Chapter 25- Prelims Mini Arc

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"This team is full of a bunch of snakes," Akari grumbles angrily as Nohebi got away with a ball that clearly was in bounds but went 'out.'

"Oi Akari keep your voice down! We don't want them to hear that," Hina scolds the vice captain looking back and forth between her and the smirking Nohebi player.

The score was 24-22 with them in the lead in the first set.

"Aim for the girl with the black hair. She's pretty weak with receives," The smirking girl yells to her teammates as she stares down Akari.

The third years eyes widen as her face turns into a scowl. "Oi! You want to go bitcβ€”"

"Akari!" I stop her words eyeing her intently. "Don't let them get to you. It's apart of their plan."

She looks at me then back at the Nohebi player before letting out a small huff grumbling words under her breath.

The ref blows the whistle to which she serves the ball to our side going directly to Akari.

The words seemed to have gotten to Akari as she receives the ball weaker then usually letting out a tsk as she watches the ball go a bit too far from Hina.

"Gomen Hina!"

"It's alright!" She yells back as she runs for the ball trying her best to set it.

I take as my cue and jog in the direction she tosses the ball and swing my arms up as I prepare to spike the ball.

As if the Nohebi players already knew they were all matched up with me giving me limited options of where to spike it to.

Hesitating last second I try for a cross shot only to get rejected as it hit back on our side.

Sakura dives for the ball but misses by a split second signaling the win for the first set for Nohebi.

Coming to the ground I let out a deep sigh as I watched our opponents squeal in joy.

Staring at the girls as they huddled up in a circle I could almost see the white and gold accented jerseys in my view.

I let out a small gasp as the Fukurōdani jerseys take my sight.

"Just like at Nekoma huh," A voice speaks and I look directly my way to see Nohebi's ace looking at me with a grin on her face.

"Don't want to screw up for your team just like you did last year. Dad won't be proud of that will he," She gives me a small smile as if she accomplished something before turning back to her teammates.

I just cost us a set because I couldn't hit over their block.

Is this really happening again? Am I going to let my teammates down again and get them to hate me?

My body forces itself to turn around to see my teammates reactions as they heard the aces words but am only met with a bunch of smiles. Even Ito gave me a somewhat reassuring look.

Still feeling disappointed in myself for missing the hit I couldn't help but frown as I look at the ground not wanting to meet their eyes "I-I'm sorrβ€”"

"Oi Ren!" A voice cuts me off as I can hear footsteps nearing my way.

"Look up at us," Hina's voice sounds. Obliging with her demand since she's captain I slowly tilt my head up to come face to face with her, the others right behind her.

"Look there's something," I fiddle with my fingers nervously, "I have to tell you about my past. Iβ€”"

"We already know Ren,"

Hina's words cause my body to stiffen as I repeat her blunt response in my head over and over again.

"But we don't care," She continues slowly placing a hand on my shoulder. "We're not going to treat you any different because of who your father is."

I can feel my eyes begin to water as I tried not to let tears escape. "H-how did you know?"

"We weren't completely sure at first from seeing your crazy skill of spiking with your left and right since it's so rare," Akari takes a few steps towards Hina and I standing beside the setter, "But it was the little things like your last name, the similar eyes and the most obvious one which was people talking about you at this tournament."

"Why didn't you say something if you knew. I... was basically lying to you all," My words drift off feeling my frown deepen.

"We understood that you had some sort of a rough past and didn't want to push you on it. We wanted you to trust us then say something when you were ready to," Akari smiles at me putting her hand on my other shoulder.

"Iβ€”" my voice croaks out quietly, "You girls are the best," I now couldn't help but let the tears fall down my cheek as I stared in awe at my two of my closets and best friends.

"Aww stop crying Ren! You're getting me emotional!" Akari whines a small pout on her lips.

I laugh at her before pulling both of them in a warm hug not wanting to let them go.

"Really... thank you so much. You all make me feel like I'm meant to be here," I whisper to both girls who only tighten the hug.

"Hey don't forget about me!" Sakura chimes in jumping on us that results in all four of us falling to the ground.

"Oww! Sakura!" Akari grumbles as she shakes her head back and forth trying to regain her sight.

Suddenly the whistle blows signaling the start of the second set.

