A/N: Hello, readers! Welcome to another chapter! Enjoy!

edited on october 27th, 2021 @ 5:55am

════ ∘◦ᵒ 𓅓 ᵒ◦∘ ════

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE - THE IRON WALL CAN BE REBUILT AGAIN AND AGAIN

"GO, GO, LET'S GO! Let's go Date Tech!"

"Go, go, let's go! Let's go Date Tech!"

Atsushi could hear Date Tech doing their cheer as his eyes were glued on the game down below with Date Tech and Aoba Johsai, with the two schools on their second set with Aoba Johsai in the lead with 8 points and Date Tech with 6.

"Um... It seems that Seijoh took the first set."

"Ah, Karasuno!"

Atsushi blinked as he glanced over to see the third-years, Sugawara, Daichi, and Asahi looking over at the third-years from Date Tech who must've come to watch the game to cheer on their juniors. He sighed before turning his attention back towards the game.

He watched as Oikawa sets the ball to Hanamaki who did a feint and got the point. However, not long after, Date Tech got the point back, but it was still a two-point difference between them and Aoba Johsai.

Atsushi watched as Hanamaki did a jump serve, as a player from Date Tech receives it. He noticed Date Tech's Number 7 getting under the ball to set, making him raise an eyebrow in curiosity.

"It seems Date Tech has a new setter." Atsushi thought as he watched the ball go into his palms. "I wonder what kind of set he'll do—"

He paused his thoughts when he widened his eyes and choked on air. "Wh-What the hell was that?" He asked himself as the setter had tossed the ball way high up for anyone to reach.

Atsushi sighed when he saw Futakuchi run forward and spikes the high toss, however Aoba Johsai blocked him and he had touched the net, so the point went to the opposing team.

He leans back into his chair, shocked but slightly amused by Date Tech's new setter as he watched Hanamaki serve the ball, it hits the net and the ball falls to the ground, making Date Tech get the lucky point.

Atsushi watched as the ball gets served again as both teams tried to connect the volleyball. He saw how Date Tech's Number 7 helped Aone block a spike from Iwaizumi. "He's huge for a setter." Atsushi thought as he looked at his appearance.

His hair was mostly blond, except for the middle of his fringe, which is black and styled up. His eyebrows were the same color as his fringe, implying that his hair was dyed blonde.

"That's our new weapon." The third-year from Date Tech spoke, as he guessed that Daichi, Sugawara, and Asahi were commenting on the setter.

"The giant setter, Koganegawa."

"Well, at least I can put a name to a face." Atsushi thought as he went back to watching the game. He deadpanned when Koganegawa sets the ball too high for Aone in which the ball flies out of the court as Date Tech's coach catches it.

Atsushi chuckled a little as he saw how Koganegawa was apologizing to Futakuchi who was trying his best to reassure him.

"H-He's still in the process of developing! It's only been a short time since he became a setter! He's going to become a big name in the future!" The third-year announced as Daichi calmed him down.

"S-Small mistakes like that happen often." Daichi reassured as Atsushi snickered at the situation before looking over at the scoreboard.

Date Tech

08

Aoba Johsai

11

Atsushi watched as Koganegawa performs a setter dump, but it was too obvious as Hanamaki saves the volleyball, as the ball goes towards Oikawa who sets to Iwaizumi, who spikes past the blockers.

The libero managed to receive it as another player tossed the ball to Futakuchi who spikes the ball, however Aoba Johsai's blockers got a one touch in. Atsushi watched with curious eyes as Oikawa sends the ball to Hanamaki.

"Huh? Don't tell me Number 3 is going to toss? I thought I was the only wing spiker who was able to do that."

Atsushi turned out to be correct when Hanamaki sets to Oikawa who charged forward, however Futakuchi and Aone saw the spike coming and raced over to block, but there was an open spot beside Aone for Oikawa to spike the ball.

He was suddenly surprised when he saw Koganegawa rushing over to Aone's side and jumped into him, aiding the block, as Oikawa hits the ball but the volleyball slams back down towards the court and Date Tech gets the point.

Atsushi snorted in amusement when Koganegawa's body collided into Aone's side in which Aone accidently collided into Futakuchi who falls over to the side. He chuckled once more as he crossed his arms.

The game went on as Aoba Johsai countered and got the point back. "Well, I guess that was to be expected." Atsushi thinks to himself as Futakuchi seemed to be scolding the new setter, Koganegawa. The game between the two teams continued on as Atsushi took a look at the score.

Date Tech

16

Aoba Johsai

18

Atsushi heard the sounds of Aoba Johsai cheering as Oikawa did his jump serve. He sighed when Oikawa slammed down the ball and got a point. "Him and that damn monster serve." He thought. Oikawa serves the ball again, but this time, Futakuchi was ready as he dived down and saved it, however this gave Aoba Johsai a chance ball.

