Haikyuu - I Am A Different Hinata!

Chapter 55: Chapter 55 - VS Johzenji (Part1)



"It was a great game!" said Natsume with a smile on his face, though he seemed low on energy as he shook Daichi's hand.

"It really was! We were surprised by the level of your team!" Daichi said.

"Man, how come you're not more talked about? You're really good!" said Tanaka.

"Thank you so much!" Natsume said, bowing.

"Seriously, you have a high level of skill!" said Hinata.

"This is incredible! Hearing that from you… that's something to be proud of!" Natsume said.

"But why?" asked Hinata, confused.

"Well, you're a rising star that everyone's talking about. Getting a compliment from you is a big deal to me! Anyway… good luck in the next round!" Natsume said as he walked away, heading back to his team, who was waiting for him.

 

"I feel a little bad for him… He gave us the most trouble in this match. He really gave it his all," said Asahi in a melancholic tone.

"But there's nothing we can do; that's how tournaments work. Lots of good players will fall along the way. What matters is that we're the ones who will triumph!" said Daichi.

"Alright, everyone, grab your things and let's get on the bus!" Ukai called out.

 

After packing their bags, all of Karasuno's players boarded the bus to return to the school. As usual, almost every single one of them fell asleep during the ride and had to be woken up when they arrived.

 

"Do you think we'll be on TV again?" Tanaka asked.

"Well, we can check before our meeting, like we did last time…" Daichi replied.

"LET'S GO!" Nishinoya shouted, running off excitedly.

"WAIT UP, Noya-san!" Tanaka yelled, chasing after him.

"Those idiots… weren't they supposed to be tired?" Tsukishima sighed.

"HEY! YOU GUYS ARE LATE! THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT US!" Tanaka shouted.

 

"It's no secret anymore—the wingless crows have soared back with a new team that has been defeating some of the strongest teams in the prefecture. Now, they've reached the semifinals of the Interhigh Preliminaries after beating Aoba Johsai, one of the province's top teams," said the news anchor as clips of Karasuno vs. Seijoh played on screen.

 

"DID YOU SEE THAT? WE ALL SHOWED UP ON TV!" Tanaka exclaimed excitedly.

"HEHE, I looked amazing doing my rolling thunder!" Nishinoya bragged.

"You're all missing the point. Now everyone has to drop those humiliating nicknames they gave us. Karasuno's rise is being recognized," Daichi said.

"Alright, now that you're done watching the news… let's head to the meeting."

"Got it," they replied, heading toward the gym.

 

"Congratulations on today's matches! We managed to eliminate what was probably the second-strongest team in the prefecture. We're getting closer to winning the tournament!" Takeda said.

"Next, in the semifinals, we'll face Johzenji. They're undeniably weaker than Seijoh, but they shouldn't be underestimated," Ukai said.

"What kind of playstyle do they have?" Yamaguchi asked, raising his hand.

"Well, I haven't analyzed their game replay yet, but I've heard rumors that their style changed drastically after a coaching change. They used to focus on the basics, but now they've adopted a completely different style. I still need to study them," Ukai said.

"Alright, that's all for now! You can head home!" Ukai dismissed them.

 

As the players made their way home, they chatted amongst themselves.

"I'm glad you guys got to play today," Hinata said to Sugawara and Ennoshita.

"It was so much fun setting for my teammates again!" Sugawara said with a smile.

"I didn't score much, and we almost lost while I was on the court, but I have to admit, playing official matches is really exciting," Ennoshita said.

"In the end, you played, and we still won comfortably, so there's nothing to worry about!" Daichi reassured him.

 

After a while, Hinata arrived home.

"Look who's here… My son, the one who was on TV today!" his mom said.

"You saw the news?" Hinata asked.

"We did! You were amazing, right, Natsu?"

"Yes! You jumped so high, Onii-chan!" Natsu said, hopping around and mimicking Hinata's arm movements as if spiking a ball.

"We've got the semifinals tomorrow, so I need to sleep early. I'll eat dinner and head to bed," Hinata said.

"Of course. Your dinner's in the microwave," his mom replied.

 

After eating, Hinata forced himself to sleep. The next day, he woke up and headed to school, where some of the team members were already gathered by the bus.

"Okay, time to go, everyone! Get on the bus!" Ukai called out.

 

When they arrived at Sendai City Gymnasium, the Karasuno players were walking toward the court.

"Hey, I'm a bit thirsty. I'll go grab a drink," Hinata said.

"Alright, just go the way Shimizu went—she went to get water too," Daichi replied.

"Someone should go with him!" Tanaka warned.

"Why?" Kageyama asked.

"Because every time Hinata wanders off, something happens!" Tanaka said, looking a bit spooked.

"Forget it, let's just keep moving," Daichi said.

 

As Hinata walked toward the drinking fountain, he spotted Shimizu with two guys seemingly talking to her.

"Shimizu-san, is everything alright?" Hinata asked as he got closer.

"She's fine, man… I was just trying to get her number!" said one of the guys, who had a blonde undercut.

"She's our team manager, and we need her right now. Plus, she doesn't seem interested in you," Hinata said with a cheeky smile.

"Hey, man, that's not fair for you to speak for her… Wait a second, aren't you from that team we're about to face? Kara… something?" the guy asked.

"Karasuno," Hinata corrected, still smiling.

"HEY! Terushima, what's your deal? Why do you keep wandering off?!" called another guy with short black hair, who looked calm and serious.

"See you in a bit!" Terushima said, walking back toward his teammate.

 

"Thank you so much for helping me," Shimizu said, sounding grateful.

"It's nothing… Just be glad it wasn't Tanaka-san or Nishinoya-san in my place, or things would've turned into a huge mess!" Hinata said, relieved.

Shimizu gave him a small smile as the two walked back to the gym.

 

"Hey, did something happen?" Tanaka asked.

"Let me think… Oh, yeah! That guy over there was trying to get Shimizu-san's number, but I sent him packing!" Hinata boasted.

"That blondie who passed by me looking all smug?! That bastard's gonna pay!" Tanaka said, glaring at Terushima with fiery eyes and an unfriendly expression.

"You were right, Tanaka-san! We should've gone with him! But we'll teach him a lesson on the court!" Nishinoya said, joining Tanaka's intense glare.

 

The match was about to begin.

 

"As I noticed while watching their replays…" Ukai began.

"What did you notice?" Takeda asked.

"This Johzenji team only has two third-years: a backup setter and a wing spiker who's their captain," Ukai explained.

 

"HEY! DID YOU FORGET ABOUT ME, YOU IDIOT?!" a voice called out to Hinata.

"Sekimukai-san! It's been so long! You seem to have grown a bit!" Hinata said, going to greet his old friend.

"Hehe, not as much as you, but I'm 175 cm now!" Sekimukai said proudly.

"Did you make it to the starting lineup?" Hinata teased.

"Not yet! The second-years are really good, but I learned how to do a float serve, so I come in as a pinch server!" Sekimukai replied.

"Alright! Good luck!" Hinata said, walking back to his team.

 

"You knew that guy?" Kageyama asked.

"He's a good friend from middle school. You played against him in that match too," Hinata said, stretching.

"Oh, yeah… He's grown a bit, though," Kageyama said, deep in thought.


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