𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐡 𝐎𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 11

After Y/n joined the rest of her team on the court again, entirely ignoring the presence of the enormous amount of pain in her left knee, she regained her monstrous energy and determination one more time, focusing on the ongoing match.

At the time she rejoined the match, the points were 28-27 in the opposing team's favour.

If they gain another point now, it's all over for us. I cannot let that happen. We have to make it to the nationals.

As the ball went flying in the air forcefully after the opposing team served, Y/n and everyone else on the team prepared themselves for the receive.

This time, her team's second wind spiker received the ball, sending it over to the setter, who had already been prepared to give a toss to the spiker.

Everything happened so fast, that Y/n couldn't even comprehend it, but after finally realising that her team has scored a point without her taking a part in it, she felt relieved.

She couldn't believe that she was even doubting her teammates even for a slightest bit, as she delightfully twisted her lips into a moderate smile, suddenly feeling pain in her knee again.

After she was reminded of her injury by the unbearable pain, she bit her lower lip strongly to distract herself from it once again. It was her team's turn to serve, her turn to serve slowly approaching.

Scoring one more point, Nekoma team was now leading again, with the current score being 29-28.

The opposing team's coach called for a sudden time-out, and just like the opponents, entire Nekoma team also approached their coach, once again refreshing themselves with a few sips of cold water.

„Y/n, how's the leg?” 

Coach interrogated, stern look plastered on her visage, as she stared at the (h/c) haired girl questionably.

„Oh...”

Y/n quickly brought back a forced smile, slightly squizing the water bottle in her right hand.

„It's fine, really!”

Coach simply furrowed her eyebrows suspiciously, slowly glancing away from the girl, as the time-out came to its conclusion.

As soon as everyone was positioned on the court again, sound of a whistle reached their ears, while Y/n patiently waited for the ball.

This time, libero of the opposing team received the ball, sending it to the setter, who then just barely managed to toss it to the spiker.

Nekoma team received the ball, as they kept going with the game intensely, until the opponent's team finally scored another point.

The score was 29-29.

Atmosphere in the entire hall rapidly changed, as the cheers from the auditorium suddenly weren't discernable. The opposing team served again, now giving the Nekoma team a chance to score another point, which they actually just barely did.

Sakura served, but the point ended up going to the opposing team.

With the opponents serving, Nekoma team struggled to keep up, but they actually managed to get another point.

The score was 31-30, with the Nekoma team leading. 

As the time for the next serve came, Y/n wrapped both palms around the ball, squizing it tightly as she stared down at it for a few seconds, waiting for the sound of a whistle.

Please. Go away annoying pain. I need to use this chance the best way I possibly can.

Kenma and Kuroo both observed Y/n from the auditorium, waiting for her next move, as they both knew the real reason of her crappy previous serve.

They were both nervous about her next move, since they knew she was at her limit a long time ago, at least with an injury of that kind.

„You can do it Y/n-chan! Show them who's the boss here!”

Kuroo suddenly called out to her, with a smirk still planted on his face. She seemed to have heard his words, or at least his voice, as she abruptly looked over to their side, merging her gaze with dark haired boy's.

After glaring at Kuroo for a moment, her gaze shortly met Kenma's yellowish one, as she moved her eyes to her front again, concentrating on the match.

As the ricocheting sound of a whistle reached her ears, she took the deepest breath yet, sending the ball into the air, somehow gathering all the strength left in her to make a few steps forward before hitting the ball.

This is it. If I don't use my 100% now, I know I never will. This is my last chance!

She thought as her hand went into the air as well, reaching for the spinning ball. After her palm finally met with the ball, it was rapidly forced to fly through the air, all the way to the other side of the court, the exact part she aimed for as she was preparing herself for the serve.

Now! I will prove you wrong, mom! It wasn't all for nothing! I didn't waste my time on volleyball for nothing! It's more than a mere school club and you will be proven wrong for the first time in your life, I promised you that a few years ago, didn't I?

Suddenly all that velocity of the time began vanishing, as everything was slowing down. That moment, that serve, everything appeared to her in an incredibly slow motion.

She was terrified, she was training her whole life just to go to the nationals even though she was never good at anything in life. Clumsiness was something she was known for and this moment, this very moment scared the hell out of her.

Even if she tried making it to the nationals next year, it wouldn't be the same because the team wouldn't be this exact one that she's in now.

Everyone here practiced a lot, dedicated themselves to this sport, to this club more than they did for their exams or personal lives. In this moment, it was all or nothing to them.

The sound of a ball hitting the parquet filled the entire hall, that was previously filled with silence, despite being full of people.

Everyone was impatient, waiting for the next point to come, not knowing it would be the last one.

I can't believe it. Did I really just do that?

Y/n realized that she was holding her deep breath in as she served and waited for the ball to land on the floor. And as it finally did, she once again exhaled loudly, but she was still somehow left out of breath.

As she stood there confused by what just happened, attempting to collect enough oxygen in her lungs, the entire hall was filled with thunderous cheers, screams and squikes.

All the girls from the Nekoma team ran over to her, jumping continuously, hugging her tightly, and then hugging between themselves.

Finally letting go of the adrenaline that was flowing inside of her body, Y/n was overpowered by the pain in her knee, allowing herself to land on her butt instantly, as tears suddenly streamed down her face, without her even knowing it.