted tone. "All righty, so, today... I trus-"

"We trust you, Captain!" the three other third-years said before he could finish.

.

Seijoh's audience shouted their cheers. The first serve of the game was, of course, by Oikawa, with his teammates shouting out various flavors of ramen.

"Oikawa-san, nice serve!" Kindaichi encouraged.

"Man, Oikawa's serving first?" the electronics store manager and former middle blocker groaned.

"It shouldn't be much of a surprise by now, Takinoue-san. It's their usual tactic."

"Is he that good?" Saeko asked.

"Is he?" the younger blonde repeated.

"He's a frickin' cannon,'' Shimada, a former wing spiker and pinch server, said.

"If Seijoh's able to build momentum with his serve, we're gonna be in trouble," Takinoue explained. "But frankly, there's a very decent chance of that happening."

The first rally involved Daichi getting up Oikawa's serve, Kageyama getting the first touch after Kindaichi tapped it over, Nishinoya jump tossing from behind the white line, and Asahi spiking as a back attack. They'd cut off Oikawa's serve in one play. Everybody cheered, and the ace and libero were the most surprised that it had worked.

Next was Kageyama's serve, with Ennoshita and Yamaguchi shouting their support.

"Makki!" Oikawa yelled to the wing spiker in the back right corner.

Hanamaki was about to get it, but it landed out of bounds.

"Don't mind, don't mind!" Daichi shouted.

"So close! You'll get the next one!" Tanaka yelled.

1-1.

"Give us a good one, Iwaizumi-san!" Kindaichi prepared for the next volley.

Aoba Johsai's vice-captain had intensified his serves as well.

"Sorry, Kageyama!" Asahi yelled as the ball flew toward the net.

"Man, there's one insane serve after another. What's with those guys?" Takinoue awed.

"Hit it, Kunimi!" Iwaizumi shouted.

The wing spiker jumped, but Kageyama got to the ball faster than the slightly taller first-year. He made a one-handed toss to Tanaka, who successfully spiked it through.

"Right on!!!" the second-year screamed while Kunimi clicked his tongue. Kindaichi also furrowed his brows at his opponent.

"Ryu! Well done! Love ya! Whoo!!!" Saeko shouted her love for her brother when he made the kill, embarrassing the Tanaka on the court.

"Wha- Stop that, Big Sis!"

Hinata was restless and wanted to touch the ball, too.

.

Kageyama made accurate sets, and the turquoise team's third-year middle blocker received Tsukishima's spike.

"Nice, Mattsun."

"Left!" Iwaizumi called to the setter.

Oikawa chose to set to the No. 3 instead. Tsukishima observed calmly and blocked Hanamaki.

"All right!" Karasuno cheered.

The strawberry-blond got frustrated and apologized. "Darn! My bad!"

"Sorry! It was a little low!" Oikawa also said.

6-5, Karasuno's lead. Neither team was giving in as they kept a similar score.

"Wow. They're starting off neck-and-neck," Takinoue rattled.

"Yeah, but..." Shimada watched the orange-haired boy switch in for Nishinoya when it was Tsukishima's turn to serve. "I'd love to see Hinata land a fast attack right about now."

"Yeah."

"Why?" Saeko wondered.

"At the end of their last match with Seijoh, Hinata's fast attack had the perfect timing but it still got completely shut down." Takinoue looked stern. "It even left an impression on us. For Hinata and Kageyama, it might not be a memory they can just sweep away."

A memory they can't just sweep away... Ai bit her bottom lip. She had a few of those herself, and they were currently threatening to distract her from the game in front of her.

Ai offered Yachi the notebook from the Interhigh tournament, which the younger manager gladly flipped through. The second-year's notes were meticulously detailed that Yachi didn't need to watch a recording to understand the past match.

"One nice serve!" Asahi shouted to Tsukishima.

Hinata faced off with Kindaichi on the other side of the net.

Watari got the serve, and Iwaizumi spiked Oikawa's toss.

