Haikyu: Nah, I'd Adapt!

Everyone on the court was panting.

The match had been intense; there had been more rallies in this game than anyone expected.

On Nekoma's side, Kenma crouched down, resting his hands on his knees as he wiped the sweat dripping from his chin.

"I'm tired..."

He muttered under his breath, barely loud enough for anyone to hear.

"Shoyo..."

Kenma's gaze landed on Hinata.

The short guy had been darting all over the court like a whirlwind, yet he didn't show the weariness one might expect. He was slightly hunched, but his eyes were still uncomfortably bright as if he wanted to play more.

'Shoyo has been running non-stop… yet he doesn't seem tired,' Kenma thought, surprised, as he let out another exhausted sigh.

Then his eyes shifted to Tsuna. Unlike the others, whose breathing came in gasps, Tsuna's breaths were almost unnaturally calm.

Kenma could see his chest rising and falling heavier than normal, but compared to the rest of them, the intense match seemed like light work for him.

"Is he even human?"

He looked at him in disbelief.

The game had stretched on for what felt like an eternity to Kenma.

However, Tsuna didn't seem to bother to catch a break anymore as he straightened himself and suddenly spoke, "More..."

The word cut through the air, breaking the relative silence as everyone turned toward Tsuna.

"Let's play again... one more."

His expression was calm, just like how they had seen him before the game, but his tone carried a hunger that couldn't be ignored.

"...!"

Kenma tilted his head back and sighed deeply before finally flopping onto the ground as his back pressed against the cool floor.

'There's no way I'd survive another set,' He felt his body protest at the suggestion.

"..."

Everyone was busy catching their breath, but Karasuno players all stood still in their positions as if agreeing with Tsuna. 

Meanwhile...

'I feel it...'

Tsuna's thoughts swirled as he stood on the court, catching his breath.

Back when he played against Aoba Johsai, he had only joined for the final set. And even then, their opponent hadn't fielded their regular players. It was fun because there was Oikawa among them, but it hadn't stirred him the way this match against Nekoma did.

This... this was different.

Every rally, every spike, and every save pulled him further into the flow of the game.

Playing against Nekoma felt like he was stepping closer to his goal as he stared at his left hand as he felt like he was able to put more strength into it as compared to before as he thought, 'My control is certainly getting better.'

Training on his own or with his teammates had its merits. He knew the results of those efforts would show later, after countless hours of repetition.

But this?

He wanted more of this.

"Let's catch a little break and play again..."

More of this intensity. More of this feeling!

"Ahaha, I guess that's how you'd respond," Kuroo chuckled, shaking his head as if he had expected nothing less.

"...?"

Tsuna turned to Kuroo, his head slightly tilted.

Kuroo smirked and gestured toward Kenma, who was lying flat on the ground. The setter looked like he could fall asleep at any moment, right there on the court.

"Even if I agreed, our brains don't," Kuroo said with a shrug.

"...?"

Tsuna blinked, glancing at Kenma's exhausted figure before looking back at Kuroo.

"Then let's rest up and play again after," Tsuna simply said as if the solution was obvious.

"Huh?"

Kuroo scratched the back of his head awkwardly as a small chuckle escaped his lips.

He then shook his head and spoke, "You're something else, you know that?"

"...What? You don't want to play again?"

Tsuna's eyebrows furrowed slightly at the response. 

"Well, that can't be helped then..."

Before Kuroo could respond, Daichi clapped his hands together as he approached Kuroo and said, "I guess that's a wrap,"

"Ha..."

Asahi sighed heavily, his broad shoulders slumping as he rubbed the back of his neck with a tired smile before muttering, "I just want to sit down..."

"Let's play again!"

Hinata's voice rang out loudly. But his excitement was short-lived as Kageyama swiftly clamped a hand over his mouth.

"Stop it, dumbass. Look around," Kageyama hissed before glancing at their teammates, who were practically dragging their feet from exhaustion.

"..."

Leaning on one leg, Tsukishima let out a loud sigh as he rolled his eyes at Hinata and muttered, "Of course, the ball of energy can't read the room..."

Meanwhile, Nekoma's players were already walking over to Karasuno to exchange handshakes. 

Inuoka said with a wide grin, "Your quick attacks were insane!" 

"Your blocks are awesome, Inuoka!"

Hinata, who was disappointed a little, grew excited once again at the compliment.

"Looking forward to playing you again," Yaku said after politely greeting Nishinoya.

