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Sendai City Gymnasium.
"Aoba Johsai! Aoba Johsai! Overwhelming!"
"Aoba Johsai! Aoba Johsai! Out of the ordinary!"
Deafening cheers echoed throughout the gymnasium.
As one of the strongest teams in the prefecture, Aoba Johsai had long held a dominant position. Their school provided an excellent volleyball environnt, and for every competition, students ford spontaneous cheer squads to support their team.
On Karasuno's side, there was also a significant number of supporters, though they consisted mostly of older n and a few younger individuals. So carried banners, but rather than supporting the team as a whole, they bore a single na: "Akira".
"What the hell! This is ridiculous!" An older man in the audience frowned in confusion.
"Haha! Weren't we the sa when we were young?" Another uncle beside him laughed, patting his shoulder.
"Huh? Did you guys co all the way from Miyagi Arena?" A younger man nearby asked curiously.
"That's right! We specifically ca to watch that crazy kid play!" The first uncle replied proudly.
"Oh? Have you heard the latest rumor?" An older man sitting behind them suddenly leaned forward, his tone mysterious.
"What rumor?"
Curious as ever, the surrounding spectators turned to him, waiting for his revelation.
"Heh heh… This rumor… is huge!" He teased, pausing for dramatic effect. But after noticing the deadly stares from those around him, he quickly spilled the news.
"A few days after the finals, Mr. Arai and Mr. Takano from the Miyagi Volleyball Developnt Center will be attending to watch!"
"WHAT?!"
The spectators were stunned.
"Are you serious?"
"Mr. Arai and Mr. Takano? Those two? Why would they co to a regular competition?"
"Yeah! They're way beyond this level!"
Skeptical, the audience turned back to the man.
"This isn't fake news, is it?"
"How could it be!" The man puffed up his chest indignantly. "My neighbor's kid works at the Miyagi Prefecture Volleyball Developnt Center! He heard it himself!"
"If that's true…"
The spectators fell into deep thought.
"Well… it makes sense that Mr. Arai would co. After all, he's played against Akira before."
"But why would Mr. Takano, the vice chairman, be interested?"
"Maybe they were just discussing that match at work, and it piqued his curiosity."
"That's right! If this is true, we'll be watching the ga alongside so big nas!"
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anwhile, Karasuno's players entered the gymnasium.
"Akira, who are those people in the audience?" Tanaka asked, pointing toward the section where fans were holding signs with Akira's na.
The rest of Karasuno turned to Akira with curiosity. There were simply too many of them!
Akira blinked in surprise, recognizing a few familiar faces, and let out a helpless chuckle. "Ah… just so people who know ."
"No way! Strangers wouldn't co just to cheer for you!" Tanaka protested.
Before Akira could reply, a sudden wave of excited cheers erupted from Aoba Johsai's side.
"Oikawa-san! Do your best!"
As both a skilled player and a charismatic figure, Oikawa had built a fanbase that extended beyond his school. His presence alone drew many admirers.
"Akira-san!! Let's go!!"
Out of nowhere, a thundering cheer echoed from Karasuno's side.
Only… it wasn't from a group of girls.
Instead, a group of n in matching fan shirts waved enthusiastically, their deep voices filling the stadium.
The entire Karasuno team, including Akira, was montarily stunned.
"Ahem!" Akira cleared his throat awkwardly before bowing. "Thank you for your support!"
Truthfully, he was just as curious about how they knew where he played. Since entering high school, he hadn't participated in any public matches. Even at Miyagi Arena, he never ntioned Karasuno's na.
Yet, these people who had watched him play there had still managed to track him down.
"Hmph! No need for extra encouragent." One of the uncles scoffed. "There's no way he's losing!"
His confidence earned chuckles from those around him.
---
Chirp! Line up!
"Please take care of us!"
The players from both teams stood face-to-face at the net, the tension in the air palpable.
"Hey, little Kageyama, don't disappoint !" Oikawa smirked, eyeing Kageyama from across the court.
It was one of his usual psychological tactics.
But what Oikawa didn't know was that Akira had prepared a few psychological tactics of his own.
Rather than responding, Kageyama simply smirked. Then, as if on cue, the entire Karasuno team turned their heads toward Oikawa and let out an eerie chuckle.
Oikawa felt an imdiate chill run down his spine.
"W-What the hell is that supposed to an?!" he stamred, pointing at Kageyama in disbelief.
"Haha! Nothing at all!" Akira stepped in, patting Kageyama on the shoulder. "They're just excited to face Miyagi's Number One Setter."
"Tch! Like hell I believe you!" Oikawa shot back. "Are you planning to gang up on after the ga?! Are you jealous of my handso face?!"
---
As the match was about to begin, Karasuno's starting lineup took their positions, with Akira standing in the front row.
Looking at Aoba Johsai's formation, Karasuno's players couldn't help but recall the strategy discussion from the previous night.
"Oikawa saw my spikes in the Date Tech ga," Akira had said. "And Aoba Johsai's blocking isn't as strong as Date Tech's."
"That ans… he won't risk blocking when I spike. He knows they can't stop ."
"They'll likely shift back to receive instead!"
"If that happens, Kageyama can set up a quick attack with another front-row spiker! Oikawa won't be able to react in ti!"
"This will expand our attack variations, making it harder for Aoba Johsai to keep up!"
The plan was set.
Now, the only question was—would Aoba Johsai play exactly as Akira predicted?
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