"Daichi-san, nice!" Tanaka said as the ball went up.

Hinata rushed in for the hit, but he was too hot-headed to see Kindaichi's block.

Luckily, Tsukishima had his back with a block follow.

"Yes! He was perfectly positioned!" Takinoue exclaimed.

"It's coming back over! Move back! Back!" Iwaizumi instructed.

"Cover, cover!" Matsukawa shouted.

The turquoise team's captain had to dive to save it with one arm.

"Oikawa-san, nice!" Watari said.

Kageyama kicked Hinata hard in the butt; the setter must have been learned it from Yaku. "Calm don't... up... down, moron!" he stuttered.

Was that even Japanese? Tsukishima pondered.

Kageyama, that goes for you too, Tanaka thought.

"We're counting on you, Iwaizumi-san!" the libero bumped the ball to the ace.

Hinata and Kageyama, who were by the net, both jumped.

"Nice, one-touch!" Ennoshita shouted when the middle blocker weakened the ball's momentum.

"Again, again!" Sugawara also encouraged from the warmup zone.

One more time. Go, go. Break through that one despairing shot!

This time, Hinata avoided Kindaichi's single block, saw the ball, and spiked. Watari reacted, but it bounced off of the libero's arm. Oikawa and Iwaizumi both grimaced.

They were finally at the start line.

"All right!" Takinoue and Saeko cheered.

"Hinata, nice kill!" Yachi yelled down to him.

Ai smiled and wrote the play on paper.

.

Other players and miscellaneous people in the audience also paid attention to their game.

Karasuno's setter noticed that Seijoh wasn't going for blocks and dealt with Hinata's broad attacks with receives, like last time. However, Hinata aimed for the corner near the libero and got the point.

"Kageyama, nice serve!" Ennoshita yelled.

A part of her heart was glad that her friend was still being vocal and positive after Wakunan's match earlier in the day.

Kageyama's serve went to the libero, and Watari yelled, "Sorry! Cover!"

"We're counting on you, Makki!" Oikawa appointed.

"Got it! Kunimi!" Hanamaki set the ball.

"Right!" The first-year's spike landed right through Hinata and Tanaka's hurried attempt for blocks. Kageyama didn't make it in time to receive either.

"Whoo, nice kill," Hanamaki smirked and initiated a double high five.

"Nice toss," Kunimi said to his senpai. It was apparent that Aoba Johsai played as skillfully as ever.

.

18-17, Karasuno.

When Matsukawa high-fived with Watari and came onto the court, he talked briefly with Hanamaki and Kindaichi before the No. 12 served.

The first-year, like the other guys who didn't do jump serves, aimed for the place where the back-row setter ran to the front. An anticipated, clean receive from Tanaka made Kageyama's job that much easier.

The Greatest Decoy's freak quick attacks were hard to stop alone but...

Matsukawa ran out from behind Hanamaki and jumped. The third-year middle blocker's block was very pressuring intimidating. Don't hit it over here, okay? You can't hit it this way, right? his presence said.

It made Hinata hit a straight spike right at Kindaichi, which the first-year got up and connected to a counterattack.

"Kindaichi, nice receive!" Oikawa praised.

The turquoise team's new strategy was to narrow the course and limit the shortest middle blocker's options.

"I'll give it a try next time!" Kindaichi said.

"You're pretty scary, Mattsun," Oikawa drew back.

"Don't mind, Shōyō! Next one!" Nishinoya yelled support.

"Right!"

Ai pressed the blunt end of her pen to her lip. Perhaps this was where the Tiny Giant's mid-air combat style would come in handy. The defense pattern was similar to basic basketball game plans as well.

.

22-21, and the orange and black team was still in the lead.

Each player of Aoba Johsai was always thinking as they played. It was probably why they were so good. However, Karasuno's athletes were starting to bring their intelligence into the sport as well.

Hinata remembered from the match four months ago when Sugawara had said that, with Seijoh's fast attacks, he should wait a little while and then jump. The first-year middle blocker shut out Kindaichi's spike, getting a bit of revenge.

