[Aoba Johsai 25 - 20 Ichibayashi]
[Aoba Johsai 25 - 23 Ichibayashi]
Though the match ended in a 2-0 victory, Aoba Johsai's win wasn't an easy one.
To be precise, the second set had been particularly gruelling. Ichibayashi gave them the impression of a version of Nekoma with enhanced offence. Even without a libero as exceptional as Yaku Morisuke, their overall receiving ability wasn't far off.
It was clear they had undergone rigorous training.
Moreover, while they didn't have a superstar ace like Kaedehara Taichi or Sakusa Kiyoomi, every player on their team—including the setter—had remarkable attacking capabilities!
This was undoubtedly a team where effort surpassed natural talent. Each player's hunger for victory was genuine and undeniable.
Aoba Johsai's offence, which had dominated opponents until now, struggled to score consecutive points against Ichibayashi. They could only grind out each point through sheer individual effort.
Without a doubt, in terms of overall team coordination, Ichibayashi was the most well-structured team Kaedehara Taichi had ever encountered.
"Thank you for the match. It was a aningful ga—we learned a lot," Araki Kōsei said earnestly to Yahaba Shigeru.
"Likewise. It was an enlightening experience for as well," Yahaba replied, sharing a mutual respect between captains.
Ichibayashi, a team composed entirely of so-called "ordinary players," had managed to keep a firm grip on Aoba Johsai, refusing to let them pull away. Their playstyle had given Yahaba a great deal of inspiration.
While most of the players were engaging in friendly post-match exchanges, there was a noticeably odd tension between two individuals on the other side of the court.
"Wow, as expected of a national-level ace. The force behind your spikes is terrifying," Matsuo Satoshi said, putting on an exaggeratedly frightened expression. "And your team even has to assign three setters to support you. Talk about luxury."
"Matsuo-senpai is incredible too. You're always involved in the attack—I couldn't even tell who Ichibayashi's actual setter was," Kaedehara Taichi remarked, then added as if in passing, "Oh, but it's a sha that none of those attacks seed to result in points."
"I did score a point in the second set!"
"Ahaha, that's impressive. I think I only got about ten in that set."
"..."
"..."
— Hmph! Both of them scoffed in unison.
"The next ti we et, we'll be the ones winning," Matsuo declared with conviction.
"I've heard that line from too many teams already," Taichi replied nonchalantly. "But the Spring High champions are still us."
Matsuo left, clearly fuming. As he walked away, Nakamori Daiki approached Taichi.
"Taichi, why are you so harsh on him?" Nakamori asked in confusion. "I actually kind of like their team."
"What do you an harsh? He's always the one provoking first," Taichi responded defensively. "Besides, doesn't he dislike too? Feels like he just can't stand geniuses."
"Heh, that's why I think he's pretty great," Nakamori said with a grin. "Guy's got good taste."
Taichi fell silent for a mont. The players of Ichibayashi might not have possessed overwhelming talent, but their unyielding spirit and relentless pursuit of victory were second to none.
In this world, miracles weren't reserved for geniuses alone—especially in team sports, where those who made it to the top often included "ordinary people" like them.
"…Actually, I kind of like that team too," Taichi admitted after a long pause.
"We might even see them again in the pro leagues soday."
-----
"Ah, there it is!"
Yūki Yōji pointed to a sign that read "Gyūtan Avenue".
"Whoa!"
At his simple but enthusiastic declaration, the entire team surged forward in excitent. Along the street, several speciality restaurants served the delicacy they had been craving throughout their journey.
This was a must-visit spot recomnded by Yūki, a Tokyo native. After securing two solid victories earlier in the day, Aoba Johsai had finally made it here.
"It's here! Gyūtan Avenue! This is what travelling is all about!" Kindaichi Yūtarō exclaid, nearly bouncing with excitent.
"Idiot, we're not here on vacation," Kunimi Akira muttered.
"Looks like we're about to have a feast."
Not only Yūki and Kindaichi—everyone's spirits had visibly lifted.
On the first day of their Tokyo expedition, Aoba Johsai had secured two wins without dropping a single set. A well-earned feast was the best possible reward for the team.
"Alright, let's use at to repair our muscles!" Coach Irihata announced cheerfully.
Today, the other coaches present had been singing his praises all day—calling him a championship-winning coach, a genius ntor who had nurtured both Oikawa Tōru and Kaedehara Taichi.