"Alright girls we got this!" Hina exclaims jumping up pulling us up from the ground as she turns around to look at the others.

"This is a team of 6 on court not 1. That's how we'll win this game,"

Everyone cheers at the captains words as the starters get in formation.

I glance up at the stands to see my mom and Haru gives me a small thumbs up a smile on their faces whereas Obachan was only staring at the court.

The sight of Kimura behind Obachan suddenly catches my eye as the girl stares at me with an unfamialir emotion etched on her.

Confusion? Shock?

Her noticing that I'm looking her way she quickly changes into a smug smile waving at me slowly.

I shiver at her movements as I think back to the threat note that she slipped in my pocket.

So I guess Iwaizumi was wrong on his guess of who the blackmailer was.

But it doesn't make sense, I thought. How was Himari able to know where I went to school and even put the notes there in the first place?

"You still have a tear on your face Nakamura,"

I turn my gaze away from them to look at the Nohebi ace who has a smirk on her face.

Instinctively I wipe the tear off my face my lips slowly going into a huge grin.

"We're going to crush your snake asses," Akari grumbles from beside me causing Nohebi's ace and captain to widen their eyes in shock.

β€”
"Eat that you snake hoeβ€”owiee!" Akari whines as she blocked a spike from Nohebi setting us at set point in the second set.

"Baka! You can't say stuff like that or you're going to get kicked out of the game!" Hina hits her again whereas I laugh at the frowning Akari.

"I'm sorry! But do you hear the stuff they have been saying to us! Why not fight fire with fire,"

"Yeah see but the difference is that they have the refs on their side. I honestly don't know how Nohebi does it," I speak up glancing at our opponents.

"Nakamura's right," Ito simply adds walking away to which my eyes widen at her words.

Ito was agreeing with me? Am I dreaming? I stare up at the ceiling my thoughts going everywhere.

"Oi Ren what are you still doing on court! Come hear!" A voice breaks my thoughts and I glance down to see coach signaling me to come to the rest of the team.

"Gomen!" I bow before jogging towards the court catching Ito's stare as she looked to be studying me intently.

Breaking my gaze from hers quickly, coach thinks of a game plan as we go into our third set.

β€”
"Yesss!!!!" Akari exclaims as she tackles me in a hug.

Ito hit the final spike making it game at 25-23

"We did it! Just one more match and we'll be in the finals!" She mumbles in my embrace swinging me back and forth.

"One more match," I tell myself a small smile playing on my lips.

"Alright girls line up!" Hina calls all of us as we all reach the front of the net, Nohebi's players on the other end.

We begin the shake the players hands thanking them for the match.

Nearing the last few players I hear Akari mutter something to the ace a smug smile on her face before letting go of her hand.

The ace chuckles lightly at Akari watching her walk away before averting her gaze to me.

I outstretch my hand giving the girl a sincere smile. "Good game."

Her eyes widen slightly at my kindness and slowly accepts the gesture shaking my hand her grip a bit tighter than usual.

"You know Nakamura. After what I saw happened last year at the finals against Furkordani I thought you were just another player who received praise because of who your father was. But maybe I was wrong, you have the same skill as him.You really are the great aces daughter Ren Nakamura,"

Not knowing how to respond to her words I only stare at her intently studying her words in my head.

The ace suddenly loosens her grip on my hand moving it to her side. "Hope you face you again ace. We'll crush you next time."

With that she turns around walking back towards her teammates who looked either sad or angry for their loss.

I myself was at a loss of words as I watched the ace pat her teammates backs before slinging her arms around two of their shoulders pulling them towards the exit.

I couldn't help but notice the faintest smile on her lips as she laughed lightly at something one of her teammates said.

Really like my father huh? I reminded myself of her words as I walked back to my teammates who were planning the game plan for our next match.

"Alright girls so this next game is important as this will allow us to qualify for the finals. It is against Date Tech. As we know both the girls and boys team are known for their iron wall so we need to be aware of that,"

As Hina continued to talk about the team I looked around the gym to spot Niiyama in a match right now. They were up 16-12 in the first set as Himari just blocked a spike.

Wow she's really improved...

"If we beat Date Tech, by the looks of it were most likely going to face them in the finals," A voice speaks from behind. I turn my head over my shoulders to see Ito staring at Himari herself almost studying her movements.

