Ryosuke: …
"Oikawa-senpai, you're really childish."
Ryosuke said it without the slightest mercy.
"Huh?!"
Oikawa nearly exploded with anger. Shiratorizawa really had it out for him in every possible way.
Iwaizumi dragged the humiliatingly loud Oikawa back, giving Ryosuke an apologetic look. Ryosuke just smiled and didn't say anything.
The Mad Dog's gaze, which had been fixed on the ace, briefly shifted toward Ryosuke before moving away again.
That point had been scored thanks to Oikawa's setter dump. Now it was Oikawa's turn to serve.
Yamagata's heart lifted slightly.
Receiving Oikawa's serve was one thing, but it always felt miserable doing it. He frowned at Oikawa across the court.
"Oh—hey!"
"Bang!"
Oikawa swung his arm, cupping the ball in his palm and smashing it toward Yamagata at high speed.
Cold sweat ran down Yamagata's forehead. Judging by the speed, the ball was probably heading straight for the baseline—another line-hugging serve.
Yamagata quickly moved to cover the baseline. As expected, the ball dropped close to the line.
He bent his knees, lowered his center of gravity, and received the ball.
"Bang!"
The force was still enormous, but fortunately he managed to cushion it.
The ball flew high.
Shirabu ran to position one, scanning the court and quickly deciding where to send the set.
Number sixteen was staring at him aggressively. Kunimi and Iwaizumi were ready to attack at any moment. Oikawa was also watching Ushijima and Reon carefully, guarding them closely.
Shirabu wasn't someone who relied on complicated tricks, but he knew a few basic ones.
For example—eye feints.
This trick might not fool Matsukawa, but it worked perfectly on Kyotani.
In some ways, Kyotani was still a bit of a hothead.
Shirabu subtly glanced toward Ushijima.
Kyotani caught the look and his eyes lit up, convinced he had read the set. He immediately ran toward Ushijima on the left.
Matsukawa: "?!"
What is this idiot doing?!
How could he fall for that so easily?!
"Mad Dog!" Matsukawa shouted.
Kyotani turned back in disbelief while running. He couldn't imagine anyone on the court besides Oikawa calling him that.
But the moment he turned—
Shirabu had already sent a short, flat quick to the right.
Goshiki jumped to meet it.
Kyotani: "?!"
He was furious.
Setters really had filthy hearts.
Goshiki cooperated with Shirabu on the quick attack. Originally he wanted to hit a straight vertical spike to avoid the block, but that move was still a bit difficult for him right now.
Seeing the vertical spike might fail, Goshiki didn't take the risk.
In midair he adjusted his wrist and sent a straight-line spike instead.
"Bang!"
Watari rushed across the backcourt and dug the ball with bent knees.
"Nice receive!"
Oikawa shouted as he turned his head.
Watari grinned.
"Hehe."
Even though his arm was nearly giving out, he forced it up again, his face twisted with effort.
Seeing the ball rise, Oikawa moved to the net.
Who should he give this ball to?
Kyotani was a wild card, a double-edged sword. If he gave him the ball, his temper might explode and ruin the play.
Iwaizumi was already in his approach, but if he spiked it, Yamagata would probably dig it again.
Which meant…
Oikawa flicked the ball toward Matsukawa and deliberately shouted:
"Matsukawa!"
Matsukawa jerked his head up and stepped back to prepare for the spike.
Oikawa noticed a certain figure chasing from behind and curled his lips into a grin.
Ha.
Mad Dog really was the biggest variable.
Ryosuke had already prepared to jump for the block.
But when he saw Matsukawa jump, something immediately felt off.
Oikawa-senpai is sneaky.
When he sets, he either signals beforehand or stays completely silent.
He'd never set this loudly.
This is suspicious…
Matsukawa also felt something was wrong as he jumped. When he noticed Ryosuke's gaze drifting past him toward his back, he instantly realized he'd been used.
Damn Oikawa.
Kyotani's eyes lit up.
That ball—
He could steal it!
His approach was incredibly fast. Almost the moment Matsukawa jumped, Kyotani jumped right behind him.
He slammed straight into Matsukawa, knocking him aside, then swung down at the ball with explosive force.
