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Chapter 263: The Strongest Ace
🕑 Added 2025-02-28 16:06:28 +0000 UTC"Taichi, this time, you won."
Despite just experiencing defeat, Hoshiumi Kōrai still held his head high, showing not the slightest sign of discouragement. "Next time we meet, you better be prepared. I'm definitely going to beat you head-on at Interhigh!"
Kaedehara Taichi met Hoshiumi's bright, unwavering gaze. The match had just ended, yet the air between them burned with an even fiercer fighting spirit.
"I'm looking forward to it!" Taichi's smile was radiant, his eyes flashing with confidence.
"What a strange guy," Hakuba Gao muttered. "Just moments ago, he was annoying enough to make my teeth itch, and now he's acting all harmless."
Hirugami Sachirō approached, his usual easygoing smile absent from his face.
"Taichi, next time, I will block you," he said calmly, his expression unusually serious. Only Hoshiumi knew—this was the Hirugami Sachirō of old.
Even Hakuba was startled.
Normally, he was the one to make such bold declarations, while Hirugami rarely spoke this way. Unlike Hoshiumi and himself, Hirugami had no plans to go pro. His academic scores were excellent, and rumour had it he wanted to become a doctor in the future.
"Your blocking is certainly oppressive, but by the time we meet again, I'll be even stronger. If you want to stop me, you'll have to do better than this," Taichi replied with a hint of provocation.
"I know." Hirugami nodded calmly. After all, Taichi was only a first-year—there was no chance he would stop improving.
Seeing both Hoshiumi and Hirugami issue their challenges, Hakuba debated whether he should say something too—he couldn't let them steal all the momentum.
He lowered his head in thought—
"Ahem, next time we meet—"
Before he could finish, Hirugami cut him off. "They're already gone. Who are you even talking to?"
Hakuba: "…."
"Next time, I'll absolutely crush him!!!"
Paying no mind to Hakuba's frustration, Hirugami and Hoshiumi returned to their team's rest area to pack up.
"I finally understand why you've been so focused on Aoba Johsai since coming back from the training camp," Hirugami said with a laugh. "That guy really is interesting."
"It's not just that," Hoshiumi replied. "After returning from the camp, I reviewed the match footage of Aoba Johsai versus Inarizaki."
"If it were the Taichi from Interhigh, I'd be completely confident in winning. But by the time we met at the camp, his attacking skills were already on par with mine."
"And now, I can feel it—he's become even more well-rounded, more composed."
Hoshiumi stopped packing and looked at Hirugami seriously. Back in middle school, Hirugami had been the best player in their prefecture, while he was a mere nobody on the second team.
Hoshiumi never downplayed his own strength, but no one understood his shortcomings better than he did.
Compared to himself, Hirugami was the true backbone of Kamomedai.
"The most interesting thing about Taichi," Hirugami mused, "is his growth."
From the very beginning, Hirugami had known that he didn't love volleyball all that much. It had simply been part of his environment—his parents, his older siblings, they all played. Watching them strive for glory on the court, he had subconsciously followed in their footsteps.
But what he truly enjoyed wasn't playing volleyball itself—it was the feeling of excelling at something and gaining recognition.
That desire for approval had nearly driven him into a pit of despair.
"Kōrai, I think I might be falling in love with volleyball again," Hirugami suddenly admitted. That long-buried competitive fire reignited in his chest, stronger than ever. This time, it wasn't for anyone else—he was simply enjoying the game.
"I know," Hoshiumi smiled. "Our goal isn't just to beat the Taichi of today, but the even stronger version of him in the future!"
"Then we'd better double our training." A grin finally returned to Hirugami's face.
Everything was going to be different.
———
"We'll head back to the hotel first, get changed, rest a bit, then have a good meal before coming back to watch our opponents for the finals," Irihata Nobuteru said kindly.
"Sounds good!"
Finishing their match in the morning had its perks—it meant they could eat to their heart's content at lunch. More importantly, securing a spot in the finals allowed Aoba Johsai to finally relax after the intense tension that had gripped them since the first day of Nationals.
It had only been a few days, yet it felt like they had been here for half a month.
Before long, the team gathered in the hotel's second-floor dining area.
"Iwa-chan, if we win just one more match, we're national champions!" Oikawa Tōru mumbled through a mouthful of food, turning to Iwaizumi Hajime.
"I know, I know! You've already said that a hundred times!" Iwaizumi was just as excited, but right now, he was more annoyed with Oikawa.
"Damn it, Oikawa! Don't talk while eating! You just sprayed food into my bowl!!!"
"Ah—!"
A short exchange followed by Oikawa's tragic yelp.
Meanwhile, Matsukawa Issei, Hanamaki Takahiro, Kindaichi Yūtarō, and Kunimi Akira sat together.
"Kindaichi, your blocking has really improved. Having height really is an advantage," Matsukawa remarked. "When that two-meter-tall guy from Kamomedai kept getting stuffed by you—he started avoiding you by the end."
"Matsukawa-senpai, you were even more amazing! You actually managed to stop Hoshiumi!" Kindaichi exclaimed in awe.
