Chereads / Haikyuu!!: Raising Crows / Chapter 14 - Starting line

Chapter 14 - Starting line

The bus ride to the tournament was a mix of quiet anticipation and nervous chatter. I stood at the front, briefing everyone as we neared our destination.

"Alright, listen up," I started, scanning their faces. "This is our first official match, and it's a knockout tournament. That means if we lose, we're out. But this isn't just about winning. I want us to leave an impression."

The reactions varied. Hinata's eyes sparkled with excitement, his legs bouncing slightly as if he couldn't sit still, while Riku fidgeted with his jersey, muttering nervously about not being ready. Daiki, ever the stoic, looked serious, nodding at every word, his grip tightening on his bag. Minato stared out the window, his face neutral but his foot tapping against the bus floor, betraying his inner thoughts. Shigeo leaned back, arms crossed, his sharp eyes scanning everyone, his calm demeanor unshaken.

"The match will be played in 2 sets, first to 25, with a two-point lead to win," I continued. "We'll be playing Seiryuu Junior High. They're well-known for their volleyball team, so expect a tough game. But don't let that intimidate you. Relax, focus, and try your best."

The moment we entered the gym, the atmosphere shifted. The scent of air freshener mingled with the faint smell of sweat, and the polished court gleamed under the bright overhead lights. The muffled murmurs of the small audience created a low hum of anticipation. Hinata, always attuned to his surroundings, sniffed the air and wrinkled his nose slightly, muttering under his breath.

"Smells different in here," he muttered, his voice tinged with awe.

Shigeo's sharp eyes immediately caught sight of our opponents on the far side of the gym.

"There they are," he said, nodding toward the team. The first-years froze, their eyes widening as they took in Seiryuu's towering players. Even Hinata, usually bursting with energy, seemed to shrink slightly at the sight of their height and coordination during warm-ups.

I stepped forward, clapping Hinata on the shoulder. "Come on, Hinata," I said with a grin. "Show them what it means to be a Little Giant."

His head snapped toward me, eyes wide. "You know about the Little Giant?"

Before I could answer, Shigeo cut in. "It's not just a volleyball term," he said. "It's used for short athletes in Asia who compete on the world stage, going up against giants. It's about showing heart, not height."

Hinata's expression shifted. The nerves didn't disappear, but a flicker of determination returned to his eyes. Then, without warning, he clutched his stomach.

"Be right back!" he shouted, bolting toward the restroom. Riku, ever loyal, followed him, shouting something about not dying in there.

Shigeo turned to me, raising an eyebrow. "Is he going to be okay?"

I smirked. "Don't underestimate him."

When Hinata and Riku returned, Hinata's face had regained some color, though he still looked sheepish. I gave him a reassuring pat on the back as the referee blew the whistle, signaling the start of the match.

Seiryuu Junior High served first. Their captain, tall and imposing, stood at the line with a stance that exuded confidence. The ball left his hand with a sharp precision and power that sliced through the air toward Daiki. I tensed instinctively, recalling his struggles with receiving when he first joined. But Daiki didn't waver. He stepped forward with a calmness I hadn't expected, his form clean as he absorbed the serve's force. The ball arced upward, nearly perfect, still hanging mid-air over Shigeo's head, perfectly positioned for his next move.

Shigeo caught the ball with his eyes, and then, without missing a beat, pointed at Hinata. "Go, Ginger!" he called, his voice cutting through the gym. The set was lightning-fast, and Hinata, already mid-air, connected perfectly, slamming the ball down into Seiryuu's court.

The echo of the spike reverberated through the gym, followed by the referee's call. "Point to Yukigaoka Junior High! 1-0!" Seiryuu's libero, who had been watching the play closely, shifted his stance slightly, adjusting his position with a calculating precision that didn't escape my notice. He wasn't going to let us get away with that so easily again.

Our team erupted in cheers. Hinata's face lit up with a mix of relief and pride, and I couldn't help but give him a thumbs-up. Across the court, Shigeo returned the gesture with a rare, bright smile. I realized then that Shigeo had done the same thing he did during our first match against the girls' team—a bold move to set the tone and declare war on the opposing team.

Good job, genius, I thought, glancing at Shigeo, who flashed me a quick grin before returning his focus. My eyes flicked to Seiryuu's players. Their libero—small compared to his towering teammates but agile and sharp—stood ready, his movements calculated and precise. Their coach was already giving instructions, his tone calm but firm. They're taking us seriously now.

The match had officially begun, and I could feel it—this was going to be a battle.