The current score was 3:1, with Rinji's side in the lead.
This shocked the spectators, who had expected Rinji and Hayasaka to be completely crushed by Shirogane and Kaguya.
After all, Kaguya was a genius who had won awards in many fields, her volleyball skills were naturally far above average. Shirogane was the all-rounder student council president (at least in the eyes of ordinary students). During a previous volleyball class, he had shown quite good ability.
By contrast, Hayasaka was low-key to the point most students hardly knew her, while Rinji's fame came mostly from the incidents he caused and the striking impression of his cross-dressing. No one linked him with athletics.
But in reality, Rinji's performance during the sports festival had already been at a level difficult for a normal high schooler to reach.
Regardless of what the crowd thought, Kaguya and Shirogane on the court felt their lives were at risk.
To be blunt, they didn't dare to take Rinji's spikes. Whenever he prepared to attack, they only wanted to back away so they wouldn't get struck.
"President, I really think you should be the one to handle Rinji's serves."
"…"
Suddenly asked this by Kaguya, Shirogane fell silent.
He didn't want to, not at all. Taking one of those balls would probably leave him bedridden.
Being hospitalized because of volleyball would definitely be the biggest disgrace of his high school life.
But in that moment, he remembered his father's words from long ago.
---
"Miyuki, I know a man like me has no right to preach to you, but I want you to promise me one thing… When the friend you cherish or the woman you love is in trouble, no matter what, you must protect them."
"Dad…"
"That's the only request. Promise me."
---
'Shinomiya… is she scared?'
Of course she was. Rinji's spikes had already left the realm of sports and entered the realm of combat.
Even though he was suppressing his strength, even though it was just a volleyball, getting hit in the wrong spot could be fatal.
An arm struck could mean anything from bruising to a fracture. A head… would send someone straight to the hospital.
Looking at Kaguya's frightened eyes, Shirogane made a silent decision.
To her surprise, he stepped forward to the net, crouching slightly, intending to shield her from Rinji's spike.
'I'm Shinomiya's boyfriend. I have to stand in front of her!'
This time it was Hayasaka's serve.
After a very standard serve, Shirogane bumped the ball back across the net.
But the moment it crossed, Rinji leaped high, his cold gaze locking on them.
Kaguya instinctively stepped back, but Shirogane still braced himself to take the ball.
'I have to! I must show my courage before the woman I love!!'
Boom!!!!!!
The spike, like a cannon shell, roared down.
Shirogane, though resolved, still flinched in the end. He dodged, letting the ball slam into the floor and score a point.
'No… it's still too terrifying…' Shirogane trembled.
His father's old lesson felt utterly pointless in that moment.
The score now became 4:1, still Rinji's team's serve. According to the order, it was now Rinji's turn.
"Shinomiya, this time you take it."
"Eh!?"
Shirogane immediately retreated to the sideline, looking ready to bolt.
Kaguya, staring at Rinji's sharp presence, was nearly in tears.
'He wouldn't actually go all out on me, right? Our relationship isn't exactly close… No, he wouldn't, not with Hayasaka here. Wait, Hayasaka! Why don't you stop him when you're right there!?'
She frantically shot glances at Hayasaka, who clearly noticed.
This was her former charge, the lady she once served like family. But at this critical moment, Hayasaka simply turned her head away, pretending not to see.
'Hayasaka!!!!'
That path was closed.
In the face of danger, Kaguya's genius brain whirred at high speed.
With hundreds of students watching, she couldn't run without damaging her reputation. But if she played seriously, all she could do was dodge Rinji's spikes.
Even if she managed to receive one, the aftermath was the real problem.
But suddenly, inspiration struck.
'That's right… this is under beach volleyball rules… I remember beach volleyball…'
With that thought, she called for a timeout.
"What's wrong, Kaguya?"
Sitting in the referee's chair, Fujiwara tilted her head in confusion.
"This match is using beach volleyball rules, right?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Then can we switch the ball to a beach volleyball?"
Everyone knew that though indoor and beach volleyballs looked similar, they were different.
Beach volleyballs were slightly larger, but the main difference was pressure. Indoor balls had 4.3–4.5 psi, while beach volleyballs had only 2.5–3.2 psi.
That made beach volleyballs much softer. Even if Rinji spiked with all his might, he couldn't cause real harm.
"Hm… that does make sense." Fujiwara rubbed her chin.
'Yes!' Kaguya cheered inwardly. With a softer ball, they wouldn't have to fear Rinji's spikes and could even counterattack.
But then Fujiwara smiled.
"But let's not. If we followed beach volleyball rules to the letter, we'd have to spread sand in the gym too. Let's just keep playing with this ball~"
'Fujiwaraaaaa!!!!'