Chapter 22
"Players are not soloists, but members of the entire symphony orchestra. If even one person thinks 'I am special', the team is not far from failure."
- Bernardinho, Brazil Men's Volleyball Coach
'If it were me, I could definitely spike that set and score!'
'Why?! Why can't you do it?!!'
Kageyama Tobio's thoughts were unknown to Kindaichi. But Kindaichi could no longer tolerate this self-centered setting. The previous argument had not resolved the problem. Their brief moments of cooperation were just mutual compromise for the sake of victory.
Seeing no way to achieve the preconditions for victory, the conflict between the two was about to erupt again.
On the other side of the net, Ichise Guren softly said "Nice shot" and high-fived his teammate, then continued to support his knees.
But his eyes were constantly monitoring the situation on the opposing side.
'The chasm between genius and talent cannot be crossed just through communication.'
'Just as Michael Jordan could not serve as a basketball coach.'
'These types of people cannot understand why others can't do it, they just think the teammates aren't trying hard enough.'
'Because the effort and talent they've put in together far surpasses their teammates' level.'
Soon, the classic scene from the original story, which had tormented the still middle school-aged Kageyama Tobio, materialized.
The setter's toss, with no one going to spike it.
The volleyball prodigy, fully invested in the sport, faced an even more severe situation on the court than the isolation of school bullying.
The isolation from his teammates.
This match between a national candidate and a team making their debut was not as thrilling or brutal as imagined. Only the opening of the first set had that feeling of a tactical battle.
The remaining matches, Yukigaoka relied on their role players doing their jobs, leaving the rest to the ace's strategic planning, thoroughly crushing Kitagawa Daiichi.
And in the final moments, Kitagawa Daiichi's physical advantage and Kuguri's explosion could only narrow the score gap a bit.
Ichise Guren's late-game scoring spree directly killed the match.
It eliminated this seed team aiming for the national tournament in the first round.
Thus, Yukigaoka successfully defeated Kitagawa Daiichi 2-0 and advanced cleanly to the second round.
After the match, as the Yukigaoka players celebrated their first victory and prepared to board the bus back to their school, on the steps of the Miyagi Prefectural Gymnasium...
The long-awaiting Kageyama Tobio stepped forward, and the just-energetically-running-around Hinata Shoyo was startled again.
Scared by this person who had previously wanted to beat up his teammate on the court.
Hinata bolted and quickly hid behind the towering Hyakuzawa Yudai, then poked his small head out, waving his fists and shouting.
"You! What do you want?! See, our ace is a giant! He's not afraid of you!"
Ichise Guren stopped Hinata's shouting, walking towards Kageyama Tobio.
Stopping about three steps away from Kageyama, he asked, "What's the matter? What brings you here?"
Facing the Yukigaoka player with a victor's bearing, Kageyama Tobio opened his mouth, trying to say something.
But he ultimately closed his mouth again, staring at the Yukigaoka teammates for a while, as if trying to imprint their faces one by one in his mind.
Then, with a slight bow towards them, he lightly grasped his sling bag and quickly walked away.
"Huh? What's that guy coming here for? To provoke us?"
Hinata jumped out from behind Hyakuzawa, pointing arrogantly at Kageyama's retreating back and ranting.
"If you've got the guts, come back! I'll teach you a lesson, you arrogant jerk."
Then he quickly changed the topic, asking Ichise Guren.
"Ichise! Who's our opponent tomorrow? I can't wait!"
Before Ichise Guren could respond, the mischievous Hoshino Masaru interrupted their conversation.
"Hinata, as you wished, that guy came back, go teach him a lesson!"
"Huh?"
Hinata was startled into a geisha pose, his body seemingly unable to move below the neck. But the huge fear behind him made him twist his neck.
Bit by bit, he looked back.
Knowing he would see nothing, Kageyama Tobio had long since walked away.
Hinata then turned to attack Hoshino Masaru.
"Damn it! You disappearing seventh member! Take my Destructo Disc!"
"Haha, watch this, Kamehameha!"
The fleeing Hoshino Masaru suddenly turned back, striking an anime attack pose. The overly enthusiastic Hinata, unable to brake in time, ended up landing flat on his butt.
"Pathetic, power level of only 5."
Hoshino Masaru delivered a devastating insult to the sitting Hinata.
"Ah, senpai, don't play around here."
Mori came forward to mediate, only to get a headlock and butt pat from Hinata.
In an instant, a joyful atmosphere filled the entire team.
*****
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