“How does it feel? The strength of your seniors, I mean.”
Seeing the match gradually stabilize outside the court, Ukai Keishin finally relaxed a little and spoke to Kageyama beside him.
“They’re very strong,” Kageyama replied honestly.
The current score on the court was 8:7.
Although Karasuno were technically behind on the scoreboard, the actual flow of the match suggested that they now had a real chance of turning things around.
This was something that Kageyama Tobio had been unable to accomplish despite fighting through the entire first set.
“In terms of individual skill, you’ve probably already surpassed Sugawara,” Ukai said. “But how much of your ability do you think you’re actually using in a match?”
“Huh?”
Kageyama froze.
He genuinely didn’t understand the question. After all, when it came to dedication and seriousness towards volleyball, he believed that no one could match him.
Seeing Kageyama’s expression, Ukai slapped his forehead.
“Ah, maybe that’s too abstract. Let me put it another way. Do you like drinking beer?”
Kageyama: “?????”
‘What kind of question is that?’
Even the faculty advisor, Takeda Ittetsu, couldn’t just sit there and watch.
“Coach, Coach! Kageyama isn’t even an adult yet!”
“Oh! Right, right… Sorry about that!”
Ukai scratched his head apologetically.
After thinking hard for a while, he continued.
“Then let me ask you this instead: What brand of sports shoes do you usually like to wear?”
“Huh?”
Kageyama thought for a moment.
“Probably Butterfly.”
“Then do you think Butterfly makes the best sports shoes?”
“Well…”
A flash of understanding crossed Kageyama’s mind.
He was beginning to grasp what Ukai was trying to say.
“With sports shoes, it’s not a matter of which one is objectively the best. The most suitable pair is the best.”
“Volleyball is the same.”
“Even though Sugawara’s personal skills can’t compare to yours right now, he’s a veteran member of the team. He understands every player’s attacking habits perfectly.”
“So while Karasuno’s offense isn’t as sharp as when you’re on the court, the overall atmosphere of the team is much better. The players themselves are in better condition, and because of that, the team’s actual strength ends up being greater.”
“Kageyama, your talent is extraordinary. But volleyball isn’t a sport that belongs to one person alone.”
“Learn to trust your teammates.”
Kageyama fell silent in thought for a moment before nodding.
“I understand, Coach.”
Ukai scratched his hair.
“Still, I’m not saying you need to understand all of this right away… Go warm up first. It’ll be your turn to go back in soon.”
“If we want to turn this game around, we’ll still need your strength.”
“Yes!”
Kageyama answered excitedly.
Looking at the court, Ukai knew that although Karasuno appeared to be in a favorable position, Sugawara had already reached the limit of what he could accomplish.
There was still a gap between Sugawara and Oikawa.
Right now, Aoba Johsai was only being held back because they hadn’t fully adapted to Sugawara’s style yet. Once they became familiar with his offensive patterns, Karasuno’s fragile advantage would collapse in an instant.
Therefore, Kageyama had to be sent back onto the court before that happened.
It felt somewhat unfair to Sugawara, but that was the cruelty of competitive sports.
…
Tweet!
Ukai Keishin requested a substitution from the referee.
At the substitution zone, Sugawara handed the number paddle over to Kageyama Tobio.
“I’ve already done everything I could,” Sugawara said quietly. “Unfortunately, I still couldn’t turn the score around. The rest is up to you, Kageyama.”
“Don’t worry, Sugawara-senpai.”
After a brief exchange, Kageyama Tobio officially returned to the court.
…
“Eh? They’re substituting already?” Oikawa looked disappointed.
“I just finished figuring out that cheerful guy’s attacking habits.”
After finally understanding Sugawara’s offensive rhythm, Oikawa had been looking forward to having a proper “discussion” with him about the art of being a Setter.
Standing nearby, Iwaizumi looked thoroughly disgusted.
Oikawa’s heart was way too dark. Spending too much time around him made Iwaizumi genuinely worried that if lightning ever struck from the heavens, he might get caught up in the punishment as well.
“It feels like… Kageyama’s state is a little different now.” Issei Matsukawa suddenly spoke up.
“Before, Kageyama was serious, but he always seemed extremely tense. Now, though, he looks surprisingly relaxed.”
“Ara ara~~~ Isn’t it perfectly normal for the King of the Court to relax once in a while?” Oikawa replied in his usual teasing tone.
The match resumed.
The current score was 10:9, with Aoba Johsai holding the serve.
After the volleyball crossed the net, Karasuno’s libero received it cleanly.
Standing at the net, Issei Matsukawa and Hanamaki Takahiro fixed their eyes on the ball, trying to predict who Kageyama Tobio would set to.
The next second…
Boom!
The volleyball shot directly through the gap between them and slammed into Aoba Johsai’s court.
On the opposite side of the net…
Bathed in the light of the gymnasium lamps, Hinata Shoyo appeared like a tiny sun floating in midair.
Only after he began descending did Kageyama Tobio’s setting posture behind him become visible.
The expressions of every Aoba Johsai player instantly froze.
Their eyes filled with disbelief.
“So fast!”
Compared to the previous Freak Quick Attack, this version was somehow even faster.
“Did Kageyama improve the accuracy of his sets again in such a short time?”
“No.”
Oikawa wiped the sweat from his forehead as a somewhat ferocious smile slowly spread across his face.
“This isn’t a matter of improved set accuracy. It’s because the synchronization between the two of them has increased.”
“How interesting… The King of the Court has begun removing his crown and is evolving into a true king.”
“But why?”
“What caused such a change?”
In the end, Oikawa’s gaze settled firmly on Hinata Shoyo.
“Could it be… because of that little shrimp?”
The referee’s whistle sounded.
The scorekeeper flipped the scoreboard.
10:10
For the first time in the entire match, Karasuno had equalized the score.
Tweet…!!
Aoba Johsai called a timeout.
The players returned to the bench area. Coach Irihata Nobuteru remained relatively calm and said evenly:
“Don’t panic. The flow of the match is still under our control. Maintain your rhythm and don’t get shaken just because the other side suddenly exploded for a few points. Remember this: no matter how eye-catching those two first-years may be, they’re only bait.”
“Focus on our defense.”
“As for offense, when the time comes, we can leave it to Asuto… Hmm?”
At that moment, Irihata suddenly realized something was wrong.
Because Asuto wasn’t among the group.
“Where’s Asuto?”
The Aoba Johsai players were briefly stunned as well.
Everyone turned around.
The next instant, all of them were startled.
Because directly before their eyes, Asuto was standing there silently.
The aura surrounding him resembled a bottomless black hole.
As though it intended to devour everything in its path…
(End of Chapter)