Despite their tired faces, they shared words of encouragement as compliments started flying back and forth between them. 

"… "

Tsuna stood off to the side, watching the interaction in silence. His hand clenched into a fist as his gaze then wandered past the players, scanning Nekoma's bench.

'I think I've seen it around there...'

Amidst the scattered water bottles and crumpled towels on Nekoma's bench, Tsuna's eyes zeroed in on something—a presence that stood out like a sore thumb.

'As expected… That's my book,' he thought, his lips twitching slightly.

He had spotted it earlier, just before the practice game began. Ever since becoming more conscious of anything related to his writing, he couldn't ignore the sight of his work in unexpected places.

Still, he'd chosen not to overthink it at the time.

But now, it seemed he had no choice.

'I have no other choice...'

Tsuna's clenched fist relaxed, his fingers twitching slightly as he lifted his head and scanned the court.

"Hey," he called out, his voice calm but cold enough to slice through the chatter.

The court fell silent. Both Karasuno and Nekoma players turned to him, exchanging confused glances.

"If you all don't want to play again..." he started, his voice steady but laced threat, and as he got all their attention on him, he then delivered his ultimatum, "My next series, Harry Poggers: The Chamber of Gooning... I won't release it."

"...!"

A gasp rippled through the Karasuno team, especially those who knew of Tsuna's secret identity. Several players visibly paled.

"T-Tsuna, chill out!"

Daichi stammered, his hands trembling slightly as he stepped forward.

Even Suga hurried over from the bench as he tried to dissuade him immediately, "Y-You can't just stop writing your book because of a practice game, Tsuna!"

"They're right, Tsuna-senpai!"

Kageyama and Hinata even teamed up as they practically threw themselves at Tsuna, pleading with wide eyes.

"What...?"

Meanwhile, Nekoma's players stood frozen as they looked at the scene in confusion.

"...!"

Kenma suddenly snapped upright, his sleepiness suddenly faded away as his eyes darted between the crowd around Tsuna.

He noticed they were genuinely panicking which made him widen his eyes in shock.

Their reactions felt too real for them to be acting.

And seeing Tsuna didn't seem to bulge somehow made Kenma feel nervous too as he was a big fan of the story as he thought, 'Is he really...?'

"Hold on…"

"Are they for real?"

"I—I don't know…"

The rest of Nekoma exchanged hesitant glances, their disbelief evident as they whispered among themselves.

And then, as if to confirm their growing fears…

"Yes," Tsuna said calmly. His gaze grew even colder, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he declared, "I am the Rizz God."

Gulp!

No one could pinpoint who had swallowed their saliva so nervously, but the sound echoed like a thunderclap in the silence.

"...!"

Everyone froze, their eyes widening in unison as they stared at Tsuna.

He seemed totally serious about it!

'That threat...' they all thought in unison, their fear etched on their faces.

It was too scary!

A while later...

"What in the world is going on?"

Keishin glanced between both teams, who now looked completely ready to play another round of their grueling match—just because of a single threat!

"Ukai-kun, are you unaware of Matsumoto-kun's story?" Takeda asked as he glanced at the Karasuno coach with disbelief. 'Is he living under a rock or something?'

"Well, I know he's a writer."

Keishin blinked. 

"His dad mentioned it once, but…" He scratched his head sheepishly, "But I don't read light novels, so I wouldn't know."

"Ah, I see..."

Takeda looked at him with faint surprise.

As a Japanese language teacher, Takeda prided himself on being well-versed in both classical and modern literature. From traditional Waka and Haiku to contemporary trends, he had a deep appreciation for the written word.

Of course, a light novel that had shaped an entire generation's culture was something he'd studied extensively.

He adjusted his glasses, "Actually, I'm a fan of his work."

"Really?"

Keishin raised an eyebrow. 

Takeda nodded thoughtfully as he then rubbed his chin before adding, "Matsumoto-kun's light novels are one of the most trending series in Japan right now. It's no exaggeration to say his writing has left a significant cultural impact."

"Eh? I didn't know that," Keishin admitted, glancing back at Tsuna, "That's… kind of unexpected."

The players on both teams, who had been ready to collapse a few moments ago, now looked fired up to play again.

"Well," Keishin muttered with a small grin, "I guess it's not such a bad thing if it gets them to play more."

It was truly a good thing.

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Just like Tsuna 😈

Drop your Power Stones or else...

I'm not dropping the next chap! *Insert evil laugh!* 😈😈😈

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