"Back so soon? Looks like you've calmed down. But let's see if you can handle my attack this time."
Hayato stood at the service line, the ball resting steady in his hands. His eyes locked on Kyotani, who had just returned to the court. The aura around him was different now—gone was the reckless frenzy of the "Mad Dog." What stood before them was a predator with his fangs hidden, composed yet deadly.
"Hayato-senpai, serve it strong!"
"Take another point!"
"Show them your power—Fierce Bird!"
From the stands, Saeko and the others cheered, joined by Shimada, who gleefully shouted Hayato's nickname.
Hayato gave a dramatic wave toward the crowd. Embarrassing? Maybe. But after naming his jump float serve the "Electromagnetic Cannon," he figured being called "Fierce Bird" was nothing to fuss over. Just roll with it.
The whistle blew. Hayato inhaled deeply, then launched into his approach. The ball sailed over—sharp, heavy—but not flawless. His stamina had already been stretched thin; perfection couldn't be repeated endlessly.
Iwaizumi lunged, digging the serve with a desperate dive. The sound of the save drew gasps from Karasuno's side. Seijoh's defense really is ironclad.
Oikawa seized the chance ball without hesitation. "Mad Dog-chan!"
The set arced toward Kyotani.
"Seriously? Right after he comes back?"
"That pressure's insane…"
From the stands, the neighborhood association seniors marveled. Being trusted immediately after a substitution—there was no heavier responsibility.
But Kyotani didn't flinch. He planted his feet, wound up with a long, powerful approach, and unleashed his specialty: a razor-sharp cross-court spike.
"I was waiting for this!"
Hayato had already slid into position, arms raised to receive. But Kyotani's swing was a cannon shot—the ball slammed against Hayato's wrist, ricocheted out of bounds, and roared into the crowd.
Point for Seijoh. Claimed back by Kyotani himself.
"Yes!"
"Kyotani, nice one!"
The Seijoh bench erupted. Yahaba smirked. "See? He did it."
A shift rippled through the team. The lone wolf who once stood apart was now in their circle—Oikawa on one side, Iwaizumi on the other, teammates pressing close in celebration. For the first time, Kyotani felt it—the warmth of belonging.
On the opposite bench, Coach Ukai folded his arms. His brow furrowed. Troublesome. They're synced again. Even with a lead, it won't come easy now.
But Karasuno knew this feeling well. They had tasted bitter defeat before. Now, only one thought blazed in every chest: This time, we win. We take down Aoba Johsai.
Kyotani's spikes were sharper, his feints more cunning, but stamina was still the hidden enemy. He had been swinging with full power since the first set. Unlike Asahi, who entered fresh, Kyotani's fuel was burning low.
So even when Seijoh tied the score, Karasuno stole it back immediately. With Asahi hammering from the wing, Kageyama ramped up the tempo. Asahi didn't score every time, but his sheer force shook Seijoh's defense and drained their energy.
With the defense shifting toward Asahi, space opened for Hinata and Hayato. Karasuno's triple threat surged, overwhelming Seijoh's block, though their polished technique kept them barely afloat.
"Give it to me!"
"Tobio!"
"Kageyama!"
Three voices shouted at once. Surrounded by hungry attackers, Kageyama flicked his set to Hinata. With Seijoh's middle blocker subbed out for the libero, Hinata had a rare open lane.
"It's MINE!!!"
He soared, eyes wide with excitement—until he caught Oikawa closing in. In an instant, Hinata's arm snapped back, adjusting mid-air. Instead of a full spike, he tipped.
The ball floated gently over the net, landing untouched in Seijoh's court.
"Damn it!" Oikawa slapped the floor in frustration as the point slipped away. "That shorty's using his head now too."
"Next ball, Oikawa! Don't let it get to you."
"You did fine, senpai. We'll cover it better."
Even at this critical stage, Seijoh's players steadied each other. No panic, no cracks. Just resolve.
But Karasuno was already moving.
"Substitution—Yamaguchi in!"
The stadium buzzed.
"Oh, the jump float server again."
"Trying to pull away in one shot?"
"But didn't he get shut down last time?"
The murmurs reached the stands where Saeko and the others bristled. Koyuki puffed her cheeks. "Yamaguchi is good! It's not his fault Seijoh's defense is that strong!"
Uki patted her arm gently. "They're not wrong, though… I'm worried too." Her eyes returned to the court, watching Yamaguchi slap hands with his teammates. Has he shaken off the sting from last time?
On the bench, Shimada was trembling. His disciple's second chance—everything rested on this serve.
Please. Land this one. Score it.
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