"Don't rush, your strategy just now was solid, Takeru!" Coach Onikabe called out firmly to Takeru Nakashima.
Takeru lifted his head and met his coach's gaze. The coach spoke in a low voice, "Your battlefield is in the air!"
"Yes, sir!" Nakashima responded resolutely and returned to the court with his teammates.
Coach Onikabe watched Nakashima's back intently. He knew that at this moment, the only player Wakunan could rely on was Takeru Nakashima. As long as Nakashima was on the court, there was still hope for victory.
"The next point!" Nakashima scanned his teammates with determination. "We're going to pick this one up!"
"Yeah!" Wakunan echoed with renewed resolve.
Oikawa Tooru wasn't intimidated by the opposing team's determination. He confidently went for another powerful jump serve.
The ball went out of bounds, and the Wakunan players silently let out a sigh of relief. Only Nakashima looked slightly dissatisfied.
Sure enough, coming back from a timeout disrupted his rhythm, Oikawa thought as he glanced at Nakashima, a tinge of regret in his expression.
[Aoba Johsai 5 – Wakunan 3]
It was Wakunan's serve. Kunimi Akira received the ball cleanly, and Kaedehara Taichi, Matsukawa Issei, and Iwaizumi Hajime all rushed forward.
Oikawa's gaze shifted to the right, focusing on Taichi. Although Taichi had been briefly drawn by Nakashima's movements earlier, Nakashima had also been keeping a close eye on Taichi.
Nakashima noticed Oikawa's focus and moved to block in front of Taichi.
At that moment, Oikawa set the ball to the left for Iwaizumi Hajime, who spiked it down for the point.
[Aoba Johsai 6 – Wakunan 3]
That earlier look—it was a feint?
Nakashima gritted his teeth. That setter across the net was downright crafty.
Oikawa, as if sensing the thought, turned back toward Nakashima with a smirk. "Next point, I really will set it to Taichi. You better be ready to block him."
"Of course I will." Nakashima responded with a bright grin.
"Tch, what a pain," Oikawa muttered, clicking his tongue. He couldn't stand players who were unfazed by his mind games.
Aoba Johsai served again, and Taichi sent the ball over.
"Chance ball!" Libero Kazeteru Akiu shouted, steadying the ball with a perfect pass to Hanayama Kazumasa.
Damn it, that serve was too easy to handle. Taichi rushed forward to defend.
Hanayama set the ball to the left, and Naruko Teppei went for the spike.
Taichi barely managed to receive the ball, but it didn't reach Oikawa's position.
Ugh, the pressure of the first touch is crushing. My weak reception skills are completely exposed right now.
"I got it!" Iwaizumi ran in to cover.
Oikawa sprinted to the ball and set it for Iwaizumi, who barely managed to send it over the net.
Wakunan regrouped for another attack. Hanayama set the ball to Nakashima.
"Takeru!" "Double block!"
Takeru Nakashima completed his approach and leapt into the air. Facing a two-man block, he spotted a narrow straight-line opening on the right side of the block and slammed the ball down with precision.
The moment Nakashima jumped, Kaedehara Taichi had guessed he would go for the straight shot and quickly shifted to intercept.
The ball struck Taichi's arm, spinning as it deflected out of bounds.
Damn it. Even though I predicted the straight shot, I still couldn't make the play.
[Aoba Johsai 6 – Wakunan 4]
"What a beautiful straight shot! He managed to spike through such a small gap. Taichi's anticipation was good, but his reception fundamentals are still too weak," Mizoguchi Sadayuki commented from the sidelines.
Coach Irihata pondered for a moment before calling Wataru Shinji over. "When Taichi rotates to the back row, you'll sub in for him. He's under too much pressure on defence right now."
"Yes, coach!" Wataru nodded.
Wakunan's serve followed, and Nakashima walked to the service line.
