Unpolished Gems

Chapter 32

Multiple chatters filled the large gymnasium where the Inter-High preliminaries are taking place in as spectators from different teams are scattered all over the audience seats from above. Colorful banners with their own unique mottos are also hung by the railings in support of each school.

"Wah! It's so spacious! It's so huge!" Hinata yelled in excitement as he looked all over with sparkles in his eyes. 

'Again?' [Name] thought with dots for eyes as he seems to recall Hinata saying the same thing during their practice match against Aoba Johsai. 'Shouldn't he be used to this by now?'

"Hey, no freaking out," Kageyama spoke with a stern tone as he stretched beside the pumped-up ginger.

"You're the freak." Hinata was quick to retort with an irked tone as he looked at Kageyama with an annoyed expression.

That seemed to annoy Kageyama as well as he was quick to grab Hinata's jersey tightly by the collar. "You're the only freak here!"

[Name] simply watched the scene with the ':x' expression on his face before turning away, pretending to not notice any potential fights happening. He didn't want to get involved with whatever scolding Daichi might give them if they don't stop soon.

"D-don't get so mad at me!" Hinata cried out nervously as he quickly realized his mistake of potentially angering Kageyama. As he tried to get himself away from the setter's grip, something seemed to catch his eye causing Kageyama to turn around.

Right on the railing above where Karasuno stood, Kiyoko and Takeda could be seen typing up their own simple banner in support of the team. Curious eyes watched them as the single word composing their motto caught everyone's attention.

Small smiles formed on the Karasuno team's faces as they all felt themselves relax just a bit at the show of support.

"Okay, let's start practicing!" Keishin called out loudly to his team, successfully catching their attention.

"Yessir!"

Soon enough, everyone got into focus as they all did simple warm-ups in preparation for their upcoming game. Volleyballs were thrown everywhere as most of them did hitting practice while Nishinoya received the balls that went his way.

[Name] let low grumbles spill from his lips as he picked up another ball off the ground. As much as he wanted to slip away from the practice, both Keishin and Daichi had taken it out of themselves to keep an extra eye on him just so he couldn't do that.

"Hey, Onion-head!" He suddenly heard Hinata call out to someone causing him to pause whatever he did along with Kageyama. Turning his head upwards, he caught sight of that same guy from Aoba Johsai that had a strikingly similar hairstyle to Barou.

"Pfft-" Kunimi gave a stifled laugh as both he and Kindaichi paused.

"Huh? Who's that?" Kindaichi looked around and even gave Hinata a small look before he turned to his friend with a genuinely confused look.

"Who else but you?" Kunimi gave an amused look as he turned around to face Kindaichi.

"Huh?!"

If only he had his phone right now, he would have definitely taken a picture and sent it to the egotistical king.

"And..."

[Name] turned his head along with his fellow first years only to regret it when he saw the obnoxious captain of Aoba Johsai himself.

"Yahoo~ Tobio-chan and Chibi-chan! How's your curious teamwork going?" The familiar voice of Oikawa rang within [Name]'s ears as he suddenly felt the urge to kick something...or at least someone.