After the practice match against Karasuno, Aoba Johsai's volleyball club returned to its normal routine. The first-year students, including Yuma Kikuzawa, had fully integrated into the team, with the Kikuzawa brothers, Hideaki Kunimi, and Kindaichi forming the solid core of the squad.
The positioning of Yuuki among the freshmen had given the coaches and team members headaches for a while. Unlike second-year Yahaba, whose skill level clearly lagged behind Oikawa's, Yuuki's setting ability was on par with Oikawa's - perhaps even superior in overall capability. However, when it came to communication with teammates, Oikawa was light-years ahead. One was socially adept and considerate of everyone, while the other was socially anxious and introverted - they were completely on different levels.
As the team's absolute spiritual core and tactical hub, neither the players nor the coaches wanted to replace Oikawa. But this made it seem like a waste for Yuuki, who was also an excellent setter. After much deliberation, they decided to have Yuuki play as a backup setter.
Normally, Yuuki would perform the duties of a wing spiker, handling blocking, receiving, acting as decoy, and spiking. At critical moments, he would suddenly emerge to replace Oikawa in setting, using the dual-setter tactic to catch opponents off guard.
Imagine this - the opposing team, having studied Aoba Johsai's data, devises countless strategies to target Oikawa as the team's linchpin. Just when they finally find a slight weakness in Oikawa and prepare to press their advantage, suddenly a "wing spiker" delivers sets on par with Oikawa's - talk about a morale crusher.
Coaches Irihata and Mizoguchi started grinning evilly just imagining the possible expressions on their opponents' faces.
Oh right, one thing to note - since both Kikuzawa brothers have terrible stamina, be sure to monitor their playing time carefully when using these golden cards - either deploy them in the first two sets or save them for the last two.
"...I feel like we lost to Yuuki again!" Yuma Kikuzawa managed to complain between gasps while running.
"What are you talking about?" Kindaichi, running ahead of Yuma, asked upon hearing the muttering behind him.
"I'm talking about Yuuki!" Yuma quickly caught up to Kindaichi. "Don't you think that guy is infuriating... huff... it's bad enough he's good at receiving as a setter... now he's muscling in on the wing spiker position too!"
"Well, Yuuki is just that talented."
"I refuse to accept this! That dual-setter move at critical moments... it's basically a 'trump card'! That's even cooler than being the ace!" Yuma howled in indignation.
Hideaki Kunimi following behind them: "..." How immature.
Yuuki following behind the three: "..." I heard all of that.
With several metaphorical black lines over his head, Yuuki caught up to his unreliable older brother and gave him a look.
"What are you looking at?!" Yuma glared back defiantly. "I wasn't badmouthing you behind your back - I was saying it right in front of you!"
Yuuki remained silent for a moment, then another moment, before deciding it wasn't worth arguing with his not-too-bright brother and sped up to run ahead.
"Cheater! Running ahead!" Yuma roared and quickened his pace to follow.
"First-years! No talking while running!" Hajime Iwaizumi bellowed with shark-like teeth, unable to stand the noise anymore.
After completing five laps around the gymnasium, the volleyball team members returned inside and lined up before the coaches.
"Ahem, I have an announcement to make," Coach Irihata said loudly to the group.
"Tomorrow at 10 AM, we'll be having a practice match against Nekoma High from Tokyo."
"Nekoma High?"
The cat school?!
Yuma's eyes sparkled.
Was this the cat team that had deep connections with Karasuno in the original story?!
"That school known for their strong defense?"
"Correct." Coach Irihata nodded. "Nekoma is a historic powerhouse in Tokyo that qualifies for Nationals almost every year. This is a rare opportunity since they're visiting Miyagi Prefecture for training."
Coach Mizoguchi added: "Nekoma arrived in Miyagi the day before yesterday. They've already soundly defeated Shirado and Senkawahara 2-0 in their two matches here."
Coach Irihata: "We can't let these outsiders run rampant in Miyagi Prefecture."
"No need to tell us twice, Coach." Oikawa flashed a mischievous grin. "Let's end Nekoma's winning streak right here at Aoba Johsai."
"Hehehe..." ×N
...
"Yuuki, Yuuki! Did you know Nekoma has an amazing libero?" Yuma enthusiastically shared his knowledge with Yuuki.
He was of course referring to Morisuke Yaku, one of the "Monster Generation," a hidden powerhouse who would later be selected for Japan's national team alongside Motoya Komori as libero.
"If Nekoma's record were slightly better, that guy could definitely rank among the top three liberos nationwide! Pretty interesting, right?!"
Yuuki closed his water bottle and slowly turned: "Why would I be interested?"
"Huh? Because you care about the libero position - don't deny it! Your dear older brother knows all your thoughts perfectly well." Yuma smirked smugly.
"If liberos could serve, you'd definitely have become one instead."
Yuma became a wing spiker because that was his only option, while Yuuki became a setter because he couldn't be a libero - the setter being the most comfortable position after libero, so he ultimately chose that.
"No point discussing this now." Yuuki put his bottle back and grabbed Yuma's sleeve to return to the court. "Back to practice."
"Stop pulling my sleeve! This is a T-shirt - it's going to come off!"
Watching this "heartwarming" display of "brotherly affection," those around couldn't help but comment.
"Their bond is as strong as ever."
"Indeed."
"Look what I found?!" A sudden exclamation interrupted everyone's thoughts.
Turning, they saw Oikawa crouched by the entrance excitedly calling outside: "A cat! It's the cat! That little cat came back!"
In the courtyard outside, a glossy calico cat lay basking contentedly in the sun. Hearing human voices, instead of being frightened, it rolled over to sunbathe more comfortably.
"It really is the same cat from last time - identical fur pattern."
"She's not scared of people today."
Familiar cat, familiar scene - the volleyball team members crowded in layers by the entrance.
"That thing actually dared to come back?!" Yuma instinctively covered his waist, recalling the previous barrage of attacks.
"Everyone back up, stay away! This creature is a source of disaster!"
"You're being too dramatic, little Yuma-chan." Oikawa easily pushed aside the nervous underclassman, having forgotten past pains, and cheerfully approached the cat, putting on a high-pitched voice. "Kitty, what are you doing here?"
The calico glanced sideways, ignoring the noisy human.
Seeing the cat showed no aggressive intent this time, those lingering in the back gradually approached to join in cat-calling.
"Kitty, are you sunbathing? Are you hungry?"
"Does anyone have food to feed her?"
Rustling sounds followed.
Oikawa produced tomorrow's breakfast milk bread; Takahiro Hanamaki offered cream puffs meant as snacks; Yahaba presented leftover rice balls from lunch; Hideaki Kunimi felt in his pockets and produced some candies.
Everyone: "..."
...Can cats even eat this stuff?
Just as despair set in, an unopened package of dried fish was triumphantly raised high.
Yuma: "Ta-da~"
"The shopkeeper gave this to Yuuki yesterday when he bought pudding!"
Yuma held the dried fish aloft, beaming with pride.
Iwaizumi took the fish, placing one piece before the calico.
Catching the scent, the cat slowly rose, surveyed the expectant human faces, and reluctantly took a small bite.
"Ooh! She's eating!"
"So cute! The way she eats is adorable!"
Cat: Heh, foolish humans.
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