Mid-May was supposed to be an ordinary day, but for the players of Aoba Johsai High School's volleyball team, it carried extraordinary significance.
After practice, rather than dispersing as usual, the team stayed back in the gym. A mixture of nervousness and anticipation hung in the air.
Today, they would learn the news that could shape their journey ahead—the grouping for the Inter-High (IH) Prefectural Qualifiers.
The tension in the room was palpable. The moment the coach, Irihata, and the team manager, Mizoguchi, stepped into the gym, it felt like a breeze had swept through, dissipating some of the anxiety while simultaneously kindling fresh waves of expectation.
"Mizoguchi-sensei?" Iwaizumi Hajime was the first to break the silence.
"Thank you for waiting," Mizoguchi's voice was calm yet commanding. "Now, I'll announce the groupings for the IH Prefectural Qualifiers."
His words froze the air.
Everyone in the gym held their breath. Excitement mixed with trepidation filled their hearts. After all, the qualifiers' groupings didn't just determine their first opponents but also hinted at whether their road to Nationals would be smooth or fraught with obstacles.
Though the team was determined to win the championship and claim the title of the strongest, no one wanted to face Shiratorizawa right out of the gate.
Coach Irihata silently observed the players' reactions. While they were visibly tense, he also noticed their eagerness for the challenges ahead and an unrelenting hunger for victory.
Satisfied, he nodded to himself. With such a mindset, no opponent could truly intimidate them.
Mizoguchi unfurled the sheet of paper in his hands and began reading out the details.
"Miyagi Prefecture skips district qualifiers and starts directly with the prefectural round," he explained. "Out of 55 teams competing across the prefecture, only one will earn a ticket to Nationals."
The players tensed at this reminder—just one team would advance. A single loss would shatter their dreams of Nationals.
"For Aoba Johsai, our goal is clear: to claim the top spot in Miyagi Prefecture," Mizoguchi emphasized.
Taichi Kaedehara could feel the weight of the stakes through Mizoguchi's matter-of-fact tone.
Sports at this level were merciless. Fifty-five teams, each with players who had poured their sweat and effort into training, all vying for victory. Yet, only the team that kept winning, again and again, would stand under the spotlight at Nationals.
"The top eight from last year's tournament will be seeded and skip the first round," Mizoguchi continued. "Additionally, because the total number of teams is odd, one lucky team will draw a bye and also skip the first round."
He paused for a moment before adding, "The tournament is divided into East and West brackets. The East bracket consists of Groups A, B, C, and D, while the West bracket includes Groups E, F, G, and H.
"Each group will produce one team to enter the prefectural quarterfinals. Then, the quarterfinals will determine the top four, and the semifinals will decide the two teams heading for the final match."
As Mizoguchi's explanation concluded, the magnitude of what lay ahead finally sank in for the team. The IH qualifiers weren't just a test of skill but a gauntlet where only the strongest could emerge victorious.
Ultimately, the champions of the East and West brackets would face off on the third day in the final match to determine the prefectural winner.
Only that team would earn the right to represent Miyagi at Nationals.
Group A: Aoba Johsai gets a first-round bye—Matchups: Chikawa North vs. Oomisaki, Tokonami vs. Karasuno, Date Tech vs. Sakurashita.
Group B: Naraikawa gets a first-round bye—Matchups: Konuma vs. Ohu, Izumiishi gets a first-round bye, Ohu South vs. Tatemori.
Group C: Dewakko One gets a first-round bye—Matchups: Hayashi vs. Isamu, Kajikita vs. Midorikawa, Shirato Tech vs. Dewakko Two.
Group D: Shirato Commercial gets a first-round bye—Matchups: Suzuhara vs. Hakusuikan, Jouzenji vs. Kadokawa, Kajiyama vs. Sengoku Tech.
Group E: Shinzan Tech gets a first-round bye—Matchups: Wakutani South vs. Koshirou Tech, Kimoto vs. Koshirou Agricultural, Shirato vs. Ten'yama.
Group F: Mine Commercial gets a first-round bye—Matchups: Ougi Tech vs. Dewakko Three, Momijiwara vs. Yukama, Mine vs. Kajii.
Group G: Ougi Commercial gets a first-round bye—Matchups: Sakui vs. Higashida, Kuroda vs. Nishida, Sunayama vs. Umezuhara.
Group H: Shiratorizawa gets a first-round bye—Matchups: Ten'yama South vs. Amemaru Commercial, Tohoku First vs. Youhara Agricultural, Izumiishi Academy vs. Ohgi South.
Taichi scanned the matchups, finding it amusing to search for familiar names among so many unknowns.
For others, the detailed grouping sparked waves of varied emotions—curiosity, determination and anxiety.
"All things considered, I think the grouping works in our favour. Facing Shiratorizawa in the final? It's almost poetic," Matsukawa Issei finally spoke, breaking the silence with his optimistic interpretation.
His words rippled through the group like a stone tossed into still water. Slowly, expressions shifted, and a few teammates began to emerge from their initial worry or unease, choosing instead to view the situation through Matsukawa's lens.
"Whether it's Chikawa North or Oomisaki, our first-round match should be a breeze," one of the players offered.
"Day two will probably bring either Date Tech or Karasuno," Kunimi Akira reasoned, eyes glued to the matchups.
"Wait….Karasuno being here makes sense, but why is Date Tech in this bracket too?" Yahaba Shigeru asked, finally understanding why the senior players had been so quiet earlier.
Date Tech—dubbed the 'Iron Wall'—was a team notorious for its exceptional blocking, earning a fearsome reputation that extended beyond its technical prowess. Their towering defence wasn't just about skill; it had a psychological edge that could crush opponents' spirits.
Playing against Date Tech often felt like slamming into a wall—both literally and mentally. Their relentless blocks weren't just successful defensive manoeuvres; they were precision strikes aimed at dismantling the confidence of opposing attackers.
For most offensive players, facing Date Tech's iron defence repeatedly led to subtle yet inevitable shifts in mentality.
What began as fierce determination could devolve into creeping self-doubt. Their defensive strategies disrupted not just the pace of the game but the very thought processes of their opponents.
"So, I guess it's safe to say our second-day opponent will be Date Tech," Hanamaki Takahiro speculated, his tone betraying a hint of wariness.
"Hmm? Why so sure? Karasuno should be manageable, right? I mean, the last time we saw them, they were far from their best," Yahaba countered.
"That's because Karasuno's ace wasn't enough to overcome Date Tech during the Miyagi Exhibition back in March. They lost 0-2, didn't they? And their new little guy probably isn't ready to handle that kind of wall on his own," Hanamaki explained matter-of-factly, backing his claim with recent results.
Still, if things unfolded as expected, Karasuno might advance, Taichi thought to himself. After all, Karasuno's growth had been nothing short of revolutionary.
"It's hard to say…" Oikawa Tōru interjected, catching Taichi's subtle expression of doubt. It seemed the two of them were on the same page. "With Tobio there, he'll definitely help their ace break through those barriers."
Because that's exactly what I would do, Oikawa mused. As fellow setters, their thought processes sometimes mirrored each other eerily.
"All right, enough," Coach Irihata clapped his hands, snapping the team's focus back. "No matter who it is…"
The team echoed the declaration in their hearts, each member silently vowing to rise above every challenge in the days ahead.
[T/N] - If you guys want to read 50 Chapters in advance of the current story, you can support me on my . Trust me, it's awesome!
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