[Gyukaku, a yakiniku restaurant near Aoba Johsai High]
With over 620 branches across Japan, Gyukaku is one of the largest yakiniku chains in the country. Known for its wide selection of over a hundred ingredients and budget-friendly pricing, it's a favourite choice among Aoba Johsai students for gatherings after events.
Tonight, after Coach Irihata and Team Manager-coach Mizoguchi finalized the starting lineup, the volleyball club mbers gathered here to relax and clear their minds.
"The starting lineup is as follows: Setter Oikawa Tooru; Wing Spikers Iwaizumi Haji, Hanamaki Takahiro, Kunimi Akira; Middle Blockers Matsukawa Issei, Kaedehara Taichi; and Libero Watari Shinji."
With the announcent of the starting lineup, the internal selection process for Aoba Johsai's volleyball team finally ca to an end.
Three first-years were considered, but only Kindaichi Yūtarō failed to make the cut. Among the second-years, only Watari Shinji earned a spot, leaving most of them with another uneventful year. For the third-years on the brink of graduation, those not selected were left with a bitter sense of regret.
"Excuse , another drink, please." Third-year Tamamiya Toshiki raised his hand to call for the waiter.
"Toshiki, it's just juice, not Shōchū. You can't get drunk on that," Oikawa Tooru quipped, grinning mischievously as he leaned closer.
Without hesitation, Iwaizumi Haji landed a swift kick on Oikawa's backside. "Idiot! You know underage drinking is illegal. Stop giving people weird ideas."
Tamamiya shot a glare at Oikawa. "You're such a pain, you know that? We've got plenty of complaints about you."
Oikawa rely smiled at Tamamiya, knowing that so things could only be said in monts like this.
Both third-years from Class 5, Tamamiya and Oikawa had joined the volleyball club as first-years and shared a decent relationship. Yet, over the past three years, Tamamiya had never once stepped onto the court in an official match. He wasn't the only one. Aoba Johsai had plenty of players like him.
"You're a jerk. You know that?" Tamamiya's voice grew louder, frustration bubbling to the surface. "Good at volleyball, decent grades, handso to boot. Every ti you play, girls flock to see you. It's infuriating….Are you so kind of genius?"
At first, Oikawa nodded along, pleased with the complints and wishing Tamamiya would continue. But then, the word 'genius' struck him like a slap in the face. His expression stiffened. Was that really how others saw him?
"But Shiratorizawa…"
"That's exactly why—" Tamamiya cut him off, his voice trembling, almost on the verge of tears. "This is our last year, Oikawa! You have to beat Shiratorizawa. Show the whole country that Aoba Johsai exists!"
Oikawa froze, the words dragging him back to his first year. He rembered vividly how he and Iwaizumi had joined the volleyball club together. When the coach asked them their goal, they had shouted in unison, "To reach nationals!" The mory of their bright, determined voices still echoed in his mind.
But now, as third-years, Aoba Johsai had fallen to Shiratorizawa ti and ti again. The once-clear goal of 'reaching nationals' had beco a silent dream, buried under layers of doubt.
Did he want to defeat Shiratorizawa? Of course, he did. His drive to reach nationals had never waned. But sowhere along the way, Oikawa had stopped picturing himself leading Aoba Johsai to victory over Shiratorizawa.
[Ding! Task triggered: Ace's Resolve.]
A chanical voice suddenly echoed in Kaedehara Taichi's mind.
[When Aoba Johsai's ace, Oikawa Tooru, begins to waver in his resolve, the host must deliver their own declaration as the team's ace to stabilize the situation. Reward: Unknown.]
"What?!"
Taichi nearly spat out his soda. He had just been selected for the starting lineup—how could the system expect him to make such a declaration now? He was just a bystander, yet the system always pushed him to stir things up!
But the system's voice was cold and unrelenting.
[Failure in three seconds: Three…Two…]
What?! That fast?!
