Though the chill of early winter had set in outside, the atmosphere inside the Sumida City Gymnasium in Tokyo was anything but cold. The air buzzed with a mix of tension and excitement.
Here, the semifinals of the Tokyo Spring High School Volleyball Tournament were underway. The top four teams—Nekoma High, Fukurodani Academy, Itachiyama Institute, and Nohebi Academy—were locked in fierce competition, each vying for a ticket to the Nationals.
The morning matchups were:
[Nekoma High vs. Fukurodani Academy]
[Nohebi Academy vs. Itachiyama Institute]
The two victorious teams from the semifinals would advance to the afternoon showdown for the Tokyo championship and the first and second representative spots at Nationals.
Meanwhile, the losing teams would face off in another afternoon match, battling for Tokyo's final berth as the host representative.
By the end of a gruelling day of matches, Tokyo's representatives for the Spring High Nationals were decided:
First Representative: Itachiyama Institute
Second Representative: Fukurodani Academy
Host Representative: Nekoma High
Fresh from the awards ceremony, the Itachiyama team was on their way back to school, seated on their bus.
The team's ace, Sakusa Kiyoomi, was already wearing a mask, his hands tucked into his pockets, and his tracksuit zipped up tightly.
"What? Shiratorizawa didn't qualify for Nationals again?" Sakusa's brows furrowed deeply, his perpetually upward-tilted gaze giving him an expression of perpetual disdain.
"And the finals didn't even go to a fifth set," libero Komori Motoya replied lightly, undeterred by Sakusa's brooding demeanour. "This time, Miyagi's champions are Aoba Johsai again."
"Aoba Johsai…again." Sakusa's muffled voice came from behind his mask. "Didn't they lose to Inarizaki at Interhigh? I was hoping to see who had the strength to defeat Wakatoshi."
"They've got a strong first-year ace now. My friend from Miyagi said he watched the Shiratorizawa-Aoba Johsai final and said that kid played on par with Ushijima-senpai," Komori added, grinning as his bean-shaped eyebrows danced with his words.
"Hmph. A first-year competing with Wakatoshi? Your friend doesn't seem to know much about volleyball," Sakusa scoffed, his frown deepening. His irritation was obvious to anyone looking at him.
"Now, now. You shouldn't say such tactless things in public," Komori said cheerfully, clearly enjoying Sakusa's reactions.
"I hope we meet Aoba Johsai early at Nationals. I'd like to see what that first-year is capable of," Sakusa muttered. With that, he closed his eyes, signalling he was done with the conversation.
Komori, knowing this sign well, didn't press further—but he hadn't finished speaking just yet.
"If you just want to meet that first-year, you don't have to wait until Nationals," Komori said, his tone carrying a trace of excitement. "He'll be at the National Youth Team's training camp in two weeks."
Sakusa's eyes snapped open. He hadn't expected the meeting to come so soon. If the first-year had been selected for the Youth Team training camp, at least he wouldn't be completely disappointed.
Komori smiled slyly, thinking about the rumours he'd heard. That Taichi kid's serve was supposedly incredible.
How many attempts would it take him to properly receive it? The prospect was thrilling.
For the ninth consecutive year—and the thirtieth time in total—Mujinazaka High had claimed the prefectural championship, securing their place at Nationals.
Kiryū Wakatsu stood alone outside the venue, looking up at the sky.
"Will I meet Taichi at Nationals this time?"
"Hm…Facing the Miya twins wouldn't be bad either."
"Sakusa from Itachiyama…I'd like to try him too. But not too early. No, no, I need to go in with the resolve to win." Kiryū stared at the sky, unchanged from three years ago.
"It's already my last high school tournament."
"Wakatsu-senpai!" the voice of setter Usuri Michiru called out, breaking his thoughts. "It's time to head back to school!"
Kiryū tucked his musings away. No matter who his opponents were, he was determined to make this final year unforgettable.
