In the end, Tobio Kageyama stepped off the court in the latter half of the third set, Coach Keishin Ukai had made the bold decision to forfeit the set entirely.
16:10.
Overcoming a six-point deficit was already a tall order, but now that Aoba Johsai had fully adapted to Karasuno's offensive rhythm, winning this set had become nearly impossible.
So Ukai made the call, put everything on the line in Set Four.
If they could win the fourth set, Karasuno would still have a chance to force a comeback. As for the fifth and final set? That was a problem for later.
But if they stubbornly tried to fight their way through the third set, they'd likely lose it anyway, and also drain their energy, making it even harder to win the fourth.
"There's no other choice, is there?"
Ukai pressed both hands to his mouth. He knew well that asking high school players to give up a set was a bitter pill to swallow.
This kind of tactic was something you'd normally see in professional matches, but Ukai had no alternatives.
Sugawara Koushi was subbed in as a "sacrificial piece." He knew it going in, and he accepted it without hesitation.
The third set lasted a total of 25 minutes.
With Sugawara on the court, Karasuno's pace noticeably slowed. Their goal wasn't to score anymore, but to drain Aoba Johsai's stamina and maybe, just maybe, coax out more of their hidden cards.
Unfortunately, without Kageyama, Karasuno posed little threat.
Akashi Asuka alone scored six points in quick succession, securing an easy win for Aoba Johsai in the third set.
The overall score: 2–1.
Once again, Karasuno found themselves on the brink of elimination.
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"Ugh, I hate this feeling!"
"Always with the cliffhangers and do-or-die scenarios, it's exhausting."
"But we're used to it by now. Let's go, time to settle things with Aoba Johsai once and for all!"
As the break between the third and fourth sets ended, Karasuno gathered themselves. Kageyama, now fully rested, returned to the court.
On the other side, Aoba Johsai also rehydrated and headed back to their positions.
"Let's finish them off this set," shouted Hajime Iwaizumi as he took the lead onto the court.
From behind him, Oikawa muttered, "Who's the captain here, seriously?!"
Tweet!
The referee's whistle sounded.
Karasuno would serve first in the fourth set.
The moment Aoba Johsai saw who Karasuno sent to the line, their expressions shifted.
"They're starting with their key server? Looks like Karasuno's going all out for this set," Iwaizumi grinned, not intimidated at all, in fact, a flicker of excitement danced in his eyes.
"Perfect. So are we…"
Whap!
With a light but sharp hit, the fourth set of the Spring High Qualifiers' finals officially began.
The jump float serve wasn't fast, but its erratic path made it hard to track. For those with poor eyesight, it might even look like an illusion.
The ball fluttered over the net, then suddenly dipped just past the tape, barely clipping the edge.
Ssst.
The ball dropped sharply, just grazing the net on its way down.
"Just like Akashi guessed… These crows actually invented a net-skimming float serve."
Iwaizumi's lips twisted into a fierce smile as he dove forward.
This time, thanks to being on guard, he managed to dig the ball.
But the serve had dropped so close to the net that the first touch barely lifted the ball. Aoba Johsai had no choice but to simply return it over the net, they couldn't launch a counterattack.
As the soft ball floated back across the net, Kageyama made his move.
A sudden reverse set, a back attack, sent the ball across to the opposite side of the court.
And just then, a small figure appeared at the end of that pass.
Bang!
Quick strike from the setter + [Monster Quick].
Karasuno opened the fourth set with a decisive point.
"Whoa, what was that?! A first touch straight into a quick attack? Karasuno's setter is insane!"
"What a fast combo!"
"Karasuno's finally striking back?!"
That jaw-dropping play reignited the crowd.
After the "garbage time" of the third set had lulled many spectators into boredom, this explosive play snapped everyone back to life.
Meanwhile, Oikawa's face turned pale.
There was no question, Kageyama was back in top form, and it bothered Oikawa more than his own mistakes ever could.
"Damn that little Tobio. Just half a set of rest and he's already back at full power?!"
Yūki Yamaguchi continued with the second serve, another jump float. This one didn't clip the net but instead soared toward the back line. Judging by the trajectory, it might go out.
Still, Iwaizumi charged in without hesitation and made the reception.
"You think you can get away with that same trick again? Doesn't matter if it's a good ball or not, I'm taking it!"
He received it cleanly with an overhand pass.
Oikawa then quickly set it to Akashi Asuka.
"Block him!"
The moment Akashi jumped into a spiking motion, all of Karasuno's front line backed off, not a single blocker remained at the net. Everyone dropped into defensive stances on the floor.
"Karasuno's giving up the block?!"
A few spectators were stunned by the sight.
Coach Nobuteru Irihata stroked his chin and muttered, "It's a valid tactic against Akashi. With full-court floor defense, they can negate his height advantage… But it's risky. Way too risky."
He shook his head, clearly not recommending such a gamble.
Across the court, Ukai was breaking into a cold sweat as well.
"I know it's risky… but we've got no other way to stop that monster."
"Please, everyone, hold the line!"
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Mid-air.
Akashi looked down at Karasuno's all-out defense, and for a brief second… he couldn't find an opening.
"Think this'll stop me?"
He took a deep breath, then pulled his arm all the way back, his body coiling mid-air like a drawn bow.
His muscles bulged with tension, veins in his arms standing out like wires.
"If you think you can handle this, then go ahead and try."
A glint of ice flickered in his eyes.
Then, he released.
A brutal, full-force strike slammed the upper back of the ball.
BOOM!!!
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Completed version available on Patreon.com/Veltoria