[Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, Court D]

Twenty minutes remained before the match would begin.

Compared to the Sendai City Gymnasium—the venue for the Miyagi Prefecture Finals, which occasionally hosted international-level matches—the Tokyo Gymnasium was on an entirely different scale.

The sheer size of the arena was overwhelming, especially for a first-time visitor. It would take some time to adjust to the sense of distance, and the players needed to mentally prepare.

Warm-up sessions were crucial for acclimating to the new environment.

"Taichi, we probably shouldn't rely on that ultra-quick attack for now," Oikawa Tōru remarked with a serious expression. The venue's impact on his game was greater than he had anticipated. The height and precision of his sets would require recalibration using new visual reference points.

"Yeah, let's stick to high sets for now," Kaedehara Taichi agreed. He, too, felt the difference. His usual tactic of spiking off blockers' fingertips for out-of-bounds points now required sharper angles.

To make things worse, Aoba Johsai's first opponent was none other than Nohebi Academy, a team hailing from Tokyo.

Taichi couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed. Shouldn't the tournament start off with a less challenging opponent to ease them in?

Instead, they were up against this cunning, snake-like team known for its devious playing style. Was this a recipe for disaster?

Nohebi Academy Player Stats:

[Suguru Daishō, Captain and Wing Spiker. Overall rating: 84. Height: 178.6 cm. Strength: 75, Jump: 90, Stamina: 82, Speed: 82. Technique: Recieve: 88, Spike: 90.]

Taichi recalled that Suguru was one of those 'normies' with a hot girlfriend—a solid player but not particularly exceptional for a national-level captain.

[Isumi Sakishima, Setter. Overall rating: 85. Height: 174.3 cm. Strength: 82, Jump: 82, Stamina: 88, Speed: 84. Technique: Set: 88.]

[Kazuma Numai, Wing Spiker. Overall rating: 87. Height: 178.8 cm. Strength: 94, Jump: 88, Stamina: 90, Speed: 82

. Technique: Spike: 80.]

"This guy must be their ace," Taichi mused. While his technique wasn't stellar, his raw athleticism made up for it.

[Yoshiya Takachiho, Wing Spiker. Overall rating: 87. Height: 178.8 cm. Strength: 94, Jump: 88, Stamina: 90, Speed: 82. Technique: Spike: 80.]

[ Sō Akama, Libero. Overall rating: 85. Height: 172.3 cm. Strength: 88, Jump: 80, Stamina: 88, Speed: 88. Technique: Recieve: 80.]

[Naoyasu Kuguri, Wing Spiker. Overall rating: 84. Height: 180.6 cm. Strength: 80, Jump: 88, Stamina: 86, Speed: 75. Technique: Spike: 90.]

[Kōji Hiroo, Middle Blocker. Overall rating: 79. Height: 185.5 cm. Strength: 72, Jump: 75, Stamina: 80, Speed: 85. Technique: Spike: 85.]

"Probably just a height boost for blocking," Taichi thought. Given Nohebi's average height, even Iwaizumi-senpai could spike freely against them.

[Akihiko Seguro, Middle Blocker. Overall rating: 84. Height: 186.7 cm. Strength: 88, Jump: 82, Stamina: 82, Speed: 78. Technique: Spike: 78.]

-----

When the teams lined up on the court, Aoba Johsai's players clearly had a height advantage over Nohebi's lineup.

Kaedehara clenched his fists, feeling the results of a month's worth of intense training.

[Kaedehara Taichi]

Height: 185 cm

Strength: 90

Jump: 78@@novelbin@@

Stamina: 85

Speed: 91

Technique: Recieve: 78, Serve: 80, Spike: 84.

He couldn't help but feel…a little overpowered.

As his nervousness gradually faded, confidence surged through him.

"Now, we begin the first round of the National Inter High School Comprehensive Volleyball Tournament. Representing Miyagi Prefecture: Aoba Johsai High School! Representing Tokyo: Nohebi Academy! The match starts now!"

"Today, I will—" Oikawa Tōru paused mid-sentence as he stepped onto the court. He turned back with a rare solemnity in his eyes.

"—Captain, we trust you!" Before he could finish, his teammates beat him to it, their voices filled with unwavering confidence.

Oikawa froze for a moment, startled by the weight of their trust. His third year had brought him here at last.

He looked at his team and felt an uncharacteristic warmth in his chest, his eyes stinging slightly.

"Alright, everyone!" Oikawa declared, standing tall. "Let's take the first set!"

Iwaizumi Hajime led the charge, his voice booming as they entered the court with unstoppable energy.

On Nohebi Academy's side:

"Naoyasu, are you even awake?" Kazuma Numai shook his half-asleep teammate, Naoyasu Kuguri.

"Huh? Yeah, I'm awake…kinda," Naoyasu muttered groggily.

