Shirabu was no longer at the age where those stares would make him awkward. Now, the ones suffering were the first-years.
Ryosuke was thin-skinned, so he naturally didn't dare wander around. He could only hide behind Ushijima again, quietly acting like a decoration. Yunohama also followed silently behind Ryosuke, pretending nothing was happening.
Only Tsutomu Goshiki seemed to have a completely different style from the rest of Shiratorizawa, no matter what situation he was in.
He marched proudly behind Reon with his head held high. Whenever he noticed someone looking at him, Tsutomu Goshiki would lift his chin and stare right back at them one by one. Reon only thought Tsutomu Goshiki was obediently following behind him. He had no idea the kid was using him as cover to throw his weight around.
Everyone noticed Tsutomu Goshiki. He looked so much like an Ace that they stole several glances at him, then went back to report to their teammates that Shiratorizawa had another incredible first-year.
Kawanishi and Tendo watched Tsutomu Goshiki from behind the whole way and were already laughing hard. They found his little act pretty entertaining.
"You know, Tsutomu Goshiki walking behind Reon with his bag really does give him the vibe of an Ace," Tendo whispered to Kawanishi.
Kawanishi gave Tendo a look that said, I was thinking the same thing, then said,
"Right? Just like how Ushijima used to follow behind Reon every time before going on court."
The two exchanged a knowing look, their eyes full of amusement. Watching Tsutomu Goshiki's back felt like seeing Ushijima from back then.
People watched Shiratorizawa the whole way until the group entered the waiting area and the staff closed the doors behind them. Only then did those gazes finally disappear.
Tsutomu Goshiki glanced back at the doors, feeling a little disappointed. He still wanted everyone to keep looking at him for a while longer.
Reon ruffled Tsutomu Goshiki's hair.
"Once you're on court, even more eyes will be on you."
Tsutomu Goshiki looked up in surprise, as if he wanted to ask how Reon knew what he was thinking.
Reon lifted his head, nostalgia filling his eyes.
"Because when I used to follow behind the captain, I thought the same thing."
Then Reon laughed, leaving Tsutomu Goshiki completely confused. After that, Reon looked at Tsutomu Goshiki seriously and said,
"Tsutomu Goshiki, you're getting on court today."
When Tsutomu Goshiki heard that, he broke into a wide grin, looking incredibly happy.
There was still half an hour before they were supposed to warm up on court, but everyone had already started warming up in the waiting area. After all, the official fifteen-minute warm-up was nowhere near enough. Fifteen minutes was barely enough to warm up halfway.
While everyone was warming up, Coach Washijō walked in holding a small slip of paper. The moment he entered, everyone noticed. They quickly stopped what they were doing and ran over to line up properly in front of him.
Everyone stared at Coach Washijō, or more accurately, at the small slip of paper in his hand.
Tsutomu Goshiki especially looked like his gaze was about to burn a hole through Coach Washijō's hand.
Coach Washijō glanced lightly at Tsutomu Goshiki, then looked back at Ushijima, who was standing at the very front.
He cleared his throat, took out the slip of paper, and began speaking.
"For today's match against Kaichi Academy, the players going on court are Ushijima, Tendo, Ryosuke, Yamagata, Eita Semi... and Tsutomu Goshiki."
Coach Washijō was being deliberately mean. He knew Tsutomu Goshiki was looking forward to getting on court, so he purposely saved his name for last. Watching Tsutomu Goshiki go from disappointed to wide-eyed with surprise, Coach Washijō found it rather amusing.
No wonder Yamagata and the others always liked teasing the first-years. As expected, kids really were lively.
The other person who froze was Eita Semi. When he heard his name, his originally lazy posture against the wall instantly straightened.
He looked at Coach Washijō in disbelief, then turned back to glance at Shirabu. His expression was like that of a mischievous kid who had suddenly been praised by a parent, surprised and excited all at once.
Shirabu curled his lip. Although he and Eita Semi usually didn't get along, and he often found Eita Semi annoying, in Shiratorizawa, he was actually the one who looked forward to Eita Semi getting on court the most. Eita Semi's flexible and varied style was something Shirabu would never be able to learn in his entire life.
In the past, Shirabu had disliked Eita Semi because whenever Eita Semi went on court, Shirabu felt that his own playing style looked especially clumsy and rigid. Shirabu had been young and competitive, so it was inevitable that he wanted to measure himself against Eita Semi. But over the past two years, Shirabu's view of Eita Semi had long since changed. He also hoped that one day, Eita Semi would no longer be restricted by his playing style.
Coach Washijō nodded at Eita Semi as well.
Eita Semi was a little too excited. His fingers were trembling, and he kept rubbing them against the seam of his pants. So Coach Washijō hadn't been lying before. That one sentence had been true.
