[October 25th, Sendai City Gymnasium]

  The All-Japan Spring High School Volleyball Tour, only knoring High, had officially begun its Miyagi Prefecture representative qualifiers.

  A total of sixteen teams were peting: the top eight from the Inter-High Prefecture Qualifiers, along with the eight teams that had advahrough the first round of Spring High prelimihey would battle for the sole representative spot.

  The tour was divided i a zones, each with two groups: Group A and B in the East, and Group d D in the West.

  Day 1: Determination of the top team from each group, f the semifinalists.

  Day 2: M semifinals froups A and B; afternoon semifinals froups d D.

  Day 3: The winners of the East a zones would face off in the finals. The victorious team would bee the Miyagi champions and represent the prefecture at nationals.

  Group Matchups:

  Group A: Aoba Johsai vs. Niiyama Teical, Kaji vs. Shirokanan

  Group B: Date Tech vs. Kuroda, Suigawa vs. Mine ercial

  Group bsp;Jōzenshi vs. Karasuno, ōgi ercial vs. Wakunan

  Group D: Shirahō vs. Momijibara, Araikawa vs. Shiratorizawa

  As dawn broke, the crisp m air carried a sense of excitement.

  The Aoba Johsai team bus pulled up directly in front of the Sendai City Gymnasium.

  One by one, pyers their distinctive teal and white uniforms stepped off the bus, their fident movements catg the light of the m sun. The immacute uniforms shone brightly, and their posed demeanour left a strong impression.

  "Wow, they're so tall!"

  Among the crowd of spectatathered at the gym's entrance, many couldn't help but gasp in amazement. With five pyers over 185 cm tall, Aoba Johsai's roster was a sight to behold. The team's average height surpassed 180 cm, making them an imposing presence.

  "They're so cool!"

  Among the spectators were teenage girls whose eyes sparkled as they whispered in awe.

  Their gazes wandered across Aoba Johsai's lineup, lingering particurly on Oikawa Tōru, who exuded his usual charm, and Kaedehara Taichi, whose ret growth spurt and the light tan made him even more striking.

  "Look how beautiful she is!"

  Some keen-eyed fans also noticed a new addition to Aoba Johsai's roster—a female team manager. Her mere presence added a touch of elegao the team's already captivating appearance.

  It had been nearly two months sihe start of the school term, and the pyers had used this time to grow individually and refiheir teamwork.

  Coach Irihata, inspired by his team's potential, had thrown himself into training with a newfound fervour, meticulously polishing every detail of his pyers' skills.

  During this period, even uy pyers like Takahashi Isuke were called back by Coach Irihata to scrimmage with Aoba Johsai. These high-level practice matches helped maintaieam's petitive edge.

  This time of preparation served as a period of solidation for the pyers. Although there hadn't been dramatic breakthroughs in individual skills, their stability and overall versatility had improved signifitly.

  Kaedehara Taichi had gradually adapted to his new role as an outside hitter, and the team's two main formations were being increasingly seamless.

  Their chemistry had reached an unpreted level, allowing them to react swiftly and execute precise binations in both offend defence.

  Aoba Johsai's tactical execution had beore flexible and their trol over the pace of the game more refined.

  Despite havied Shiratorizawa only ohe aura surrounding Aoba Johsai now felt like that of champions whom everyone eagerly anticipated.

  The crowd outside the gym instinctively parted to make way for them. Among the bystanders, pyers from other teams couldn't help but cast curious and wary gheir awe betraying a subtle sense of intimidation.

  -----

  "Hey, Taichi, are you sure they'll all e here?"

  Oikawa Tōru and Kaedehara Taichi leaned casually against the wall iry hall of the gymnasium, strategically positioned along the route pyers had to take to reach the restroom.

  "Of course! Bathrooms are the hotspots for drama in gymnasiums—just like inns in martial arts novels," Taichi replied fidently.

  Another one of his strange analogies, Oikawa thought, frowning slightly.

  Suddenly, a otion arose nearby as two figures came running side by side.

  "Who are these idiots, running around the venue like that—" Oikawa began, but Taichi cut him off, straightening abruptly. "They're here!" he excimed, stepping forward.

  Oikawa followed immediately, just in time to clearly see the troag figures.

  "Tobio-! And...chibi-!"

  Called out by the familiar voice, Kageyama Tobio and Hinata Shōyō turo look. Hinata, in particur, jumped in surprise.

  "The-the-the...Great King! And Taichi!" Hinata stammered, his tone filled with delight when he addressed Taichi.

  "Hello, Shōyō," Taichi greeted him with a warm smile.

