After Kaedehara Taichi left the court, Inarizaki finally had a brief mont to catch their breath.
They had never anticipated the match unfolding in such a dramatic fashion. Last night, the Inarizaki players had carefully studied the footage of Aoba Johsai's final match against Shiratorizawa.
Both Ushijima Wakatoshi's 18-point performance and Kaedehara Taichi's equally astonishing 18 points had left a deep impression.
Such scoring ability was already rare in high school volleyball, but even that paled in comparison to what had just transpired—Kaedehara Taichi had single-handedly racked up 16 points in this set alone.
This was Inarizaki, the runner-up of the last Interhigh Nationals, a top-seeded contender for this year's Spring High Tournant.
Even if Kaedehara Taichi had carried over his montum from the end of the first set, for him to achieve such a feat against their highly disciplined defence was frightening.
His exhaustion in the latter half of the set had been evident, preventing him from finishing the match at full strength—but that didn't change the fact that his dominance had already left an unforgettable mark on everyone present.
"So, he was still holding back during the Youth National Training Camp?" Miya Atsumu frowned. "No...It's not that. It's just that only this Aoba Johsai team allows him to unleash his full potential..."
"Everyone, calm down," Head Coach Kurosu Norimune spoke steadily. "Aoba Johsai's No. 10 is indeed a phenonal player, but his playing style is unsustainable in a match." His sharp gaze swept over the team. "It was his lack of restraint that gave us the opportunity to turn this ga around."
"In the next half, Aoba Johsai's offence will be significantly weakened. This is our chance to overtake them and win the second set!"
"Yes, sir!"
After the team dispersed and returned to their positions, Ōmi Tarō hesitated for a mont before lowering his voice to ask Kurosu: "Coach, do you really think Kaedehara Taichi's performance was 'immature'?"
Kurosu shot him a sideways glance. "Have you ever seen a player like him before? If this is what 'immaturity' looks like, then I wish I had more players like him on my team."
Ōmi Tarō chuckled awkwardly. "It's honestly a little terrifying...You can already see how in control he is of the ga. And his hunger for points is too overwhelming."
Kurosu Norimune remained silent for a mont before adding, "He's not just an attacker—his defensive instincts are just as sharp." His eyes narrowed slightly. "A high school player like him...must have already mapped out a professional career path."
Then, his expression turned calculating. "That being said, what happens to Aoba Johsai when they lose their strongest weapon?" His gaze locked onto the court.
-----
Aoba Johsai's serve.
Kindaichi Yūtarō leapt up for a powerful jump serve.
Ginjima Hitoshi received the ball, and Miya Atsumu quickly moved into position, setting it toward the right-side attack zone.
Aran Ojiro sprinted into his approach and took off.
"Three-man block!"
Matsukawa Issei, Kunimi Akira, and Kyōtani Kentarō jumped in unison, forming a solid wall in front of him.
Without Kaedehara Taichi, everything suddenly felt easier to Aran Ojiro. His tempo felt more natural, his vision was clearer.
Kyōtani Kentarō's block? Shorter than Kaedehara Taichi's.
His presence at the net? Not nearly as oppressive.
With a sharp snap of his wrist, Aran Ojiro launched a high-reaching spike over the block.
-Boom!-
The ball soared just beyond Kyōtani's fingertips and slamd into the backcourt.
Smack!
Kindaichi barely got his arms up, but the ball ricocheted off him and flew out of bounds.
[Aoba Johsai 16 - 12 Inarizaki]
"Nice Spike, Aran!!!"
"Jump, Jump, Aran!!!"
"Do it again!"
The Inarizaki supporters, who had fallen silent earlier, ca back to life.
Rotation change. Inarizaki serve.
Suna Rintarō stepped up for a controlled jump float serve, targeting Oikawa Tōru.
"I got it!" Iwaizumi Haji shifted over, covering for Oikawa and receiving the ball cleanly.
Oikawa quickly repositioned himself. Though his footing was slightly awkward, he still delivered a perfect set to the right side.
Kyōtani Kentarō ca charging in from outside the court, gathering montum.
"Block him!!"
Miya Osamu, Aran Ojiro, and Ōmimi Ren ford a towering triple block, completely smothering Kyōtani's attack angle.
"Hmph!"
Kyōtani's body stretched into a deep arch, his arm cocked back like a coiled spring.
Then, in a violent snap, his hand whipped forward—
-Boom!!-
The ball scread down the sideline, barely skimming over the net as it slamd into Inarizaki's three-ter line.
Smack!
Suna Rintarō had already positioned himself for defence, but the ball still struck his forearm and ricocheted away.
So heavy! And that spin…
Suna gritted his teeth. These guys in white and blue…They were either scheming tacticians or outright brutes.
What a pain. You could never tell from the ga footage that this blond buzz-cut lunatic had such a devastating cross-shot.
Point, Kyōtani Kentarō.
[Aoba Johsai 17 - 12 Inarizaki]
"Hah, even that guy can't replicate my cross-shot," Kyōtani scoffed, noticing Inarizaki's lack of respect for his angle.
Miya Osamu's gaze flickered. Kyōtani's cross-shot was indeed powerful, but once Inarizaki adjusted to the trajectory, it wouldn't be difficult to neutralize.
Rotation change. Aoba Johsai serve.
Kyōtani Kentarō tossed the ball high and unleashed another thunderous jump serve.
Akagi Michinari barely managed to receive it.
Miya Atsumu instantly stepped in, setting the ball to the middle.
Aran Ojiro took off.
Now it's his ti to shine!
"Double block!"
Oikawa Tōru and Matsukawa Issei jumped up to et him.
Even with Oikawa back in the front row, Aoba Johsai's blocking height remained solid.
-Boom!-
Smack!
Aran Ojiro's spike crashed against Matsukawa's hand, sending the ball soaring toward Aoba Johsai's backcourt.
—Is he trying to force a touch-out?—
Iwaizumi Haji had already anticipated it.
He sprinted toward the sideline, reaching out—
SMACK!
With a swift one-handed dig, he sent the ball back toward the net.
Kunimi Akira leapt up, eyes flicking toward Inarizaki's positioning.
"A setter dump?!!"
Aran Ojiro and Ōmimi Ren rushed forward, bracing for a quick strike.
"Wrong guess. It's a set."
Kunimi redirected the ball to the far left.
Oikawa Tōru launched into the air.
-BOOM!-
Another brutal cross shot.
Point, Oikawa Tōru.
[Aoba Johsai 18 - 12 Inarizaki]
The gap widened.
The Inarizaki supporters couldn't believe it.
Aoba Johsai had lost their ace, and yet Inarizaki still hadn't been able to close the score gap.
"Did that guy just fake out the blockers with his gaze?" Miya Atsumu narrowed his eyes. Since when did Aoba Johsai have these kinds of tricks?
"Oi, don't tell you actually thought that just because Taichi's off the court, Aoba Johsai has no way to win?" Oikawa spoke up, his voice serious as he looked straight at the Inarizaki players.
"Every single player on this team is strong."
"We're finishing this in two sets. We need to buy ti for our ace to rest, after all."
Oikawa had declared it confidently, but without Kaedehara Taichi, Aoba Johsai's overall firepower had undeniably weakened.
However, they had already built a comfortable lead in the middle of the set. Maintaining that lead and securing the victory wouldn't be a problem.
-----
[Aoba Johsai 25 - 22 Inarizaki]
"BEEEEEP—!"
The referee's whistle pierced through the stadium.
Match over.
Winner: Aoba Johsai.
In just two sets, Aoba Johsai had successfully defeated Inarizaki—
Revenge, achieved!
_________
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