"Hmm? Akashi-chan, you're not planning to play today?" After finishing his warm-up, Tooru Oikawa asked teasingly as he glanced at Akashi Asuka, who was sitting on the sidelines.

"I'm saving my energy for tomorrow's practice match. Besides, today's opponent isn't exactly inspiring."

To be honest, Karasuno hadn't even started evolving yet. Strictly speaking, they weren't even a complete team, missing two key players, Asahi Azumane and Yuu Nishinoya. With such a lineup, Akashi simply had no desire to step onto the court.

"Eh? I thought you'd want a reunion match with little Tobio, a battle between 'geniuses', so to speak."

Akashi shook his head. "I've never seen my opponent as just one person."

….

Oikawa's appearance on court didn't reverse Aoba Johsai's disadvantage. They had already lost too many points before he was subbed in, especially after facing Karasuno's Freak Quick for the first time.

However, Oikawa did get his first taste of Hinata Shoyo's appeal... though the price was losing the final point of the match.

After the match ended, Oikawa gave his thoughts: "That little guy on the other side... he has this strange charm that makes you want to set for him."

Hajime Iwaizumi, drinking a green sports drink next to him: "?????"

Once Karasuno left, the players at Aoba Johsai wrapped up their daily training. Before heading home, Akashi was even sternly forbidden by the coach from sneaking in extra practice. With no choice, he complied.

Back at Sanwa Inn, Akashi didn't do any additional training. After some light stretching to stay limber, he went to his room to study, write, and rest.

…..

The next day.

The Aoba Johsai team took a bus to Shiratorizawa Academy.

Compared to yesterday's casual attitude toward Karasuno, today's mood was completely different. Even the usually carefree Tooru Oikawa wore an uncharacteristically serious expression.

Unlike Aoba Johsai's passionate and energetic training atmosphere, Shiratorizawa exuded a cold, disciplined intensity. As soon as Aoba Johsai walked into the gym, they could feel the strict atmosphere.

"Please take care of us today!" the Aoba Johsai players called out politely.

For a brief moment, the disciplined air of Shiratorizawa was disrupted, but before the players could even fully turn around, a thunderous voice roared across the court:

"Who said you could stop?! Anyone who turned their heads, 100 extra receives after practice!"

The voice was so forceful that even some of Aoba Johsai's players involuntarily Shigeruddered.

"Yikes... that's terrifying. Coach Washijō is still as strict as ever." Oikawa said with a dramatic rub of his arms, his skin crawling.

"Hmph. Only strict training creates truly strong players. It's because your team's practice is too soft that you keep falling behind." a cold voice responded.

A short, elderly man, barely 170 cm tall, with piercing eyes like a vulture slowly approached.

Seeing him, both the coach and players of Aoba Johsai respectfully greeted, "It's been a while, Coach Washijō."

Washijō Tanji nodded briefly.

His sharp gaze swept over Oikawa, then lingered momentarily on Akashi before he turned away. "Follow me. They've finished warming up. Let's hope you give us something interesting today."

Following him into a separate court inside the gym, Aoba Johsai's players moved with practiced familiarity, quickly finding the locker room to change into their uniforms.

Shiratorizawa and Aoba Johsai weren't just long-time rivals in official matches, they were also regular sparring partners.

Although there were many schools in Miyagi Prefecture, very few had the qualifications to face off against powerhouses like these two in a practice match.

Aoba Johsai might not be able to defeat Shiratorizawa.

But other schools weren't even on Aoba Johsai's level.

As a result, practice matches between these two top-tier schools were quite frequent. Still, the win-loss ratio heavily favored Shiratorizawa, 2:8.

…..

Thirty minutes later.

After warm-ups, both teams lined up at the net for handshakes. Most players were calm, but when Oikawa and Ushijima Wakatoshi shook hands, the air between them practically crackled with tension.

Oikawa narrowed his eyes: "Just you wait, Ushiwaka. Today we will beat you."

Ushijima, calm as ever: "Oh. Do your best."

"The practice match between Aoba Johsai High School and Shiratorizawa Academy is now officially underway. Aoba Johsai will serve first!" the referee announced before blowing the whistle.

The sharp sound echoed through the gym, the match started.

Aoba Johsai's starting lineup:

Setter – Tooru Oikawa

Wing Spiker – Hajime Iwaizumi

Wing Spiker – Akashi Asuka

Middle Blocker – Yūtarō Kindaichi

Middle Blocker – Matsukawa Issei

Libero – Watari Shinji

Shiratorizawa's starting lineup:

Opposite Hitter – Ushijima Wakatoshi

Wing Spiker – Goshiki Tsutomu

Wing Spiker – Ohira Reon

Middle Blocker – Tendo Satori

Setter – Shirabu Kenjiro

Libero – Yamagata Hayato

Neither side deployed an Opposite Hitter to cover, they both went all in with aggressive, offense-heavy lineups.

The first serve came from Oikawa.

Standing just behind the baseline in Zone 1, he steadied his breathing, tossed the ball high, and swung his arm with explosive force.

Bang!

The volleyball rocketed across the court, leaving a perfect arc in the air.

No doubt, it was a flawless serve.

But just as the ball was about to land, a figure darted out from Shiratorizawa's side, Libero Yamagata Hayato had sprung into action.

Though overshadowed by Ushijima's overwhelming presence, the rest of Shiratorizawa's team were anything but average. Every player had honed their abilities to the limit, no one would be a starting member otherwise.

That said...

Catching Oikawa's serve on the first try wasn't easy.

Even Yamagata, who had faced Aoba Johsai countless times, couldn't guarantee a perfect receive every time. Though he managed to touch the ball, it rebounded sharply back into Aoba Johsai's court.

"Sorry! I couldn't get a clean receive!"

"It's okay, just stay focused on defense. Their offense is coming…"

Shirabu's words trailed off.

Because at that very moment, a figure from across the net leapt into the air, meeting the rebounding ball mid-flight and slamming it down with a single, devastating spike...

---------------------

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