In Shiratorizawa's classroom, all members of their volleyball team were watching Karasuno's match.
The one who just spoke was Tendo, who looked unhappy.
"This feeling of being a stepping stone for others is really... uncomfortable!"
Not only him—after hearing this, the others also wore helpless expressions.
But that doesn't help.
The loser must accept being the loser.
In the past, they too had stood on the national stage alongside other teams from Miyagi Prefecture.
It's a place for the strong!
"Spring High! We'll Beat them!"
Even Ushijima, who had always been cold, rarely spoke!
"Haha! That's right!"
"The current Shiratorizawa isn't the team that only relied on Ushijima before!"
Tendo walked behind him, clapped him on the shoulder, and laughed loudly.
The rest of Shiratorizawa clenched their fists.
"Wait until Spring High—we have to reach the national stage again!"
Not only Shiratorizawa but also Aoba Johsai, Date Tech, and Wakukan High...
Now, almost all schools in Miyagi Prefecture were watching live!
In previous years, they watched Shiratorizawa's matches.
But this year, everyone was watching Karasuno's match!!
The team from Miyagi Prefecture is not inferior to others!!
-------------------------------------
Back on the court of the national tournament, most of the first set had already been played.
Karasuno had already scored nearly 20 points, while Sarukawa Tech only had 7!
With such a huge score gap, anyone could tell the match was firmly in Karasuno's favor!
And the most crucial player was their No. 7—Akira!
Against a team like Sarukawa Tech, known for defense, he maintained a near-100% scoring rate!
As long as the setter passed to him, it basically meant a guaranteed point!
Akira's spiking height, which surpassed the block, amazed the crowd.
Faced with such smashes, Sarukawa's back-row defense couldn't even touch the ball—Akira scored directly!
Their strong defensive ability was rendered useless before Akira's fierce attacks!
"It's Number 7!"
"Karasuno's No. 7 again!"
"A clean back-row attack, landing right inside Sarukawa's sideline!"
"This point brings Karasuno to match point in the first set!"
"They've reached 24 points!"
"Meanwhile, Sarukawa Tech is only at 10!"
"What's next for them? Waiting for a miracle?"
The commentary rang out excitedly.
In the second half, their emotions were entirely driven by Akira!
He was simply electrifying!!
Each explosive spike shook the crowd to its core!
Watching him attack required no thought—just anticipation!
Score!
Score!
There was only one result: scoring!!
The audience gradually stopped thinking—they were just caught up in Akira's momentum!
His spike ignited the entire arena!
...
Creak!!
With no suspense!
As the referee's whistle blew, Karasuno snatched the final point of the first set!
Which meant—
Karasuno had won the first set!
Just one more set, and they'd win the match! Advance to the second round!
At that moment, in the coach's seat, Coach Shishio's face turned pale.
From this game alone, he realized—
This was simply a difference in level!!
No tactics could make up the gap!
It's like a rabbit can't defeat an elephant, no matter how clever!
The strength between them wasn't on the same level!
He felt hopeless about the upcoming set.
No matter what they tried, their chances of winning were extremely slim!
"Number 7... who exactly is he..."
Shishio stared at Akira on the opposite court and murmured to himself.
As a coach, he clearly saw the situation.
What the audience saw—he saw too.
But he also saw the things the audience couldn't!
Karasuno's No. 7 hadn't even gone all out!
Even his regular spikes were enough to break through Sarukawa's blocks!
He didn't even need technique!
He just played freely, scoring effortlessly!
Avoiding the back-row defenders with ease!
Shishio could even see the relaxed look on Akira's face!
And he couldn't forget the footage of Karasuno vs. Shiratorizawa!
That No. 7's spikes repeatedly hit the receiver's arms, bouncing off again and again!
As a coach, Shishio knew better—Shiratorizawa didn't make that many reception mistakes.
He had ruled out that idea immediately.
It was simply impossible!
Shiratorizawa was a top-eight National team!
They wouldn't make mistakes three games in a row!
Those rebounding spikes—there was something different about that No. 7!
In that entire match, Shiratorizawa's ace couldn't even force him to show his true power...
Shishio truly didn't know how they could win.
"Coach... we..."
While he was in a daze, Shiramine and the others returned to the bench.
Seeing their downcast expressions, Shishio sighed internally.
He had seen their hard work all year.
They finally reached Nationals—only to fall in the first round?
A flicker of frustration appeared in his eyes.
"You all played well!"
He cut off Shiramine's words firmly.
"Karasuno's No. 7 is extraordinary in both offense and defense!"
"But don't give up!"
"We still have a chance to win!"
Hearing this, Shiramine and the others looked at him in disbelief.
"Really?"
"Coach?"
"Do we really still have a chance?"
After that lopsided set, they were on the verge of despair!
Based on No. 7's performance... their hope was nearly zero!
But the coach's words...
Did that mean there was still a chance?
"Ahem!"
Seeing their expressions, Shishio cleared his throat and said:
"Compared to previous matches, the biggest difference this time is..."
"We haven't created an effective defense!"
"If we can just receive No. 7's spike, Karasuno won't be as terrifying!"
"We can slow the game to our rhythm and win the whole match!"