"Looks like Shiratorizawa isn't a team we can defeat so easily!"

"And it's not just about physical endurance. If anything, Ushijima seems to be getting better as the game goes on."

"True...Most of the points near the end of the second set were scored by Ushijima."

After Aoba Johsai's players returned to the bench, Coach Irihata and Team Manager Mizoguchi quickly instructed them to rest and recover.

Once the players caught their breath and exchanged a few remarks, Coach Irihata pulled out the strategy board.

"In the first and second sets combined, Shiratorizawa scored a total of 47 points, 27 of which came from Ushijima alone. So even if he's in great condition, his stamina is still being drained," he explained. "Next, we have to keep constant pressure on Ushijima, no matter what!"

"From what we've seen in the first two sets, when facing Ushijima's powerful spikes, we either get overwhelmed by his cross-court shots, fail to block his sharp drives, or, if we're lucky, barely manage a touch."

"But if he launches a quick attack from the left wing, it's most likely going to be a diagonal shot. For the third set, we'll add an extra layer of defence against Ushijima. We can't let him score so easily!"

"Yes, Coach!"

Since Shiratorizawa's ultimate weapon was Ushijima Wakatoshi, successfully limiting him would give Aoba Johsai a chance to win the match.

Coach Irihata glanced at his players. This was the closest they'd ever been to reaching Nationals. Just one more set!

"I don't have much else to say. Just remember this— you're strong! Go out there and win the game!"

"Yes, Coach!"

Meanwhile, in Shiratorizawa's corner.

"Goshiki, that straight-line spike of yours earlier—wasn't that just pure luck?" Tendō Satori teased as he circled around Goshiki Tsutomu, grinning mischievously. "Your heart must've been pounding, wasn't it?"

"Pure luck? As if!"@@novelbin@@

Goshiki Tsutomu straightened up, brushing a strand of hair away with his right hand, maintaining a confident expression.

"Only those who can create miracles deserve the title of ace!"

"Don't try to act cool to dodge the question," Shirabu Kenjirō interjected as he walked by. "You were just trying to imitate Ushijima-senpai, weren't you? And you just happened to pull it off."

"Uh...well…"

At that moment, Coach Washijō stepped into the huddle, and the players immediately dropped their playful banter and gathered around him.

"Focus on blocking and receiving. Shut down their number 10 and number 16," Washijō instructed.

"Understood!"

"The reason Shiratorizawa will win is simple: each of you was chosen by me with absolute confidence as an elite player!"

"Your strength comes from consistent hard work, honed over time—it's not something improvised at the last minute. Use your well-crafted individual abilities to crush Aoba Johsai!"

"Yes, Coach!!"

The decisive set of the Miyagi Prefecture Finals in the Inter-High qualifiers began.

Aoba Johsai's lineup:

Front row—Middle Blocker Kindaichi Yūtarō, Wing Spiker Hanamaki Takahiro, Setter Oikawa Tōru

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

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 Shirabu Kenjirō, and Wing Spiker Goshiki Tsutomu.

Aoba Johsai adjusted their formation again, aligning Kindaichi with Ushijima to maximize their blocking height and strength to counter Ushijima's spikes. Shiratorizawa, meanwhile, reintroduced Shirabu Kenjirō as the starting setter.

"Oikawa-senpai, can you set the ball a little higher for me next time?" Kaedehara Taichi approached Oikawa before the set began.

Oikawa raised an eyebrow. "You think you can jump that high?"

"Let's try! With a running start, I think I can make it." Kaedehara spoke with determination, though not entirely sure himself.

Oikawa glanced at him sceptically. "And what about that left-handed spike of yours?"

"Hehe!" Kaedehara grinned sheepishly. He knew Oikawa had noticed it—after all, there had been one set in the previous game where Oikawa had deliberately passed to his left hand.

"Fine. Let's use this signal, then," Kaedehara suggested, gesturing a quick hand signal to Oikawa.

"Only I would put up with trying out this flashy nonsense during a final set," Oikawa sighed.

"It's all for the win!" Taichi countered. With Shiratorizawa's overwhelming strength, they needed to use every weapon in their arsenal.

Aoba Johsai served. Iwaizumi targeted Shirabu in the back row, aiming to disrupt Shiratorizawa's setter and limit their ability to pass to Ushijima.

Shirabu received the ball awkwardly, and Ōhira stepped in to bump it up for Ushijima.

