Chapter 42: More and More Like a Big Boss
Prefectural Civic Gymnasium, men's volleyball finals venue.
"In any case, the opposing team's number 1 captain and number 7 focus mainly on straight shots, rarely cross-court spikes. But this doesn't mean they can't do them—in their match against Hakusui Academy, though the process was grueling, they weren't completely shut down by the opposing blocks."
"It was more that their power was reduced after being touched once, allowing the ground defense to dig them up. In situations like that, hitting their favorite straight shots is normal. So our defensive focus should be on their straight shots, but we must also try to touch their cross-court spikes!"
"Their number 9 middle blocker combines straight and cross-court attacks—be very careful! Facing Yudai and me, they'll likely use soft blocking to reduce our height advantage, so we might need to play quick attacks this match. I'm counting on you for the sets, Mori!"
"That's all! Got it?!"
"Roger!" x2
"Roger~~~" x4
The Yukigaoka members stood in a row, seriously listening to Ichise Guren's briefing. But when responding to his question, starting with Hinata Shoyo behind Hoshino Masaru, the four of them answered with trembling voices trailing off soulfully.
Hyakuzawa Yudai and Hoshino Masaru turned around, looking at their four teammates with bewildered expressions.
Some clutching their stomachs, others with throats so tight they were about to vomit while holding garbage bags as precaution, and one using his trembling right hand to write characters on his shaking left hand before swallowing them.
"You guys okay?"
Returning to reality, Hyakuzawa Yudai was characteristically concise, expressing his concern for his teammates in just three short words.
"Don't worry about them. They're obviously nervous—I'll just punch each of them once and they'll be fine."
Since getting familiar with the team members, Hoshino Masaru's personality had changed from his initial low presence and shyness to becoming a mischievous kid who used his low presence for pranks.
His true nature was just like the couch in the volleyball club activity center—really naughty.
Taking advantage of the four being out of it with no energy to pay attention to their surroundings, Hoshino Masaru executed a beautiful stealth approach, sneaking up beside them.
"Hmph, hey, ha, xi!"
A precise and smooth combo of liver punches, back-of-the-head chops, and a couple of thousand-years-of-death pokes.
He completely knocked the pressure out of the four, and now they sat safely and securely on the bench, holding hands harmoniously and lovingly.
"They just needed some discipline."
Hoshino Masaru made his punchable comment with a gentle smile.
"Well, can't really blame them. It is the prefectural finals after all, and people are paying attention. Miyagi Prefecture TV sent camera crews, and Volleyball Monthly sent several reporters too."
"Being nervous facing filming equipment for the first time is totally normal~"
Ichise Guren patted Hoshino Masaru's shoulder, telling him to stay calm.
"Hey! You guys, have you mastered the moves I taught you a few days ago!"
The three first-years and Hinata Shoyo turned around in unison, looking at Ichise Guren with nervous yet slightly expectant and excited expressions.
"Is it time?! Alright! All those nights of serious practice at home weren't wasted."
Hinata Shoyo was already raring to go, completely dispelling his previous state of helplessness.
Kawashima and Suzuki exchanged glances with expressions that seemed to say [We can do this~ ].
Only Mori and Hoshino Masaru had slightly awkward expressions.
"Um... I actually don't have to do it..."
"Captain, I agree with what Mori said."
"Proposal denied."
Ichise Guren exercised his captain's autocratic power with a mischievous smile, clearly planning to stir up trouble.
Hyakuzawa Yudai was much more natural about it—after all, these were moves he'd been doing since childhood. Nothing to be embarrassed about, it had almost become muscle memory.
The first to perform was Hyakuzawa Yudai, who had been doing this since childhood. He faced off with Ichise Guren, starting with a regular handshake, immediately switching to a reverse grip, bumping shoulders, releasing, bumping shoulders again and releasing, patting dust off each other's shoulders, then finishing with interlocked elbow bumps.
This flashy move quickly attracted the attention of the prefectural TV and Volleyball Monthly reporters, who all turned their cameras to record this rare handshake ritual on the volleyball court.
Two kids in the stands who were too short and could only watch the match through the railings quickly noticed this scene.
"What's that? It looks so exaggerated, but also really interesting."
"That's a handshake! Also called a greeting ritual. I heard it originated as a street-style handshake, but it's been really popular in basketball lately. I didn't expect volleyball to have such cool ceremonies too!"
The second to perform this Yukigaoka handshake ritual was Hinata Shoyo, who had just been full of anticipation but instantly returned to his helpless state once the reporters surrounded them with their cameras.
Fortunately, the training from the past few days allowed him to complete this up-down-left-right-A-A-B-B handshake ritual even in his vacant-eyed, numb state.
The remaining four were in similar states, though Suzuki and Kawashima showed excitement mixed with nervousness, while Mori showed nervousness mixed with embarrassment.
The final performer, Hoshino Masaru, showed embarrassment mixed with disdain.
You could tell that Hoshino Masaru really didn't like this move—it was somewhat embarrassing for him.
He and Mori were different from the other two first-years. Though their detailed emotions differed, both were red-faced and mechanically completed the action.
After everyone finished, Ichise Guren wore a [successful prank] expression, but with his refined features, it gave off a roguishly handsome vibe.
Just after they all completed this ritual, the surrounding reporters gradually walked away, and Yukigaoka instantly went from being the center of attention to being ignored (from the players' psychological perspective).
This huge contrast immediately helped the four who had been nervous start to relax. After experiencing hell-level observation, now with only beginner-level scattered spectators watching them, the previously tense foursome all breathed sighs of relief, feeling less nervous than at the opening.
Noticing this, Hoshino Masaru was slightly stunned, then looked at his captain again.
'Calculating to this extent—are you really just a middle school student, Captain Guren?'
'Using the disappearance of high-intensity nervousness to weaken opening nervousness—incredible. A literary and martial arts ace? You're becoming more and more like a big boss from an anime. Heroes aren't supposed to be this smart.'
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