JSWGAS Chapter 84

“The practice match is against Aoba Johsai… They even went to nationals a few years ago.”

“I remember it was their current third-years when they were first-years. After their seniors graduated, Aoba Johsai hasn’t been able to make it to nationals since.”

“Eh, it’s hard to say these past two years… Didn’t Ushijima Wakatoshi go straight to Shiratorizawa? That guy made it to nationals even in middle school. And Shiratorizawa’s coach scouted a lot of good players. The national tickets for these two years are probably going to be taken by them again…”

“The setter our school contacted before was also scouted by them. I heard their coach even wanted to scout Oikawa, who won the best setter last year, but he refused—he went to Aoba Johsai this year.”

“…What can I say?” A first-year setter wearing the Date Tech uniform said enviously, “If it were me, I would definitely go to Shiratorizawa.”

–Many people think so.

–Being Ushijima Wakatoshi’s teammate would definitely be easier, right?

When the Date Tech team walked in, Aoba Johsai seemed to be doing spiking practice, and almost no one on the court noticed them.

And Motoya Moniwa, the first-year setter from Date Tech who came with the team—he had played against Toru Oikawa’s Kitagawa Daiichi for three years before. Subconsciously, he began to search for familiar faces in the stadium.

He found the classmate who rejected the invitation from the powerhouse Shiratorizawa without much effort—actually, Aoba Johsai is also a powerhouse, but it is always slightly inferior to Shiratorizawa.

Toru Oikawa was standing on the middle court directly opposite the gymnasium door. The attacker in his group tossed the ball towards his position, and then ran up and jumped. –Oikawa’s movements are as pleasing to the eye as ever. Moniwa sighed, although the two of them never had any communication, and he was defeated by him in middle school, Moniwa actually admired him privately.

In their grade, the ‘love-hate relationship’ between Ushijima Wakatoshi and Toru Oikawa was not a secret. Moniwa himself even ran into Ushijima Wakatoshi inviting Toru Oikawa to Shiratorizawa. However, Toru Oikawa directly refused angrily at that time, declaring that he would rather die than set for Ushijima.

To be honest, Hajime Iwaizumi, who played with Oikawa at that time, was not weak either, but he inevitably lost color under Ushijima’s ace aura. I heard that Iwaizumi also went to Aoba Johsai with Oikawa—eh, wait, the person cooperating with Oikawa…doesn’t seem to be Iwaizumi?

This hitting point…is it too high?!

…At least for Moniwa, who is struggling around 290cm, this height is beyond his imagination.

Is it a setting mistake by Oikawa?

The ball speed was not slow, and it flew to the highest point of the parabola in an instant. At the same time, a hand appeared directly in front of it! Moniwa finally shifted his gaze from the ball to the attacker. He widened his eyes in astonishment, watching the attacker almost stop completely in the air for a few seconds, and naturally swung his arm, “Bang!”

The sound of the volleyball landing rang out.

The attacker who landed had a face he didn’t recognize at all, and the landing movement was light and silent. Moniwa dared to swear on the muscular brain of his classmate Yasushi Kamasaki that he had never seen him in any game. You know, Miyagi Prefecture has only a few groups of people coming and going, and although they may not all know each other, they basically know each other’s names and appearances – especially this person’s hitting point is outstanding, and the power of the spike is also very good.

“Nice hit–”

Toru Oikawa affectionately stretched the end of his voice, walked over and lightly bumped palms with that person.

Moniwa was standing in the team, curious and itching, while the captain of Date Tech had already raised a friendly smile and shook hands with the captain of Aoba Johsai who came up quickly.

“Yo, Arahata, why haven’t you grown taller after so long?”

“Ha, same to you, I’m curious if your arms are still soft like last time when you block?”

The two people: “…”

Expression distorted.

The vice-captains of the two teams skillfully bypassed them.

“Long time no see, how have you been recently?”

“Thanks to you, not bad, and there are interesting newcomers joining.”

“Haha, please give us your guidance today…”

“We should be saying that…”

It wasn’t until the lineup that Arahata returned to Aoba Johsai with a strained face.

