Making a friend and winning the match
Returning to the Hotel
Nekoma arrived back at the hotel in the early evening, their spirits high after another successful day at Nationals. The players filed into the lobby, chatting casually as they collected their room keys. Coach Nekomata and Coach Naoi trailed behind, already deep in discussion about the next day's match.
Kenma, holding a folder with printouts of their next opponent's stats and playstyle, led the team into the common area reserved for strategy meetings.
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The Strategy Session
"Tomorrow's opponent is no pushover," Coach Nekomata began as everyone settled into their seats. "Hamagiri West may not have star players, but their teamwork and defensive consistency are strong. They'll test our patience and punish our mistakes."
Kenma nodded, flipping through his notes. "Their libero is solid, and their middle blockers aren't flashy but get the job done. We'll need to focus on breaking their rhythm with smart plays and avoid getting dragged into long rallies."
Kuroo added, "We'll also have to be sharp with our serve-receives. If we can stay ahead in serve pressure, we'll control the tempo."
Wakasa, sitting with his arms crossed, leaned forward. "What about their blockers? Are they aggressive or more reactive?"
"They tend to block for positioning," Kenma replied. "But if you mix in those sharp cross and line shots you used earlier, you can keep them guessing. They won't adapt fast enough."
Inouka, sitting nearby, spoke up with a grin. "And if they try to adjust, I'll handle the mind games."
Lev laughed. "You really enjoy messing with people, don't you?"
"Only if it works," Inouka quipped.
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The Encounter in the Lift
After the meeting, the team dispersed to their rooms. Wakasa, needing a break from the crowd, decided to grab a bottle of water from the vending machine in the lobby. As he approached the lift to head back to his room, the doors opened, and standing inside was none other than Kai, the middle blocker from Inubushi Higashi.
Kai's eyes lit up immediately when he recognized Wakasa. "No way! You're Wakasa Kiyoshi, right?"
Wakasa blinked, surprised by the cheerful greeting. "Uh, yeah. That's me."
Kai stepped out of the lift and extended a hand with a wide grin. "I'm Kai! Middle blocker for Inubushi Higashi. I saw your match earlier—man, you're insane! That serve of yours? Unreal."
Wakasa hesitated for a moment before shaking his hand. "Thanks. You're pretty impressive yourself."
Kai chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "You think so? I still have a lot to learn, but coming from you, that means a lot. I've been watching your games—your versatility is crazy."
Wakasa raised an eyebrow, not used to such open admiration. "You're doing fine. That block you had earlier—sharp timing."
Kai grinned even wider. "Really? Thanks! But I'm just trying to keep up with my team. We're lucky to even be here."
As the lift doors started to close again, Kai quickly stepped back inside. "Well, I won't keep you. Good luck tomorrow, Wakasa. Maybe we'll face each other soon!"
Wakasa gave a small nod as the doors closed. "Yeah. Maybe."
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Returning to the Room
When Wakasa returned to his room, he found Lev sprawled on one of the beds, flipping through channels on the TV.
"What took you so long?" Lev asked.
"Ran into someone," Wakasa replied, sitting down on his bed.
Kenma, who was typing on his phone, glanced up. "Who?"
Wakasa didn't answer immediately, his mind still on Kai's enthusiastic demeanor. "Just another first-year."
Lev grinned. "Bet they were starstruck."
Wakasa smirked faintly but said nothing, his thoughts already shifting back to the next day's match. He'd deal with Kai when the time came. For now, his focus was on leading Nekoma to another victory.
The Next Day: Another Domination
The sun had barely risen when Nekoma arrived at the stadium for their next match. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as they prepared for their opponents, a team known for their solid defense and tactical play. However, despite their opponent's best efforts, the match ended with Nekoma showcasing their raw strength and cohesion as a team.
Wakasa, now fully in his element, stood tall at the net. His spiking power was unparalleled, and his ability to read the opponent's movements was on full display. He seemed like a force of nature, cutting through the opposition's defense with precision. The team flowed in sync—Kuroo directing the defense, Lev leaping high and making his presence known at the net, and Inouka calmly handling the psychological warfare, disorienting the other team with his sharp remarks and focused gameplay.
