JSWGAS Chapter 101

101.

Date Tech serves.

Heavy footsteps.

The captain knew that the tide of frustration was dragging at the team’s ankles. His eyes briefly fell on the opponent who had dragged them into this situation—he knew he didn’t have time to hesitate any longer.

Approach, swing, push off, jump, spike!

At this moment, he felt a pain in his wrist as if it were about to snap because of the large degree of bending. Aoba Johsai’s libero, Furuhashi, quickly began to move, but in the last two steps, he couldn’t catch up to the direction of the ball. He had to slam his left foot down and step his right foot to the right. The rapidly approaching volleyball was intercepted by his outstretched arms, but before he could adjust his posture to dissipate the force, it flew out again.

“The pass is off!” Furuhashi shouted, not bothering to feel frustrated. “Sorry! Cover!”

The volleyball flew straight towards the net, almost going over without an attack.

Date Tech’s back row captain roared, “Hit it back—”

The number 4 middle blocker charged up and jumped at the first moment he heard the roar. This dump was a good chance to score! The volleyball got closer and closer, and in a flash, a hand rose from below, blocking the volleyball and the number 4 middle blocker. Kokonoe Taka jumped off one foot in front of the net and used his fingers to forcefully push the volleyball into the air, “Tōru!”

“A one-handed jump set?!”

The blocking reaction was extremely fast. The middle blocker had barely stood still when he jumped up again with another person, their arms extending upwards and palms pressing down, creating a defense line. After judging the position of the ball, Oikawa started his approach from behind, gritting his teeth while adjusting his posture and angle in real time to match the position of the set. Even though he had charged up and jumped high, he couldn’t help but click his tongue when he saw the high wall in front of him. What’s more, there was a libero behind the iron wall ready to cover.

His arm swung out violently, and then gently touched the ball amidst the angry gazes of the blockers.

A dump shot scores.

Kageyama Tobio stood up abruptly. His abnormality was not abrupt, because several fans around him also stood up in shock.

A bearded uncle tried to express the uneasiness in his heart, “Did I see that right?” He turned his head and asked several people in a row, “Just now, did the middle blocker set to the passer, a one-handed jump set, and then the passer scored?”

Such a shocking play in high school volleyball was astonishing. After all, most middle blockers are already exhausted from honestly studying blocking and quick attacks, and passers can waste half of their brain cells improving their skills and adjusting attacks on the court. In recent years, although various playing styles have emerged and there have been many players with special styles, this scene was still rare even among these people.

The bearded uncle was still rambling and discussing with the people around him. Kageyama Tobio stared at the court, but inexplicably felt that the ball just now was a bit strange. Looking from afar, Oikawa-senpai’s expression was also a bit complicated and inexplicable. He absentmindedly listened to a few sentences, but found that everything said next to him was nonsense, until another energetic old man who was also forced to listen to the bearded uncle’s long speech suddenly spoke, interrupting him, “The passer is coordinating with number 12.”

Like enlightenment.

A one-handed set is a technique in volleyball, often used when the ball is high and rushing towards the net. After jumping to the highest point, the ball is set out with the force of one hand’s fingers and wrist, which has strong adaptability. But the ball just now was full of arrogant conceit, only caring about setting the ball up and then washing his hands of it, leaving everything else to the attacker. This messy method and the overly casual jumping posture made Coach Irihata on the sidelines couldn’t help but rub his forehead, thinking that the decision to let Kokonoe continue playing middle blocker had saved him several bottles of stomach medicine, “…Too reckless, isn’t it.”

Oikawa Tōru on the court was also complaining about the same thing. “Although trying different offensive means is good, that ball was really super———awkward to hit!” He said indignantly, “I almost touched the net when I swung my arm! And did you forget my hitting point? It’s——”

“But you still hit it.” Kokonoe Taka blocked all the remaining follow-up words with one sentence. He raised his eyes and saw Oikawa Tōru’s rare speechlessness, and slowly added the remaining half of the sentence, appreciating the changing expressions on his face, “That’s why I’m not a passer.”

“I’m counting on you next, Oikawa-sensei.”

“Number 12 is not suitable for passing.”

