This was it. Their match was going to happen at last (almost last, since theirs is the sixth match) and Shouta couldn't contain his excitement.

He'd show Yukina that he's been serious about challenging him. And that he's polished his rusty volleyball skills since high school. "You're sure about this, Kisa – san?"

Was there something to waver about? "Yukina, I'm not backing down now. The matches are almost done and my team is currently winning. I'm intending to keep up the winning streak."

Yukina shrugged, giving him a quick glance. Aikawa and An were itching for the action to start. And she let her impatience he known; "Heeey! Stop chit – chatting! I want to see some muscles, er, I mean good moves!" Aikawa yelled at them, snapping both challenger and challenged back to their impending showdown.

Shouta was ready, he's been training crazy with others under Kamijou's instructions. If he loses, it won't be because he wasn't good enough.

I'm getting pumped up for this! Today is the rebirth of guardian deity.

They stood on the line. Yukina's facial expression changed. His jaw tightly clenched, as he gaped at their goal in front, the balls. Shouta found himself smiling at that. When he gets serious about something, he gives it his all.

"Get ready!"

He drilled the balls through with his gaze, concentrating. Even a second late is too late in this battle of speed and wit. Shouta looked up to check up on Yukina's mental state. Their gazes met and the artist nodded.

Shouta gave a small acknowledging nod, before he focused on the balls again.

Stay focused. I don't know Yukina's strategy, only their team strategy which is a defensive play. I must figure it out before he figures out my plan.

Finding out what his strategy was won't help if he can't counter it. What if Yukina had multiple strategies?

WHISTLE

Horrified, Shouta dashed forward to grab the ball on the right. Despite Yukina having the advantage in height, he got to them sooner, but only grabbed one. Being too greedy may be a bad idea, is what he thought, leaving other two alone.

In his haste to get a solid distance between himself and the balls, he wasn't paying much attention to what Yukina was doing.

Once he settled on a "safe zone" he halted, turning around to see his opponent.

Much to his surprise, Yukina didn't move away from the balls, he stood there hovering above them. He didn't pick up neither ball.

Shouta raised a brow at this, and he wasn't the only one. The refs weren't sure if they should end the dash or not, but then before Aikawa could stop her, An called for the end of dash.

WHISTLE

Shouta didn't get why Yukina didn't get a move on while he could. Even if his three steps aren't big enough, he can still nail him from that distance easily. At least, the chances were higher.

Yukina, what are you planning? And with such a calm face…

He shook head slightly. Getting distracted by opponents antics. That's not befitting of a libero. Liberos must stay focused at all times. That was what the high school coach knocked into his head after three years.

Stay always focused, eyes on the ball.

"You can't just end the dash round!" Aikawa sounded like her feelings were hurt (more like pride), but An's head snapped to Yukina. "I called it because he wanted to stay there, Aikawa –san. Players choose and he chose to stay right there. Am I right?"

Yukina curtly nodded, a bit spaced – out.

Shouta's eyebrow shot up so high, they weren't visible.

So he stayed there because he wanted to…? But he's risking an instant K.O. from me. If my aim is as good as Kamijou's, then I can win without breaking a sweat!

With a new outlook, Shouta grinned. He never was an ace, but today, he will become one. Maybe with his jumping serve, he'll win the match.

But still, Yukina's calmness was bugging him. What makes him so confident, so calm? Why didn't he move to a much safer distance?

…What if he wasn't the only with a secret talent? Maybe he's reading too much into it.

WHISTLE WHISTLE

He made two big steps, contemplating whether he should make the last one. Shouta decided not to push his luck. He glanced quickly at Yukina, who was staring at him, with his arms raised and legs slightly apart, but he had no ball in hand.

Shouta wasn't one to brag, but he was excellent with serves. His serves were aggressive in high school, but this time around, he approached a much more… sly tactic. There was a certain technique he never mastered while he was still active. And he used that training to get it under his thumb.

Now, it had only to connect. Which it would, hopefully…

Enough late self – doubt! Go, go!

He bend his knees, preparing for the leap, with eyes on Yukina, who became more alert than moments ago upon seeing Kisa make the first move.

Shouta's jump gained him a momentum in the air, which he used to maneuver with the ball. Yukina made one step behind, while Kisa was nearing his landing. Initially, he wanted to do a ground version, but he changed his mind in mid air.

