Ushijima Wakatoshi's sudden display of serve reception skills unsettled the players of Seijoh.

Although they knew the main purpose behind Kitagawa's strategy was to conserve Ushijima's energy so he could focus more on attacking,

there was another way to see it:

If Ushijima had never shown this level of technique before, did that mean Seijoh had never truly pushed Kitagawa to their limits in previous matches?

No. They couldn't think like that.

If they did, Tsukishima felt the dark shadow he'd barely managed to suppress would rise again.

This reception by Ushijima didn't just help Kitagawa maintain their lead; it also broke Akashi Asuka's powerful serving streak.

The next rally began.

After Kitagawa's serve, Seijoh still held the offensive advantage.

Akashi Asuka had dropped back to the rear court, limiting his attacking options, but Tsukishima himself stood strong in the front court, posing a constant threat.

The attack eventually landed in the trusted hands of Iwaizumi Hajime, who skillfully executed Seijoh's signature 'time difference attack' to evade the front blockers.

And then, the ball was received once again by Ushijima.

"Give me the ball!"

Without hesitation at Ushijima's call, Shirabu Kenjirou sent a high set straight to him.

"You think you can just attack straight from the backcourt and underestimate us?"

Ushijima's blatant offensive intention instantly riled up Iwaizumi and Tsukishima, who charged forward to block him.

The next moment:

Ushijima leapt and struck the ball.

His body posture was nearly perfect, seemingly frozen in midair. Even as Tsukishima and Iwaizumi jumped alongside him, they began descending while Ushijima still hovered.

Bam!

The heavy sound of the hit echoed as Tsukishima and Iwaizumi helplessly watched the ball fly over their heads, tracing a massive diagonal arc across Seijoh's court, finally landing on the far back corner boundary line.

That powerful backcourt diagonal spike…

Not even Akashi Asuka could help but be stunned.

Honestly…

With front blockers in place, Akashi knew there was no way he could produce such a spike himself now.

Score: 16-18.

In an instant, the gap Seijoh had just opened was erased by Ushijima's two impeccable receptions and attacks.

"Huff… huff…"

Iwaizumi and Tsukishima hit the ground, gasping heavily.

Even they felt a creeping sense of despair.

Ushijima was just too well-rounded.

Not only was his offense formidable, but his defense seemed flawless as well.

When it came to all-around ability, Tsukishima thought he was on par with Ushijima, but in raw strength, Ushijima had the edge.

The match pressed on.

Kitagawa still held serve.

After the ball crossed the net, Watanabe Shinji received it steadily. This time, Tsukishima chose to hand the attack back to Akashi Asuka.

Faced with Tendo Satori's block, Akashi didn't attempt Ushijima's super diagonal spike but instead hit a sharply placed straight ball tight to the sideline.

Score: 17-18.

Seijoh gained a point.

But their joy was short-lived.

On the very next rally, Ushijima slammed down an aggressive, relentless attack to take the point right back.

Score: 17-19.

Next rally:

Akashi acted as a decoy, creating an opening for frontcourt Kindaichi to score, narrowing the gap.

Score: 18-19.

Then Kitagawa's offense fell again to Ushijima.

With skill and physical ability far beyond a typical high school player, Ushijima smashed through Seijoh's defense alone and reclaimed the point.

Score: 18-20.

Back and forth they went.

Kitagawa relied on their absolute power, while Seijoh counted on Akashi and Tsukishima's coordinated, clever attacks.

A fierce battle for every point unfolded until the match's end.

In the end,

Seijoh couldn't reverse the score, and Kitagawa reached 25 points first.

23-25.

The practice match concluded with Kitagawa's victory.

"Lost again, huh?"

When the referee blew the final whistle, Tsukishima, Iwaizumi, and the rest of Seijoh's third years fell silent.

They looked up at the arena's ceiling lights, sweat dripping from their chins.

After all, it was just a practice match.

But their feelings were still complicated.

No matter how strong their resolve, losing repeatedly to the same opponent inevitably bred frustration and despair.

Back at Seijoh's gym,

Coach Iriguchi Nobuteru didn't call for further training but announced the team was disbanded for the day.

The third years left one by one, many with a hint of confusion in their eyes.

The first years weren't as affected by the loss.

After the coach's announcement, Akashi Asuka immediately took Ryuhei Misaka off for training.

"I thought you'd be a little down about this?"

Watching Akashi's energetic training, Misaka's surprise showed clearly on his face.

"Down about what?" Akashi asked, puzzled.

Misaka counted off on his fingers, "For one, losing the match. Also, you got a lot of your serves returned today…"

Akashi stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"If it were before, I might have felt down about those things."

In his past life, after losing, Akashi often battled with negative emotions.

But those feelings weren't just about losing the match.

They came from the endless self-doubt that flooded his mind afterward:

Am I really improving?

Can I succeed in the future?

Do I even have the talent?

In competitive sports, such mental struggles are often the greatest obstacle to progress.

But for the current Akashi Asuka, those doubts no longer existed.

Because he had the system.

==========

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