Chapter 3- New Members
It was the day of the match on a Saturday morning, Michiko made her way to the gymnasium with Kiyoko after finishing up her Saturday practice. "Did Megumi-san not train with you today?" Kiyoko questioned, this wasn't unusual for them to often train on their own, Megumi would often train with her brother and Michiko would train with the Karasuno Volleyball club; However the majority of the time they would train together. "Not today, she decided to train with her Nii-san. She texted me this morning saying how she's got a new 'Killer' technique she wanted to practice" Michiko laughed and Kiyoko joined in with the laughter. They arrived at the gymnasium doors and greeted the Karasuno Boy's Volleyball team. "Good morning" they greeted in unison,
"KIYOKO-SAN, MICHIKO-SAN! YOU BOTH LOOK BEAUTIFUL TODAY!" Tanaka shouted, Michiko just smiled; she didn't understand why people were attracted to her, even with how she looked now- her hair in a messy bun, she never wore make-up and she wore her usual volleyball gear- black yoga shorts with matching sports bra and a white loose vest top which had "Karasuno High School" embroidered on it. She looked over at Kageyama, "Maybe I should introduce myself properly", she began walking up to him realising he was warming himself up in deep thought, "Excuse me?" Kageyama was a little startled at the sudden soft voice appearing out of no where, "I don't think we introduced ourselves properly- I'm Michiko Hinata, Shoyo's Nee-chan. It's a pleasure to meet you, however it seems that you already know me!" Michiko giggled, Kageyama blushed a little and tried to shake it off,
"MICHIKO-SAN'S GIGGLE IS SO KAWAII!" Tanaka shouted in the background.
"I'm Tobio Kageyama, It's a pleasure to meet you too" Michiko smiled and Kageyama's blush deepened in colour.
"Alright. Let's get started" Daichi called out, Michiko walked to the side of the court, preparing herself to watch the match unfold. "I'll be on Tsukishima's team"
"Oh, so those two must be the other first years" Michiko looked to her right, to look at the blonde boy and the brunette boy "Wow! How tall is the blonde guy!? He must be at least 185cm, even taller probably" she thought.
"What?, you, Captain?" Shoyo suddenly bursted out, Daichi laughed,
"Don't worry, Tanaka's a much better attacker than me- Though I won't go easy on you either." Tanaka and Michiko both looked at him with an uneasy look. The tall blonde bent down to 'pretend' to whisper in Daichi's ear. "Ermm… That little one and Tanaka-san, which one shall I crush- I mean block first? He said with a cynical smile. Shoyo and Tanaka's ears twitched at the statement "Oh yes, yes, I'd like to see the King lose, too" the blonde continued, the brunette boy scamped over to the blonde "Tsuki, they can hear you, watch it" he said in fear, Tsukishima replied,
"I'm saying it so they can hear it" he continued in his teasing manner "I sure hope they lose their cool" Daichi and Michiko both sweat dropped,
"Tsukishima, you got character problems" Daichi stated
"It's not very nice to tease people" Michiko started but was then interrupted by Tsukishima,
"Our special feature is the King, who's been abandoned by his underlings." Kageyama winced at the thought of being called 'The King'
"Hey, hey. Did you hear that? My, the things he says and being rude by interrupting our precious Michiko-san. Oh, that Tsukishima-kun, I'm going to really…" Tanaka started before turning around to face him with a death glare "Crush him to a pulp." Shoyo stuck his tongue out at Tsukishima,
"BLEGHHH!"
The match continued to progress, Tanaka's aggressive yet powerful spikes proved to be effective, however Shoyo's spiked got blocked by Tsukishima, shock hit Michiko's face "Wow, he really is a tall one…" she looked over at Shoyo to see defeat and devastation in his eye, she couldn't help but raise her voice to shout at him "DON'T WORRY SHO-CHAN! IT HAPPENS, DON'T LET THE WALL STOP YOU!" everyone was shocked at her sudden roar of support- It's not like she doesn't rarely show support, its just that she's always quiet and never really shouts. "You surprised me the other day, too" Tsukishima began "You sure can jump, only if you 30 centimetres taller, you could've become a superstar" He smirked, Michiko's eyebrows knotted together in frustration "This is suppose to be a friendly match- What's with this boy" Shoyo's frustration grew, it was evident within his face.
