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The Karasuno gym buzzed with energy, sneakers squeaking on the polished floor as the practice match against the Neighborhood Association team got underway.
Ukai paced along the sidelines, gripping his clipboard tightly, while Takeda hovered nearby with a nervous smile.
The scoreboard flashed 0–0. The air between the teams felt thick and heavy, ready to snap at any moment.
Hinata bounced lightly near the net, grinning with barely contained excitement.
Kageyama wore his usual deep scowl, Tsukishima stood tall and cool, and Daichi anchored the backline with steady eyes.
Across the net, Nishinoya crouched low in perfect receive form, Asahi hovered awkwardly, and Sugawara stood calm at the setter's spot, rallying his team.
Boom!
Daichi launched the first serve, a strong, steady shot aimed toward Nishinoya.
Smack!
Nishinoya received cleanly, Suga stepping into the ball and popping it high.
"Asahi!" he called out sharply, setting it perfectly to the left.
Asahi leapt—but hesitation gripped him. Memories of Date Tech's impenetrable wall flashed through his mind.
His spike came out weak, too safe.
Thud!
Tsukishima barely had to move, blocking it lazily and sending it back down with a dull sound.
"Too soft," Tsukishima muttered with a smirk.
Asahi winced, his face falling. I choked again...
"Shake it off, Asahi!" Nishinoya barked from the back. "Next one's yours!"
[Karasuno 1–0 Neighborhood]
Daichi served again, this time a flatter, faster ball.
Smack!
Nishinoya swooped low to receive, arms firm, sending a perfect pass toward Sugawara.
"Asahi, one more!" Sugawara called, setting high once again.
This time, Asahi pushed all hesitation aside. He sprang up, swinging with full force.
Crack!
The ball hammered off Tsukishima's outstretched fingers and veered out of bounds.
"Yes!" Nishinoya whooped, pumping his fist.
A shaky grin stretched across Asahi's face. It went through...
[Karasuno 1–1 Neighborhood]
Sugawara stepped up to serve, sending a floating ball that dipped low.
Smack!
Tanaka darted into position, reading it easily. The ball popped up, and without hesitation, Kageyama was already there, hands ready.
Now!
Hinata exploded off the ground. Kageyama's set zipped perfectly to his hand.
Boom!
The superfast quick sliced through the air, blasting between two stunned blockers before they could react.
The gym fell into stunned silence.
Ukai's cigarette almost dropped from his mouth. Takeda laughed brightly.
"Told you they're special!" Takeda crowed.
"What the hell was that?!" Ukai gasped.
"Quick attack—bam!" Hinata beamed.
"Tch. Obvious," Kageyama grunted, adjusting his sleeves.
[Karasuno 2–1 Neighborhood]
Tanaka served next, a piercing serve that wobbled through the air.
Smack!
Takenou, the Neighborhood team, stepped forward and received it solidly.
Sugawara set a high ball for Uchizawa, who smashed a powerful spike toward Karasuno's court.
Thwack!
Hinata leaped, barely grazing the ball with his fingertips, slowing it down just enough.
"Nice touch!" Daichi shouted, diving to keep it alive.
Kageyama spun into action, setting quickly to Tanaka.
"Here we go!" Tanaka roared.
Crack!
The spike screamed past Nishinoya's desperate dive.
"Damn!" Nishinoya cursed under his breath. Gotta be quicker!
[Karasuno 3–1 Neighborhood]
Tanaka stepped up to serve again, unleashing a wild, high ball.
Smack!
Takenou handled it, though the ball wobbled awkwardly. Sugawara managed to set up a quick play to Asahi, who leapt and swung.
Crack!
Hinata and Tsukishima rose together, forming a twin block. The ball slammed into Hinata hands and dropped straight down.
Asahi grimaced.
Blocked again...
"Gotcha, Asahi-san!" Hinata called playfully.
"Too predictable," Tsukishima added with a lazy smirk.
[Karasuno 4–1 Neighborhood]
Tanaka served again, aggressive and fearless.
Smack!
Nishinoya slid in, keeping the ball alive. Sugawara sent it back to Asahi.
Asahi jumped high—desperate to break through.
Thwack!
Tsukishima got a fingertip on it, deflecting the ball slightly, but it was enough to send it out of bounds.
"That's the way!" Nishinoya cheered, slapping Asahi's back.