This was the first sentence Kageyama Tobio heard, from an old man with sharp eyes who was annoyed by the constant nagging. At this time, the battle on the court was in a deadlock. Oikawa was mobilizing the left-wing attacker, but after the block was tricked away, he unexpectedly hit a back row attack, almost making fools of the blockers—it was hard for him to spare an ear for the old man next to him amidst all of Oikawa’s decisive and smooth attacks.

Number 12, middle blocker, strong serve… Ah, it’s Kokonoe-san.

So both ears perked up.

The old man continued: “Aoba Johsai’s passer is unexpectedly a very solid player. He settles himself, coordinates with his teammates, and brings out the team’s full strength… He also has a good sense for changes in the game and attack line distribution.”

The bearded uncle echoed: “And his serves are also very strong, and his attacks are also very strong! He’s also a handsome guy!”

“Number 12 is different.” The old man glared at the bearded uncle with disdain. “His style is very strong, and every attack he makes is very tough. He’s a good move to place him in the middle blocker position; but if he’s placed in the passer position, it’s fine for a short time,” As he spoke, the number 12 player on the court covered a pass, and Aoba Johsai scored, “But over time, it’s actually disadvantageous.”

Kokonoe Taka’s passing success rate has indeed increased. He consciously lets his sharp and cold offensive nature show, and the most direct feeling is that when he is in the important passing position, every pass has a strong subjective intention, and the attackers must in turn coordinate with his passes.

Logically speaking, this style would also appear when he becomes an attacker. If it were more extreme, it would even cause him to break away from the already formed team and become a lone wolf—but the situation that Coach Ukai was expecting did not occur. Except for the occasional unnaturalness when using passing techniques, in other situations number 12 can smoothly integrate into the Aoba Johsai team.

Is the key the passer?

Ukai Ittei’s eyes thoughtfully fell on the passer who was high-fiving his teammates next to him, smiling lightly.

“Hiss——— Achoo! Chills…”

“You’re not catching a cold, are you?” Kokonoe Taka looked at Oikawa suspiciously, “Like staying up late at night to study the opponent’s game videos or something?”

Hearing this, Oikawa Tōru loudly replied with dissatisfaction, “No way! I’m perfectly healthy! Can you occasionally wish me well for once!”

Kokonoe Taka: “Really? I don’t believe it.”

Iwaizumi Hajime: “Can idiots catch colds too?”

The successive attacks quickly crushed the smile on Oikawa Tōru’s face. “Ushiwaka must be talking bad about me! That guy is super———annoying! Like foie gras made by a chef who doesn’t understand cooking at all!”

“…Is your brain really okay?”

“You’re making me feel sorry for Ushiwaka.”

“…I’m your teammate! Iwa-chan and Taka aren’t allowed to speak up for Ushiwaka!”

-Shiratorizawa-

Their game today had just ended. Tendō Satori lazily put on his jacket, turned his head and found Ushijima Wakatoshi frowning, frozen in place.

Tendō Satori: “Wakatoshi-kun, what’s wrong? Could it be that you’re still reluctant to leave the game?”

Ushijima Wakatoshi: “No… I just felt a strong sense of hostility.”

Tendō Satori: “?”

Tendō Satori: “Wakatoshi-kun, you’re really interesting! I’m so glad you came to Shiratorizawa!”

Ushijima Wakatoshi: “Thank you. Shiratorizawa is indeed a very good school.”

Semi Eita, who was passing by, said: “…Tendō didn’t mean it that way… never mind.”

He sighed and casually said, “Speaking of which, haven’t the results of that game come out yet?”

The group walked out together, and Ōhira Reon answered him: “That game doesn’t seem to be over yet. Our opponent tomorrow should be Date Tech or Aoba Johsai.”

“But according to the teacher’s meaning—we should be playing Aoba Johsai tomorrow.”

Aoba Johsai was the first to reach game point.

Both sides knew the key to this point, and both schools’ cheering squads were also cheering loudly.

“—There’s no way we’ll let you have it so easily?!”

The number 8 ace grimaced and lunged forward to save the ball, his roar even overshadowing the Date Tech cheering squad’s voices for a moment. He stumbled and fell to the ground, but at the same time, the volleyball moved away from him, until it jumped high near the net—

“Please—! Senpai—”

His voice already had a hint of crying.

…What am I doing?

