17 Chapter 17

0 - 2

That was the current score. Semi couldn't believe they were in the lead. He served, and sent the ball towards Shirabu once again. Shirabu was better prepared this time and bumped it up nicely. As annoying as it was, Ushijima was also decent at setting. He set the ball wide for Shirabu. The setter jumped to spike it, but Hinata was blocking his straight. He hit a cross shot, right towards the waiting Semi.

Semi got under it, and got the ball up. Hinata jumped to get the ball, and set it cleanly for Semi. He jumped and hit a cross shot, straight at Shirabu who couldn't receive it, making the ball land outside the court.

0 - 3

"Nice Kill!" Hinata smiled brightly, and Semi just looked at his hands. That shot had felt really good. As a setter, Semi recognised a good set when he saw one. It had been easy to hit and so far, it appeared that Hinata didn't lie about his abilities.

"Nice set" Semi smiled back.

He saw Ushijima walk up to Shirabu and talk about something. Whatever it was, the setter nodded and looked more determined.

He continued his serve and sent it towards Shirabu. The setter received it, and bumped it high and close to the net. He realised what happened a second too late, as Ushijima was already making his approach. That wasn't a receive, it was a set.

Ushijima jumped, and so did Hinata. He had realised what was happening faster than Semi had. They met in the air, and Ushijima spiked the ball. The force behind it knocked Hinata's arm back, and the ball landed outside the court, earning Ushijima a blockout.

1 - 3

Hinata just rubbed his arm, and Semi sympathised with him. He knew firsthand how that felt. It was now Shirabu's serve.

"You don't have to worry about his serve. It's decent at best." Semi said and Hinata gave a quick nod.

Shirabu served, and his very first served turned into a net roller. It fell to the floor before any of them could reach it. 2 - 3

There wasn't much they could do about it, so they prepared themselves for the next serve. Shirabu aimed the serve at Semi, who had no problem bumping it up. Hinata jumped up and delivered another solid set. Semi spiked the ball, but it was intercepted by a well timed block by Ushijima.

3 - 3

"Don't mind. We'll get the next point." Hinata called out and Semi answered with a nod.

Shirabu served again and aimed it towards Semi. He received it cleanly and sent it towards Hinata. He set the ball and Semi spiked the ball towards Shirabu, as Ushijima had stood like a wall in front of him and Semi didn't want to get blocked. Shirabu received it, but it was too low to be a set. Semi couldn't have been more thankful for that.

Shirabu spiked it towards the back, but Hinata was able to get under it in time. Semi jumped to set the ball, but he accidentally set it a little higher than he'd intended. He didn't think Hinata could spike that and so did their opponents. Ushijima stayed back to receive and Shirabu moved to block. Hinata completed his approach and jumped.

Semi heard gasps all around and he couldn't blame them as he was gasping too. His jump wasn't anything like what he did during the block. Hinata looked like he was flying. His form was beautiful in the air. Hinata spiked it and a 'bang' was heard from the other side of the net. Shirabu landed and looked confused for a second, before his eyes widened in realisation.

3 - 4

There was complete silence for a few seconds before Tendō made an excited scream.

"Did that shrimp just spike it 'above' the block!?"

That broke the silence and it was noisy all over again. Hinata turned to Semi with the brightest smile. "Nice set!"

"Nice kill" Semi answered back with a stiff smile. That was totally unintentional, but at least Semi now knew how to toss for him.

"You can jump really high. It looked like you were flying." Semi said. That was an understatement.

Hinata just chuckled hearing that. "I don't have another choice. I have to jump high, to be able to keep up with those taller than me."

"You got any other speciality I should know about?"

"I have good stamina and I can run really fast. Other than that, some people say I've got some nasty serves." Hinata replied and moved to serve.

Semi got into position and so did their opponents. Hinata had shown some incredible skills so far. Everyone was wondering what kind of serve he'd do. Hinata then threw the ball up and began his run-up. Their eyes widened at that. A middle schooler with a jump serve!?

