Outstanding (Semi Eita x reader)

Chapter 24: Bittersweet

attention: time skip!
last match of the tournament.

You held your breath, both of your hands covering your mouth. The tension was very high, you could feel it from the sideline.

Right now, the score was 20-19 in Karasuno's favour. They were at a match point now.
Shiratorizawa has come this far, they are not really going to lose now are they?

"Their number 10 is coming!", you hear Kawanishi yell.
But ...
He doesn't run up? Is he ... slowing down his tempo?

Your eyes widen as realization hits you, but it's already too late. All of the players start running, beginning their synchronized attack. The ball reaches Kageyama, who sets the ball for ... for who? Who's going to spike the ball?

You were so confused, you couldn't predict who was going to slam the ball down.
Tsukishima, Asahi, Hinata and Tanaka jump in the air, all ready to spike the ball.

You see your team jumping in the air too, trying to block all of Karasuno's players, but ...
The ball reaches Hinata and he slams it on Shiratorizawa's side of the court, right in the gap that had been created.

Yamagata tried to receive it, but he was too late. The ball bounces further over the backline as the entire team stares at the rolling object.

The referee's whistle sounds, indicating that the match is over.

That was it. This was our journey.

Loud screams of excitement can be heared as the members of Karasuno jump on each other.
The crowd goes wild too, obviously surprised by the outcome of the match.

Tears started to well up in your eyes by the sight of your friends, all standing in silence, not really believing that this was the end.

"Goodbye my paradise", you hear Tendou mumbling as he glances up to the ceiling. Semi is standing next to him while tears well up in his eyes too.

"Hey!", you yell, causing your team members to look at you with disappointed looks on their faces. It broke your heart to see them all like this, especially since this was the last match ever for some people.

You walk onto the court, gesturing for everyone to gather around in a circle. The boys do as you ask and gather around you, some crying and some not. Naomi joins them too.

You take a deep breathe before you begin talking.

"Listen. I know you guys are feeling terrible right now, but i want you all to know that i am so fucking proud of you guys. I thought i wasn't going to be able to get attached to a sport, but you guys proved me wrong. All of the matches you have played in this tournament were so exciting to watch, really. You guys are awesome and i couldn't be more proud. I think we didn't really expect an outcome like this, but it is what it is, right? I don't know you guys for that long, but i can see that you're all strong in your own ways. Don't let this be the cause of losing your passion for volleyball, got it?"

You see a few people laughing lightly and nodding their heads while wiping away some of their tears.

"Well said, (y/n)", i hear the coach saying from behind me. "She's totally right. You guys played very good and i am also proud of every single one of you".

A smile appears on my face and i clap my hands to get everyone's attention again.

"Let's head to a restaurant and eat something, okay? I'm sure you guys must be hungry", i say as i try to smile as much as i can.

"Follow me", Naomi says as she pats some of the boys on their backs to comfort them, slowly pushing them towards the exit of the gym.

"Well said (y/n), you sounded like a captain for a minute", Ushijima says as he pats your shoulder. You give him a smile back before he walks away.