Disclaimer: I do not own Haikyuu! or any of its characters. I only own my OCs.
Chapter 7: The Tides of Victory
"And all eyes will be at Kaimei Arena Sendai today as the annual Volleyball Interhigh preliminaries kick-off, with many prefectural teams vying for the ever-coveted spot at Nationals! Be sure to make your way down at 4:30PM this evening to catch a glimpse of the many teams representing Miyagi prefecture! The competition is sure to be a tough one this year. Among these many teams includes returning Miyagi National representatives, Shiratorizawa Academy, as well as runner-ups, Aoba Johsai! We are excited to see what the tournament has in store, so be sure to tune in!"
Minako turned the TV off, staring ahead contemplatively as she nibbled away on her breakfast.
At long last, Interhigh preliminaries had arrived.
…Horridly inaccurate, she thought, for the time went by astonishingly fast and she found herself scrambling for last minute preparations for the school paper. She had only hoped that the hours she had dedicated to watching those many old videos would pay off in her written outcome.
And she could only hope that the many hours Seijoh had dedicated to their rigorous practices would pay off in their performance. Though she supposed she shouldn't be too worried about it—they certainly didn't seem so.
In the weeks leading up to Interhigh prelims, Minako kept her distance from practices in an effort to leave them to their own devices, not wanting to bother or disrupt their iron-bound focus. Though, as determined and focused as they were, they didn't seem anxious in the least. If anything, they seemed to share a collective sense of eagerness and excitement. Based on the frequent words she would exchange with Iwaizumi in class, Seijoh was confident in their ability to perform well at the preliminaries and even make it to Nationals. They were calm, collected, and self-assured—Minako couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride.
Oikawa, she realized, exuded the same sentiments, though she could tell underneath his veneer of confidence and determination there was a hard-edged tenacity. She could only guess as to what that was directed towards—or whom—and out of courtesy she decided not to bring it up, choosing to only interact as minimally as possible for the needs of the school paper and her article, and otherwise leaving him be to his formidable work ethic. She was impressed, to say the least. Though her mind would periodically wander back to the two things that were of particular significance to the star setter—this Kageyama guy and the knee injury, both of which she had learned next to nothing about since first hearing about it.
It made no difference at this point, she thought as she began getting ready to head out for school.
The air was warm and inviting as she stepped out of the house, the comforting warmth of June already settling into place. Minako cleared her mind as she began her walk to school. 'It's going to be a long weekend.'
A vibration in her pocket snapped her out of her calm and she pulled out her phone, staring at it questioningly as a message flashed on her screen from a mystery number.
[From: Unknown
To: Minako]
If you want a few words from the players, you should do it before we leave for the tournament. We might be too busy to talk at the stadium ;D
[To: Unknown
From: Minako]
Okay. Who is this?
[From: Unknown
To: Minako]
Guess! xD
[To: Unknown
From: Minako]
How did you get this number?
[From: Unknown
To: Minako]
Your friend! So, want a few words from me before the games? :P
[To: Unknown
From: Minako]
Don't message me anymore.
[From: Unknown
To: Minako]
T_T
…
[From: Unknown
To: Minako]
Sono-chaaaaaan~~ ;_;
…
…
'This is going to be…a very long weekend indeed…'
Kaimei Arena Sendai was not as packed as she expected, but there was still a significant amount of people occupying the space—from players to their families, each team's dedicated cheer squad and non-regular players to random spectators, the gym certainly had no shortage of bodies to fill the seats. Seijoh was just about to file in for their first match, and the anticipation seeped well throughout the large arena.
She had heeded the advice of the…unknown being that had messaged her in the morning. She had managed to speak to both the captain and vice-captain before they boarded their bus heading to the gym whilst expertly avoiding Oikawa in an effort to deter her already growing aggravation.