"Ha ha ha…that was just a one-time thing." Matsukawa Issei couldn't hold back a grin. "Still, it was unexpected to go up against someone that strong."
"Yeah, yeah, you sure had your fun," Hanamaki Takahiro said, keeping a straight face. Unlike Matsukawa, he hadn't gotten the chance to play in today's match against Kamomedai.
"Ahem, senpai, I…" Kunimi Akira hesitated, unsure how to continue. After all, he and Hanamaki were competing for the same position.
"Pfft, what are you so nervous about?" Hanamaki suddenly laughed. "I'm really grateful to you first-years, you know."
"Because you're all so strong and reliable, we third-years even have the chance to stand here today."
"But aside from not wanting to lose to our opponents, we don't want to lose to you guys either."
Kunimi lowered his head slightly. He had a clear grasp of the match situation—he had contributed in some ways, but it wasn't nearly enough. Hanamaki's expectations and gratitude felt heavy on his shoulders.
"Kunimi, do you like volleyball a little more now?" Hanamaki suddenly asked.
"A little. It gets more interesting when you get stronger," Kunimi answered honestly.
"That's good. I can tell that you're different from us," Hanamaki said seriously, his gaze fixed on Kunimi. "You have talent, so don't lose to Taichi."
"???" Kunimi blinked in confusion.
"At the very least, stand by Taichi's side. Don't be like us, only able to watch Oikawa's back."
Hanamaki finished the last bite of his meal and stood up.
"With you guys here, I have no worries about Aoba Johsai's future. Right now, I just want to enjoy the final match of my high school career!"
"Yes, thank you, senpai!" Kunimi bowed his head.
How could the trust and expectations of his seniors be considered pressure?
Tomorrow, they had to win!
———
"Kyōtani, stop avoiding it every time you get blocked!" Yahaba Shigeru complained. "If Oikawa-senpai sets the ball to you, it means he believes you can score!"
"I'm not avoiding it." Kyōtani Kentarō bit into the fried chicken someone had brought back for him, his voice muffled.
"Then you should move more actively! When Taichi is in the back row, you need to attack more!" Yahaba looked like he was about to explode from frustration. "And use your brain more! Play smarter!"
"I am thinking."
"No, you're not! Your attack routes are too predictable! And when you're up against weak blockers, you should just crush them!" Yahaba waved his arms in exasperation.
Kyōtani furrowed his brows. "Their blocking was strong. You weren't on the court, so you wouldn't know."
!!!
Yahaba immediately bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. I wasn't on the court? Of course I wasn't! With Oikawa-senpai there, how was I supposed to get on?!
This bastard! How dare he insult me like this?!
"Don't take it personally." Watari Shinji stood up and pressed Yahaba back into his seat.
"Hmph!" Yahaba turned away in a huff.
"Some things may look like weaknesses but are actually traps," Kyōtani added after a rare moment of thought.
"Oh? Is that so?" Yahaba finally calmed down a little.
"Anyway, trust Watari more and go all out on offence!"
Watari nodded. "The more we coordinate, the better. I'll be behind you, so go for it."
"Got it."
After a brief silence, Kyōtani responded.
He really did need to be more aggressive.
At the very least, he couldn't fall too far behind Taichi.
———
Kaedehara Taichi and Chiba Kaho sat at the same table, eating.
"I see…" Taichi nodded as he listened to Chiba's breakdown of the match data.
Against Kamomedai, he had outperformed Hoshiumi Kōrai in both scoring and attacking efficiency.
Of course, he had to give some credit to Oikawa-senpai's silent contributions.
Taichi recalled the match against Mujinazaka at Interhigh Nationals. Back then, it had taken both him and Oikawa Tōru working together just to barely overcome Kiryū Wakatsu.
But today, at the critical moment in the second set, he had held his ground against both Hoshiumi Kōrai and Hirugami Sachirō—alone.
"I'm amazing! I deserve a drumstick as a reward!" Taichi declared as he reached over to grab a piece of chicken from the next table.
Oikawa Tōru: "???"
"That's mine!"
Oikawa had just started to get up to reclaim his food but quickly stopped himself.
As a senpai, he had to maintain his dignity…right?
"Forget it. Resting well is more important." Oikawa sighed in satisfaction. "So this is what playing at Nationals feels like…man, it's exhausting."
"Of course it is. After all, Oikawa-senpai, weren't you usually on vacation at this time of year?" Taichi commented casually.
Oikawa: "…"
"TAICHI!!! GIVE ME BACK MY CHICKEN!!!"
Oikawa shot up from his seat and chased Taichi around the dining area, weaving between their teammates.
Their antics ended when both of them received a well-placed iron fist of justice from Iwaizumi Hajime.
Back at their seats, Chiba suddenly raised the data sheet in her hands.
"Taichi, if your opponent tomorrow is Sakusa Kiyoomi, do you think you can beat him?"
"Of course!" Taichi's voice was filled with unwavering confidence.
"Starting tomorrow, when I defeat Sakusa-senpai—
I will be the strongest ace in Japan!"
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