JSWGAS Chapter 86

In the beginning of the second set, Date Tech’s score clung tightly to Aoba Johsai’s, and the match turned into a back-and-forth struggle. The ball flew back and forth several times, Date Tech’s defense was solid, and when No. 1 was in the front row, several of Arahata’s spikes were blocked by him—the current ball was also blocked by a large hand. Seeing that the tug-of-war was finally coming to an end, suddenly, an arm stretched out from behind Arahata, hitting the volleyball about to fall back into the air!

“Nice save!”

No. 1 was furious, staggering when he landed: “Why is it you again!” Is No. 12 haunting me!

Arahata, not caring about feeling frustrated, subconsciously defended: “What, do you have a problem with my cute… uh, with my handsome junior!”

Kokonoe Taka didn’t even look at the two of them, and quickly moved out of the way after confirming the touch, “Iwaizumi!”

Iwaizumi Hajime, who was immediately covering from the side, received the ball the moment he heard the call, quickly glancing at the position on the court. The only ones on their side who can attack now… “Oikawa!”

Iwaizumi Hajime’s receive was completely lacking in skill, and could not be called comfortable. Even a picky setter would only give it a terrible rating. Oikawa Tōru jumped up, deciding to mock Koiwa, who can only set bad balls, later—Date Tech’s defensive speed was very fast, and the double block in front was in place, No. 1 and No. 3, who had performed the best in blocking just now.

A power spike wouldn’t get through.

As this thought appeared, Oikawa Tōru’s palm was about to touch the surface of the volleyball. He calmly selected the position he wanted to aim for a moment before hitting the ball, and forcefully spiked it towards No. 3’s fingers.

The volleyball bounced back to his teammate in the back according to his idea, “One more time!”

Date Tech’s No. 3 frowned irritably as he reorganized his defense: Too troublesome! No matter who it is!

Fukashima had prepared for the ball, sending a very comfortable first pass with a fast ball. As Oikawa Tōru took his position at the net, he stared at the gradually approaching yellow, blue and white volleyball, countless invisible lines structuring everything in his mind: Arahata’s multiple spikes were blocked and he was powerless to continue, Miyano’s feint timing was too early; only No. 3 of the opposing blockers was in place, No. 1 was still in the midfield—in this long and tense time, the feeling of exhaustion quietly weighed on both sides, slowing down their movements and dulling their reactions.

Koiwa started his run-up and jumped, one of the few attackers in better condition during this rally—did he want to bribe Oikawa to forget the terrible set just now? Oikawa Tōru felt his fingertips touching the ball and immediately leaving, apologizing somewhat casually to Iwaizumi—sorry, but this ball is not for Koiwa, forgive me.

The volleyball freely flew to where it should go, crossing everyone’s line of sight, the Date Tech double block was deceived by the beautiful and smooth arc and the in-position Iwaizumi, but the latter swung into empty air under their guard.

A figure appeared behind the falling Iwaizumi, and the two overlapping shadows appeared larger on the ground.

Iwaizumi wasn’t surprised.

It should be said that he was a little unaccustomed to Oikawa Tōru finally doing this after holding back for so long: he always felt that Oikawa Tōru was secretly planning something bad during this quiet period.

Iwaizumi stared firmly at the falling perspective, his mouth stretching wider and wider as the opponents on the other side of the net looked at the eyes behind him with surprise.

–Look.

–Look at me.

The person who jumped up said with his figure.

–Watch closely.

Almost no one noticed when he started his run-up, or why he could jump so high. Compared to a group of boys who have been playing volleyball since childhood, the movement is not skilled, but it is simply and smoothly. Some people seem to be born to belong to this vast sky, flying freely under the light falling from the high dome.

Volleyball is a sport that tests people’s will the longer the offense and defense last. The resulting anxiety makes it extremely normal for one side in the game to be overtaken or make mistakes.

But I know, you will definitely break free from those shackles and appear in that place.

Oikawa Tōru seemed to be sighing slightly, but smiled slowly.

“…Let’s scare them awake?”

“Bang—!”

A loud noise, like a building collapsing, almost made people mistake it for an earthquake or a tsunami. The volleyball obediently stopped in front of Kokonoe Taka, and then was blasted to the opposite side by his palm with a long scar! The fingers of the block touched the volleyball in the eye of the storm in the end with anger and powerlessness, his flesh stinging and being knocked away, but the volleyball still did not lose its momentum. Until it crashed on the ground like a meteorite, leaving a dark mark to prove the madness of this move.

Echoes seemed to still reverberate in his ears, and his heart suddenly stopped.

Kokonoe Taka landed, took a slight breath, his chest and abdomen full of a strange sense of satisfaction, making him crave more, his fingers couldn’t help twisting, the corners of his mouth couldn’t help rising, and the desire to try again rushed to occupy his mind.

Coach Irihata on the sidelines listened to the excited screams coming from the second floor, and looked at the person in the arena who had scored a point and was surrounded by a group of people, couldn’t help touching his cheek, “Wow… I was really startled.”

Teacher Misoguchi next to him had a solemn expression, and his voice was a little shaky when he listened carefully: “Y-yeah.”

Even Date Tech’s triple block could only barely touch but not block a spike from such a long-distance run-up. They became suspicious in the following game because of this sudden situation. Even if they understood in their hearts, they couldn’t help but pay attention to No. 12, who was lurking again, fearing that he would suddenly strike again like just now.