The ball gets smacked down again by Aoba Johsai, but Date Tech's libero was there to receive the incoming ball and get it high enough for Koganegawa to do what looked like a jump toss as Aone charged in and spiked the ball down, successfully getting a point.

Date Tech was now at 17 points with Aoba Johsai being at 19. "So fast! So high!" Hinata exclaimed as everyone watched with shock.

"Putting it right where the spiker will hit it..." Ennoshita spoke up as Atsushi hummed in thought.

"That was a combination play that was possible only because the peak of the setter's jump is really high." He informed his teammates.

* * *

Date Tech

20

Aoba Johsai

23

Atsushi watched as Oikawa did a setter dump, which resulted in Aoba Johsai to get the point. Atsushi hummed and looked at the score. "So, it looks like Seijoh is at match point now." He informed, as he could tell the tension around his teammates was visible. After all, if Aoba Johsai wins this match, they would be their next opponent.

Hanamaki does a jump serve, as the ball gets received by Date Tech. Atsushi saw how Futakuchi calls a toss as his teammate does so and sends the ball his way making Futakuchi gain the point when he slams down the ball.

The ball gets served once more as it also gets saved. The ball goes from player to player as Oikawa then sets to Iwaizumi who spiked it, but the opposing team got a one touch, Koganegawa goes under the ball, as Atsushi wonders who he'll set it too.

Atsushi was surprised when he did a dump instead, but it was more of a slam than a dump, as Date Tech gets the point. Tanaka yelled beside Kageyama in amazement.

"This time, he did a dump and smashed it!" Tanaka stated as Kageyama nodded.

"Even if you had to read it, you couldn't pick that one up." Kageyama stated as Atsushi chuckled.

"Well, seems like he's learning." He commented with a smirk.

The volleyball gets served once more, but Date Tech's libero received it as it was going back to Aoba Johsai's side. However, Koganegawa jumped up and saved the ball, as he sets it to Aone who slams it down, but Aoba Johsai's libero saves it.

Oikawa gets under the ball and tosses it towards Iwaizumi, who runs forward. Futakuchi, Aone and Koganegawa all jump up to block the spike that was incoming. However, Atsushi was shocked to see Iwaizumi break through the iron wall and the ball touched the court.

The whole stadium was in silence as they stared in bewilderment. "He... He shot right between his arms!" Hinata exclaimed as the crowd cheered and Atsushi sees Iwaizumi cheer for his point.

TWEEEET!

Atsushi deadpanned as Iwaizumi was getting praised and his hair ruffled about by his teammates. Some of his own teammates were mumbling about Iwaizumi's performance.

Both teams lined up and bowed to each other saying their thanks. "I guess we know who we'll face next." Daichi spoke up. His team didn't reply, but instead stared at Aoba Johsai.

════ ∘◦ᵒ 𓅓 ᵒ◦∘ ════

Atsushi was following Hinata, Kageyama, Tsukishima, and Yamaguchi as he saw Date Tech up ahead. Aone walks forward but Atsushi knew he wasn't going to stop and speak to them, which was fine, as him and his teammates looked straight ahead and walked right by Aone and the rest of Date Tech.

Once they made it to the gym to practice before the semifinal began, the flashbacks of the last game Karasuno had with Aoba Johsai ran through Atsushi's mind. It was obvious his teammates were on edge as Atsushi was stretching his arms, thinking about last time.

"We gave it everything we had, and yet we still lost..."

The pain of his seniors and his fellow first-years after was sufferable. He also remembered his older brother's words after their lost.

"I should've tried harder to make you come to Shiratorizawa. This is the outcome for playing with a weak team."

Atsushi clenched his jaw at the memory. "In order to face off against Toshi-nii, we have to win. We'll win and go to nationals!" He thought with determination.

"S-Swallow it! Do you need antacids? A heart stimulant? An AED?"

Atsushi blinked before looking over to see Yamaguchi panicking as Yachi seemed like she was going to pass out. "Should I even question it?" Atsushi wondered out loud.

"What's going on?" Tanaka asked in confusion and concern.

"Yachi's heart... her heart!" Yamaguchi exclaimed as Nishinoya smiled and bounced over.

"Calm down, Yamaguchi!" Nishinoya reassured him as Asahi spoke up, looking nervous.

"Do we need to call the cops?"

Tsukishima and Atsushi both deadpan at the comment.

"That would be an ambulance."

After that was over, Atsushi went back to do some last-minute stretching and practice as he paused when he heard Daichi's voice.

"All right, is everyone here?" He asked as he checked the time. "It's almost time." He added as his team all had determined looks.

"All right, let's go!"

"All right!"

Karasuno walked out of the gym and headed over to the main gymnasium where they were about to have their rematch with Aoba Johsai.

"This time..." Atsushi thinks to himself as him and his teammates walked through the doors and onto the court.

"This time we won't lose!"

════ ∘◦ᵒ 𓅓 ᵒ◦∘ ════

A/N: And the rematch against Aoba Johsai begins! Thanks for reading!

Word Count: 1845 words.