[Karasuno 4–2 Neighborhood]
Mori from the Neighborhood Association took over serving.
Boom!
The ball came down hard.
Smack!
Tanaka received it cleanly. Kageyama set a quick toss to Hinata, who was already airborne.
Boom!
Hinata's spike blazed past the blockers and hit the floor before anyone could react.
"Monster!" Nishinoya laughed as he watched it fly.
[Karasuno 5–2 Neighborhood]
Tsukishima served, keeping up the pressure.
Smack!
Takenou got under it again. Sugawara moved fast, setting to Uchizawa, whose spike shot out at an angle.
Thwack!
Hinata leapt up and managed a one-touch, slowing the ball for Daichi to save it.
In a smooth transition, Kageyama set up Tanaka for a powerful quick.
Thump!
The ball crashed past Mori, untouched.
Asahi watched, wide-eyed. They're relentless...
[Karasuno 6–2 Neighborhood]
Tsukishima took the serving spot.
Bang!
Tsukishima's serve cut through the air.
Smack!
Takenou received, and Sugawara set for Mori.
Boom!
Mori smashed a spike just past Kageyama late block, finally winning them a point.
[Karasuno 6–3 Neighborhood]
Neighborhood's Takenou served next.
Smack!
Daichi received sharply, positioning himself perfectly.
Kageyama sent a blazing quick back to Hinata.
Boom!
Hinata sailed above the net, smashing the ball clean past Nishinoya's dive.
"Yes!" Hinata shouted as he landed.
[Karasuno 7–3 Neighborhood]
Einoshita rotated to serve.
Bang!
The serve ripped across.
Smack!
Nishinoya dove and popped it up, and Sugawara sent a high ball to Asahi.
Asahi attacked strong, but Tsukishima and Hinata were ready.
Crack!
Their synchronized block sent it back.
"Nice one, Tsukishima!" Hinata grinned brightly.
[Karasuno 8–3 Neighborhood]
Einoshita second serve.
Smack!
Mori received it, setting up another chance for the Neighborhood team.
Sugawara tossed to Asahi once more, but Hinata touched the ball slightly on the block.
Thwack!
Daichi dove to save it, and Kageyama immediately set it high to Tanaka.
Crack!
Tanaka smashed it down the sideline past Takenou.
[Karasuno 9–3 Neighborhood]
Einoshita continued serving, racking up pressure.
Bang!
Nishinoya scrambled and saved another serve.
Sugawara tossed to Mori, who finally found a gap and spiked through.
[Karasuno 9–4 Neighborhood]
Neighborhood's Mori took over serving.
Boom!
Daichi cleanly received the ball, and the moment it left his arms, Hinata was already moving.
Kageyama fired a low quick set to Hinata.
Boom!
Hinata rocketed it past Uchizawa without mercy.
[Karasuno 10–4 Neighborhood]
Karasuno kept the momentum, rotating with Tanaka back to serve.
Bang!
Tanaka's serve whistled across. Quick plays followed.
Hinata's blinding quick—boom!—11–4.
Tsukishima's sharp service ace—crack!—12–4.
Neighborhood fought back, Asahi breaking through to score—12–5 with powerful spike that was sending message to newcomers why he is called ACE the spike blasted through the hands of blocker and slammed into floor.
But Karasuno's rhythm was unstoppable.
Kageyama set up relentless quicks for Hinata, forcing errors left and right.
Tanaka thundered spikes down the line. Tsukishima blocked with brutal timing.
The points kept stacking—15–6, 17–7.
Even when Asahi managed a powerful cross spike past kageyama and daichi, Karasuno responded immediately with quick counters.
By the time Karasuno hit 24–12, the gym felt like it was holding its breath.
Tanaka stepped up for the final serve.
Bang!
The ball ripped over—Nishinoya saved it.
Sugawara set Asahi he spiked above blockers but Tanaka Saved it.
Kageyama set one last time to Hinata.
Hinata soared—higher than ever—and slammed it down with a thunderous boom!
Tweet!
The set ended.
Karasuno 25–12.
Ukai stared in awe, scribbling notes furiously.
Hinata and Kageyama... unreal. Noya's a wall. Asahi's heart is finally burning bright.
Takeda clapped loudly from the sideline, laughing.
"Told you they'd be something special!"
On the court, Although they lost but Nishinoya threw an arm around Asahi, both grinning fiercely.
Their bond, stronger than ever, lit up the court like fire.
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