Konoha was like a fisherman, constantly dangling the volleyball in front of Keiichiro Kanbayashi's eyes as he tried to reel in the big fish.
When he saw Keiichiro Kanbayashi's gaze following the ball up and down, Konoha suddenly tossed it into the air.
Keiichiro Kanbayashi's eyes followed it upward.
The instant the volleyball rose into the air, his focus sharpened. His gaze remained locked on the ball, and his feet unconsciously shifted into position.
Konoha extended his arms and prepared for his approach.
As he looked up at the volleyball, his expression became intensely focused.
With a whoosh, Konoha leaped into the air.
He raised his arm and swung his right hand.
"Bang!"
The sound was as loud as a firecracker.
Keiichiro Kanbayashi's expression changed the moment he heard it. That serve sounded every bit as powerful as Bokuto's.
Konoha really had been secretly holding back this entire time.
The volleyball shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.
From its trajectory, it was clearly aimed straight at Keiichiro Kanbayashi.
He immediately judged where it would land and rushed into position.
The key was not simply getting under the ball, but absorbing its force while keeping the receive under control. Keiichiro Kanbayashi had managed to receive every serve before this, including Bokuto's.
But they were already in the third set. Although Keiichiro Kanbayashi was not in terrible shape, he could no longer compare to how he had been in the first two sets.
His legs were already beginning to feel heavy.
Even so, he crouched down in position and extended both arms, ready to receive the serve.
"Bang!"
Konoha's serve slammed hard into Keiichiro Kanbayashi's forearms.
The impact forced him two steps backward. He dug in his heels and managed to hold his ground, tensing his arms as he tried to lift the ball.
But as he did, his brow furrowed deeper and deeper. He could feel the force behind the serve. It was on a completely different level from anything Konoha had shown before.
The volleyball remained against Keiichiro Kanbayashi's arms for a brief instant before glancing off them and flying away.
"Thud! Thump, thump!"
The ball struck the floor and bounced several more times.
"Beeeeep!"
At the sound of the whistle, Keiichiro Kanbayashi turned back with a frown, his face filled with frustration.
He really was not in the same condition as before. Had this happened in the previous set, he would have been able to receive it with a little more effort.
"Nice one, Konoha!"
"Great serve, Konoha! Since when were you this good?"
Haruki Komi teased him. Everyone knew why Konoha had suddenly become so impressive. He had been coasting throughout the earlier stages of the match, and now that everyone else was tiring, he was finally hitting his stride.
Konoha smiled but did not respond to Haruki Komi's remark.
"It's all right, Keiichiro Kanbayashi. Just receive the next one. We still have a chance."
Inube spoke to him with a serious expression. He could clearly sense that something was wrong with Keiichiro Kanbayashi. Perhaps he regretted losing that point, or perhaps he was blaming himself for failing to receive the serve.
"I know, Captain."
Keiichiro Kanbayashi pulled himself out of his thoughts, looked up at Inube, and smiled.
But no matter how anyone looked at it, that smile was far from genuine.
Seeing that, Inube said nothing more. He could not control what everyone thought, but he still hoped Keiichiro Kanbayashi would recover emotionally.
Hoshiumi approached with anxiety written across his face. Fukurōdani had already taken the lead, and if they failed to receive the next serve, their journey through the IH would end here.
He wanted to tell Keiichiro Kanbayashi to pull himself together and make sure he received the next ball.
Suwa seemed to see through Hoshiumi's intentions. He stepped in front of him and shook his head.
A libero was already under tremendous pressure, especially when receiving a serve this crucial. Telling Keiichiro Kanbayashi that he absolutely had to receive the ball would only add to that pressure and might cause him to make another mistake.
Keiichiro Kanbayashi was also the type to keep everything bottled up inside. In a situation like this, no matter the reason, they could not disturb him.
Suwa stopped Hoshiumi in his tracks. Although Hoshiumi looked confused, he obediently stayed where he was.
Inube waved at the group behind him who wanted to check on Keiichiro Kanbayashi, signaling for everyone to return to their positions. Regardless of Keiichiro Kanbayashi's current condition, the match still had to continue.
Even if he truly could not receive the next serve, it would only mean Kamomedai was not as strong as their opponents. No one would blame Keiichiro Kanbayashi alone.
They were one team. They won together and lost together.
"Beeeeep!"
The referee blew the whistle and signaled for everyone to return to their positions.
Keiichiro Kanbayashi dragged his heavy feet back to his spot.
