As Shiratorizawa's strategy targeting Kyōtani Kentarō was deciphered by Hanamaki Takahiro, the score between the two teams was once again locked in a stalemate.

Although the point gap narrowed to just two, Aoba Johsai maintained this slim lead until the end of the set.

[Aoba Johsai 24 vs 22 Shiratorizawa]

The most critical moment arrived—Ushijima Wakatoshi stepped up to the service line.

Could Shiratorizawa actually lose the first set?

Before the match, no one would have predicted such a scenario.

Ever since securing Ushijima Wakatoshi, a veritable ace, Shiratorizawa had lost fewer than ten sets in official matches within the prefecture over the past two and a half years.

Even now, with Aoba Johsai leading by two points, Shiratorizawa's confidence remained unshaken. This unwavering belief was the hallmark of a team steeped in victory—a testament to their enduring championship mentality.

Under Aoba Johsai's watchful eyes, Ushijima flung the ball high into the air. Even his approach exuded power.

With a few forceful strides, he swung his arms back, planted one foot firmly on the court, and launched himself into the air.

Boom!

The volleyball disappeared the instant it made contact with Ushijima's palm.

"Mine!"

Thwack!

Before Oikawa Tōru's call fully left his mouth, the ball rocketed toward him. He stepped forward and barely managed to bring his arms together in time. The impact forced him onto one knee, but he quickly pushed himself up.

"It's a chance ball!" Shirabu Kenjirō's voice rang out as the ball rebounded high into the air. He dashed toward the net, ready to orchestrate the next attack.

"Shinji!" Oikawa shouted with force, sprinting forward.

Aoba Johsai's libero, Watari Shinji, had already moved into position. Leaping from the back row, he deftly set the ball to the left side.

A figure surged forward and delivered a thunderous spike.

Bang!

Kaedehara Taichi's spike scored.

[Aoba Johsai 25 vs 22 Shiratorizawa]

"Tweet!"

The whistle blew, signalling the end of the first set. Aoba Johsai claimed the first victory.

"Phew—"

The audience in the stands collectively exhaled, as if they had forgotten to breathe during the final moments. What seemed like an inevitable point for Ushijima had been spectacularly saved by Oikawa.

With their setter momentarily out of action, Aoba Johsai's libero had stepped up from the back row to set the ball.

Even the decisive spike was a quick attack executed by an unassuming first-year who appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

"Well, they can't say they lost unfairly after that play."

"Apologies." Ushijima addressed his teammates with his usual earnestness. No matter how well the opposing team played, an ace failing to score in such a critical situation was an error he should own.@@novelbin@@

"It's not Ushijima-senpai's fault. It was my misjudgment. If I hadn't stepped forward, I might've been able to dig that ball," Shirabu confessed, recalling the situation with a serious expression.

"Was it only Shirabu's fault?" Coach Washijō's voice cut through the group. "Goshiki, aren't you an attacker? Where was your contribution when the team needed points?!"

The tension rose as the coach turned his attention to Tendō. "And Tendō, were you even in this game? Do I need to wait until you're 'in the zone' before putting you on the court?"

Goshiki Tsutomu immediately straightened up. "Yes, Coach! I'll use my super straight shot next set!"

Tendō Satori, meanwhile, instinctively stepped back. This was not the moment to provoke Washijō.

Whack!

Unable to suppress his irritation, Washijō smacked Goshiki on the head.

"And we haven't even talked about your reception yet! You're practising 500 receptions when we're back. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!"

It was evident that Goshiki had grown accustomed to such treatment.

"We really did it, Iwa-chan!"

Aoba Johsai had taken their first-ever set off Shiratorizawa in an official match. It was the third time Oikawa had repeated this phrase, his excitement palpable.

"It's only the first set, Oikawa-senpai..." Kaedehara Taichi reminded him kindly.

Oikawa shot him a dramatic eye-roll. You just don't get it.

The second set began, with both teams adjusting their lineups.

For Aoba Johsai, the starting lineup was:

Front row—

Middle Blocker Kaedehara Taichi, Wing Spiker Hanamaki Takahiro, Setter Oikawa Tōru

Back row—Middle Blocker Kindaichi Yūtarō, Outside Hitter Iwaizumi Hajime and Wing Spiker Kyōtani Kentarō (Libero: Watari Shinji).

