Chapter 9: Post-Match
Hmm? Altering a career trajectory? Kaedehara Taiichi's mind raced. Could his presence have caused a shift in the world's timeline?
Recalling the original story, Hinata Shoyo and Kageyama Tobio's Freak Quick Attack was nearly unstoppable at first. It wasn't until a practice match with Nekoma, known for their defense, that Inuoka Sou managed to slightly limit Hinata Shoyo.
Beyond that, the Freak Quick Attack remained Hinata's trump card until the Inter-High quarterfinals, where they lost to Aoba Johsai. Only then, during a later training camp, did Hinata begin to consider ways to improve.
Without Azumane Asahi, this practice match's offense relied heavily on Hinata Shoyo. Tanaka Ryunosuke couldn't effectively share the offensive load, allowing Kaedehara Taiichi to near-perfectly restrict Hinata's performance. This led Hinata to realize he couldn't rely solely on the "Freak Attack" now, accelerating the "Crow's" evolution significantly.
Originally, Taiichi aimed to secure a practice match victory to boost Aoba Johsai's confidence early. Instead, it spurred Hinata Shoyo's growth, making it likely harder for Aoba Johsai to defeat Karasuno in the future.
But seeing a stronger Hinata Shoyo sooner excited Kaedehara Taiichi. Plus, gaining a jump stat boost was a total win!
"Taiichi, your smile's kinda creepy…"
"Ahem, no way…" Kaedehara Taiichi toned it down a bit.
"Taiichi, thank you…" Kindaichi Yutaro approached. To others, this might just be a routine practice match, but for Kindaichi, it held deeper meaning.
"Kindaichi, my serves won the match, you know," Oikawa Tooru boasted, sidling up.
"If you'd played from the start, it wouldn't have been so close!" Iwaizumi Hajime smacked a ball at Oikawa's head.
"How could you, Iwa-chan? I'm still injured… Stop, stop!" Oikawa protested.
"Oikawa-senpai, next time we face off, we'll win," Kageyama Tobio said seriously, approaching.
"Oh, it's little Tobio-chan! Long time no see—you've grown taller," Oikawa Tooru teased with a playful smile. "But I'm still better, you know."
Kageyama Tobio paused, then pulled the dazed Hinata Shoyo over. "With two of us, we won't lose."
"Really? You're not the only ones with a talented first-year," Oikawa Tooru pointed at Kaedehara Taiichi, who was stretching and spectating nearby. "Taiichi, throw some shade!"
Kaedehara Taiichi rolled his eyes. So childish.
Seeing Taiichi ignore him, Oikawa turned to Kindaichi. After a long stare, Kindaichi caved under his captain's pressure.
He glared at Kageyama. "Next time, we'll win too."
After Karasuno left, Oikawa Tooru, Kaedehara Taiichi, and Kindaichi Yutaro sat in a row outside the gym.
Iwaizumi Hajime walked over, kicking Oikawa lightly and asking Taiichi, "What's up with this idiot?"
Taiichi glanced over. "He tried flirting with Karasuno's beautiful manager and got ignored. That bald senpai kept staring him down."
Oikawa Tooru looked up. "She was definitely just shy. I'm totally fine with it, really."
Kunimi Akira joined them. "What's with Kindaichi? Wasn't he thrilled about winning earlier?"
Taiichi glanced again. "He's thinking about Kageyama…"
Kindaichi looked up. "Kageyama said 'we' just now. It kinda stings."
Iwaizumi and Kunimi were speechless, turning to Taiichi. "And why are you sitting here?"
Taiichi couldn't hold back anymore, clutching his stomach and laughing. "I'm just eating melon, hahaha…"
"Nutcase…" Iwaizumi muttered, feeling the team's problem children were multiplying. "Hurry up, we're reviewing today's match with Karasuno."
Inside the gym, Coach Irihata had already filled the whiteboard with notes on the match and analyses of Karasuno's players.
"Compared to last year, Karasuno's added some highly promising first-years, making them a team worth watching," Irihata said, pausing. "We invited Karasuno for this practice match, but their intent to train was clear. Even with that shorty's poor performance in the first set, they didn't sub him out, giving him time to adjust to the match's rhythm."
"Our first-set win was sheer luck—we can't get cocky. In the second set, before Oikawa joined, we didn't control the pace either."
"Sorry, who made me the center of attention the moment I stepped on?" Oikawa quipped.
That infuriating expression and airy tone… Iwaizumi couldn't resist and landed another flying kick.
"Oikawa," Manager Mizoguchi signaled for him to quiet down. "Karasuno didn't show their full hand either. That libero who performed well last year wasn't here today."
Speaking of which, Oikawa recalled Nishinoya Yuu, a Chidoriyama Junior High graduate who earned "Best Libero" in middle school, and that fierce-looking, hulking ace. Karasuno was hiding plenty.
"Their first-year shorty has weak fundamentals but becomes Karasuno's most threatening weapon thanks to a precise setter. That final miss seemed like an error, but it's proof they're desperately seeking growth," Irihata said, looking at Aoba Johsai's players. "Every team aiming to win is doing the same—training relentlessly for victory."
"No team, strong or weak, steps onto the court to lose."
"Yes, sir!"
Hearing the resounding responses, Manager Mizoguchi admired Irihata. The old ginger's still spicy—a few words kept the team from getting complacent.
Thus, Aoba Johsai's Saturday training continued.
---
Outside the gym, Karasuno's group walked back, subdued after their loss.
"Kageyama, from what you said, you've known Oikawa for a while?" Sugawara-mama tried to lighten the mood.
"He was my senpai in junior high. I learned serving and blocking by mimicking him," Kageyama Tobio said, pausing. "If I can surpass Oikawa-senpai, I'll be the best setter in the prefecture."
Sawamura Daichi glanced at him. Kageyama admitting inferiority in setting was rare.
Daichi shook his head, clearing stray thoughts. "Honestly, I'm frustrated. Hinata and Kageyama's partnership is excellent, but this practice match exposed our two biggest weaknesses…"
"First, when Hinata's offense falters, we lack someone to break the deadlock. Second, our receiving is all over the place. Poor receiving disrupts our offense, and at nationals, Oikawa won't be the only one with powerful serves."
Kageyama Tobio frowned. Captain Sawamura was right about their critical issues, but these weren't problems they could fix overnight.
"But," Sawamura Daichi turned to his teammates, "no need to worry too much. Karasuno's guardian deity and ace will return soon."
"Ace!"
"Guardian deity?!"