The Newbie ~ Tsukishima Kei

Chapter 11 ~ Second Set

Signature Sentence: "ITA!"

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We were pulled into a circle by Daichi. We held our fists for the team cheer. Tsukishima had to be held by Tanaka and Daichi so that he'd stay in the circle, though.

"Yeah!"

Hinata was excited, happy, all those words. "It's like team spirit!" He exclaimed. Has he never done this before?

"Huh?" Tanaka asked Hinata. "It's not like. It's for real."

That seemed to light sparkles in Hinata's eyes, he was happy and I doubted he would make another mistake-streak like last set.

"Right, right!" Hinata screamed with his arms out.

After our moment, we got back into position. Kageyama spoke up before the referee blew the whistle. "Hinata is back in action. Time for a counterattack."

The rest of the rounds, Hinata was like an ace. He spiked and spiked those quicks easily.

Aoba Johsai continued to be calm and collected, scoring a few points. 10-9

Round 19, Tanaka served. One of Aoba Johsai's players received. Apparently, with Tanaka's spiking force, he got the other player to receive into a chance ball.

"Chance ball!" Tanka shouted. I received it. "All Right!" Hinata exclaimed, running towards the net.

The blockers were ready to block, but I knew Kageyama was too smart for that.

"If I know it's coming, there's nothing to fear." One of the blockers, which was the one I intimidated and charmed, said as he jumped up. "Oh, yeah?!" Hinata exclaimed as he was about to spike.

I say, Hinata's pretty convincing. He managed to act as a real spiker while being a decoy!

And, Tanaka spiked just as Hinata's feet hit the floor.

"I was waiting for this!" Tanaka shouted.

Their setter tried to block, he failed; their number 7 tried to receive, he failed.

I snickered a little at turnip-head's dumbfounded face. This made him turn to me, a glare on his face. I rubbed the back of my neck with a half close-eyed smile.

Another little charm.

I turned to Hinata as he began to talk.

"I thought it was coming to me." Hinata complained. Oh...

He wasn't acting, huh? I thought even Hinata would be smart enough for that.

"How do you like me now, turnip-kun?" Tanaka asked him. "I told you we'd get you in the match." Tanaka pointed a finger at him while holding onto Kageyama's shoulder.

After Tanaka's outburst, we got back to our positions.

Hinata walked back to the back row with an embarrassed blush on his cheeks.

"I thought I was going to spike it and said, "Oh, yeah?" I'm so embarrassed." He said as he cupped his cheeks.

Kageyama walked over to the embarrassed boy. "That's how it's supposed to be." He told him. "You jump for real, so the opponents reacted for real." Kageyama explained.

"That's how it is?" Hinata asked, confused.

"That's how it is." Kageyama replied. It was great to watch them get along after the, you know reader chan, fighting in the gym.