#audriel89

The title and the first page is pretty disheartening. 

Oddly though, Furudate-sensei does not let us linger too much with giving us side stories. Is that on purpose? For what purpose though? Not to let our hopes up? Or not to let us worry? Who knows? I’ll just get myself prepared for either outcome.

BUT BUT BUT

Is it just me or does she look a lot like Goshiki? Though I want to give her a high five for being such a good wingwoman for her friend.

This exchange is interesting. Miya purposefully approaches Kageyama and then makes a jab to Hinata. I think he recognizes Hinata as Kageyama’s partner. He is wary of Kageyama, so naturally he is also wary of Hinata, and wants to nip them in the bud, if possible. But nope, it doesn’t look like it works. Somehow Miya reminds me more of Oikawa than Kuroo. With more arrogance though. I might be reading it wrong.

Good job defending your BFF (or BF, whatever your pick), Kageyama! Really, I think there’s no one else has as much regard to Hinata as Kageyama. I imagine he already has a high standard in the beginning, and yet Hinata manages to meet it. He moves it higher, and Hinata still meets it. Somewhere along the way, he stops putting limit on Hinata.

Hello Audi! Thanks for asking!

The first scene I put down for “Slow Dancing” was actually the dancing itself! The exact words that I started with (but were eventually deleted) were:

“May I have this dance?”

Kuroo lifts the back of his hand to his lips.​

Meanwhile, the actual invitation to dance that makes it into the fic shows up buried between banter. Things were far simpler before it became an actual fic!

As for the sequel, I don’t want to reveal too much of it in case I actually do write it eventually but it starts with Kenma going missing again, but this time on a far larger scale. Kuroo enlists the help of his secret lover, Daichi, and they go on a kingdom-wide search for the missing Nekoma heir. It’s basically a roadtrip-esque fic through the beautiful kingdom for the two lovers. Meanwhile Kenma……

Which other stories are you interested in, Audi? :D I have sequels planned but they’re in various states of planning ranging from full story to plot daydream to plain ol’ pwp. (Not for all my fics but a good most of them.)

You really don’t have too though >_<, like all I did was reblog it because duty demands it of me AND honestly, we should all be the ones saying thank YOU. All the love that you and Until Next Time is receiving is VERY well deserved, alright?! *shakes you* IT. IS. BEAUTIFUL. AND. PERFECT.

For when you need to eat more.

The Demon King is an Exchange Student?!

 by milksalt, @milksalt

First, Demon King Oikawa got lost on his way to conquering the entire Human World. Then, his memory-altering magic didn't work on a certain setter.

What is any magnificent, intelligent, anime-educated alien overlord to do in that situation?

The only choice is Plan B:

"Oikawa-kun, you're a transfer student from Antarctica?"

"Yes! Every morning, I ski with penguins and snowboard with polar bears."

The Demon King is a Transfer Student is... certainly an experience. One of those you-need-to-have-read-it-to-get-it sort of experience. Rife with quirky fun, an exasperated Kageyama, and an Oikawa&Kuroo duo act, this is certainly one to try at least once. (-oranges)

down the rabbit hole

 by Haruhi02, @haruhi02

Yachi Hitoka and Kozume Kenma are not friends. They are barely acquaintances, let alone two people who are supposed to be the double protagonists of some anime light novel. They must find a way to work together and get back home, and, through jail time, teatime, cat buses, rainbow beaches, Clockwork Koushi's protests, and the darkness of the abyss, they are damn well going to make it work. Probably.

If you wanted to read about adventures bringing unlikey friends together then this is your fic. This alice in wonderland au is refreshing but familiar enough that it'll be a fun read until the very end. The character arcs are well executed, and the ending is written with much respect and grace. (-oranges)

My Name on Your Skin

by audriel, @audriel89​

What if the name of your best friend appears on your skin?

A cute platonic soulmate AU featuring all the Karasuno first years, and what they mean to each other. - work in progress (-lethey)

Mistakes and Misunderstandings

by  KanoBelx, @blackroses-violetviolets​

Some people are just meant to hate each other, but everyone in Shiratorizawa refuses to believe that Semi and Shirabu are some of those people.

