𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐖

xliii - one liners

For the final set, Karasuno moved their line up around again. This time, Kageyama was in the serving position with Tanaka in position two, Hinata in three, Crow in four, Asahi in five and Tsukishima in six. Nishinoya switched in for the tall blonde once the line up was checked and approved.

Aoba Johsai started as they always had: Hanamaki in the serving position, Matsukawa in position two, Oikawa in three, Iwaizumi in four, Kindaichi in five and Kunimi in six.

On the first play, Asahi got the ball up to Kageyama, who jumped to set. Oikawa's eyes widened as Hinata went up for the freak quick, and a single word dropped from the great king's lips. "Shit."

Hinata wasn't the only one that had gone up. And he wasn't the one to get the ball, either. Crow's lips displayed a grin as he smashed the ball in the seam between Makki and Kunimi. "So you can do it too, huh?" Oikawa huffed as the first point was given to Karasuno. Crow just peaced at him.

"I can show you again if you're unsure."

"Once is more than enough to give me nightmares," He declined, rolling his eyes with a shake of his head. "Seriously, you scare me sometimes."

"That sounds like a you problem."

"What is up with you and the one liners today?!"

"Nice kill Crow," Iwaizumi put a hand on his setter's shoulder. "But we'll get you back for it."

"Go ahead then," The ravenette hummed, moving into position as the whistle for the serve sounded. Throughout the next few rotations with Hinata and Crow in the front, Aoba Johsai's blockers were scattered. It could be either one of them, and they always went up at the exact same time. It was infuriating being so powerless to stop them.

If the blockers committed to one, the other would get the kill. If they tried to split their attention, it wouldn't be enough to stop any of the three hitters. Finally, Hinata was in the backrow to serve, so the blockers could catch a break. They were tied at 10s as the ginger hit his serve over the net. It was just out. "Ack, I'm so sorry!"

"Hinata you dumbass!"

"Nice try."

"You got the next one!"

"Don't worry about it!"

"Yeah, leave it to me!" Nishi high-fived him, heading onto the court as his replacement. Tsukishima soon got the point back by tipping on Iwaizumi, who barely missed it.

"Nice Tsukishima!" Tanaka grinned deviously. "It's the dirty diversion that hits when they least expect it!"

"Phrasing," The beanpole grimaced slightly before glancing at Crow. "Crow-san, I'd like my sets a bit higher."

"Are you sure?" He asked, and suddenly Tsukishima didn't know if what he had just asked for was what he wanted anymore. Not to mention how unsettling the ravenette's gaze was.

"N-nevermind," He eventually conceded, so with a hum, Crow got back to base to ready himself for the next play. Soon, the scores were tied again at 14s as Hinata returned to the court. Glancing at their opponents, Crow raised an eyebrow. It wasn't like Oikawa to be so focused on a player, and especially not with that expression.

Oh wow, his lips quirked upwards ever so slightly, he's afraid of Hinata. "That's not a good look on you, Tooru," He muttered in passing, not looking to see if the setter had caught it. It didn't matter either way.

Karasuno got the break point, but Seijoh was quick to follow up with their own point. Back and forth the next rally went, each team desperate to finish the other off. Finally, Kageyama's spike was blocked, only for it to land out. "Yes!" The team cheered at having gotten another break point.

Not to mention that their strongest player was now able to rotate to the front row. Crow made eye contact with Oikawa, and they both held it. "Bring it," The setter's eyes narrowed at him, so he boredly mimicked the expression as he spoke his next words.

"As you wish."

The next play, Crow and Hinata raced around the court, the ginger going for a broad jump as Crow went for a three. Kageyama set it to Hinata, which got them the point as the ball landed in Seijoh's court, untouched.

"Nice kill Hinata!"

"Nice one," Crow nodded to him, causing the first year's face to light up.

"Thanks!"

The next point was scored by Tanaka after a diversion of Hinata going for another broad jump, leading to Karasuno finally being two points ahead. "KEEP IT GOING GUYS!"

"LET'S GO-GU-GO-GO CROW!"

"COME ON KARASUNO!"

"LET'S GET IT BACK RIGHT HERE!"

"YOU CAN STILL DO THIS, SEIJOH!"

"Let's keep going like this," Crow murmured to Kageyama. "Using the full width of the court."

"Right," He agreed with a nod. Thus, he served the ball once the signal was given, and another rally commenced.

"SEND IT MY WAY!" Hinata yelled as he went for another broad jump. That got two blockers latched to him, meaning only one blocker remained for Asahi's back row pipe attack. Not like that could stop him, though. With that, Karasuno pulled three points ahead of Seijoh.

Thus, as any coach would, Aoba Johsai's coach called for a time out. "Well, for starters," Keishin glanced around at his team. "Crow's the only one that doesn't look like he just ran a marathon."

"Good to know."

"Take this time to rest," The coach sighed at his cousin's response, definitely wanting to chokehold him again. "You're all doing well, so just keep doing what you're doing and we'll be fine."

"Yes sir!" The team responded. Sooner than anyone would have liked, the time out ended and the two teams were back on the court, half ready to duke the rest of the match out and half ready to take a nap. Crow could see that Kageyama was getting antsy about the fact that Hinata was going to be in the back row in the next rotation, but he just shrugged it off.

Kids always want to play with their coolest toys, but the tried and true method would still be as foolproof as always. "Oh shoot," The ravenette grumbled as he forgot to block, which ended up giving Seijoh the point. "Sorry guys, got distracted for a second there."

"Don't sweat it!"

"Happens to us all."

"..." Kageyama looked like he wanted to tell the ravenette off, but had decided to keep his mouth shut. Crow's eyes hardened at the thought. If he had tried that, Keishin would end up having to sub one of us out for injury.

And it wouldn't be me.