Irihata proudly declared that this had been the most glorious day of his coaching career.
"Coach! Beef tongue!"
"Coach! Beef tongue!"
"Hey, you guys! Don't shout 'coach' and 'beef tongue' together like that!" Mizoguchi Sadayuki scolded.
After waiting for about fifteen minutes, the restaurant staff led the head-bobbing, impatient Aoba Johsai team inside. In addition to freshly prepared dishes, the shop also sold various packaged beef tongue products that could be taken ho.
The players were in high spirits, chatting away at their seats. Another fifteen minutes passed before the star of the night finally arrived.
The premium beef tongue was ticulously sliced to the perfect thickness, each piece evenly cut. The mont the at touched the sizzling grill, it released a delightful sizzle, filling the air with an irresistible aroma.
As the heat intensified, the beef tongue gradually changed colour, the edges curling slightly as an enticing fragrance spread through the air. Once seared to a golden crisp, the texture was a perfect contrast—crispy on the outside, yet tender and juicy within.
The rich, savoury flavour of the at lingered long after the first bite.
"Itadakimasu!" Kindaichi Yūtarō wasted no ti in picking up his chopsticks. "Whoa! You can only get this kind of top-quality at in Tokyo!"
"Idiot, you're supposed to wrap it with just the right amount of cabbage and bean sprouts, dip it in the sauce slowly, and then eat it with steaming rice," Yahaba Shigeru explained, demonstrating the proper way to enjoy the dish.
The beef tongue, paired with the shop's special sauce, created a perfect balance of sweetness and spice. Every bite was an explosion of flavours, utterly irresistible.
"Uwah—!"
"Oooohhh!"
"This…this is…!!"
"The taste of happiness!!!"
The players eagerly dug in.
Just then, the sukiyaki arrived as well. A beautifully arranged iron pot was placed on the table, filled with fresh vegetables, silky tofu, and generous slices of beef.
As the broth began to bubble, the beef was gently swirled in the pot, quickly changing colour as it absorbed the sweet-savoury essence of the sukiyaki sauce.
The mont it entered the mouth, the tenderness of the at combined perfectly with the richness of the broth, while the fresh vegetables added a subtle sweetness. The flavours blended harmoniously, creating a deeply satisfying taste.
"The juicy, lt-in-your-mouth at paired with this fragrant sukiyaki broth…This is perfection!"
"The more you chew, the more the flavour spreads!" Even Kunimi Akira couldn't resist the temptation of such delicious food.
"This is pure luxury. Taichi, I should've just joined a Tokyo team," Nakamori Daiki mumbled, stuffing his mouth full. "Actually, that team called Nekoma seems like a good fit for , too."
"Shut up and eat properly," Kaedehara Taichi muttered. "Jeez…it is delicious, but is all this really necessary?"
"You don't understand my suffering! In Hawaii, all I had were salads, pizza, and fast food every day!" Nakamori lanted loudly. "That's not called eating—that's just surviving!"
"I have never had anything more delicious than this!"
"Oho...you need so real eye-opening, my boy~" Taichi smirked. "Have you ever tried Chinese cuisine? You could eat sothing different every day for a whole year without repeating a single dish."
"Like you're so kind of expert!"
"Not only have I eaten it, I can cook it, too," Taichi replied casually. After all, I was Chinese in my last life.
Daiki: "???"
Teammates: "???"
Now that they thought about it, Taichi did live alone, but no one had ever heard of him cooking for himself. The team exchanged curious glances—being able to grill at was already an impressive skill for a high schooler, but cooking Chinese cuisine?
"Taichi, can you make sothing for —for us?" Chiba Kaho, who had been secretly putting extra food onto Taichi's plate, suddenly asked.
"No." Taichi rejected her without hesitation. "Cooking is exhausting."
Kaho: "…"
"I bet you can't even cook in the first place," Kyōtani Kentarō sneered. "Even if you could, it probably wouldn't taste better than fried chicken—no, actually, it definitely wouldn't."
Taichi shot him a sideways glance. "Oh? Mad Dog-senpai, I can't just let that slide."
"Wait—"
"I'll take another bowl of rice!" Nakamori suddenly interrupted, standing up. "Wait, you were saying sothing?"
"Once we finish this Tokyo expedition undefeated…" Taichi smirked confidently. "I'll show you why they call the Wok God!"
"Taichi...nobody calls you that." Kunimi chid from his seat.
"..."
_________
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