The sed set of the practice matded predictably, with Karasuno experieng a slow but iable defeat due to the differen skill levels.

  [Aoba Johsai 25 – 18 Karasuno]

  Although they mao score two more points than in the first set, there wasn't muong Karasuno's pyers.

  "Tobio-, I won again~" Oikawa's smug expression was almost too much for even his teammates to bear.

  "It's not over yet! match…" Kageyama Tobio muttered, as if trying to bolster his own resolve, "I won't lose again!"

  That look in his eyes.

  Oikawa reized it instantly—it was the same look he had after each defeat by Ushijima Wakatoshi. That unyieldiermination to succeed ime.

  People who could show such resolve were destio grow stroo transform.

  For Oikawa, this practice match was merely the prelude to the final chapter of his high school volleyball journey.

  Still, he was fident—whether it was himself eyama—their paths would iably lead to professional volleyball.

  They would remain rivals, not just now, but even far into the future.

  "Kei."

  Tsukishima Akiteru had been watg the ech from the sidelines. From his perspective, Karasuno's blog was underwhelming.

  His younger brother, Tsukishima Kei, had failed to block even one of Aoba Johsai's ace's spikes.

  Yet Akiteru still believed that, given time, Kei would transform into someoraordinary.

  While Kei's outward demeanour didn't show it, Akiteru knew his brother's heart burned with a quiet determination.

  "I remember you mentioning something about joining a practice session. you reserve a spot for me?" Kei murmured with his head down. "But it'll have to wait until after the qualifiers. Until then, we'll be doing joint training camps with other teams."

  "Really? That's great!" Akiteru excimed in surprise.

  Last week, when Akiteru returned home, he noticed Kei seemed lost about his role ieam. help as both an older brother and a volleyball veteran, he had suggested Kei join advaraining sessions.

  Kei had rejected the idea coldly at the time, but today's match must have had a deep effe him.

  Akiteru knew Kei had a bad habit—whenever fag stronger oppos, he would default to thinking, "Losing is iable."

  Kei didn't yet uand the exhiration of breaking through a seemingly insurmountable wall, nor the addictive thrill of standing oher side, looking back.

  -----

  Tsukishima Kei sat silently in a er of the gym, his mind in turmoil. Lately, his frustration had only grown stronger. What did volleyball mean to him? He tried to figure out what he was missing.

  First, there was Fukurodani's Bokuto Kōtarō bluntly telling him, "Maybe the reason you're not having fun is 'cause you're bad at it."

  And now today, despite being a first-year, Kaedehara Taichi hadn't even spared him a single ghroughout the ech.

  He had been pletely ignored.

  Kei's gaze shifted toward the court, where Taichi was talking to Hinata Shōyō. The volleyball y at their feet, a silent wito their versation.

  Maybe I love volleyball more than I thought. Maybe…I also want to stand in the tre with them.

  "Taichi! You've gotten so, so, so much stronger!!" Hinata Shōyō's sparkling eyes practically lit up the area around Taichi.

  "Well…uh, I guess?" Taichi scratched his head, a little embarrassed. Does he have to be so direct?

  "Really! You're amazing!!"

  Hinata jumped high iement, waving his arms exaggeratedly.

  "Your serves are incredible now! And your straight shots! And your cross-court shots!"

  Oh no…Taichi felt himself starting to float from the praise. He wao say something, but his mind had gone bnk.

  Fortunately, Hinata didn't let the energy dip. Filled with curiosity, he tio bombard Taichi with questions.

  "Wow! You've even pyed against aop-three ace?! The only national top-five ace I've faced is Bokuto-san, and even that was insane!"

  "And what?! There's an eveer setter than Grand King?! And they're twins?!" Hinata's eyes sparkled with fasation.

  The mention of setters caused both Kageyama and Oikawa to stealthily inch closer to listen in.

  Hearing Taichi's description of the Miya twins, Kageyama's hunger for nationals grew stronger, while Oikawa…

  "Taichi! Didn't you say before that even if you lost, you thought I was better than Miya Atsumu?!"

  Taichi dodged Oikawa's dramatic dive, responding casually, "That's true, but Atsumu is already reized as the best setter in the try…"

  "Ughhh, it's so frustrating! Tobio and Atsumu both make me so mad!" Oikawa grumbled, sulking on his own. Kageyama, meanwhile, wore a bnk, i expression.

  -----

  As night fell, Aoba Johsai's pyers prepared to leave.

  "Thank you, everyone!"

  "Good luck at Spring High," Taichi said as he turo Hinata and Kageyama. "I'd still love to face you again in an official match."

  "We will! See you at Spring High!" Hinata replied fidently.

  The moment Aoba Johsai's pyers left, Karasuno began practising on their own.

  The opening of the match had been a wake-up call. After the training camps, Karasuno had been basking in the feeling of growth and improvement.

  But today, Taichi's five-point streak at the start had shattered that illusion, repg it with a sinking realization—Aoba Johsai ulling even further ahead.

  There was no doubt now—Aoba Johsai was the sed national-powerhouse in Miyagi.

  Though Karasuno had yet to face Shiratorizawa, hearing from Taichi about their evenly matched practice games only added to the tension. No o like resting.

  "Chikara, you help me out?" Nishinoya Yū asked calmly. "I want to focus on overhand receives for float serves."

  As Karasuno's libero, Nishinoya couldn't hide his frustration over g five points at the start.

  "I 't call myself Karasuno's Guardiay if this keeps up."

  "Tanaka, let's work on spikes and serves," Azumane Asahi suggested.

  "Yes, Asahi-senpai!" Tanaka Ryuunosuke replied enthusiastically.

  Each member of Karasuno resolved to push themselves harder. Today, they had learned a harsh truth—every member of a strong team o excel at serving.

  -----

  On the way back to the bus, Aoba Johsai's pyers discussed the match.

  "Those crows sure are evolving quickly," Coach Irihata ented as he gnced back at Karasuno's gym.

  Hearing this, Taichi paused mid-step before b, following the coach's gaze.

  "Well, it's not like we'll wait around for them to catch up," Taichi said matter-of-factly. "As long as we stay strohat's all that matters."

  Coach Irihata was momentarily taken aback, then broke into a smile.

  "You're right. If anyone should be worried, it's them!"

  _________

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