He could see the words everyone was holding back. He knew they were worried about him, or rather, worried about the next serve.
Unlike before, Keiichiro Kanbayashi did not smile and tell everyone,
"No problem. Leave it to me."
Saying something like that now would have been deeply irresponsible. Keiichiro Kanbayashi could not bring himself to make such a promise.
All he could do was stare fixedly at Konoha, who was preparing to serve from the other side.
I have to receive this ball.
Keiichiro Kanbayashi repeatedly clenched his hands. Cold sweat had gathered on his palms, nearly soaking through his pants, but he did not notice at all.
After the referee's whistle, everyone returned to their positions, including Konoha.
His teammates behind him were still shouting.
"Come on, Konoha! Finish the match!"
Haruki Komi cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled. It was hard to tell whether he meant it sincerely or was deliberately letting the other side hear him as a provocation.
Bokuto did not understand why Haruki Komi was shouting that either, but he eagerly joined in.
"Come on, Konoha! Coach said we can go eat grilled meat if we win!"
The moment Bokuto's voice rang out, everyone on the bench turned in unison to look at Coach Takuro.
Coach Washijō let out a soft snort and spoke.
"Coach Takuro certainly seems confident. He even remembered his promise to take the kids out for grilled meat. Is he looking down on Coach Aaron?"
Reon, standing nearby, broke into a cold sweat. It turned out Coach Washijō was quite skilled at stirring the pot himself.
Takuro gave Coach Washijō an awkward smile, while inwardly cursing that little brat Bokuto from head to toe.
He had planned to take everyone out for grilled meat after the match, but he had never told Bokuto to announce it like that. Was that kid trying to provoke the other team? Couldn't he see the flames reigniting in their opponents' eyes?
And it worked. Bokuto's shout instantly revived Keiichiro Kanbayashi.
Seriously? I'm working myself to death over here, and they're already planning where to eat grilled meat after the match?!
No way. No matter what happens, I'm not letting them enjoy themselves that easily. Even if I have to drag this out until they collapse, I will!
With that one remark, Bokuto had restored Keiichiro Kanbayashi's fighting spirit.
Konoha saw the change in Keiichiro Kanbayashi's eyes from across the court. He turned and glared at Bokuto in exasperation.
Bokuto looked a little aggrieved. He had no idea why Konoha was glaring at him.
What bad intentions could an owl possibly have? He had only wanted to encourage his teammate. Why was everyone being so mean to him?
Konoha sighed at the sight of him. Forget it. There was no point getting angry with Bokuto. He hadn't done it on purpose.
The moment Konoha met Bokuto's clear, innocent gaze, every word he wanted to say lodged in his throat.
The fighting spirit in Kamomedai's eyes was already blazing, and the sight of it gave Konoha a terrible headache.
He had originally planned to use these two serves to crush the libero's confidence and finish the match in one decisive push. After Bokuto's interruption, that was clearly no longer possible. They would have to proceed steadily instead.
Takuro had naturally noticed the sudden surge in the opposing team's momentum as well. A vein throbbed on his forehead.
You little brat. You're finished once this match is over.
Coach Aaron was grinning so widely that his eyes nearly disappeared. He had always known Bokuto was a clever kid.
Seeing Takuro's displeased expression from the corner of his eye only made Aaron feel even better.
The players on the court were completely unaware of the tension brewing on the sidelines.
Konoha sighed. Crushing Kamomedai all at once was apparently out of the question. He would have to take it slowly.
His gaze settled on Keiichiro Kanbayashi.
When the referee's whistle sounded, Konoha tossed the volleyball into the air.
He began his approach and jumped, putting all his strength into another swing of his right arm. The serve flew forward with almost exactly the same power as the previous one.
Keiichiro Kanbayashi gritted his teeth and moved as he watched the volleyball hurtle toward him. He had to receive this serve. The match absolutely could not end with him.
Perhaps because his motivation had returned, his legs no longer felt quite as heavy.
Keiichiro Kanbayashi pushed himself forward and once again reached the spot where he predicted the ball would land. Then he bent his knees and lowered his body.
An intense ache ran through his legs as he crouched.
His attention wavered for only an instant before his eyes locked onto the rapidly approaching volleyball with even greater determination.
Keiichiro Kanbayashi extended both arms.
He was going to receive this ball.
"Bang!"
The familiar force struck him again, bending his arms beneath the impact.