"Triple block!" Hanamaki, Kindaichi, and Oikawa moved in perfect sync to seal off Ushijima's attack.

BAM!

"Touch!" Kindaichi called out to his teammates as the ball deflected behind him.

Taichi Kaedehara quickly read the ball's trajectory, dashed over, and saved it just in time. Without hesitation, he rushed back into position to join the offence.

Oikawa set the ball toward the middle, and Kindaichi spiked it with full force.

Smack!

Yamagata Hayato dove to save the ball, expertly keeping it in play.

Using a rookie as the first option in such a high-stakes match—Oikawa Tōru never hesitated to try something risky.

Shirabu Kenjirō quickly moved into position, lifting the ball high into the air.

It's coming again!

The intensity Ushijima Wakatoshi exuded was palpable. Aoba Johsai's front row scrambled into position, leaping to set up a triple block.

Another feint?

Ushijima gently tipped the ball over the net.

Taichi Kaedehara, having anticipated this move—after all, it was one of his own favourite tactics—sprinted forward and dug the ball with precision.

Oikawa, already on the ground, leapt up immediately and smashed the ball straight down.

Boom!

Taichi's perfect dig and Oikawa's uncharacteristic spike delivered Aoba Johsai the first point of the deciding set.

[Aoba Johsai 1 – 0 Shiratorizawa]

"My bad," Ushijima apologized. It was a rare misjudgment on his part.

Even though it was Ushijima apologizing, it was the other Shiratorizawa players who felt the sting of frustration—it was their duty to pave the way for their ace. Failing to do so was nothing less than disgraceful.

Iwaizumi served the second ball, targeting Shiratorizawa's back row. Yamagata moved forward and made a clean reception.

Shirabu stepped up to set. Once again, Ushijima squared off against Aoba Johsai's triple block.

Tap, tap, tap…

Shirabu jumped and, instead of a traditional set, tipped the ball straight into Aoba Johsai's court, catching their defence off-guard.

Shiratorizawa scored with a setter dump.

[Aoba Johsai 1 – 1 Shiratorizawa]

"My job isn't just to feed balls to Ushijima-senpai," Shirabu stated calmly as he returned to position.

On the sidelines, Coach Irihata watched Shirabu with admiration and called over their backup setter, Yahaba Shigeru.

As a third-year, Oikawa's time in the team was nearing its end after the Inter-High. While there was a chance Oikawa would stick around for the Spring Tournament due to his love for volleyball, the coach still had to think about the team's future.

Among the first-years, there were no standout setters, which meant Yahaba was likely the team's best option once Oikawa graduated.

"Yahaba, what do you think of Shirabu's performance?" Coach Irihata asked.

Not long ago, Yahaba had considered Shirabu to be an average setter. But now, watching him in action, he finally understood...

"He's incredible," Yahaba replied before the coach could press further. "Despite being subbed out earlier, facing targeted serves, and even having the team's ace blocked, he's completely unfazed."

Coach Irihata nodded. Aoba Johsai's strength lay in its roster of players with high volleyball IQs.

"The concepts of 'normal performance' and 'peak performance' sound simple enough, but in practice, they're elusive," the coach explained. "It's not unusual for players to lose sight of their own abilities during a game."

"But Shirabu can maintain his composure at all times, even pulling back a game on the verge of chaos. That's a critical quality for a setter."

"I understand," Yahaba said thoughtfully, lowering his gaze as he mulled over the coach's words.

"Yahaba, while you may not have the technical skills of setters like Kageyama or Oikawa, you're not inferior to the setters from other teams," Coach Irihata reassured him. "What I need you to learn is Shirabu Kenjirō's mindset."

The coach's focus shifted back to the court as he continued. "When Taichi becomes a superstar like Ushijima Wakatoshi, I expect you to provide him with the same level of support Shirabu offers his ace."

"Taichi? Like Ushijima?" Yahaba was taken aback. He hadn't realized the high expectations the coach held for Kaedehara.

Yahaba's gaze returned to the match. During their conversation, the game had raged on, and now Oikawa sent a high set to the left.

A shadow leapt from the back row.

"So high!"

"A double block!" Ōhira Reon and Tendō Satori jumped to form a wall in front of him.

Smack!

The ball grazed Ōhira's fingertips and crashed straight into Shiratorizawa's court.

Kaedehara Taichi scored with a sharp cross-court spike!

[Aoba Johsai 4 – 3 Shiratorizawa]

_________

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