Coach Irihata was surprised to see Oikawa step onto the court so soon. "Oikawa, didn't I tell you to rest a little longer? Your injury's already healed?"
The gym erupted at once.
"Kyaa! Oikawa-senpai, you're so handsome!"
"Oikawa-senpai, do your best!"
Oikawa flashed a perfect smile and waved to the girls in the stands. With his looks and easy charm, he never failed to draw attention.
"It was just a light sprain. I'm totally fine now." he said smoothly, then turned his sharp gaze toward the silver-haired first-year standing at the baseline.
Shirogane Jin spun the ball in his hands, locking eyes with Oikawa. Sparks practically crackled between them. Even without words, everyone could feel it, a battle of aces was about to begin.
Tanaka scowled at the screaming fangirls. "That pretty boy's Oikawa? He looks like nothing but a flashy show-off."
Kageyama's tone was clipped, but his face betrayed unease. "That's Oikawa-senpai… Don't be fooled. He's strong… and he's got a rotten personality."
Hinata flinched. "W-Wait… if Kageyama says someone's got a rotten personality, then he must be really scary!"
"Go warm up," Oikawa said casually, walking to the sideline, eyes never leaving Jin.
Jin tossed the ball high. His arm whipped forward, unleashing a powerful jump serve that tore through the air.
"Front!" Iwaizumi called out, bracing himself.
The ball slammed into his arms like a cannonball. The force jolted him back, and though he managed to keep it in play, the receive ricocheted up toward the net.
The crowd buzzed. Jin had already shaken the court once with his spikes—now his serve was just as devastating.
"Nice serve!"
"Do it again, Jin!"
Jin held the ball again, pointing it straight at Oikawa as if daring him.
Oikawa's smile faltered. He shrugged off his jacket, eyes gleaming. "Guess I can't wait around. Looks like I'll have to get in on this."
"Oikawa, wait, you didn't-" the assistant coach started.
Coach Irihata stopped him with a hand. "Let him play. He's warmed up enough."
The whistle blew. Oikawa stepped onto the court, standing boldly in the back row. "Silver-haired brat, show me what you've got!"
Jin smirked. "Don't think you can cover everything. My serve's only got one target… right in front of you!"
He launched another blistering jump serve. Oikawa crouched low, arms wide, prepared to receive. The ball smacked into his forearms, numbing them instantly. He kept it alive, but the pass veered off to the side.
"Tch… what a brutal serve," Oikawa muttered, hiding a spark of excitement.
"Focus! Get ready for the attack!" Daichi barked.
Yahaba scrambled to set, barely tossing up a ball for Iwaizumi. With a furious yell, Iwaizumi soared and spiked, only to be met by a triple block from Kageyama, Tsukishima, and Tanaka.
The ball ricocheted off the block and back into play. "Chance ball!" Daichi called, lifting it cleanly.
Kageyama glanced around, eyes sharp. His instincts told him to toss to Jin, and Jin was already waiting, eyes locked on the empty corner.
Kageyama hesitated. No one was there. Was Jin asking for a set into no man's land? But remembering Jin's crushing dominance in the rookie match, Kageyama grit his teeth and trusted him.
He flung the ball high to the right.
Everyone's eyes widened as Jin tore across the court, his speed blinding. Oikawa lunged to adjust, moving toward the open court—only to meet Jin's fiery stare mid-stride.
"My spikes don't avoid you. They only go straight at you!" Jin roared.
His swing thundered down, the ball hammering straight into Oikawa's arms. The sheer force toppled him backward, the ball exploding out of bounds.
The crowd gasped.
"Oikawa-senpai just got blown back…"
"That silver-haired first-year… he's a monster…"
Jin flexed his wrist, grinning. "What's wrong, Oikawa-senpai? Planning to stay sitting on the floor for the rest of the match?"