"Your hair looks like you're fired up for battle!"

"Huh? No, it's just bedhead. Didn't bother fixing it…"

Suguru Daishō pulled the two aside. "Don't bother trying to fire Naoyasu up—it's a lost cause."

"This opponent seems pretty tough, but if we're talking about who's more annoying, we definitely won't lose!" Suguru grinned.

"Let's crush them!"

"Yeah!!"

Aoba Johsai's lineup:

Front row—Middle Blocker Kaedehara Taichi, Wing Spiker Hanamaki Takahiro, Wing Spiker Kunimi Akira

Back row—Middle Blocker Kyōtani Kentarō (Libero: Watari Shinji), Setter Oikawa Tōru and Outside Hitter Iwaizumi Hajime.

Nohebi's lineup:

Front row—Middle Blocker Hiroo Kōji, Setter Sakishima Isumi, Wing Spiker Suguru Daishō

Back row—Middle Blocker Seguro Akihiko (libero Akama Sō), Wing Spiker Numai Kazuma and Outside Hitter Naoyasu Kuguri.

"Let's have a good match!"

Nohebi opened with the serve. Naoyasu Kuguri aimed at the midpoint of the three-meter line and lightly floated the ball over.

"So annoying!"

Oikawa Tōru dove forward and barely saved the ball. Kunimi Akira stepped up to cover and passed it to the centre, where Hanamaki Takahiro spiked it.

"Touched it!" Hiroo Kōji leapt to block and managed to get a hand on the ball.

Naoyasu Kuguri quickly bumped the ball back to the net. Suguru Daishō jumped and delivered a sharp spike.

"Double block!" Hanamaki Takahiro and Kunimi Akira rose together to contest.

But Suguru Daishō tipped the ball lightly over Kunimi's reach, aiming for the back row. Watari Shinji dove, stretching out fully to save the ball.

"Cover!"

Oikawa quickly stepped under the ball and sent a high set to the far left. Kaedehara Taichi sprinted, then launched himself into the air.

"Double block!" Hiroo Kōji and Sakishima Isumi jumped in unison to intercept.

Taichi spiked sharply, targeting the side of Hiroo's hand. The ball grazed Hiroo's fingers and fell out of bounds on Nohebi's side.

[Aoba Johsai 1 – 0 Nohebi]

"Phew..." That was close.

Taichi thought he had seen Hiroo Kōji intentionally pulling his hand back during the block.

"Did it even touch?"

"That was obviously Aoba Johsai's mistake!"

"The ball was out! What's wrong with the ref's eyes?!"

Unpleasant murmurs erupted from the audience. The referee frowned slightly but refrained from issuing a warning since the comments came from the spectators, not the players or coaches.

Aoba Johsai's players were momentarily unsettled by the situation.

Normally, players questioning a referee's call could lead to a yellow card unless the coach formally requested a challenge. But this was an entirely different issue—heckling from the stands.

The atmosphere grew awkward.

"I did touch it!" Hiroo Kōji raised his hand toward the crowd, signalling that the referee's call was correct. Gradually, the noise subsided.

"I apologize for the trouble!" Hiroo then bowed politely toward the referee.

The referee didn't respond verbally but nodded slightly, visibly impressed by the player's sportsmanship.

"Let's focus and do well on the next ball!" Hiroo encouraged his teammates.

"Got it!"

"What's with this guy? Are players like that even real?" Aoba Johsai's players exchanged baffled glances.

Kaedehara Taichi had a vague feeling about Hiroo but couldn't quite put his finger on it. After all, his only prior impression of Nohebi was that Suguru Daishō was a decent commentator.

Like an idiot, he superficially skimmed over the Nekoma, Nohebi and Fukurodani matches when he watched the anime, and as a result, he couldn't remember a thing.

"That's definitely fake. What a sneaky, goody-two-shoes act," Oikawa muttered, narrowing his eyes.

Aoba Johsai's turn to serve. Kunimi Akira aimed for the far corner of Nohebi's court.

"Out!"

Naoyasu Kuguri simply stepped aside, letting the ball land outside the line.

The referee signalled the point to Nohebi.

[Aoba Johsai 1 – 1 Nohebi]

It was rare for Kunimi to make a serving error.

On the sideline, Coach Irihata reflected on the situation. Kunimi's serves were usually reliable and strategically placed to disrupt the opponent's formation rather than to score directly. His consistency was one of his strengths, and he didn't even attempt jump serves.

For him to miss like this, it seemed the unfamiliar court was indeed affecting the players.

"So lucky! Looks like that rookie first-year doesn't even know how to serve!" Suguru Daishō smirked and shouted loudly enough for everyone to hear.

Kunimi Akira's expression darkened, his face turning slightly ashen.

_________

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