Toru Oikawa put his hands on his hips and tilted his head, and said with a cheerful smile: “Senior Arahata, your expression is very unnatural?”

Arahata quickly deflated like a leaking balloon: “–Damn it, that guy’s strength has increased again!” He gasped exaggeratedly, shaking his stiff hand that had been pinched hard by Date Tech’s captain, “But it doesn’t matter, he didn’t get any advantage either.”

Others: “…Really? Don’t push yourself, Senior Arahata.”

Saijo: “Please wipe away your tears before showing off.”

Arahata: “…I’m not crying!!! Saijo! Don’t deliberately slander me!”

On the other side, Date Tech.

The captain muttered: “Arahata that guy—actually secretly pinched my flesh, and used his nails…is he a girl?!”

Vice-captain: “…Be serious, occasionally set a good example for the juniors.”

Captain: “Eh, it doesn’t matter, the juniors are more worry-free—”

“More than that, it seems like a few of the people who played in Aoba Johsai’s matches last year aren’t playing?”

Speaking of business, the captain became serious: “They put on three first-year students at once… Oikawa and Iwaizumi, I also went to watch their match against Shiratorizawa last year. Although this combination is not as good as Ushijima, it is also very tricky. I really want to try blocking them.”

“There is also a first-year student that I have never seen before. He replaced one of their second-year middle blockers last year.” The vice-captain pondered for a moment, and just as he was about to say something, he heard bursts of screams coming from the second floor of the gymnasium.

“Oikawa-kun—please do your best today too!”

“He smiled! He looked at me! Waa–”

“Kokonoe-kun! Give us a smile–”

“Waa waa waa, even glaring is so handsome!”

Date Tech people: …For some reason, they suddenly got excited.

Especially when he saw Toru Oikawa smiling and waving at the second floor, this kind of annoyance went to another level.

Captain: “…In short, no matter who it is, knock them all down!!!”

Everyone: “Ooh!!”

As a result of the coin toss, Aoba Johsai served first, and Date Tech defended first.

“Number one, middle blocker, very fast reaction speed, very high blocking level; Number two, wing spiker, weaker power; Number three is the wing spiker, number four is the middle blocker, these two are relatively all-round.” Saijo quickly whispered to Taka Kokonoe before going on the court, “Pay attention to staring at their setter’s movements, don’t be fooled… I and Arahata will make up for the rest.” He couldn’t help but click his tongue, “Your blocking is relatively weaker than others, and I don’t know why the coach arranged the positions like this.”

“Because of the offense.” Arahata next to him answered, smiling reassuringly at Taka Kokonoe, “Although our original attack was okay, if we want to talk about the most deterrent in the team now… it’s probably you and Oikawa’s long-distance running spike. Yes, that kind of power, even the strongest ‘iron wall’ can’t stop it.”

Toru Oikawa serves.

His power jump serve has improved a lot during this period, and at the same time as maintaining a certain power, he also tries to control the landing point as much as possible, and the error rate is also steadily decreasing. This ball, he aimed at the opposite libero—this has always been his habit, if the other party can’t receive the ball, it will have a huge impact on the morale of the team.

“Damn it! I’ll do it!”

This can be said to be a blatant provocation, Date Tech’s number ten libero receives the ball. The volleyball touched the inside of his arm, making him unable to help but grit his teeth, and the first pass was half in place, “Sorry, cover!”

The number seven setter had to adjust his position to receive the ball, and his movements slightly inclined to the left, which was immediately observed by Saijo, who followed the block when the opponent’s number one jumped to spike.

“…Tch!”

“What’s wrong, didn’t you eat?”

After blocking this ball, Date Tech’s captain’s tch and Saijo’s provocation sounded at the same time. Saijo smiled hypocritically, not afraid of the bulging muscles of the opposite number one, “Oh dear, don’t underestimate us. Arahata just said that your strength has increased again, but I look at it—it seems, that’s it?”

The provocation is not enough, and he also seeks recognition from the people around him: “You’re right, aren’t you, Kokonoe? Even you can block this kind of spike, right?”

