1- Chapter 16 -
August 11.
The Japan National High School Volleyball Tournament, Miyagi Prefectural qualifier, the first round of the preliminaries. It started today.
With the season winding down, the volleyball team was pushing harder than ever. In the weeks leading up to the first qualifying round, they had worked tirelessly—planning new strategies, refining their quick attacks, synchronizing moves, and perfecting their defense. The excitement from the Saitama Camp still lingered, and now, it was replaced by the electric energy of their first preliminary matches.
Suzuki had wished she could be at Karasuno's match, watching Tsukishima and his teammates play. But instead, she was in the gym, in the middle of the painted white free-throw circle. She took a deep breath and focused as she lined up for her second free throw. "Score! Now move back! Back! Back!" Hiruzen's voice rang out, his hand waving his board to signal the team to fall back into their defensive positions.
August 11 was also the qualifying match for the basketball team.
For the past few weeks, the basketball team had been training just as intensely as the volleyball squad. They didn't have access to fancy camps, but they made do with rigorous drills and practice games. The team even had a few scrimmages against Sendai University's sports teams, which was considered an excellent opportunity to hone their skills.
Karasuno's team was facing Minē Nishi High, a school from southern Miyagi, which Suzuki had never heard of before. Twelve schools joined the qualifiers this year and the increased competition had forced the qualification round to start early, taking place across the last two weeks of August—being this weekend and next. Hiruzen had mentioned the change could be part of the strategy: bypassing the Inter-High for a direct shot at the bigger goal, the Tokyo National Tournament. It was every team's dream to represent Miyagi at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, and every player was eyeing that finish line.
Minē Nishi was good and tactical, and had decent tall players, but a lot of times they were too careful that their play was readable. And their tallest player wasn't even close to Suzuki's reaching level. At the end of the fourth quarter, Karasuno had won, leading by twelve points.
That meant next week, Karasuno's girls would head to Sendai City Gym to try for a shot at victory.
On the bus ride back to school, Suzuki dozed off, her mind wandering back to Tsukishima. Not long ago, he had texted her, saying they had won their first match and were about to face a two-meter-tall freshman. The thought of that made Suzuki smile—it was a bit intimidating. Tsukishima was the tallest on the team and the only one capable of matching the opponent's height in the air.
Hey, are you still at school?
She quickly replied to his text. Exactly just got here. Why? Is your match over?
After a few minutes Tsukishima replied back. Yeah. We just boarded the bus.
Cool. How's the match? Did you win? - he didn't reply right away and it worried her a little bit. Did it work out for them?
Suzuki frowned when it was nearly twenty minutes later and she hadn't received anything back from him. She was tempted to press the dial button but she held herself.
Then, a ding.
It wasn't Tsukishima's reply. It was a text from Yamaguchi. Attached was a picture of Tsukishima slumped against the bus window, his glasses half-on and mouth slightly open, looking like he had fallen asleep.And we won against Kakugawa.
She stared at the picture and smiled. The text, she didn't pay attention to anymore.
"Hey, Suzuki, you want to grab something to eat?" Aoki suddenly hugged her from behind, making her jump.
"Yeah, sure." She replied rather quickly. She cleared her throat. "Do you think they still have pork buns…"
"...hope so. I'm starving!" Nishinoya muttered, from the back seat.
"You're always starving, Noya." Tanaka snickered from the back seat. "Ukai, do you think your mom could make some for us?"
"Relax, I already called her to set aside a batch." Ukai laughed at the cheering from behind. "But before that, gather at the gym first."
"Hai!" Daichi agreed. "And then Sakanoshita later. Wake everyone up, we're almost there!"
"Hey, wake up." Tsukishima felt a nudge and heard a familiar voice. "Tsukki? Wake up. We're almost there."
"That's not how you wake him." He heard another voice say from behind him. And then, he felt a horribly hard shake on his seat. "Oi Beanstalk. Wake your ass up."
"Shut the fuck up, King! Damn it. Stop!" Tsukishima jolted up and quickly turned around and swung his face. Judging by how Kageyama cursed behind him, he had smacked him in the face.
"Tsukki, glasses?" Yamaguchi asked, offering them to him. "We're entering the neighborhood. Should be about fifteen minutes left."
Tsukishima took his glasses, fumbled with his phone, and found a text from Suzuki.Cool. How's the match? Did you win?she had asked, but he hadn't replied earlier, falling asleep. He quickly typed a message back, apologizing for the delay and telling her they had won against Kakugawa.