.

"It's the guy whose serve could break your arms," Yachi trembled.

After a glance back at the captain, Iwaizumi said to Kindaichi, "Just in case, watch the back of your head."

Oikawa threw the ball up, got a running start, jumped, and hit the ball with more power than ever before.

Karasuno's two best receivers, Nishinoya and Daichi, were stunned still.

The stadium blew up with shouts.

"That was an insane serve! I wanna try to receive it!" Nishinoya had stars in his eyes, a sharp contrast to Hinata shivering in fear.

"What a sound..." Saeko muttered.

"I can't... Someone's arms are gonna fly off..." Yachi shook.

"Honestly, I don't think I could get that myself," Shimada commented.

However, as a result of Oikawa's mind-blowingly powerful spike-like serve landing outside of the white line, it was Karasuno that reached the set point first.

24-22.

"All right! Were at set point first! Just one more! Go for it!" Sugawara screamed.

The subsequent serve went to the libero, and Iwaizumi spiked to creep up to them again.

24-23. Seijoh was about to catch up to them with a deuce.

Suddenly, the whistle blew and there was a substitution of Kyōtani for Kunimi. Her mind wandered a bit to two years ago, when Haizaki was forced off of the team by Akashi.

The new player had forcefully pushed past Kindaichi and stole his toss.

A wrench that was intentionally broken into the gears that were working together flawlessly. Then suddenly, they became something completely mysterious and unknown.

Ai winced. Although it went out of bounds, it was nevertheless a novel and wicked style of play.

Just when they were getting used to the scheming style of Oikawa's team. This was a different Seijoh.

———

2 Years Ago

Spring

Haizaki was well-known in the grade for being a rebellious bad boy. He was a part of Teikō Basketball Club's starting lineup before Kise, but he quit at the end of their second year. Akashi had talked with him one day in the empty gymnasium and suggested that he withdraw from the club to save his reputation and pride.

It was before Kuroko had caught Haizaki at the incinerator, about to throw in and burn his basketball shoes. The grey-haired male had held a grudge for a while against the know-it-all captain and Kise, who eventually took his place, as predicted.

Since Ai and the blond boy had only known him for a year at the time, they didn't know Haizaki as much as Kuroko or the others did. She had tried to preserve at least a peaceful relationship with him, until he used her to get back at Akashi.

.

Ai had gone to her classroom to get an extra notebook from her bag. She'd thought of a new topic to research and wanted to start it in a new notebook.

On her way back to the gymnasium where the first-string players practiced, Ai was lost in thought.

Ever since the national tournament last year, Aomine had been absent from the after-school club trainings. She knew that she couldn't just become a solution for him; it wasn't that simple. He needed someone who he could play with and could challenge him to new heights.

Ai could never physically play basketball like the guys. She could only support them as a manager. It was hard to accept how helpless she could be in that sense.

Am I really so useless? There has to be something, right? she asked herself. Could I try to find new people for him to play against? High schoolers, maybe? Adults? Or is he too strong for those people too?

Perhaps she could introduce him to a second hobby. Then, he could derive at least some happiness from something in his life.

She cared about Aomine, and it hurt to see him struggling like this.

"Well, what do we have here?"

She looked to her left and saw the former small forward of Teikō's team. Ai had been wanting to follow up on his quitting the basketball team, but she hadn't found the time to talk yet. They were third-years now, and she didn't recall seeing him at the opening ceremony at the start of the school year; he must not have attended and skipped it.

Haizaki smirked and began walking toward her. "Long time no see, huh? Fancy seeing you again. What're you doing out here?"

"Getting a notebook."

"For your precious club?" He stepped closer to her. "Say, I happen to remember you and Akashi are a thing. Right?"

Ai stood her ground. "We were since last year."

He looked her over. "Come to think of it, you're pretty hot, you know."

Ai scoffed in his face. To think he had the audacity to try to seduce her into going out with him, when they both knew very well they each already had a partner; she was with Akashi, and he was with a girl who had previously been dating Kise.

