Playoffs 2
The second round of the playoffs were as smooth for Minako's team as the first round had been. Rei still struggled to keep her eyes on the game, but when she noticed she was ogling Minako she didn't recriminate herself, but tried to redirect herself to the action. She was even successful most of the time, and that allowed her to better appreciate the actual play of Minako and her teammates. They worked together like a well-oiled machine, covering every inch of the court. Minako shone in facilitating her teammates, calling out where to defend and where to attack. It was at the point of attack that Makoto shone. She was already tall, but she could also jump high enough that her head was near the height of the net itself, and her long arms gave her spikes a lot of power.
The first game ended quickly in a rout, and Minako's team carried that momentum through the next two, sweeping the other team three games to zero. When she, Ami, and Serena met Makoto and Minako after the game they congratulated the two, Serena most enthusiastically.
At school on Monday the students were abuzz with another easy round of the playoffs. There was even talk that the volleyball team would go all the way and win the championship. At lunch Makoto was quick to point out that their next opponents would be much tougher.
"They even beat us once during the regular season," Makoto said.
"It'll be our first real test this playoffs," Minako added.
"You don't sound worried," Rei said. Minako shrugged and smiled and Rei shook her head. She couldn't blame her too much. She had seen how good the other girl was.
"I'm more excited than anything," Minako said. "At my old school we didn't make it past the first round of the playoffs, so to be one match away from the finals is crazy to me."
"But you think you'll win?" Rei pressed.
"There's only one way to find out. That's to play the game."
That weekend they again went to support their friends. From the first serve of the first game it was clear that the other team was better than the previous two. Each serve was well contested, each spike well defended. Their hits were hard and they played with the same energy as Minako's team. Rei wondered if Minako's earlier confidence would lead her astray, but to her credit, she looked more focused than either of the previous two rounds.
The first game was a close win for Minako's team. Minako and the opposing captain spent the break between games hyping up their teammates. The other team was huddled up, arms around each others' backs. The captain was speaking passionately, and pointed to each player in turn. The players were paying close attention, and every so often nodded and responded with a quick shout. Minako on the other hand was prowling up and down the bench where her teammates sat, clapping and yelling to be heard from one end of the bench to the other. Rei didn't know what she was saying, but her team was responding with intense, focused looks. To Rei both methods seemed effective and she wondered how either could really effect the game. At the end of the break both teams broke into a quick cheer before taking the court again.
The second game was another close one. Minako's team had game point, but the other team managed to tie it up. After a few points back and forth Minako's team managed to win two points in a row and take the second game. The third game also came down to the wire, but the other team pulled ahead in the last few points and won. During the break before the fourth game Serena began bouncing in place anxiously.
"Oooh, I don't like this," she said. "It's been close for all three games, this looks like it could go either way."
"They did say this would be tougher than their other games," Ami said. She was wringing her hands.
"I think they've got it," Rei said.
"Yeah?" Serena asked.
She had kept her eyes on Minako throughout the ending of the third game and the beginning of the break. She hadn't seen much difference in Minako or the team after the second game, but she saw one now. She didn't know if it was a change in posture, energy level, or just the look in her eye, but Minako was deadly intense. That intensity seemed to rub off on her teammates as well, and they responded to Minako's words with more fervor than Rei had seen before. Maybe that was the benefit to all the yelling.
Rei nodded towards Minako. "She's not gonna let them lose again."
"Oh, I hope you're right," Serena said.
She was. The fourth game seemed close, but every time the other team got within a point or two! Minako's team pulled away. By the end of the game the other team couldn't keep up, and Minako's team won the fourth game 25 to 20. They were moving on to the championship round. After the two teams shook hands Minako's team went wild.
Watching Minako celebrate with her teammates, Rei felt a surge of pride in her friends. She knew how hard Minako and Makoto had worked, especially over the last month or so. During their study sessions together the two barely goofed off, and when they hung out outside of the shrine they couldn't keep up with Serena's energy. Seeing that effort pay off made Rei appreciate just how much her friends' achievements could effect her own mood.