Ryosuke had already confirmed his suspicion the moment Matsukawa's expression changed.
And then—
Number sixteen suddenly appeared in the air and shoved Matsukawa out of the way.
Ryosuke: …
Honestly.
Aobajosai was really lucky to have teammates like that.
Everyone on Shiratorizawa was stunned.
It was the first time they had seen someone steal a ball from their own teammate.
Even Reon didn't know what to say.
Could a team like Aobajosai really tolerate someone this reckless?
As Kyotani jumped, Ryosuke also jumped.
From midair, he clearly saw the shock in Kyotani's eyes.
Kyotani had originally planned a cross shot.
At the last second he changed his wrist to try for a diagonal instead.
But number six on the other side seemed to have eyes everywhere.
Ryosuke's right arm shifted instantly and blocked the ball precisely.
"Smack!"
"Beep—!"
After landing, Ryosuke stared intensely at Kyotani's wrist.
His physical talent really is amazing…
Not quite on the level of Ushijima, but his body condition is excellent. A bit reckless and stubborn, sure—but that's not a big problem.
Even his muscle structure looks great.
That core strength must be incredible.
Ryosuke's gaze grew increasingly intense.
The teacher in him was stirring again.
He loved cultivating rivals for himself.
Kyotani felt uncomfortable under that stare and glared back fiercely. His intimidating sharp eyes looked scary at first glance.
But Ryosuke didn't care at all.
He even smiled at him.
It felt like punching cotton.
Kyotani turned away with a dark expression. Then he noticed Matsukawa rubbing his waist nearby.
Without apologizing, he glanced at him briefly and walked away.
Matsukawa nearly choked on his anger.
And Oikawa got dragged into that anger too.
Damn Oikawa.
He'd even used him as bait.
Now Matsukawa finally understood how it felt to be one of Oikawa's victims—angry, but unable to explain exactly why.
Disgusting.
Facing Matsukawa's hostile stare, Oikawa scratched his nose awkwardly and hurried over to explain.
The score was now 8–7.
Shiratorizawa was ahead.
Both teams switched sides.
...
While switching courts, Goshiki, Ushijima, and Ryosuke walked together.
Reon jogged up behind them and asked Ryosuke,
"What was going on with that number sixteen?"
Ryosuke wiped the sweat off his forehead.
"Never seen him before. Probably new. Doesn't seem to get along with the others."
"Oikawa-senpai deliberately let him steal that ball. If I hadn't seen through it, we might've been caught off guard."
"Whoa…"
Goshiki, who had been secretly listening, sucked in a breath.
Reon laughed helplessly.
"What are you gasping for?"
Goshiki pouted.
"Oikawa-senpai is way too sneaky."
Ushijima nodded.
That was absolutely true.
Ryosuke grinned.
"Don't worry. Leave number sixteen to me."
"But Reon-senpai, please help keep an eye on the other blockers."
...
Meanwhile, in the infirmary on the other side of the building, Tendō's fever had already gone down.
He checked the thermometer.
Thirty-seven degrees.
Not too bad.
He shrugged and pulled the IV needle out of his hand.
Saito had just returned from watching the match when he saw Tendō preparing to escape.
"You'll get scolded if you go back now."
"Your temperature hasn't even fully returned to normal yet."
Tendō shrank slightly at the gentle voice from the doorway.
He remembered the terrifying fascia knife treatment and laughed awkwardly.
"It's fine. Coach Washijō scolding me isn't anything new."
"I'm going."
He jumped out of bed.
Watching the match replay on the screen earlier, he had realized something.
Because of his stubbornness, everyone was worrying about him.
For someone as carefree as Tendō, it was the first time he felt what it meant to care about others like that.
His teammates were still waiting for him on the court.
He couldn't wait to go back.
"Thanks, Saito!"
Tendō hummed as he left, swaying happily.
His desire to return to the match had already defeated his fear of the fascia knife.
...
After switching sides, Ushijima stepped up to serve.
Watari looked at him and gave a bitter smile.
His arms were already bruised purple and blue.
He didn't even have the energy to complain anymore.
Why didn't Oikawa let the first-year libero substitute in?