For the 31st time, and the third consecutive year, Inarizaki High School secured the Hyōgo Prefecture championship and advanced to the nationals.
"Getting selected for the youth national team—impressive as always, Atsumu."
Miya Osamu, seated on the steps outside the gymnasium, spoke with a casual air.
Looking at his twin brother's expression, Atsumu suddenly felt the paths between them beginning to diverge.
Though they had shared everything—skills, training, and experiences—since childhood, it seemed that this sameness might not last beyond high school.
But high school wasn't over yet. Atsumu reminded himself of this.
"You're upset, aren't ya, Osamu?" Atsumu's voice rang out, loud and direct.
"Of course, you idiot," Osamu replied with a blank face. "But what's more frustrating is realizing that my lack of regret makes me even more resentful."
"...What?" Atsumu tilted his head, utterly confused.
"You wouldn't understand. Humans have subtle, complicated feelings," Osamu shot him a sidelong glance. "But honestly, considering how hard you've worked, it's no surprise you made it to the youth team."
Atsumu didn't grasp the first part of the comment, but the second half landed squarely.
"What are you even saying? Don't try to use that 'I didn't really try' excuse!" Atsumu retorted irritably.
"Well, maybe I tried. But I think only the truly obsessed weirdos get picked for something like the youth team," Osamu teased with a smirk, returning to his laid-back demeanour.
"Oi!" Atsumu's irritation was now plainly visible on his face.
Osamu continued, "You know, the gap in skill between us isn't that big."
"Wrong! I'm clearly better!" Atsumu shot back immediately.
"Let me finish!" Osamu shouted, a flash of both frustration and resignation in his eyes. "Maybe the real reason is...you just love volleyball a little more than I do."
A silence settled between them, broken only when Osamu found a new topic.
"Seijoh's Taichi and Itachiyama's Sakusa are going, right?"
"Yeah, those two monsters are definitely in."
Inarizaki had defeated Aoba Johsai in the quarterfinals of Interhigh, only to lose to Itachiyama in the finals.
"Don't lose to them, Atsumu."
For the 15th time and third consecutive year, Kamomedai High School claimed the prefecture championship and advanced to the nationals.
"Kōrai, how do you feel about heading to the youth team?" Middle blocker Hirugami Sachirō asked with a warm smile.
"Nothing special," Hoshiumi Kōrai replied flatly, his petite frame emanating a surprising sense of authority. "But since I'm going, I'll make sure to shock everyone!"
"It's incredible that they spotted you, Kōrai," teased Kamomedai towering 203cm wing spiker, Hakuba Gao.
"Hard to believe coming from someone as unskilled as you," Hoshiumi shot back. "You've got such an advantage with that massive frame, yet you didn't even make it in. Gao, you should be the one reflecting on yourself."
"What was that?!" Hakuba roared, visibly provoked.
"Alright, alright, calm down," Hirugami said, stepping between them with a chuckle. "Just go out there and show them what Kamomedai's Little Giant is capable of, Kōrai."
"Of course!" Hoshiumi declared with confidence.
For the eighth time and the first in five years, Aoba Johsai High School advanced to the Spring High nationals.
After practice, Taichi Kaedehara and Kaho Chiba walked home together under the dusky evening sky.
"Are you nervous? You'll be facing the top players from across the country," Kaho asked curiously.
Among Aoba Johsai's players, Oikawa Tōru's recent mood had been notably buoyant. Defeating Ushijima Wakatoshi and gaining national recognition seemed to lift his spirits and bolster his confidence, though his nervous energy was also apparent.
Taichi, however, was different. In the past two weeks, no one had noticed any significant changes in him.
He was cheerful, but too calm. If anything, his excitement seemed almost...restrained.
"Nervous? No, I'm more excited," Taichi replied, his gaze glowing with determination under the streetlights.
"I can't wait to meet all these players—future losers to me."
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