"Damn it, again?!"
The moment Ukai Keishin saw the positioning of Oikawa Tooru and Akashi Asuka, he instantly understood Aoba Johsai's strategy.
Don't think having two powerful servers means you can do whatever you want!
Nobuteru Irihata: Sorry, but having two powerful servers really does let us do whatever we want.
Bang!
In the blink of an eye, Oikawa Tooru launched his second serve. This one targeted the open gap in Karasuno's backcourt. The ball shot cleanly through and hit the floor, another point.
2–0.
The second set had just begun, and already Karasuno was under heavy pressure.
"Tweet!"
Forced into action, Ukai Keishin called for an emergency timeout. Once the break ended and the players returned to the court, Oikawa immediately noticed the change in Karasuno's formation.
Asahi Azumane had shifted deeper into the corner of the backcourt, while Daichi Sawamura and Nishinoya Yuuu had widened their coverage.
"So they're doing the same as before, putting their best passers in the back to receive my serve, huh? But… do they really think that's enough?"
He muttered to himself just as he unleashed his third serve. Though it was slightly slower than the previous ones, this one was aimed straight at Asahi in the corner.
Smack.
Asahi reached out and received the ball. It flew high into the air.
Oikawa Tooru's eyes widened. "!!!∑(Дノ)ノ What?!"
Off-court, Ukai Keishin smiled faintly. Just as I thought. If Oikawa focuses on targeting a specific player, his serve speed drops.
Without a radar gun, it was hard to visually catch that drop in velocity, but luckily, Karasuno had a sharp-eyed first-year who pointed it out to Ukai earlier.
With the reception complete, Koushi Sugawara stepped in as setter, ready to organize Karasuno's first offensive play since the timeout.
As the ball left his hands, several Aoba Johsai defenders instinctively reacted, bracing for Karasuno's notorious "freak quick attack." But then they remembered, Tobio Kageyama was already off the court. Without him, that combo wasn't possible.
Tanaka and Hinata moved to draw the blockers, Kindaichi and Iwaizumi, away from the center.
But just as Asahi received the set from the back row, a wall appeared before him.
Akashi Asuka.
Even though it was just a single blocker, Asahi felt an overwhelming pressure. At the last second, his spike lost power, and he ended up brushing the ball over with a soft tip.
Thud!
The ball landed just inside Aoba Johsai's court.
Karasuno had scored, by sheer luck.
2–1.
Asahi let out a heavy breath, sweat trickling down his forehead. He was both relieved and rattled.
Aoba Johsai's players clicked their tongues in annoyance.
"Tch. Total fluke."
On the other side, Akashi Asuka glanced at Asahi with an unreadable expression. Deep down, he felt a tinge of disappointment. He had expected more from Karasuno, the so-called protagonist of this match.
But the truth was… Karasuno still wasn't ready.
The game hadn't even pushed him to try yet, and already Karasuno was falling apart.
Especially the man opposite him, Asahi Azumane.
Asuka couldn't see even a flicker of what should make a player a true ace.
Tweet!
The whistle blew. Karasuno would serve.
Aoba Johsai received cleanly with Shinji Watari. Oikawa set up Kindaichi, who launched a spike from the highest point, easily overpowering Hinata Shoyo for a clean point.
3–1.
Aoba Johsai reclaimed the serve.
And the next server, Akashi Asuka.
The moment Asuka walked to the service line, all of Karasuno tensed. All but one.
Libero Nishinoya Yuuu.
His eyes locked onto the figure behind the net. They grew sharper, like a hawk honing in on its prey. His gaze burned with desire, a silent challenge radiating from deep within:
Come at me. Hit me with everything you've got.
As if hearing the call, Akashi Asuka leapt into the air and struck.
Boom!
The ball tore through the air, flying straight for Nishinoya.
Instantly, he moved.
Like a hunting eagle, Nishinoya darted beneath the ball's path in a flash. He extended his arms and, with the softest of touches, absorbed the serve's impact.
Pop!
The ball soared skyward.
For a moment, everyone, on court and off, froze.
Aoba Johsai was stunned.
Karasuno was ecstatic.
"Nice receive, Nishinoya!!"
Ukai Keishin leapt from his seat, pumping his fists with pure joy.
"Asahi!!"
Then Nishinoya suddenly shouted with all his might:
"Don't back down! You're our ace! Let them bring it! I'll protect the back line with everything I've got… so don't run. Don't hide. Show them the power of Karasuno's ace!"
That soft tip from earlier? Maybe to others, it looked like a simple misplay.
But Nishinoya had seen something deeper, because he was Asahi's partner.
Just like Kageyama and Hinata were the "Sun" and "Shadow–"
Asahi Azumane and Nishinoya Yuuu carried their own meanings.
Nishinoya's words hit Asahi like a bolt of lightning, igniting something inside him.
That's right…
Why am I hesitating again?
I know I have someone watching my back. So what am I afraid of?
"Asahi!"
Sugawara's voice rang out, snapping him back to the moment. Blood pumping with adrenaline, Asahi looked up and saw it, a high set, far from the net. His ideal ball.
"Go, Asahi! Show them the true strength of Karasuno's ace!"
Charging forward, Asahi leapt into the air. On the other side, Kindaichi and Iwaizumi jumped to block, more than capable of stopping him.
But this time…
Smash!
The ball exploded past their double block and flew far beyond the court.
Point: Karasuno.
3–2.
"YEAHHHH!!!"
Karasuno's players surged toward Asahi, cheering wildly.
────────── ✦ ──────────
Across the net, Aoba Johsai fell into a brief, stunned silence. Neither Asahi's spike nor Nishinoya's reception had been part of their expectations.
"Uh…"
The players glanced nervously at Akashi Asuka.
They thought he'd be upset after having his serve received so cleanly.
But instead of frustration, they saw something else in his eyes,
Excitement.
The thrill... it's finally here.
==========
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