Yukina eyed him warily as Kisa was landing. The artist noticed the ball wasn't in his hands anymore. When…?! Where is it?!

He instinctively looked above his head and then, his blood froze. It was floating, floating in the air veeeery slowly, but also fast. Yukina blinked in rapid succession to make sure his eyes weren't deceiving him.

No, it was still in the air, but it was…. going straight for him, the speed of the ball changed rapidly. The artist looked down and at Kisa, who was on ground again, watching him.

Yukina remembered their training session, when he - That's it!

The ball was only a few inches away from reaching top of his head (his hair, more like) when Yukina did a flawless back flip, which earned him whistles, two squeals and Kisa's angry/disappointed sigh. The ball missed, and it bounced off from the playground. The refs decided not to interfere because of one ball off bounds. They still had two more. Either had a chance to win yet.

The artist gazed at the ball off bounds, smiling as she shook head, turning to face him. "You nearly had me, Kisa –san!"

Shouta scoffed, going into a defensive position. "Nearly doesn't cut it. But we're not done yet."

Yukina's flip cost him one move, he has two left, while Kisa can only dodge in place. He can win. He can…

He inhaled deeply, Kisa's eyes were on him as he waited…Yukina risked a very long jump, which helped him get to the balls. He picked up one and flung it in the air, throwing up the second. Then, he was doing it. Keeping them in air, rotating, all the while he kept one eye on Kisa, who looked astonished.

"You can juggle?!" Shouta sputtered out, in amazement.

Yukina wryly laughed. "Kisa –san, this isn't merely for show!"

Shouta's senses sharpened.

This must be his attack. And to think my Floating Bomb missed! Well, next time, it won't miss! I just have to catch a ball.

He was staring intensely at the moving balls, and his head was already spinning; the balls were too fast! He saw blurry dots instead of balls. Shouta knew Yukina would launch the attack soon, there was no time for -

"Oh, crap!" Shouta saw one coming and he ducked, hoping it missed him. "Naaarghh!" He heard Yukina's battle cry, saw him doing a 360 scope... 360 scope?!

Move, move!

He didn't get to get up, the second ball hit his shoulder before he knew it. Shouta staggered to regain his balance, shocked.

… With a definitive thud, the ball landed near his feet.

WHISTLE WHISTLE

Yukina was dizzy, disoriented and moved around like he was drunk. Doing a 360 scope very quickly will do that to someone. Still a bit disappointed, Shouta walked up to him.

The artist smiled at him sheepishly and Shouta reciprocated, holding out his hand. Yukina looked down, then at Kisa again and he was grinning. "You were highly unpredictable and you won. I wanted to show you my cool libero techniques, but the last part caught me off guard and I panicked. The win is yours, Yukina."

He grabbed his hand and shook enthusiastically. "Your move was incredible, Kisa – san!"

"Your move was haphazard, but it paid off. I can't believe I have fallen prey to a 360 scoper…"

To that, Yukina snickered.

All of sudden, An was standing so close to them, they could see her growing grin. Yukina let go of Kisa's hand, slightly blushing.

Only two people were walking up to them. Yuu and Mino.

Aikawa set the balls in their place in the middle and re – joined her fellow ref An. She seized the four men standing before them with a frown. "Hooray! That was… something! If you were paying attention so far, you know that the score is now 3:3! A tie between team red and team blue! Are you excited for the finale?! Because I sure am!"

An rolled eyes, nudging her.

"Ouch. Okay, okay! So, gentlemen, can I announce the final and decisive match of the evening?"

Both nodded.

Feeling that they were in way, Kisa and Yukina left them, going to join their teammates, where the tension was high and rising.

An asked their names, while Aikawa told them the rules (as if they didn't know them), but listened anyway. Each was caught up in his one move, that one move which will win it for their team.

Their stakes were different, more personal.

Yuu and Mino took their places on the starting white line.

The freelance manga artist wanted to wish him good luck, but his throat got stuck, he couldn't utter a single word.

"Good luck, Yanase."

He jolted, glancing at him. Then, he simply nodded.

The final match, seventh match was about to start. And Yuu couldn't wait to get it over with.

TO BE CONTINUED_