These words appeared along with the tears in his junior’s eyes, and Date Tech’s third-year passer’s stiff legs finally began to move. He thought that his whole body had been tied with stones, but he was clearly running so fast, so fast, so fast—the hesitant pessimistic emotions swept away, and the rekindled fire almost burned the nerve endings, making crackling noises—

We’ve been training for so long. He thought, full of anger, why should we lose to you?!

He wasn’t the only one who thought so.

Date Tech reorganized extremely quickly. Before the ball even reached the passer’s palm, the atmosphere had already changed, and this change was extremely obvious in their opponents’ eyes.

Kokonoe Taka smiled. His pupils clearly reflected every vibrant face. He felt the irritating fire break the ice of fear, burning all the way along the court to the net, and then along the net to his fingertips—

Come on.

Come on!

Date Tech’s chance ball, the passer’s gaze quickly swept across the front of the net, three blockers. But he firmly believed that this was the best choice at this time, and their ace would respond to their expectations.

The ball was sent to the ace’s hand.

Three-step approach, push off, extend arm—perfectly familiar movements, the accumulation of more than a thousand days and nights.

This is the last year of the third year.

This thought that suddenly appeared in his mind did not divert his attention. Instead, it helped him accumulate even more powerful strength—he stared intently at the block in front of him, from left to right, and finally stopped on Kokonoe, who showed a creepy mad laugh—

“Bang!!!”

“Nice!” The bearded uncle on the sidelines slapped his thigh at this time, almost jumping from the seat in front of him. Ignoring the speechless gazes of the people around him, he calmly sat back down and praised, “That straight shot was hit too decisively. I thought Aoba Johsai would end the game with this ball.”

21:24.

Date Tech’s number 3 ace serves, a powerful jump serve, the ball straight towards Miyano. The incoming ball was fierce and extremely fast, Miyano’s pass was only half on target.

Date Tech’s number 4 in front of Kokonoe was still staring at him. Oikawa glanced over the net, adjusted direction, and passed the ball to Iwaizumi, who was farther away. The latter aimed at the gap in the single block and hit a high ball, but was caught by the prepared libero. The ace and the passer cooperated to hit a quick set.

22:24.

First ball, number 3 aimed at the moment when Oikawa stepped forward from the back row. Aoba Johsai was unable to save the ball, and Date Tech successfully scored another point.

23:24.

Kokonoe Taka did not look at the scoreboard, but asked sideways in the gap, “Saijo-senpai, can you still hold on?”

“I can’t hold on anymore.” Saijo was unexpectedly honest, lowered his eyelashes, and panted slightly. He had taken on most of the strong attacks from the other side in the first half of the game, and coupled with the fact that his stamina was originally a weakness, he was now covered in sweat, “…Sorry.”

Saijo rotates out, and libero Furuhashi is back on the court. He probably won’t be substituted back in.

Arao walked over, and scratched the back of his head apologetically, “Sorry, Saijo’s stamina is indeed weaker than everyone else’s… During the IH and Spring High last year, he basically only played half of the game each day… Anyway, I’ll help cover his position.”

Furuhashi passes, Iwaizumi provides a crossing screen, and finally Oikawa chooses to pass the ball to Miyano. Three blockers, Miyano is shut down, and the ball bounces back into Aoba Johsai’s territory. Date Tech scores another point.

“24:24… Game point tied.”

“…They’ve chased three points in a row, they might be able to win this set!”

But the fourth ball went out of bounds—number 3’s stamina was also on the verge of exhaustion, or rather, everyone on the court was showing signs of fatigue to a greater or lesser extent at this time.

“We just need to chase one more point.” The passer murmured, unconsciously looking at the service zone on the other side. The ice refroze the flames, and he couldn’t help but shudder, as if suddenly waking up from a nightmare… or rather, the nightmare was making a comeback.

Kokonoe Taka stood on the service position.

His whole body was burning. Kokonoe Taka stared at the volleyball in his palm, and then, as soon as the referee’s whistle had just fallen, he began to approach, contrary to his usual behavior—

The volleyball was thrown high into the air by him, overlapping with the incandescent lamp hanging from the ceiling when it reached the highest point, almost merging into one, becoming a new sun. Desire, pursuit, confusion, probing…

And the expectation at this moment.

That sun rose in his palm, and then fell in his palm.