Haikyuu! Reaching New heights

The gym was silent as I tossed the ball into the air.

I could feel all eyes on me.

✔ Aokiri's players, standing ready.

✔ Their blockers, prepared to shut us down.

✔ Takahashi, watching me carefully.

I swung my arm—sending the ball flying over the net.

Game on.

Aokiri's libero, Shun Matsui, received my serve perfectly.

✔ No hesitation.

✔ No shaky first touches.

✔ Just a clean, controlled pass.

Their setter, Masato Koga, rushed into position.

Kenji muttered, "Here it comes."

Koga flicked his wrists—setting the ball fast and low.

Takahashi was already in the air.

I barely had time to react before—

BOOM!

His spike blasted past our block and hit the floor.

Point: Aokiri.

Score: 0-1.

Kōji cursed. "Damn, he's fast."

Izumi clenched his fists. "That wasn't just speed—that was power."

Takahashi landed smoothly, looking straight at me.

"Hope you're ready to lose, Hinata."

I grinned. "Not happening."

Aokiri's next serve was fast and aggressive.

Izumi dived, barely keeping it up.

Kenji rushed in—setting the ball fast.

I sprinted—jumped—swung—

BLOCKED.

The ball bounced off Aokiri's middle blocker, Yamada, and hit the ground.

Point: Aokiri.

Score: 0-2.

Kenji growled. "Damn, their block is solid."

Matsuda-sensei shouted from the sideline, "Don't panic! Find a rhythm!"

I clenched my fists. 'Alright. Time to adjust.'

Aokiri served again—this time, straight at me.

I dug my feet in. Received it cleanly.

Kenji rushed in.

Aokiri's blockers were already shifting toward me, expecting me to spike.

But at the last second—Kenji faked the set and tossed it to Arai instead.

Arai swung—crushing the ball down the sideline.

BAM!

Point: Us.

Score: 1-2.

Arai clenched his fist. "Hell yeah!"

Kenji smirked. "Let's see if they can keep up with us."

I grinned. "Now we're playing."

Aokiri wouldn't let us gain momentum easily.

They kept pressuring our defense, testing our blocks, and shutting down easy points.

But we weren't backing down.

✔ Kōji started blocking more.

✔ Arai and Daichi stepped up as attackers.

✔ Kenji's sets became harder to read.

The score fluctuated back and forth.

4-4.

8-8.

10-10.

Kenji exhaled. "They're not giving us anything easy."

I smirked. "Neither are we."

Score: 12-12.

Both teams were locked in a battle.

Every point was a struggle.

Every rally was getting longer.

Takahashi smirked at me from across the net.

"Not bad, Hinata."

I grinned. "You haven't seen anything yet."

Kenji clapped his hands. "Alright! Let's take the lead!"

The ref blew the whistle.

The next serve was coming.

Who would break first?

..

Score: 12-12.

Both teams stood across the net, breathing hard, but focused.

The gym was electric with tension.

✔ Every rally was getting longer.

✔ Both teams were adapting fast.

✔ Neither side was backing down.

This wasn't just about skill or strength.

This was about who wanted it more.

Kenji clapped his hands. "Let's take control now!"

I grinned. "Time to push forward."

The ref blew the whistle.

Game on.

Kenji served—fast and deep.

Aokiri's libero, Matsui, handled it perfectly, sending a sharp pass to their setter, Koga.

Kenji cursed. "Damn, their receives are too clean."

Koga moved fast—his hands flicking the ball up instantly.

Takahashi was already in the air.

Kōji and I jumped to block.

But—

He changed angles mid-air.

BOOM!

His spike shot straight down, just outside Kōji's reach.

Point: Aokiri.

Score: 12-13.

Kenji groaned. "I swear, that guy's a machine."

Takahashi smirked at me.

"Not keeping up, Hinata?"

I grinned. "Not yet."

Takahashi served next—fast and powerful.

Izumi slid in—digging the ball just in time.

