[VOLU 4]
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Japan's volleyball league, officially known as the V-League, was abbreviated as the V-League and consisted of three tiers, with the highest being V1.
There were 14 professional teams in the V1 League. The regular season typically ran from mid-October to early April the following year. Each team played two matches—ho and away—against the other 13 teams, for a total of 26 matches per team in the regular season.
The top six teams in the standings advanced to the playoffs, which adopted a knockout format to determine the ultimate champion.
(Author's Note: This is not the official tournant format; it has been simplified for ease of understanding within the story.)
Although Kaedehara Taichi had already considered going pro after the Inter-High Nationals ended, it was July at the ti, and most teams had already completed their transfer deals.
Typically, the following April marked the end of the V-League season and the beginning of the off-season. During this period, high school and university players would graduate, and each team would use the next month or two to finalise adjustnts or build their roster for the upcoming season.
Following Coach Irihata's advice, Kaedehara Taichi spent another half-year refining his physique and techniques, while also studying ahead on his third-year coursework.
Micah Christensen had already represented his national team at the World Championships at age seventeen—Taichi figured there was no reason he couldn't speed up his own pace as well.
Becoming a professional player in the V-League was only Kaedehara Taichi's first step toward the world stage. He didn't intend to linger long in Japan's dostic league.
On that point, he and Ushijima Wakatoshi shared a similar mindset.
Upon learning that Kaedehara Taichi would be skipping his third year to go pro early, Ushijima Wakatoshi—who hadn't contacted him in a long while—actually called him.
"…"
"…"
"…Um, Ushijima-senpai?" Taichi asked cautiously. "Is there sothing you need?"
"I'm glad we'll have the chance to face each other again before I leave Japan," Ushijima said without preamble.
"Huh? Leave Japan?" Taichi imdiately latched onto the key phrase.
"Yeah," Ushijima said calmly. "After the 2014–2015 season, I'm planning to transfer to a team overseas."
That caught Taichi off guard. He hadn't expected that his debut season would also be Ushijima's last in the V-League.
"My father coaches in the U.S.," Ushijima continued. "After seeing my performance in the V-League last year, he recomnded to so of the teams over there."
"I see…" Taichi murmured, though sohow it didn't feel that surprising.
"I thought you might've heard I was joining the league and got scared enough to flee abroad…" he joked lightly. "Just kidding."
"…"
Ushijima didn't get it.
"I'm planning to win the championship this season before heading to the U.S.," Ushijima said, brushing off the humour. "I had been a bit disappointed that we wouldn't face off again, but it seems I'm lucky after all."
Ushijima played for Schweiden Adlers, who had finished as V1 League runners-up the previous season.
"Hah, Ushijima-senpai, you've really learned to talk tough since going pro," Kaedehara replied with a smirk that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I just hope your volleyball skills have improved as much as your mouth."
"They have," Ushijima said without blinking.
"Oh, and by the way—Hoshiumi Kōrai reported to us a few days ago," he added. "He said he's planning to get his revenge on you at our ho court."
"I'll be looking forward to it," Taichi replied breezily.
After the call ended, Kaedehara searched "Schweiden Adlers" on his phone and found that their roster was indeed formidable.
The powerful left-handed cannon, Ushijima Wakatoshi. The national team's starting libero, Toshirō Heiwajima. The middle blocker with a knack for kill blocks, the "Spider Hand" Hirugami Fukurō (older brother of Hirugami Sachirō). A strong foreign outside hitter from Italy, Mattia Bottono. And now, with Hoshiumi Kōrai joining this season…
"Pfft, too bad Ushijima-senpai still hasn't found a setter he actually likes," Taichi muttered, a familiar mischievous grin spreading across his face.
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[Mid-April, Aichi Prefecture—DH Club]
It was a day like any other—sunny, with skies as clear and deep as a polished sapphire, not a cloud in sight. If there was anything unusual about it, it was probably the tall, unfamiliar figure standing outside the main gates of the club building.
Kaedehara Taichi stood upright, his posture proud like a pine tree. His short, styled black hair glead under the sunlight, and his eyes, though hidden behind sunglasses, held a deep and focused glint.
"Taichi, you finally made it!"
A figure briskly approached him from beneath the sleek, modern building.
"Hello, Iizuna-senpai!"