The day after the game they met at Rei's shrine, supposedly to study but Rei knew that there would be one topic on everyones' mind. Sure enough, when everyone was settled in Serena squealed and congratulated Makoto and Minako.
"Oooh, I'm so excited," she burst out aftter her congratulations.
"We can tell," Makoto said with a laugh. "I'm surprised you're not bouncing off the walls."
"I think she's more excited than we are," Minako said.
"Well excuse me for being excited for my friends' success," Serena said.
"No, it's a good thing," Makoto said. "It's nice to have such a passionate fan of the team."
"So do you think you can win it all," Serena asked.
Rei expected the same answer as before, that it would be tough but doable. Instead Minako and Makoto shared a look.
"Well…" Minako started.
"I heard your next opponent has won three years in a row," Ami said. Serena looked surprised, but Minako nodded grimly.
"They knocked my old team out of the playoffs last year. We were nothing to them, we didn't stand a chance."
"We didn't make it to the finals last year," Makoto said, "but we heard the stories. A few years ago these freshman joined and blew everyone away. A blonde with a spike that can beat any defense, and a quiet girl with green hair who knows what you're going to do before you do. And can stop it."
Serena blinked at Makoto, eyes wide. "Does she really?"
Mako shrugged and looked to Minako. "Minako? You played them."
Minako leaned forward. "She may as well. Her name's Michiru. And the blonde is Haruka. And yeah, her shot is insane." She looked at Makoto. "Stronger than your spike, even."
"No way," Serena said. "Makoto is so strong though."
Minako shook her head. "Doesn't matter. Haruka is that strong. I mean, she can miss, and she can be blocked, she's not, like, supernatural. But still, when you play them… it feels hopeless."
"It can't be hopeless," Serena said. "You guys have worked so hard to get this far."
"Everyone in the playoffs have worked hard," Rei pointed out. Minako and Makoto nodded. It was the harsh truth, and her heart sank for how easily Minako and Makoto agreed.
Serena raised her head defiantly. "Well the other team doesn't have me rooting for them. Just you wait, during the game I'm gonna cheer so hard the roof'll come off."
"She won't be the only one," Ami said.
Makoto laughed. "Are you sure you can get that loud?" she asked.
Ami raised her head as well. "If I have to. And I can't think of a better reason than cheering on my friends."
"And that's saying a lot with how smart you are," Serena said.
Rei felt determination in her own heart. She would be there for her friends, for every serve, set, and spike. "I don't think I can get that loud," she said. "But I'll still try."
"You guys are so sweet," Makoto said.
"It's a lot of motivation knowing we have such great friends cheering us on," Minako added. She looked at Rei from the corner of her eye. "Although we can always use a little more."
Rei shook her head. She should have known Minako would find a way to tease her despite their sincerity. "Oh yeah?" She asked. "What did you have in mind?"
"Whatever it is we're in," Serena said seriously.
"I was thinking some kind of reward if we win."
"Perfect, what do you want?" Serena asked.
"Let me guess," Rei cut in, "something like a kiss?"
"Oh Rei, where is your mind going? I was thinking much more innocently, like maybe a sleepover." Minako smirked at her. "But if you're offering..."
Rei fixed Minako with a serious look. She knew the other girl was teasing, but they had kissed before. She was pretty sure Minako had liked it and she was coming around to the idea that she had too. If it would motivate Minako, and if they both would like it, and if it might answer some of the questions she had for herself...
Minako's smirk faded under Rei's scrutiny, and Rei felt one grow on her own face. "What odds do you think you have?" she asked.
"I, uh, I don't know. Long?"
"Then yeah, sure."
Minako looked dumbstruck and the others looked between the two of them.
"Wait," Makoto said. "Do you mean yeah to the sleepover, or..."
Rei didn't look away from Minako. "You said before there's only one way to find out, didn't you Mina."
The blonde nodded once, slowly, and Rei basked in just how much she had surprised the other girl. She even broke into a full smile.
"Then go out there and win."
