As Kaedehara Taichi returo the front row, the offerategies led by Oikawa Tōru became even more uable. The match quickly lost its suspense.
A sudden sg spree from Aoba Johsai felt like a statement: the ned-neck struggle from earlier was nothing but an illusion.
Just like in the first set, Aoba Johsai secured victory with ease.
[Aoba Johsai 25 - 20 Karasuno]
The match was over. The winner: Aoba Johsai.
Hinata Shōyō seemed uo shake himself free from the aftermath of the game. He stood rooted to the spot, watg the Aoba Johsai pyers already huddled together in celebration.
'I want to py again—'
Even for Hinata Shōyō, these words failed to leave his mouth. Unlike practice matches, losing in an official elimination rou the end of the line.
"Let's go." Kageyama Tobio walked past Hinata without a hint of emotion in his voice.
Hinata pressed his lips tightly together as his vision began to blur.
"Hinata, Kageyama, time to line up." The steady voice of Sawamura Daichi came from behind.
Hinata turned around, his voice trembling. "Captain….I'm sorry..."
"We didn't make any mistakes." Sawamura Daichi looked firmly at Hinata. "If it wasn't a mistake, then there's o apologize."
"We simply weren't good enough. We'll work harder, get stronger, and wiime!"
Sawamura Daichi had experienced enough losses to know what mattered most at this moment.
"Line up!"
"Thank you for the match!"
"That was an excellent game," Ukai Keishin said, addressing the team. "Seeing y out hings to boost your offensive power in those crucial moments—it was encing."
As a coach, Ukai Keishihat hearing 'excellent game' after a loss could sting, but Karasuno couldn't falter here. There was still Spring Nationals. And there would always be a year...
"I...I just..." Karasuno's pyers still had so much left unsaid.
"Hurry up and pack your things. The eams o warm up." Ukai cut them off, his tone firm. "You do your cooldown stretches outside. Don't hold up the schedule for the others."
There wasn't even time to dwell on their regrets. Silently, Karasuno's pyers began pag up their bags.
The only ones who get to stay on the court are the winners.
[Ding! The side mission 'Make a Name for Yourself' has been pleted]
[Mission 1: 'Defeat Karasuno' pleted. Reward: Stamina +3.][Mission 2: 'Bee the top scorer of the match' pleted. The host scored a total of 18 points in the game. Reward: Jump +3.]
"You're not going to say anything to chibi-?" Oikawa Tōru asked, gng at Kaedehara Taichi.
"Now's not the right time. Besides, I already made my point before the match," Taichi replied, his eyes briefly lingering on the dejected figure of Hinata Shōyō before looking away. "All I want is to win the match as quickly as possible."
Standing behind Oikawa, Iwaizumi Hajime chimed in, "I'm more surprised you didn't go out of your way to mess with Kageyama."
Oikaed his hands behind his head and replied casually, "There's no obio- knows just how badly he lost. I look forward to him ing back with stronger ons to challenge us again."
"Oh?" Iwaizumi raised an eyebrow, surprised. For ohis guy actually sounded a little like a senior.
"Not that it'll matter—we'll still win!" Oikawa's trademark mischievous griuro his face.
--------
Senseki High School, a top-eight team from st year's preliminaries, was seeded in Group B for this year's IH (Interhigh) qualifiers.
From their roster, apart from a 192cm ace hitter, there wasn't anyone particurly hy.
The scouti highlighted their straightforystyle and limited adaptability. While not weak, their tactical ceiling was gringly obvious.
The Aoba Johsai pyers had initially po watch Senseki's match. However, by the time they finished pag their things, the Group B matches had already cluded.
Senseki High had secured their spot in the quarterfinals with a two-set sweep.
Though it felt somewhat impolite to think so, Kaedehara Taichi couldn't help but sider Senseki High School as a 'lucky draw.'
If Karasuno or Date Tech had been pced in Group B, their ces of reag the quarterfinals would've been signifitly slimmer.
With o head to the Group B venue, Coach Irihata Nobuteru decided to take his team out to eat and recharge. They had roughly two hours to rest before their match, which would begin at 1:30 PM.
"Kindaichi will repce Kunimi iarting lineup for the afternoon match to bolster our blog height," Coach Irihata announced.
Kindaichi eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected to get his ce to py this soo alone as a starter!
Still, he'd been preparing for this moment. He g Kunimi Akira, who didn't look the least bit dejected about moving to the bench. Instead, Kunimi's expression was one of quiet encement.
"Yes, sir!" Kindaichi responded loudly.
"Not so loud, we're in a public space."
"Yes, sir," he repeated, quieter this time.
"…"
-------
After a brief opening, the match began in ear. There was little room for pleasantries as both teams immediately entered petitive mode.
Kaedehara Taichi showcased his versatility during the game. His already extensive arsenal of skills, bined with Oikawa Tooru's precise setting, made for an unstoppable duo.
With two 'tricksters' w in perfect harmony, Aoba Johsai's offence overwhelmed Senseki High School, leaving their defen plete disarray.
The match progressed smoothly, with no surprises regarding Senseki's capabilities.
Taichi took advantage of the situation to hone his jump float serves and back-row attacks. Although Senseki High School began to cat to his iions, they were powerless to ter them.
Sihe practice match against Shiratorizawa, Kindaichi had focused heavily on improving his blog.
Date Tech's blog strategies had given him fresh ideas to incorporate. Height, timing, and jump power—Kindaichi poured all his tration into the , effectively shutting down Senseki High's ace hitter on multiple occasions.
Coach Irihata nodded approvingly. Aoba Johsai treated every match with respect, but their ultimate oppo was always Shiratorizawa.
To defeat Shiratorizawa, Aoba Johsai would out every on, every strategy, and every ounce of strength they possessed.
[Aoba Johsai 25 - 18 Sensek[Aoba Johsai 25 - 16 Sensek
Once again, Aoba Johsai dispatched their oppos with a quick 2-0 victory. With the sed day of the IH preliminaries cluded, the four semifinalists from Miyagi Prefecture were determined:
From the East: Aoba Johsai and Johzenji.
From the West: Wakuntani Minami and Shiratorizawa.
For the post-matterview, Kaedehara Taichi stayed behind.
As the top scorer of the day across Groups A and B—and only a first-year—Taichi had already left a strong impression. The image of the dark-haired pyer was now firmly etched in everyone's minds.
After a few routine questions, a female reporter asked Taichi for his thoughts on tomorrow's first-round oppo.
"I'm already thinking about who we'll fa the finals," he replied fidently.
Sant? The female reporter raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Was it today's performahat fueled his self-assurance, or was it the audacity of youth? Either way, this interview was being iing.
"Do you mean Shiratorizawa? Are you fident you beat them? From what I know, Aoba Johsai has lost to Shiratorizawa for two secutive years."
"Of course, we're fident. Oeam has to win—why not us?"
_________
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