Chapter 60: Battle of Brothers
Tied 1:1, the score of the third set currently stood at Team A 22: Team B 23.
In the first set, Team A lost too many points in the first half due to being blocked and making errors. Team B maintained their lead advantage all the way to the end of the first set.
The second set featured a completely new weapon—the super-quick attack. Team A, with Hinata Shoyo and Kageyama Tobio's super-quick attack as their main axis, launched into bombardment mode.
Hyakuzawa Yudai, lacking mobility, and Tsukishima Kei, whose blocking strength and technique were still somewhat immature—both main blocking players were unable to cope, only relying on Ichise Guren as the firefighter running around desperately to resolve crises.
Even Yamaguchi Tadashi's receiving hadn't reached a level where they could confidently entrust the ball to him. Multiple times, Ichise Guren had to make wide-range runs to make saves.
There were even one or two instances where Ichise's saves couldn't go over the net or be spiked, requiring the remaining two blocking players to bump the ball over.
Without a first pass, offense is nothing.
Ichise Guren was breathing heavily, his hands resting on his knees for a brief rest, his chest rising and falling with his breathing. He reached for the electrolyte water placed off-court, took a small sip, then quickly put down the bottle, waiting until his mouth was completely moistened before slowly swallowing.
'So that's why.'
'Volleyball is a game for six people.'
'Can't even spike with peace of mind anymore.'
Team B, lacking a proper setter and receiver, truly lacked an offensive pivot. Although the three-person blocking looked intimidating, the combination actually had quite a few weaknesses.
Hyakuzawa Yudai wasn't fast enough in movement. If he was responsible for quick attacks, he would expose more spiking gaps than Ichise Guren's help defense.
Tsukishima Kei's blocking experience was still far from adequate. Although his desire to win against Hinata Shoyo from holding a grudge remained, as he said, many things can't be solved just with effort and fighting spirit.
And Ichise Guren, who had sufficient technique, height, strength, and mobility, while being responsible for defending against the dual combination of Kageyama Tobio and Hinata Shoyo in a one-versus-two situation, also needed to shoulder the responsibilities of saves, help defense, switching defense, and even setting.
He was practically a super defensive gate supporting all the holes left by the other four players—a foundational cornerstone of the team.
And this cornerstone, Guren, seemed to feel a dull ache in his lower back. Even the body of a youth who worked hard to train in the most scientific way couldn't withstand such frequent punishment.
But just like the duo on the other side of the net.
Ultra-high precision sets, crazy running to tear apart defensive lines—Kageyama Tobio and Hinata Shoyo, these two stamina monsters of natural talent plus effort, were also nearly out of energy. Although they recovered quickly, the high-intensity match pace gave them no time to rest.
Yet in their eyes, the intense desire for victory still blazed.
The look in Ichise Guren's eyes beneath his disheveled bangs also expressed his unwavering belief that he must win.
The battle between both sides became a struggle of willpower in the final stages of the third set. Whichever side couldn't hold on first, whichever side first thought "it would be nice if the ball just hit the ground," would be the moment that team fell into disadvantage.
Unable to help but suck in a sharp breath, Sugawara Koshi patted Sawamura Daichi's shoulder.
"Hiss~ This might be the highest-level first-year practice match I've ever seen, though I haven't seen any other first-year practice matches."
"But this level should be considered top-tier within Miyagi Prefecture, right?"
Sawamura Daichi nodded in considerable agreement.
"Yeah! It should be."
"Although I was already prepared for Ichise's volleyball tactical level, I really didn't expect him to be this strong. Even as the middle school spiking demon lord, even when he chooses not to fight offense with offense, he alone still carried Team B's defense."
"Not inferior at all to Team A, who polished that terrifying offense in the first set."
"In my view, if Team B didn't have Ichise, even if we removed Team A's defensive stalwart Hoshino Masaru and made it a three-on-three match, Team A with their current offensive level would be enough to defeat Team B."
Ennoshita Chikara beside them also rubbed his chin and said:
"Everything you've said is right. Normally, I should be happy that such amazing newcomers joined our team."
"But how should I put it, my feelings are very complicated right now."
Seeing the two third-year seniors Sawamura Daichi and Sugawara Koshi turn back to look at him with confusion, Ennoshita scratched the back of his head.
"Hahaha, it's nothing."
He laughed awkwardly to cover his embarrassment, but then lowered his head.
"After all, these past few weeks, I've been considered a starting wing spiker~"
"Although I didn't make the starting lineup based on ability, suddenly having underclassmen stronger than me join, I feel like I'm about to lose my starting position."
"I feel both relieved and unwilling."
"But having a rare good coach for training, yet quitting because I couldn't handle the hardship."
"This is probably what should happen to me."
Kinoshita Hisashi and Narita Kazuhito watched their friend confess his shameful actions and also lowered their heads. The two of them had also been 'accomplices' who fled with Ennoshita due to fear of training.
Ennoshita's self-deprecating words didn't bring the impatience he had imagined, but rather hands from both Sawamura Daichi and Sugawara Koshi patting his shoulders.
Sugawara Koshi closed his eyes and waved a finger in front of him.
"Well, well, that's all in the past anyway. Besides, you didn't know about Coach Ukai going home to recuperate at the time, right?"
Sawamura Daichi also nodded seriously in agreement.
"Right, you came back to the volleyball team prepared to be thoroughly scolded or face humiliation."
Off the court, the 'eldest brother' was expressing his remorse and shame to 'father' and 'mother' without hiding anything, ultimately receiving recognition and forgiveness from the parents.
On the court, the battle between brothers continued to unfold. Although there was a 'second brother' participating, it was still essentially an internal family showdown.
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