Karasuno's Mangers: Little Ukai and The Runaway

11: She Lost the Bet

Kageyama     Hinata / Yaotome     Ennoshita

Tanaka     Takita     Shoji

Yaotome made a quick dive for the ball that was served right before the back corner.

"He's got great reflexes," Noya grinned, "I think his receives are so well because of his experience as a setter. He knows just where to send the ball. He's giving Seijoh a damn hard time."

"They're not the only ones giving Seijoh a hard time." Mirae's eye shined. She watched as Hinata and Kageyama executed a back attack at minus tempo.

"I've seen professionals play better." Emiko winced when both Takita and Shoji ran for the ball and called out mine.

"Well, at least they can only get better, right?"

They had seen their own players practice for one week now. The girls were more interested in Seijoh's starting line-up.

Yahaba was a reliable setter. He didn't pull off any fancy moves, he only set the ball where it would be the best for his spikers. Their Libero, Watari, was also skilled. It seemed that he just knew where the ball was going to fall and refused to let fake-outs through.

Kindaichi seemed to be giving Hinata and Kageyama the hardest time as he continuously got a hand on their attacks. Kunimi was as lazy as ever, only hitting the ball when absolutely necessary.

Emiko smirked as she started to record his play, zooming in on his pained expression for having to save a ball that went over Kindaichi's block. The focus on her camera zoomed out as Kunimi jumped for a spike and Emiko froze when their second wing spiker came into focus.

He was tall but that was not the intimidating part about him. It was his honey brown eyes, sharp and fierce, almost feral. There were dark bags under his eyes. He ran up, his body seemed to snap like an elastic band as he hit the ball and sent it flying into Karasuno's court.

'Tome ran but he was a step too late. It hit his arm and went flying into the air.

"Quick, we have to find him." Emiko fumbled with her phone.

"You mean their number four?" Mirae peeped onto the page Yachi was holding. "His name's Kyotani."

"Perfect." Her fingers moved across her screen as she pulled up some boy's Instagram page then clicked on his following list. "This is the great thing about Instagram's algorithm, as long as we have one mutual friend I can find anyone."

"Stalker," she coughed.

"Kyotani... Kyotani... Aha!" Emiko grinned and held up her phone. "I found him! Wait," she paused as a look of dejection crossed her face. "Dammit, his account is private. He's so cool."

Ukai turned around and glared at his niece. "Shut-up, Emiko."

"But am I wrong?"

"You're distracting the team."

"But am I wrong?"

Ukai deadpanned. "Go sit on the bleachers. You are in time-out. If you try to argue with me, I'll take away your phone."

Mirae apologized on her behalf. She grabbed Emiko, who was staring at her Uncle with a 'how dare you' look on her face and dragged her away from the court.

The game continued but the points gap did not widen. Emiko was beginning to lose interest and contemplated taking a walk around the campus to find a vending machine. As she sat down though, someone tapped her shoulder.