The Karasuno gym thrummed with purpose as Ukai launched a grueling seven-day blitz.
Their practice match against Nekoma loomed on April 9th.
Dust swirled under the morning sun, April 2nd marking the start—Karasuno's victory over the neighborhood alumni still fresh in their bones.
Ukai's whistle cut the air.
"Alright, punks—Nekoma's cats are scrappy. We drill hard—receives, spikes, blocks, matches. No slacking!"
Hinata stretched, grinning wide. Kageyama scowled beside him. Tsukishima adjusted his glasses, Daichi nodded, firm as ever. Tanaka shouted excitedly, Asahi rubbed the back of his neck, Nishinoya bounced, Sugawara smiled soft—team spirit crackling alive.
Day 1: Receives and Bonds
Ukai paired them off—Hinata with Nishinoya, Kageyama with Daichi—drilling hard on receives.
Boom!
Ukai's serve blazed forward—Hinata darted—Smack!—ball popped up high, tricky angle mastered.
"Nice!" Nishinoya whooped.
"Kid's got reflexes," Ukai muttered approvingly. "Nekoma won't break him easy."
Post-drill, Hinata flopped beside Kiyoko, panting.
"Shimizu-senpai, water's magic after this!"
She handed him a bottle, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
"You're relentless, Hinata."
He beamed—She's so cool!—a small bond sparking over shared laughs about Tanaka's loud warmup chants.
Day 2: Spikes and Spirit
Spike drills began—Kageyama set, Hinata leapt—
Boom!
The normal quick hammered the floor clean.
Ukai whistled, impressed. "Kid's spiking's unreal—consistent as hell."
Tanaka roared, "My turn!"—
Crack!—his spike powerful but wild, sailing off Sugawara's set.
Asahi followed—
Thwack!—clean past a dummy block, confidence flickering to life. I can do this...
Lunch break spiraled into chaos—Tanaka mock-tackled Hinata, Daichi pulling them apart, laughing.
"Save it for Nekoma!"
Nishinoya dove in, dragging Asahi with him—team laughter echoing, bonds stitching tighter under the heavy spring sun.
Day 3: Blocks and Growth
Blocking drills.
Tsukishima towered—hands snapping up—Thud!—stopping Tanaka's spike cold.
"Tch," Tanaka grumbled.
"Beanpole's getting good..."
Ukai smirked. Blondie's blocks are sharpening—timing's tight.
Hinata intercepted Kageyama's toss to Asahi—Crack!—ball dropped clean.
"Got it!" Hinata grinned wide, triumphant.
Later, Tsukishima approached Ukai, voice low.
"Coach—guidance on reading spikers?"
Ukai raised a brow. He's asking?
"Watch their shoulders. It telegraphs the angle. Drill it into instinct."
Tsukishima nodded once—I'll crush 'em...—resolve hardening like steel.
Day 4: Practice Match
Mini-match—Karasuno A (Daichi, Kageyama, Hinata, Tsukishima, Tanaka) vs. B (Sugawara, Asahi, Nishinoya, Ennoshita, Yamaguchi).
Boom!
Hinata served—normal, tricky sideline.
Smack!
Nishinoya popped it up—"Up!"
Sugawara to Asahi—
Thwack!—off Tsukishima's hands.
[Karasuno A 0 – 1 Karasuno B]
Bang!
Asahi served—Daichi received.
Kageyama to Hinata—super quick—
Boom!
Past Nishinoya—first spike point.
[Karasuno A 1 – 1 Karasuno B]
Boom!
Tanaka served—steady.
Nishinoya saved—Sugawara fed Ennoshita—
Thud!
Hinata blocked—first block point.
[Karasuno A 2 – 1 Karasuno B]
A-team won 25–18—Hinata's five spikes and three blocks shone bright.
Ukai muttered, proud. Shrimp's a dual threat—spiking and receiving are top-notch. Tsukishima's blocks are evolving.
Post-match, Hinata nudged Kiyoko, grinning.
"Did you see that block?"
She smiled softly.
"Hard to miss."
A shared glance—something small but growing.
Day 5: Teamwork Drills
Sync drills next—Kageyama set, Hinata and Tanaka alternating spikes.
Boom!—Hinata's quick.
Crack!—Tanaka's power.
Rhythm, rhythm, rhythm—until Asahi joined—
Thwack!—spike landed clean.
Nishinoya received Ukai's brutal serves—Smack!
"Up!"
The team's flow tightened, sharpening to a blade's edge.
Evening—Hinata leaned in to Kageyama, whispering,
"After Nekoma, we talk falling sets... sync attacks too."
Kageyama grunted.
"Fine, idiot. Don't screw it up."
Seeds planted—growth inevitable.
Day 6: Strategy and Plans
Another match.
Boom!
Hinata served—tricky baseline.
Nishinoya saved—Sugawara to Asahi—
Crack!—blocked back by Tsukishima.
[Karasuno A 0 – 1 Karasuno B]
Bang!
Sugawara served—Tanaka received.
Kageyama high toss—Hinata crushed it—
Boom!
Second spike point.
[Karasuno A 1 – 1 Karasuno B]
A tight battle, but Hinata's back-row attack sealed it—A-team won 25–22.
Ukai grinned. Team's gelling. Hinata's spikes lethal. Tsukishima's blocks—clutch.
He eyed Tanaka and Asahi next.
"After Nekoma, jump serves. Start practicing."
Tanaka smirked, fist-pumping.
"Hell yeah!"
Asahi blinked.
"Me too?"
Ukai nodded, stone serious.
Day 7: Final Push
Final day—spike fest.
Hinata soared—Boom!—super quick off Kageyama.
Tsukishima blocked Asahi clean—Thud!—smirking, hungry.
Daichi smashed one—Crack!—rally after rally sharpening their edges.
Night draped the gym in quiet gold.
Hinata sat alone, serious.
Nekoma's tomorrow. I'll hold back... let us lose. Defeat'll fuel us. Then I'll tell Coach about sync attacks.
Determination burned bright.
We'll rise stronger.
Across the court, Ukai watched.
Hinata's spiking and receiving... monster level. Tsukishima's blocks... damn near elite. The whole team's climbing. Nekoma won't know what hit 'em—later.
Karasuno gathered—laughter, sweat, and bonds forged.
Ready for the cats.
To be continued…