In volleyball, nothing is ever guaranteed. Success often comes from riding the unpredictable winds of fortune.

And if winning was the goal, why not use every possible tactic to achieve it?

Nohebi Academy's serve. Naoyasu Kuguri delivered a float serve with a controlled jump, sending the ball spinning toward the court. Watari Shinji moved laterally and received it cleanly.

"Eh? Can't you even receive properly?" Naoyasu Kuguri taunted Kunimi Akira, his tone dripping with mock surprise.

The ball had landed in the seam between Watari and Kunimi—a situation typically handled by the more skilled receiver, Watari, since Kunimi needed to remain ready for offence.

It was yet another baseless provocation. Kunimi didn't dignify it with a response.

Oikawa Tōru set the ball to the left side, where Kaedehara Taichi leapt to spike.

"Double block!" Suguru Daishō and Hiroo Kōji leapt into position.

Taichi avoided their block and struck a sharp cross-court shot. In the back row, Kazuma Numai received it with precision.

"No problem, that spike was weak!"

Nohebi's setter, Isumi Sakishima, lifted the ball high into the air. Suguru Daishō jumped, spiking with ferocity.

"Double block!" Taichi and Hanamaki Takahiro rose to meet him, their height casting a shadow over the opposing captain.

Smack!

The ball grazed the side of Hanamaki's hand and flew out of bounds.

Off the block and out. Daishō scored.

[Aoba Johsai 1 – 2 Nohebi]

"What exquisite spiking technique! Nohebi Academy's captain, Suguru Daishō, scores against Aoba Johsai's double block!" The commentator's voice explained the play to the excited crowd.

"Oh? So your blocks are all height and no technique?" Daishō's voice carried a lighthearted yet cutting tone.

Hanamaki frowned but held his tongue. They had just lost the point—there was little room for rebuttal.

Moments later, it was Iwaizumi Hajime's turn to attack.

"Oooh, a thunderous spike from Aoba Johsai's #4, Iwaizumi Hajime! He powers through Nohebi's block for a spectacular point!"

[Aoba Johsai 2 – 2 Nohebi]

"#4? Isn't that supposed to be the ace's number? Did some first-year kid snatch your ace spot?" Hiroo Kōji teased, glancing at Iwaizumi with mock disbelief.

In volleyball, the #4 jersey was traditionally reserved for the ace, though many teams didn't adhere to this rule strictly. Still, for a third-year starter and vice-captain, it was hard not to raise questions.

"How pitiful…" Suguru Daishō chimed in at the perfect moment, feigning sympathy.

"Do you always talk this much after losing a point?" Iwaizumi retorted calmly, his expression stoic as he faced Nohebi's players.

"Just offering my condolences," Daishō replied with a nonchalant wave of his hand.

Kyōtani Kentarō rotated to the front row.

Aoba Johsai served. Kaedehara Taichi's jump float landed in Nohebi's court, where Akama Sō received it. Isumi Sakishima quickly stepped into position, setting to the right side for Kazuma Numai's spike.

Hanamaki managed to dig the powerful attack, the ball ricocheting toward the net.

"Hit it back!"

Hiroo Kōji leapt to attack but found himself matched by Aoba Johsai's setter.

"Mad Dog-chan!"

Oikawa Tōru rose higher than expected, tipping the ball to the left side where Kyōtani had already started his approach.

"Double block!" Nohebi's Numai and Seguro leapt to intercept. But their rushed block proved futile against Kyōtani's raw power.

Boom!

The ball nearly grazed Seguro's chest before slamming into Nohebi's court.

Kyōtani scored.

[Aoba Johsai 5 – 4 Nohebi]

"A flawless cross-court spike!" Even the commentator sounded thrilled. "Aoba Johsai's setter capitalized on the smallest window to set up their #16, Kyōtani Kentarō, who delivered a spectacular answer!"

"A sharp angle, immense power—this could easily make today's top five highlights!"

"No doubt about it! Aoba Johsai is full of hidden talents!"

In Nohebi's cheering section:@@novelbin@@

"Isn't that guy a delinquent? How can someone like him play in a national tournament?"

The crowd's murmurs and pointed fingers were impossible to ignore.

"What did you just say?!" Kyōtani glared at the audience, his expression feral enough to make a few people fall silent.

The first referee glanced at Kyōtani, his displeasure evident.

Oikawa quickly stepped in front of Kyōtani, bowing slightly toward the referee in apology. The situation diffused before it could escalate further.

"Oh? Is there a story here?" Suguru Daishō's sly grin deepened as he exchanged glances with his teammates.

Aoba Johsai served again. Kaedehara sent a jump float over, which Akama received. Sakishima lifted a quick set aimed squarely at Kyōtani.

Kyōtani was forced to receive, passing the ball to Oikawa, who set it high for Iwaizumi.

But Iwaizumi's attack was dug by Seguro, and the rally continued.

Nohebi's setter manipulated the play, baiting Aoba Johsai into focusing on the centre. Hiroo Kōji spiked into the space vacated by their defence, scoring cleanly.

