The afternoon sun hung high overhead, casting its scorching heat as temperatures peaked for the day.
The true horror of the training camp was beginning to reveal itself. The fatigue from the morning matches had yet to wear off, and each team still had at least two more matches ahead of them.
But today, all eyes were on a much-anticipated showdown—Aoba Johsai vs. Itachiyama.
The two teams that had clashed in last year's Spring High finals were about to face off once again.
"Why is Sakusa so serious today? Doesn't he usually avoid going all out for fear of injuring himself?" Nishimura Hiroyuki asked, puzzled.
When Aoba Johsai arrived, they had only seen Sakusa Kiyoomi and Komori Motoya exchange a few words with Kaedehara Taichi. Whatever had transpired remained a mystery. But judging from Taichi's delighted expression afterwards, it seed like an amicable conversation.
"Don't ask. Just think of it as a kids' quarrel," Komori said mysteriously. "Or if you prefer, call it Sakusa's revenge on Taichi."
"A kids' quarrel?" Nishimura was even more confused. Then again, Sakusa was always an odd one. It was probably best not to ask too many questions.
Shaking his head, Nishimura brushed aside his curiosity and focused on the match ahead.
"Revenge isn't entirely wrong—we've got a lot of unfinished business with Aoba Johsai."
Both teams quickly wrapped up their warm-ups.
"You guys already played two matches this morning. Are you sure you're okay?" Kaedehara Taichi asked sincerely. "That gives us a stamina advantage."
"No need for your concern," Sakusa replied coolly. "This level of fatigue is nothing for Itachiyama."
"That's good to hear. We, on the other hand, spent four hours on a bus just to get here. We're exhausted," Taichi said with a cheerful smile. "So please go easy on us, Sakusa-senpai."
"Hmph." Sakusa let out a cold scoff.
Itachiyama Academy—
Front row—Middle Blocker Shibata Yōsuke, Setter Shirakawa Kaito, Outside Hitter Sakusa Kiyoomi.
Back row—Outside Hitter Takeuchi Eiji, Outside Hitter Nishimura Hiroyuki and Middle Blocker Mizushima Yū (Libero: Komori Motoya).
Aoba Johsai High—
Front row—Outside Hitter Kaedehara Taichi, Middle Blocker Yūki Yōji, Setter Yahaba Shigeru.
Back row—Outside Hitter Kunimi Akira, Middle Blocker Kindaichi Yūtarō (Libero: Nakamori Daiki) and Outside Hitter Kyōtani Kentarō.
Among Itachiyama's remaining third-years were Sakusa Kiyoomi (captain), Komori Motoya (vice-captain), Nishimura Hiroyuki, and Mizushima Yū.
Their second-year players promoted to the starting lineup included middle blocker Shibata Yōsuke and outside hitter Takeuchi Eiji.
However, what truly caught Aoba Johsai by surprise was the presence of a first-year setter in Itachiyama's starting lineup.
The last ti a first-year had earned a starting spot in Itachiyama was when Sakusa Kiyoomi and Komori Motoya joined the team.
Which ant this Shirakawa Kaito must have the skill to back it up…
Kaedehara Taichi paid extra attention to the unfamiliar faces.
[Shirakawa Kaito—Setter: Overall Rating: 87; Height: 184 cm, Strength: 88, Jump: 90, Stamina: 82, Speed: 90; Key Attributes: Receive: 84, Set: 88.]
A clear prodigy. Aside from his stamina, which hadn't quite caught up to the high school level yet, his physical attributes and technique were already refined. He wasn't on Kageyama Tobio's level, but he was undoubtedly a player with imnse potential.
[Shibata Yōsuke—Middle Blocker: Overall Rating: 86; Height: 188 cm, Strength: 82, Jump: 85, Stamina: 88, Speed: 85; Key Attributes: Block: 88, Spike: 86.]
[Takeuchi Eiji—Outside Hitter: Overall Rating: 85.5; Height: 186 cm, Strength: 90, Jump: 80, Stamina: 85, Speed: 80; Key Attributes: Receive: 88, Serve: 88, Spike: 88.]
Itachiyama's depth was undeniable. Aside from a slight gap at the setter position compared to Inazuna Osamu, their overall strength had hardly declined.
—BEEP!
