11

                                    

                                          
Tsukishima Kei's POV
                          
It was our second match of the day and thanks to our bad luck, we got to go against Date Tech. From what I heard, this was also the team that Karasuno had lost against last year.
                          
Things were going smoothly though— well, as smooth as it can be. The other team was obviously thrown off by the freak quicks by the freak duo. It was the classic 'it was probably luck' to 'it wasn't luck?!'. Although King annoyed me as well as Hinata, I still found it entertaining— the way people would react to their freak quick.
                          
Being out the court really gave you a good view of how each player from the other team would react without having to wonder about our own play. This also meant having more time to observe the surroundings like the upper booths where those who watch the games sit.
                          
Sometime during the first match, I was able to catch a glimpse of the girls' volleyball team watching us. I was about to look away immediately when I realized something.
                          
[Surname] wasn't there.
                          
Then I realized what the girls' team watching our match meant— they didn't get past the first match.
                          
I didn't want to admit it but I felt worried for her since I knew just how much this match meant for her ego in being a volleyball player. 
                          
I couldn't help but wonder where she is. Was she crying all alone because of how disappointed she was with the outcome? Geez. If she was, I'm gonna tease her the heck out of it. 
                          
She knew better than herself that she did her best so she better not blame herself. 
                          
Not that she'd hear any of what I was saying. 
                          
'Even if she's crying her heart out, I can't do anything right now.' 
                          
I decided to let things happen for now and think about other things later. 
                          
●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○
                          
It was the second set already and still, she wasn't there.
                          
Was she in the infirmary? Was she injured? Or was she still sulking? Did she just go home early? Where the hell was she?
                          
"Tsukki, [Surname]-chan-"
                          
"I know," I said. I looked at Yamaguchi who seemed to be wondering where she was as well. 
                          
"Her team is here. Where do you think she is?"
                          
"I don't care," I said.
                          
I shouldn't care. First of all, there was an ongoing game. Second, she was fully capable of taking care of herself— although she chooses not to most of the time. Third, it was my time to play inside the court so I had to stop thinking about other things for now.
                          
I switched out with Hinata and entered the court. The score already went past the twenty mark with us in the lead. With Date Tech's iron wall in front and Hinata out of the court, we were obviously at a disadvantage. I, of course, expected that it'd lead to a deuce with the current rotation and we'd lose this set. But I was tired and I wanted to stop it here right now.
                          
Since Hinata had a net violation, it was Date Tech's turn to serve. Once it went past the net, the ball was received by Noya-san.
                          
"Tsukishima!" King shouted as he set the ball to me.
                          
I jumped and hit the ball. The block was too late so it went past the net but it was received, keeping the ball in play. It was then set to the #7 who was called Aone. 
                          
The hit was strong, but it was received by Tanaka-san.
                          
"Cover! Cover!" he said.
                          
"Azumane-san!" King said as he tossed the ball towards the ace.
                          
"Yeah," Azumane-san said as he prepped to run and spike the ball.
                          
The ball, however, was blocked by the iron wall again. It started to head to the rear which had no one there, almost giving the Date Tech another point if it weren't for Noya-san's receive. Once again, King set the ball to the ace who had to do a joust with the #7. 
                          
Honestly, I was already expecting that the ball would fall after it went past Azumane's hand since it was close to the net. Noya-san was determined though. He saved the ball with his feet, causing the audience to react in a very loud manner.
                          
"One more!" shouted Suga-san, Noya-san, and the shrimp.
                          
"Nishinoya, nice follow!" Azumane-san said as he ran to the back.
                          
"Kageyama, cover."
                          
"Yes," King said.
                          
"One more! One more!" Suga-san shouted, catching the attention of our in-game setter.
                          
"I won't stop 'til I score," Azumane-san said.
                          
King tossed the ball to the ace again in hopes that he'd finally break through the wall that loomed over him. And he did.
                          
The ball went on the net and tipped over to the other side. We won a point. We won the game.
                          
Everyone shouted in celebration— well, except me— as we were finally able to seal our second victory. I was only relieved that we weren't going to face a third set anymore.
                          
After we lined up and shook hands, the third-years approached the stands and greeted the girls' team. I glanced at them and frowned.
                          
"Hey, Tsukishima! What are you looking at?" Tanaka-san asked as he placed his arm around my shoulders. "Oh? Are you looking at the girls' team? Do you like someone there, Tsukishima?"
                          
"Tanaka-san, please refrain from assuming such horrible things," I said, removing his arm from my shoulders and walking away. 
                          
Both he and Noya-san ran towards the third-years and greeted the team as well. I clicked my tongue as I looked away from the girls' team.
                          
"Tsukki, you're worried, aren't you?" Yamaguchi asked.
                          
"As if," I scoffed.
                          
The team then went to line up in front of the stands to thank them for the support. The others smiled at each other after we did our bow while I looked at the stands.
                          
"Um, Michimiya-san?"
                          
I looked at Yamaguchi, surprised that he was calling the attention of the captain from the girls' team.
                          
"Yes?" she replied.
                          
"Um. Where is [Surname]-chan?" he asked.
                          
I saw their team look at each other with a sad and concerned expression. That didn't sit well with me.
                          
"What happened Michimiya?" Daichi-san asked.
                          
"Halfway through our second set, [Surname]-chan, she... she fainted."
                          
'Fainted?'
                          
Yamaguchi looked at me with wide eyes as I stood frozen. I glanced at him before looking back at the girls' captain and asking a question myself.
                          
"Where is she?"