'Remind me to kill Matsui for taking such unrepentant liberties…' She grumbled to herself before making her way to the stands, the opposite of where the Seijoh team was designated to. The gymnasium had already filled with humid, muggy air from the previous matches, leaving the air thick and uncomfortable. Minako wrinkled her nose at the smell that had settled in the area. Sweaty boys and dirty socks was always a pleasant combination.
The players started rolling in soon enough, jogging in step and preparing for warm-ups. Seijoh looked eager as ever—they were ready for battle. As soon as Oikawa jogged in, the gymnasium filled with high-pitched screams that echoed loudly in her eyes. Of course his fans wouldn't dare miss a second of the tournament qualifiers. Oikawa merely grinned and waved amiably at the crowds. Minako groaned, rolling her eyes.
And so it continued and the games started soon after. Seijoh had effortlessly shown the crowd what they should expect over the course of the next few days, if they were to advance. And advance they did, barely breaking a sweat. The first day was easy, having being exempt from the first round and only having to play one team. Senseki High School was admirable in their effort, though their skill did not come close to level exhibited by Seijoh. She could not say anything about level of work ethic or hours of practice put in, but it was simple enough to see the difference in natural, athletic talent and prowess. Seijoh excelled in all of it—it was almost unfair. Was it going to be more apparent as the qualifiers went on?
The next day was far more buzzing. The crowds got larger, the screams and shouts louder, the energy on the court far more palpable. Minako sat dutifully in her seat, a perfect vantage point for both sides of the court as Seijoh's first couple of matches commenced, scribbling down her notes with practiced ease. They never faltered in their momentum, for their bodies spoke it all. They were in peak condition and, respectfully, showed no mercy. It made the writer's job surprisingly painless and, dare she admit, fun.
Johzenji High began filing in for the semi-final match as Seijoh switched uniforms. Minako eyed the opposing team carefully; All young, fresh-eyed boys that bounded onto the court with such youthful vigor. Most were all unfamiliar faces, from what she could remember after watching all those old videos—first years, she assumed. So eager and excited, only to be defeated by the might of Seijoh. Or, so, she presumed.
Seijoh had reached this point so many times in the past; the one match before finals. And they never stopped there. It was only fair to assume that this year would be no different. The Miyagi teams were good, but not on the same level.
Yet there was something about Johzenji that piqued Minako's interest.
Every other team that Seijoh had played before always held an air of nervousness and anxiety. They were all talented players, but they ultimately lost. And it seemed like they all knew. It wasn't quite the same as giving up, or not even trying, but rather a deference to Seijoh's superiority on court; an acceptance of the natural divide in talent and strength, and the will to just play the match with all they had despite the deep recesses of their minds and hearts that told them they would still lose.
Minako felt a pang of guilt wash over her as her thoughts continued. Her brother's words echoed in her mind again. She glanced back down at Johzenji, clad in their bright orange uniforms.
They were all young guys, mostly first years she reminded herself, and they had made it to semifinals. That was an impressive feat in and of itself and spoke volumes of their potential. But they did not look nervous, or anxious, nor did their eyes accept their possible defeat.
No. They looked…happy.
The energetic Johzenji boys joked around with each other and jumped all over the court as if they were little kids at a birthday party. Even as the game progressed their enthusiasm never wavered, not once, even as Seijoh took the first set. They were skilled and powerful, and the point difference wasn't all too great which kept Seijoh on their toes, but they were largely raw and unrefined, taking to the court as clumsily as newborns. They had no sense of set formation, and their attacks were wild and uninhibited, and receives were rough and many times random. There was so much room for growth, and they clearly hadn't even began to brush the surface of their potential.
Yet they were still…happy.
Johzenji kept up with Seijoh for the entirety of the second set, even pushing the score close to thirty points. It was now that Minako was beginning to see the exhaustion gripping at Seijoh's bodies, and how their casual confidence warped into a serious determination.
Oikawa was up to serve. The sweat lined his face, gleaming slightly underneath the blanket of the bright arena lights. He was breathing heavily, but his face was passive, still and serene. The only thing Minako could discern was the steely gaze that scanned the court in front of him, calculating and methodical—he wanted to end it.
