𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐖

xxv - top four teams

"Everyone, well done playing against Nekoma today," Takeda told them as he and Keishin stood in front of the boys who sat in a few rows on the ground. "So, getting right down to business, the interhigh prelims begin next month, starting June 2nd," he reminded them.

"Miyagi has no regional preliminaries, so we launch straight into prefectural prelims," The now offical coach spoke up with his hands on his hips. "Only one team out of approximately sixty in the prefecture proceeds to nationals. Lose once and that's all she wrote. If you want revenge for how many sets they took off you during our practice match against Nekoma, you must begin by becoming number one in Miyagi," He challenged. "Number two won't cut it. Although there's the small issue of them pulling their own weight to represent Tokyo.."

"Don't worry!" Tanaka rejected the thought completely. "I know they can do it!"

"Yeah!" Nishinoya agreed just as passionately. "They were tough!" The two exhaled hot air, which made Crow scoot away from them a bit, as subtly as possible. After that, the team was allowed to go home and get some rest. The next day, they ran some more receiving drills.

"Be prepared to retrieve any blocked balls!" Keishin yelled as he stood on top of the box on the other side of the net from his players. "Just staring won't cut it!"

"Sorry sir!"

"You must go after every ball as though it's your last!" He hit at Hinata. "Cause if you don't, the ball you ignored will be the ball you cry over at the match!"

"Nice one Hinata!" Tanaka bellowed as the ginger got a ball up fairly decently at the cost of him falling on his back.

"Get back on your feet! Another!"

"Hai!" The boy scrambled back to his feet. "Thank you sir!"

"Forward!"

"Cover!"

And thus, the day went by, and soon the sky was dark with stars gleaming here and there. "You're right, that is cool!" Nishinoya, Tanaka and Sugawara sat with each other near the stage where Crow was laying down. "That photo is huge!"

"Right?"

"Let me see," Asahi came over, bending down to look at the Monthly Volleyball magazine in the libero's hand, only for the ace to gasp.

"What is it?" Hinata and Kageyama made their way over as well, curious as to what they were looking at. "What's up?"

"Look," Tanaka handed him the magazine, so Hinata grasped it and took a look as directed. "They've made Ushiwaka from Shiratorizawa one of the three most stand-out high school players for this year's nationals."

"That's the school Kageyama failed to get into!" the ginger gasped. Crow raised an eyebrow.

"Urusei!" The setter growled immediately upon revelation as the other two first years snickered. "What's so damn funny?!"

"So, who's Ushiwaka?" Hinata questioned.

"Don't you know?" Tanaka raised his eyebrows a bit.

"It's all Little Giant for you, Hinata," Suga smiled understandingly.

"Ushijima Wakatoshi," Tanaka pointed at the magazine again. "Is hands down the number one ace in the prefecture. Well," All eyes went to Crow for a moment. "Since nobody's seen Crow yet, that is."

"Uhhuh," The person in question hummed. "Move on."

"Right," Daichi came over, peering at the magazine in Hinata's hands for a moment before commenting. "Yeah, now this is what a real ace should look like."

"Oi!" Asahi turned a bit blue as several eyes turned on him. "Why are you looking at me?"

"Kageyama," Suga glanced at the other setter as Noya patted the depressed ace on the back. "You tried to go to his school right?"

"Let me guess," Tanaka grinned cheekily. "You wanted to tell this super high school ace Move faster you klutzy shit! to his face?"

"I would never!" Kageyama quickly denied it.

"If we don't beat them," Hinata's eyes were back on the magazine. "We can't face Nekoma again."

"Come on, guys," Keishin butted in as he strode over to the group. "Shiratorizawa isn't the only good school team out there," He reminded them as they all stood from the ground.

"Do you mean last year's semifinalists, sir?" Suga clarified.

"Obviously, but there are also other good teams this year, like Wakutani South with excellent defense and teamwork," He listed. "Date Tech, the team summed up by the term Iron Wall. Their team has higher blockers than any other. Isn't Date Tech," Keishin glanced around. "The team that we lost 2-0 to in the prefectural public tournament last March?"

At the mention of the tournament, the first years stilled. That was the one that made Asahi take a break from club, and was during the time that Crow was injured for something. However, before they could ponder too much more, Keishin went on, a sheet of paper in front of him.

"Their second year, Aone, is the one to look out for. Date Tech has always been in the top four in the prefecture, but last year they ended up losing in the round of 16 to the tournament winners, Shiratorizawa. That's why they aren't seeded this year," the coach explained. "What this means is, depending on the pairings, it's possible to be matched against them in the first round."

"We'll be fine," Crow glanced at them from his spot on the stage, on his back with his head slightly dangling off.

"Shut it Crow," Keishin snapped, then shook his head as he shuffled through his papers. "Next up is...Ah, I'm told you held a practice match with them not long ago," Immediately, everyone in the room knew which team he was talking about. "Their setter has the most offensive power on the team. He is also an excellent setter. He is possibly the best all-around player in the prefecture besides Crow."

Without a shadow of a doubt, it was... "Oikawa Tooru, the leader of Aoba Johsai."

"The great king!" Hinata shuddered at the thought.

"These are last year's top four teams," Keishin concluded, shuffling his papers again as Tanaka tutted. "Last, but obviously not least, super high school ace, Ushijima Wakatoshi, commanding Shiratorizawa. That's about it," He told them. "I'll explain more details later," the coach's gaze suddenly went to the captain and vice captain, whose expressions were giving off fluffy and flowery vibes. "You two smartasses wanna pay attention or you wanna share your thoughts with the class?"

Immediately they shook their heads in sync, causing the coach to sigh as he folded up his papers. "Anyway, that's my personal prediction for this year's toughest four teams. That being said," Keishin put his hands on his hips. "If you keep staring up at the top, they'll pull the rug out from under you. No team in the tournament is there to lose. They're all there to win. While we're training with everything we've got," He reminded them. "The other teams will be doing the exact same. Previous winners and losers alike are all aiming for victory. Don't forget that," Suddenly, his gaze darkened. "Also, don't allow them to call us the clipped crows ever again!"

"Yes sir!" The team chanted.