“Ara~~ Asuto-chan isn’t planning to play?” Having finished his warm-up, Oikawa Tooru looked at Akashi Asuto, sitting off to the side, and spoke in his usual teasing tone.
“I’m conserving my energy for tomorrow’s practice match. Besides, today’s opponents really aren’t that interesting.”
Not to mention that the current Karasuno High Volleyball Club hadn’t evolved at all yet. In fact, the Karasuno team on the other side couldn’t even be considered complete. Without two of their key players, Azumane Asahi and Nishinoya Yuu, Asuto couldn’t bring himself to step onto the court.
“Huh? I thought that, after reuniting with Kageyama after such a long time, you’d want another “genius” showdown?”
Asuto shook his head before speaking.
“My opponent has never been just one person.”
······
Oikawa’s entry into the match did not change the situation on the court. Even before he came in, the Aoba Johsai High Volleyball Club had already lost too many points because this was their first time facing the ‘Freak Quick Attack’.
However, it did allow Oikawa to experience Hinata’s charm for the first time…
…though the price was Aoba Johsai losing the final point.
After the match ended… Oikawa’s impression was:
“That little guy on the other side has this strange charm that makes you want to toss to him.”
Beside him, Iwaizumi Hajime was drinking a green sports beverage.
“?”
After Karasuno left, everyone in the Aoba Johsai volleyball gym also finished the day’s training. Before leaving, Akashi Asuto was even strictly forbidden by the coach from secretly doing extra practice at home. With no other option, he had to obey.
After returning to Sanhe Manor, Asuto did not do any extra training. He did a little warm-up to adjust his condition, then returned to his room to study, write, and rest.
…
The next day…
The entire Aoba Johsai High Volleyball Club traveled by bus to Shiratorizawa Academy Volleyball Club.
In contrast to their relaxed attitude when they faced Karasuno yesterday, today’s practice match was completely different. Even the usually carefree and grinning Oikawa wore a serious expression on his face.
Unlike the passionate and energetic atmosphere of Aoba Johsai’s daily training sessions, Shiratorizawa’s practice also had an overwhelming intensity; but the moment everyone from Aoba Johsai stepped into the volleyball club, they immediately sensed the stern atmosphere.
“Please take care of us!”
The Aoba Johsai players greeted them first.
Hearing these voices, the solemn atmosphere of the Shiratorizawa training session paused slightly. But before they could turn around for a better look, a roar as fierce as a lion’s suddenly rang out:
“What are you doing? Who told you to stop moving? Everyone who turned their heads just now will do an extra hundred receives later!”
The instant the voice sounded, not only did the Shiratorizawa players shudder, but several members of Aoba Johsai did too.
“Ehh… so scary! Coach Washijo is as strict as ever!” Oikawa rubbed his arms vigorously, feeling goosebumps rising.
“Hmph! Only strict training can create truly strong players. You people always fall behind because your usual training is far too relaxed.”
Along with the cold snort, an elderly white-haired man slowly walked over. Though only around 170 centimeters tall, he had eyes as sharp and ruthless as a vulture’s.
Seeing him, everyone from Aoba Johsai, including their coach, greeted him respectfully.
“Long time no see, Coach Washijo.”
“Mm.”
Washijo Tanji nodded.
Then, with his vulture-like gaze, he looked first at Oikawa, paused for a moment on Asuto, and then turned around.
“Follow me. They’ve already finished warming up. I hope you can surprise us today.”
Everyone followed Washijo Tanji into a separate court inside the gymnasium. The Aoba Johsai players familiarly found the locker room and began changing into their uniforms.
The Aoba Johsai High Volleyball Club and the Shiratorizawa Academy Volleyball Club were not only long-standing rivals in official matches but also frequent opponents in practice matches.
After all, although there were many schools in Miyagi Prefecture, few were qualified to serve as practice opponents for Aoba Johsai and Shiratorizawa.
Aoba Johsai truly could not beat Shiratorizawa.
At the same time, however, the other schools were completely unable to compete with the Aoba Johsai High Volleyball Club.
So, to test the results of their training and gauge each other’s strength, the two clubs arranged frequent practice matches.
Even so, Aoba Johsai’s win-loss ratio against Shiratorizawa in practice matches was an astonishing 2:8.
Half an hour later…
The Aoba Johsai players had finished warming up.
The members of both teams shook hands at the net. While everyone else remained fairly calm, when it came to the turn of Oikawa and Ushijima Wakatoshi, there was an instant intensification of the smell of gunpowder in the air.
Oikawa: “(▼へ▼メ) Just you wait, Ushiwaka. Today, we’re definitely going to defeat you guys.”
Ushijima Wakatoshi: “(_) Oh. Then do your best.”
······
“The practice match between Aoba Johsai High School and Shiratorizawa High School will now officially begin. Aoba Johsai will serve first.” The referee announced loudly before blowing the whistle.
As the echo of the whistle died away, the practice match officially began.
Aoba Johsai’s starting lineup:
Setter: Oikawa Tooru
Wing Spiker: Iwaizumi Hajime
Wing Spiker: Akashi Asuto
Middle Blocker: Kindaichi Yuutarou
Middle Blocker: Matsukawa Issei
Libero: Watari Shinji
Shiratorizawa’s starting lineup:
Opposite Hitter: Ushijima Wakatoshi
Wing Spiker: Goshiki Tsutomu
Wing Spiker: Ohira Reon
Middle Blocker: Tendou Satori
Setter: Shirabu Kenjirou
Libero: Yamagata Hayato
Neither team sent in a defensive specialist opposite hitter. Instead, both sides tacitly fielded ultra-offensive line-ups.
Oikawa took the opening serve.
Positioned behind the baseline in Position One, he took a moment to steady his breathing. He then tossed the ball into the air and swung his arm with great force, smashing the serve forward.
Bang!
The volleyball shot out at high speed, tracing an almost perfect trajectory through the air.
Without question, it was an exceptionally perfect serve.
However, just as the ball was about to hit the floor, a figure suddenly darted out from the Shiratorizawa court and managed to touch it.
It was Shiratorizawa’s libero, Yamagata Hayato.
Due to Ushijima Wakatoshi’s dominant presence, the other Shiratorizawa players often seemed ordinary by comparison. But, in truth, in a team like Shiratorizawa, which pushes individual ability to the extreme, how could anyone lacking sufficient strength possibly become a starter?
Of course…
Successfully receiving Oikawa’s serve at the first attempt was still no easy feat.
Even Shiratorizawa’s libero, who had played against Aoba Johsai many times before, could not guarantee to receive this kind of high-speed jump serve perfectly every time. So, although Yamagata Hayato managed to touch the first serve, the volleyball bounced back towards Aoba Johsai’s court.
“Sorry, I didn’t receive it properly!”
“It’s fine. Stay focused on defence, their attack is coming next.”
Before the Shiratorizawa Setter could finish speaking, a figure suddenly leapt up directly in front of their block. Facing the ball as it came back, he hit it down with one hand…
(End of Chapter)