"Consecutive points!"
"Yeah!"
Seijoh's side surged with energy thanks to Kyotani's ferocious spikes. Losing the first set had clearly lit a fire under them.
"Wild as it is, that attack style is undeniably effective."
Daichi frowned as he steadied his team. Kyotani's raw power was a headache—but relief came as Nishinoya rotated in for Tsukishima. With their Guardian Deity on the court, Karasuno had a shield they could trust.
Sure enough, when Kyotani's next jump serve roared in, Daichi called it out.
"Nishinoya!"
The libero dove headfirst, arms stretched, and scooped the ball clean off the floor.
"Chance ball!"
"Great receive, Nishinoya!"
From the bench, Sugawara and the other players erupted in cheers as the ball floated high. Multiple spikers launched forward—Hinata on the left, Tanaka on the right, and Hayato preparing from the back row.
Oikawa's sharp gaze locked onto Kageyama, reading his body language.
"Hayato-senpai!"
"Leave it to me!"
Hayato sprang up from the back row and drove the ball straight at Oikawa.
"You brat—you're awfully confident!"
The spike smashed into Oikawa's arms, forcing him back a step. His posture buckled, but he still managed to keep the ball alive. Unfortunately for Seijoh, it popped right back over to Karasuno.
Tanaka reacted instantly, keeping it in play.
"Hinata—final attack!"
"Oh!"
Hinata burst forward and launched into the air. Too fast for Seijoh's defense to keep up, he slammed the ball clean into their court.
"Nice kill!"
"Good job, Hinata!" Tanaka shouted, high-fiving him.
From the stands, Koyuki cheered at the top of her lungs. She had thought Seijoh would counter, but instead the ball had gone right back to Karasuno, allowing for the crushing second strike.
"Hayato aimed that at Oikawa, didn't he?" Shimada, one of the neighborhood association members, adjusted his glasses.
"Yeah. I thought the same," Takinoue agreed with a grimace.
"Our new junior is really something."
"Huh? What's the big deal?" Saeko, curious, leaned toward them.
Shimada explained patiently. "Hayato deliberately targeted Seijoh's setter. If Oikawa gets forced to receive, he can't set. That leaves Seijoh relying on their other players to toss, which is much less threatening."
"And since Oikawa couldn't pass cleanly, Karasuno got to strike again immediately. A setter's disruption like that can swing momentum hard."
Saeko tilted her head. "But is hitting at the setter that hard? I saw Hayato practice it before—he made it look easy."
"Only because he's practiced endlessly," Takinoue said. "Most players can't aim spikes that precisely at all."
Saeko let out a low whistle. "Heh… so Hayato really is impressive."
The game raged on. With a perfect back-set from Oikawa, Kyotani blasted through Karasuno's block to score again. Veteran Seijoh and upstart Karasuno pushed each other point for point, neither side giving an inch.
Even when Kyotani didn't attack, his mere presence forced Karasuno to hesitate. Oikawa seized every opening that hesitation created.
Karasuno, however, answered in kind. Hayato's spikes were heavier than Kyotani's, forcing double coverage. And if Hayato was marked, Hinata was waiting. If Hinata was shadowed, Tanaka was ready.
Their abundance of attackers made Karasuno terrifying on offense. And both setters—Oikawa and Kageyama—were more than capable of slipping in surprise dumps when least expected.
The scoreboard tightened: Karasuno 12, Seijoh 11.
Ukai made his move. "Sugawara, you're in."
The substitution replaced Tsukishima, now in the back row, with Sugawara—the vice-captain and second setter.
"Huh? Why a sub now?" Saeko asked, confused.
"Tactical substitution," Shimada explained. "Sugawara must have a play only he can run. Let's see what it is."
The crowd buzzed with anticipation. Because Tsukishima had been serving, Sugawara stepped up to the line, having quietly conferred with Kageyama on his way in.
"Sugawara-senpai, good serve!" Hinata yelled, echoed by Hayato, Daichi, and Tanaka.
Sugawara smiled lightly. Just you watch.
The whistle blew. Sugawara focused, sent the ball up—and his serve floated sharply, sinking right in front of Kyotani.
Forced forward, Kyotani stumbled into a kneeling save, posture wrecked. Unable to stand quickly, he was cut out of the attack. Seijoh's offense faltered, and their next hit was smothered by Karasuno's block.
"Nice one, Suga!"
Sugawara exhaled in relief. His hands had been trembling as he served, but the plan worked perfectly.
He returned to the line, ready for more. Again, the ball dove toward Kyotani, again forcing him out of position.
"Damn it… He looks so cheerful, but his serves are sneaky," Oikawa muttered under his breath.
By repeatedly targeting Kyotani, Sugawara reduced Seijoh's options by one attacker. Weakening the enemy was strengthening Karasuno. And with Sugawara handling the ball, Kageyama was now free to join the offense.
The genius setter leapt, swung, and ripped a straight shot past the blockers for the point.
"Nice, Kageyama!"
"Thanks."
Even Hinata, grumbling, had to admit it. "Tch… but yeah, that was a beautiful spike."
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