Orange
I had been hitting the ball over and over again as Hinata tried his hardest to receive them. Despite his horrid form, even I had to admit that his reflexes were extraordinary.
“You’re about to drop! You can’t take anymore!” I said as I hit the ball again, he then fumbled to catch it.
“Not yet, the ball hasn’t dropped yet!” He shouted back.
I hit the ball again then realized that it didn’t hit my hand right. Shit.
“Oi, that’s just playing dirty!” I heard Tanaka-san yell. When did he get here?
I looked on as Hinata chased the ball, I honestly didn’t know if he’d make it or not. But since he always seemed to surprise me, he got a hand under the ball then rolled on the ground only to get back up. Huh?
I got under the ball then lifted it in a high arc. Hinata looked on and his smile was back. He started his run up and jumped, he was flying again. He hit the ball and landed near the net, with that smile on his face.
Maybe he can help once in a while. I thought.
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It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve joined the Karasuno Volleyball team with three other first years. We won against Tsukishima, Yamaguchi and Sawamura-san on the three-on-three then had a practice match against Seijoh. Although I would have gone through the weeks without seeing or even being antagonized by Oikawa-san, but I guess the universe was just as against me.
We were on our way to the gym to have a practice match against a so-called rival. Hinata was beside me almost vibrating with excitement while texting someone.
“Oi, if you trip, I won’t hesitate to step on you.” I told him.
“Why do you always have to do that?” He asked me. I tilted my head at him. What?
I kept thinking back to when Tsukishima kept calling me King, the way Tanaka-san defended me, the way Sugawara-san advised me, when Hinata told me he’d keep up with my tosses; maybe this team isn’t so bad after all.
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We lost all three games in six straight sets that it was near laughable. I was folding the net when I saw the setter that Hinata was talking about. Kozume Kenma. I thought. He was not the best player, not by long shot however his game sense, his observation skills, his perception was unparalleled. I began mumbling question under my breath then I saw him flinch. He glanced at me looking terrified before dashing away. I blanched at him then continued putting away the net. Some other time then.
I began to wonder how I can improve this team, how they needed me to act, scratch that, I need to know how they needed their setter to act. We went to the changing room and the third years went into the showers first. I sat down next to my bag and began to search for my phone. Finding it, I set it down on the bench, I took out my toiletries then began to fumble with my phone.
I had a message from my sister saying that she’ll be coming home this weekend and her asking if I needed anything from Tokyo or anything in general. I typed out a quick response from my mental list of household items and a new pair of knee pads. She affirmed and told me she’d bring them to me later tonight since she gets off uni early.
I wonder what would have happened if I’d agreed to come with her to Tokyo. Would I have tried for other schools? Would I even be able to play if I had been in Tokyo?
I stand up the took off my jersey then inspected it for any damage as I had always done. As I was looking at it, only then did I bother to notice, despite the black pants, the black jacket, the black blazer and the black slacks, Karasuno had another color. Orange.