Kenji sprinted, setting a low, quick pass.

Aokiri's blockers focused on me—expecting my spike.

But instead—

I tipped the ball lightly over their block.

BAM!

It landed perfectly.

Point: Us.

Score: 13-13.

Kenji grinned. "Nice read."

I smirked. "They're gonna have to do better than that."

Both teams fought for every single point.

✔ Kōji finally started reading their quick attacks, getting key blocks.

✔ Arai and Daichi found openings in Aokiri's defense.

✔ Kenji's sets became completely unpredictable.

15-15.

17-17.

19-19.

The match was dead even.

The crowd was on the edge of their seats.

Matsuda-sensei yelled, "Stay focused! Don't let up!"

Kenji wiped sweat from his forehead. "We need a breakthrough."

I clenched my fists.

'Then let's make one.'

Kenji stepped up to serve.

This was our chance.

I whispered to him, "Serve it deep, make their setter move."

Kenji smirked. "Got it."

He tossed the ball—jumped—and sent a powerful serve to the back corner.

Koga, Aokiri's setter, had to move backward to receive it—taking him out of position.

I sprinted forward.

'Now's my chance!'

Kenji set the ball—fast and low.

I jumped—reading Aokiri's blockers.

They expected a straight spike.

But instead—

I switched angles mid-air.

The ball shot past their hands—hitting the open corner.

BAM!

Point: Us.

Score: 20-19.

Kenji's eyes widened. "What the—was that your new attack?!"

I grinned. "Yeah. And I'm just getting started."

Takahashi narrowed his eyes.

Then—he smirked.

"Alright, Hinata. Now I'm serious."

.....

Score: 20-19.

For the first time in the match—we were ahead.

The gym was tense.

✔ Both teams were exhausted.✔ Every rally felt like a war.✔ The first set was coming down to the wire.

Kenji clapped his hands. "Five more points! Let's finish this!"

I nodded. "We can't slow down now."

Across the net, Takahashi smirked.

"Alright, Hinata. Let's see if you can keep up."

The ref blew the whistle.

Game on.

Kenji served deep again, forcing Koga, their setter, to move.

But Aokiri adjusted fast.

✔ Perfect pass.✔ Clean set from the backcourt.✔ A devastating spike from their opposite hitter, Saito.

BOOM!

The ball slammed into the floor before Izumi could reach it.

Point: Aokiri.

Score: 20-20.

Kenji cursed. "Damn it! They're too clean!"

Izumi sighed. "That was perfect execution."

I clenched my fists. 'We need to break their rhythm again.'

Aokiri's serve was strong, but Izumi dug it up cleanly.

Kenji rushed in.

I sprinted forward—but this time, so did Arai.

Aokiri's blockers hesitated. Who was getting the ball?

Kenji made a split-second decision—setting to Arai instead of me.

Arai swung hard, sending the ball straight down the line.

BAM!

Point: Us.

Score: 21-20.

Arai pumped his fist. "Let's go!"

Kenji smirked. "Now we're unpredictable."

Takahashi narrowed his eyes. "Clever. But not enough."

Takahashi stepped up to serve.

He tossed the ball—jumped—

And sent a serve straight at me.

I braced myself—but at the last second, the ball dropped faster than expected.

I lunged—too late.

Ace.

Point: Aokiri.

Score: 21-21.

Izumi gritted his teeth. "Damn, a jump float serve."

Kenji muttered, "They're targeting Hinata now."

I clenched my fists. "Fine. Then I'll receive it next time."

Takahashi smirked. "Let's see."

..

✔ Both teams were trading points.✔ Neither side was giving an inch.✔ Every mistake could be the end of the set.

22-22.23-23.

The gym was on edge.

Kenji panted. "We can't let them get to set point first."

I nodded. "Then let's take it right now."

Takahashi's eyes burned with intensity.

I could tell—he was thinking the exact same thing.

The ref blew the whistle.

The next play was about to start.

Who would reach set point first?