After changing into their uniforms and settling their belongings in the locker room, Karasuno spread out their floor mats and began preparations for the upcoming match. Hinata and Yamaguchi helped the managers by carrying crates of water bottles, making sure everyone would have something to drink—even those unlikely to see court time.
On their way back, they ran into the three girls who had come to cheer. Now dressed in crisp cheerleading uniforms, they returned to Karasuno's resting area together.
"We're here to cheer~!" Koyuki's bright voice lit up the room.
"Oh, Koyuki, and Arima—welcome," Hayato greeted them with an easy smile. He spoke casually to Koyuki and Takanori, but hesitated when it came to the more aloof Arima Hizume. To his surprise, Arima told him it was fine to call her by name. Hayato, ever the informal type, did so without hesitation.
The players welcomed their cheer squad warmly.
"Tanaka, you've got to do your best today too~!" Koyuki teased.
Puffing up with pride, Tanaka slapped his chest. "Leave it to me! I'll shine so bright you won't be able to look away!"
Before leaving to meet up with Shimada's cheering group, Koyuki handed over two large boxes of neatly packed honey lemon slices.
"We made these together. Eat them and play your best, okay?" She clenched her fists in a cheer, then left with her friends.
Daichi accepted the boxes like they were treasure. "Since they went to the trouble of making these, let's eat up and give it our all."
The team gathered around, kneeling on the mats with disposable forks in hand. Together, they clasped their hands and shouted, "I'm going to eat!" before digging in.
"Delicious!"
"Sweet, but just the right amount of sour."
Laughter filled the room as they enjoyed the treat. Once the boxes were empty, Kiyoko calmly handed out wet wipes from her pocket so the boys could clean their sticky hands.
Ukai glanced at the clock. "Alright, let's wrap it up. Time to warm up."
On their way to the court, the team passed a familiar sight: an older man in a red baseball cap with a data sheet in hand.
"Karasuno, huh? Last time, you didn't even make it past the second round. To make it this far… was it just luck? Even against Seijoh, you barely scraped by."
Ukai muttered under his breath, "That guy again…"
The third-years immediately stiffened.
"You know him, Coach?"
"Not exactly. He's just some local who shows up now and then. Cheers when you're good, curses when you're bad. He's followed Karasuno for years. Wears his heart on his sleeve."
Sugawara nodded. "Yeah, we saw him back when we were first-years."
Daichi's jaw tightened. "This time… we'll make him eat his words about us not being able to fly."
With nothing more to say, Ukai clapped his hands. "Let's go."
Meanwhile, in the stands, Karasuno's Head of Student Affairs adjusted his wig and gripped a megaphone. Wearing a red headband that read Karasuno Must Win, he was a completely different man from his usual stern self.
"Our cheers will give the players strength! Don't be afraid to shout until your voices are hoarse!"
The students he'd rallied whispered among themselves.
"Wow, he's really into it."
"Is this his real personality…?"
Their hastily formed cheering squad wasn't exactly polished—their chants were uneven, their megaphone claps out of rhythm—but they shouted with all their might.
In front of them, Shimada and the shopping district supporters exchanged wry smiles.
"Are they going to be okay?" Takinoue asked.
Shimada smirked. "It's fine. The players will handle it. Ah, speak of the devil."
Karasuno entered the arena, led by Daichi. Their posture was firm, their expressions serious… until the nerves set in.
"I… I need the bathroom again."
"Hitoka, do you have stomach medicine?"
"Give me some too!"
Hinata, Yamaguchi, and even Asahi were visibly trembling. Only calm types like Tsukishima and Hayato—or hot-blooded types like Kageyama, Tanaka, and Nishinoya—stood steady.
Tanaka and Nishinoya, of course, were more distracted by Shiratorizawa's cheer squad.
"Woah, look at that one!"
"Not bad, but ours are cuter."
"Calm down, you idiots!" Daichi barked, exasperated. Coach Takeda, just as nervous, stammered through an attempt at encouragement, which only made things worse.
Up in the stands, Hinata's old middle school friends exchanged stunned looks.
"Wait… this is Karasuno?"
"…They really are a motley crew."
Shimada could only sigh. "Can't argue with that."
At that moment, Saeko dragged over a suspicious man in sunglasses and a mask.
"Who are you supposed to be, sneaking around like that? Shiratorizawa's spy?"
The man quickly pulled off his disguise. "Wait! I'm Tsukishima Kei's older brother—Akiteru."
"What?!" Shimada and Takinoue exclaimed.
"Keep it down," Akiteru hissed. "He doesn't want me here."
Sure enough, Tsukishima spotted him. The sheer weight of his glare made Akiteru shrink behind the railing.
"These brothers couldn't be more different," Takinoue muttered. Saeko only tilted her head in confusion at the atmosphere.
Soon after, Karasuno's cheerleaders—Koyuki, Saruwatari, and Arima—arrived in full uniform, drawing surprised murmurs from the students around them.
"Wait, those three… aren't they from our school?"
"Since when do we have a cheerleading club?"
"We don't. But if Karasuno wins today, maybe that'll change."
With the cheerleaders in place and the stands packed with supporters, Karasuno's side was complete. The court awaited.
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