𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗢𝗥 ⸺ 𝖴𝖽𝖺𝗂 𝖳𝖾𝗇𝗆𝖺

𝟓𝟗 | "Tʀᴀᴘ"

A/N: Hello, readers! Welcome to another chapter! Enjoy!

unedited

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CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE - TRAP

"AND SARUKAWA GETS A BREAK POINT! They've taken the lead for the first time halfway through the second set."

"It's annoying how they hit the ball where it's hard to receive." Naoi commented.

"Even in situations where they might score if they go all-out, they're holding back on purpose." Nekomata observed. "They've been skillfully weaving that strategy into this game. When you actually stand on the court and are facing your oppenents' attacks, things might not go as you planned on the whiteboard. But the resilience to pull it off, as well as the smarts and calm to look at the game as a whole. You've got some great players there, Aritaka."

"Nice receive!"

Kenma got under the ball as Lev charged forward. Kenma ended up passing towards Fukunaga who spikes past the blockers and made a point.

"Nice kill!"

"That was a bit low." Fukunaga told Kenma.

"Sorry." Kenma apologized.

"Nekoma High's center line, #4 Yamamoto-kun, #1 Kuroo-kun, and #11 Haiba-kun, are all incredibly strong."

"I'm sure that Sarukawa's blockers were on their guard here with Haiba-kun, and that's how Fukunaga-kun on the left got that point."

"Kenma-san, you look super tired!" Lev commented.

"Shut up." Kenma complained, closing his eyes.

"Um... the setter? If you guys knew that he was so weak, couldn't you guys have ganged up on him, too?" Mika asked.

"Ah, well, even if we were going to gang up on him, the setter usually touches the ball second. Ganging up on anyone else is a pretty good strategy." Daisho explained. "You need a lot of guts and persistence to put that much direct pressure on someone for that long."

The game resumed as Sarukawa's setter did a setter dump in which Kenma quickly dived down to receive it. Sarukawa was in the lead with 22 points while Nekoma was at 20. Kenma kept running, tossing the ball towards his teammates until he tripped and fell to the ground.

"Did the setter, Kozume, trip over his own feet?"

The ball soon hit the net and onto the court, getting Sarukawa the point.

"Lucky, lucky, Sarukawa!"

"You do move around quite a bit as the center. That position is a lot harder than it looks."

"You good?" Yamamoto asked, holding his hand out to Kenma, who took it.

"Ugh, how lame..." Kenma responded as Yamamoto helped him up. "We've only played two sets so far. My hands are melting."

"No one ever looks cool when they're desperate." Kuroo chimed in, having a smug grin plastered on his face.

"Seriously. Could you not look so happy about it?" Kenma asked.

"Sarukawa definitely has the upper hand this set, so letting Kozume rest until the next set is an option. And look." Daisho pointed towards Teshiro who was holding the number 5 plate. "Speak of the devil..."

"All right, just one more push."

Sarukawa served the ball once the whistle blew as it went out.