[Team Irihata 19 – 25 Team Washijō]
Taichi's team lost the sed set as well, and they still failed to block even a single spike from Ushijima Wakatoshi.
The reason? Oikawa Tōru had begun to exert his influence fully.
When he realized that Irihata's team was fog too heavily on blog Ushijima, Oikawa seamlessly brought his other teammates into the attack.
Terushima Yūji's speed.
Hyakuzawa Yūdai's t height.
Kindaichi Yūtarō, who fell somewhere betweewo in terms of skill and power.
Even Kunimi Akira, usually more subdued, became more active in his offensive movements.
In this set, Ushijima only spiked the ball 12 times—the lowest number of attack attempts he had made in any mat years.
Ushijima wao hit more, but Oikawa never set to him unless it was the optimal choice. Every si that didn't go to him became part of a successful offensive sequence.
In a long, drawn-out game, the energy reserve of a team's ace ofteermihe oute in the endgame.
sidering this, Ushijima couldn't help but think—If only Oikawa had e to Shiratorizawa…
After the match, some pyers stayed behind for extra practice.
"Koganegawa, your sets were all over the pce again today," Futakuchi Kenji remarked.
"Sorry! I'll run ten ps right away!" Koganegawa Kanji shouted in response.
"...Practice your setting instead, dumbass!!!" Futakuchi groaned.
"Got it!"
"Hey, Koganegawa. What kind of set do you use for Aone-senpai?" Taichi approached, curious.
His impression of Koganegawa had been vague until now, aside from one persistent rumour—tall setters always have ulterior motives—except Koganegawa.
"Ah! Taichi! Your quick attacks with Oikawa-senpai were incredible!" Koganegawa's eyes lit up with excitement. "I wish I could set like that, but I'm nowhere hat precise!"
Taichi blinked, startled by Koganegawa's enthusiasm.
This guy…is somehow like a weird mix between simpleminded Kindaichi and socially fearless Hinata Shōyō.
An over-excited, straightforward Koganegawa.
"Coach Oiwake says I'm not ready for plex sets yet, so my current job is just moving the ball from one high point to another," Koganegained. "And holy, Aone-senpai's the only one who reach them, so I didn't set to you during the match."
"Hmm." Taiodded thoughtfully. "Mind if I give it a try?"
His vertical leap had already surpassed 80 timetres on the first day of camp. He felt fident he could ha.
Koganegawa's stats fshed through Taichi's mind:
[Koganegawa Kanji—Setter. Overall skill score: 84.5. Height: 191.5 cm, Strength: 94, Jump: 88, Stamina: 88, Speed: 85, Key attributes: Spike: 65, Set: 70.]
…Wait. Are we sure this isn't a wing spiker's stat sheet?!
No wonder only Aone could handle his sets!
Futakuchi tossed the ball, and Koganegawa jumped into positioly lofting it high. Taichi followed, sprinting into his approad leaping.
Missed it.
Their timing was off. Koganegawa's stationary jump nearly matched Taichi's full-speed, running leap.
These freak athletes…They're terrifying, Taichi thought, shaking his head.
"Again!"
"Sure!"
With Futakuo his role as a human ball uncher, he wordlessly accepted his fate. The physical strain of spiking every time had been lifted, so for now, he kept his pints to himself.
Thud!
This time, the e erfect.
The ball rocketed down, and Taichi and Koganegawa exged high-fives, grinnio ear.
But this wasn't enough. Taichi ched his fists, determination bzing in his eyes.
"Again!"
"Of course!"
"Ugh…" Futakuchi groaned, realizing he might regret his decision.
-----
[Day three of the training camp]
Boom!
Oikaowerful jump serve hurtled toward Iwaizumi Hajime, who absorbed the impact with perfe, sending the ball arg high into the air.
"Hyakuzawa! Kill it!" Terushima shouted.
"Koganegawa!" Taichi called, pulling back to begin his approach.