Minako gripped her pen tightly.
And just as quick, like a rock to a still pond, his energy burst. Oikawa's body rippled as he tossed the ball into the air, taking two thunderous steps forward before propelling his arm forward up and onto the ball. It went soaring past the net, in an almost impossible trajectory, and straight onto Johzenji's side, with the latter barely even flinching.
The crowd was silent for a moment. And then erupted.
It was just like the first time all those weeks ago with Seijoh's first practice match against Oomisaki, Minako reminisced. The infamous killer serve of Oikawa Tooru left everyone in utter awe. Minako whistled under her breath, impressed, with the slightest of smirks gracing her lips.
Seijoh cheered as Oikawa came up again for the serve. One more point and they would be off for finals. The famed setter breathed a long breath before tossing the ball up once again and jumping forward to serve, letting the ball soar ahead. One of the Johzenji boys jolted for the receive, hyper-aware of Oikawa's serve, wincing harshly as the ball ricocheted off the side of his forearm and into the back area of the court, out of bounds.
The whistle gave a long shrill, and the cheers ruptured. Seijoh gathered together excitedly, patting each other wildly as they celebrated.
Minako jotted down her notes with a smile on her face before looking back at the defeated team.
They still looked happy.
Though tired and worn-out, and hints of disappointment etched onto their faces, the Johzenji boys kept smiling, giving themselves praise and excited words of encouragement. Even as they lined up at the net, shaking the hands of the Seijoh players, they smiled as amiably as they could. It wasn't the kind to placate the rules of civility or good sportsmanship, she noticed, for she was sure those grins weren't sentiments directed at their defeaters—but it was something for themselves. Like saying, 'let's do this again, it was fun!'.
Minako was taken aback.
Such pure, unabashed joy towards something was most definitely refreshing. Though she was certain they would hold some degree of frustration and sadness over their close victory, it didn't seem like this was something to bring them down. Ultimately, they looked like they were having the time of their lives, no matter how many mistakes they made. That in itself made it worth it.
Did Oikawa feel that way? Such an innocent and unrelenting joy and love for the game, with no conditions attached? Minako wasn't sure. The way he described his love for the game during his player spotlight interview seemed distant, as if the years themselves had diluted it.
As she made her way out of the main area, she paused at the bulletin with the prelim match-ups posted. So many teams, so many losses. The poster had been updated, highlighted in red, boldly showing the final round of qualifiers—Aoba Johsai vs. Shiratorizawa Academy. Minako hummed contemplatively.
Seijoh had congregated near the exit as their locker room meeting ended. The starters greeted her calmly as she approached the captain for a few words. Oikawa could be seen grinning at her from behind.
"So, impressed yet?" he asked playfully as the captain left.
"I've never been unimpressed…" she muttered.
"The teams were good this year, especially Johzenji," Iwaizumi said from behind her shoulder.
Minako regarded him curtly, nodding, "I was surprised that they were mostly new blood."
"Yeah," the ace continued, "the team dynamic has definitely changed."
"What do you mean?"
"Johzenji used to be a powerhouse, to some degree," Iwaizumi voiced. "They even beat Shiratorizawa one year, but who knows how long ago. Their defensives were great, yet the past few years, as their roster changed, left them in a worse position. They haven't advanced very far till now."
"Their technical skills were rough, though," Oikawa piped in. "They're good players, but need to hone their abilities."
"I noticed…they weren't quite as graceful as, well, you guys," Minako pointed out, shrugging her shoulders.
Oikawa smiled wide, "Wow, Sono-chan, I feel so humbled hearing those words coming from you."
Minako glowered, "You make me wanna take it back." She sighed as she adjusted her school bag. "Anyway, I'll take my leave now. Good job again."
"See you tomorrow," the two boys waved as Minako made her exit.
If a group of unrefined players, still young and new to the mettle of high school volleyball, could advance as far as semifinals, then it was no contention that a team as experienced and skilled as Seijoh could beat a powerhouse like Shiratorizawa. Anything was possible, especially in a game like volleyball, where each second, each step and micro-movement, could cause a shift in tides.