"I'll try to give each of you a chance to play."
Eita Semi could hardly believe what he had heard. He could get on court. And in a national tournament, no less.
He pinched his own thigh, and a sharp pain came from the flesh.
Eita Semi sucked in a breath. That hurt. So it really wasn't a lie. After realizing that, Eita Semi stood there grinning foolishly for a long time.
Shirabu rolled his eyes again and again as he watched. How impressive.
After today's match ended, everyone would see Eita Semi.
Coach Washijō looked at Eita Semi and said nothing more.
It was only in the past two years that Coach Washijō had belatedly realized he had paid too little attention to Eita Semi. He had always kept his focus on Ushijima, believing that a Setter with Eita Semi's independence really wasn't suited to Ushijima. Because of that, he had never focused on developing him, leaving Eita Semi on the bench for two years...
He hoped Eita Semi could seize this opportunity. This could be considered a small bit of compensation from Coach Washijō.
"Players from both teams, please enter the court. The match is about to begin. The match is about to begin. Players from both teams, please enter the court..."
The announcement calling the players to enter sounded over the broadcast, interrupting Coach Washijō's thoughts.
Everyone who was still warming up looked toward the speakers together, then put down what they were doing almost at the same time.
Ushijima rolled his shoulders and said to everyone,
"Let's go. It's time to get on court. Finish it quickly."
Ushijima didn't know how to give inspiring speeches. He thought that sort of thing was far too embarrassing. But when he said it like this, it sounded extremely dramatic.
"Whoa! Let's go!"
Sure enough, the moment Tsutomu Goshiki heard Ushijima say "finish it quickly," he got excited. He waved his fists and shouted.
The way he looked, he didn't seem like someone going to play a match. He looked more like he was going to start a fight.
Reon looked at Tsutomu Goshiki helplessly. If this kid was already this excited now, wouldn't he explode the moment he got on court?
Coach Washijō stood to the side and watched without stopping him. Only after Tsutomu Goshiki calmed down did he speak.
"Let's go."
If he wanted to go wild, he could do it here. Once they were on court, if Tsutomu Goshiki dared to lose control, Coach Washijō would make him do an extra month of training.
Coach Washijō had already arranged Tsutomu Goshiki's life for the next month in his mind.
Everyone straightened their uniforms and followed Coach Washijō out onto the court.
Once again, there were lights, spectators, applause, and cheers.
The third-years remained calm and composed. Ryosuke kept his face expressionless, doing his best to act like a mature adult. Tsutomu Goshiki followed behind Reon, looking unbearably proud.
Eita Semi was dazed for a moment too. How long had it been since he had played in a packed match like this? Everything felt like a dream.
"Eita Semi!"
The distracted Eita Semi was suddenly called back by that shout. He looked toward the voice and saw Shirabu standing there, his face flushed red.
Eita Semi immediately panicked. No way. Shirabu wasn't about to start arguing with him at a time like this, was he?
Under Eita Semi's uncertain gaze, Shirabu raised his voice and shouted,
"Have a good match!"
Then Shirabu seemed to feel that the line wasn't specific enough, so he added,
"Eita Semi, have a good match!"
Eita Semi froze for a second. That was rare. The little chili pepper could actually say something like that. Then he broke into an incredibly happy grin, waved hard at Shirabu, gestured to the wrist guard on his hand, and walked onto the court without looking back.
Shirabu stayed where he was. He had seen the wrist guard on Eita Semi's wrist. It was the one he had given him.
Last year, for Eita Semi's birthday, Shirabu had given him a wrist guard. At the time, he had said it was only because he had bought too many and had no use for it, otherwise he wouldn't have bothered giving it to him. But in truth, Shirabu had spent a long time carefully picking it out. Shirabu remembered that Eita Semi had worn the same kind of smile back then too, bright and full of spirit.
Beside him, Coach Washijō raised an eyebrow in surprise as he looked at Shirabu. What was going on? Weren't those two always at odds? Since when were they this close?
Shirabu felt completely flustered under Coach Washijō's stare, then left the edge of the court awkwardly, moving like his arms and legs no longer belonged to him. Shirabu guessed that his face must be terribly red right now.
If anyone in Shiratorizawa understood Eita Semi best, it was definitely Shirabu. Those two understood each other better than anyone. Shirabu understood Eita Semi. He knew what it felt like to be unable to get on court. Back in middle school, Shirabu had also spent two years sitting on the bench.
Even though they argued every day, Shirabu still hoped Eita Semi could stand on the court with everyone else. Usually, Eita Semi always felt as if there were a layer separating him from the rest of the team. Standing together with everyone, he looked like he fit in, but Shirabu always felt that something was off.
He hoped today's match would let Eita Semi truly blend in with everyone.
