After winning the first match Nekoma had some time off until their second match, "Five matches left," Hinata said to Kozume as he looked over Kozume shoulder to see the game he was playing, "That's a new one, any good?"
"Yeah, it's pretty good," Kozume replied.
"Five matches until we get to play Karasuno at nationals,"
"Well, they have to make it, and then we have to get matched up with each other."
Kuroo and Yaku had gone off together to discuss something, "I know that it was Hinata's first match and this is his first tournament, but he was way too nervous on the court," Kuroo said, "What're we going to do?"
"If we need him on, then we need him on though," Yaku argued back, "And the only way he's going to get over those nerves is through experience,"
"But maybe that experience should come from a more secure environment, one where we aren't risking further progression. For both his sake and the team's,"
"I guess, well, we have the Fukurodani training camp in the summer break. That'll be a good time to give him experience,"
"Yeah, but we also need to give Haiba the same experience,"
"Both would gain a lot from even five or so matches there,"
"I think subbing Hinata on in short bursts will be the best move,"
"You know Hinata calls you our scheming captain when you're not around,"
"Good, I'm glad he recognises my talents,"
Soon, it was time for the second match, Hinata didn't get put on the court. Instead, he took coach Nishimura's advice and tried to learn what he could from watching the match. Unfortunately, he didn't get put on at all in the match, but Nekoma did win proceeding onto the second day of matches.
The second day arrived, and the team prepared to play their third game, "I know that we can win, but this will be a tough match," coach Nekomata said.
"But you guys'll win!" someone said as they ran over.
"Is he on our team?" Yamamoto asked, pointing to the tracksuit worn by the person.
"He's tall," Shibayama pointed out.
"Guys, where'd Hinata go?" Kuroo asked.
"Bathroom," Kozume replied, pointing to Hinata trying to sneak into the bathroom.
Hinata awkwardly approached the door, hoping that no one intimidating would be there. To his surprise, nobody was there. He got his business done and left to join his team.
"So why will we win?" Yamamoto asked the person.
"Dunno, cause you will," the person shrugs.
"Good news!" Hinata announced, "No one was in the bathroom!"
"So you didn't get scared by Bokuto again?" Kuroo joked.
"Exactly!" Hinata said proudly, "Hisagawa? What're you doing here?"
"I know why you're gonna win! You guys have the Little Jumper!" Hisagawa declared.
"I can now see how you two met," coach Nekomata said.
"Still, it's a total bummer that my school tracksuits still fit my after all this time," Hisagawa complained, "That means that I haven't grown since high school!"
"You don't need to grow anymore!" Hinata pouted, "Give me some of that height!" Kuroo let out a sigh of relief. Thank you, kind stranger, for calming Hinata down. Overexcited is better than nervous.
"Now go win you cats!" Hisagawa shouted, "I'll be in the stands, make sure that this isn't a waste of my day off,"
"He's skipping!" Haiba tried not to laugh.
Soon, the teams finished warming up, and the match began. To Hinata's surprise, he was starting as their front middle blocker. The other team started with serving. Kozume tossed for Kai, but the spike was received. The opposition began to form their attack, the spiker running for the toss. The three began to run into the block, Hinata was about to jump until he saw the ball get tossed, quickly he transferred his weight and ran to the correct blocker, jumping up in front of them at the last moment, "Hinata! What are you doing?" Kuroo shouted at him when he saw Hinata run in a different direction, crap, I don't think I'll make it in time," Hinata thought as he extended his arms.
The spiker smirked as he saw all the blockers run to the decoy. The ball was tossed to him, and he hit it with his full power only for it to be slammed back in his direction by the orange blur in front of them, that short pest no.10! Arrgh! I'll crush him!
"I blocked it!" Hinata exclaimed as he saw that he had successfully blocked the spiker, I blocked him! I READ blocked him! I was doing read blocking! I need to tell coach Nishimura the next time I see him!
Yamamoto went into serve, and a rally began, it quickly ended with the freak quick.
When he said that he could jump, he wasn't lying, Hisagawa thought as he watched the match, and that quick, even the word quick doesn't define it, and his reaction. He loves seeing everyone's shocked faces just as much as I do. Yep, definitely a mini me, apart from his height.
As the match progressed further, Kozume used Hinata as a decoy more and more, allowing the other spikers to score more points. Nekoma won the first set 25:16.
When the score of the second set reached 12:9 (to Nekoma), Hinata was swapped with Inuoka due to the latter's experience. Nekoma won their third match in straight sets, boosting the team's confidence, "We're going to nationals!" Hinata shouted, "I know that we can do it!"