He stared at his screen for a moment. There was no reply. It was already late, but they always managed to share stories through messages or late-night phone calls, just like during the summer.
Tsukishima's mind wandered through the memories of the small moments they'd shared. Over the past holiday weeks, they'd traded stories about their days—whether it was about practice, time spent with family, or even the mundane tasks like feeding cats or cleaning up. They found comfort in these everyday conversations, until it became second nature to share even the smallest details. There were times when they didn't have much to talk about, so they'd simply call each other and let the silence fill the gaps, while they went about their own activities.
Tsukishima remembered one such time when she was cleaning her room, and he was watching an international volleyball match. He could hear her giggling every time he reacted to a play. Then there was the time she was helping her younger brother, Takari, with a school project while he casually read a manga. He could hear her voice as she struggled with math equations, and he couldn't help but chuckle when she got annoyed at her brother's endless questions. These moments, simple and unremarkable to anyone else, had come to mean something more between them.
Tsukishima let out a sigh, the fog of his breath clouding the window. The outline of Karasuno High School came into view as the summer sunset bathed the world in soft, golden hues. It reminded him of that one time they decided to meet up at the park.
It had been a late afternoon, after his training, and she had planned to run errands, picking up a few things from the store across the street. But the bright sunset had drawn them both outside. They ended up taking a casual, almost hour-long stroll—stopping for coffee breaks, buying snacks, and sharing a plate of mochi. As they walked, they talked about how their holidays had been going. The conversation flowed easily, and the sun sank lower in the sky with each passing minute. In the end, he was late for dinner, and she'd forgotten to buy some things on her list. But neither of them regretted it. It had been a perfect way to spend time together.
Tsukishima shifted in his seat, craning his neck to look out the window once more. He couldn't help but think that maybe, before their lives became too consumed with school and training, they should do something like that again.
Tsukishima blinked, shifting slightly in his seat to get a better view through the window.
A bus had just passed the Sakanoshita Store when familiar faces appeared, barely missing the fact that it was Volleyball's chartered bus. If it hadn't been for Hinata's bright orange hair, frantically waving from the window, they might've missed it. Mirai and Aoki waved back, recognizing the gesture.
But Suzuki's attention was elsewhere, drawn to the middle of the bus where the blonde had his head leaned against the window, staring out in boredom. His gaze quickly shifted toward her, and for a brief moment, their eyes met. It was a quick passing, but they made the most of the limited time, exchanging quick smiles before the bus passed by.
"Sensei, I just realized their lead shooter is left-handed." She said in the middle of her drink, talking about the number eight player from Dewaichi High. "That's why the ball keeps getting tossed to the right side, isn't it?"
"Yep. That's what it seems to be. Maybe that number eight is an ambi. Let's just watch for other tricks." He muttered. "I hate lefties."
Pulling her breath together, she sat down, wiping any sweat off with a towel. As Suzuki watched the run, she felt like being watched. Looking around at the far end of their group seating, sat down five highschoolers, somehow being out of place. While the rest of her team and supporters donned the color red—shirts, headbands, the whole works, those four boys and one very scaredy girl still had their black tracksuits on. Hinata, Kageyama, Yamaguchi and Yachi had worn red headbands, no doubt given to them. And Tsukishima wore it around his wrist—a subtler way to cheer.
That's so… Tsukishima.
Her gaze caught his, and it was clear they were both staring at each other. Tsukishima blinked, clearly startled, and gave a small nod of acknowledgement. She returned the gesture before turning her attention back to the ongoing game.
From beneath her red jersey and braided ponytail, Suzuki looked different. This was only the second time Tsukishima had seen her play, and he had already learned that basketball games could be just as intense as volleyball matches—and so was Suzuki. She was still benched, yet her focus unwavering as she analyzed every move on the court. Occasionally, she leaned in for a quick discussion with her coach or teammates, and a couple of times, she exchanged a few words with her brother, Tomoru.
As the third quarter came to an end, the score was tied at 63—Dewaichi and Karasuno were neck and had been in the lead for the first two quarters but perhaps it was one of the strategies; to bait Dewaichi into making aggressive offensive moves. Karasuno's defense had been waiting for the right moment to pounce, conserving their energy until the ideal time to reset their lineup into full offensive mode.
