On the m of Juh, the pyers of Shiratorizawa Academy's boys' volleyball team returo the gym after pleting their early m training run.
In the past two years, they would have been warming up at Tokyo's arena at this time while preparing for their match.
But this year, Shiratorizawa had lost to Aoba Johsai in the Miyagi Prefecture's finals of the Inter-High qualifiers, forfeiting their ce to represent the prefecture oional stage.
The first and sed-year pyers chatted quietly among themselves, but their versatio half-hearted, their thoughts clearly elsewhere.
This was uandable—their minds were oional Tour in Tokyo, where Aoba Johsai would soon face Hoshijiro in a muticipated match.
The National Tour was broadcasted live on television and online, so even without travelling to Tokyo, they could watch the mat real-time.
However, no oiohis aloud.
Despite their differing reasons, everyone in Shiratorizawa shared the same hesitation: Skipping practice to watch TV doesn't seem right, does it?
Moreover, it wasn't easy to accept Aoba Johsai standing on the very stage they stood every year!
The thought of watg their rival py was met with mixed emotions.
In this awkward atmosphere, no one dared voice their feelings, and indoor practice began as scheduled.
"Wakatoshi, did you hear that Aoba Johsai beat Nohebi Academy yesterday?" If anyone could remain unfazed by the situation, it was Tendō Satori and Ushijima Wakatoshi.
"Yes, I checked the results on my phoer practice yesterday," Ushijima replied matter-of-factly.
"They said it!" The pyers around them perked up their ears and edged closer to their versation.
"Wait, you're paying attention to Aoba Johsai?" Tendō asked in mock surprise, his toeasing.
"Aoba Johsai and Nationals," Ushijima corrected him suctly.
"Ah, I see...Do you want to watch today's match?" Tendō pressed further.
"Yes, but practies first," Ushijima responded with his usual calm.
Tendō found this amusing and leaned in with a spiratorial grin, about to say something more when—
"Tendō! If you have time for idle chatter, go run another hour!"
Coach Washijō's roar echoed through the gym. Tendō chuckled as he jogged away, and the nearby pyers quickly scattered back to their drills.
"Coach Washijō," Team Manager Saitō spoke up cautiously, "how about letting the pyers watch the match?"
"What are you talking about? If they have that kind of time, it's better spent practising!" Washijō retorted gruffly.
"Still, a match between strong teams could be educational," Saitō reasoned, determio make his case. "Besides, it's clear that everyooo distracted to focus. Instead of letting them practice half-heartedly, watg the match might reigheir motivation."
Washijō didn't reply immediately. After seeing the younger pyers make several careless mistakes on the court, he sighed, seemingly too exasperated to scold them further.
"Take them to the audiovisual room," he finally relented. "But tell them they'll make up for the lost time with extra practice afterwards." With that, he csped his hands behind his bad walked off.
"Wow, I didn't expect Coach Washijō to be so uanding," Tendō quipped as he fiddled with the equipment in the audiovisual room.
Saitō shot him a warning look. "Just remember to train harder afterwards. I took a risk arguing with Coach Washijō for you all."
"Got it, Manager Saitō is the best!"
"Thank you, Manager!" the Shiratorizayers chimed in, genuinely grateful.
-----
Soon, familiar faces from Aoba Johsai appeared on the s, and the room buzzed with excitement.
The camera panned across the cheeriions of both teams. Besides the volleyball pyers and brass bands leading the cheers, there were plenty ur spectators as well. The sheer number of people created a lively atmosphere.
"Seijoh's cheer squad didn't e, huh?" Semi Eita remarked, notig that the se behind Aoba Johsai was filled mostly with general spectators.
"Only schools okyo easily send their cheer squads," ōhira Reon expined. "But if Seijoh makes it to the quarterfinals, their school will probably splurge a bit for publicity."
For Shiratorizawa, which had substantial financial bag, anizing their cheer squads on the first day of Nationals had never been a problem.
Aoba Johsai's sed-round oppo was Hoshijiro High from Aichi Prefecture, one of st year's quarterfinalists.
Perhaps to mask their nervousness, the Shiratorizayers seemed chattier than usual.