A longshot which reads a little like a comedy of errors. Semi and Shirabu try, with the help of the entirety of Shiratorizawa, to get along, but they're both idiots. PS: I love Tendou's characterisation in this (-Lethey)

The Thief, the Witch, and the Fae

by  bittersweetoranges, @bittersweetoranges

Futakuchi is a thief with an aversion to magic and an unlucky streak heavily connected with his only valuable -- a silver pendant. Falling headfirst into a quest that's way above his pay grade, shouldn't be a surprise, but it is.

How shitty must your luck be that you have to steal from a witch?!

Just remember, you trust your eyes last.

A fantasy romp that starts with Thief Futakuchi falling off a roof and sort of goes its own way from there. Pretty funny read so far, with some very lovely, descriptive writing and hints at all these hidden depths that may come later. Work in progress. (-lethey)

Growth Spurt in the Garden of Eden

by  keiji05

The basics are boring, and this kid looks like he'll fall over if they start with spike receives.

But he also wants someone to play with tomorrow, once his father leaves again for another country. His mother won't stop nagging him about needing to focus on academics rather than volleyball, and he won't have any excuses to go back to the park because his dad won't be there to bail him out of study hours.

Maybe, he could train this kid to be a good enough player for him.

A story of Yamaguchi meeting Ushijima instead of Tsukishima.

a canon divergence fic where yamaguchi meets ushjima instead of tsukki. the little changes and changes of motives are really neat, and the new interactions between ushjiima and yamaguchi are very swell and interesting (-haru)

Looking Back

by  olivia71295, @olivia71295​

The final tournaments are always the hardest, plenty of things to think back on from years past.

Or Yachi has a lot of emotions while she watches the team play in their last possible tournament.

Looking Back may be incomplete at the moment, but the familiar recollection of Yachi's past with the Karasuno VB club intersped with her reflection on their present is interesting. Read if you want a different take on Yachi's past and future as karasuno's manager. (-oranges)

Summer Days, Flying By

by  ADyingFlower, @fragilechains

“Ne, Tobio.” Shouyou asked him one afternoon, smile relaxed on his face as he spread his fingers, splaying shadows on the walls. “Have you ever wondered what it’s like to fly?”

He shook his head. Flying meant going outside, and even imagining it made him tense up. He was already breaking enough rules as it was; no need to stir up his mind more than he already had.

Shouyou looked a little sad at that. “Well, I have.” His eyes went to the sky, like he could see himself soaring at that very moment. “You should imagine it, just once.”

The facts that make up his world are this: his name is Kageyama Tobio, he's ten years old, and he's never been outside his house.

Until he met Shouyou.

This one is a punch to the gut if I ever read one (-lethey)

It's okay to be broken

by  Leeva (leevazkai) @leeva-z-kai

Oftentimes, the strongest bonds aren't forged through romance. Keiji takes a while to learn that.

The cover and title pretty much sums up the chapter. It is the third years who decide the match. It is the third years that make Karasuno. 

They are the chance that connects. 

Chance favors the prepared mind.

That experience, that moment, that advice from their captain shape them into the people and players they are.

Since then, they connect their past and their future, their senpais and their kouhais. They carry all of their hopes and dreams, regrets and disappointments. They don’t let themselves falter and become the unshakable foundation of Karasuno that finally achieves the once impossible dream. They might be less flashy or noticeable than their kouhais, but they are the reason why their kouhais can soar so high and shine so brightly.

The last point feels like the culmination of all the sweat and tears, all the patience and persistence for the third years, because everyone are involved in connecting the plays. From their kouhais who flourish under their guidance and support…

to themselves who makes everything possible.

Chance does favor the prepared mind.

Captain Tashiro has left his mark on Karasuno. He has laid down the foundation of the current Karasuno.  This is his team as much as Daichi’s and Kurokawa’s. I am really happy that both he and Kurokawa have the chance to come and see themselves how strong Karasuno has become.

Regardless… the MVP for this match is the one and only SUGAWARA KOUSHI! <3333

Suga is the very personification of chance favors the prepared mind. He observes very carefully of the opponent from the sidelines, preparing himself and finally seizing his chance when it comes.

This chapter can actually be titled Little Giants since it’s heavily focused on Hinata and Hoshiumi. These two has the best panels in this chapter. I don’t really like Hoshiumi, but he does make such interesting expressions. 

