Akaashi's 18th (and the events that followed...)

46. The Face Off

Split POV - Kagehina

Hinata stepped into the roar of the crowd.

He squinted through the glaring overhead lights of the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium to the thousands of faces surrounding him, focusing on him. His white and gold number twenty-one jersey stood out against the blue and orange court, as the loudspeaker crackled. "Next in the startup line for the MSBY Black Jackals is Hinata Shōyō, number twenty-one!"

"Now I've heard this man is a new face on the team," the news reporter to his left began speaking in rapid Japanese, several other commentators following in their respective languages; English, German, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese... Hinata's head swam with the noise. It was amazing. "However," the reporter continued. "Despite being a recent addition to the Black Jackals, he has worked tirelessly to gain a place on the startup line for the first time today. We will ask Samson Foster, the team's coach, for more information. Samson, what is the reason behind this lineup?"

Hinata paused to hear the reply. "Eto..." Samson began, "Hinata has had a brilliant first season, scoring many points when he was subbed on in earlier matches. He is a player with brilliant stamina, speed and court analytics.

"However, this is not the reason he was chosen. We have dozens of players who possess those qualities. Hinata is on the starting lineup for this match because of the way he gels with his team. His communication skills with other players on and off the court are a force to be reckoned with, and I believe that gains him an advantage which few players possess. That is why he has been chosen."

"Amazing! Truly amazing!" The reporter gushed, and Hinata had to move out of the way as the loudspeaker crackled again, announcing the arrival of Bokuto. Hinata chuckled - he had supporters, yes, but Bokuto's fanbase could rival the Grand King's.

About a year and a half had passed since the day the Grand King had sworn to beat him on the beach in Brazil, and since then, Hinata had managed to secure a place on a first-division league team. Not bad, he told himself, glancing up to the block of seats where he knew Natsu and his mother were watching, only to be met with the most incredible sight. Suga, Daichi, and Tanaka-san, screaming their support from the stalls. Beside them stood a slightly quieter, but no less enthusiastic, Akaashi. As Bokuto strode into the light, Hinata saw Akaashi smiling broadly, clapping his hands together with the most enthusiasm he had ever displayed in his life. Bokuto drank up the applause, sending a wink in Akaashi's direction before standing with Hinata to line up and greet the opposing team.

After Sakusa and Miya-san and Inunaki-kun had been introduced, they stood united at the edge of the court. Hinata turned his head to face his rivals. Most of them were staring at him with a mild surprise. However, two of the players whom Hinata knew from high-school games grinned slightly at him from the other side of the net. None of those faces were particularly expressive, except one.

Kageyama Tobio gawped at Hinata for a few seconds before trying his best to compose his facial expression and calm his mind. He caught Hinata grinning at him from across the court, but he turned his gaze to the floor, pulling himself together. 

He hadn't spoken to his friend since the day he had left for the Schweiden Adlers, leaving him with nothing but a fierce goodbye hug and a promise of a rematch. This would be the rematch, then. It would just be unexpected.

Hearing Hinata's name on the announcement had been a shock enough, let alone that he had alternated his position. No longer a middle blocker, but an outside hitter, achieving the position of his dreams. Tsch! Did that man have any limits when it came to volleyball?
Obviously not, and the first serve he displayed proved that exact point.