They were partially correct as Hinata delivered a jump floater. Semi's jaw dropped, along with everyone else's, as they witnessed Ushijima and Shirabu fail to get it.

It was a service ace.

"Nice serve!" Semi called to Hinata, who just smiled brightly. "Get another one in!"

Hinata served again and sent the ball towards Shirabu. As it approached, it looked like it would land outside and Shirabu let it pass. "It's out-" he called, just for the ball to lose height and fall inside their court.

"No touch Ace!!" Tendō screamed from the side.

Semi lifted his hand for a high-five and Hinata obliged. He found himself having fun. It had been a while since he'd felt that during a practice.

Hinata served again and this time, he sent it towards Ushijima. The spiker tried an overhand receive, but the ball's trajectory shifted a bit and it landed outside after getting a touch.

3 - 7

It was three service ace in a row.

Semi just stared at Hinata. Were there players like that in middle school nowadays? He didn't believe the middle schoolers were that skilled. He was definitely looking at a monster.

Hinata served, and this time.. Shirabu got it up with an overhand receive. He directly set it for Ushijima. It wasn't the best set, but he knew Ushijima could score anyways. Hinata jumped to block, but he just hit towards Semi. It hit the ground beside him with a 'bang', before Semi could even try for a dig. [4 - 7]

It was Ushijima' serve now and Semi was on high alert. Ushijima jumped, and delivered another arm-breaker serve. It landed between Hinata and Semi, quicker than the two could react properly. A service ace. [5 - 7]

He served again, and delivered it in another difficult spot. Hinata dived to receive, but the ball was just sent flying. Damn that fucking spin. [6-7]

Semi went to cheer Hinata up, but found him gritting his teeth in annoyance. Semi then realised that Hinata was talking this match seriously. Unlike him, from the moment Hinata stepped inside the court, he never doubted that they could win. He was probably the one taking this match most seriously. He knew Ushijima wasn't totally serious yet.

"I'll get the next one." Hinata said and Semi nodded. He suddenly felt inadequate.

He couldn't remember the last time he'd tried to receive Ushijima's serves seriously. It was a normal thing for them to not think much of it, when they failed to receive his serves or spikes. It was Ushijima after all. He was a cut above the rest, and Semi had already accepted that.

He looked at Shirabu and found him sporting a confident and smug look. That really annoyed Semi. He had accepted Ushijima was on a different level.. but his junior?

Why did he look smug, when Semi was more experienced and skilled than him? Semi had been Shiratorizawa's setter, but now that role belonged to his junior. Why? Because he couldn't just completely devote himself to the ace, and not make much use of the other players. It just wasn't how he played volleyball. He believed in making use of Ushijima at the best opportunities. Unlike Shirabu, who just continuously sent the ball to Ushijima, whenever he was in a pinch.

But he also understood why Shirabu replaced him. A Cannon like Ushijima needed a dedicated setter, and that wasn't something Semi could fully devote himself to. So he was fine with it. What he wasn't fine with, however, was Shirabu's attitude towards it. It went to his head and made him complacent. Shirabu had skills, but instead of looking to hone them.. he was okay with just relying on Ushijima's strength.

And now the little prick believed he'd win, as long as he had Ushijima on his team. It didn't matter if his personal skills weren't improving, as long as he got the ball to Ushijima. That attitude just pissed Semi off.

'Fuck This' he thought

It was about time he got serious and taught his smug junior a lesson. Shirabu couldn't hide behind Ushijima, not in a 2v2. He wanted to wiped that smug look off of his face, and let him know who the better player was. Maybe, it would be enough to make Shirabu want to improve as well.

His partner didn't doubt that they could win, so why should he? Since when did Semi become so resigned to defeat?

No more holding back.

Semi turned to Hinata and looked him in they eye.

"Let's win this"