Ito looks at the ace for a few moments before averting her gaze to me the emotionless face coming back.

"So don't mess up,"

With that she walks away and towards Hina whispering a few words to her to which she glances in my direction as she nods her head.

"Alright everyone gets a 10 minute break to do whatever before we start talking about some game plans," Hina dismisses all of to which we all nod in response.

She then glances in my direction giving me a small smile as she walks up to me.

"Hey do you want to come to the washroom with me?"

"Yea sure," I smile back at her and follow the captain out the gym doors.

"So how are you feeling?" Hina asks as we walk down the facilities hallway.

I glance at her to which she was already looking straight at me.

"I'm alright," I look straight ahead.

"Now how are you really feeling," I can feel her eyes burning into me as she stares at me intently.

"Honestly..." I sigh stuffing my hands in my pocket, "I am really stressed. Not only is a girl that made me dislike volleyball at one point is here but everyone is comparing me to my father."

"We also will most likely face Niiyama if we win our game in the finals and I know this sounds stupid but I just don't want her to get the upper hand on me. I don't want her to have more power over me like she did back at Nekoma," I add glancing up at the ceiling.

"Hey it's not stupid. I understand the pressure you must feel,"

Hina's words catch my attention as I look to her to which she looks straight ahead.

"In my second year when the captain told me that I would be taking her role next year and I felt so much pressure. Of course it's not as stressful as your situation but this just made me feel the need to make all my teammates happy and not let them down.

"But I learned that I shouldn't think that I'm by myself because I have everyone else on court to help me out," A new glint suddenly appeared in the setters eyes as she had a small smile on her face.

"So don't stress too much because we're all here to support you to defeat Kimura and Niiyama down, you got that?" Hina now looks at me tilting her head slightly.

"Yeah I got it," I give her a thumbs up believing in captains words but there was still a small feeling inside of me that didn't but decided to push those feelings away.

Hina nods in response as she begins to walk towards the bathroom door, "You coming?"

"Oh no I'm fine. I'll just wait out here," I point to the wall.

"Alright," Hina says as she opens the door walking inside.

My phone suddenly rings and I take it out to see a notification from Oikawa.

Group Chat: Shittykawa and others

Milk Bread Boy: Heyy Naka-Chan! How's your tournament going?

Hi Oikawa! It's going well. We just won our game against Nohebi and are now in the semi finals against Date Tech. Just one more win and we'll be in the finals!

Iwa-Chan: Oi Crappykawa! Why are you on your phone! We should be warming up right now!

Also congrats Naka, I knew you guys could do it.

I look up from my phone smiling like an idiot at Iwaizumi's text.

Damn I feel whipped.

Milk Bread Boy: Hehe gomen Iwa-Chan. Just had to ask Naka-Chan how her games were going. But FYI we are also in the semi finals and are facing Karasuno. After that then we'll be able to crush Shiratorizawa and win!

Iwa-Chan: Oi don't jinx it! Well we have to go Ren. Good luck on your match.

Thanks ! Good luck on your match to! I know you'll win

"You're going a bit too far,"

A familiar voice echos in the now empty hallway causing me to glance up from my phone as I search for where it was coming from.

"Stop being too nice. She deserves everything that is and will be coming for her,"

The end of the hallway?

Curiously I stuff my phone in my pocket walking down to the end of the hall.

As I reach the end I slowly peak my head to the right only to flinch back my eyes widening.

It was Kimura and... Ito?

Leaning my back against the wall I slow down my breathing as I listen to the two speak.

"You know she deserves it Ito. She just came in and stole your spot as ace and you think that it's alright with you?"

"Iβ€”"

"Look I don't know what's gotten into you but we need to stick to the plan. I can't have you feeling sympathetic for her now," Kimura spits out like venom.

"Ren deserves what's coming for her,"

β€”
Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Alrighty soo I was going to have the final part of the arc in the next chapter but I didn't want to just add everything leading to the final arc chapter in this one if that makes sense. So there will be two more parts to this arc for the story to flow better.

There's also so much happening in this book it's insane (Ren's life). So hopefully this entire book makes sense to you all. I hope it does :)

Next chapter will be out sooner than later since it'll be a short-ish one. Stay tuned!

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