“Now, let’s turn our cameras to Group A.”
“The main focus of today’s Group A matches was, as expected, on Aoba Johsai High School’s captain, Oikawa. With his handsome appearance, he attracted a large number of female fans to the venue, proving that he is a player who possesses both skill and popularity.”
“In addition, another Aoba Johsai player, Asuto, delivered an outstanding performance today. Asuto was last year’s prefecture ‘Best Outside Hitter’ in junior high, and he once led his team to the Nationals. According to sources within Aoba Johsai, despite being only a first-year student, Asuto has officially become the new ‘Ace’ of the team.”
“During today’s match, Oikawa and Asuto used a series of powerful serves to score eleven consecutive points, becoming the center of attention on the court.”
“And tomorrow, they will face Karasuno High School, who defeated last year’s Top Eight team, Date Tech High School, in straight sets. Let’s ask them what they think about tomorrow’s match.”
Not long after the match ended and Aoba Johsai had finished packing up and were preparing to leave, a reporter appeared in front of the camera and began to give commentary while walking towards the team.
“What are your thoughts on tomorrow’s opponents, Karasuno High School?”
The reporter stopped in front of Oikawa and Asuto, holding out the microphone while the cameraman beside him turned the lens towards the two players.
Asuto had no experience of interviews.
But Oikawa handled it effortlessly, smiling brightly as he said:
“Karasuno is a great team. I hope they’ll play to the best of their ability and come and try their luck against us… and then be defeated.”
“Oh? It seems Oikawa is very confident about tomorrow’s match!”
The reporter continued, “Asuto, is there anything you’d like to say to tomorrow’s opponents, Karasuno High School?”
Asuto thought for a moment before replying:
“I just hope they’ll do their best and give everyone an exciting match.”
······
Several hours later…
The Karasuno members stood in front of the television, watching Aoba Johsai’s interview, and realized that they hadn’t received any screen time themselves.
“So that guy’s already become the ‘Ace’, huh?” Kageyama Tobio clenched his fists in frustration.
“o(▼皿▼メ;)o”
“Hah? Who does that guy think he is? Acting so full of himself!”
“We absolutely can’t lose tomorrow.”
“Hehehe~”
As the Karasuno players watched Oikawa’s smiling face on the television, their expressions gradually darkened.
A few moments later:
The Karasuno team gathered in the club dormitory. Coach Ukai Keishin stood in front of a tactics board and addressed the team:
“Today’s match was only the beginning. Even though we beat Date Tech today, tomorrow’s opponent won’t be any easier to deal with. Although we defeated Aoba Johsai in the previous practice match, their star player, Oikawa, only appeared towards the end of the game. And their other powerful outside hitter didn’t participate at all… Oda!”
“Yes!”
While speaking, Ukai Keishin suddenly called out to Oda Miki.
“As for Aoba Johsai’s other main players, we learned a bit about them during our last match. But many people here know nothing about this outside hitter, so while we have the chance, give everyone a general overview first.”
Oda Miki stood up and walked to the tactics board before speaking.
“First, let me clarify that everything I’m about to say is based solely on that guy’s junior high data. As for his current volleyball level, I’m not completely sure either.”
“Aoba Johsai’s number 8 is Akashi Asuto. His position is Ace Spiker. He specializes in powerful jump serves and front-row offense. During junior high, he won Miyagi Prefecture’s ‘MVP Ace Spiker’ award.”
“During the Nationals in his final year of junior high, Asuto’s maximum spike reach was 340 cm…”
“Huh? 340?”
Everyone froze for a moment.
“Seriously?”
Oda Miki nodded.
“It’s real. And if I’m not mistaken, his current spike reach should be even higher. After graduating, Asuto grew quite a bit taller. I’d guess he’s probably close to 185 cm now.”
Hinata Shoyo: [Critical Damage Received]
For a boy whose height hadn’t increased by more than ten centimeters throughout junior high, Oda Miki’s words felt like a knife stabbing directly into his heart.
But at that moment, Oda Miki continued:
“However, height isn’t even his greatest strength. Asuto’s true power lies in the monstrous strength he possesses… It is far beyond that of an average middle schooler.”
“Back during the junior high Nationals, the power behind Asuto’s spikes was already equal to, if not stronger than, Azumane-senpai’s current level.”
Azumane Asahi: “Huh? Why did this suddenly turn towards me?”
No one answered him.
Instead, the others first took in Azumane Asahi’s appearance, which resembled that of a ‘fifth-year high school delinquent,’ before voicing their doubts.
“No way! Even if Asahi is usually the kind with a weak mentality, his physical strength is still reliable. No matter how strong your former teammate was, surpassing Asahi should still be impossible, right?”
Azumane Asahi: “…Wait, was I just insulted?”
Still, no one answered him.
“No, he’s telling the truth.”
Before Oda could continue, Kageyama Tobio suddenly interjected:
“Asuto’s spikes are powerful enough to blast through a triple block. If he attacks tomorrow, it’ll take at least two blockers just to stand a chance of defending against him.”
Having faced Asuto himself, Kageyama Tobio’s words carried a lot of credibility.
For a moment, the room fell silent.
After quite a while, the Karasuno players suddenly reacted.
“Wait a second! After everything Oda just said, doesn’t that mean this guy basically has no weaknesses?”
“Serve.”
“What?” Everyone turned towards Kageyama Tobio.
“His serve has a flaw. Although Asuto’s serve is extremely powerful, he has almost no control over where it lands. If his serve happens to go directly towards the player in the back row, there’s actually a high chance that it can be received…”
······
The Karasuno players continued discussing strategy in the dormitory for quite a long time. After Oda Miki finished explaining Asuto’s general abilities, Ukai Keishin arranged tomorrow’s lineup according to their opponent.
Only then did he dismiss the players. Meanwhile, Ukai Keishin himself carried a match recording labeled [Aoba Johsai vs Ōmisaki] and headed back home…
(End of Chapter)