And the tides were certainly shifting.
If the previous day was a packed occasion at Kaimei Arena, then the writer was not entirely prepared for the day of finals. The fanfare boomed steadily throughout the entirety of the gymnasium and the excited buzz of the supporters and onlookers reverberated through every corner. Such was the effect of a battle between two powerhouses. Minako could hardly think amidst it all.
Seijoh's cheer squad seemed to have multiplied, amplified by the addition of friends and family members. Shiratorizawa's cheer squad itself took up half of their side, supplied by cheerleaders and a band in addition to school students and faculty members.
Minako, unable to find a good seat in the chaos, chose a spot in the middle to stand and take in the court. It was finals; the teams had the entire floor to themselves and the grueling five sets they would play, as opposed to the usual three. Minako settled herself with the inevitable stretch the game would be and hoped her legs would be able to handle it.
The players began filling into the court, and the cheers erupted. The mood on the floor seemed to have shifted dramatically to what she had witnessed the day before. No longer was it the cool and collected Seijoh team, but a team with a hunger for victory and the tense conviction to overcome an age-old foe. Minako tapped her pen to her lips as her eyes trailed to the other side.
Shiratorizawa Academy, for the sheer amount of cheers and shouts they garnered, remained as stoic as ever. They were seasoned veterans, and this was just another battle to them. They had tasted victory several times and this was just another stepping stone towards it. To be in such a position must have been liberating, and that agitated the writer. Their seeming nonchalance was vexing. But she knew, behind those calm and stern visages, was the fire to fight—to play to the very best of their abilities and showcase their new strength. They were a powerful team regardless, and she had no doubt that today would reiterate that.
Minako's scrutiny extended towards the majority of the team. A few members were unknown to her; first years, eager newbies but still maintaining that steely demeanor demonstrated by the rest of the team. She immediately recognized the the tall, lanky boy with fiery red hair that seemed to defy gravity. His eyes were as wide and manic as they were in the videos she saw, and his grin seemed far too savage to maintain any sort of genuine happiness or care. And beside him, standing tall and broad, was the infamous Ushijima Wakatoshi. He had certainly gotten taller and bulkier than what she had seen his videos, though she was sure those videos did little justice to their appearances.
As their warm-ups continued, the writer couldn't help but drag her gaze back to Seijoh. The third-years were fierce in their resolution, it was clear in the way their eyes narrowed on their targets, on the steadiness of their voice and how it carried out its orders. She then, finally, looked over at Oikawa, dutifully tossing the balls to his teammates. He looked as resolute as ever, cheery even. He paid no lingering mind to his opponents warming up on the other side of the net, but she noticed those few seconds of momentary break in focus; how his eyes would glance over quickly to the other side and his lips would pull down slightly, and the tension in his shoulders rights after he did so.
Minako expected no less.
As the whistle blew and the players settled into their positions, Minako glanced back at her notes from the day before. Among all the technicalities, player statistics, and key moments from each set that she jotted down, she couldn't help but notice the overwhelming focus she made on the players themselves—not from their plays or the points, blocks, or serves they made, but from them, and just them. Their expressions, reactions, and even the minute details of their bodies, it gave Minako an insight that she accompanied with the words spoken by the brother all those days ago. She remembered the joy and excitement exhibited by Johzenji and wondered if that same joy and excitement would be coursing through Seijoh, especially now.
A part of her was saddened at the thought that that may not have been at the forefront.
The first set progressed steadily. Each point earned rebutted by a score from the opposing team. Neither Seijoh nor Shiratorizawa faltered in their movements, and soon the set closed with a close game of 23-25, taken by Shiratorizawa.
It was far from over.
Neither teams seemed to have even broken a sweat as they huddled together and prepared for the second set. The air had gotten muggy but the enthusiasm still radiated from the crowd as their cheers echoed throughout the room. Minako made quick notes in her notebook before the second set started.
