章 9: Aftermath

The game lasted for 1 hour and 46 minutes in 3 sets.

The entire crowd cheered. At first, they were expecting little from Yukigaoka Junior High since they had never participated in previous Volleyball tournaments.

They also expected to be entirely crushed by Kitagawa Daiichi within 31 minutes, and it seems they were wrong.

Among the crowd, three high-school students wearing black jackets with the kanji "crow" written behind them are also amazed by the performance.

"King of the court, huh." A male said. He has slightly thick eyebrows, light grey hair, and hazel-brown eyes with a birthmark mole under his left eye.

"He'll be a tough opponent once he gets into high school." Another male said. He has a muscular build, short dark hair, and dark brown eyes.

"Not only him, but those Orange-haired twins will also be tough." A guy with a shaved head, a widow's peak, and sharp blue-grey eyes said.

The three of them walked off towards the door.

On the court, Yukigaoka and Kitagawa Daiichi members gathered in a line.

As the players gathered near the net, both teams formed two lines facing each other.

As fate would have it, Sora and Kageyama faced each other.

Sora and Kageyama stared at each other with intimidating stares and did not exchange words.

Their teammates noticed this and got scared by the intimidating stares made by Kageyama and Sora.

Kageyama's next words carried a mix of challenge and determination. "I'll beat you and your twin again," he declared, his voice holding a touch of rivalry.

Sora's reaction was swift, his emotions surfacing as his veins pulsed on his forehead. "Don't get ahead of yourself, King of the Court," he retorted with a hint of playful defiance.

Kageyama's irritation flared up, his response immediate and fiery. "Stop calling me that," he shot back, the annoyance evident in his voice.

Sora knew from the manga that Kageyama didn't like being called "King of The Court".

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Sora, Shoyo, Izumi, and Koji are now outside the gymnasium.

"Man, that was tough," Koji said, "We gave them a hard time, but it seems it was not enough."

Izumi nodded and said, "Yeah, they're candidates for the nationals, after all."

As they walked, Sora got drawn to Shoyo, who seemed lost in his thoughts.

Shoyo's gaze fixated on the ground beneath him. Sora's keen sense picked up on the quiet sadness surrounding Shoyo, an unspoken weight he carried.

Sora knew Shoyo well. This was Shoyo's first official volleyball match but he and his team lost in the end. Of course, Shoyo is going to be sad.

Sensing his brother's subdued state, Sora decided to offer his support. He adjusted his stride to match Shoyo's pace, then gently placed his hand on Shoyo's shoulder, a gesture meant to convey solidarity and comfort.

"Shoyo," Sora began, his tone gentle yet persistent, "I know you're sad, but remember, there will be a next time." The words were infused with reassurance and optimism, an attempt to uplift Shoyo's spirits in the face of defeat.

Shoyo's eyes lifted from the ground, meeting Sora's gaze. There was a vulnerability, a hint of gratitude, and lingering disappointment.

Sora's presence and understanding of Shoyo's emotions reminded them that they were in this together, win or lose.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Shoyo's lips, a small acknowledgement of Sora's support, "Yeah, you're right, Aniki, there's always a next time."

Koji then wrapped his hands around Shoyo and Sora's shoulders and said, "Cheer up, Sho! As Sora said, there's always a next time!"

As the group continued their walk, Izumi positioned himself next to Sora, his curiosity evident in his brow furrow. "Sora, what happened back there?"

Sora raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. "What do you mean?" he replied, a touch of innocence in his voice.

Both Koji and Izumi exchanged knowing glances, their expressions communicating a shared understanding. "You and that guy," Koji interjected with a smirk, "you were staring each other down like you're about to go to war. That's not like you, Sora, showing so much emotion in a sports match."

Sora's response was swift, his tone a mixture of defensiveness and irritation. "H-Hey, I only did that because that guy was pissing me off!" he retorted, his frustration evident in his words. "And what do you mean by it's rare for me to show many emotions?"

Shoyo, Izumi, and Koji couldn't help but laugh at Sora's reply, which made Sora blush from embarrassment.

To add fuel to the fire, Shoyo decided to add in.

"Aniki, I felt more nervous seeing you with that intimidating stare than during the actual volleyball matches itself," Shoyo admitted, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his lips.

Sora's response was immediate, his hurt evident in how his expression shifted. He turned to Shoyo with a mockingly wounded look. "Not you too, Shoyo!" he exclaimed, a mix of simulated offence and genuine amusement colouring his words.

As their exchange played out, laughter bubbled among them, a shared camaraderie that flourished even amid light-hearted teasing.

Koji's sharp eyes caught sight of the Kitagawa Daiichi members emerging from the gymnasium as they continued walking.

"Hey, look, it's them," Koji pointed out, his tone a mix of curiosity and recognition.

Following Koji's gesture, the trio's gazes turned towards the Kitagawa Daiichi members, their presence a stark reminder of the intense match they had just played. Amidst the crowd, Sora's eyes landed on a familiar figure, his gaze zeroing in on Kageyama.

The sight of Kageyama triggered a visceral reaction within Sora, a surge of irritation that pulsed through his veins. "Tch! It's the king of the court again," Sora muttered, his voice laced with resentment and frustration.

Shoyo heard what Sora said and decided not to talk about it. He did hear the exchange between Sora and the black-haired setter earlier when they gathered for a handshake.