As the match began, the camera focused on Hoshijiro's Sōta Naka the service lihe lively atmosphere of the room suddenly shifted.
The Shiratorizayers fell silent as Nakane delivered a powerful serve, seg the first point for Hoshijiro.
[Aoba Johsai 0 – 1 Hoshijiro]
Nakane's serve had nded precisely between Seijoh's libero Watari Shinji and middle blocker Hanamaki Takahiro, dropping just ihe baseline. Even through the s, the force of the serve alpable.
As a former quarterfinalist, Shiratorizawa uood better than most that serving was a fual skill emphasized at Nationals.
"There's nothing special about that serve. Ushijima-senpai could do better than that," Goshiki Tsutomu grumbled, trying to justify his momentary sileh a dismissive remark.
"Seijoh should've been able to receive that!"
His frustration, fueled by his petitive spirit toward their rival, made him blurt out impulsive ents.
"Goshiki, don't uimate your oppos," Ushijima admonished, his tone rare in its sternness.
"Yes…I'm sorry," Goshiki quickly apologized, realizing his mistake. After all, he was merely a spectator, throwing out unhelpful criticisms.
Despite their words, the Shiratorizayers all shared the same se: Aoba Johsai was undoubtedly a strong team. And as representatives of Miyagi Prefecture, they sincerely hoped Seijoh wouldn't lose so early iour.
"If they receive Ushiwaka-senpai's serves, they should be able to hahis ooo!"
Smack!
The sed rally began with Iwaizumi Hajime receiving the serve. Taichi Kaedehara leapt on the right wing and spiked the ball past the blockers.
[Aoba Johsai 1 – 1 Hoshijiro]
He's jumping that high again? Goshiki Tsutomu couldn't help but think to himself. During their previous match against Aoba Johsai, suents had been rare, but now it seemed Kaedehara had growronger.
Goshiki g Ushijima Wakatoshi.
While he sidered Taichi Kaedehara, a fellow first-year, his rival, he khat Kaedehara's focus was solely on Ushijima. It stung his pride, but at the same time, it was exhirating.
year, we have to beat Seijoh. year, Shiratorizawa will stand on this stage!
-----
Taichi stepped up to serve. His uable jump float soared quickly toward Hoshijiro's defenders. Libero Ayumi Kawaguchi, forced to use an unfamiliar overhand pass, barely mao lift the ball. However, the ensuing attack by Hoshijiro's ace, Yūhi Kamiya, was easily dug up by Iwaizumi Hajime.
A collective sigh echoed in Shiratorizawa's audiovisual room. The pyers felt a whirlwind of emotions, unsure which side to cheer for.
"Kaedehara's jump float has bee even more uable," Semi Eita noted with a frown. "It's getting close to my level as a pinch server."
"Iwaizumi's receiving has also improved signifitly," ōhira Reon added thoughtfully.
The Shiratorizayers were reminded of their final rally against Aoba Johsai in the prefecture finals. It was Iwaizumi who had perfectly received Ushijima's near-fwless spike, setting up Oikarecise toss and Kaedehara's decisive finish.
"With that Mad Dog and Kaedehara oeam, the offensive pressure on Iwaizumi-senpai must have lessened," Shirabu Kenjirō observed. "He's able to focus more on defense now."
Taichi jumped again, and Oikawa Tōru synized perfectly with his movements. The swift attack that had brought Shiratorizawa so much trouble appeared once more on the s.
Smack!
The strike was and unstoppable, leaving Hoshijiro's blockers frozen.
[Aoba Johsai 12 – 10 Hoshijiro]
"Haha, there's no way to react to that kind of quick atta the first try," Tendō Sathed, watg the bewildered expressions of Hoshijiro's pyers. "Even if you've seen it on tape and prepared for it, the real-life speed is still shog."
"Speaking of which," Tendō added with a mysterious grin, "Kaedehara said they didn't ihis quick attack. Apparently, a first-year duo from Karasuno uses it too—and they're eveer at it!"
"Karasuno's setter is Oikawa's juniht? From Kitagawa Daiichi?" Shirabu's i piqued as he focused solely on exceptional setters.
"Tendō-senpai, since when do you talk to Kaedehara?" Goshiki asked, always tg onto peculiar details.