Seijoh started with a fire she had yet to see at full capacity. Their drive pushed through in the beginning as their plays got tighter and they got more in tune with each other's movements; they were perfectly in sync. Vice-captain Sakai's receives were nearly flawless, and Oikawa always timed his tosses precisely, allowing Iwaizumi or the captain to execute their spikes.
Shiratorizawa always answered back as determinately. Number 5, the spiky red-head, would block many of the incoming spikes with a premonitory accuracy. The way his eyes would scan the court wildly and the speed and agility at which his body would move made his blocks truly intimidating.
Seijoh didn't relent. Matsukawa responded with equally powerful blocks, casting broad shadows in front of him as he lunged upwards. Oikawa's eyes would dart towards the ball and then to the players, moving with deliberate strides as he set up for his characteristic tosses.
And so the second set was taken by Seijoh, and the cheer squad boomed.
"Go, go, go, go, Seijoh!"
"Push it, push it, Seijoh!"
Minako smiled to herself, scribbling in her notebook. Her ears rang as yells and cheers continued, brushing past her annoyance to focus on the game—a game that could easily be taken by Seijoh. All they had to do was keep up their momentum. The tides were rising in their favor.
As the third set started, Minako started to notice how much heavier each breath became for the players. The lines of exhaustion were slowly starting to creep upon Seijoh, though their eyes betrayed nothing. Her eyes shifted to Shiratorizawa and she bit her lips anxiously.
They played with a vigor and revitalization that should not have been possible after an hour of game-play. Number 3, their setter, was almost perfect in his toss executions. Ushijima would respond in kind—his power could be heard by the thunderous impact of hand on volleyball as he spiked.
'He's left handed…' Minako thought, as she continually observed the Shiratorizawa ace. His power was not waning, and she could see the toll it was taking on Otsuka, as well as Watari, as they lunged for the receives. 'No wonder blocking or receiving them is difficult.'
The third set was close, very close Only a few more point on either side to decide the set. Minako's eyes, almost instinctively, went to Oikawa as he came up to serve.
He was tired. But as he took a few deep breaths and tossed the ball in the air, he soared with an energy that tore away at that fatigue and the ball tore through the court and onto the other side of the net, landing in-bounds and bouncing off to the side.
The gymnasium shuddered with cheers. Seijoh hollered as they prepared for the next jump serve, anticipation keeping them on their toes, as the realization sunk that just a couple more service aces and they would take the third set. Oikawa did not lose his composure. In near-perfect form, he tossed the ball once more into the air, jumping up and connecting his hand to it with a loud thud. The ball flew with a blinding speed, and Minako knew that it would remain untouched as it hit the ground on the opposite side of the net.
Shiratorizawa's libero jerked to the side in a flash, receiving the ball steadily though inaccurately.
Minako cursed under her breath as their setter tossed the ball and Ushijima delivered it onto Seijoh's side of the court with a powerful spike, and watching as several players tried to receive it only to come up short.
Shiratorizawa's cheer team burst into cacophonous chants as they came up to serve.
"Shiiiiratorizawa!"
Oikawa's jaw tensed as his eyes narrowed menacingly towards the lumbering Shiratorizawa ace, who looked as nonchalant as ever preparing for his serve. Minako could only wonder how the agitation was getting to him once again.
Ushijima's jump serve flew across the court as Seijoh lunged for the receive, faltering in their movements and causing the ball to escape their control. The gym erupted in more cheers and Ushijima prepped for the set point.
He sprang into the air, and without losing a second connected his hand to the ball and sent it soaring over the other of the net and straight onto Seijoh's side, hitting the ground loudly, not even a moment given for Seijoh to think let alone receive.
The whistle blew, and the cheers continued. The tides were shifting.
