Game continues…
---
Ushijima's power really was terrifying. After four or five fierce spikes, Jin had only managed to keep him in check with the help of his teammates.
Solo blocks were another story. At best, Jin had only gotten two clean touches, and against Ushijima, that alone was shocking. Their physicality wasn't even on the same level, Ushijima's raw strength and physique outclassed him.
Every time they clashed in the air, Jin kept adjusting his posture, refining the timing, anything to increase the chance of shutting him down.
On offense, Jin wasn't even showing everything he had. He wasn't dumb, there was no point in revealing all his cards before the big tournament.
The rotation came back around. Both he and Ushijima stepped into the front row again. This time Jin didn't give another verbal provocation. He just raised a hand and curled his fingers, a wordless 'come at me.'
"Everyonr," Jin called to his temporary teammates, "leave Ushijima-san to me. I'll stop him this time."
The system had already registered successful receives. All that remained was one. And Jin wasn't about to let anyone else get it for him.
The serve flew in. Ushijima's side recieve it, their setter position himself waiting for the ball to arrive.
"This way!" Ushijima's momentum skyrocketed as he took his approach, steps steady and lethal.
Jin's pupils tracked him rhythmically, his body already lowering into a stance.
He'd studied Ushijima's habits in their brief duel so far. The lefty ace made contact for only a fraction of a second, all raw power. He relied on his massive palm to extend that instant, maximizing drive. The difference was delicate, but exploitable.
"Three… two… one." Jin counted off in his head, delaying his jump by the barest breath.
To Ushijima's eyes, a wall suddenly rose in front of him, sealing his straight.
'My spike… might not break this one.'
For the first time, the thought of pulling back flickered through Ushijima's mind. His palm shifted, trying to tip the ball in the net instead.
But Jin's Eye of Insight was open. Every twitch, every subtle change in angle burned bright in his vision.
"Heh. Even the number one ace in the prefecture hesitates?" Jin's hand snapped forward.
*Smack!*
His block caught clean, the ball dropping hard to other side floor.
At the same moment, the system's chime echoed in his ears:
"Mission Completed"
Across the net, Ushijima stared at the ball.
"…I was stopped."
The feeling bit deeper than the block itself. Worse was the momentary instinct to back down, something he'd never once considered in battle before.
Jin didn't spare him comfort. He brushed his hands off and turned to his side. "That's enough for me today. You guys can keep playing."
Typical Jin… make a scene, then walk out smug.
"Jin!" Ushijima's voice carried across the court.
He paused, looking back with his usual grin.
"You scored on me, but I scored on you too. Let's call it even," Jin said casually.
"See you in the Interhigh," Ushijima replied seriously.
The line, so serious and so absolute, almost made Jin snort. He barely held it back, shoulders shaking as he laughed. "Man, looking at your face… But seriously-hah!"
"See you all too."
And just like that, he strolled out of the Shiratorizawa gym, energized.
Ushijima, still steady-faced, clenched his fists tighter.
On the sideline, Tendō leaned close with a sly grin. "Oooh, Ushijima-kun. Looks like silver-hair really got under your skin."
Semi let out a low breath. "Interhigh huh… Guess we'll faced him next time."
Ushijima only turned back to the court, wordless.
The training match continued, but the rare feeling of being challenged still lingered in the Shiratorizawa ace's chest.