Even if you're squeezing someone dry, you can't keep squeezing the same sheep.
"Bang!"
Ushijima unleashed another powerful jump serve.
Watari froze when he saw the heavy left-handed spin.
Receiving a jump serve at Ushijima's level was already extremely difficult.
Being left-handed made it even worse.
Every successful receive earlier had basically been luck.
Seeing the ball heading toward Oikawa's position, Watari sprinted forward.
At Aobajosai, there was an unspoken rule:
During serve receive, the libero takes everything.
"Oikawa, move!"
Oikawa quietly stepped aside.
The moment he moved, Watari dove forward—
But the ball slammed down near Oikawa.
Watari had started too far back.
Even running at full speed, he was still a little late.
He slammed his fist against the floor in frustration.
"Beep—!"
"Ushijima-senpai is amazing!"
Fan number one, Goshiki, began cheering loudly.
"Ushijima-senpai is amazing."
Fan number two, Shirabu, echoed calmly.
Ushijima simply nodded.
Then he served again.
Another jump serve.
Oikawa nearly ground his teeth to dust.
Everyone on Aobajosai wore grim expressions.
"Bang!"
Ushijima's massive figure jumped, blocking out the gym lights.
The ball flew toward the back right corner.
Watari chased it desperately.
Seeing the ball within reach, he threw himself forward.
His arm stretched out and touched it.
Watari's eyes widened.
I got it!
But in the next second—
After all the diving and scrambling from earlier sets, his body had reached its limit.
The libero was the position that ran the most on the court.
Watari couldn't control the cushioning angle.
The ball slammed into his arm and ricocheted sharply into the corner.
"Beep—!"
13–9.
Shiratorizawa led by four points.
Watari lowered his head weakly.
His mentality was close to breaking.
Compared to Ushijima's serve, Oikawa's almost felt gentle.
For Watari, this felt like pure torture.
"Get up."
Iwaizumi extended his hand, his gaze firm.
Watari looked up in surprise and grabbed his hand.
"We can't lose yet."
"We're counting on you, Watari."
Iwaizumi rarely said things like that.
Watari stared at him in disbelief.
Nearby, Kyotani stood alone watching them.
From Ryosuke's perspective, the separation was obvious.
Kyotani stood completely outside their circle.
The team didn't accept the Mad Dog.
And the Mad Dog didn't want indecisive teammates.
Kyotani sensed someone watching and turned.
He met Ryosuke's gaze.
Those bright green catlike eyes stared at him quietly.
Kyotani shivered and immediately looked away.
Even though number six looked thin and harmless, his gaze felt dangerous.
Kyotani always trusted his instincts.
Ryosuke chuckled softly.
Watari's mood improved instantly thanks to Iwaizumi.
Honestly, being comforted by the strict vice captain felt like a huge win.
Meanwhile Oikawa shouted dramatically,
"Iwa! Why didn't you comfort me too?!"
Watari felt much better.
...
The whistle blew.
Ushijima served again.
"Bang!"
Watari focused completely.
This one—
I have to receive it.
He tracked the spin carefully and ran toward position three.
Kunimi stepped aside for him.
Watari crouched low and received the ball without diving.
"Bang!"
He rolled forward afterward, absorbing the impact.
It wasn't luck.
After failing so many times, his body had gradually learned how to receive Ushijima's serve.
Experience had become instinct.
"Nice!"
Iwaizumi pumped his fist.
"Watari!!!"
"Let's go Aobajosai!"
The crowd erupted.
Watching the volleyball spin across the court, Watari suddenly realized something.
He loved volleyball even more now.
And he loved being a libero even more.
The satisfied look on his face burned itself into Ryosuke's mind.
I want to receive like that too…
Ryosuke looked at him with envy.
Then he turned toward the Mad Dog charging in to spike.
He jumped.
"Bang!"
The ball hit his fingertips and bounced away.
"One touch!"
Ryosuke had blocked Kyotani again.
But now…
I like this even more.
The first line of defense.
I'll make sure you don't score a single point.
Ryosuke smiled happily at the net.
The thrill of a kill block and the opponent's frustrated expression made him genuinely happy.
For the first time, he understood why Tendō always looked so delighted when blocking.
...
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