As the teams huddled together, breathing heavily and sweat coating their faces and dripping onto their uniforms, Minako could notice the growing unease on their expressions. This was a position they were probably placed in many times in the past. And whereas they definitely had the strength to win the match, the odds lay in Shiratorizawa's favor. Where Seijoh was growing more and more weary, Shiratorizawa seemed to only be gaining strength. It was a frightening concept for the players, she was sure, but it had to be pushed past in order to achieve the results needed. Minako looked back at Oikawa, his focus clear and distinct. But where his focus remained steady also lay the slowly forming cracks of that perfect veneer. The mental and physical toll were adding up.
The whistle blew once more, and the players settled into position for the fourth set. Shiratorizawa started with an early lead, spike after spike landing harshly on ground like an unrelenting reminder. Seijoh answered accordingly, as the players began barking out their commands with increased volume.
"One touch!"
"Got it!"
"Get it, Otsuka!"
"Yes!"
The crowd cheered as Seijoh started racking up the points, slowly catching up to Shiratorizawa.
"Nice receive!"
"Oikawa!"
"Makki!"
The crowds cheered louder. Chants could be heard reverberating throughout the gymnasium, and a group of girls neared her squealed out Oikawa's name.
"Shiiiiiiratorizawa!"
"Chance ball!"
"Semi!"
"Go, Ushijima!"
Ushijima jumped in the air, higher than Minako had seen him do the entire game, and sent the ball straight down to the other side of the net past Seijoh's defenses. The cheers got even louder.
"Go, Wakatoshi!"
The ball slammed onto the ground harshly again as Ushijima landed with impeccable grace from another spike.
Minako scribbled down noted while struggling to keep her eyes over the court. Shiratorizawa had pulled into the lead again, and the entire gymnasium had started with rumble with anticipation. Seijoh was panting, looking up at Shiratorizawa in irritation, as the latter began prepping for their next serve. The serve flew, received expertly by Watari and spiked over by Hanamaki. But Shiratorizawa's speed began to build up again, as their number 5 jumped up for another one of his sporadic blocks. The ball drifted behind him to their setter before being tossed back up straight into Ushijima's trajectory. Oikawa ran up to the net to face him and jumped upwards in perfect timing. Ushijima's form remained suspended in the air for half a second, before bringing his arm down like a firing canon, and sending the ball straight down towards Oikawa's up-stretched arms. The ball smacked against his hands brutally, his face contorting into a painful wince at the force that caused them to bend back awkwardly, before flying off to the side and out of bounds.
The crowd boomed.
Oikawa landed, his legs wobbling slightly before they gave out, and he landed onto his back with a dull thud.
Ushijima looked down at him with implacable disregard.
The cracks started to rupture.
Minako gripped the railings tightly and her brows furrowed as she steadied her gaze on Oikawa. She saw it, beneath that confidence and calm that he had exhibited to her since the very first day they met, those lines that pulled down at his expression uncharacteristically.
Panic.
Before she could think further, Iwaizumi jogged up to him, pulling him up abruptly and giving him a loud smack on the back.
"Don't mind!"
"Don't mind!"
The panic never left. Shiratorizawa was one point away from victory, but if Seijoh could push forward they could easily turn it around.
Minako quickly scribbled down her notes, noticing how the ink came out much darker and leaving indents on the page. She loosened her grip.
The whistle blew and the serve floated.
"Careful!"
Watari, though unsteady, received the float serve and sent the ball to Oikawa. The panic vanished momentarily as Oikawa's eyes narrowed in on the ball and he tossed the ball to the far side of their court.
"Iwa-chan!"
Iwaizumi jumped upwards with a increased vitality and spiked the ball down. Shiratorizawa's libero received it expertly and sent the ball once more to their setter. Everything suddenly seemed to move in slow motion. Shiratorizawa's setter looked ahead, preparing to toss towards Iwaizumi's side, and the Seijoh players flocked over and prepped for their defense. Oikawa froze.
"No!"
The setter's finger clicked onto the ball, and it flew behind him.
Ushijima ran forward like a battering ram, jumping up even higher and shooting his arm down with immaculate force.
