The score had reached 2:0. Yukigaoka Junior High had taken an early lead, and it was still their serving turn.
Looking at Goshiki's eyes, shining with fierce determination, Ichinose Guren couldn't help but think to himself,
No wonder Coach Washijo saw him as Ushiwaka's successor. His reactions are completely different from ordinary players.
In that case…
Let's continue!
Guren raised the volleyball with his left hand, signaling to the referee that he was ready.
Then he tapped his left hand with his right, adjusting his grip slightly.
The ball was tossed, and he began his approach and jump.
His right hand unleashed a massive burst of energy once again.
A sound wave erupted across the court, shaking the air. BOOM!
The volleyball tore through the air, barreling toward Goshiki with unstoppable force.
It was Guren's response to Goshiki's intense fighting spirit.
I won't serve to anyone else, you know that!
Goshiki showed no surprise. Of course I know.
He clearly understood that as a strong player, being provoked meant one thing: a harsh challenge.
Not every decision in the game requires the coach or the setter to control the outcome. Sometimes, the team's ace has the right to act on instinct, but with that comes the responsibility for the result.
As for Guren, even if Goshiki managed to receive the ball, Yukigaoka wouldn't lose.
He didn't believe his carefully constructed Yukigaoka system could be defeated by a Junior High team within Miyagi Prefecture. With himself as the core, paired with Yudai Hyakuzawa, who had trained alongside him since childhood, and Hinata Shoyo, who now could run an A-type quick attack with any setter…
Add in supportive role players and a reliable libero, and the lineup was essentially complete.
The moment the Yukigaoka system was perfected, it was already decided, they could reach the national tournament.
Of course I know!
Goshiki understood, this serve was coming straight at him.
His eyes tracked the ball's trajectory with crystal clarity, and his hands moved into position, ready for Guren's serve.
But as the ball drew closer, his feet didn't move.
Dammit! Move already!
Focused as he was, his thoughts had outpaced his body. His hands had reacted in advance, but his legs hadn't caught up.
"Ah!"
A shout escaped him.
Adrenaline surged through Goshiki, and after countless hours of training, his legs finally obeyed. At the last moment, he made a lightning-fast lateral step, lips tight with tension, and lunged forward.
He saved the ball just before it hit the ground, but in doing so, he ended up sprawled on the floor.
Even crawling up at top speed, he couldn't join the attack.
Without a running approach, and having only saved the ball, Shiratorizawa's setter had to scramble to set the ball to the net.
Even if Goshiki ran to the net, the ball might have already hit the floor.
So the opposite side's middle blocker had to forcefully strike the ball against the wall formed by Yudai Hyakuzawa and Hinata Shoyo.
The timing of the set was off, so the spike came too high, the approach and jump not fully executed.
The spike hit perfectly, right into Yudai Hyakuzawa's forearm.
BOOM!
A perfect rebound.
Goshiki's eyes lit up. He raised his hand and shouted,
"Another one!"
Though it had been lucky, the rebound's trajectory and speed were perfect.
Shiratorizawa's other middle blocker delivered a high-quality first pass, the angle, direction, and force were exactly what Masata Yori preferred.
"Good ball!"
The frustration of losing two points to Guren earlier transformed into sheer determination to make this one count.
"Goshiki-senpai!"
Eyes locked on the descending ball, he positioned himself and executed a near-perfect set.
On the opposite side, Mori's hair stood on end as he watched.
How many times did he practice to pull off a set like that?
Incredible fundamentals!
Mori quickly focused on Goshiki's movements instead, moving next to Yudai Hyakuzawa, ready for the ace's spike.
"Nice set, Yori!"
Goshiki felt a surge of excitement, this perfect set was his chance.
While tracking the ball, he cast a glance at Guren.
I admit, I can't beat you in serving.
But in spiking… I won't give up so easily!
Here it comes!
Counting the ball's fall, Goshiki took his first step, flowing into a smooth approach, practiced countless times.
His angle was subtly diagonal, and Hinata and Hyakuzawa noticed immediately.
They exchanged a glance, confirming their assumption.
"3, 2, 1!"
With Mori's jump call, both moved and leapt.
Based on previous matches and countless practices, the information they caught indicated Goshiki's spike route, diagonal.
Still, they hesitated, wary of a possible feint. After exchanging glances, they confirmed Goshiki's body orientation, definitely diagonal.
Hyakuzawa, the taller of the two, moved to block.
Even if it had been a decoy, Hinata's exceptional reflexes could still cover the line.
But midair, both realized, this guy…
Goshiki's mischievous smile revealed he had anticipated them.
I knew if anyone saw my trajectory, they'd try to block my diagonal.
Gotcha!
He had practiced this countless times. How could a short kid under 1.7 meters stop him?
"What?!"
Just as Goshiki prepared his signature diagonal spike, he realized Hinata wasn't intimidated.
Though slightly shorter than his spike height, the distance between them was too close.
A straight downward spike would be blocked.
Damn! Too close!
I'll have to risk it!
Cornered by Hinata's block, Goshiki swung for the sure-fire diagonal spike, pressed right along the line.
BOOM!
The line judge didn't raise the flag.
"Good ball, Aka!"
"Well done!"
Forced into this position, Goshiki executed a brilliant line shot, perfectly legal.
The point went to Yukigaoka.
Score: 2:1
With this impossible line spike, Goshiki broke free from Guren's early dominance.
He added a divine spike to his volleyball career.
"Ahahaha!"
"I'm the ace! A short guy, jumping all you want, there's no way to block me!"
Though still a little insecure, Goshiki laughed to mask his nervousness.
After all, one lucky rebound, one perfect line shot, without either, it would still have been the opponent's serve.
Damn it! Luck saved me this time. Next, I'll win fair and square.
Goshiki turned away from the net to celebrate with his teammates, secretly wiping sweat from his brow.
On the other side, Hinata ground his teeth in frustration.
"Damn that bobbed haircut! Next time, I'll block your spike for sure!"
Mori and Hyakuzawa could only look on helplessly.
Prepared as they were, they still couldn't stop the momentum of the ace. Some things simply can't be helped.
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