Shiratorizawa's lineup featured:

Shiratorizawa's lineup:

Front row—Middle Blocker Kawanishi Taichi, Outside Hitter Ushijima Wakatoshi, Outside Hitter Ōhira Reon.

Back row—Middle Blocker Tendō Satori (libero Yamagata Hayato), Setter Semi Eita, and Wing Spiker Goshiki Tsutomu.

Aoba Johsai subbed in Kindaichi Yūtarō to fortify their blocking height and strength at the net, aiming to neutralize Ushijima. Meanwhile, Shiratorizawa replaced Shirabu with the more technically skilled Semi Eita, likely to diversify their offensive options beyond Ushijima.

"It seems Coach Washijō wasn't satisfied with Shirabu's performance in the first set," remarked Aoba Johsai's coaching staff, Mizoguchi Sadayuki and Irihata.

"Perhaps it's more than that," Mizoguchi speculated. "Shirabu and Ushijima's coordination is undoubtedly more stable, but Semi Eita brings more variety to the attack. Subbing out Shirabu might also be an attempt to activate the rest of the team. More importantly, it could be to give Ushijima a breather. Last set, he was involved in spikes, blocks, and even receptions far beyond his usual workload for a single set."

"While Ushijima has excellent stamina, continuing at this rate might affect his efficiency. It's likely Coach Washijō believes that with a decisive third set looming, it's vital to preserve Ushijima's energy for when it's most needed."

Coach Irihata frowned deeply. "This might actually make things more troublesome for us. All our strategies are built around targeting Ushijima. A change in setter could shift the team's style entirely—something we know all too well."

Shiratorizawa's serve.

Goshiki Tsutomu stepped up for his jump serve, which carried a decent level of precision but was smoothly received by Iwaizumi Hajime.

Oikawa set the ball to the left side, and Kaedehara Taichi attacked with a spike, only to be closely marked by Kawanishi Taichi.

"One Touch!"

Goshiki managed to retrieve the deflected ball, and Semi quickly set it high.

The first attack, as expected, went to their ace.

Ushijima leapt high and unleashed a ferocious spike. Iwaizumi, stationed in the back row, intercepted it, but the intense spin caused the ball to fly out of bounds.

Despite a month of focused practice to improve receptions, adapting to the left-hander's spin remained a significant challenge.

Ushijima's spike secured the point.

[Aoba Johsai 0 vs 1 Shiratorizawa]

"Don't dwell on it! Next ball!" Aoba Johsai's players encouraged one another.

Iwaizumi's eyes burned with determination as he locked onto Ushijima. There was no way he would let a month of relentless training go to waste.

For the second serve, Goshiki aimed directly at Kyōtani Kentarō.

"Mine!"

Like Hanamaki Takahiro before him, Iwaizumi shifted over to assist Kyōtani, cleanly receiving the ball.

Oikawa raised a high set, and Kyōtani executed a diagonal run-up before slamming the ball down with full force.

Smack!

Yamagata Hayato stepped on the three-meter line and dug the ball cleanly. With Kyōtani's sharp cross-court angle, he simply adjusted by taking a step forward.

Semi Eita swiftly filled the setter's position, delivering another high set to the left. Ushijima's expression remained calm as he began his approach run.

"Three-man block!"

This time, Aoba Johsai's blockers were fully prepared. All three front-row players leapt simultaneously, forming a solid wall in front of Ushijima.

Boom!

The ball grazed Oikawa's outstretched arm, narrowly avoiding the block, and slammed onto the court near Aoba Johsai's back boundary.

A straight shot that landed perfectly on the line.

Beyond sheer power, Ushijima had demonstrated another facet of his skill—precise ball control.

In the back row, Goshiki watched in awe. This was exactly the kind of super straight shot he aspired to hit.

Ushijima landed silently, his expression composed as always.

The familiar sense of overwhelming pressure returned to Aoba Johsai's players, pressing down on them like an invisible weight.

[Aoba Johsai 0 vs 2 Shiratorizawa]

_________

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