"One more!" Shoyo called out, "I'll score the next one!" and it kept happening- block, after block, after block. Michiko's worry grew, she didn't want him to become disheartened and not call for the toss; after all this wasn't the first time she has witnessed this occasion. "Block again?" Suga began,
"How many is that now?" Ennoshita sighed
"Tanaka is scoring consistently, though" Kinoshita stated
"That's not the point, Kinoshita-san, this is bad for Shoyo's team, he could stop calling for the toss at any moment… it can decrease the team's morale" Michiko stated seriously. "Damn…" Shoyo winced, "This is not looking good, please Shoyo, I understand your pain- I've been there and I know Asahi-kun has been there before, so please. Don't give up!" Michiko yelled in her head.
"Hey there, he's constantly getting blocked, you should try the King's toss" Tsukishima began "The toss that decimates his enemies… and his teammates as well!" He laughed "The King's toss, know I've heard of it; so that's what the students at Kitagawa called it, poor Tobio" Michiko thought with sympathy.
"Shut up" Kageyama replied, the brunette boy who was now identified as Yamaguchi was next to serve the ball, he hit the ball, although in quite a weak manner, the ball hit the net "Gomen! Tsuki!" he yelled,
"His serve is weak, there are a lot of improvements that need to be made, especially with the first years receives" Michiko thought, It was Kagayama's serve next, "This should be interesting" He hit the serve however Daichi was able to receive it "Hmmm, how sly of him, showing off too" Michiko giggled to herself. Tsukishima's team scored another point. The teasing between the two teams continued, "You keep going on about the 'King's toss' What is it?" Shoyo questioned, Tsukishima explained everything- What it is and why the call him the 'King'. "Yeah you're right, I made a toss and no one was there" Kageyama started, "It's truly frightening"
"But, you were only in Junior High, right?" Shoyo interrupted "You toss to me just fine. It makes no difference to me" Shoyo turned and pointed to Tsukishima "The real problem for me is, how I am going to get past you!" He exclaimed, Tanaka, Daichi and Michiko all chuckled
"He's right Tobio-san, you have to stop dwelling on your past but to make it right now. Things are different now, those same people aren't on your team anymore so you don't have to worry about us calling you the 'King' just focus on making a new start- to train yourself to be the best you can be!" Michiko smiled, Kageyama blushed and nodded at her words "GWAHHH MICHIKO-SAN GIVING SUCH ADVICE IS SO KAWAII!" Tanaka shouted.
"We'll win against Tsukishima, become official club members, and you will bravely play setter and you will toss to me. What else is there?" Shoyo exclaimed, Kageyama's eyebrows twitched at Shoyo's statement, "Tsk" Tsukishima began "How pure and straightforward… and irritating" They all returned to their positions to progress on to the match. Tsukishima hit the serve, Tanaka received it well enough for Kageyama to toss it, "Who will he toss it to?" he was about to toss it to Tanaka when Shoyo suddenly shouted his name "Kageyama!" he appeared behind him ready to spike the ball "Will the toss be successful?"
"I'm here!" Shoyo shouted, Shoyo hit the toss however unsuccessfully and the ball was out
"That was close, maybe this new technique could be useful for Megumi and I" Michiko thought
"That was close, I almost missed it" Shoyo said in relief "It's out though"
"What was that for?" Kageyama questioned
"But the ball came to me!" Kageyama's face was filled with shock "Forget about junior high, I will take any toss I can get. Gratefully. I'll jump anywhere. I'll hit any ball. So… toss it to me!" Shoyo shouted with pride. "He's finally growing up"
"Hey you guys know how to do quick hits!?" Tanaka exclaimed
"Quick hits?" Shoyo and Kageyama questioned in unison
"A fast attack like the one you just did!"
