"Oikawa, when Taichi gets on the court ter, focus the sets on him. I want to see how his offence holds up as roach the endgame." Oikawa Tōru recalled the coach's words as Kaedehara Taichi stepped onto the court.

  Standing at the aioticed Oikawa staring at him.

  "What is it, Oikawa-senpai? Thinking about whose head to bst open with your serve again?"

  "Hmph, if we're talking juniors, Kageyama's still the cuter one."

  -------

  Aoba Johsai served, and Hanamaki Takahiro sent the ball over.

  "Naruko, nice receive!"

  "Shun, spike it!"

  "Great dig, Hanamaki!" The volleyball arched high above Oikawa.

  The moment Taichi ehe game, the opposing defence began targeting him. At this point, Iwaizumi was in the back row. If the ball were set to Iwaizumi for a back-row attack, it might catch them off guard.

  But, after for so long….Don't you want to challeheir blockers?

  Oikawa g the intensely focused Taichi ahe ball to him.

  "Three-man block!" Shiroishi Yūki, Naruko Teppei, and Kawatabi Shunki lined up at the .

  This is the feeling! Kaedehara Taichi jumped, his senses heightened, as if the movements of the blockers had slowed. Aiming for the edge of Shiroishi Yūki's palm, he unleashed a powerful spike.

  The ball grazed Shiroishi's fingers and flew to Wakunan's backcourt.

  He really went for it! Watg Taichi's jump, Nakashima Takeru had an inkling of his i. Reag swiftly, Nakashima sprio the back to save the ball.

  A setter and a middle blocker from Aoba Johsai daring to py like this at such a crucial moment….They've got nerves of steel, these bastards!

  Despite his valiant dive, Nakashima failed to reach the ball before it hit the floor.

  Kaedehara Taichi scores!

  [Aoba Johsai 23 – 20 Wakunan]

  "Aoba Johsai scores secutively!" Cheers erupted from the sidelines.

  "Taichi, that was a beautiful spike!"

  "Another point, great job…" Taichi stared at his hand, exhirated. To score with a py executed just as he envisio felt amazing!

  Hanamaki Takahiro stepped up to serve again.

  "Hanamaki-senpai, give us a good one…"

  The ball skimmed the top of the and dropped into Wakunan's court.

  "Argh!" Naruko Teppei dove, managing a miraculous save.

  Kazeteru Akiu followed up with a bump. "The ball's drifting—cover it!"

  The volleyball floated directly above the .

  "Takeru, push it over!"

  "Taichi, push it back!"

  Nakashima and Taichi jumped simultaneously to test the ball. With a slight edge, Taichi pressed the volleyball downward into Wakunan's court.

  Nakashima nded heavily, sitting on the ground, staring up at Taichi across the with a look of frustration. Moments like this reminded him of that insurmountable wall called 'height'—an iron wall he loathed!

  Aoba Johsai reached the match point!

  [Aoba Johsai 24 – 20 Wakunan]

  "Sorry…" Kazeteru Akiu lowered his head. As the team's libero, he had failed to deliver a solid pass.

  "Just get the one!" Nakashima stood, ruffling Akiho's hair with surprisiermination.

  "Oi, Kazuhiro, miss another and you're buying me ramen!" Kawatabi Shunki chimed in teasingly.

  "Y-Yes!"

  Hanamaki served for the third time.

  This time, Akiho's receive was solid. For the crucial point, the set naturally went to Nakashima Takeru.

  Taichi and Oikawa rose to block, with Iwaizumi ready to defend the straight shot.

  "I 't back down now!" Seeing an opening, Nakashima aimed diagonally, targeting Taichi's wrist instead of going for a spike.

  Kaedehara Taichi didn't have enough time to react. He could only try his best to push his palm upward.

  The ball grazed the edge of Taichi's hand and bounced high into the air.

  As long as the ball hasn't touched the ground, there's still a ce!

  "First touch!" Taichi shouted loudly.

  Hanamaki Takahiro sprinted in the dire of the ball's trajectory and mao send it flying back toward Oikawa Tōru.

  Oikawa jumped he , hands ready to set, his eyes sing the court for the attackers.

  After nding from his block attempt, Taichi quickly sprinted across the court to the opposite side, leaping into the air with all his might.

  "Again?"

  At that moment, the same thought crossed the minds of both Wakunan's pyers and Oikawa Tōru:

  This guy runs wayyy too much!

  The front-row pyers of Wakunan had no time to think further and scrambled to keep up with Taichi. Nakashima Takeru, meanwhile, stepped back slightly, predig that Taichi wouldn't go for a straight-line shot. He decided to defend against an angled spike aimed at the blockers' hands.

  Kaedehara Taichi had reached the peak of his jump. He turo look at Oikawa, his eyes filled with hunger for the spike.

  "This kid…" Oikawa was momentarily taken aback by Taichi's iy. But you're not getting it this time!

  In midair, Oikawa suddenly ged his setting motion. Instead of passing, he used his left hand to push the ball directly into Wakunan's court.

  Tap.

  The volleyball nded squarely on Wakunan's side, leaving even the referee stunned for a moment.

  [Aoba Johsai 25 – 20 Wakunan]

  Tweet! Tweet!

  The whistle blew, marking the end of the first set.

  The abrupt clusiohe gymnasium in stunned silence for a moment. Then, the areed in deafening cheers.

  "They actually ehe game with a setter's dump!"

  "Oikawa-senpai is so cool!"

  "Wow! I really thought that st ball would go to Taichi!"

  Even Oikawa felt a bit shaken. That intense look from Taichi had almost vinced him to set the ball his way.

  But hearing the wave of praise and cheers around him, Oikawa felt vindicated. This oute was far more satisfying.

  He turo Taichi with a smug expression, raising an eyebrow and sending a challenging look that clearly said, I won.

  "What's wrong, Oikawa-senpai? Do your eyes hurt?" Taichi teased with a bright smile.

  Oikawa's face froze momentarily. "Hmph, ignorant brat."

  Kaedehara Taichi, however, was still sav the thrill of his earlier movements. Although it was Oikawa who had scored, seeing the opposing blockers chase after him in vain and the with shock had filled him with satisfa.

  Of course, he uood Oikawa's look—it ure teasing. But he chose to ig. What a child.

  "Everyone did a great job. Take a breather a ready for the sed set," Coach Mizoguchi called from the sidelines.

  "Yes!"

  As Taichi walked to the bench, a meical voice suddenly sounded in his head.

  [Ding! Temporary Mission: 'Successor of the Little Giant' Progress Updated.]

  [First set pleted. Nakashima Takeru scored 3 points via touch-outs. Host scored 1 point via touch-out.]

  Huh???

  Taichi froze mid-step. Oh no, he had pletely fotten about this mission!

  Hurriedly, he g the system interface. Fortunately, the mission hadn't failed yet. Taichi breathed a sigh of relief—the task sted the ech.

  He quickly approached Gouchi Sadayuki. "Coach Mizoguchi, could I see the score sheet?"

  "Sure." Mizohuchi handed him the sheet.

  Taichi found Nakashima Takeru's stats: 14 attack attempts, 9 points scored.

  Ridiculous. He scored nearly half of his team's points—and that's not even ting his tributions on defence.

  Then, he looked at Oikawa's and his own stats.

  Oikawa Tōru: 6 points (2 dumps, 4 service aces).Kaedehara Taichi: 3 points from spikes.

  Taichi sighed. Whether in terms of raw points or efficy, he was still far behind.

  _________

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