𝟭. 𝙃𝙀𝙍 𝙎𝙄𝘿𝙀 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙎𝙏𝙊𝙍𝙔 || 𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐤𝐲𝐮𝐮 [✔]

Chapter 40: Karasuno VS Kumayaga

𝖘𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖞𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖇𝖆𝖇𝖍𝖊'𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖗𝖞
#101223
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"Aeris, are you okay?" Chizuru said, worried because she also heard the whispers.

"Yeah, it's fine," Aeris said with a forced smile. She ignored them all and focused on warming up.

After a few minutes, it was announced that the game had started.

Announcer "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Sendai City Gymnaisum for today's exciting high school volleyball matchup between the Kumagaya and the Karasuno! Let's meet the teams."

The Kumagaya and Karasuno line up at the edge of the court, facing the crowd and bowed at them.

"First, let's meet the starting lineup for the Kumagaya, Sato 2; Nakamura 3; Yamada 4; Suzuki 5; Tanaka 6; Ito 7" The announcer announced

"And now, the starting lineup for Karasuno Michimiya 1; Sindo 3; Aihara 2; Watabe 1; Aoki 5; Kageyama 10" Another announcer said 

Before the match started the two teams went back to their bench to have a peep talk.

"Okay everyone —" Yui said, Aeris could barely hear what Yui said because Aeris started to realize what's happening

Aeris stood at the center of attention, her eyes filled with tears and desperation. The gymnasium was silent, except for the whispers of the curious crowd that had gathered around her. Surrounding her were the Volleyball committee, the Principal, the Vice Principal, her teachers, her team, and her coach. They all wore expressions of disbelief and disappointment.

"Guys, I swear I didn't do it," Aeris pleaded, her voice shaking. "You have to believe me."

The members of the Volleyball committee looked at each other, exchanging skeptical glances. One of them stepped forward, holding up a photograph for everyone to see.

It showed Aeris engaged in a conversation with a referee, while another smaller image captured her handing over cash to the official.

"Can you explain this, Aeris?" the committee member asked, a hint of accusation in their voice.

Aeris's face turned pale as she examined the incriminating evidence. She desperately searched for the right words to clear her name. "I swear it on everything, it was not me, guys. I swear!" she cried, her voice trembling with sincerity.

Her coach placed a supportive hand on her shoulder, his expression a mix of concern and doubt. "Aeris, this doesn't look good. We need an explanation. What were you doing with the referee? And why did it involve money?"

Aeris wiped away her tears and took a deep breath, her mind racing to come up with a believable explanation. "Coach, I admit that I was talking to the referee, but it was about something completely different. I was merely discussing a rule clarification, and I can assure you, money never exchanged hands."

One of Aeris's teachers stepped forward. "Aeris, we've known you to be an honest and hardworking student. But the evidence against you is strong. We need more than just words to clear your name."

Mao called out her name, "Aeris, Aeris!" she shouted. Aeris snapped back to reality and looked at Mao, a worried expression etched on her face. "Are you okay?" Mao asked, concern evident in her voice.

Aeris nodded, trying to push away her nerves. "Yeah, don't worry," she replied, forcing a smile. She grabbed her water bottle and took a long sip, hoping it would calm her down. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to release the tension building within her.

Her teammates looked at her with concern, whispering words of encouragement. They knew how important this game was to Aeris, but they also knew the pressure she was under. 

The gymnasium was alive with tension as the intense volleyball match between Karasuno and Kumayaga unfolded. Kumayaga, the favored team, had secured the first set, but Karasuno, led by their determined outside hitter, Aeris, wasn't about to give up.

As Kumayaga continued to dominate, Aeris called for a timeout. The team huddled around her, their faces reflecting the exhaustion and frustration of the first set.

"Listen up, everyone," Aeris began, her voice firm but reassuring. "We knew this wasn't going to be easy. Kumayaga is a formidable opponent, but we've faced tougher challenges before. Let's stick to our game plan and focus on our strengths."

She went on to detail their new strategy, emphasizing the importance of precise passes and quick attacks. The team absorbed her words, their determination rekindled.

The second set began, and Kumayaga maintained their lead. The score gap grew wider, and the crowd's support for Kumayaga grew louder. But as Aeris stepped up to serve, a hush fell over the gymnasium.

Aeris had an exceptional serve, known for its speed and accuracy. She was fully aware of her responsibility to change the game's momentum. With a determined look, she sent the ball flying over the net.

A collective gasp swept through the crowd as the ball landed in Kumayaga's court, untouched. An ace serve from Aeris, their first of the match.

Aeris wasn't finished yet. Her next serve was just as precise, hitting a corner of Kumayaga's court that was impossible to defend. Another ace. The score gap began to narrow, and Karasuno's determination intensified.

The second set continued, and thanks to Aeris's incredible serving, Karasuno clawed their way back. They eventually secured the set, much to the disbelief of Kumayaga's supporters. The gymnasium was filled with a mixture of shock  at Karasuno's unexpected comeback.

With the match tied, the final set became a fierce battle. Kumayaga initially took the lead, determined not to lose. Karasuno fought valiantly to catch up, with Aeris leading the charge. Every point was a hard-fought battle.

In the closing moments, Aoki, Karasuno's setter, made a decisive play. She set the ball to Yui, their talented wing spiker. Yui's spike was powerful, and the ball rocketed across the court, landing perilously close to the line.

The gymnasium fell silent as everyone waited with bated breath. The referee carefully examined the ball's landing spot, and then came the verdict. The ball was in.

A wave of shock and disbelief washed over the gymnasium as Karasuno was declared the winner. Their victory, against all odds, left everyone in shook. The underdog had triumphed, and the crowd couldn't help but questioned for the incredible comeback by Karasuno, with Aeris, their indomitable outside hitter, at the forefront of their success.

« ֪ ׅ ֹ =͟͞ ♡
𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗.
𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺, 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 ♡

— sidenote
The italic is a flashback