The floaty serve drifted through the air. Though the speed wasn't high, the volleyball danced up and down, giving the libero a bit of difficulty in receiving it.
"I got it!"
Even though Kousen's libero managed to receive the float serve with an overhand pass, the quality wasn't perfect, it was tricky. Still, Kousen's setter was skilled enough to turn the somewhat distant receive into a beautiful quick-set for the attack.
Following the setter's rhythm, the number one spiker took a three-step approach and jumped. Precision is crucial in long-distance quick attacks, and sometimes that means sacrificing speed.
On the other side, Ichinose Guren and Yudai Hyakuzawa were already perfectly positioned at the net. There was not a single gap in their block. The height difference compared to previous opponents was stark.
Yet, the opposing number one middle blocker acted differently from any attacker Yukigaoka had faced before. There was no hesitation, no intimidation from Guren and Yudai's towering presence.
Without thinking twice, he swung a diagonal shot, a near-perfect zero-degree sharp angle. The ball slammed onto the ground just in front of Hoshino Katsuri's outstretched fingers, catching him off guard.
Looking at Ichinose and Yudai, Kousen's number one said flatly:
"Completely blocked the opponent's straight path, yet they hit a diagonal that catches you off guard. Frustrating, isn't it?"
Frustrating indeed, thought Yudai. I've practiced my diagonal spikes for a year, planning to use them at the nationals against blockers my height. And now… they forced me to use it early. Our path to the championship just got a little harder.
The opposing tone, already assuming victory over Yukigaoka, slightly angered Yukigaoka's players.
Just as the short but fiery Suzuki took a step forward, ready to clash across the net with Kousen's number one, Ichinose held out his hand, stopping Suzuki's advance.
"Don't be stupid. He said that on purpose, to provoke us."
If you start trading words, you've already fallen for it.
"Keep your composure, Suzuki. Letting emotions take over will ruin our technique."
Suzuki, who hadn't understood before, now nodded with wide-eyed realization.
So that's it… got it, Captain!
"The other guy really is cunning," Suzuki murmured.
"True to form, Captain Guren stays calm."
They glanced at Ichinose's faintly menacing expression.
It's my first time facing someone trying to trash-talk me.
Finally! A whole belly full of trash talk I can actually respond to.
Ichinose patted Suzuki on the back, yet didn't throw words at the opponents. Instead, he turned toward Hoshino.
"Hoshino, remember to send me the data on the next round of national teams tonight."
Having spent some time with Ichinose, Hoshino immediately understood. He played along.
"Ah? Why? We haven't even finished the finals yet."
Ichinose stretched his neck and slowly said:
"It doesn't matter. We've already gauged their strength. We can start considering the next-round opponents."
Kousen's number one furrowed his brows in displeasure, darkening visibly. Slowly, he looked back at Ichinose, already discussing national allocations with his teammates.
Provoking me? You've got a big mouth. Fine. I'll accept your challenge.
At those words, Ichinose's playful expression instantly hardened. He turned across the net.
"Volleyball is a six-person game."
The number one middle blocker paused, expecting some cheesy motivational speech about unity and strength.
But Ichinose said only:
"So… next time I spike, I'll take on all of you, by myself."
Ready for the Cannon Shooter and In the Zone
"Pathetic~"
The last words were barely audible, just lip movements to avoid referee scrutiny.
His ferociously handsome, wicked face loomed across the net, eyes radiating unyielding intent, like a demon crawling up from a mountain of corpses and blood.
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