Goshiki's pupils contracted as he turned to watch the ball roll past the baseline. His breath caught, his muscles tensed, and his body curled slightly, a defensive stance born of instinct.
Two seconds later, he exhaled slowly, releasing the tension.
Reluctantly, he admitted something to himself: that serve from Ichinose Guren had already revealed a critical flaw.
He shouldn't have given the serve to him, no matter how clever his plan seemed.
The plan had been simple: let the opponent serve, have his own team receive, Masata Yori sets perfectly, then he spikes elegantly, bypassing Yukigaoka's three-man block to score. A perfect threefold gain: showcase skill, earn a point, and break serve.
The idea was clear, but reality diverged sharply.
The fatal flaw: no one on his team could reliably receive the number one ace's serve.
"Impossible!"
Goshiki replayed that serve in his mind, he had frozen, rooted to the spot, incapable of moving. Without the first touch, any spike would be meaningless. Even Ushijima wouldn't magically make it happen in this situation.
No…
If Ushijima were here, he might reach it.
But in a real match, he wouldn't waste energy on a mere reception.
Plus, receiving affects the approach for the third attack.
Goshiki closed his eyes, adjusted his breathing, and refocused.
When he opened them again, his eyes burned, not with fiery passion, but with a calm, resolute determination: I haven't done my best. Standing still against a serve like that is not how a team ace should behave.
I didn't come all this way to just hear my coach yelling at me in incomprehensible Miyagi dialect!
Within three serves… I will receive your jump serve!
Breathing steadily, he centered himself, pouring every ounce of attention into the next reception.
The previous, carefree Goshiki, who ignored opponent videos before the match, was gone. A fully focused, competitive Goshiki returned.
Every cell of his body was dedicated to this defense.
Ichinose Guren, holding the ball in the serving area, observed Goshiki, whose aura now seemed completely separate from the surrounding players.
"This is more like it," Guren smiled.
But unless you can lead your team past my Yukigaoka system, there's no way you'll face me beyond this serve.
Not disrespect, but every chance for your team to grow must be seized.
Let them think for themselves before facing elite players like you. That's the best opportunity for success.
He inhaled sharply and swung with full force. Another thunderous serve flew toward Shiratorizawa's court.
I can track it!
Unlike the previous serve, Goshiki's eyes could now follow the ball precisely.
But seeing isn't enough, the body must respond.
This time, he failed. Not a touch, not a deflection, just an outstretched hand as the ball slammed into the floor.
He had prepared, focused, and exerted himself fully, but it wasn't enough.
No excuses, just the cold reality of weakness.
Yet, unlike ordinary players, Goshiki felt no anger, no despair. He immersed himself in his own world.
Every movement reflected Shiratorizawa's meticulous training: textbook form, precise posture, and unwavering focus.
And through his calm gaze, he could feel Ichinose Guren projecting a single, undeniable message:
"One more."
No rage, no frustration, only pure love and concentration for volleyball.
A primal desire emerged, unspoken but clear:
"I will receive it!"
Guren felt a slight thrill in his hands.
He's ready… this is going to be fun.
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