Chapter 29: Intimidation
Could Goshiki Tsutomu, still somewhat caught up in his own inflated confidence, really lead the team forward in the same way senior Ushijima Wakatoshi did?
Yura Shota found himself silently doubting it.
But Goshiki paid no mind to what others thought. He was busily practicing his spikes, running through the motions in his head, thinking, "That spike was so cool!"
On the opposite side, Yukigaoka's players observed the rival's attack drills with thoughtful expressions.
"If this was a few months ago, seeing spikes like that would have been terrifying. It hardly looks like something middle schoolers could pull off," Hoshino Masaru commented seriously, reflecting on how much their own team had changed over time.
Hinata Shoyo, never missing a chance to contribute, chimed in, "I don't know why Hoshino thought that before, but it sounds like the underlying message is that their captain's spikes aren't all that impressive. I think so too!"
Hoshino scrambled to cover Hinata's mouth sharply.
"Dummy! Quiet, or they'll hear us!"
The two quickly turned to look at the players on the other side of the net. Thankfully, there was enough distance and no one seemed to catch the last exchange.
Meanwhile, Goshiki Tsutomu felt something strange, as if someone had just silently sized him up and dismissed him. He sneezed abruptly.
"Achoo!"
"Bless you."
Yura hurriedly grabbed a tissue pack from the bench and handed some over.
"Goshiki-senpai, don't catch a cold! Did you wear too little during the nap? We're only at round three of the tournament."
"No, it's nothing. My nose just itched, that's all. I was covered with a blanket during the break; it's not like I'll get sick so easily."
Reassured by Goshiki's reply, Yura exhaled quietly in relief.
At that moment, he realized despite his reservations about Goshiki's skill not reaching Ushijima's level, the team's upcoming matches would be difficult without Goshiki fully ready.
He silently prayed for Goshiki to remain healthy and strong until game time.
"Phew~" "Phew~"
Hinata and Hoshino both pressed their hands against their chests and sighed in unison.
"Thank goodness they didn't hear that."
"I'm not sure if it's because Guren and Yudai are hitting more spikes during our practice matches, or if it's from those intense powerful jump serve drills, but I'm starting to get the hang of receiving that hitter's shots when the ball paths are limited," Hoshino said thoughtfully.
"Yeah! I feel the same way. I probably still can't receive everything, but his ball speed is not super fast. Sometimes, I can even predict where it's headed."
Just then, a spike shot straight toward the duo.
Though Ichise Guren was warming up seriously nearby, he had an eagle-like awareness, spotting the somewhat obvious intent behind the spike immediately.
Goshiki's gaze locked fully on Yukigaoka's libero, Hoshino Masaru.
An intimidation move? But I'm worried you might slip up yourself.
Sensing a challenge in the air, Hoshino didn't dodge. Instead, he firmly pushed Hinata aside and said,
"I got this!"
Knees bent slightly, weight shifted low, palms together, forearms flipped out.
With textbook precision, Hoshino successfully absorbed the spike using a practiced arm-dampening technique.
The ball soared up—not too far but perfectly placed—with a height slightly higher than usual.
This was precisely the kind of reception Yukigaoka's two main offensive weapons preferred.
Mori, Yukigaoka's setter who had caught the unfolding play, quickly moved into position.
Analyzing the formation, his hands steadied the ball, and with a back-quick set, he sent the volley to the far side of the net.
The ball hovered at an optimal distance and height for an incoming attack.
"Here it comes!"
Hyakuzawa Yudai's large frame approached with heavy but powerful steps.
Following a carefully coached jump stance by Ichise Guren, Yudai exploded into the air.
Swinging his arm heavily, his palm met the ball with explosive force, creating a miniature shockwave that scattered every speck of dust on the ball's surface.
The volleyball compressed noticeably under the impact and immediately propelled forward with immense kinetic energy.
It was like the muzzle blast of a Barrett anti-materiel rifle, ejecting a high-impact blast shell toward the opposing troops.
Bang!
Bang!
Two extremely short but loud cracks sounded almost simultaneously, ringing painfully in everyone's ears.
The closest victim was Goshiki Tsutomu, standing next to the net, who barely managed to dodge as the ball brushed past his left foot.
His expression blanked out in confusion.
What just flew by?
Is Yura trying to talk to me?
Why can't I hear him?
A sudden ringing overwhelmed Goshiki's ears for a few seconds before his hearing returned to normal.
"You alright, Goshiki-senpai?!"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Just got a bit of ear ringing from that."
"What?!"
Goshiki's calm answer startled Yura.
Fortunately, the ball hadn't actually hit Goshiki—only grazed his foot—and his ear ringing was probably just from fatigue rather than an injury.
Yet, while watching the ball streak by, Goshiki's only thought was,
That was one fierce spike.
Looking up, Hyakuzawa scratched the back of his head with a sheepish grin.
"Sorry, sorry. Maybe I went a bit too hard."
Goshiki's lips twitched in an almost forced smile that seemed to say, I'm okay.
Behind Hyakuzawa, two players were stifling laughter.
Mori and Hoshino hid behind Hyakuzawa's broad back, one hand on their stomachs, the other over their mouths, giggling quietly.
"Hyakuzawa looks so innocent, but turns out he's kind of a troublemaker?"
"Hahaha, shh! He's not innocent—he's just shy about it."
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