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Chapter 243: The Hour of Reckoning
🕑 Added 2025-02-19 16:12:10 +0000 UTCCompared to Aoba Johsai's long-standing rival Shiratorizawa, Fukurōdani had a far more balanced roster.
Where Shiratorizawa prioritized the sheer strength of individual players, Fukurōdani had capable athletes in every position. Their outside hitters, middle blockers, setter, and libero all worked in sync, forming a cohesive tactical system.
With balanced skills, complementary techniques, and diverse strategies, Fukurōdani could maintain consistent performance against various opponents. Even if their ace, Bokuto Kōtarō, wasn't at his best, they had other players who could stabilize the match.
But when Bokuto was performing at a level comparable to Ushijima Wakatoshi—an undisputed ace—Fukurōdani was at its absolute strongest.
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"Akaashi!" Bokuto called as he leapt on the left wing.
"Bokuto-san!" Akaashi Keiji's set arrived perfectly in front of him.
Boom!—
Despite Aoba Johsai's triple block, Bokuto's sharp cross-court spike landed for another clean point.
[Aoba Johsai 18 – 20 Fukurōdani]
"Ohhh—what a sharp angle!"
"I've lost count of how many points Bokuto has scored!"
"Bokuto is maintaining peak form into the second set!!!"
"In the past, he was known for being inconsistent, but right now, he's proving just how dominant he can be on offence!"
"Is this what they mean by 'don't underestimate someone after three days'?"
Fukurōdani continued serving. Konoha Akinori sent a float serve over the net.
"Pop!"
Watari Shinji watched the ball closely, keeping his body ready to move—Konoha's serve wasn't particularly fast, so he needed to focus on its trajectory first.
Whoosh—
The ball veered slightly to the right.
Wataru pushed off with his toes, adjusted his stance, and got into position to receive. He lowered his body slightly, hands steady as he bumped the ball upward.
Smack!
He managed to handle the serve.
Oikawa leapt gracefully, delivering a precise set to the left side.
From the back row, Kaedehara Taichi jumped, with Bokuto directly in front of him.
Boom!
Kyōtani Kentarō hammered a quick attack from the middle.
[Aoba Johsai 19 – 20 Fukurōdani]
"They're really good…" Akaashi muttered as he glanced at Oikawa, unable to hold back his admiration.
Even though Akaashi wasn't the one attacking, he could tell that every one of Oikawa's sets landed exactly where his hitters needed them. Until the very last moment before he released the ball, it was impossible to predict his target.
Bokuto was in excellent form in this set, and their current lead reflected that. But even with him scoring as expected, Fukurōdani still couldn't shake off Aoba Johsai.
What's more, Kaedehara Taichi had clearly reduced his back-row attacks this set, yet Aoba Johsai's offence remained completely unaffected.
That was because of Oikawa. Seamlessly, effortlessly, he was weaving the entire team together.
If this continued, Fukurōdani's slim lead might slip away—just like it had in the first set, when Taichi suddenly ramped up his attacks and turned the score around.
"Damn it, I'm overthinking again." Akaashi pinched his thigh, forcing himself to stay focused.
The serve rotated to Kunimi Akira.
Bang!
Kunimi's float serve was highly effective, wobbling unpredictably in the air. Konoha hesitated for a split second before receiving it.
Pop!
"Cover it!" Konoha called.
Akaashi moved quickly to the ball. "Damn, it's too low—"
Bokuto jumped, facing Aoba Johsai's triple block.
Smack!
The ball rebounded off the wall of hands.
"Akaashi! One more!" Bokuto retreated for a back-row approach.
Komi Haruki controlled the dig, allowing Akaashi to set a clean ball to the left side.
BAM!
Bokuto soared.
"Triple block!" Kyōtani, Iwaizumi, and Oikawa leapt together.
Unlike the previous play, this time Oikawa completely shut down Bokuto's cross-court angle.
Boom!
Bokuto Kōtarō forced a straight shot past Kyōtani Kentarō's left side.
Smack!
"Finally got it." Kunimi Akira received the ball perfectly.
The volleyball flew toward the center of Aoba Johsai's court. Suddenly, a figure launched forward from the back row, leaping toward the net.
"What?!!"
Fukurōdani's players followed the ball's trajectory but were forcefully drawn to the sight of Kaedehara Taichi soaring in front of the net. Not a single blocker was in position to stop him.
"But the ball—?"
Akaashi Keiji struggled to pull his gaze away, shifting his focus to the ball behind Kaedehara Taichi.
Just moments ago, Oikawa Tōru had been blocking on the right side—yet now, he had already leapt beneath the descending ball.
Whoosh!—
The volleyball left Oikawa's hand, landing precisely in Taichi's palm.
Not a millimetre off.
BOOM!
Fukurōdani's six players stood frozen in place, their feet seemingly welded to the floor, helpless as they watched Aoba Johsai's duo execute their play.
Bang!
The ball exploded past Akaashi's reach like a sudden clap of thunder, ricocheting high into the air.
Kaedehara Taichi had scored.
[Aoba Johsai 20 – 20 Fukurōdani]
"It's here! The Oikawa-Kaedehara ultra-fast attack!!!"
"Based on the first set, Fukurōdani was clearly prepared for this play, yet they still couldn't stop Aoba Johsai's lightning strike!"
"Taichi didn't hesitate for a second when hitting a ball set from behind him—that's an insane level of trust!"
"And it all started with Kunimi's perfect reception of Bokuto's spike! Aoba Johsai's attack unfolded in an instant!!!"
Akaashi Keiji's face darkened. The scariest part was definitely Oikawa's set…
How had he repositioned so quickly after blocking? How did he predict exactly what Kaedehara Taichi wanted? And most of all—how did he set such a precise ball in that split second?
No—this didn't start with Bokuto-san's spike being received.
It started with my set being too low…
"Calm down—what am I doing?" Sweat beaded on Akaashi's forehead.
"Akaashi! Akaashi!" Bokuto's voice jolted him back.
"Yes!" Akaashi snapped to attention.
"Lock down the next play!"
"R-right!"
Kunimi Akira served again.
Bang!
The ball dipped sharply over the net, targeting Akaashi in the front row.
Kunimi saw it clearly—Taichi and Oikawa-senpai had spent nearly two full sets waiting for this moment of hesitation.
For a spiker facing Taichi and a setter opposing Oikawa-senpai—if their will wasn't strong enough, they'd be overwhelmed.
Akaashi saw the ball dropping right in front of him—his body stiffened, unable to react.
Smack!
Bokuto lunged in from the left, scooping the ball up with one hand.
"Save!"
Akaashi snapped out of it and sent the ball to the right side. Washio Tatsuki jumped and swung.
Boom!
Smack!
Watari Shinji handled the reception cleanly.
Oikawa jumped and set—Kaedehara Taichi appeared above Akaashi in an instant.
"N-no!"
Akaashi leapt to block.
Bang!
Oikawa spiked the ball straight down at Akaashi's feet.
A cheeky setter dump.
[Aoba Johsai 21 – 20 Fukurōdani]
"Hey, what are you looking at?" Oikawa smirked, his voice dripping with amusement.
Had three minutes passed? Or just one?
Akaashi stood frozen.
The very thing he had feared had unfolded right before his eyes—
Aoba Johsai had stolen the lead again at the end of the set…
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