Oikawa ran up and prepped to jump. He wavered, for a mere second, and Minako's eyes darted to his injured knee, missing the wince that blemished his face. Oikawa jumped up to connect his hands to the ball. It ricocheted off, bending his hands back again, and flew behind him.
"ONE TOUCH!" He screamed.
Seijoh, frenzied and surprised, turned and threw themselves onto the floor to receive. The edge of Captain Otsuka's hand brushed the ball sending it slightly off to the side, where it landed onto the ground, bouncing a few times before rolling to a halt.
The whistle blew. The crowd erupted into booming applauses and cheers. Shiratorizawa jumped into the air with loud hollers and whoops, celebrating.
And it was over.
Minako stared at the court, mouth slightly agape, as she watched Seijoh linger in their last positions, staring down as their sweat dripped onto the floor.
The captain got up first, pulling vice-captain Sakai up by the waist before going over to the other members and lifting them up gently, patting their shoulders. Oikawa didn't look up, even as his captain encouraged him dutifully. Both teams lined up.
"Thank you for the game!"
"Thank you for the game!"
The whistle blew again, and an announcer picked up the microphone.
"With a 3-1 match, the winner of this year's Summer qualifiers, defending champions, and representing Miyagi in Tokyo for Interhigh, is Shiratorizawa Academy!"
The crowd cheered and the fanfare from the band began to echo throughout the room. The teams jogged up to pay their respects.
As Oikawa came up to Ushijima, the two shared a prolonged, tense stare. No words were exchanged as they reached over to shake the other's hand. Oikawa frowned deeply, before turning away and continuing towards referee and then the Seijoh crowd.
"Thank you very much!"
The dejection on their face was evident, and they all refused to meet each other's eyes, staring instead at the ground as they cleaned up quickly to allow for the awards ceremony. They stood tall as Shiratorizawa was presented their medals and trophy. They nodded stoically as their own runner-up medals were given to them. But that frustration never left their faces.
Minako was left thinking of what her brother had said to her on the phone all those days ago when they last spoke. She was no stranger to the notion that these tournaments meant much for the players. There certainly was a lot on the line. To have those denied to you despite all the hard work and effort put into it could only be disheartening. She glanced back at Oikawa, who was biting his lip harshly as his medal laid over his shoulders. With a final bow and words of thanks, the players began to exit. Minako's gaze followed Oikawa's form and she couldn't help but notice the extra weight he was placing on his left leg. He paused for a moment, glancing up to where the writer was, giving her the briefest of stares. It was blank. Nothing to say, nothing to prove, just empty. He turned and exited the court.
Minako sighed and finished up her notes before heading down and towards the player locker rooms.
She ran into the vice-captain first. His eyes were red around the edges and he offered a weak smile upon seeing her.
Minako gave him a apologetic smile, "That was really a great game, Sakai-san."
"Heh, not great enough, apparently," he noted sadly.
She shook her head, "I disagree. I know it's not the best time, but mind giving me a few words?"
Sakai nodded, offering her what insight he could about the game.
Seijoh had certainly played splendidly. Their strength was evident in the force of their attacks, but also in the crispness of their defense, and the overall cohesion at which they played. When Minako approached the captain, he only reiterated her own thoughts, though he was emotionally more stable.
As the captain left, she remained, shifting around awkwardly, wondering if it was worth waiting for Oikawa and Iwaizumi. Just as she thought that, Iwaizumi stepped out. He looked to her immediately, giving a small wave.
"Great game," she said meekly, feeling awkward sharing such sentiments when that was the last thing they probably wanted to hear.
"Thanks," he responded with a small smile. "If you're looking for Oikawa, he's still inside. I don't really think he's up for chatting right now…"
Minako hummed, "That's fine. But…is his knee okay?"
Iwaizumi paused, regarding the writer steadily, "Yeah. He just needs to rest it."
She nodded, "Okay. Well…I'll head off now. Again, great game."
Iwaizumi nodded, waving farewell to the girl as she turned and took her leave.
