Chapter 10: Chapter 10 -Game Vs Tsuyukasa
"Everyone, our next opponent will be Tsuyukasa Junior High," Hinata announced as he went to inform the rest of the team who were resting in the bathroom hallways. "The match will start soon, so come back so we can warm up," the boy continued.
When the warm-up began, team members took turns receiving Izumi's sets and testing their attacks. Shortly after finishing his warm-up, Hinata went to observe the opposing team and recognized some players.
"That guy with blonde hair but dark bangs... isn't that Kanji Koganegawa?" he thought. "And it looks like he's already training as a setter," Hinata observed, watching him set some balls for other players. He recognized one of them but couldn't remember his name, only that he was one of Date Tech's first-year middle blockers, and there was also a first-year libero," Hinata thought.
"These guys aren't messing around... look at that guy with the weird hair, he's almost Hinata's height and he's a setter, that's pretty strange," said Sekimukai. "And their middle blocker is tall too... looks like we won't have it easy this time," Izumi affirmed. "Yeah, the further we advance, the tougher our opponents will be..." said Hinata.
The game started with Izumi's serve toward the opposing libero, who easily received it and passed to Koganegawa. "Nice receive, Sakunami!" said Koganegawa as he prepared to set for the middle blocker, but ended up tossing too high, and the ball went over the player's head. "I'M SORRY, FUKIAGE!" Koganegawa said energetically. "My goodness, you almost look skilled compared to this big guy, Izumi," said Sekimukai. "I'll take that as a compliment," said Izumi.
1-0 Yukigaoka
Izumi serves again, and once more the libero manages to receive and direct the ball to Koganegawa, who this time tries to set for his wing spiker. The spiker faces a single block from Daisuke, who read the play, but manages to hit a cross-court shot toward Hinata, who receives it and passes to Izumi, who sets for Sekimukai.
"Time for my first point in the game," he said confidently until he was trapped by a block from Koganegawa and Fukiage who managed to stop the attack. "Geez, what's with these guys, that setter along with the middle blocker make such an amazing blocking duo!" Sekimukai sighed. "You'll find a way past them next time," said Hinata.
1-1 Tied
Now it was the opposing wing spiker's turn to serve, and it went toward Sekimukai. "I can do this," said the boy as he struggled to get the ball to fall on his forearms but succeeded in passing to Izumi, who saw Hinata preparing to jump from his classic position at the back of the court.
Hinata jumped and observed the opposing team's block but managed to attack between Koganegawa's arms and head, and consequently, the ball exploded on the opponent's court. "That was perfect synchronization," he said, smiling at Izumi. "We've got this play down," Izumi confirmed.
2-1 Yukigaoka
Hinata goes to serve and prepares to attack, following his entire ritual. He executes his serve which, as usual, flies at high speed to the opponent's back court, making the crowd explode with excitement. "LOOK AT THIS GUY, HE REALLY SERVES STRONG!" Koganegawa commented after watching the ball fall at high speed beside him. "You could have tried to defend it! I've taught you several times," Sakunami complained. "No way, there's no defending that," said the boy.
After that, Hinata secured five more points through his serve and ended up missing the next one, which fell slightly outside the court boundaries.
8-1 Yukigaoka
"WHAT'S WITH THIS GUY? It seemed like he was aiming at me on purpose," said Koganegawa. "That's because he probably was, but it's no problem, it'll be a while before he serves again, and next time I won't let him score so many points in a row. Meanwhile, let's catch up on the score!" said Sakunami.
The Tsuyukasa opposite served but ended up directing it toward Suzuki, who easily received and passed to Izumi, who looked for Sekimukai, who again met the double block. "I have a surprise for you," thought the boy as he executed a dink that fooled the entire opposing team, securing a point for himself.
9-1 Yukigaoka
"Hey, what did you think of my surprise attack?" asked Sekimukai while bragging about his last play. "I don't know if it was the smartest option to reveal that weapon still in the first set, but at least you scored," said Hinata, patting Sekimukai's back.
The game continued with the Tsuyukasa team having difficulties handling Hinata's serves and attacks, but the rest of the team was struggling to get past the block, ending the first set: 25-20 for Yukigaoka.
"We almost lost," Sekimukai observed. "We used our weapons too early, we'll have to depend even more on Hinata in the next set, because even Daisuke is having problems getting past that block," said Izumi. "No problem, that's what the Ace is for... we're going to win this." "When you serve, try to aim for the tall guy," said Hinata.
The second set went as planned, the Yukigaoka team continued to struggle against the blocks, with only Hinata and at most Daisuke managing to score, but with help from Koganegawa's errors, especially in receiving serves, they managed to win 25-21.
Hinata- 32 points Daisuke- 8 points Izumi- 3 points Sekimukai- 3 points Mori- 2 points Kawashima- 2 points
"AAAA, I RUINED EVERYTHING!" said Koganegawa holding his head. "Stop throwing a fit, just hold your head high and take my training more seriously, and next time, we'll win," said Sakunami. "ALRIGHT! I'LL DO MY BEST!" said Koganegawa with improved spirits.
From Yukigaoka's perspective: "It was close, but we managed to win!" said Izumi. "WE SURVIVED THE FIRST DAY!" Sekimukai affirmed. "Don't get too excited because tomorrow will be worse!" Hinata warned while packing his things to leave. Already on the bus, everyone was talking and celebrating the victories. Hinata noticed a slight discomfort in his legs but ignored it since it was mild and soon went back to talking with his teammates. Soon the bus arrived at their school at sunset.
PS: Tell me what you think about the description of the games?. Do you think they need more details, or is this format of small time-skips during the game working well?