  "Am I really that scary?" Oikawa muttered, pouting on the side.

  "Oikawa-senpai." Kageyama offered a polite nod. "Were you waiting here for us?"

  "ly," Oikawa began, then smirked mischievously. "Tobio-, if you want to meet us again, you'll have to make it to the finals."

  "Yes! Oikawa-senpai, I will defeat you in the finals!" Kageyama decred with utmost seriousness.

  "You're quite fident, aren't you, Karasuno brat—"

  The taunting voice beloo Tendō Satori, who was skipping his way toward them. Walking beside him was Shiratorizawa's ace, Ushijima Wakatoshi.

  "Oikawa, Taichi," Ushijima greeted them coolly.

  "Are you holding a meeting here? How amusing…" Tendō quipped with a grin.

  "Taichi, long time no see!"

  More pyers arrived, unbothered by the straension in the air. With eaew face, Taichi's expression grew more satisfied. He nodded slightly, a meaningful smile pying on his lips. Everyone he had hoped to see was here.

  In their distinct team uniforms stood:

  Aoba Johsai's teal and white—Kaedehara Taichi and Oikawa Tōru.

  Karasuno's bck—Hinata Shōyō and Kageyama Tobio.

  Shiratorizaurple and white—Ushijima Wakatoshi and Tendō Satori.

  Date Tech's navy blue—Aoakanobu and Futakuchi Kenji.

  Wakunan's deep green—Nakajima Takeru, who greeted Taichi with a smile.

  "Whoa! What's going on here? All the aces from the top teams are gathering in one spot!"

  "Are they going to start fighting right here?!"

  "No way...but look at Shiratorizawa and Aoba Johsai—they look like they're about to go at it any sed!"

  Spectators watched the se from a distance, whispering ihe pyers now gathered practically represehe pinnaiyagi Prefecture high school volleyball.

  Hinata Shōyō stood frozen, trembling as he looked around at the intimidating group. But if Karasuno wao qualify for nationals—

  "W-we'll win! Karasuno will win!" Hinata stammered, his voice trailing off as everyone's gaze so him, sharp and unyielding.

  "Idiot! If yoing to say something, say it loud and clear!" Kageyama stepped forward, deg boldly, "Karasuno will definitely make it to nationals!"

  "Why?" Ushijima's voice cut through the air, calm and matter-of-fact. "There's only one spot to qualify, isn't there?"

  His words carried an undeniable weight, rendering the first-years' fidence pale in parison.

  To face Aoba Johsai in the finals, Karasuno would first have to overe Shiratorizawa—their greatest obstacle.

  Aoakanobu slowly raised a hand, pointing toward both Kaedehara Taichi and Ushijima. Though Date Tech had yet to win a sich against these teams during their training camp two months ago, it didn't diminish Aone's resolve to block the opposing aces.

  The tension in the air grew heavier, almost suffog, as though even time itself had paused.

  "Ha-ha…"

  A soft chuckle suddenly broke the silence.

  Kaedehara Taichi stepped into the tre of the group, surveying everyoh a calm but determined expression.

  "Last I checked, the reigning champions of this prefecture are Aoba Johsai," he said lightly. His words, though spokely, drew immediate gres from everyone present.

  "I waited here to see all of you—it'd be too much trouble to say this to each of you individually," Taichi tinued, his voice steady and unwavering. "No matter who challenges us, Aoba Johsai will accept it."

  "And we will crush you."

  He paused before adding, his tone firm and resolute, "But this time, you rest easy. Aoba Johsai will carry your dreams to nationals. We will domihe entire try."

  His decration hung in the air, unchallenged, as if it had frozen the very atmosphere of the gymnasium.

  The first to respond was Ushijima Wakatoshi, who met Taichi's gaze head-oher ace fliheir mutual determination palpable.

  "See you in the finals."

  No further words were needed. Everything would be decided ohird day.

  After Ushijima left, the radually dispersed as well, until only Oikawa Tōru and Kaedehara Taichi remained.

  "Weren't we supposed to share the lines equally?!" Oikawa grumbled, his face darkening. "You took all the good ones!"

  "Well, you weren't saying anything, so I stepped up," Taichi replied ily.

  "..."

  "I was busy log gazes with Ushijima to hold him back! How else are we supposed to psych them out?" Oikawa retorted, trying to justify himself, only to realize that Taichi had already started walking away.

  "Hurry up! If we're te again, Iwaizumi-senpai will scold us," Taichi called over his shoulder.

  "Damn it! Wait for me!"

  _________

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