Iizuna Tsukasa, a graduate of Itachiyama Institute—Taichi had first t him during the national youth training camp in his first year. He had received a national team invitation even earlier than Oikawa Tōru.
Later that sa year, at the Spring Interhigh, Taichi's Aoba Johsai and the Itachiyama team—featuring the trio of Iizuna Tsukasa, Sakusa Kiyoomi, and Komori Motoya—faced off in the finals. Aoba Johsai had won that match 3–1 to beco that year's national champions.
Although the two of them didn't have much in common otherwise, this ti, Taichi had still asked Komori Motoya for Iizuna Tsukasa's contact information. At the very least, they were close in age, and in an unfamiliar environnt, having a sowhat familiar face around would be reassuring.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, senpai. I hope I didn't interrupt your training?" Taichi walked up to Iizuna Tsukasa.
Iizuna, who was half a head shorter than Taichi, gave him a once-over. Even without a detailed look, he could feel the imnse energy brimming within the younger boy.
"No need to be so formal. We're going to be teammates soon, so just call Tsukasa," he replied warmly—his tone unexpectedly gentle compared to his stern appearance.
"Tsukasa-senpai…?" Taichi repeated, a bit unsure.
"Haha, that's right. Compared to the old guys on the team, we're practically the sa age." Iizuna winked, and the stiff atmosphere around them lightened considerably.
Taichi let out a small breath of relief. It seed this senpai really was an easygoing person.
Up until now, every ti Taichi had seen Iizuna, the guy had either been wearing a stern expression or acting with military-like precision. Taichi had assud he was a stiff, unapproachable type. But perhaps that hyper-focused side only existed on the court. No matter how you looked at him, he was clearly soone with an uncompromising dedication to volleyball.
Iizuna, too, relaxed a little. Taichi off the court felt very different from the impression he gave while playing—not at all like the 'tyrant' the dia often made him out to be. Though he still didn't know why Kiyoomi always got so gloomy whenever he ntioned Taichi…then again, Kiyoomi always was a gloomy guy.
Like the natural connection between an ace and a setter, the two quickly hit it off and started chatting easily.
Thanks to his triple crown at Nationals and being the first high school player in Japan to enter the V.League straight out of school, Kaedehara Taichi was under a lot of scrutiny.
Press conferences were unavoidable, but before he could get used to the new environnt, he didn't want to be hounded relentlessly by reporters.
After registering at the security desk, Iizuna took Taichi around to familiarise him with the club facilities—the training gym, dorms, cafeteria, and so on—explaining the personalities of the other team mbers along the way.
DH Club had finished in the top eight last season. As the sixth seed in the regular season, they faced off against the third-seeded MSBY Black Jackals in the playoffs—Bokuto Kōtarō's team.
The result had been 1–3. Not a crushing defeat, but the gap in strength between the two teams had been clear.
DH Club lacked a true ace. Their only star players were Iizuna Tsukasa, who had participated in the youth national team training camp, and Nitta Asahiro, the current middle blocker for Japan's national team.
To be honest, the club's managent hadn't expected to successfully recruit Kaedehara Taichi.
They had simply heard that several clubs had extended offers to him, so they gave it a shot as well. Then, during their discussions, they tried to et as many of Taichi's conditions as possible.
And sohow, he had agreed.
"Next, I'll take you to et your teammates. We just entered the off-season, so mornings are usually dedicated to physical conditioning and individual drills. Practice matches are held in the afternoon."
"Got it."
"No need to be nervous. Like I said, everyone here's a good person."
The training gym was the largest in the entire facility. As they approached, Taichi caught a familiar scent—the sharp sll of nthol pain relief spray.
"How co I don't hear any volleyballs?" he asked, puzzled.
"Well—" Iizuna pushed open the door to the gym—
"Welco to DH Club, Kaedehara Taichi!"
POP—!!
POP—!!
Two handheld confetti cannons exploded on either side, launching colourful paper strips into the air like vibrant petals, fluttering down in a dazzling shower.
"Taichi! Taichi!"
"Taichi! Taichi!"
Taichi froze.
What…was this?
Wasn't this a professional volleyball club?
He had ntally prepared himself for a stern atmosphere, maybe even so cutthroat competition, or at least so silent tension. But what the hell was this?
That pudgy old man dancing at the centre—wasn't he the sa grim-faced head coach Taichi had seen online?
And those two middle-aged guys waving their empty party poppers—those were supposed to be his teammates?