In a panic, Taichi shot to his feet, accidentally knocking over his soda in the process. The previously quiet atmosphere grew restless as everyone turned to him, puzzled by his sudden outburst.
"I….I'll beco Aoba Johsai's ace!" Taichi blurted out, his voice trembling.
"???"
"What did Taichi just say?"
"I didn't quite hear that…"
"I'll beco Aoba Johsai's ace, lead us to defeat Shiratorizawa, and make it to nationals!" Kaedehara Taichi shouted again, louder this ti, his voice cracking slightly.
"Pfft, hahahaha…" The second and third-year seniors couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Taichi, what are you doing?" His first-year teammates thought he might have gotten drunk, even checking the spilt soda nearby to confirm it wasn't spiked or anything.
Oikawa Tooru glanced at Taichi, noticing a mix of awkwardness in his expression—but also, unmistakably, a fiery determination.
Seated next to Taichi, Kindaichi Yūtarō tugged at his sleeve, urging him in a low voice, "Dude, you are embarrassing us. Sit down already…"
On the other side, Kunimi Akira covered his face with one hand, internally lanting, Why did I have to sit here of all places?
The brief commotion seed to lighten the mood. Iwaizumi Haji gave Oikawa a gentle pat on the back, and Oikawa nodded before turning to Tamamiya Toshiki. "Don't worry. This year, I'll make sure we make it to nationals."
"Yeah. I believe in you."
-----
After finishing their al, Aoba Johsai's players began to leave the yakiniku restaurant one by one. However, Iwaizumi signalled for the starting lineup of twelve players to stay behind.
Oikawa cast a glance at Hanamaki Takahiro and smirked. "Takahiro, it's our last year at Aoba Johsai. Don't embarrass us, okay?"
Hanamaki replied nonchalantly, "Relax. I have no intention of graduating with regrets."
"And Matsukawa…"
"I know." Matsukawa Issei cut him off before he could say more, his tone calm but resolute.
"Watari, the backline depends on you," Oikawa said, addressing the usually quiet Watari Shinji sitting in the corner.
"Yes, Oikawa-senpai," Watari responded crisply.
"And Kunimi, don't get nervous. You've got the skills—just focus on showing them."
"Understood."
Finally, Oikawa turned to the substitutes—Tamamiya Toshiki, Yahaba Shigeru, and the others—and bowed deeply.
"You are the strongest support we have on the bench. When the starters falter, we'll count on you to step up. Even though you may not get many chances to play, your trust and commitnt an everything to us. Thank you. We'll bring back the victory for all of us."
Kindaichi, startled, shot up to attention and exclaid loudly, "Yes, Oikawa-senpai! I'll do my best!"
The others exchanged looks, unable to suppress their laughter. "What's with this sudden seriousness? That's not like you at all."
Standing quietly to the side, Taichi observed it all. As a mber of Aoba Johsai's volleyball team, he could feel the unshakable trust his teammates had in Oikawa Tooru. That trust seed even stronger than Oikawa's belief in himself.
As a setter, Oikawa didn't just dictate the rhythm of their offence with his technical skill—he united the team with his resilience and determination. This bond of trust and reliance was the driving force that pushed Aoba Johsai forward, constantly striving to surpass their limits.
But wait—didn't they just skip over in that conversation?
Taichi couldn't help but glance at Oikawa. "Uh….Oikawa-senpai, don't you have sothing to say to too?"
"Hmph? Didn't you just declare yourself as Seijoh's ace? What else is there for to say?" Oikawa turned his head to the side with an exaggerated pout.
"..."
Seriously? I'm trying to steal the ace position from you, and this is how you act? Taichi thought, frustrated by Oikawa's childish antics.
Iwaizumi clapped his hands, calling everyone's attention back. "Tomorrow's match against Wakutani Minami is the first for our new lineup. Let's make it a clean win!"
"Yes!"
_________
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