After spending a week training as usual, it was finally the day to kick off the Miyagi qualifiers for the nationals, and Hinata was about to leave home to head to Karasuno.
"Son, stay calm, everything's gonna work out, and your team will pull off a win!" Hana said, trying to ease Hinata's nerves.
"I'm fine, Mom… I'm not the least bit scared of losing this round. In fact, you should come watch my games! You didn't show up to a single one last tournament!" Hinata said accusingly, crossing his arms.
"I can't go! If I do and you guys start losing, my heart won't be able to take it!" Hana replied with a playful grin.
"Fine! But this time, you'll have to at least come watch the finals when the time comes!" Hinata shot back, brimming with confidence.
"Alright! But don't underestimate your opponents! I didn't raise you like that!" Hana scolded, not thrilled about Hinata already picturing himself in the finals but understanding he was an insanely confident kid.
"I wanna see big bro play!" Natsu piped up, pouting.
"See? Even little Natsu wants to watch my talent live!" Hinata said triumphantly.
"Okay, okay! When the finals roll around, we'll be there," Hana sighed.
"That's a promise!" Hinata grinned as he turned and left the house, walking off. A few minutes later, he was near Karasuno, spotting the gate. Inside the school, he could see two buses—one carrying some Karasuno players like Sugawara and Daichi, who'd already arrived, and another near it, led by the Vice Principal, who stood at the bus entrance counting students in a line that Hinata figured were there to cheer for Karasuno.
"Wow! Looks like we've got more fans this time than before!" Hinata said, impressed, as he approached Daichi and Sugawara.
"Yeah! Word got around school that we made it to the interhigh qualifier finals, and it impressed a bunch of people, sparking their interest in rooting for us!" Daichi said, arms crossed, eyeing the line of students nearby.
"Hmph! They're nothing but leeches! Back when we were called the wingless crows and a lousy team, none of them lifted a finger to cheer for us. They don't fool me!" Tanaka grumbled, showing up with the rest of the Karasuno crew in tow.
"Chill out, Ryu! The more people cheering for us, the better—we might even score some real fans!" Nishinoya said, hyped up.
"Wait, you're right! I'll show these guys all my new skills, and they won't underestimate me anymore!" Tanaka said, clenching his fists.
"Alright! Since everyone's here, let's get moving. We've gotta hit the road to the gym, so hop in!" Ukai ordered, heading into the bus with the Karasuno players trailing behind. After a few minutes of travel, they arrived at Sedai Municipal Gymnasium.
"Okay, our match is the first one up, so we don't have time to mess around. Let's head in!" Ukai said as they walked into the gym.
"There they are, the old wingless crows!" a kid said, watching the Karasuno players stroll down the hall.
"I don't think anyone dares call them that seriously anymore. They made it to the last tournament's finals and even took a set off Shiratorizawa! No one would've said this a year ago, but they're favorites against Wakutani!" another kid replied.
"Daichi-san, I need to hit the bathroom!" Hinata said to Daichi.
"Fine, but don't take long. You still need to warm up, and don't forget we're one of the first matches!" Daichi warned.
"Leave it to me!" Hinata said, heading toward the bathroom. When he stepped in, it was empty, and after washing his hands, he walked out—only to run smack into two familiar faces: Oikawa and Iwaizumi.
"Hinata-chan! You again! Why do we always have to bump into each other in random places?" Oikawa said, his tone playful but tinged with annoyance.
"Actually, I don't think it's that unlikely we'd run into each other in the halls today. Our teams are competing in this tournament, after all," Hinata said with a shrug.
"You guys shouldn't even bother showing up. You should turn around and save yourselves the time, 'cause we're gonna crush every team and head to nationals!" Oikawa taunted.
"I don't think that's possible, Oikawa," Ushiwaka said, stepping up after overhearing the chatter. He'd been nearby with Date Tech's Aone trailing him, glaring and pointing furiously at his back as Ushiwaka approached.
"Well, now I think this many people gathering here is kinda unlikely… or maybe not, since big shots meeting up before a tournament is pretty standard in sports anime," Hinata thought, watching the scene unfold around him.
"Why wouldn't it be likely?" Oikawa asked, his face already twisting into an irritated scowl.
"The tournament only gives one spot for nationals, and I'm afraid your team doesn't have what it takes to beat everyone like you claimed," Ushiwaka said, sounding genuine but oblivious to how much he was pissing Oikawa off.
"You bastard!" Oikawa growled.
"Oh! This is unexpected—top players from Shiratorizawa, Seijoh, Karasuno, and Date Tech all in one spot. Are they gonna fight?" a kid observed.
"No clue, but I'd bet all my money on Ushiwaka! Though Karasuno's drug-dealer-looking Asahi wouldn't let it slide easy!" another kid said, enjoying the drama.
"Alright, this chat's fun and all, but I've got a game to win. I don't need to worry about you making it to the finals, so just save our spot there, 'cause we're gonna get revenge on you guys…" Hinata sang out, patting Ushiwaka's shoulders as he walked off.
"You'd have to get past me first, you little punk!" Oikawa yelled, completely ignored.
"Just shut it already—you've embarrassed yourself enough!" Iwaizumi said, yanking Oikawa by the sleeve as they left Ushiwaka standing there with Aone, who was still pointing at him fiercely.
PS: The chapter was sent with errors, so I reposted it. Sorry about that.