The Sun with A False Eternity

The Six-on-Six Game

  "Time's up!" Coach Ukai called out. Kageyama looked up to see the other team getting into place. Tsukishima and Hinata were taking their positions in the front along with Sugawara, and Nishinoya, Kinoshita, and Tanaka made up the back row. Kiyoko and Yaichi sat on the side next to the scoreboard, with "team one" and "team two" written under the scorecards.

"Let's win this," Daichi gave a final statement of encouragement before running to take his place. Kageyama ran up as well, moving swiftly into position on the front right side of the court. He heard his teammates coming up behind him, and he took a look around to see all five of them ready with determined looks on their faces. He nodded, satisfied, before turning his eyes back towards the net.

The flip of a coin determined that Kageyama's team would be serving first. The volleyball was passed to Yamaguchi, who fumbled with it and nearly dropped it before he was in place.

"You've got this Yamaguchi," Kageyama overheard Daichi call as the nervous first year adjusted his footing.

I certainly hope he does.

The loud SMACK of Yamaguchi's hand connecting with the ball rebounded off the walls with an echo, and just like that the ball was in play. Yamaguchi's serve had been excellent, and it nearly hit the ground, earning them a point. Unfortunately, as talented as he was, Nishinoya had received it and sent it back into the air.

"GET IT KINOSHITA," he called from the floor. Kageyama kept his eyes on the ball as it soared towards the blonde-haired second year, who stepped forward and hit it as hard as he could. The angle was a bit off, however, and it didn't go far before falling and colliding with the ground. Tanaka had made a dive to save it, but he missed by just a few centimeters, and the bouncing of the ball could be heard throughout the gym.

"You'll get it next time," Kageyama heard the reassuring words from the third-year setter. Within seconds everyone was back in position, and the ball was returned to Yamaguchi once again. Kageyama kept his eyes facing forwards as the first year served, slightly less skillfully this time. Despite that, the ball still soared over the net and was quickly received by Tanaka who sent it soaring to Sugawara.

"Tsukishima!" Sugawara called out in a demanding voice. Kageyama's gaze shifted to the tall first year who leaned forward in preparation. He was standing right in front of Kageyama, whose mind was turning rapidly.

I've got to block it, he decided, shifting his weight to his back foot so that he was ready to jump.

Kageyama jumped at about the same time his opposing first year did, and the volleyball slammed off his palm and reverberated back to land on team two's side of the court.

Kageyama pounded back onto the floor, not once taking his eyes off the ball. It soared over and Kinoshita quickly received it. Although he hadn't made it super clean, the ball was back in the air. Nishinoya sent it back to Sugawara, and Kageyama saw him make eye contact with Hinata.

Oh no you don't, Kageyama thought, signaling to Asahi that Hinata was going to spike the next ball. His prediction was right once again, however this time they weren't quite able to stop it and the ball slammed into the floor on their side of the court.

Dammit, Kageyama cursed angrily. He turned towards Asahi, about to tell him off when he stopped. No, it's not his fault. It could've happened to anyone. He turned away and pressed his lips together instead, trying to keep his cool. We'll get the next one.

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Twenty minutes later, the teams were still fairly evenly matched. Kageyama's team was two points ahead, and the scoreboard read 16-18. Both teams were sweating, a few of the members who were less accustomed were completely out of breath.