Winner [Haikyu!! x OC] (Completed)

Evolved

Watari and I wear twin expressions of shock.

Our first point against Karasuno and they are already proving that we still don't know what sort of team they are.

Watari's wide gray eyes slowly melt into a look of respect. Which says a lot about his sportsmanship, because Karasuno's libero just performed a solid copy of Watari's libero set play. There isn't anyone else in the prefecture that he could have learned that from.

I lower my chin into my hands. Apparently, Karasuno has been working hard. But so have we.

However, I have to revise my statement a few points later. Karasuno hasn't just been working hard. They've changed completely since the preliminary tournament. We're playing a different Karasuno. While still full of surprises, their movements and team dynamic are no longer so scrappy. Every play is more practiced. Every combination more intentional. This is not the Karasuno from a few months ago. They have evolved into something new.

My observation is confirmed when Sawamura receives Oikawa's serve again. Karasuno has never managed to dig Oikawa's serve so consistently before.

Karasuno's Number 10 approaches the net for a slide hit and all our players pull back to play the receive rather than the block.

I lean forward in concentration. I know we've used the strategy effectively against the Shrimpy's quick attack in previous matches, but I wonder—

My thought is cut off when Shrimpy spikes the ball straight down the line before Watari can react to it.

I bite my lip. Yes. Even the annoying Chibi-chan has evolved. The immensity of their transformation is throwing us for a loop. Glancing at Oikawa, I beg his genius to work quickly. If we want to win this set, we need to adapt. Now.

Kageyama is up to serve. He powers the ball over the net.

Watari is there for the receive, but his hit isn't clean.

"Makki!" Oikawa yells.

Hanamaki runs to cover the ball and sets it to Kunimi, who scores.

"Yes!" I scream. "Nice cover, Makki-san! Nice kill, Kuni-chan!" A proud smile comes over my face. I'm certain that we are the only team in the prefecture who can switch roles on the court so seamlessly.

Matsukawa rotates in at 17-18 and immediately gathers everyone around him, making small gestures with his hands as he explains something.

I smile again. One of my favorite things about being Seijoh's team manager is seeing our players think for themselves and execute their plans, bringing strategies into reality. It's something our team is particularly good at. Coach Irihata almost never steps in during official matches.

Karasuno receives the serve, and Number 10 immediately jolts forward into his approach. Here comes their weird quick attack.

This time, however, rather than pulling back, Matsukawa marks Shrimpy, following his track to meet him at the net.

I know how difficult what he's doing actually is. Shrimpy's movements are so wild, they're nearly impossible to read, let alone keep up with. But Matsukawa is there. He's jumping right in front of Number 10, dramatically narrowing the possible courses of his spike.

Shrimpy hits a straight shot past Matsukawa and Kindaichi picks it up, allowing for Oikawa and Kunimi to score with another quick attack.

"Nice work, Mattsun!" I pump my fist in the air. We're playing better than I've ever seen us play. The way the boys move on the court, with every position maximized, is beautiful. I look at the score and bite my lip. Yet we still can't seem to get a lead.