Koganegawa took a sideways step, sprang into the air, and lifted the ball with a geouch.
Taichi followed immediately. As he reached the peak of his jump, Hyakuzawa was already desding.
"Kindaichi!"
Kunimi shouted loudly.
Kindaichi was already airborne, blog Taichi directly in front of him, while Kunimi stood positioned diagonally behind, ready to cover.
"Excellent defensive ce!" Irihata Nobuteru's eyes gleamed with approval. Kindaichi had perfectly timed his block to seal off Taichi's line shot, with Kunimi stationed precisely where the crosscourt shot might go. Their coordination was impressively seamless.
Thud!
Taichi's spike crashed into Kindaichi's block, sending a powerful vibration through his arms, but the ball didn't bounce far—it soared upward instead.
"Oouch!" Kindaichi shouted, his voice eg in the gym.
Taided and instantly shifted into a defeance. Across the he front row featured Hyakuzawa Yūdai, Kindaichi, and Oikawa Tōru.
No time for Kindaichi to recover and attack.
That left Hyakuzawa and Oikawa in the front row, while the back row required careful attention to Ushijima Wakatoshi.
Kunimi received the sed touch, steadying the ball. Oikawa leapt, poised to set, as Hyakuzawa surged forward on the left wing.
Smack!
Oikaivoted mid-air and spiked the ball himself.
"So fast!"
The transition from motioo full force happened in an instant—the ball blurred past Taichi's side before he could react.
I repared for that! And it still slipped by...No wonder Oikawa's setters dumps were so dangerous.
Fag Oikawa from across the aichi finally saw what had been invisible when they were teammates.
!
Iwaizumi Hajime had already anticipated Oikawa's move. He stepped forward early, diving into position, his arms outstretched. The ball rebounded high.
"Save!"
The ball arced bato py. Koganegawa Kanji jumped and, rather thaing, swung down hard—ung his owers dump.
!
The ball smmed into Oikawa's waiting blod ricocheted with brutal speed, striking the court on Irihata's side.
Point for Team Washijō's.
[Team Irihata 12 – 15 Team Washijō]
Oikawa smirked mischievously. "Your form is full of tells, kid."
"Ugh! So frustrating!" Koganegawa grabbed his head in despair.
"Koganegawa! Set the ball! Aone was already mid-jump behind you!" Futakuchi ractically fuming. He'd assumed the attack was a fake-out—only to realize Koganegawa had genuinely gone for the hit.
The attempt had been painfully awkward.
"Sorry, Futakuchi-senpai! Sorry, Aone-senpai!" Koganegawa's apology was as loud as ever.
Aone simply pced a hand on Futakuchi's shoulder, shaking his head in silent uanding.
Futakuchi heaved a sigh. "Right, right. Patience. Koganegawa's still a baby after all…"
Aone nodded solemnly auro his spot on the court.
Futakuchi rolled his eyes. A baby who's over 190 timetres tall! He sighed again, the weight of captaincy heavy on his shoulders.
-----
The third set ended.
[Team Irihata 21 – 25 Team Washijō]
It had been another decisive victory for Washijō's team.
But while the scap remained, a subtle yet unmistakable ge had taken hold of the game.
The differen raw power still existed—but now, both teams moved with increasing fluidity and synization. Simple, avoidable mistakes had dwindled.
The sense of "someone oeam is strong" was evolving into "this is a strong team."
The gap between them wasn't as vast as it had seemed.
Both sides were gaining fideh every point.
Among the pyers showing the most dramatic improvement, two stood out—
First, Hyakuzawa Yūdai from Kakugawa.
With Oikawa feeding him ideal sets, his attacks had grown more assured, and he no longer carried the entire offensive burden alone.
Sed—Iwaizumi Hajime from Aoba Johsai.
Having endured relentless barrages from two of the nation's most powerful servers, his defensive reads had sharpened, and his receptions grew steadier with each attempt.
"Bring it on!!!"
Every movement of his body seemed to scream the challenge.
_________
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