His ntal image of being underestimated, challenged, and then stunning everyone with his skills—shattered. He stiffly turned his head toward Iizuna. Was this senpai…the only normal one here?
"Ahem. You'll get used to it," Iizuna said with a sigh, brushing confetti off his shoulders with practised ease.
Taichi clapped half-heartedly. The mood in the gym was undeniably cheerful.
Ten minutes later, the noise finally settled.
"Taichi, welco to the team!"
The chubby man—Nick Foster, DH's head coach—was nearly a full head shorter than Taichi. At that mont, he was grabbing Taichi's arm, seemingly feeling out the muscle.
"Nice muscle tone. Above average even among pros," he muttered.
Taichi frowned slightly. Above average? That wasn't exactly the praise he wanted to hear.
"You've gotten taller, haven't you?" Nick pushed up his black-rimd glasses, the lenses glinting under the lights. "Your profile from high school said 190 centitres, but you look taller than that now."
"193. I didn't update the stats during Spring High," Taichi replied.
Nick nodded and squatted down to feel Taichi's calves. He narrowed his eyes, expression both analytical and pleased.
"No wonder no one can block your spikes. Your leg strength is way better than your upper body. You'll rarely lose out in vertical battles."
Taichi unconsciously took half a step back. This coach was…kind of weird.
"Coach, quit showing off your 'X-ray vision.' Just let him take the physical test already," said Tom Wilde, one of the team's middle blockers. "You're scaring the kid with your creepy old-man routine."
"Listen here, brat—so things can't be asured by machines! Only my sharp eyes can detect them. Isn't that what you Japanese call shokunin spirit?"
"Uh, Coach, I'm not Japanese…" Tom mumbled.
Nick: "...Whatever, go ahead with the tests."
"You idiot, now we're gonna get extra practice tomorrow," Nitta Asahiro grumbled.
"Hey, everyone's been dying to see the new ace's numbers! I'm just saying what we're all thinking!" Tom shot back, dead serious.
"Alright, alright, Tom's not wrong. We've all been waiting for this." Kubo Wataru tossed aside his confetti popper and slung an arm around Taichi's shoulder like they were old friends. "Let's go, Little Ace-kun. Ti to show off."
"Hey, jerk! Clean the floor first—we agreed we'd all help!" shouted Kitajima Kippei.
But the two were already out of earshot. Kitajima sighed and dropped his own popper, falling in line behind the rest of the group. After all, this really was the most important event right now.
Taichi had expected there would be physical tests before joining the team—he just hadn't imagined it'd be done in such chaos. But it was fun in its own way. This team seed far more interesting than one that followed everything by the book.
First up: height and weight. Taichi removed his shoes and stepped onto the machine.
"Height: 193 centitres. Weight: 85 kilograms."
"Next: approach jump touch test…"
(Note: for simplicity, think of this as asuring maximum spike reach.)
This was the part everyone had been eagerly awaiting. Currently, the team's highest recorded spike reach belonged to middle blocker Tom Wilde—358 centitres.
Taichi dusted his fingertips with chalk, stepped in front of the asuring board, and positioned himself just behind the free-throw line. All eyes locked onto him.
"You can start!"
Taichi took a deep breath—then burst into motion like a leopard. His first step was light yet swift, his sole striking the floor with power. Then ca his second and third steps, each one longer than the last, his rhythm sharp and fluid like a drumbeat.
Thump!
Just beneath the backboard, Taichi suddenly dropped into a low crouch. His knees bent, and every muscle in his body coiled with tension. In the next instant, he kicked off with both feet—his body rocketing into the air.
"—!?"
Gasps rippled through the crowd as Taichi's form extended to its fullest in midair, like an eagle taking flight. With his arm stretched straight back, he swung it forcefully forward.
Smack!
His palm struck the backboard with a loud slap, the tips of his fingers leaving faint marks on the surface.
The board trembled slightly as Taichi landed smoothly on both feet.
"Seems decent," he said casually.
He'd been worried that with all the ti he'd spent studying lately, the lack of training might have dulled him. But the mont he broke into a run, that familiar sensation surged right back.
"How high!?"
Everyone crowded toward the backboard, eyes wide and eager. Nitta Asahiro, perched on top of the step ladder, asured the mark with a ruler, then double-checked it with a serious expression.
"362 cm!!!"
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