[Aoba Johsai 5 – 5 Nohebi]

"An unfortunate sequence!" The commentator announced. "It seems #16, Kyōtani Kentarō, was too far forward, leaving the backcourt vulnerable to Hiroo Kōji's attack. And—oh no! The spike ricocheted off Kyōtani's face!"

The ball left Kyōtani stunned, and Nohebi claimed the point.

-----

"Kyōtani, are you okay?"

"Kentarō-senpai?" Aoba Johsai's players gathered around him.

"I'm fine…but that guy…" Kyōtani Kentarō growled, glaring daggers at Numai Kazuma.

"A-ah! I'm really sorry!" Numai bowed at a perfect 90-degree angle, his voice filled with feigned sincerity.

"Wow, watching this Nohebi team play really clears the air~."

"Yeah, such polite high schoolers, huh?"

"I've never seen a player bow for something as common as an accidental hit during a match," a spectator commented. The crowd, charmed by Numai's display, even started clapping. The referee, too, gave a slight approving nod.

"This is disgusting…" Taichi muttered under his breath. Though he wasn't the direct target of Nohebi's tactics, their underhanded ploys were starting to grate on him.

Nohebi was serving again, with Suguru Daishō targeting Kyōtani.

"I got it!" Kunimi Akira shouted, stepping in preemptively. He had anticipated this and positioned himself closer to Kyōtani.

Smack!

Kunimi's receive steadied the ball, and Oikawa Tōru set it up for Kyōtani. Shut them up with your skills!

Kyōtani began his approach from just beside the net. With a sharp first step, he leapt explosively, his body arching backwards like a bowstring drawn taut. Every muscle in his arm tensed as he spiked the ball with ferocious force.

"Triple block!" Nohebi's front row adjusted quickly, stacking their defence against Kyōtani.

Boom!

The sheer power of Kyōtani's spike blasted through their three-man block and landed sharply within Nohebi's three-meter line.

Kyōtani Kentarō scored!

[Aoba Johsai 6 – 5 Nohebi]

"Sorry, I touched the net!" Seguro Akihiko loudly admitted his blocking violation, bowing to the referee.

"What's he doing? It's Seijoh's point either way!" Yahaba Shigeru grumbled on the bench, visibly frustrated.

"It's all for show. They're trying to impress the refs," Matsukawa Issei said, watching the scene unfold with furrowed brows.

-----

[Aoba Johsai 7 – 7 Nohebi]

Two rotations later, Oikawa Tōru stepped onto the service line.

"Oikawa-senpai, get us a good one!"

Standing at the line, Oikawa soaked in the atmosphere of the court.

By now, the court's dimensions, the height of the ceiling, the lights above, the hum of the crowd, and the distant camera lenses were all familiar to him. His nerves remained, but more than that, he felt exhilaration. This is what I've been dreaming of—playing on the national stage.

He realized he had been unusually quiet during the match, a stark difference from his usual self. Perhaps his teammates had noticed it too.

Breathe.

Oikawa exhaled deeply, his focus sharpening. The familiar motions of toss, approach, and jump felt second nature.

His palm connected with the ball, and it rocketed over the net with overwhelming force, compressing the air around it.

Boom!

The ball slammed into the baseline of Nohebi's court and rebounded into the audience behind them.

The arena went silent, all eyes drawn to Oikawa.

"Out!"

Akama Sō, the libero of Nohebi, hesitated briefly before claiming, "It was out!"

"It was out. I saw it too. Such a shame." Suguru Daishō feigned calmness, masking his satisfaction.

The sideline referee hadn't clearly seen the ball's trajectory.

In the absence of technology like Hawkeye, the decision rested on the main referee. Trusting Nohebi's prior displays of 'honesty', he signalled:

"Out!"

The call stood.

[Aoba Johsai 7 – 8 Nohebi]

"Such a pity. I could've sworn that ball clipped the baseline," the commentator lamented.

"But Aoba Johsai's Oikawa Tōru proves his skills are truly exceptional even at the national level!"

"Defeating Shiratorizawa wasn't a fluke. This team is packed with talent," the co-commentator added, trying to keep the mood light.

While Aoba Johsai's players looked visibly frustrated, they held back their protests—except for one.

"Are you blind?! That was clearly in!" Kyōtani shouted, his rage boiling over as he pointed at the referee.

The referee frowned and issued him a warning.

"Ask the spectators! Even their libero is lying!" Kyōtani continued, stepping toward the referee.

Before he could get any closer, his teammates rushed to restrain him.

The referee brandished a yellow card.

"Are you siding with them?!" Kyōtani roared, struggling against Iwaizumi's firm grip.

"Kyōtani!" Iwaizumi Hajime barked, holding him down as their coach, Irihata, intervened.

Tweet! The referee blew his whistle and raised a red card.

Aoba Johsai was penalized 1 point.

[Aoba Johsai 7 – 9 Nohebi]

Aoba Johsai called for a timeout.

_________

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