Suzuki had briefly explained him one lunch-day at the Konbini;Karasuno's roster was thin, post third-year retirement. They only had nine players in total—sometimes eleven if there were returning first-years signing up for a game, but then again, those two girls were on and off between basketball and other clashing clubs or activities, and often chose the latter—there was a constant challenge to balance the team. This limited pool of talent required careful judgment to create the best team composition for each specific purpose.
In basketball, each position serves its own role, but they all work together to control the game. Guards, like Point Guards and Shooting Guards, are often the team's defensive backbone. They're typically positioned outside the 'attack line' to disrupt passes and make sure the ball stays in their team's hands. Mirai, for example, was known for her three-point shooting, but she also played a key role in defense, constantly keeping her opponents in check.
Forwards, on the other hand, are the ones who make those swift dashes to the hoop. Players like Aoki fit this role perfectly—quick, agile, and always ready to cut through defenses. They're often the ones you see driving in for layups or catching passes for a fast break.
Then, there's the Center, usually the tallest player on the team. They command the painted area, blocking shots and securing rebounds, all while being a key presence on offense. The Center's versatility makes them one of the most important players—protecting the basket and scoring in the post, they control both ends of the court.
As the final quarter approached, three players were swapped out, making way for Karasuno's taller and stronger lineup. The shift in strategy was clear—this was the push they needed. A mix of nervousness and anticipation bubbled up inside Suzuki as she stood, her heart racing in rhythm with the game.
"Let's go, Suzuki! You got this!" Hinata's voice rang out, loud and overzealous as he pounded his thunder sticks, the sound echoing across the stands. The cheer was almost too much—too loud, too bright—and every eye in the arena shifted toward Hinata and his enthusiastic group. Tsukishima sunk lower into his seat, his face flushing with secondhand embarrassment.This is why I never sit near him...He couldn't help but feel a mix of discomfort and quiet excitement. Hinata's antics were cringeworthy, but deep down, Tsukishima silently wished her the same cheers.
As other players prepared to be swapped in, Tsukishima's focus remained solely on Suzuki. She was stretching, slipping on black arm sleeves with white accents running down the sides. A small twitch tugged at the corner of his lips, but he quickly kept his expression. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't flattered by the sight of her wearing the gift he had given her, but he pushed it aside for later. As the clock reset, all that mattered was the game—and the way she played.
Strangely enough, Suzuki didn't feel as nervous as she thought she would. Her hypothesis about the left-handed player was quickly confirmed by Sensei, who had noticed the same thing. The number eight player from Dewaichi kept directing the ball to her left side, making quick, smooth passes from right to left and back again. It was a subtle yet effective strategy—left-handed players often had an advantage when it came to their movements, simply because defenders were less accustomed to their playstyle.
The Dewaichi players, on average, stood just over 180 cm tall, and they were incredibly skilled at sneaking around the court, changing direction with ease. Their passes were crisp and controlled, a stark contrast to the frantic pace of earlier in the game. The lefty player's dominant hand seemed to throw off Karasuno's timing, making the ball read harder and the defense less effective. It was clear to Suzuki that this was no ordinary team. They were testing Karasuno's defense, keeping them on their toes—and making sure their own rhythm remained intact. It was exactly the type of challenge she had hoped for.
Honestly speaking, their play resembled Datekō, in some way.
Good thing Karasuno had faced Datekō once. Lost, but still…
Dewaichi's coach must've realized that Karasuno had switched in their taller, stronger players for a reason. After Aoki dunked the ball for the third time in a row, Dewaichi's coach called for a timeout. Hiruzen couldn't suppress a smug smile—his decision had paid off. No matter how skilled their passers were, Suzuki was there, ready to block anything that came her way. Time and again that quarter, she leaped into the air, her long arms cutting through the space to disrupt Dewaichi's offense.
When the shot was blocked, it's a block.
The whistle blared and the scoreboard set to 81-66, the celebration from the red crowd intensified with excitement. So much so that Tsukishima found himself standing, his gaze searching for Suzuki amidst the chaos of cheering and jumping fans. Mirai had jumped on her, and was now clinging to a piggy-back ride on the taller Center. Suzuki just laughed and hauled her up, while also grouping up with the other players to honor another win in the pocket.
While the girls excused themselves to get change into something more comfortable, the boys anxiously awaited them, while at the same time, feeling the familiar environment. Just about last week they won their own match and now they returned to celebrate another victory. Their teams made it into the preliminaries. Perhaps this time, both of them would make it into the finals, and then nationals.