It can be discouraging, that is why the parentssenpais look legitimately worried for Hinata. But for Hinata, Hoshiumi is no different that Karasuno’s Little Giant, he is a representation of hope. Little Giant(s) show that is possible for small/short players like him can and does fight. (I also have to hand it to him for that speech) Hoshiumi himself is still in his second year, and if he’s a serious volleyball player, he has the advantage of early start in comparison to Hinata who has late start. 

It’s not like Hinata’s usual expression when he’s excited to meet strong opponents. Hinata looks truly, genuinely happy here. I feel like it’s different because he doesn’t want to particularly beat Hoshiumi. Or does he? Regardless, I’d want to see these two face off.

Hoshiumi, like any other wayward aces, has his own babysitter/herder/translator. However, we are not given an introduction? Only number six on his uniform? He also doesn’t appear in the match scenes, making me suspect he’s not a setter, and definitely not a libero. I wonder why. He really knows how to put Hoshiumi in place :D

The last time we checked, Kageyama is still seriously watching other teams, as noted by the background squeaking noises. Hinata is supposedly ninja-ing his way to the booth, and yet there’s Kageyama, conveniently there to introduce Hinata and Hoshiumi to each other. Deus ex machina?

I also snicker at Hoshiumi’s realization that Hinata’s the reason why Kageyama’s not particularly impressed by him back in the Youth Camp. He won’t get the reaction he wants from Karasuno, or any team who has faced Karasuno.

On another note, Kamomedai wins straight two sets by 25-20 and 25-18. It’s a significant score gap compared to our three faves. This might be on purpose to show that Kamomedai, and most likely the teams whose members are in Youth Camp, is on different level. I wonder which team Karasuno will encounter first?

Other precious scenes in this chapter:

Aaaand I’m back with Haikyuu!!! I just love, love this chapter!! Everyone in Karasuno all shines brilliantly! So lemme just scream and shout how wonderful everyone is!

And last not least,

From the boy who only follows the ball blindly and acts based solely on instinct, to a formidable player who is able to anticipate the ball’s trajectory and thinks quickly on his feet before acting. He deserves the wary look from both his fellow first-year teammates and rivals. He is slowly but surely closing the holes in his skills due to his late start, now all that’s left is tossing and serving. 

Since this chapter ends with Karasuno’s scoring, this means by the next chapter, it’s still Hinata’s turn to serve. We’ll likely to see more of Hinata’s receives in action. So excited!!!

BONUS:

I must admit that I find this chapter as especially hilarious, mostly due to Bokuto and the reactions of his teammates, Akaashi’s in particular.

The long awaited meeting of the small giants. Finally! (And Yamaguchi’s first reaction is to glance at Hinata? Surprised to see another short player? Or wondering which one is shorter/taller? Or wanting to see what scene Hinata’s gonna make?)

All three manage straight two sets win. The difference lays in the scores.

Karasuno (25-23, 25-23)

Nekoma (29-27, 25-21)

Fukurodani (25-22, 25-21)

Based solely on scores, I’d say Fukurodani’s the strongest team, followed by Nekoma then Karasuno. However, if we consider the circumstances of each win, Nekoma and Karasuno are pretty even, and Fukurodani is much stronger than the two teams. Fukurodani has the largest gaps with his opponent compared to the others and that’s without Bokuto in full throttle. It’s likely the score gap will be wider if Bokuto’s more involved in the attacks.

Now, Nekoma is the only team that reach the score beyond 25, but it is rather typical of the slow starter team. Regardless, Karasuno has the same problem with adjusting Kageyama and yet they still manage to finish the first set with 25 points. In the second set, Nekoma manages to win more decisively likely without substitution while Karasuno struggles more that they put in Suga for the last points. However, it is based on the assumption that their opponents are more or less in the same level. If not, well… we can throw this analysis out of the window.

Otherwise, it still stands that Fukurodani’s the more well rounded team with skilled members, Nekoma’s the more defense-oriented and -skilled team and Karasuno’s the offense-oriented and -skilled team. Thus, objectively I can see why Fukurodani’s the best candidate for the spring high champion. While I have no idea who will come on top between Karasuno and Nekoma. By virtue of narrative, I can see Karasuno winning, but Nekoma winning will be no less interesting.

Well, let’s just wait and see?