"He exged emails with Wakatoshi. I used Wakatoshi's phoo chat with him," Tendō answered nontly, pletely unaware of the bombshell he'd just dropped. "Anyway, the point is, there are others who pull off that quick attack!"
The Shiratorizayers were shocked. Most had assumed that the bination of Oikawa and Kaedehara was a unique anomaly. But now, they realized it wasn't exclusive to those two.
"I could never manage such a toss," Shirabu admitted ftly. "Besides, my only focus is setting for Ushijima-senpai. I don't o show off with gimmicks like that."
Semi, Shiratorizawa's backup setter, suddenly felt all eyes on him. He spun around and hastily replied, "I 't do it either!"
"Nobody said you could," ōhira whispered under his breath.
-----
"Hoshijiro's #9 middle blocker, Satoshi Yoshinoyu, fires a powerful jump serve—what a ferocious ball!"
"Seijoh's #7 libero, Watari Shinji, holds steady with the receive!"
"Oikawa Tōru opens up the py, sending it to Iwaizumi on the left wing—blocked! Hanamaki Takahiro covers the ball, and Watanabe Shinji dives for the save!"
"Kaedehara Taichi takes another shot, aiming for the blockers' hands and f a rebound! Seijaheir attack. Iwaizumi Hajime sets up the ball, Oikawa Tōru charges in from the back row, and the ball heads to the right wing once again."
"Kaedehara Taichi—scores with a violent-high-spike!"
"Otomo-san, it feels like we're witnessing the rise of a star! Kaedehara Taichi is avoiding the block of Takashi Yamazaki and Yūhi Kamiya with such sharp shots!" entator Aoi excimed as he stood up iement. He and Otomo Ryo were responsible for entating on Pool C's matches.
Over the past two days, Aoba Johsai's performance had stuhem.
"That spike was lightning fast! Even with Kawaguchi Ayumi in the right position, he couldn't dig it!" Otomo added, seamlessly pig up where Aoi left off. As long-time partners, he uood Aoi's thoughts perfectly.
A team with a setter as experienced and skilled as Oikawa, bined with a first-year hitter like Taichi—lightning-quick, smart, and capable of delivering surprising attacks—was a force to be reed with.
Aoba Johsai ool C's dark horse. Havihroned Shiratorizawa in the prefecture finals, they hardly seemed like first-timers oional stage. Expectations for their future matches were s.
-----
[Aoba Johsai 28 – 26 Hoshijiro]
[Aoba Johsai 26 – 24 Hoshijiro]
Against st year's quarterfinalists, Aoba Johsai swept both sets and secured a sed-round victory.
"Has Seijoh's #10 ever spiked a cross shot before?" Kawanishi Taichi broke the silen Shiratorizawa's room.
"No," ōhira replied bluntly. As someone who frequently participated in blocks, he could sehis detail immediately.
Tendō's expression soured. Perhaps he'd mentally pced himself in Hoshijiro's blockers' shoes and was a having misread Kaedehara's attack.
"Could you have blocked that cross shot?" Yamagata Hayato, Shiratorizawa's libero, voiced the everyone .
"Hard to say," Kawanishi admitted relutly. "It depends oher we could read his attack dire. His form was so textbook-perfect that there were ale signs."
For the first time, Shiratorizayers felt a heavy pressure they'd never experienced before.
Even in their prefecture final loss to Aoba Johsai, their fidend posure as Miyagi's reigning champions had remained unshaken.
Yet now, witnessing Seijoh's evolved form oional stage, they couldn't help but reevaluate.
Aoba Johsai's transformation was undoubtedly fed through battling strong oppos, tempered in the furnace of pressure and developing a more resilient self.
This was something Shiratorizayers, having once participated iional petition, could deeply resoh. In the brutal petition of the national tour, each challenge is an opportunity to transform, and every oppo is a catalyst for evolution.
They were sure Seijoh would tio evolve in the subsequent matches as their power and tactics reached new heights.
"Let's go." Ushijima Wakatoshi said calmly as he stood up.
"After watg the match, it's time for extra practice!" ōhira Reon veyed Ushijima's iions more precisely.
ime, Shiratorizawa will be the challenger.
_________
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