[Outside Nichō Grand Hotel, Tokyo]
"Whoa, what's going on?!"
As Aoba Johsai's players returned from the Tokyo tropolitan Gymnasium, they were stunned to find the entrance of the Nichō Grand Hotel swarming with people.
A dense crowd of reporters and enthusiastic spectators had completely blocked the hotel's entrance.
"This is crazy! Last ti, there was barely anyone here…" Kindaichi Yūtarō pressed his face against the bus window, unable to believe what he was seeing.
"Are they all here for us?" Yahaba Shigeru was practically bouncing in his seat, just as astonished as the rest of the team. This was the first ti they had ever experienced such a scene.
"They actually followed us all the way to the hotel…And it's not even that close to the gymnasium." Hanamaki Takahiro was just as surprised by the crowd's enthusiasm.
It made sense, though. Last ti, they had barely made a na for themselves before being eliminated on the third day. But this ti, as they kept winning, their reputation had grown, attracting more and more attention.
For the first ti, the players truly felt the weight of their new title—"Nationals Top Four." It was on an entirely different level from being one of the "Top Four in Miyagi".
"Ahem, settle down, everyone." Mizoguchi Sadayuki cut through the chatter. "Oikawa and Taichi will be doing an interview with Volleyball Monthly in a bit. You two—be careful with what you say."
"Volleyball Monthly?!!" Even Oikawa Tōru couldn't hide his shock, blurting out in surprise. However, seeing Kaedehara Taichi's calm expression, he quickly regained his composure, pretending nothing had happened.
In truth, multiple dia outlets had requested interviews with Aoba Johsai—so many that even Irihata Nobuteru was taken aback. He had already declined most of them, but Volleyball Monthly held significant prestige among players.
This was one interview they couldn't afford to skip.
Once the bus pulled up to the hotel, Coach Irihata and Team Manager Mizoguchi got off first, along with the support staff, to help maintain order. After finding the designated reporters, they escorted the team inside.
Kaedehara Taichi and Oikawa Tōru remained in the lobby for the interview, while the rest of the team headed upstairs to rest.
Of course, so stuck around to eavesdrop—Yahaba and Kindaichi peered curiously from the side, while Iwaizumi Haji stood nearby, keeping an eye on things in case the two got carried away.
"They won't let this get to their heads…right?" Mizoguchi muttered, sounding more like he was trying to convince himself.
The Aoba Johsai players were still unaware of what had happened.
Since the Spring High tournant was being broadcast nationwide, comntators had already begun discussing a new term during the final match of the day—
—The New Top Three Aces—
As the gruelling "Demonic Third Day" ca to a close, four of the nation's top five aces had already been eliminated. More importantly, all four were third-years.
The only remaining one was second-year Sakusa Kiyoomi.
Now, another year had passed, and this Spring High tournant was the final stage for this generation of third-years. The audience was quick to recognize it—
A new era had arrived.
And with it, the title of the 'New Big Three' had begun spreading like wildfire. Even today's official tournant reports prominently featured the phrase:
"The New Top Three Aces in the Nation"
—Kaedehara Taichi (First Year, Aoba Johsai High).
—Hoshiumi Kōrai (Second Year, Kamodai Academy).
—Sakusa Kiyoomi (Second Year, Itachiyama Academy).
The three most talked-about players in the tournant.
Watching from the side, Irihata Nobuteru glanced at Taichi and Oikawa's backs, recalling the words Taichi had said to Oikawa during today's match. Smiling knowingly, he turned to Mizoguchi and said,
"Don't worry. They haven't reached their goal yet."
-----
"Taichi, congratulations on making the top three aces as a first-year! How do you feel about this achievent?"
Reporter Nakata Jin leaned forward with his question.
New top three?
Kaedehara Taichi froze for a second before quickly grasping the situation.
"Oh~ That title ca a bit faster than I expected," he replied, his tone layered with aning.
Nakata hadn't expected such a humble response. It was completely different from what he had heard about Taichi from other players.
"Do you an you feel you aren't strong enough yet to deserve it? Or is it the fact that you're only a first-year that makes you hesitate?"
"Hm? That's not what I ant." Taichi smiled. "I just assud that title wouldn't co until I had defeated Hoshiumi-senpai and Sakusa-senpai."
…?!?!?!
Nakata wondered if he had misheard.
Kaedehara Taichi had just openly challenged his rivals—without any prompting?!
And with such undeniable confidence! It was borderline arrogant.
While Nakata was still processing this, Taichi seed to rember sothing and added,
"Besides, everyone keeps saying 'top three, top three'—it's honestly a little annoying. Today, Bokuto-senpai ntioned sothing much better—'The One True Ace.'"
His eyes glead with excitent.
"So, after I beat Hoshiumi-senpai and Sakusa-senpai and win the championship, just call the strongest."
For the first ti, Nakata found himself speechless during an interview.
Taichi's soft-spoken tone carried a warmth that was almost soothing, but his words were anything but modest.
He wasn't brash, nor did he exaggerate—he spoke with an unshakable certainty in his own abilities.
"Uh…I see." Nakata realized that, sohow, he had been completely overwheld by Taichi's presence. It threw him off so much that he briefly forgot what he was supposed to ask next.
"Ahem!"
One of the crew mbers cleared their throat loudly, snapping Nakata back to reality.
"Oh! Thank you, Taichi, for your ti. Now, let's turn to Aoba Johsai's captain, Oikawa Tōru."
Nakata glanced at the third-year setter, hoping that as an upperclassman, Oikawa would provide a more level-headed answer.
"Oikawa-san, what do you think about Inarizaki's Miya Atsumu, whom you defeated this morning?"
"Miya Atsumu, huh? He's strong—a very talented setter."
Nakata nodded.
"But he's still not quite at my level." Oikawa smirked.
Nakata didn't even flinch. He was already numb to these two.
"I see. Previously, Miya Atsumu was widely considered the best high school setter in Japan. Are you saying you deserve that title instead?"
"No."
Oikawa's answer was brief, but Nakata didn't withdraw the mic. If experience had taught him anything, it was that sothing unexpected was coming.
Sure enough, Oikawa cast a pleased glance at the reporter, then at Taichi, before continuing,
"I'm not interested in high school titles anymore. After graduation, I want to be Japan's number one setter."
Nakata nodded chanically. It was official—these two from Aoba Johsai had an unshakable belief in themselves.
"For our final question, I'd like to ask both of you," Nakata said, adjusting his glasses. "This is the first ti either of you has made it to the national semifinals. What are your expectations for the upcoming matches?"
Kaedehara Taichi and Oikawa Tōru exchanged a glance. There was no need to think about the answer.
—"To dominate the nation!"
They responded in unison.
_________
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