"I'm not interested in your revenge plot."

"Come on, all I'm asking for is one date." He walked forward until she stepped back. She let him back her up against a wall.

"I'll show you how much better I am than any of them."

She smirked. "No, thank you."

"Are you worried about practice?" He laughed, as if that were an absurd notion. "Just ditch it and come with me. Leave them to their sweaty practice," he spat.

"I would rather go to practice, thank you. I actually enjoy being a manager."

"Why not be my personal manager instead? You can run errands for me, and I'd thank you for it."

She rolled her eyes. Ai held her turquoise notebook in one hand and crossed her arms. "What good would that do?"

He chuckled darkly. "You know, I thought maybe Ryōta had a little crush on you." He leaned in closer and put a hand against the wall to trap her. Teikō Junior High was still a preppy private school; at least he didn't smell like cigarettes.

"I'll just be killing two birds with one stone."

She dropped her gaze. The top few buttons of his school uniform were undone, and his neck was exposed. She could punch at his esophagus and choke him. Or, she could dig a knee into his stomach or groin and make him double over.

Another idea was to play along for now and manipulate him. Or, perhaps if she denied him a few more times, he'd get bored and leave. That way, nobody would get hurt, and they wouldn't even have to tell the teachers.

After weighing her options, she decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.

"Haizaki-kun," she warned.

"Call me Shōgo, sweetheart."

"Haizaki-kun," she repeated. Did he even bother to remember her name? Was that why he used pet names sickeningly?

Suddenly, Haizaki's body jerked back.

They turned to see Akashi infuriated and glaring daggers. The captain's hand was on the back of Haizaki's school uniform collar. "Let her go," he commanded.

Haizaki faked confidence. "Ha! Prince Charming to the rescue, huh?"

"Touch her again, and you'll regret your poor decisions," Akashi threatened.

"What? Are you gonna beat me up? Expel me from the school this time?"

"Believe me, I can do either." His maroon eyes were ablaze. She'd never seen him this furious before.

Haizaki huffed a laugh and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Whatever. Looks like I already ticked you off enough for today." He grinned wickedly and waved a hand as he walked off. "Later, Ai."

Akashi stood still until he was out of sight. Then, he turned his full attention to her. "Are you hurt?"

She shook her head. "No." She uncrossed her arms. "Thank you for coming to get me, Seijuro. But I could have handled him."

Akashi didn't say anything. Instead, he grabbed her wrist and walked speedily back to the gymnasium.

.

He spoke to the coaches immediately about their encounter. The captain explained that he had felt uneasy when Ai had been gone for a minute too long. It was a good thing he was there to witness the incident.

The guys resumed practice as usual, but it felt mundane.

"Akatsuki-cchi." Kise jogged up to her.

She held out a towel and water bottle for him, thinking that those were what he wanted from her.

The blond paused for a moment and took the towel from her hand. "Sorry about that. I overheard Akashi-cchi talking to the coach about Shōgō-kun."

"It's fine. No harm done."

"But he shouldn't have cornered you like that! Especially because of me..." Kise stared at the floor.

"Huh? Zaki-chin did?" Murasakibara asked, overhearing the blond.

Ai sighed. "It's not your fault. Don't apologize, Ryota-kun."

He continued to look down for a moment. Then, he raised his head a bit. "Could I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Is it ok if I call you Ai-cchi from now on?" She'd be the only person, out of the people he respected, to call her by her first name.

She smiled softly. "I'd be happy if you called me that."

Author's Note:

I don't like total antagonists. I try not to write them, and I don't really like reading about them either. I just start to feel bad for the fictional antagonists and villains when I do, so I like to stay away from those black-or-white perspectives.

(Haizaki is not that bad of a person once you get to know his character. The same goes for anyone!)

It's also why I like KnB and Haikyuu's style; you can't really hate the opponent teams, because they're just people with complex backgrounds, too. :)

Total Word Count: 3877