---
No Surprises!
Just as Oikawa himself once said:
"There's no better ball to stop than a dump set which you've already seen through!"
And once again, the dump set was stopped!
Oikawa, who had just lost another chance to score, didn't say anything this ti. He simply clenched his fists tightly and walked back into the rotation without a word.
But what he failed to notice was that his frustration was beginning to spread to his teammates.
As the setter and the core of Aoba Johsai, Oikawa's presence dictated the team's rhythm.
Under his leadership, everyone could push beyond their limits, reaching 120% of their potential.
But if Oikawa himself started to falter…
Then Aoba Johsai was in serious trouble.
And now, with Akira moving to the back row, the situation wasn't as one-sided as Aoba Johsai had expected.
Karasuno's attack spear—Kageyama and Hinata's quick attack—was proving to be devastating.
Even though Akira's defense was slightly stronger, Karasuno's offensive power skyrocketed with their synchronized quicks.
Aoba Johsai had faced this attack before, in practice matches.
Yet, when Kageyama and Hinata unleashed their fastest tempo attack, it still caught them off guard.
Karasuno's strength had always been their aggressive offense.
anwhile, Aoba Johsai prided itself on a controlled rhythm-based strategy—dragging opponents into their pace and overpowering them with precise teamwork.
But now, they had lost control of the rhythm.
They weren't dictating the pace anymore.
Karasuno was.
The ga continued, and although Aoba Johsai was still scoring, the gap between them and Karasuno wasn't closing.
In fact…
It was widening.
---
Tweet!
The referee's whistle pierced through the air.
Point for Karasuno.
Aoba Johsai barely reacted.
They had been so focused on playing catch-up that they hadn't even realized what had happened.
When they looked up at the scoreboard…
25.
Karasuno had won the set.
It felt like waking from a dream—a nightmare.
How did this happen?
How did they lose so suddenly?
They stared blankly at the score, the weight of reality settling in.
---
On the Sidelines
Irihata let out a heavy sigh.
"Co back."
His voice was calm but firm, snapping the players out of their daze.
So walked back onto the court like ghosts.
Even Oikawa, usually so composed, seed montarily shaken.
"Coach Irihata, we…"
"You've done your best."
Irihata cut him off before he could say more.
Right now, he needed to prevent the team from breaking down ntally.
"…I may have made a mistake with my decision earlier."
The coach's words were even, asured.
"The sudden change in our playing style affected everyone."
"For the next ga, no matter the opponent… we stick to our style of play."
---
Looking back, the shift in strategy hadn't worked in Aoba Johsai's favor.
Instead of disrupting Karasuno, it disrupted their own team.
Irihata had seen it happening.
He should have called it sooner.
"As long as everyone plays to their full potential, regardless of the result, our match will be complete."
"And if we lose?"
"Then we go back, train harder, and co back stronger."
"That's all there is to it."
A loss wasn't the end.
It was a lesson.
---
Karasuno's Bench
On the other side, Karasuno's bench was lively.
"We played well in that first set," Ukai nodded, satisfied.
He clapped his hands together, catching everyone's attention.
"The ga plan we practiced last night worked perfectly."
"But don't get overconfident."
His voice sharpened.
"We take this one set at a ti."
"We stay focused. We finish strong."
"Yes!"
The entire team answered in unison.
---
Kageyama & Akira
During the break, Kageyama walked over to Akira, who was sitting on the bench drinking water.
"…I can't believe it."
Akira raised an eyebrow.
"Your strategy actually worked," Kageyama admitted, his tone a mix of disbelief and excitent.
"In the second half, I could feel Oikawa's accuracy slipping."
Kageyama's grip on his water bottle tightened.
He had been chasing Oikawa since junior high.
Back then, Oikawa was known as the strongest setter in the prefecture.
Beating him had beco Kageyama's obsession.
And now—
This wasn't just because of his teammates.
It wasn't just luck.
He had actually won.
---
Akira smirked.
"Oh?"
He tilted his head, taking another sip.
"So… you doubted when I first suggested this plan?"
Kageyama laughed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Uh… no, I just didn't think it'd work this well."
Then, after a pause—
"…In the next set, can I use a dump set against Aoba Johsai?"
Akira blinked.
"Hm?"
Kageyama looked dead serious.
Akira studied him for a mont before sighing.
"You don't have to, Kageyama."
Kageyama frowned.
"Huh? What do you an?"
"…Aren't you just trying to prove you're better than Oikawa?"
Kageyama flinched.
It was obvious.
"…I…"
"I'll just say it," Akira continued.
"In terms of pure passing technique, you're already better than him."
Kageyama froze.
His head snapped up.
"…Really?"
Akira nodded.
"That super-fast attack you and Hinata use?"
"Oikawa can't do that kind of set."
"But," Akira added, crossing his arms, "your teamwork still needs improvent."
Kageyama barely registered that last part.
His mind was still stuck on one thing—
"I'm already better than him…"
"Oikawa can't do that attack…"
He stood up in a daze, muttering the words under his breath as he walked away.
"…Stronger than him… he can't do it…"
Akira watched him go, a twitch forming at his temple.
"Oi."
Kageyama kept walking, lost in thought.
"…Stronger than him… can't do it…"
Akira's patience snapped.
With a well-aid kick, he knocked Kageyama to the ground.
"STOP MUMBLING LIKE AN IDIOT!"
Kageyama groaned, rubbing his back.
Akira clicked his tongue.
"…I shouldn't have wasted my breath on you."
The break ended.
The next set was about to begin.
Karasuno vs. Aoba Johsai.
Set two.
-----
Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
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