As the match between Aoba Johsai and Kakugawa reached its halfway point, Washijō Tanji shifted his focus from Hyakuzawa Yūdai to Kaedehara Taichi.
Even with forty years of coaching experience, Washijō had never encountered a player quite like him. It had only been a month since Aoba Johsai's match against Shiratorizawa, yet this seemingly delicate-looking freshman had undergone noticeable changes.
Not only had Taichi mastered new spiking techniques, but his muscular definition had become more pronounced, This jumping mechanics more refined—no, it seemed like his vertical leap had improved outright.
This was the third time Washijō Tanji had seen Taichi in action.
At first, he'd thought Kaedehara was a quick and clever player—a type he had encountered many times before. In fact, back then, Washijō even considered Kunimi Akira to be a more well-rounded player than Taichi.
But each time he saw Taichi again, the young player's evolution brought new surprises.
Washijō turned to look at Irihata Nobuteru, Aoba Johsai's head coach.
This old fellow had managed to land both Oikawa Tōru and Kaedehara Taichi on the same team—what incredible luck!
Initially, Washijō had no intention of intervening in Kakugawa's match. However, seeing a promising talent like Hyakuzawa Yūdai getting crushed mentally by these merciless opponents compelled him to act.
"Take a break for now. Aoba Johsai will face Jousanji in the second set," Washijō announced to the two teams that had just finished playing.
Naturally, neither team objected. Kakugawa's players had been longing for a reprieve from their ordeal.
The players from Jousanji, however, were stunned. Watching the match was one thing—but now they had to face this Aoba Johsai team?
They glanced nervously at their coach. Coach Anabara could only offer a wry smile; after all, growing stronger required enduring some pain.
"Haven't you faced Aoba Johsai before? What's with the nerves now—just because they made the top eight nationally?"
"…Yeah…" Terushima Yūji mumbled, his head hanging low.
"Hahaha…I was just kidding!" Terushima raised his head with a forced grin.
But Coach Anabara could see their tense postures and feel their anxiety.
"Having fun in a match requires strength to back it up."
This game would undoubtedly be an ordeal for them.
Kakugawa's players sat despondently in a corner of the gymnasium. While Shiratorizawa and Date Tech were still battling it out with neither team reaching 20 points, their own match was already over.
They felt out of place, even sitting on the floor.
Hyakuzawa Yūdai sat with his head buried in his arms. Since he started playing volleyball, he had never experienced such a crushing defeat.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over him, and a figure stopped in front of him.
"Hello, I'm Kaedehara Taichi, Aoba Johsai's ace." The player smiled warmly, looking nothing like the heartless devil Hyakuzawa had faced on the court moments ago.
Though Hyakuzawa felt that this smile masked something far sinister, he still mumbled a polite response:
"Hello, I'm Hyakuzawa Yūdai, a first-year from Kakugawa Academy."
"What? Aren't you an ace too? Say it louder!" Taichi spread his arms wide. "Talented first-year aces like us are rare, you know."
Before, Hyakuzawa might have agreed with that description. But now?
"What? Just tall? Do you have any idea how hard my seniors work to gain just 0.7 centimetres of height?!"
A large hand suddenly grabbed Taichi's head from behind.
Oh no, Iwaizumi-senpai is here…
Iwaizumi Hajime had come over with Oikawa Tōru, fearing that Taichi might provoke someone and get into trouble—after all, taking on someone as tall as Hyakuzawa could easily spiral out of control.
"Hehe, Iwaizumi-senpai, I'm just encouraging a fellow player," Taichi said sheepishly, avoiding the real issue. "We're both first-years, so we'll probably become great rivals in the future."
Oikawa, standing slightly behind Iwaizumi, smirked—only to get punched without warning.
Iwaizumi Hajime: "Taichi's attitude now? He totally learned it from you."
He's been a little troublemaker since the start!
"Good afternoon, seniors! I'm Minamida Taishi, a second-year from Kakugawa Academy."
"Good afternoon, seniors! I'm Komaki Yuzuru, the team's setter and also a second-year."
With Kakugawa Academy's third-years retired, the current captain, like Oikawa Tōru, was also a setter.
Both Oikawa and Ushijima Wakatoshi were star players in the prefecture. Kakugawa rarely got the chance to practice with such strong teams. Realizing this, Komaki Yuzuru felt less bitter about their loss.
After all, winning was never something Kakugawa experienced often.
Seizing the rare opportunity, Komaki wanted to consult Oikawa about setting techniques.
Since Komaki wasn't an intimidating junior like Kageyama Tobio and considering the training camp setting, Oikawa, for once, took on the role of a senior and had a technical discussion with Komaki.
"You just wait—I'll deal with you later," Iwaizumi said before leaving Taichi alone, deciding not to interrupt his interaction.
Taichi didn't have much to say to Hyakuzawa. He simply didn't want a promising rival to sink into despair.
After all, Taichi had a habit of letting slip some slightly provocative words during matches—a flaw he'd grudgingly admit.
"Skills can be refined and strengthened over time. You have a solid foundation, which is why Coach Washijō holds you in such high regard," Taichi said with a smile. "I hope you'll grow stronger. That way, the prefectural matches will be much more exciting."
Hyakuzawa stared at his peer, bewildered.
Though he couldn't fully understand Taichi's intentions, he could sense the sincerity in his tone.
"Yeah…Volleyball seemed simple at first, but now I find it interesting."
After a brief pause, Hyakuzawa finally voiced his thoughts:
"I can't imagine myself defeating you right now, but someday, I will!"
Taichi listened to his determined declaration and smiled, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Alright. I'm looking forward to it."
"…Though, I can't imagine myself losing, either."
Ushijima Wakatoshi's spike blasted through Date Tech's newly fortified "Iron Wall," landing with undiminished force.
"Wakatoshi, it looks like Taichi from Aoba Johsai has gotten even stronger," Tendō Satori remarked, recalling the spiking showcase Taichi had put on earlier. Even against weaker teams, his progress was evident.
"Hmm. I saw it," Ushijima replied, his face stoic.
"Block!" Yamagata Hayato successfully received a spike from Aone Takanobu.
"Give me the ball," Ushijima said calmly.
Tendō grinned mischievously on the sidelines. Clearly, Wakatoshi cared quite a bit about Taichi's growth.
Shirabu Kenjirō stepped in and set the ball to the left, sending it high.
Ushijima ran, leapt, and stretched his body midair. His incredible hang time made it seem as if he had paused in the air for a moment.
The Date Tech blockers, who had jumped to intercept him, fell back to the ground first.
Facing a towering double block from Date Tech's two 190cm defenders, Ushijima executed a powerful spike over their reach.
[Shiratorizawa 25 – 18 Date Tech]
The first set ended in Shiratorizawa's favor.
From afar, Taichi had caught sight of Ushijima's decisive spike. Their gazes met across the gym.
Just as Taichi eagerly anticipated Hyakuzawa's growth, Ushijima wondered whether Taichi was now ready to stand as his equal in a one-on-one matchup.
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