[A/N]-Starting from this chapter, the protagonist's name will be unified as Kaedehara Taichi for easier reading.

  [Miyagi Uy 15 vs 10 Aoba Johsa

  After a brief moment of silehe Aoba Johsai team erupted into cheers.

  "aichi, that was awesome!" Oikawa smacked Kaedehara Taichi on the back. While it was only one point, it broke the oppo's momentum and lifted the previously heavy atmosphere surrounding the team.

  Taichi stared at his hand, repying the split-seoment in his head. Adrenaline coursed through his veins. So exhirating… No, wait… so painful!

  "Let's show them what our serves do ." Oikawa slowly walked to the service line, exhaling lightly.

  "Better cover your head," Iwaizumi advised the still-dazed Kaedehara Taichi.

  Taichi, sensing the serious vibe, turo face the alongside his teammates, croug slightly and shielding the back of his head with his hands.

  Bang! The ball smmed straight into the opposite wall.

  Pfft. A home run—cssic Oikawa.

  [Miyagi Uy 16 vs 10 Aoba Johsa

  "Ah, sorry, my bad…"

  "You idiot, don't try that kind of serve when you're not warmed up!" Iwaizumi smacked Oikawa on the head.

  The oppo rotated servers, and with the ge, libero Watari Shinji finally mao ly receive a serve. After a quice from Oikawa, Taichi spriowards the a up for a spike.

  However, the opposing blockers reacted just as quickly, jumping to form an imperable wall in front of him.

  But the ball never came his way! Oikawa had only feinted a pass toward Taichi, deceiving the blockers, ahe ball to Iwaizumi on the opposite side instead.

  Bam!

  Iwaizumi spiked the ball, earning a point.

  [Miyagi Uy 16 vs 11 Aoba Johsa

  "Well done. Great bait!" Oikawa gave Taichi a thumbs-up.

  Taichi forced a grin iurn. If only he knew… I got tricked too!

  Aoba Johsai rotated servers. On the court were Oikawa, Iwaizumi, Hanamaki, Watari, Kindaichi, and Taichi.

  Kindaichi's onion-shaped hair was hard to miss. Taichi couldn't help but g it a few extra times. Maybe he styles it that way to look taller…?

  "What are you staring at?" Kindaichi caught Taichi's lingering gaze.

  "Ah, nothing!" Taichi quickly looked away. Was it that obvious?

  "Kindaichi, Taichi is just eager to see your moment to shine!" With oence, Oikawa had Kindaichi fired up.

  "Got it, Oikawa-senpai!"

  In the following rallies, it was clear Oikawa inteo give Kindaichi more ces to spike, though his attempts were repeatedly blocked.

  "Kindaichi, jump with more fidence," Oikawa enced, giving him a light push on the back.

  "Yes, Oikawa-senpai!"

  In the offensive py, Taioticed a distinct improvement in Kindaichi's jump—it wasn't just higher; Oikawa's toss was deliberately aimed at a higher trajectory. The subtle adjustment was enough to catch the blockers off guard. Kindaichi's spike sailed past the defence for a point.

  [Miyagi Uy 16 vs 12 Aoba Johsa

  Watg Oikawa's tosses up close was mesmerizing. A setter capable of drawing out his teammates' potential… I want to experiehat too!

  As the match progressed, Taichi began to adapt to the pace. He turo Oikawa with a determined look. "Oikawa-senpai, I want to spike!"

  Oikawa chuckled. This first-year… so fired up already.

  But it wasn't going to be that easy. Their oppos were a uy team, after all, and they quickly adjusted their strategy. Both sides exged points in a fierce rally, but Taichi's opportunity to spike didn't e.

  The score reached [Miyagi Uy 19 vs 15 Aoba Johsa.

  Damn it… I still haven't scored a single spike! If we lose another point, I'll probably get subbed out. I o e up with something! Taichi's mind raced.

  "Defense, defense!" Iwaizumi's voice cut through his thoughts as he received a spike with a dig, blending seamlessly into the attag formation. Multiple attackers charged the simultaneously, fusing the defenders.

  "Here it es!" Taichi felt a surge of excitement, gearing up for his ce. Out of the er of his eye, he saw the oppo's ace, Maeda, gearing up to block him. Taichi crouched slightly, preparing to jump.

  But just as he was about to leap, an instinctive hesitation kicked in. Instead of jumping immediately, he deyed by a split sed before taking off—a one-man time g. By the time he left the ground, Maeda was already desding.

  Oikawa's eyes glinted as he reized the py, perfectly adjusting his toss to match Taichi's timing.

  With no blockers in his way, Taichi spiked the ball effortlessly over Maeda's head, earning his first spike point.

  [Miyagi Uy 19 vs 16 Aoba Johsa

  "That kid…" Maeda gritted his teeth. Being outpyed by a rookie twice? As the ace, it was a bitter pill to swallow. He turo his setter. "Miyamura, set the ball to me!"

  Aoba Johsai rotated to serve.

  In the ensuing exges, Miyagi Uy secured an excellent first touch, and Miyamura set the ball high for Maeda at the . Spotting Taichi moving to block, Maeda smirked.

  "Bring it on, rookie!" Maeda jumped high, ready to dominate.

  Taichi and Hanamaki jumped to block as well, hands positioned high to limit Maeda's options. However, Maeda saening in their defend swung for it.

  Once again, Taichi's peculiar intuition kicked in. He could almost sense Maeda's target, and in mid-air, he adjusted his hand pt, intercepting the spike.

  Smack! The ball rebounded off Taichi's hand and dropped bato Miyagi Uy's court.

  A successful block!

  [Miyagi Uy 19 vs 17 Aoba Johsa

  "You little brat!" Maeda was visibly agitated.

  "Maeda, why are you getting so worked up over a first-year?" his coach shouted from the sidelines. "Focus on your oppo!"

  "Yes, sir." Maeda took a deep breath, calming himself.

  One lucky block could be dismissed, but two? And both highly teical? Aoba Johsai's team manager, Mizoguchi Sadayuki, excitedly approached Coach Irihata with a tactical board. "Coach, this kid is a gem—a total defensive prodigy. Taichi could elevate our team's defeo a whole new level!"

  Coach Irihata signalled for him to calm down, tapping on the roster in his hand. A few names were highlighted:

  Kindaichi Yutaro: Middle blocker, det strength and stamina.

  Kunimi Akira: Outside hitter, high game IQ, baats.

  And,

  Kaedehara Taichi: Middle blocker, fast, exceptional at blog.

  "This year might be our st ce," Coach Irihata murmured. "With the third-years still here, we have to make it to nationals."

  _________

  [T/N] - If you guys want to read 50 Chapters in advance of the current story, you support me on my Patreon. Trust me, it's awesome! [We are already at chapter 110]

  Link - (P)atreon./Iseebbsp;[Remove the brackets]