Kyotani grew even more irritable after failing two straight attacks. His glare locked onto Karasuno's side—specifically on Hayato, who had shut down his last spike.
Hayato, unfazed by the intensity, simply smiled and gave him a casual wave.
"Hey, Kageyama," Hinata suddenly piped up, eyes wide with curiosity. "Wasn't that guy called 'Mad Dog' just now? That's such a cool nickname!"
"Idiot! Is this the time to be thinking about nicknames? Focus—we're one point away from set point!" Kageyama barked.
"I knooow! Can I hit the next one too?" Hinata insisted, still buzzing with energy from his last quick.
But Kageyama turned his back and moved into position without answering. Hinata pouted, sulking his way to his defensive spot.
"These two…" Hayato shook his head with a helpless smile. At least their antics meant they weren't nervous—just themselves.
Daichi tossed the ball high and served it over. Seijoh's libero stepped forward with a clean receive, and Oikawa instantly pushed the set to Kyotani.
Kyotani's eyes burned into Hayato's as he sprinted for the ball, as if daring him to try again. Hayato met his glare evenly.
Kyotani leapt, unleashing another diagonal spike aimed directly at Hayato.
Thud!
The ball ricocheted off Hayato's wrist and shot out of bounds. His arm stung from the impact.
"Damn… that one was even heavier than before," Hayato thought, flexing his wrist.
"Alright!" Kyotani roared, fist clenched, savoring his first clean point off Hayato. His ferocity was undeniable.
From the sidelines, Oikawa smirked. "So, Hayato's the one who rattles him, huh? Perfect." He was already plotting how to weaponize that rivalry.
Seijoh regained serve. Daichi called it early and took the receive himself.
Kageyama scanned his options. Both Hinata and Hayato were ready, but his decision was immediate—he sent the set to Hayato in the back row.
Hayato leapt, eyes locked on Kyotani's position, and ripped the ball toward him without hesitation.
Smack!
The spike brushed Kyotani's fingertips and flew out of bounds. Point, Karasuno.
Landing, Hayato shot Kyotani a look across the net. No words, but the message was clear: You scored on me, I'll score on you too.
Kyotani's lips curled into a feral grin, eyes flaring even hotter. Kindaichi, standing beside him, shuddered. "S-scary… This guy's terrifying."
"Match point!"
Karasuno's bench jumped up, cheering. Coach Ukai finally let out a breath of relief. Ever since Kyotani had been subbed in, Seijoh's attack tempo had spiked, and Ukai feared the game slipping away. But Hayato's composure had steadied them back onto match point.
Now in the front row, Hayato finally stood face-to-face with Kyotani at the net. Their silent standoff radiated tension.
The serve flew over, and Seijoh countered quickly. Oikawa spotted Hayato locked onto Kyotani and, with a sly grin, sent the set elsewhere.
"Not Kyotani—"
The ball went to another hitter, and Seijoh scored cleanly.
"Ah! We fell for it…" Daichi groaned.
Hayato clenched his jaw, realizing his mistake. "Sorry, everyone. I got too focused on him."
"Don't worry about it," Daichi said firmly. "It's normal to get caught up against a presence like that."
Hinata grinned. "Yeah, don't act like an old man, Hayato-senpai."
Kageyama frowned at Hinata's words, but Daichi just chuckled. Even Hayato could get rattled—he was still just a high schooler, after all.
Everyone reset, but the mood shifted as Seijoh closed the gap.
Hanamaki stepped up to serve, launching a powerful jump serve. Daichi received it, but the ball slipped, drifting back across the net.
"Sorry!"
"It's fine—press up!" Daichi called.
Seijoh pounced. Both Iwaizumi and Kyotani surged forward for the attack.
Who would Oikawa choose?
Hayato tried to think like him. If we can tie, he'll pick Iwaizumi.
But Oikawa thought differently. The set soared to Kyotani, who roared as he launched from the extension line and hammered it down.
Point, Seijoh. 24–24.
"Damn it, tied…" Sugawara muttered, covering his eyes.
The momentum swung. Seijoh erupted with energy, while Karasuno sagged under the weight of a lost lead.
Hayato felt it hit him hardest. "Sorry, everyone…"
But his teammates crowded around immediately.
"What's there to apologize for?" Daichi said, clapping his shoulder. "No one's perfect."
Tanaka grinned. "Exactly! C'mon, smile!"
Hinata chimed in cheerfully. "Hayato, you've got this!"
Kageyama stayed quiet, just watching. Seeing Hayato shaken was a first—it rattled him in its own way.
Then Nishinoya stepped forward, slapping Hayato's back with a grin.
"You're our Karasuno Fierce Bird! No way you're losing to Seijoh's Mad Dog! It's just a tie—we only need two more points. Leave it to us, and attack like an Ace!"
He spread his arms wide. "Look—everyone here's got your back."
"Yeah!" The whole team shouted in unison.
Hayato blinked, then laughed, clapping his cheeks with both hands. His smile returned.
"Alright… then I'm counting on all of you. Let's win back the two points I lost—together!"
"Ohhh!"
The first set was far from over.
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