Sorry for the late updates.
I was only able to write two chapters last week, and I finally got to post them today.
There's been a lot of shocks lately—especially this week. I got to meet some people I grew up with (since I'm currently living with my parents).
Two of them already have kids! Like actual little human beings!
One guy, who used to fight me a lot, now has beautiful twins—and he's two years younger than me, which feels surreal. There's another guy who's a few years older, and he has a male little human.
We even got to hang out for a bit, went camping by the lake near town.
I don't know how I feel about it. I've always gone through life thinking I'd forever be the teenager I used to be. But this just made me painfully aware that I'm getting older.
And I've been rethinking my life choices—both the ones I've made so far and the ones I'll have to make for the future.
Should I chase my dream?
Should I stay with my parents since they're getting older? Like, there's just so much going on in my mind lately.
Maybe it's just post-nut clarity because I almost died out of nowhere—but honestly, I don't even know what to do yet.
Anyway, just forget my ramblings, enjoy the chaps! I'd try to post a minimum 4 chapters this week and slowly moving my way up to 10 chapters we used to have each week!
So powerstones are highly appreciated, it's going to motivate me to keep on going! Let's go!
---
"No."
Contrary to Tsuna's expectations, Keishin's answer was immediate.
"Huh?"
Tsuna blinked as he was caught off guard.
Keishin's eyes flicked to Tsuna's right hand, which was still twitching slightly. He knew Tsuna was eager to get on the court and face Date Tech.
But Keishin shook his head firmly, "Not yet."
"Why?"
Tsuna frowned, his voice rising slightly. "I'm sure it'd be good to put me in. Date Tech's blockers are starting to read Hinata's rhythm, aren't they?"
"That's true," Keishin admitted. "But they'll have to rethink their strategy soon enough."
Keishin knew pointing out Tsuna's twitching hand wouldn't stop him from pushing to play. Instead, he gestured toward the court.
"Look."
The noise of the game filled the air—shouts, squeaking shoes, the sharp smack of the ball. Amid the chaos, Asahi's voice cut through clearly.
"Sorry, cover!"
"Nice receive!"
Kageyama shouted back.
His eyes tracked the ball as it floated toward him, slightly off his position. He took a few quick steps while his mind racing as he scanned the court.
Daichi was at the front.
Tanaka was ready.
And there was Hinata, darting across the court like a flash of orange lightning.
'The highest chance of scoring…'
Kageyama thought.
As the ball fell closer, Kageyama's hands moved instinctively. He tossed the ball quickly above the net, perfectly timed.
'It's you, Hinata!'
Hinata was already in the air, his body coiled like a spring.
It was their normal quick attack.
But then…
"…"
Hinata's eyes were wide open, focused on the ball. He swung his arm to spike it. But suddenly, a shadow loomed over him.
Aone's massive frame filled his vision, hands stretched high, blocking the net completely.
BAM!
The sound of the ball hitting Aone's palm echoed through the gym. The crowd erupted into cheers.
"Let's go, Date Tech! Let's go!"
Hinata's heart sank. The ball wasn't going to make it through.
"Grrr...!"
He clenched his fist, glaring at Aone. But the blocker didn't even look at the ball. His eyes were locked on Hinata, cold and unyielding.
And yet…
"Holy shit…!"
Another loud plop rang out.
The crowd gasped.
"Hmm?"
Hinata's eyes widened as he turned only to see Nishinoya's body was sprawled on the ground with his arm outstretched. He then noticed the ball bounced high into the air, saved at the last second.
"Nishinoya-san!"
Hinata shouted, his voice bursting with excitement.
He immediately shifted his feet to reposition for another attack. His eyes sparkled with determination seeing Nishinoya's going on strike with the save.
'Me too!'
Hinata wanted to go on a strike as well!
Meanwhile, on the sidelines…
"Nishinoya is totally on crack right now," Keishin commented with a grin spreading across his face.
He kept on watching every move on the court.
Tsuna glanced at their coach, then turned back to the game. He frowned slightly, thinking, 'It doesn't look much different to me…'
With a quiet sigh, Tsuna sat back down.
He knew Keishin wasn't going to put him in anytime soon. His gaze dropped to his right hand, which still twitched faintly. He understood Keishin was doing this for his own good, but that didn't make it any less frustrating.
Just as his annoyance began to simmer, a soft voice broke through his thoughts, "…Tsuna."
"Huh?"
Tsuna blinked, looking up.
Shimizu stood there, holding out a drink for him. Her cheeks were slightly pink, and she avoided his gaze, her usual calm demeanor tinged with shyness.
"Thanks…" Tsuna said, taking the drink from her.
"Mhm," Shimizu replied quietly, nodding once before stepping back.
Tsuna raised an eyebrow, surprised by this. He took a sip of the drink, his eyes drifting back to the court.
As much as he wanted to talk to Shimizu, now wasn't the time.
His focus was entirely on the game!
On the court, all three of Karasuno's front-row players were moving into position as Kageyama dashed toward the ball.