Date Tech’s captain’s gaze at this strange first-year student was suddenly full of threat. He looks fierce, belonging to the type who can leave a circle of space around him when walking in the crowd, and his threatening expression has always been invincible.

But today he hit a wall.

The handsome guy next to Saijo had no expression, glanced at him, and said with a light tone of regret: “You are too lenient, Senior Saijo. This kind of spike, even elementary school students can block it, right?”

Saijo suddenly realized, and his voice became happy: “Oh! That’s right! Sorry, I overestimated them too much.”

Number one: “…Ugh ah ah ah–! You guys wait for me!!!”

Arahata said in a low voice: “Uh, Saijo is like this when he competes with other schools… Saijo, say less!”

Saijo smacked his mouth regretfully, “It’s rare for there to be someone in the team who can keep up with my rhythm…”

Kokonoe comforted him: “It doesn’t matter, Senior Saijo, anyway, this is just the first ball, there will be many opportunities after.”

Toru Oikawa: “…Although the maliciousness is also very good, I quite like it, but Iwaizumi is glaring at you.”

Second ball, Date Tech’s libero made full preparations. But when he received the ball, he was hit by the tricky angle and his body was crooked, so he used the force to unload the force. The number seven setter went forward in a timely manner, and passed the ball to the number one on the left wing under the cover of numbers two and four.

Number one has been in a low mood since being ridiculed by the two people in front of the net at the beginning. When jumping up, his eyes swept over Saijo, who was in time to cover, and Kokonoe, who he had never heard of before: Saijo’s blocking skills are excellent, and the other guy’s movements are not as skilled as the former—

“Bang!”

Swinging his arm and spiking hard, he aimed at the gap in the middle of Taka Kokonoe’s arm, and the strong force directly crashed into the gap between Taka Kokonoe’s arms. Miyano in the back row pounced to save the ball, but failed to save it.

“Sorry!”

“Don’t mind!”

Number one raised his eyebrows: “How is it–”

The two people across the net ignored him at the same time.

“Don’t use the ‘hurray’ pose with your arms.”

“…Is that so, I understand.” Number one: “…Damn it!!”

Date Tech served, it was an ordinary overhand serve, not very deterrent, Miyano easily received it, “Oikawa!”

Toru Oikawa glanced slightly at the standing position distribution on the opposite court, and then his eyes quickly swept over his teammates. He called out cheerfully: “Senior Arahata!”

Arahata had already started running up and jumping, attracting a block and jumping at the same time, but in the end, he swung in the air—this ball was finally passed to Iwaizumi. The latter frowned and pushed off the ground to jump, silently, expanding his chest and tucking in his abdomen, preparing to spike. But just when he was about to swing his arm, the double block in front of him was half in place, and two pairs of hands were firmly pressed in front of him.

Hajime Iwaizumi took a deep breath—he has also been the team’s ace anyway, and it is not uncommon to be targeted by blocks. In fact, when he first came into contact with Toru Oikawa’s light gaze, he knew that this guy was going to do something again.

Date Tech’s block is indeed very difficult to deal with. Oikawa’s induction only diverted one person, and the remaining two locked on the ball and the jumping Hajime Iwaizumi.

He stared closely at the ball, and the corner of his eye fell on the block on the opposite side—suddenly gathered his momentum, and the heavy spike turned into a light push.

Even so, this dump shot barely grazed the fingertip of the opposite number two before landing.

“Nice one, Iwaizumi!”

“Beautiful!”

After Arahata praised, he stared at Toru Oikawa resentfully for a long time: “I really thought that ball would be given to me…”

Toru Oikawa blinked innocently, and showed weakness quickly and decisively: “Sorry, I just wanted to see if I could fool their block–”

Kokonoe and Iwaizumi bumped fists, “And the result?”

Toru Oikawa slowly scanned the teammates around him.

“As expected, we still have to rely on everyone’s strength.”

Miyano twitched: “…Although I know what you mean, this kind of frivolous tone is really annoying.”

Saijo: “Agreed.”

Arahata: “Seconded.”

Iwaizumi: “Tch.”

Kokonoe: “Throw it away.”

