The Aftermath - After National Championship

The Send-Offs

"Kageyaamaa" Hinata Senpai shouted loud entering the Volleyball court. I was somewhat blushing just because I was going to meet one of the prodigies of this era's Volleyball players. Kageyama Senpai might be the best setter, I have genuinely ever seen.

Kageyama Senpai looked at Hinata and being as expressionless he was he asked, "Why are you late, idiot?" and Hinata Senpai as cheerful as he said that he was being held by me.

"Kageyama, this is um..." Hinata Senpai started but I never told him my name so I added, "Itsuki, and I am a big fan of your and Hinata Senpai, you were great on television and you played so well against the amazing teams there." I am not sure but I think I saw Kageyama Senpai blush for a moment which was completely surreal for me.

"Nice to meet you and thanks for all the things you said but if you just wanted to tell me that stuff then I think you should leave. I want to practice for bringing the National cup next year, right dumbass (boke)" Kageyama said glaring towards Hinata and throwing volleyball towards him. Hinata Senpai caught the ball and said with utmost confidence, "Next year, we will win the competition for sure."

I at that point was just admiring the determination and unwavering will of those two. But I was not there to just admire those two, I was there to play with those two.

"Senpai, it is indeed true that I love your matches but I too play volleyball. I just came here to see yours and Hinata Senpai's practice and joining Karasuno High." I told Kageyama Senpai with utmost confidence and I think I just saw Kageyama Senpai somewhat smiling.

"At what position do you play??" Kageyama Senpai asked me and I immediately stole the words from Kageyama Senpai, "I play at Libero position and aim to bring the national cup to Karasuno."

Hinata Senpai gave a big smile listening to this and he spoke, "We have a good first year here." and Kageyama Senpai gave a small nod.

"So Hinata, let's start practicing." Kageyama Senpai spoke and then he moved to court with Hinata Senpai and I too was along with them. I was told there to pass the ball to Kageyama Senpai so that he could set to Hinata Senpai.

I did just as I was told and passed the ball to Kageyama Senpai and he made a set and I then saw one of those things which even if I want to forget, I can't. I saw Hinata Senpai jump high and spike the ball which while happened in a matter of seconds, I thought it was there for 2-3 minutes. I saw Hinata Senpai floating, his back showing no sign of weakness, full of confidence, and full of hope for the future.

Hinata Senpai landed on the ground and I saw the smile and anticipation on his face about giving him one more pass. I too wanted to see more. But then Kageyama Senpai asked me a very unimagined thing, "Will you try to block Hinata's spikes?"

And at first, I did not know what to answer, it was not the fact that I was scared or I thought to myself that I could never stop those amazing spikes but I was just not in the mental zone. But I could not reject the offer that Kageyama Senpai made so I agreed.

I was now standing on the opposite side of my Senpai's spikes and I needed to block them, could it be a test for me, about getting into Karasuno Volleyball Team? Then Kageyama Senpai made a set and I saw Hinata Senpai jumping but in the next second, I saw that the ball was in front of my face and it HIT HARD and smacked my face.

Before the pain even kicked, I thought to myself, are these the balls that their opponents need to face? These spikes are just crazy af and this feels like they are cheating of some sort.

But they were not and now the pain kicked in and I heard the shouting of Hinata Senpai, "Are you okay there, Itsuki?" and I told him, "Yes, Senpai I am completely fine."