Taichi's heart sank. When he was subbed out in the past, he'd never felt this kind of pressure. Back then, he only needed to think about blocking and spiking.
But now, standing in the back row, Taichi could feel with stark clarity that he was the weak link in the team. His hands and feet felt stiff.
"You're too tense." Kunimi Akira, standing beside him, lightly tugged his arm. "Their serve is definitely coming at you. With your reflexes, you should be able to handle the first touch. At worst, it'll just be a bad pass."
Kunimi shuffled two steps toward the baseline. "But don't worry—just get the ball up, and leave the rest to us."
For a moment, Taichi saw a spark of fighting spirit in Kunimi's usually indifferent eyes—though it was a decidedly lazy kind of fighting spirit.
Nakashima served, the ball cutting a perfect arc as it hurtled toward Taichi.
Taichi quickly adjusted his position. The ball struck his hands but veered off behind him.
As Taichi shouted, Kunimi had already read the ball's trajectory. He dashed toward the backcourt and dove, sending the ball back toward the net just before it could hit the ground.
Hanamaki Takahiro was already waiting at the net. The moment the ball came his way, he leapt and spiked it down.
Nakashima, now in the back row, made the receive. Hanayama Kazumasa set the ball to the left, and Kawatabi Shunki launched a powerful spike.
"First touch!" Iwaizumi went for a solo block, managing to deflect the ball upward. Kunimi followed up, setting the ball perfectly to Oikawa.
Oikawa quickly sent the ball to the right side, where Matsukawa Issei was waiting. Matsukawa's spike boomed toward Wakunan's side.
Again, Nakashima was there!
In the back row, he received the spike cleanly. Without missing a beat, Yuki Shiroishi executed a quick attack through the centre, catching Aoba Johsai off guard.
Shiroishi scored with a direct quick attack.
[Aoba Johsai 6 – Wakunan 5]
"Woohoo! Takeru, great receive!"
"Nice spike, Yuuki!" The Wakunan players had completely regained their momentum.
A sharp whistle cut through the air. Aoba Johsai had called for a timeout.
Coach Irihata gathered his team around. "When Taichi rotates to the back row, our offensive power and blocking will weaken, and the defensive gaps in the back row become obvious. So, when Taichi moves to the back row, Shinji will sub in for him. Their offence lacks strength, but their defence is solid. Stay patient while attacking."
"Sorry for the trouble, Watari-senpai," Taichi murmured, his head low. This was his first time starting, and now he was being subbed out for poor performance. A wave of dejection washed over him.
Watari smiled and patted Taichi's shoulder. Though he wasn't the type to comfort others with words, Taichi could still feel his senpai's encouragement.
"Taichi," Oikawa suddenly called out. "Since you'll have time to rest in the back row, I'm counting on you to go all out on offence in the front row."
Taichi lifted his head, meeting his teammate's trusting gaze. "Understood!"
Seeing Taichi's renewed determination, Oikawa couldn't help but smirk. "The ace still struggles with reception, huh? Pfft."
Taichi's face instantly turned beet red. He shouldn't have expected any true captain-like demeanour from Oikawa.
"Idiot, stop running your mouth." Iwaizumi's kick found its mark with pinpoint accuracy.
The timeout ended, and Wakunan resumed their serve.
From the bench, Taichi watched as both teams traded blows, neither side giving an inch. It was only then that he noticed something—Nakashima was also in the back row.
Without Nakashima in the front row to lead the block, Wakunan's offence lacked its usual edge. His spiking skills couldn't be fully utilized, and their attacks were noticeably less threatening.
However, Nakashima's presence in the back row had significantly bolstered their defence. In the prolonged rally just now, Aoba Johsai's two spikes were easily received by Nakashima, giving Wakunan a chance to counterattack.
How enviable….An ace who excels in both offence and defence.
Iwaizumi's spike landed, and Aoba Johsai rotated positions. Kaedehara Taichi was back in the front row.
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