"Suzuki! That last block wasah-mazing!" Hinata shouted, his voice brimming with excitement as he bounced along the gym's exit with the rest of the team. "A-and Aoki, those five dunks? You've gotta teach me how to do that!"
Aoki grinned, clearly enjoying the attention. "How'd you like that, Hinata?" she teased, poking fun at the volleyball player. "That's a special move only I can pull off!"
Hinata's eyes lit up. "So cool!" he grinned, clearly impressed.
Yamaguchi, nodding in agreement, added, "That means we're moving on to the next round...Nationals."
"Of course! Nationals!" Mirai cheered, her enthusiasm contagious. "But yeah, the new season of the high-school tournament's kicking off for all of us. This is so exciting!"
Yachi, who had been quietly walking alongside them, couldn't help but smile. "It's so awesome to see everyone making it this far." she said, beaming. "You've all earned it."
The group's chatter continued as they made their way down the long corridor leading to the parking lot. One by one, they took turns getting into the bus, Suzuki and Tsukishima boarded last.
Oh, did the author mention the boys were hitching a ride home with them? Well, they did, after much deliberation. The perks of having fewer team members meant more space for everyone. And, as it so happened, the volleyball team had missed the public bus to school, and the next one wasn't due for another hour. So, after some hesitation, they decided it would be best to hitch a ride on the team's bus instead. Time-saving, money-saving, and, let's be real, much more comfortable.
Not to mention, Tsukishima found himself sitting next to Suzuki in the back seat.
Even with the additional passengers, the bus was still rather quiet. Most of the basketball players had already crashed, some lost in their phones, while others drifted off into a quick nap. Even the boys, typically loud and energetic, settled into a peaceful silence.
Tsukishima closed his eyes, though he wasn't quite asleep. When he opened them again, he saw Suzuki resting against the window, her eyes closed, but she wasn't asleep either.
Tsukishima closed his eyes, though he wasn't quite asleep. When he opened them again, he saw Suzuki resting against the window, her eyes closed, but she wasn't asleep either.
He nudged her gently, and she looked up at him with a soft gaze. "You okay?"
"Mmm, just tired. Can't sleep though."
"Figures. You played great at the end." he said. "You pretty much shut them out of any chance to score."
"Yeah, that was pretty much my job." She answered lazily, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "Nailed it, didn't I?"
"Team MVP?"
She laughed lightly. "No. Of course not." Her eyes flicked toward Aoki, who was asleep on few seats from them. "Aoki played almost the whole game and scored the most points. She deserves it."
Tsukishima nodded thoughtfully. "Can a Center like you be an MVP?"
"Of course. Can a middle blocker be an ace?"
"No. I don't think so."
"Oh. Do you want to be an ace?"
Instead of answering directly, Tsukishima just shrugged against her shoulder. "I don't like spiking much."
"Of course you don't." she teased, giggling. "It doesn't really matter anyway." She sighed, her tone turning more thoughtful. "But I have to admit, being seen as the most important player on the team can be a total clutch. It feels like an accomplishment. An acknowledgement from everyone. It's nice knowing you're needed." She continued, her voice quieter, almost to herself, "That, I think, is the true meaning of being an MV—"s
The bus hit a speed bump, interrupting her. Her head knocked gently against the window. It wasn't loud enough to alert the others, but Tsukishima couldn't help but laugh. "That looks painful."
"You think?" She snapped, rubbing the spot on the side of her head, scowling playfully at him.
Suzuki scanned the bus, checking if anyone had noticed the thud. Most of the players were already asleep, some with their heads tilted against the windows. Inari-senpai was still awake, sitting at the front, but aside from that, the bus was peaceful. Her gaze shifted to the boy beside her. Tsukishima had his eyes half-closed, leaning back against the headrest, his usual detached expression intact. Despite his apparent indifference, his sharp instincts kicked in, and he cracked open one eye, catching her looking at him.
Neither of them said a word, but there was an unspoken language in their shared glance. Slowly, she rested her head on his shoulder, and he slouched down slightly, adjusting so she could settle more comfortably. The faint hum of the bus and the rhythmic sound of tires on the road filled the space between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was quiet, almost intimate in its stillness.
And underneath the crumpled jacket she didn't wear, they held hands.