Yamaguchi stood on the court, heart pounding, but his coach's words echoed in his head: "I believe in you."
Even after his shaky performance in the second set, Ukai still entrusted him with this critical moment. His teammates had rallied around him the instant he stepped on the court.
"Relax, relax. We're still ahead," someone said.
"Yeah, no need to get nervous."
Their smiles were calm, confident. Yamaguchi tried to return the expression, but his mouth twitched instead.
"Tadashi, give it your all," Hayato encouraged, flashing a thumbs-up.
"Yamaguchi, hit a good serve," Tsukishima added as he passed him the ball.
Coming from Tsukishima, who almost never spoke words of expectation, those were heavy. Yamaguchi gripped the ball tight, nodded, and walked toward the service line.
He already knew his Jump Float Serve was unpredictable—sometimes it would drop sharply, sometimes float upward. There was no way to fully control it. But he had a plan: aim at Kyotani, Aoba Johsai's volatile "Mad Dog." If he could disrupt Kyotani's rhythm, Karasuno could tilt the momentum in their favor.
Across the net, Kyotani glared with sharp, predatory eyes. A chill ran down Yamaguchi's spine, but he clenched his fists. For victory. I have to do this.
The whistle shrieked. Yamaguchi tossed the ball, struck, and sent it spinning across the net.
"Yamaguchi, let's go!" Koyuki shouted, leading the cheer squad.
The serve cut through the air, targeting Kyotani. At first glance, it looked like it would drift out of bounds. Kyotani hesitated—if it dropped last second, it would be lethal. He played it safe, lifting his hands to pass.
But the ball floated up awkwardly, not where he expected. His cautious touch turned into a dangerous misplay.
"Tch—again?" Oikawa groaned, watching the ball drift higher.
Before it could fall, Iwaizumi lunged, saving it with a desperate one-handed reach. A heartbeat later, their libero scrambled, keeping the ball alive, but the return floated straight back to Karasuno's side.
"Block!"
"Watch number 13!"
Everyone knew what was coming. With Yamaguchi subbing for Hinata, Karasuno's offense leaned on Hayato at the net and Asahi from the back row. Kageyama's set was sharp, precise.
"Hayato-senpai!"
"Got it!"
Hayato's approach was fluid, his jump explosive. He soared, swinging his arm down with force. The ball rocketed toward the back row—straight at Iwaizumi.
"Not so fast!"
Iwaizumi dove, steady hands cushioning the impact, saving it brilliantly.
"Senpai's on fire!" Aoba Johsai's bench roared. Two consecutive miracle saves left even Karasuno's subs wide-eyed. That's their Ace.
Oikawa wasted no time, flicking the set to Hanamaki. Daichi and Tsukishima sprang up, forming a wall. Hanamaki smirked, only to tip the ball at the last moment.
Too sharp. Too short. It would fall before anyone could get there—except one.
"I'll get it!"
Yamaguchi lunged, sliding forward, chin scraping the hardwood. With a desperate pancake save, his hand just barely propped the ball up.
"Yamaguchi!"
"Beautiful!"
The stands erupted, Hitoka hugging Koyuki, while Nishinoya and Hinata nearly leapt onto the court before Ennoshita restrained them.
Shimada shook Takinoue's shoulders wildly. "Did you see that?! My disciple did it!"
"You're shaking me too much…" Takinoue groaned.
Hayato, grinning, called for the next ball. If my juniors are fighting this hard, I can't lose either.
Kageyama fed him again. Hayato's spike slammed down the line, testing Iwaizumi once more.
"Don't underestimate me!" Iwaizumi braced, but the force was heavier than before. The ball ricocheted off, flying awkwardly back over.
Karasuno seized it. Yamaguchi stepped in, shouting, "I'll take it!" His set wasn't perfect, but it gave Kageyama options.
This time, the ball went to Asahi in the back row. His swing was like a cannon blast, bypassing the block entirely.
"Damn it!" Iwaizumi flung himself once more, but his tired arm couldn't hold. The ball slammed down.
20–19. Karasuno pulled ahead.
Everyone crowded Yamaguchi, ruffling his hair, shouting his name.
"You did it!"
"Nice one, Yamaguchi!"
In the stands, Hitoka cried out joyfully, while Saeko shook her pom-poms wildly. Shimada's face was practically glowing.
I have so far to go, Yamaguchi thought, chest burning. But I can fight beside them. I can.
The next serve was launched—again toward Kyotani. This time, Iwaizumi stepped in early, hands ready. But the ball swerved unpredictably at the last second, brushing his fingertips before veering off. Their libero barely saved it.
A quick counter. Oikawa set, Kyotani charged from the back row like a released spring. His spike cracked through the air, aimed squarely at Yamaguchi.
The impact rattled through Yamaguchi's arms, knocking him to the ground, the ball shooting out toward the benches.
"Asahi, get it!"
Ignoring the risk of injury, Asahi sprinted full speed, diving past the advertising boards. His hand scraped under the ball, saving it, even as his back collided painfully against the barrier.
"Chance ball!" he shouted, grimacing.
Kageyama fed Hayato once more. But his body was heavy, his spike weakened. Aoba Johsai dug it up. Oikawa set to Iwaizumi, but Tsukishima and Daichi rose in sync, blocking him cleanly.
"Yes!" Coach Ukai clenched his fists in triumph.
But just before the ball landed, Kyotani charged in, impossibly kicking the ball back into play.
"What—he saved it with his foot?!" The crowd roared in disbelief.
Hanamaki began his approach, but Oikawa smirked and dumped the ball himself. Karasuno froze—the ball dropped untouched.
20–20. Aoba Johsai's cheers shook the arena.
"Damn it…" Karasuno muttered. Their lead was gone again.
Yamaguchi left the court reluctantly, swapping with Hinata. His head hung.
"Sorry…"
"What are you talking about?" Hinata grinned. "You were amazing. Leave the rest to us!"
Ukai called Yamaguchi over. "Listen. You proved today that you belong here. Don't let your head drop—you've already shown you can fight alongside them."
"Yes, Coach!" Yamaguchi replied, fighting back tears.
But there was no time to linger. Oikawa stepped up to serve, eyes sharp. Shimada tensed. "This is bad…"
Saeko clenched her fists. "We've got Nishinoya now. We'll be fine."
Sure enough, Oikawa's blistering serve was tamed by Nishinoya's perfect receive.
"Chance ball!"
Karasuno went all-in with their trademark synchronized attack. Aoba Johsai scrambled, drawn to Hayato, only for Kageyama to slyly set to Daichi.
With calm precision, Daichi tipped it into open space.
Point, Karasuno.
The score climbed again. And then Tsukishima, reading Hanamaki perfectly, shut down another spike with a sharp diagonal block.
"Continuous scoring!"
"Tsukishima!"
The momentum swung back in Karasuno's favor.
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