Toru Oikawa was shocked: “Eh?! Is that the reaction?! It hurts my heart so much! And what do you mean by ‘throw it away’, Taka! Give me some respect for the only setter!”

However, Date Tech’s block is indeed very strong, and their serve is not weak either—after being unable to receive the number eight wing spiker’s second jump serve, Furuie, who switched with Saijo, gritted his teeth, “Sorry!”

“Don’t mind!” Arahata said steadily, “Number eight’s original serve technique is very good, but the accuracy is far less than Oikawa’s–”

Toru Oikawa: “Why are you using me as a unit of measurement?!”

Sure enough, Date Tech’s next jump serve went out of bounds, and the serve was exchanged.

“–Ah, it’s that unfamiliar first-year.”

Number two frowned, staring at the boy standing behind the end line, and glanced at the scoreboard on the side of the court, “I always feel…that he’s not as eye-catching as the other two first-years. Although he also assisted in the attack and covered the receive just now…”

Number one was still brooding over the opening ball: “Where is he not eye-catching? His ability to make people angry is top-notch. Saijo must be very happy to have someone take over his mantle…”

Saijo was rotating off the court at this time: “Achoo! …I feel like someone is saying bad things about me.”

Hanamaki: “Take care of yourself, Senior Saijo.”

Toru Oikawa was standing in front of the net, and glanced at the back indifferently, “…Hmm.” He uttered a strange tone vaguely, and when Miyano next to him looked at him suspiciously, he reminded kindly and gently, “Senior Miyano, it’s better to protect the back of your head a little.”

Miyano put his hands behind his head somewhat blankly: “Oh…”

–This is perhaps the secret information that only Toru Oikawa, who taught him to serve hand-by-hand, can read.

Toru Oikawa couldn’t help but curl his lips, and his tone rose. It even set off a small wave of screams among the girls watching on the side, “–Serve a good ball.”

The person standing behind the end line heard his words.

Toru Oikawa told him from the beginning that everyone has different habits, and of course the way to serve is also different, “The most suitable for you is the most important.”

He said so reliably and rarely.

Taka Kokonoe took two steps back again, almost pressing on the farthest distance, and then he silently pressed the surface of the volleyball.

The whistle sounded, and he held up the ball, parallel to his line of sight.

The distant field of vision was vast, slowly unfolding before his eyes.

Eight seconds of serving time, a rare eight seconds of solitude.

It wasn’t until the sixth second that he finally made a move—tossed the ball, and his calves gave heavy feedback in the run-up from slow to fast, suddenly becoming lighter when pushing off the ground, but without the dizzying feeling of weightlessness. It was extremely natural, as if he should naturally stop in the air.

–In the air.

The kinetic energy accumulated by the ultra-long run-up surged in the blood, and he even felt that his arms were blocked and about to explode. He stared at the ball intently, feeling the inch-by-inch force scouring the inside of his body, and his bones were driven to almost twist, finally staying briefly in his palm.

The body is like a bow.

And the volleyball is the arrow he sent out.

“Bang!!!”

–Pierced at the feet of the person he aimed at.

No-touch score.

Date Tech’s vice-captain held his breath, and blinked sluggishly after two or three seconds.

…Has the ball landed…?

He stared at the traces on the floor next to his feet, and the hairs on his body stood up one by one. Others also reacted at this time, “Don’t mind! Serve again next ball!”

He reluctantly responded a few times, but the cold sweat behind him did not disappear for a long time.

Obviously this ball has been scored by the opposite side, obviously this point has ended.

…Why, does he still have the illusion of being locked?

Across the vast court and the densely packed net in the center, Date Tech’s vice-captain made eye contact with the person serving for a moment.

Silent, calm.

Fierce, crazy.

Like a wild beast slowly wading out of the dark jungle, coldly assessing the value of its prey.

Taka Kokonoe felt the numb sensation coming from deep within his skin after exerting himself, his fingers were tense to the point of showing blue veins, and then slowly relaxed.

He pulled out a smile, and when he was preparing for the next serve outside the end line, he said softly to the air.

“Of course I will serve a good ball.”