Author's Note:

I know you all have been waiting for these weekly updates and I'm so thankful for all of your reads! Thank you for your patience and your support!!

This episode is so epic, I couldn't think of much to add. So, it's kind of a short chapter; sorry. :(

(My creativity has left me for this week…)

Next week's will be longer, I promise!!

But! If you haven't watched this episode in a while, I highly recommend re-watching it!

(I cried for Yahaba last week, and I cried for Iwaizumi and Oikawa this week… Haikyuu always has me in tears)

And for KnB fans, I'll work on adding more of that content! :)

(Send me requests/suggestions if you'd like)

Kageyama had adjusted his toss to Hinata's jump in a split second. The middle blocker's spike straight down from the net broke the tie.

Third set, 17-16.

As Iwaizumi, Tanaka, and Hanamaki hit and gained points, neither team could get a substantial lead.

Yahaba was switched in for Kindaichi as a pinch server. The second-year served and then tossed to Kyōtani, who hit the ball with his left hand.

Hinata ran in from the side and tapped the ball over in between the antenna and Matsukawa's block. Yahaba dove forward to reach it, but the ball hit the floor. The setter went out again, and a long rally ensued.

19-20; Aoba Johsai.

Daichi received Kyōtani's insane serve, and Asahi gained a point back. Yamaguchi, who had gotten five points in the previous set, was serving for Hinata. He was showered with encouragement from everyone, in hopes of breaking the tie. However, Iwaizumi seemed to have been in his Zone and saved ball after ball. Yamaguchi out with one turn.

As Oikawa served, Iwaizumi and Kindaichi seemed to have developed a habit of protecting the back of their heads. The serve had unbelievable power and made the other side's match point. Karasuno called a time-out, their last one for the current third set.

22-24, Seijoh's match point.

Ai held her notebook in one hand and took out her cell from her tracksuit pocket. If their plays were going to continue to be long, she would rather have a video on hand to look back in case she missed anything. "Hitoka-chan, will you take my phone and record the match with it?"

"Oh, yes!" the blonde answered enthusiastically. The managers worked together, but they usually each had their individual roles.

The court next to theirs was already empty. Karasuno's team had their backs to their black flag again as well.

Her eyes went to the third-years of both teams. Each of them had shed their blood, sweat, and tears for this moment, but at the end of this match, the semi-finals, one side would be out of the tournament.

Daichi received the other captain's again, and Asahi, their third-year ace, spiked it in. Hinata joined once more for the Nishinoya, and Sugawara came in for Tsukishima.

Like always, he high-fived with the team, and the two setters whispered to each other. After, Kageyama glared at Hinata, who seemed too concentrated to notice. It made Tanaka ask why he was trying to pick a fight with his teammate.

Sugawara served. Both Iwaizumi and Watari reacted so that even if the ace didn't get it, the libero could receive it. The wing spiker got an overhand back to Oikawa. Hinata jumped sideways and crashed into Kageyama as Koganegawa during his game, but the first-year duo blocked Kyōtani.

24-24. Another deuce.

Sugawara dug up a one-touch block, and the others ran in for a synchronized attack. At the last second, Kageyama switched to a setter dump on Oikawa.

Ai didn't know his life story. Nor did she know the past traumas of the others. However, at least to her, it was obvious from their behavior that each had a story waiting to be told.

It wasn't that Ai already knew everything about Karasuno's team; she didn't. She couldn't know every little experience of all twelve of their lives, plus the two other managers and their coach and teacher advisor. It simply wasn't possible.

However, as the captain in white and turquoise picked himself up from the floor, she became intrigued with him and his team. Perhaps she could get to know them better. Not to spy or be espionage, but hopefully, as friends or good rivals.

Seijoh took a time out, this time, at Karasuno's match point. Yahaba handed Watari a towel, and the players strategized with each other.

25-24.

Another endless rally started with Sugawara's serve. Kyōtani cross spiked toward Tanaka, who got hit in the forehead. Sugawara set the ball to Asahi, and Hanamaki received it.

"Chance ball!" Tanaka and Hinata yelled.

Oikawa pointed at Iwaizumi moments before falling into an empty table and chairs beside their court. His toss led to Iwaizumi's broad attack, which Kageyama was the only person to jump to block. Daichi and Tanaka managed to connect it and Asahi spiked it from the backline by twisting his body. The blue and yellow ball went to Watari, and the libero dove to get it. The ball caught the net, and Kyōtani saved it with one arm instinctively.

Everyone watched as the ball flew above the net, and Kageyama tried to spike it directly. However, it bounced back yet again from Kindaichi's block and hit Sugawara's forehead in a crude block follow.

Granted with another chance, Hinata approached and jumped into formation. Three blocks marked his minus-tempo. Kageyama's practiced toss stopped in the air. Hinata watched the blockers, aimed, and spiked. The ball caught the side of Kindaichi's hand, curving its trajectory, and catching Oikawa off guard even though he was prepared in place to receive.

The ball bounced off of his arms and went towards the back, going out of bounds and hitting the wall behind him.

The whistle blew. Everyone remembered to breathe again and shouted. Oikawa and Kageyama faced off as everyone celebrated and the others sighed in defeat.

26-24.

———

At Rakuzan High School

Mibuchi hummed as he walked down the school's hallway. As he came closer to their basketball club room, he noticed from the small window of the door that the lights were on. The vice-captain gave a quick knock before entering. "Sei-chan? What are you doing here so late?"

Akashi turned from where he stood in front of a bookshelf displaying trophies and stacks of paper. "Oh, Mibuchi."

"You don't usually spend a lot of time here. Are you looking for something?" he asked, closing the door behind himself.

"I was just looking through our records." Akashi returned his attention to the files from years back, ever since the prestigious school's club was established.

"I think last year's section and the newer ones are on the right," Mibuchi offered.

"Thanks." He picked a familiar binder that they'd used last year and held it in his hands. Facing the desk, his gaze lingered on his jacket that was hanging on the chair.

Mibuchi picked up a clipboard and started to jot down an entry for the club diary. "You texted Momoi-san today, right? Did she ask for something?"

"Not in particular. Momoi has her own source for information." He grabbed his baby blue and white Rakuzan jacket. The same colors as Teikō. He wished he could go to Miyagi. Akashi could only guess how the volleyball prefectural tournament was going, but he hadn't checked the results of Karasuno vs Wakutani Minami yet.

"Mibuchi, can I ask you to lock up today?"

"Sure. Is there something going on?"

"I have to call my girlfriend tonight. It's her school's second day of the tournament today."

Mibuchi smiled. "Well, in that case, leave it all to me. I'm happy to help as vice-captain. Tell Ai-san I said hi."

The red-haired captain replied, walking to the door. "Will do." He turned to address the third-year before stepping out. "Thanks, Mibuchi. You're a good vice-captain and a good friend."

Mibuchi looked shocked for a split second, and then his face softened. He nodded with a warm smile.

Akashi nodded back and left the clubroom.

"I guess that's Ai-san's influence," the Night Spirit giggled quietly to himself.

Total Word Count: 1397