The referee's whistle echoed sharply through the gym, signalling the start of the match.
Aoba Johsai to serve first. Kyōtani Kentarō stepped up to the service line.
This court had drawn the largest crowd of spectators. Everyone could tell that Itachiyama's approach to this match was vastly different from their morning gas.
They were taking this seriously.
Likewise, Aoba Johsai could feel the pressure bearing down on them. This was an intensity they hadn't experienced when playing against other teams in Miyagi.
"We have to go all out from the start!"
Kyōtani tossed the ball, took his approach, leapt, and smashed it—
BOOM!!!
The volleyball shot straight toward Itachiyama's back row.
"I got it!"
Komori Motoya reacted instantly, his steps light and precise as he moved into position with ease.
Smack!
The ball soared high into the air.
A perfect receive!
"Whoa—!" The spectators were amazed by Kyōtani Kentarō's powerful serve—it had incredible force right from the first play.
"To receive that on the first try…" Tōma Kaoru marvelled at Komori's skill. "So this is what it ans to be the best libero in high school volleyball…"
Shirakawa Kaito leapt into the air for the set. Sakusa Kiyoomi sprinted along the right sideline before taking off, prompting Aoba Johsai's front row to shift toward the right.
Smash!
The first-year setter faked a set and instead went for a dump attack—Shirakawa's first play was a surprise setter dump!
Smack!
Kaedehara Taichi jumped diagonally, barely managing to get a hand under the ball and pop it up.
"One touch!" Taichi called out to his teammates as he landed.
"This kid…He looked so composed, but his first play and he's already pulling tricks?!"
"Ah—sorry!" Shirakawa called over to Sakusa. He hadn't expected Kaedehara to anticipate his attack and make that incredible last-second read.
"Focus on Taichi—get ready to block him," Sakusa ordered, frowning. This new setter had the technique, but his decision-making needed work.
Smack!
Nakamori Daiki calmly received the ball, delivering a perfect pass.
Without hesitation, Yahaba Shigeru set it high toward the left.
BAM!
Kaedehara Taichi jumped, his arm pulling back as his muscles tensed.
"Three-man block!" Shibata Yōsuke, Shirakawa Kaito, and Sakusa Kiyoomi all leapt to intercept him.
BOOM!!!
The entire gym seed to shake from the impact.
—
[Kaedehara Taichi—Outside Hitter: Height: 189 cm, Strength: 98, Jump: 92, Stamina: 95, Speed: 95; Key Attributes: Serve: 96, Receive: 92, Set: 88, Spike: 96.]
—
Since the end of the prefectural tournant over a month and a half ago, Coach Irihata had strictly controlled Taichi's spiking practice.
Under the coach's ticulously planned regin, Taichi shifted his focus toward strength and endurance training, refining his athletic foundation. In reality, this was a professional-grade regin designed specifically for him. Strength training increased his explosive power on the court, while stamina training ensured he could maintain peak performance throughout long matches.
Irihata could see that Taichi's potential was far from reaching its limit. Regardless of the type of player he aspired to beco, he needed a strong foundation to support his future.
During this period, Taichi's obsession with spiking didn't fade—it only intensified.
Since he couldn't rely solely on spikes, he began seeking new breakthroughs. Gradually, his court vision expanded. He beca more aware of defensive formations, his teammates' positions, and their condition—almost like when he first started learning volleyball.
Through this, he also grasped the deeper aning behind Irihata's training: learning to trust his teammates and strengthening the team as a whole.
This was originally Oikawa Tōru's role on the court, but now, Taichi needed to take up that responsibility.
Because he had improved so quickly, he had unconsciously started trying to handle everything on his own. It wasn't until the prefectural tournant that he realised he had beco disconnected from the team.
The practice matches in April finally helped Taichi recognise sothing once more—Aoba Johsai was strong. He didn't have to shoulder everything alone. His teammates were more than capable of carrying the offensive load.
[Volleyball is a ga where the team of six that works best together wins.]
Aoba Johsai thrives when every branch and leaf flourishes.
The ball slamd down onto Itachiyama's left sideline and bounced high into the air.
Kaedehara Taichi scores with a spike!
[Aoba Johsai 1 - 0 Itachiyama]
Before today's match, Coach Irihata had only given Taichi one instruction:
"Give it your all—win the match!"
_________
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