"Not at all" Shoyo replied "All I've ever spiked are balls that get tossed high up"
"But you just did it, and when you were in junior high, I saw your spike. A missed toss by a beginner setter- That's what I mean!"
"Huh? but I don't remember how I did it. But I will spike any toss, I'll spike it! You understand!" Shoyo turned to look at Kageyama, he looked the opposite way,
"We've never gotten coordinated, a fast attack is impossible" Shoyo looked at him with a shocked expression
"There's something weird about you!" he pointed at him "Your weakness is giving me the creeps. Weird!"
"I guess I had nothing to be worried about- Sho-chan isn't a weak willed person"
"shut up" Kageyama replied and walked away. The teasing of Shoyo continued with Tsukishima
"Maybe you're just not cut out to be a spiker" Tanaka was ready to teach Tsukishima a lesson before Shoyo stood up for himself-
"That's true, even when I was in Junior High, I was consistently getting blocked. Height is needed for volleyball, no matter how high I jump, I can't get past there overwhelming height. But I want to become like that, so I don't care if I'm cut out for it or not. I'm going to do battle with this body, win and win, and be on the court for as long as I can"
"But you don't have what it takes"
"But you're wrong Tsukishima-san" Michiko interrupted and everyone turned their attention on her "My height is 5"1, I play beach volleyball- height is required and essential, however you have to be good at all skills in volleyball; Spiking, receiving and setting in order to play beach volleyball. I exceed all of them. I am Miyagi's number one beach volleyball player, I am in Japan's top 3 best players, I have been scouted ever since I was 15 by many universities and even the olympic team- with only a mere height of 5"1. Anything is possible if you work hard and keep practicing. So, Tsukishima-san, anyone has what it takes to play volleyball no matter what" everyone stared at her in shock. Kageyama began to speak,
"to break the wall in front of the spiker… that's the setter's job" Kageyama dragged Shoyo away followed by Tanaka to plan their next course of action. They continued to try and do their fast attack but each attempt kept failing, one after the other. "Hopefully the advice that Suga-san has given them was good enough" They got back into there positions and readied themselves. It was Daichi's serve, he hit the ball and was received by Tanaka ready for Shoyo to spike the ball, Kageyama's face was in the zone, mapping out where the ball was going to go and which direction would the toss go. "Such extreme concentration. Amazing!" he tossed the ball and it hit Shoyo's palm perfectly and the ball was spike perfectly too, "Such precision but wait…" Daichi and Michiko were in shock-
"Hey… Hinata's eyes were closed just then…" Daichi began
"What!" Everyone shouted
"What that means is that Tobio-san tossed it, directly into Sho-chan's hand…" Michiko said in amazement "Amazing! What accuracy!"
"HEY WHY DID YOU HAVE YOUR EYES CLOSED!?" Kageyama shouted
"YOU TOLD ME NOT TO LOOK AT THE BALL! So when my eyes are open, I can help but watch the ball" Shoyo replied,
"I didn't actually mean you had to close your eyes though!"
"It worked though, right?" Shoyo retaliated
"Sure but who trusts a person 100 percent!?" Kageyama questioned
"He does have a point Sho-chan!" Michiko laughed
"Well I have no choice but to trust him right now!" The match continued, the tension between Kageyama and Shoyo lifted, however the toss still was unsuccessful, they tried another time, Shoyo was about to get blocked until he ran to the other side of the court with immense speed- The spike was successful. The match continued to unfold until Kageyama and Shoyo's team won 2 sets. Michiko walked over to Tsukishima and Yamaguchi, "My name is Michiko Hinata, I know your surnames but what are your first names? Michiko held out her hand and they both gladly shuck it.