In the span of just two sets, Nekoma decisively claimed victory. Wakasa's booming serves, combined with his ever-growing versatility in offense, left their opponents unable to mount any effective resistance. By the time the final whistle blew, the score was firmly in Nekoma's favor. The team celebrated briefly, exchanging high-fives and pats on the back before heading off the court.
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Watching Shiratorizawa's Match
As Nekoma's players left the court, they made their way to the stands to watch one of the most anticipated matches of the day: Shiratorizawa vs. Higiyama high.
Shiratorizawa's towering ace, Ushijima Wakatoshi, was dominating as usual, his presence on the court impossible to ignore. His spikes sent shockwaves through the gym, and his intensity was matched only by the exceptional setter, Tendou Satori, and the skilled libero.
Nekoma's players watched carefully, analyzing Shiratorizawa's style, aware that they might face them in the later rounds. Wakasa leaned forward, his sharp eyes fixed on Ushijima's every move.
"He's something," Wakasa murmured to Lev, who had joined him in the stands. "It's not just his strength—his timing is perfect. He knows exactly when to unleash that power."
Lev, wide-eyed, watched the match with equal intensity. "He's huge! How does anyone stop that kind of spike?"
Wakasa smirked. "It's all about timing and anticipation. But, for now, we have our eyes on the prize—let's focus on what's in front of us."
Kuroo, sitting a few rows behind them, overheard and chimed in, "Don't get distracted, Wakasa. We still have work to do before we think about Shiratorizawa."
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Media Interviews
After the match, the team made their way through the corridors to the media area. Several reporters were waiting for them, eager to speak with the rising stars of the tournament. It was the first time many in the media had been able to interview the young powerhouse, Wakasa, and the charismatic captain, Kuroo.
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Wakasa's Interview:
The first interview was for Wakasa. He walked up to the microphone with an air of confidence, his arms casually folded as he greeted the reporters.
"Wakasa, you've been dominating the court recently. How does it feel to lead your team to such dominant victories?" one reporter asked.
Wakasa smiled faintly. "It feels good, but it's not just about me. It's a team effort. We've all been pushing each other to improve, and right now, everything's clicking."
Another reporter asked, "You've really taken control of the match with your powerful spikes and serves. What's the secret to your success?"
Wakasa's eyes twinkled as he gave a brief pause. "There's no secret. It's just hard work and knowing when to trust my instincts. I've learned a lot from watching other great players, and now, I'm using that to make my own style."
The interviewer pressed, "Do you have any players you're particularly inspired by?"
Wakasa gave a short nod. "There's no shortage of great players in this tournament. But I've always admired players like Ushijima and Sakusa. Their strength and precision push me to become better. But it's not about copying them—it's about taking what I can learn and making it my own."
The media scribbled down notes as Wakasa stood tall, his confident demeanor never wavering. He wasn't arrogant—just supremely aware of his abilities and the hard work behind them.
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Kuroo's Interview:
Once Wakasa stepped away, Kuroo took his place at the microphone, smiling playfully as he addressed the media.
"Kuroo, the team seems to be in perfect sync. How do you manage to keep everything under control as the captain?"
Kuroo chuckled. "It's not easy, but we've built a great bond over the years. I know when to push the team and when to give them a break. Everyone knows their role, and I just make sure we stay on track."
Another reporter asked, "You've been a key figure in the defensive play, keeping your team safe from some of the toughest attacks. How do you manage to stay calm under pressure?"
"Simple," Kuroo responded with a grin. "You can't panic. If you're the one holding the backline, you have to be a wall. It's all about reading the play and trusting that the team will back you up. And if you mess up? Well, you've got teammates like Lev and Wakasa to help clean up the mess."
The reporters laughed, appreciating his humor. "What's next for you and the team in this tournament? How do you plan to handle the pressure moving forward?"
"We take it one match at a time. We've got our eyes on the finals, but we know we can't get too far ahead of ourselves. We've got the right mix of skill, experience, and heart. We'll be ready."
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A Moment of Reflection
As the interviews wrapped up, the team regrouped backstage, their faces tired but satisfied with their performance. Kuroo and Wakasa exchanged a knowing look. Both knew the real challenges lay ahead. But for now, they'd enjoy the momentum they'd built and let the world watch their rise.
"We're on the right track," Kuroo said, clapping Wakasa on the back as they headed back to the locker room.
Wakasa smirked, looking forward to what was next. "Let's make sure we finish this strong."