Karasuno's Mangers: Little Ukai and The Runaway

29: Manager Penalties

Nekoma High's volleyball team was known as The Cats because of their solid receives which depended on flexible players. As the volleyball was served to the far corner of their side of the court, the libero, Shibayama lunged and raised it.

"Sorry it's short, cover!"

Kenma got himself underneath the ball and bumped it towards their left. Inuoka jumped and was faced with a two-person block. He slammed it against their fingers. Just as the volleyball flew out of bounds, Noya threw himself to the side and sent it back over.

"Kageyama cover!"

"Left side!"

Kageyama jumped and set the ball to Shoji. He spiked it over only to be picked up by Shibayama. The libero winced as he rolled onto his back.

"Kenma!"

"Lev!"

He had begun his jump and was prepared for the attack. Kenma sent the ball above the net, and Lev slammed it down between Takita and Tanaka's block.

Mirae watched the players on the court with wide eyes. She had seen Karasuno play in matches before, but there was something else in the atmosphere that seemed to energize each spike and receive in a different way.

"They're destined rivals," Emiko explained. "Coach Nekomata and my great grandpa Ukai used to play games against each other all the time."

Yamamoto yelled as he shot a cross court spike.

"I saw a game once, I think."

"You did," Coach Ukai confirmed. "You were young, maybe five, Grandpa was watching over you and brought you with him to one of the last Trashcan Showdowns we held for a while."

Kenma attempted a setter dump but Tsukishima was quick and bumped it up to Kageyama who sent it to Takita on his right. Nekoma had a receiver waiting for a spike and bumped the ball back to their setter. From there, Inuoka spiked a straight shot.

Noya dove in again.

"Sorry, cover!"

"Tanaka!"

Tanaka jumped up, shifting his posture midjump and spiking the ball. It hit the tape on the net, falling in bounds. Nekoma's libero was one step short of receiving it.

The referee blew the whistle as the set finished in favour of Karasuno. 25:23

Mirae and Yachi began to hand out water bottles. Emiko tossed the towels at the boys' heads. She was grinning as she slapped their backs.

"Great job guys! Tanaka your jumping form was solid. Noya, your receives made you look like a superhero. Tobio, try harder. And captain," Emiko paused in front of Ennoshita, "you should try provoking the other team a bit. It'll be fun making them mad."

Ennoshita tried not to smile. "I'll think about it for next time."

Shoji was craning his neck, touching his shoulder blades. Mirae walked up behind him and began to massage his neck and back. "You played really well," she praised. "You too Takita."

"I barely touched the ball."

Her eyes softened when he pouted. He was a lazy middle blocker compared to Hinata and often fell for decoys unlike Tsukishima. But he was trying his best, that much she could tell.

"It'll just take some practice but I know you both will get there. Nekoma's lineup consists of second and third years. And you can tell that they've been training as a team."

"I don't like their Libero," both grunted.

"Is it because he kept receiving your spikes?"

Reluctantly, Shoji nodded. Takita frowned.