Cold sweat slid down his forehead. His arms trembled as he held the ball, veins standing out beneath his skin while the volleyball continued spinning against his forearms.
Everyone watched with bated breath.
Perhaps everyone's encouragement before the rally had given Keiichiro Kanbayashi confidence. Or perhaps Bokuto's remark had stirred his stubbornness. Whatever the reason, he felt capable again.
As he felt the weight of the ball against his arms, one thought crossed his mind.
I can receive this.
Keiichiro Kanbayashi acted on that conviction.
His arms suddenly surged upward with renewed force.
Kazuyoshi Bessho saw Keiichiro Kanbayashi raise his arms, sending the volleyball soaring into the air.
Keiichiro Kanbayashi stared at the ball. His arms were still trembling as he shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Cover it!"
The moment he saw the volleyball rise, Keiichiro Kanbayashi almost cried with relief.
Thank goodness that hadn't been the final ball.
Kazuyoshi Bessho froze for a moment. He had thought the match was about to end, only to be handed an unexpected lifeline.
As the volleyball sailed toward the backcourt, Kazuyoshi Bessho immediately sprinted after it.
"That was incredible, Keiichiro!"
Inube had completely forgotten his usual composure as captain. He was genuinely overjoyed that Keiichiro Kanbayashi had received such a crucial serve.
That was Kamomedai's libero for you.
On the sidelines, Aaron grinned so broadly at the play that his gums nearly showed.
Excellent. That was Keiichiro Kanbayashi, all right.
The volleyball had been deflected toward the backcourt, while Kazuyoshi Bessho had originally been standing near the net.
Now he had to race all the way back to chase it down. As Kazuyoshi Bessho ran toward the rear of the court, the others moved in the opposite direction, rushing toward the net so he could organize an attack after reaching the ball.
Suwa and Inube led the charge.
On the other side, Washio and Konoha naturally understood what Kamomedai intended to do. Both of them immediately moved to the net, but Suwa blocked their view.
Inube moved continuously along the net, searching for a chance to attack or defend.
Hoshiumi, however, did not rush to the very front as everyone expected.
Given his usual personality, he would have been the first one charging ahead. But when the whistle had sounded earlier, his gaze had fallen on the scoreboard.
Fukurōdani was now leading Kamomedai by one point.
The sight instantly cooled Hoshiumi's head, as though someone had dumped a bucket of cold water over him.
He could not afford to act recklessly at this stage. He had to be careful. He had to be patient.
Hoshiumi controlled his pace and made sure not to move too far forward. If he got too close to the net, the opposing blockers would easily mark him. Then even if Kazuyoshi Bessho wanted to set to him, it would be difficult.
That was precisely why Kazuyoshi Bessho often chose not to set to Hoshiumi.
Hoshiumi might be exceptionally strong in the air, but Kazuyoshi Bessho was a setter. His main concern was finding the best way for the team to score.
Yet Hoshiumi's movement just now made Kazuyoshi Bessho feel as though something had suddenly clicked for him.
As long as Hoshiumi remained calm, his ability could rise to an entirely different level. Many people had told him that before, including his coaches, teammates, classmates, and family, but Hoshiumi had never taken it seriously.
No one had expected him to suddenly understand it in the middle of a match.
Hoshiumi could also tell that something about him had changed, but he could not explain what it was. He simply felt strange.
Hoshiumi began his approach from position six, but he did not run all the way to the net.
Moving right up to the net would make it highly likely that the opposing blockers would mark him, so instead, Hoshiumi ran toward the spot where Kazuyoshi Bessho would make the set.
Kazuyoshi Bessho naturally noticed.
Given the current situation, setting the ball to Hoshiumi was the only correct choice.
Suwa was already matched up against the blockers, while Captain Inube continued moving near the net without looking back even once. Kazuyoshi Bessho took that to mean Inube did not intend to spike the ball. Even if he did, there was a good chance Fukurōdani would receive it.
On Fukurōdani's side, Haruki Komi and Konoha could already keep up with Inube's speed. They were undoubtedly prepared for him.
None of the others were suitable options for the attack.
That left only Hoshiumi, who was running toward him.
Kazuyoshi Bessho quickly weighed every possibility in his mind. Once only one option remained, he decided to set the ball to Hoshiumi.
Hoshiumi was extremely close to Kazuyoshi Bessho, with barely a body's length between them.
The set was so fast that no one could even see clearly how the ball had left Kazuyoshi Bessho's hands.