"Kei, Tsukishima Kei"
"T-T-Tadashi Y-Yamaguchi" the gym doors opened and Kiyomi appeared at the doors
"Goooood morning everyone!" Kiyomi cheered
"Kiyomi-sensei!" Everyone shouted
"So what did I miss?" She wore her usual coach gear- Vest top with sports leggings and her hair was down
"NEE-CHAN!" Shoyo and Michiko walked up to her
"Our little Sho-chan just won his first ever three on three" Michiko answered, Kiyomi smiled and ruffled his hair
"It looks like our family is becoming a volleyball superstar team" Kiyomi laughed
"Nee-chan! stop it, it's embarrassing!" Shoyo whined
"Shimizu, Michiko-san, The stuff is here right?" Daichi called out, Michiko ran over to Kiyoko to help her out with the boxes. She opened the boxes to reveal the black Karasuno High School Volleyball Club jacket "I think they should fit but let me know if you need anything" Kiyoko said.
"ARIGATO!" Kageyama and Shoyo shouted in unison, however Tsukishima still refused to wear it, but after getting pressured he finally wore it. The first years lined up in a row "We're the Karasuno High Volleyball Club, from here on…" Daichi began "Ready, and…" Everyone shouted,
"Good to have you with us!"
"Arigato!" The doors suddenly bursted open and a man with short black hair and glasses came running in the gym
"It's decided! It's decided!" he paused to catch his breathe "The practice match. It's against one of the top 4 teams in the prefecture- Aoba Johsai High School"
"The one nicknamed Seijo?" Suga questioned,
"Yikes" Tsukishima scowled
"No way" Yamaguchi said with fright.
"A practice match with one of the top four teams!" Shoyo said in excitement while Kageyama frowned.
"Aoba Johsai…"
"Oh you two must be the controversial Hinata-kun and Kageyama-kun." the man began, the two looked between each other in the confusion. "I'm the Volleyball club advisor starting this year. I'm Takada Ittetsu"
"Hello" They both greeted.
"I have no experience in Volleyball but with the help of Kiyomi-san, I will do my best to help!" He stated
"Hai!"
"However they had one condition to agree on when I asked for a practice match" Everyone looked at him with confusion. "Kageyama-kun must play setter throughout the entire game" Daichi, Tanaka and Michiko looked at Suga,
"Suga-San…" Michiko started
"That's okay" Suga smiled
"But you're Karasuno's official setter, Suga-san!" Tanaka stated
"I want to see how effective Hinata and Kageyama's attack will be against a top 4 team" Suga nodded to Daichi and Tanaka looked upset, Michiko placed a hand on Tanaka's shoulder "It's okay Ryu-san, it's his decision. I guess it can't be helped" She smiled, Tanaka blushed and nodded furiously. Takada continued
"The match will be next Tuesday next week. Also Kiyomi-san, they've agreed that you can bring Michiko-san and Megumi-san to come train with their beach volleyball team".
"Ahhh, it looks like you will be seeing Himawari and Ai again." Kiyomi said to Michiko
"I've not seen them in a long time so it will be exciting to see how well they've trained" Michiko smiled.
"This most definitely will be exciting"
It was the Monday night before the match on Tuesday, Michiko, Natsu, Kiyomi, Shoyo and their mother were at home eating their evening dinner. "Shoyo what's the matter, this isn't like you. Eat up your dinner" His mother pestered him
"G-Gomen, I'm just not hungry"
"HA! That's new coming from you!" Kiyomi stated, Michiko and Natsu giggled quietly. Her mother quickly scolded her,
"How old are you, Kiyomi? 4? Grow up" Kiyomi's face went red with embarrassment and continued to eat her meal quietly, while the younger siblings continued to giggle. "Ka-chan, Sho-chan has his first volleyball match with another high school tomorrow and it's against one of the powerhouse school. The guys at the club have accidentally put unnecessary pressure on him- So he's freaking out a little" Michiko stated while finishing her plate of food, taking her plate as well as everyone else's apart from Shoyo's and took it into the kitchen. "Well if that's the case then I will save the leftovers and put them into your lunchbox and you can take it with you tomorrow. Just relax for now, maybe have an early night" Their mother said with care and Shoyo nodded and headed to bed, "Kiyomi can you put Natsu to bed for me?"
