Chapter 2: Training Match
Score: Miyagi University 15 vs. Aoba Johsai 10
After a brief silence, the Aoba Johsai players erupted into loud cheers.
"Nice one, Taiichi! Great job!" Oikawa Tooru slapped Kaedehara Taiichi on the back. Though it was just one point, it halted the opponent's momentum, shattering the team's stifling atmosphere.
Taiichi looked at his hands, recalling that fleeting moment. Adrenaline surged through him—so thrilling… no, wait, it hurt!
"Next, let's show them our serve!" Oikawa walked slowly to the service line, exhaling lightly.
"Cover your head!" Iwaizumi Hajime called to the still-dazed Taiichi.
Sensing the tense atmosphere, Taiichi turned to face the net, crouching slightly with his teammates and clasping the back of his head.
Bang! The volleyball smashed cleanly into the wall on the opponent's side…
Pfft, a home run—classic Oikawa-senpai style.
Score: Miyagi University 16 vs. Aoba Johsai 10
"Sorry, sorry…" Oikawa apologized.
"Idiot, don't try that kind of serve before your hands are warmed up!" Iwaizumi gave Oikawa a light smack.
It was Miyagi's serve again. This time, with a different server, Watari Shinji easily received the first pass. After Oikawa shot Taiichi a glance, Taiichi sprinted to the net, leaping for a spike.
Unexpectedly, two opponents quickly reacted, jumping to block. Taiichi felt as if a bronze wall stood before him.
But the ball didn't come! Oikawa's glance had tricked the defense into focusing on Taiichi, while he passed the ball to Iwaizumi on the other side.
Iwaizumi scored with a spike.
Score: Miyagi University 16 vs. Aoba Johsai 11
"Nice work, great decoy!" Oikawa gave Taiichi a thumbs-up.
Taiichi returned a grin but inwardly grumbled, Damn, he even fools his own teammates with his passes!
Aoba Johsai's serve. The current lineup included Oikawa Tooru, Iwaizumi Hajime, Hanamaki Takahiro, Watari Shinji, Kindaichi Yutaro, and Kaedehara Taiichi.
Kindaichi's onion-shaped hairstyle was hard to miss. Taiichi couldn't help but steal a few glances—did he style it like that to look six feet tall?
"What are you staring at?" Kindaichi noticed the new first-year staring.
"Oh, nothing!" Taiichi quickly looked away. Was he that obvious?
"Kindaichi, Taiichi just wants to see you shine!" Oikawa's single comment lit a fire in Kindaichi.
"Yes, Oikawa-senpai!"
In the next few attacks, Oikawa clearly gave Kindaichi more chances to spike, but each attempt was blocked.
"Kindaichi, jump with more confidence," Oikawa said, giving Kindaichi's back a gentle push.
"Yes, Oikawa-senpai!"
In the next attack, Taiichi noticed Kindaichi jump higher—no, it was Oikawa's toss that went higher. With Oikawa's encouragement and guidance, Kindaichi's jump was more relaxed, his spike point slightly elevated. The sudden change caught the blockers off guard, and Kindaichi's spike sailed over, scoring!
Score: Miyagi University 16 vs. Aoba Johsai 12
Watching Oikawa's tosses up close was a treat. A setter who could bring out a player's potential—Taiichi wanted to try spiking one of those! After a few rallies, he was starting to find the match's rhythm. He looked at Oikawa with earnest eyes. "Oikawa-senpai, I want to spike!"
Oikawa grinned. These first-years were full of fire.
But it wasn't that easy. The university team quickly adjusted, and both sides traded points. Taiichi didn't get a chance to spike.
Score: Miyagi University 19 vs. Aoba Johsai 15
Damn it, no spike points yet, and one more point lost would mean he'd be subbed out. He had to do something. Taiichi's mind raced.
"Defense, defense!" Iwaizumi received the first pass, blending into the attackers as multiple players charged forward!
Unable to predict Oikawa's pass, the opponents resorted to one-on-one marking.
"Here it comes!" Taiichi felt a thrill, ready to act. He caught Maeda, the opposing blocker, in the corner of his eye. Crouching to gather power, Taiichi leaped, and Maeda hurriedly jumped to block.
But Taiichi paused mid-motion before jumping again—a one-man time difference! As he leaped, Maeda was already descending.
Oikawa's eyes flickered, and he tossed the ball perfectly to Taiichi's position.
Taiichi easily spiked the ball over Maeda's head, scoring.
Score: Miyagi University 19 vs. Aoba Johsai 16
"That kid!" Maeda gritted his teeth. Losing two points to a first-year in direct matchups was unacceptable for an ace. He turned to his setter. "Miyamura, toss me the next one!"
Aoba Johsai's serve.
After a few rallies, Miyagi's first pass went high. Maeda charged to the net, and Miyamura tossed to him. Maeda noticed the kid blocking again.
"Come on, brat!" Maeda leaped powerfully. Taiichi and Hanamaki could only jump to block, arms raised straight to limit the ball's path and help their libero receive.
Maeda smirked. The ace dominates the air. Locking onto an open spot, he swung his arm at the ball.
That strange sensation hit Taiichi again. Maeda's shifting gaze was crystal clear in his eyes! Time seemed to slow. In midair, Taiichi forcibly shifted his upward arms to the left, directly into Maeda's spiking path.
Slap!
The ball hit Taiichi's arms and fell back into Miyagi's court.
Block point!
Score: Miyagi University 19 vs. Aoba Johsai 17
"Brat!" Maeda felt his composure slip.
"Maeda, why are you getting worked up over a first-year? Watch your opponent!" their coach shouted. Though Aoba Johsai was a strong team in Miyagi Prefecture, they were still high schoolers. A university team shouldn't be letting them score like this.
"Yes, sir." Maeda lowered his head, calming down.
Once could be luck, but twice? And with such technical blocking! Aoba Johsai's manager, Mizoguchi Sadayuki, excitedly grabbed his tactical board and approached Coach Irihata. "Coach, what a find! Taiichi can absolutely take our defense to the next level."
Irihata signaled for calm, tapping the roster in his hand. Several names were heavily marked:
- Kindaichi Yutaro: Middle blocker, decent strength and stamina.
- Kunimi Akira: Wing spiker, high volleyball IQ, balanced static abilities.
- Kaedehara Taiichi: Middle blocker, fast, excellent at blocking.
This might be their last chance with the third-years still on the team. They had to make it to nationals.