Unpolished Gems

Chapter 69

Exhausted gasps escaped the Karasuno players' lips as they took a moment to catch their breaths. The burning heat caused their bodies to sweat a lot more than usual, making them feel dehydrated especially since they were playing continuous matches. 

It's their first series of away games. The heat is rising. Exhaustion is creeping up.

The Karasuno coaches, Keishin and Takeda, along with the managers, Kiyoko and Yachi, watched the current match against Nekoma with as much focus as they could offer. Although they were simply standing to the side, even they were getting visibly affected by the heat.

Over to the game, Lev had just spiked a ball over Hinata who had attempted to block it. Thankfully, Asahi was there to bump it up before it could make a direct hit to the ground. 

"Center!" Hinata called aloud for the next hit, his hands raised as he watched [Name] run over to the side and bump the ball up in his direction backward.

"Aye aye." [Name] blinked tiredly as the heat paired with all the movements made him slightly dizzy. He turned to look back only to realize the mistake he'd made. "Sorry, it's too close to the net!" He gave a heads-up as Hinata made contact with the ball and engaged in a joust with two middle blockers from Nekoma.

Given the great power difference, it was no surprise that Hinata was pushed back, causing the ball to fall on their side before Nishinoya or anyone else could save it.

Nekoma celebrated at the point they received while Hinata cursed at the loss.

The rest of the game continued forward with some conflict on Hinata and Kageyama's part but other than that, they lost as expected. Tired groans escaped the mouths of the players but trudged on without other complaints. 

It might not seem like much was changing in the eyes of the Karasuno players but to their opponents, they couldn't help but feel wary. Not because they were judging them for their losing streak but because, as each day passed, the point gap between their teams slowly turned smaller, showing just how much effort and progress they'd been making during the time these away matches were being conducted.

Nekomata couldn't help but give an amused smile as he crossed his arms at the sight of the Karasuno players conducting another set of flying dives. It's alright if they lose almost all of the matches. They came here to learn how to polish their teamwork and plays but to do that, they must first learn what they need to do better through trial and error. 

That's the whole purpose of these away games, after all. To learn.

And it seems like the crows are taking full advantage of that.

Eventually, day quickly turned into night and the players were soon left to their own devices while the managers prepared their dinner. Hinata ran through the hallways with an eager jump to his step before stopping in front of a separate gym, more specifically, the gym where Tsukishima was practicing with the players from Nekoma and Fukurodani.

Everyone was doing their best to become a better version of themselves. Nishinoya was practicing how to do an emergency toss. Asahi was regulating his strength when doing serves. Kageyama was in a separate gym perfecting his new toss. Even Tsukishima and [Name] had changes they wanted to apply and were practicing more because of it.

All that was left was him. He can't be left behind. He can't lose. He needed to change and evolve as well.

A determined look appeared on his face as he confidently stepped inside. All eyes immediately turned to him as he took a deep breath.

There was only one thing left for him to do and that was to be able to fight the blocks mid-air by himself.

"Oh? Tsukki, [Name]-[Name], did you bring a teammate today?" Bokuto asked as he took notice of the small puff of orange peeking from beside the door. Tsukishima perked up at the mention as he saw Hinata standing outside.