𝚃𝙾𝙱𝙸𝙾'𝚂 𝙱𝚁𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁

Chapter 26*

"Well, nothing we can do about the bet now. The only way out is to win."

"I don't usually say this, but it seems almost impossible," Matsukawa said. "If their coach is sticking with the same lineup, we got a much more powerful Karasuno duo on our hands."

"Then, I guess we just have to play a lot harder."

Both sides stood on their corresponding side. Hattori leaned down, his hands on his thighs. The gym began to fill up with spectators, some not even bothering to sit down. "Chiba, Arima, you ready?"

Chiba showed him a thumbs up, a grin on his face. "Of course. I've been warming that bench for a while, just letting my captain's wise teachings go to waste."

"What about you, Arima?"

"I'm excited. The vibe here on the court is a lot different than the one you get on the sidelines."

"Well, it's about to get a lot more exciting. Oh, by the way, Chiba, you're supposed to be acting as the ace in Fujiwara-kun's place."

"Yeah-- Wait, what?!"

"Coach Goro said so."

"Wow, Chiba, I thought you heard that," Arima said teasingly. "You seemed awfully cheerful about it. And I'm supposed to be replacing Futoshi? I say we should've stuck with our usual lineup."

"Rude much, Arima?" one of their substituting teammates, Kaito, said.

"Oh, shut up," Arima responded. "You and Chiba are the newly added ones. Unlike you, Hattori and I have already played on the court multiple times."

"Can we please stop talking about this?" Chiba interrupted, starting to feel the nerves getting to him. "I'm still trying to process how I'm supposed to be the acting ace."

"Guys."

They all turned to the voice, seeing their captain's glare. F/N sweatdropped. "R-Right... Sorry, Captain..."

Y/N turned back around. "Chiba."

"U-Uh, yes, sir?"

"Don't think about it as if you were Fujiwara. The reason Coach decided to put you in in his place is because you're going to be the ace once we graduate. In this game, you don't play Fujiwara. You play Chiba."

Chiba's eyes were wide at that. Hattori grinned and smacked his back, startling the acting ace. "Oh? Chiba~ Lucky you!" he teased. "Getting advice and praise from the captain?"

"Shut up!"

"Aww~ Don't be embarrassed!"

They then heard the whistle blow. The mood surrounding the team soon became a lot more serious. Every player on Matsubara's court was watching their every movement, ready to move in whatever direction necessary. 

Oikawa spun the ball in his hand, his brown eyes looking up at his opponent. He could tell how close they were all watching. "Oikawa-san, nice serve!"

The brunette tossed the ball in the air. His hands swung with him as he jumped up.

Right in the middle...

"Seems like the middle is pretty open. I feel like that's one of their weak spots."

The palm of his hand made contact with the ball, sending it flying. In those few seconds, Matsubara's players were already moving. Y/N, F/N, and Kaito kept their guards up. Y/N's eyes followed the ball and glanced back at the three.

Targeting the middle...?

Arima quickly dove down, seeing the ball curve down his way.

Curveball to the middle? Really...?