Amidst loss, strength should be celebrated even more. At least, that's what Minako thought. Seijoh was a relentless team. They made finals time and time again but still would always come up short, yet that never took away from what they had accomplished, and how strong they really were. There was no doubt, and certainly no one would contest that belief, right? Minako bit her lip contemplatively as she made her way to the subway station.
Yes, they were strong. No matter the wins or losses, their strength could never be put into question. So…ultimately it didn't matter then. They didn't make Nationals, but they were still excellent players. Opportunities would be presented to them regardless because their skill provoked it.
So what if they lost? It's no big deal. The frustration would wear off eventually, and there was still Spring Nationals to work towards. It was fine…it would be fine.
So what was it about Oikawa's expression that bothered the pondering writer? She understood his determination in beating Shiratorizawa and Ushijima, and this loss probably hit him hard. But it felt as if he had been slapped in the face, over and over again. Each denial, each missed receive, each block shut down by the sheer force of Ushijima's spikes cut down on Oikawa's confidence and he began to fissure. But it was the panic that really confused Minako, as if his determination and need to win was almost desperate. What was Oikawa Tooru trying to prove? Who was he trying to prove it to? Why was the denial of victory so debilitating for him? What was really at stake? Oikawa was a talented player no doubt, and he would be blessed with many opportunities to grow even more in the future, professionally or otherwise. So why were these moments so crucial?
Minako tried to rationalize her brother's words with what she saw today. But part of her just couldn't understand. And she wanted to to. She wanted to know, because the other part of her wanted to berate the Seijoh setter for his lack of consideration towards his own body, to tell him to stop thinking about it so much and to stop taking it so personally because it's okay! She paused for a moment and was left wondering, as the subway rocked gently on the tracks and her grip on her notebook tightened, why she cared so much.
"Argh!" She gripped her head in frustration, her fringe falling over her eyes messily. She ignored the surprised looks thrown her way from passengers and exited the subway in a huff as it reached her station. She made her way swiftly home, opening the front door with more force than intended before going into the living room.
Her father glanced up, startled, before smiling softly. "Hey Minako, how was the match?"
"Seijoh lost," she stated firmly, a deep frown pulling at her lips.
"Oh," Hideki pouted slightly. "That's okay, though. I'm sure it was a great match."
"Yeah, it was," she barked, louder and more forcibly than the intended meaning, ignoring the shock on her father's face at her tone. "But that's okay, right? That they lost. It's okay, right?"
"Uh…" he stuttered uneasily. "Of course it's okay, but why—"
"Good. Thanks," she turned on her heels, blowing the fringe out of her sight, and stomped up to her room.
It was okay.
But it was not okay! Not from the way Oikawa was reacting.
Was all of this fretting worth it? Because the world would move on, and everyone would have to move along with it. Minako groaned heavily as she lazily tossed herself onto her awaiting bed.
They needed time. Oikawa needed time. And time was what she would give, but her curiosity, as she had settled with a long time ago, was unrelenting. And it would be sated, with time.
But until then, it was okay. The tides of victory did not rise in Seijoh's favor, but the winds were unpredictable and anything could happen. And they would. There were chances for it to happen. Their story was far from over.
Yes…it would be okay.
A/N: Hey! I'm still alive! Crazy!
I didn't edit this chapter as thoroughly as I normally do because I just wanted it out. Which is no excuse, because it's been written/completed for...quite some time. Hah, time. Something I seem to never be able to manage properly.
Anyway, here it is! Sorry for any grammatical/vocab mistakes there most likely are. Also, question: How does one write a volleyball match and make it engaging and exciting?! Answer: Tbd. I tried.
As always, thank you thank you thank you to all you lovely readers out there for the support! Shout outs to Tora3, curlystruggle, guest, angelcarstairs4679, SumCheeze, and AkitaWF for your wonderful reviews! And thank you to everyone who favourited and followed! Your presence keeps me going!
Till next time friends, which will hopefully still be in this century.
- Anzu