The atmosphere inside the hotel was unusually tense. The members of Aoba Johsai sat in silence, their faces clouded with seriousness.
The match between Nohebi Academy and Fukurodani had already ended.
The final winner: Fukurodani Academy, taking the game with a decisive 2-0 victory.
Ever since watching that match, whatever joy Aoba Johsai had felt after their own first-round win had completely evaporated.
"Fukurodani's ace is just… too strong–" someone finally murmured after a long silence.
"Even against Nohebi Academy's ironclad defense, he found the gaps and pulled off a massive point difference. No wonder he's ranked in the top five aces in the country."
In the match earlier today, once Fukurodani's ace regained his momentum, Nohebi Academy's predictive blocks were rendered completely useless.
Fukurodani powered through the game like an unstoppable force and secured their spot in the next round.
But that wasn't all.
What made everyone feel even more uneasy was that Fukurodani's ace wasn't just technically brilliant, his spikes had this inexplicable ability to fire up the morale of his teammates.
Everyone on Aoba Johsai had seen that spike.
Even though he was technically their enemy, the moment that ball slammed down on the court, their blood boiled, and they couldn't help but feel fired up themselves.
They were all seasoned players who had been through countless matches.
They knew just how terrifying it was to have an ace who could boost the entire team's spirits at critical moments.
Clap, clap, clap…
"Alright, that's enough talk about how great he is. Stop boosting the other team's morale and crushing our own–" Hajime Iwaizumi suddenly clapped his hands and stood up.
"Sure, Fukurodani is strong, but we're not weak either. Don't forget, we beat one of the top three aces in the country to even get to nationals. If we have to, we'll do the same thing again tomorrow!"
His words had an immediate effect on the team.
They were right.
They had earned their ticket to the nationals by defeating Wakatoshi Ushijima, there was no reason to be intimidated by someone "only" ranked in the top five!
"Alright, everyone, get some sleep! Rest well so we can give 100% against Fukurodani tomorrow."
"Yes, sir!"
Just as Iwaizumi finished speaking and turned to leave, he suddenly stopped and turned back toward someone.
"Hey, you dumbass Oikawa, don't stay up too late tonight. If anything goes wrong on the court tomorrow, I swear I'll beat you up."
Oikawa Tooru: "...Iwa-chan, could you maybe try being a little kinder to me once in a while?"
Iwaizumi: "(*▼皿▼) What did you just say?"
Oikawa: "Σ(Д;) N-nothing! Don't worry, Iwa-chan! I'll be fresh and full of energy tomorrow!"
With a snort, Iwaizumi left the room.
Oikawa let out a long, weary sigh, then pulled out the match recording of today's Fukurodani vs. Nohebi Academy and began watching it with laser focus.
"Sigh~~"
────────── ✦ ──────────
"Hey, Sanashita, you didn't even play today. Why are you sighing so much?"
In the dorm's first-year lounge, Akashi Asuka was reviewing his schoolwork with a book in hand. But the constant sighing nearby kept breaking his concentration, making a big, pulsing "怒" symbol appear on his forehead.
Ryuhei Sanashita: "..."
That hit harder than a crit from Garen's Mortal Reminder. He fell silent, totally defenseless.
Sanashita clenched his fists. His expression twisted several times… and then he clenched his fists even tighter.
Damn it. I can't even argue with that.
After a long pause…
"Hey, Akashi. We have to win tomorrow. I don't want us to have the same regrets we did back in junior high."
Akashi Asuka paused for a moment, then calmly said, "Don't worry. We won't."
────────── ✦ ──────────
[Alright, good morning to everyone in the arena and watching from home.]
[I'm your commentator for today, Oda.]
[And I'm Ota.]
[Welcome back to our continuing coverage! We're broadcasting live from the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, where we're about to begin Round 2 of the National High School Inter-Scholastic Sports Festival Boys' Volleyball Tournament!]
[After yesterday's eliminations, only 32 teams remain.]
[Up next: Tokyo's Second Representative, Fukurodani Academy, versus Miyagi Prefecture's Representative, Aoba Johsai High!]
[Let's start by introducing the starting lineups.]
[On the left side of the court, wearing black jerseys, it's Fukurodani Academy! First up, team captain and ace, #4 wing spiker: Kotaro Bokuto!]
As the announcers spoke, Kotaro Bokuto, the ace of Fukurodani, charged onto the court to a deafening roar of cheers from the crowd.
"OHHHH~~~!"
"Let's go, Owl King!!"
"Bokuto! Bokuto! Bokuto!!"
The loud support made Bokuto's already-sparkling eyes light up even more with excitement.
[Wow~ looks like Bokuto's got quite the fanbase!]
[Of course! He's one of the top five aces in the country, after all!]
[Alright, next up in Fukurodani's lineup is #5 setter: Keiji Akaashi.]
[#7 wing spiker: Akinori Konoha.]
[#2 middle blocker: Yamato Sarukui.]
[#12 middle blocker: Wataru Onaga.]
[#11 libero: Haruki Komi.]
[And on the right side, wearing white-and-blue, Aoba Johsai High! First to enter the court, team captain and #1 setter: Oikawa Tooru.]
[…]
[And last but not least, #8 wing spiker: Akashi Asuka.]
"Go, go, go, Aoba Johsai! Fight, fight, fight!"
"Let's go, Seijohu!"
Up in the stands, the school's music club struck up Aoba Johsai's anthem, doing their best to lift the team's spirits.
────────── ✦ ──────────
"Hey~ hey~ hey~ I heard you guys beat Ushiwaka, right?"
Just as Aoba Johsai was getting ready to warm up, Fukurodani's ace suddenly walked over to them.
Faced with such a powerful opponent, the rest of Aoba Johsai instinctively tensed up, thinking he might be trying to start something.
But Akashi Asuka knew better.
Yup, this guy's definitely having another episode.
So, without hesitation, Akashi walked up to Bokuto and calmly said, "You heard wrong. We didn't actually beat Ushiwaka. He got sick and couldn't participate in the qualifier. We just got lucky, that's all."
"Eh? Seriously?!"
Bokuto's eyes went wide with shock, and he totally believed it.
"So that's what happened…"
His entire posture drooped. His arms hung limp at his sides. He looked like a deflated owl.
"I really thought you guys beat Ushiwaka… and if I beat you, that would mean I'm stronger than him, right?"
"But now… even if I beat you… it doesn't mean anything…"
In an instant, Kotaro Bokuto looked like he'd lost the will to live. His soul seemed to leave his body, and even his usually fluffy hair drooped sadly.
Both teams stared blankly at the sight.
"…Is this guy actually an idiot?"
Then they glanced over at Akashi, who had just lied with a perfectly blank face.
"…This guy would even lie to a dumbass. That's cold."
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