It struck Shoyo odd how Sora's demeanour had shifted to such intense irritation towards the black-haired setter within just a few words exchanged.

Sora's reaction puzzled Shoyo. He had known his older twin brother all his life, and he couldn't recall a single instance where Sora had become visibly irritated by someone, incredibly not so quickly. Sora had always been the type to remain unflappable, often brushing off annoyances with a casual wave.

However, this black-haired setter struck a nerve in Sora that Shoyo couldn't comprehend.

Seeing the black-haired setter, Shoyo uses this chance to not only know how this guy was able to irritate his older twin brother but also to express something brewing within him.

Shoyo's determination flared to life without hesitation, and he abruptly bolted toward Kageyama. The suddenness of his movement took both Izumi and Koji by surprise.

"Sho?!" Izumi's voice rang out in astonishment.

"Shoyo?!" Koji echoed, his eyebrows shooting up in disbelief.

Sora, however, is not surprised. Even with changes in the timeline, some aspects of Shoyo's character were unchanging. His competitive spirit was one of them.

Sora also decides not to follow along with Shoyo since this is important for Shoyo's development, and he also wants to avoid talking to Kageyama.

"You!" Shoyo's voice carried determination and a touch of defiance as he called out.

Kageyama turned around, his expression etched with a perpetual grumpiness, and his eyes met Shoyo's gaze.

"What?" Kageyama's response was curt, a blend of irritation and curiosity lacing his words.

Shoyo took a deep, steadying breath, and his resolve was evident in his straightened posture. "If you're supposed to be the king that rules the court," he began, his voice steady though his emotions ran deep.

Tears welled up and began to escape Shoyo's eyes, but he pressed on, determination lending strength to his words. "I—no, we will defeat you and stay on the court the longest." The declaration carried both a challenge and a promise, a testament to Shoyo's unwavering commitment to the game.

Kageyama's expression remained as stoic as ever, and his response was measured and direct. "Only the winner gets to stay on the court," he stated firmly, his voice carrying an air of unwavering conviction. "Only the strong. If you want to stay in the game, get stronger."

At that moment, a gentle breeze swept through, caressing their forms and tugging at their hair and uniforms, a subtle reminder of the world's ever-present unpredictability.

Without saying another word, Kageyama started walking away, leaving Shoyo behind.

Seeing Kageyama leave, Izumi, Koji, and Sora approached Shoyo with concern and support.

Shoyo's ears caught the rhythm of their approaching footsteps, prompting him to turn around to face them. His eyes met the concerned gazes of his friends, each one a testament to the bond they shared.

Shoyo's sincerity shone through as he bowed before them. "Thank you, Izumi, Koji, and Aniki," he expressed, gratitude lacing his words.

The depth of Shoyo's gratitude caught them off guard, their emotions welling up in response to his heartfelt gesture.

"Y-You idiot! You don't have to thank us!" Koji's voice carried both fond exasperation and genuine warmth.

Sora, his emotions bubbling over, wrapped Shoyo in a tight hug. His voice was muffled against Shoyo's shoulder as he echoed Koji's sentiment. "Koji is right; you don't have to thank us, Shoyo."

Unbeknownst to Sora, his embrace had become inadvertently suffocating for Shoyo.

"A-Aniki, you're suffocating me," Shoyo managed to express, his voice slightly strained from the tight hug.

Sora's realization was immediate, and he quickly released his hold, his eyes widening. "Ah, oops! Sorry, Shoyo!" Sora exclaimed, a sheepish grin forming on his face.

The moment, a blend of humour and genuine affection captured the essence of their bond. Even in their interactions, the friends navigated each other's quirks and idiosyncrasies with an unwavering sense of understanding and camaraderie.

Shoyo shifted the conversation with his characteristic curiosity. "By the way, Aniki, when is the inter-junior high tennis tournament next week?" he inquired, his eagerness evident.

Izumi joined in with a touch of concern. "I'm also wondering about that, Sora. Won't you get tired from juggling both volleyball and tennis?" he questioned, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and care.

A confident smile accompanied Sora's response. "Don't worry, Izumi-san. The tournament is scheduled for next week," he reassured.

Koji, his enthusiasm uncontainable, draped his hand over Sora's shoulder and posed a question. "Dude, can I watch? I want to see you demolishing your opponents in life!" Koji's words rang with excitement and anticipation, his eagerness to witness his friend's prowess evident.

Sora's eyes twinkled with gratitude and amusement at Koji's request. "Of course, you guys are more than welcome to come to watch," he replied, blending camaraderie and excitement.

This was the first time that Koji, Shoji, and Shoyo wanted to watch Sora play a tennis tournament live! They had only seen Sora practice with his coach and other members of the Yukigaoka tennis club.

Koji's face lit up with excitement, his grin wide. "Awesome! I can already feel the adrenaline rush just thinking about it," he exclaimed, his anticipation palpable.

Shoyo's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "Count me in, too! It's going to be incredible to see you shine in both sports, Aniki," he said with a heartfelt smile, his support evident.

Izumi nodded, his expression a mix of encouragement and pride. "I have no doubt you'll give it your all, Sora. We'll be there to cheer you on," he affirmed, his confidence in Sora's abilities unwavering.

Sora's smile widened in response. "Thank you, guys, for the support," he expressed, gratitude evident in his voice.

With their camaraderie bolstering their spirits, the group turned and began to walk homeward. The sun cast long shadows as it dipped below the horizon, painting the world in warm hues.