At the referee's signal, both teams went onto the court to warm up.
As Tsutomu Goshiki warmed up, he kept looking at his opponents in this match, turning back again and again until he was practically about to twist his neck off.
Reon watched from the bench and laughed. This brat had no composure at all.
Tendo walked over and smacked Tsutomu Goshiki on the back of the head.
"Little Tsutomu Goshiki, don't stare at them like that. People will think you're provoking them."
Tsutomu Goshiki shrank his neck in fright, then obediently went back to warming up.
Across the court, Kaichi Academy was also secretly sizing up Shiratorizawa.
They had watched Shiratorizawa's match against Mujinazaka yesterday. They had realized that a seeded team really was a seeded team. Every single player was absurdly strong.
Their attention was starting to wander.
Their captain, Sho Furutani, immediately noticed that something was off with his teammates. Following their gazes, he realized they were all staring at Shiratorizawa. Someone on Shiratorizawa's side had already noticed too. Sho Furutani clenched his fist. These damn kids. Staring at other people like that would be taken as provocation.
That line sounded strangely familiar.
Furutani gave each of them a flick to the forehead, finally pulling their attention back to warm-ups.
"Beep--------"
"Welcome, everyone, to the quarterfinals of the National High School Boys' Volleyball League. It is now nine in the morning, and the match is officially beginning. The two teams are Kaichi Academy from Kanagawa and the seeded team Shiratorizawa from Miyagi. Let's see which side will take the victory in this match!"
"The match officially begins!"
As the commentator's voice fell, the two teams bowed to each other across the net.
"Please take care of us!"
"Please take care of us!"
After bowing, both teams adjusted their positions. As usual, Shiratorizawa had not won the pre-match draw for first serve.
Faced with this situation, everyone could only say they were used to it. At this point, it didn't matter which side served. None of it posed a threat to them. With Yamagata there, serving at them was basically asking to die.
Kaichi Academy's first server was the 1.9-meter Middle Blocker Ryota Arai, the one Ryosuke had mentioned. They didn't know exactly how strong this Ryota Arai was, but anyone Ryosuke remembered was definitely not simple.
"Beep-------"
The whistle for the serve blew. Ryota Arai tossed the volleyball up with an extremely serious expression.
Then he took a few steps, jumped, and struck the ball.
"Bang!"
His arm lashed against the volleyball like a whip. In an instant, the volleyball seemed to gain extra weight as it flew rapidly toward Shiratorizawa's court.
"Interesting." Yamagata raised an eyebrow.
Then he moved his feet and found the best receiving point.
"Bang!" Yamagata extended his arms and received the ball. There was nothing flashy about this serve. It was simply a powerful jump serve, a very forceful one.
But for Yamagata, receiving this kind of ball was as easy as eating and drinking. Naturally, it wasn't difficult for him.
The volleyball fell with tremendous force, like a reckless little brat, but once it reached Yamagata's hands, he used an extremely gentle motion to strip away its power.
Reon watched from off the court. No matter how many times he saw Yamagata receive, he would still marvel at it. It really was amazing. How could such soft movements carry that much strength?
It was like watching someone absorb a heavy blow instead of meeting it head-on. The force didn't disappear. It was redirected and softened until it became something he could control.
In the past, Reon had never quite understood how a receive could look so gentle and still be so strong. But after watching Yamagata receive so many times, he felt like he finally understood.
The force of the volleyball was neutralized, turning into a perfect first touch as it flew toward Eita Semi.
Ryota Arai saw his serve get received, but he wasn't disappointed. After all, he hadn't really expected to score on the very first ball. If he were actually that strong, he would have led his school all the way to the finals already.
"That serve was kind of interesting," Haruki Komi, who had come to watch the match, muttered quietly.
Keiji Akaashi looked at Haruki Komi, a little puzzled. No matter how he looked at it, that serve was just an ordinary jump serve.
Noticing Keiji Akaashi looking at him, Haruki Komi tilted his head and asked,
"You think so too?"
Keiji Akaashi shook his head, speechless. "I don't get it. That was clearly just an ordinary powerful jump serve."
Haruki Komi was just about to explain it to Keiji Akaashi when Bokuto suddenly stood up noisily.
"I know! His arms are really long!"
Haruki Komi choked on the explanation he had been about to give. Bokuto had actually gotten it right?
"Mm... It's basically what Bokuto said. His wingspan is very long, so when he serves, the point where force is applied to the ball is different. This powerful jump serve looks very ordinary, but it's extremely pure. There's nothing flashy about it. If the person standing in that position had been anyone other than Yamagata, they really wouldn't have been able to receive that ball."
"But... it really was ordinary."
Keiji Akaashi was still having trouble wrapping his head around it.
...
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