The match on the court gradually came to an end.
Under the fierce attacks of Karasuno, the players of Shiratorizawa, already drained of their stamina, could offer little resistance!
Their tactics had become ineffective, and in this situation, it wasn't just physical exhaustion—
It was mental fatigue too.
Under such circumstances, they finally lost the game.
With the final sharp whistle from the referee, the Miyagi Prefecture Spring High Preliminaries came to a successful conclusion!
Some were shocked by the result, while others found it reasonable.
Spectators in the stands and viewers watching on TV all had differing reactions.
Some rejoiced, while others felt disappointed.
Regardless of how they felt, many spectators outside the arena sent their cheers and praise to the current and only champion—Karasuno!
At that moment, the crowd in Sendai City Gymnasium all stood up in excitement, erupting into enthusiastic cheers!!
"Karasuno! Karasuno!!"
...
On the court, the reactions from both teams were markedly different.
Karasuno, who had just secured their win, was naturally overjoyed!
After all, earning the final victory in the preliminaries meant that the only ticket to Spring High from Miyagi Prefecture was now in their hands!
How could that not be exhilarating?
To step onto the stage longed for by high school players across the country, and to compete against strong teams from all over Japan—
Even thinking about it was thrilling!
On the opposite side of the net, Shiratorizawa, having lost, looked visibly dejected.
Every loss was more bitter than they had imagined.
For years, in the competitions held within Miyagi Prefecture, the name "Shiratorizawa" had practically been synonymous with "invincible."
But this year, with Karasuno once again reaching the finals, Shiratorizawa had tasted defeat repeatedly.
It was a result they found hard to accept.
No matter how unwilling they were, they had no choice but to face it.
If there's a winner, there must be a loser.
It just so happened that in these two encounters with Karasuno, they had ended up on the losing side.
"Farewell… my paradise."
Satori Tendō looked at the volleyball court before him, a strange smile tugging at his lips.
Beside him, his teammates stared at the court with eyes full of frustration.
At the entrance of the venue, Eita Semi, with a white bandage around his ankle, also stared blankly at the court.
As soon as he got treatment in the infirmary, he had asked his underclassman to help him to the venue.
But what he hadn't expected was to arrive just in time to witness this heart-wrenching scene.
His teammates were crouched on the court, backs hunched, heads lowered from their usual pride, eyes full of frustration as they looked toward Karasuno.
In the stands, the crowd erupted in cheers for the new champions.
How familiar this scene was.
It was a repeat of the last preliminaries.
"Senpai Semi…"
Noticing his arrival, Kenjirō Shirabu instinctively tried to say something.
But the words got stuck in his throat, and he was inexplicably choked up.
"I... I'm sorry..."
The two looked at each other for a moment before Shirabu finally bowed his head. His voice was low and heavy.
"No..."
Semi looked up, trying hard to keep his tears from falling.
"I'm the one who should apologize."
"If I hadn't left the game halfway..."
"Alright, enough of that."
Wakatoshi Ushijima walked over expressionlessly.
Even though the others all looked on the verge of tears, he remained stoic as ever.
Wakatoshi Ushijima never wore his emotions on his face.
"Let's go. The whole team."
"Yes!!"
...
After both teams thanked their respective cheering squads and completed the post-match formalities, some time had passed.
The members of Karasuno began slowly walking out of the venue, preparing for the upcoming award ceremony.
On Shiratorizawa's side, Tendō and Ushijima were lying on the ground, stretching out their legs.
"Even though I'll be giving up volleyball after high school,"
"Someday, I'll be watching Ushijima on TV and bragging that I used to be his best buddy."
"Keep it up!"
Tendō looked straight up at the harsh ceiling lights and said lazily.
"Yeah."
Ushijima nodded slightly beside him.
Everyone has their own goals. Volleyball isn't a necessity for everyone.
"Oh! That's right!"
As if suddenly remembering something, Tendō perked up.
"If you ever make it into that volleyball magazine we both read all the time, I'll be the one they interview as your ex-teammate!"
"Okay."
Ushijima sat up and nodded as well.
Though, from his expression, it didn't seem like he believed he'd end up in a magazine.
"Let's go. They'll start cleaning the venue soon."
"It's almost time for the awards ceremony."
"You're right."
...
---------
🥳🥳 Check out new Fanfiction 🥳🥳
🎊 Naruto : Tsunade You're Really Drunk 🎊
--------
1st Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
2nd Bonus Chapter - 500 Power Stones
-------
Dear Readers
Join Patreon for 50 Early Chapters
https://www.patreon.com/UK21
---------------------------------------------------------
🎇🎇 Check Other Fanfiction 🎇🎇
Naruto : Madam, You Don't Want Anything To Happen To Sasuke, Right?
Marvel : Deadpool is My Best Friend
-------------------