[Karasuno 25 - 12 Tokonami]

[Karasuno 25 - 14 Tokonami]

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[Date Tech 25 - 12 Sakura]

[Date Tech 25 - 8 Sakura]

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Karasuno decisively defeated Tokonami High School 2-0, while on the other court, Date Tech cruised past Sakura Academy to secure their spot in the next round.

"What a pity. The match I really wanted to see was Karasuno versus Date Tech."

The Aoba Johsai team was having their lunch in the gymnasium cafeteria. This afternoon, it would be Karasuno versus Date Tech, as well as Aoba Johsai versus Oomisaki High.@@novelbin@@

The skill gap between Oomisaki High and Chikawa North wasn't as significant as in the earlier matches featuring Karasuno and Date Tech, which had ended with overwhelming scores.

"The afternoon matches start at 1:30. Everyone, just eat a little to keep your energy up—don't overstuff yourselves," said Coach Mizoguchi with a friendly reminder.

"Yes!"

Since they weren't on their home turf, Aoba Johsai's team members finished their meal rather quietly.

"Shouldn't it be about time?" Coach Irihata glanced at his watch, confirming with Coach Mizoguchi.

Taichi Kaedehara noticed the knowing glances exchanged between the coaches and the second and third-year players. He was completely puzzled—was there something special about the match?

His confusion didn't last long. The moment he stepped into the arena, all his questions were answered.

The spectator stands were awash in a vivid sea of blue—the unmistakable colour of Aoba Johsai's uniforms. Since their match was scheduled for the afternoon, the school had organized for the students to have an early lunch and take buses to the venue.

"Ah, they're here!" someone in the crowd exclaimed as the Aoba Johsai volleyball team entered the gym.

"Oikawa-senpai!"

"Iwaizumi-senpai! Do your best!"

"Oikawa, you have to win this one!"

"Taichi! You've got this!"

Hearing a sudden cheer for his name, Taichi Kaedehara was utterly baffled. He spent most of his time sleeping in class and rarely interacted with his classmates—how did they actually know who he was?

What Taichi didn't realize was that he was sort of a 'legend' in his entire grade. Despite his laid-back attitude, his consistently high grades and his status as a starter in the school's volleyball team had made him into something akin to an icon.

"Yo, Kyōtani, we're here too," said Shimizu-san, the manager of the Machimin Gym.

To the left of Aoba Johsai's student section sat a group of adults. Some were university students, others were local shop owners from the nearby commercial district, but most were regulars at the Aoba Johsai sports complex.

Kentarō Kyōtani glanced toward the familiar faces in the crowd. He froze momentarily before scoffing and turning his head away.

At that moment, a group of students in the front row of the stands unfurled a massive banner, hanging it facing the court.

"Rule the Court!!"

Taichi Kaedehara felt a surge of electricity rush through his body, sending shivers down his spine. He turned to look at his teammates. The second and third-years were composed and prepared, but Kindaichi's face looked as though he were on the verge of tears.

Kunimi gave them both a light nudge, silently urging them to follow their seniors' lead.

Under the guidance of Iwaizumi Hajime and Oikawa Tōru, the Aoba Johsai players approached the stands, giving a slight bow of gratitude to their supporters before dispersing for their warm-ups.

Oomisaki High's players, who had been resting on the court, couldn't help but feel awe at the show of Aoba Johsai's team spirit and support.

Once Aoba Johsai began warming up, the Oomisaki players also began rising to prepare.

"Seijoh, Seijoh! We reign supreme!"

"Seijoh is the strongest—unmatched and unstoppable!"

"Fight, fight, fight! Seijoh!"

"Victory, victory, victory! Seijoh!"

The rhythmic pounding of water bottles combined with the thunderous cheers echoed across the gymnasium. The overwhelming sound engulfed the entire court.

For a moment, the players of Oomisaki High froze in place, feeling as though the entire gym had been dyed in Aoba Johsai blue.

"D-Don't panic! Show them what we've got!" shouted the Oomisaki coach, his voice attempting to cut through the pressure. But even he felt the suffocating weight of the match—and he wasn't the one stepping onto the court.

The Oomisaki captain gathered his players into a tight circle, trying to shut out some of the overwhelming cheers from Aoba Johsai's supporters.

"No problem, all the sweat we've shed during training will never betray us!" the captain shouted, his voice brimming with confidence.

"Yeah!"

Warm-up time ended quickly. The referee stepped into the centre of the court, signalling for both teams to line up.

"Let's have a good game!"

Tweet—

With the referee's whistle, the match between Aoba Johsai and Oomisaki High officially began.

"Today, I believe in all of you, too~." Oikawa Tōru suddenly turned back to his teammates with unusual solemnity before stepping onto the court.

For first-time tournament players Taichi Kaedehara and Akira Kunimi, any lingering nervousness immediately melted away. Sometimes, having such dependable seniors around was exactly what they needed.

Aoba Johsai's starting lineup:

Front row—Outside Hitter Hanamaki Takahiro, Middle Blocker Taichi Kaedehara, Outside Hitter Akira Kunimi.

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

Aoba Johsai's game plan was clear from the start: launch an aggressive attack to take control of the match.

Oomisaki High's starting lineup:

Front row—Middle Blocker Domae Moto, Outside Hitter Tatsuya Yuuto, Outside Hitter Yamoto Masahiro.

Back row—Middle Blocker Kayane Kenshi (Libero Masaru Iiō), Setter Touma Risho, Outside Hitter Yamashita Yasuhisa.

Taichi Kaedehara glanced across the court. As far as he could see, there weren't any standout players on Oomisaki High.

Aoba Johsai's first serve—Oikawa Tōru stepped onto the service line, the corners of his lips curling into an amused smirk as he observed his opponents' nervous expressions.

He didn't mind playing the villain here. Better to be the one crushing someone's volleyball dreams than to lose and wallow in regret later.

Oikawa pressed the ball firmly with both hands, feeling the elasticity of its surface. Perfect. His condition today was exceptional.

Interestingly enough, there had been a time when it took Oikawa a while to find his rhythm in a match. Whether it was speed, power, or control, he always felt more at ease as the game progressed.

But ever since Taichi Kaedehara had joined Aoba Johsai—more precisely, since Oikawa's third year—things had changed. Oikawa found himself entering the zone much faster, and he suspected it had something to do with a shift in his mindset.

Before Taichi's arrival, Oikawa often looked at the road to Nationals and saw a vast, insurmountable chasm. He had the drive and determination to cross it but couldn't find the path.

And then Taichi appeared—completely inexperienced, utterly lacking in skill, yet somehow carrying a quiet, unshakable conviction that they would make it to Nationals.

His presence on the court during practice seemed to wordlessly tell everyone: The path to Nationals is a straight road. Just take it one step at a time, and eventually, you'll get there.

It was this quiet resolve that had unknowingly influenced Oikawa. One day, he realized that the chasm he had always seen before him was gone.

Instead, there it was: a clear, straight path.

Now, Oikawa wanted nothing more than to take it—one step at a time.

Bang!

A sharp, resounding crack echoed through the gym. Oikawa's serve blasted into Oomisaki's court, landing cleanly inside the boundary.

The Oomisaki players froze, their faces blank with confusion. They hadn't even processed what had just happened.

Service ace!

Oikawa picked up the second ball and pointed across the net at Oomisaki's stunned players.

"The ones advancing to Nationals….will be us—Aoba Johsai!"

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Link - /Iseeblack [Remove the brackets]