Oikawa Tōru saw all of this in his eyes, and openly used the fatal flaws created by his own side for the opponent, and finally smoothly won the practice match with a light second attack.

“Thank you for the game!”

“Thank you for the game!”

During the routine post-match handshake to show friendship, Date Tech’s second-year setter asked Oikawa Tōru: “Was No. 12’s spike intentional?”

Oikawa Tōru glanced at the captains of both sides who were shaking hands tightly in the distance, their hands full of veins, and competing against each other: “Wow, that’s a harsh accusation…” The two people’s hands lightly maintained the posture of shaking hands for four or five seconds, Oikawa Tōru looked at the other party with a smile, “After all, everyone was distracted at the time, I didn’t want to play such a boring game. So I can only say hello in this way—”

But his eyes seemed to hide provocation: But from the result, it’s not much different—

A string of veins immediately popped out on Date Tech’s setter’s forehead, he couldn’t help it, and desperately shook hands with the hateful and frivolous opponent with a lot of ideas in front of him. It wasn’t until the other party’s expression vaguely began to distort that he gritted his teeth: “We will win next time.”

Oikawa Tōru propped up the corners of his mouth with difficulty: “Anyone can talk big, okay?”

Looked at each other, let go of his hand, and quickly turned his head to continue to the next one without seeing the unpleasantness.

As a result, the next one was Kokonoe, who had just appeared in the two people’s conversation.

The No. 7 setter actually thought that the spike was very handsome. But the psychological shadow of that ball was a little deep, and he couldn’t help but feel unsure in his heart. No, he can’t be seen to be shrinking back! He reached out and shook hands with Kokonoe, who also reached out his hand, but he didn’t expect the other party’s attitude to be quite kind: “The senior’s feints are very powerful, and the defense is also very fast, I hope to have the opportunity to play another game in the future.”

His tone was humble, and compared to the last guy who was smiling but inexplicably annoying, he was almost an angel—the setter was praised by him and was dizzy, almost wanting to grab the other person’s hand and invite the other person to Date Tech—look at this height! This face! This strength! It’s a pity not to come here!

He was just about to speak, but he saw a hint of danger in the other person’s smile, “—of course, to play a game that’s not so boring.”

Along with the slightly low and hoarse voice, the other person’s hand slowly tightened its grip, stuck at the limit where it hurt but was not broken, and instantly shattered the filter on Kokonoe Taka.

Date Tech’s setter tried to counter, but failed, the other person’s hand was like pliers that had firmly squeezed him. What angel!? This person is actually trying to get back at the frivolous setter who was not stronger than him, right?! It hurts!!

But Date Tech’s people will never admit defeat! He gritted his teeth and resisted: “I will definitely not let you feel bored.”

Kokonoe Taka looked at him for a moment before slowly releasing his strength, pretending: “Senior’s expression is a little ugly, are you too tired? Pay attention to rest well.”

Date Tech’s setter grinded his teeth: “………Ah, no, need, you, bother!” Emphasis on every word.

Kokonoe Taka watched the other team’s setter stomp his feet and leave with a murderous aura, shrugged his shoulders indifferently, and returned to his own team. Oikawa Tōru happened to be in front of him, covering his hand and swearing to Iwaizumi: “I will definitely add a strength training item!”

Iwaizumi: “Huh? What do you want to do again.”

Oikawa Tōru: “I’m serious.”

Kokonoe Taka slapped him speechlessly: “Serious about what? Did you lose even when you were seriously arguing?”

Oikawa Tōru shook his head in dissatisfaction after being patted by him, and justified himself: “Isn’t the one who is haggling with juniors the worst… Are Date Tech’s people all gorillas like Koiwa?” The first sentence indiscriminately swept across Arahata, the captain who had always been concerned about Oikawa saying his ‘hairstyle is ugly’, and the latter perfectly pulled the innocent Iwaizumi into the battle.

While the former was still holding the face of a senior, the latter would not condone the troublesome guy. Iwaizumi had always adopted a policy of iron fist sanctions against Oikawa Tōru, and this policy had never changed from the past to the present. The noise of fighting and fighting had just sounded, and Kokonoe Taka had already taken two steps back as expected, and also pulled Hanamaki, who had not reacted, to avoid being accidentally injured, which was obviously a skilled worker who often acted as a fisherman in the battle between the snipe and the clam.

Arahata had to admit that he felt a little secretly refreshed in his heart. But he still asked with concern on his face, “Is it okay not to stop them?”

Iwaizumi’s iron fist sanction had already developed to the point where Iwaizumi pressed Oikawa Tōru’s head into the ball basket next to him. It seemed that he couldn’t wait to turn the head of Aoba Johsai’s setter into a volleyball to make people worry less. Kokonoe Taka moved Hanamaki to the side without changing his expression, and cleverly blocked in front of the two fighting, perfectly blocking the coach’s questioning gaze.

After fooling Coach Irihata with a reliable expression as if nothing had happened, he turned his head to answer the question: “It’s okay, this is their way of relieving stress, it’s just a little special.”

Arahata sought the approval of Saijo next to him in a volume that the younger generations could not hear: “Sometimes, I think Kokonoe is more terrifying than Oikawa and Iwaizumi…”

Saijo’s response made him stiffen.

“Is that so? I think it’s pretty good.”!