"Haiii…" Kiyomi said as she picked up Natsu and hung her over her shoulder "Come on you little brat it's time for bed" Natsu just laughed "Nee-chan!", it was just Michiko and her mother left in the room. "Ka-chan, I will do the dishes-" Michiko began,
"No Michi-chan, I want you to talk to Shoyo, he won't get any sleep tonight but try and put his mind at ease." Her mother replied
"All right then" She stood up and kissed her mother's forehead good night, "Night Ka-chan" she walked out of the room and headed to Shoyo's room. "Is it all right if I can come in?" She called out,
"Haiii…" she walked in to his room and sat on his bed,
"Look I know you've heard everyone say it before, but honestly you have nothing to worry about, this is just a practice match so just give yourself a good night's rest so you have the energy to spike, okay?" Michiko smiled,
"All right, I guess your right" Shoyo replied
"Good, now go to sleep" She stood up and turned the light off. "Good night", she slid the door close and made her way to her own bedroom, she stripped off the clothes she wore and put on her purple pyjama shorts and t-shirt; she turned off the light and crawled into her bed and closed her eyes.
"I CAN'T SLEEP! I CAN'T SLEEP! I CAN'T SLEEP! I CAN'T SLEEP!" Michiko jolted up from her sleep and looked at the time,
"3am! Really Shoyo!" She thought, when she heard Natsu coming out of her room.
"NII-CHAN YOU'RE TOO NOISY!"
"G-Gomen" Michiko heard the slam of the door and giggled to herself,
"Oh dear, this is not good" she then positioned herself back on the bed and went fast asleep.
"Line-up" Daichi shouted, the sudden out burst made Michiko jump. She was tired after Shoyo woke her up last night, she was glad that Himawari and Ai texted herself and Megumi this morning telling them they have other things to do, so they couldn't train. "Let's play!" Everyone shouted
"Yes" Takada and Kiyomi said in unison, everyone climbed on to the bus and made there way to Aoba Johsai.
"Hey Hinata, I will give you something to eat" Tanaka said, waving a piece of pocky around, he then looked at Shoyo's pale face, "What is that look on your face", Michiko and Megumi turned around to face the two "I couldn't sleep last night…" Michiko agreed with his statement and yawned
"He's right he kept me up last night as well, he didn't even eat his dinner everyone was worr-" Before Michiko could finish her sentence Shoyo's cheeks swelled up as if he was about to vomit at any given time "The window… Can I open the window please" His weak hand pointed towards the window, Tanaka was in panic however it was too late as he puked all over Tanaka's gym trousers "ARGHHH!"
"AHAHAAHA!" Megumi laughed, clutching her stomach "I THINK I'M GONNA CRY!" She laughed as one hand went up to her eye to wipe away the tear.
"SHO-CHAN ARE YOU OKAY!" Michiko panicked.
"STOP THE BUS, STOP THE BUS!" Tanaka shouted. They finally arrived at Aoba Johsai, Everyone prepared themselves and was ready to face of the top 4 teams in the prefecture. "LET'S GO!" Daichi shouted,
"HAI!" Everyone replied.
Don't worry people, just two more chapters before Michiko and Asahi come face to face! Will they be able to rekindle their old friendship? or maybe confess their feelings to each other? I apologise for the mistakes I make, each chapter takes me 2-5 hours to right because I have to re-watch the episodes again; therefore I end up staying up very late and I am a college student too! I only realise my mistakes whenever someone tells me or I read through it during the day (I do check my work but it's after I have wrote it, and I get exhausted after writing a chapter) so it would be a great help if you all would let me know what mistakes I have made- Arigato! _