[Miyagi University 15 vs. 10 Aoba Johsai]
After a brief moment of silence, the players of Aoba Johsai erupted in loud cheers.
"Nice! Taichi, great job!" Oikawa clapped Taichi Kaedehara hard on the back. Even though it was just one point, it had stopped the opponent's momentum, instantly breaking the heavy atmosphere that had loomed over the team.
Taichi Kaedehara looked at his hand, replaying that split-second moment in his mind. His adrenaline was through the roof—what a rush… No, wait—ow, that hurt!
"Now, let's show them what our serves look like," Oikawa slowly walked to the service line, exhaling deeply.
"Protect your head," Iwaizumi said to the dazed Kaedehara.
Kaedehara sensed the tension building on the court, so he turned to face the net, crouched slightly, and covered the back of his head along with his teammates.
"BANG!"The volleyball smacked solidly against the back wall on the opposite side…
Pfft, a home run. Classic Oikawa.
[Miyagi University 16 vs. 10 Aoba Johsai]
"Sorry, sorry…"
"Idiot. Don't serve like that when your arm's not even warm yet," Iwaizumi said, giving Oikawa a thump.
The serve went back to the opposing team. After they switched servers, this time Wataru Shinji managed to receive it with ease. Oikawa gave Kaedehara a quick look, and Kaedehara immediately rushed toward the net and jumped, ready for a spike.
Unexpectedly, two blockers on the other side reacted quickly and jumped to block. Kaedehara felt like a solid wall had sprung up in front of him.
But… the ball didn't come!
With just a glance, Oikawa had tricked the defenders into thinking the set was going to Kaedehara, only to send it to the other side—to Iwaizumi.
Iwaizumi spiked and scored.
[Miyagi University 16 vs. 11 Aoba Johsai]
"Well done, great decoy," Oikawa gave Kaedehara a thumbs-up.
Kaedehara returned a smile, grumbling inwardly, "Damn, he even tricks his own teammates with his sets!"
Aoba Johsai's turn to serve. The players currently on court: Oikawa Tooru, Iwaizumi Hajime, Hanamaki Takahiro, Watari Shinji, Kindaichi Yuutarou, and Kaedehara Taichi.
Kindaichi's spring onion hairstyle really stood out—Kaedehara couldn't help but glance at it a few more times. Is that hairstyle just to make himself look like he's 190 cm tall?
"What are you looking at?" Kindaichi noticed the new freshman staring at him.
"Ah, nothing." Kaedehara quickly looked away. Was I that obvious?
"Kindaichi, Taichi probably wants to see your highlight reel too," Oikawa said casually—and instantly got Kindaichi fired up.
"Yes, Oikawa-senpai!"
In the next few rallies, Oikawa clearly tried to give Kindaichi more opportunities to spike, but each time his shots were blocked.
"Kindaichi, you can jump more confidently," Oikawa gave him a gentle push on the back.
"Yes, Oikawa-senpai!"
In the next attacking round, Kaedehara could clearly feel Kindaichi jumping higher—no, more accurately, Oikawa had set the ball higher for him. Under Oikawa's encouragement and guidance, Kindaichi jumped more comfortably, and his spiking point was noticeably higher.
This sudden improvement caught the opponents off guard, and Kindaichi's spike went straight past the blockers.
[Miyagi University 16 vs. 12 Aoba Johsai]
Watching Oikawa set the ball up close was a real treat. A setter who could lead others to grow stronger—Kaedehara wanted to experience it for himself!
After several rounds, Kaedehara was starting to adapt to the rhythm of the match. He looked at Oikawa with a sincere gaze.
"Oikawa-senpai, I want to spike!"
Oikawa smiled. This year's first-years were full of fire.
But it wasn't as easy as he thought. After all, the other side was still a university team. They quickly adjusted their play. The game became a back-and-forth rally, and Kaedehara didn't get a spiking opportunity.
[Miyagi University 19 vs. 15 Aoba Johsai]
Damn, still no spiking points… If we lose another point, I'm going to be subbed out. Gotta come up with something! Kaedehara's brain was working overtime.
"Defense, defense!" Iwaizumi received the serve and blended into the attacking formation—multiple attackers moved at once!
The opponents couldn't read Oikawa's passing direction and could only man-mark the Aoba Johsai attackers.
Here it comes, Kaedehara was excited, itching to move. He glanced at Maeda, the blocker on the other side. Kaedehara crouched low and sprung upward. Maeda quickly followed.
But Kaedehara unexpectedly paused mid-jump—and then jumped again.
A "one-man delayed spike!"
By the time he took off, Maeda was already descending.
Oikawa's eyes lit up and adjusted the set accordingly, sending the ball perfectly over Kaedehara.
With ease, Kaedehara spiked the ball over Maeda's head and scored.
[Miyagi University 19 vs. 16 Aoba Johsai]
"This kid…" Maeda gritted his teeth. He'd already let this rookie score twice—totally unacceptable for an ace. He turned to his setter.
"Koumura, set the next ball to me!"
Aoba Johsai served again.
After a few more rallies, Miyagi University successfully received the serve and the ball was set high. Maeda sprinted toward the net, and Koumura set the ball to him. Maeda noticed that Kaedehara had already moved into blocking position.
"Bring it on, brat!" Maeda leaped with power. Kaedehara and Hanamaki jumped up to block, arms raised straight overhead. This was a standard block formation—cut off attack angles to help the libero receive better.
Maeda grinned. Owning the air was the true mark of an ace. He locked onto a gap in the court and swung hard at the ball.
But that strange sensation returned to Kaedehara.
Maeda's gaze shifts—Kaedehara could see it all clearly.
Time felt like it was slowing down. In midair, Kaedehara forcefully adjusted his arms, swinging them left to intercept Maeda's path.
"Smack!"
The ball slammed into Kaedehara's arms and dropped back into Miyagi's court.
Block point![Miyagi University 19 vs. 17 Aoba Johsai]
"You little brat!!" Maeda nearly lost it.
"Maeda, why are you getting worked up over a first-year kid? Watch your opponent more closely!" Miyagi's coach shouted from the sideline. Though the opposing team was a strong high school team from Miyagi, they were still just high schoolers. A team of university players getting scored on repeatedly like this? Not a good look.
"Yes…" Maeda hung his head, slowly calming down.
Once could be luck. But twice? That block showed real technique.
Aoba Johsai's team manager, Sadayuki Kawaguchi, was already excitedly approaching Coach Irubata with a clipboard in hand.
"Coach! He's a gem, an absolute gem! Taichi can take our defense to the next level!"
Coach Irubata signaled him to calm down. He tapped the roster in his hand, where several names had already been marked.
Kindaichi Yuutarou: Middle blocker. Good strength and stamina.
Kunimi Eiji: Wing spiker. High game sense, balanced baseline.
Kaedehara Taichi: Middle blocker. Fast and excellent at blocking.
This year might be their last chance. Before the third-years graduate—they had to make it to Nationals.