"Hmm…?"
Tsuna's eyes narrowed as he noticed something unusual. Keishin chuckled beside him, clearly seeing the same thing.
"See, did I not tell you?"
Keishin said smugly.
".."
Tsuna didn't respond. His eyes stayed locked on the court.
Hinata leaped into the air, his movements sharp and explosive. Aone reacted instantly, jumping to block him.
It was the similar to what happened earlier when Tsuna was on the court—Aone and Futakuchi reacting to Hinata's so closely.
But then…
Tsuna's eyes gleamed.
"..."
Another figure jumped slightly behind Hinata.
It was Asahi.
"It's a back attack!"
Date Tech's blockers seemed to realize too late that Hinata was just a decoy. By the time Aone and Futakuchi started descending, Asahi was already in the air, towering over them.
The ball flew toward Asahi.
With a loud crack, he swung his arm, sending the ball hurtling toward Date Tech's court. His expression was focused, almost dazed, as if he were finally breaking free from some invisible weight pressing his chest.
The Date Tech player at the back lunged for the ball, but it was too fast. The ball hit the ground with a loud thud, followed by the sharp blow of the referee's whistle.
Tsuna couldn't help but mumble, "…Seems like Asahi is finally getting some relief out of this."
"Whoaaa!"
"Karasuno is taking another point off the Iron Wall!"
The crowd roared with excitement, their cheers echoing through the gym. And Karasuno's players mirrored that enthusiasm on the court.
"Asahi!"
Suga's voice rang out with excitement as he understood what this meant for Asahi.
"Nice kill, Asahi-san!"
The rest of the team followed, rushing toward Asahi to celebrate the hard-earned point. It was his first point of the game—and the first one to break through Date Tech's infamous Iron Wall.
The team huddled around him, patting his back and shouting in triumph.
Tsuna watched from the sidelines, shaking his head with a quiet chuckle, "Sure…"
He sat back down, finally understanding Keishin's reasoning. The coach wasn't just thinking about the game.
He was also considering Asahi's mental struggles, helping him overcome his fears step by step.
'Seems like he's calmed down…'
Keishin stood with his arms crossed, a small smile playing on his lips. He looked at Asahi, his expression thoughtful.
'This is all I can do,' he thought. 'For the rest, you have to do it on your own.'
By using Hinata as a decoy, Keishin had given Asahi a chance to break through the Iron Wall. But he knew the real challenge was still ahead.
Asahi had to face the wall himself—and crush it with his own strength.
"Karasuno…"
"They're winning against Date Tech."
The crowd buzzed with excitement as the game continued.
Among the spectators, the players from Tokonami High watched in awe. They couldn't believe how Karasuno was steadily gaining momentum against Date Tech, even with the infamous Iron Wall standing in their way.
"Seems like our loss was well deserved," Ikejiri muttered, his voice tinged with both admiration and resignation.
Before long, the referee's whistle blew, signaling the end of the second set.
The crowd erupted into cheers as the scoreboard flashed 25–22 in Karasuno's favor.
"Damn! It seems like we're still underestimating Karasuno by a lot!"
"Yeah, to think they're able to take a set off Date Tech."
"They're really good!"
The players from both teams retreated to their benches as the crowds murmured among themselves.
Karasuno's players huddled around Keishin for the short break between sets.
On the other side of the court, Date Tech's coach, Oiwake, rubbed his chin thoughtfully as his players watched him, waiting for instructions.
"Their fast quick attack is indeed quite troublesome," Oiwake began, "Not only does it disrupt our usual read-blocking strat, but it also leaves us vulnerable to back attacks, especially when their #3 rotates to the back row."
"Hm!" Aone grunted, his expression serious.
Futakuchi nodded in agreement, "It shouldn't be a problem once we get used to their fast quick attack."
Both of them had managed to touch the ball during the quick attack at the last second, and they were sure they could handle it next time.
"I know. I'll trust you both on that," Oiwake nodded. He then turned to Sakunami, "We're going to need an anchor for the back attack. I'll adjust our positions slightly so you can cover the court more effectively."
"Yes, sir!"
Sakunami replied, his voice firm.
The break between sets flew by in what felt like seconds. Soon, the players were back on the court, the crowd chanting both teams' names with equal fervor.
However…
As the teams took their positions, Date Tech's players froze in surprise. Someone had already been subbed in for Karasuno.
"You..."
And seeing this particular player, Futakuchi's eyes narrowed as he stared at Tsuna, who stood directly across the net from him.
He asked, "What… are you doing?"
"Why?"
Tsuna tilted his head, his expression calm at first. Then, a wide grin spread across his face. "We swapped our positions..."
The way he said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world was unnerving to everyone in Date Tech.
However, Tsuna couldn't careless as his gaze shifted from Futakuchi to Aone, who stood beside him. His heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst out of his chest.
The thrill of the moment was overwhelming.
"…!"
Date Tech's players could only stare in surprise.
Tsuna, despite everything, had been placed right where their Iron Wall was strongest!