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Chapter 239: One Ball
🕑 Added 2025-02-18 16:00:13 +0000 UTCThe score stood at [Aoba Johsai 15 – 17 Fukurōdani].
Fukurōdani was on serve.
Konoha Akinori executed a jump float serve.
Hanamaki Takahiro received it cleanly, and Oikawa Tōru stepped in for the set.
Aoba Johsai launched a synchronized three-point attack—
On the left: Iwaizumi Hajime.
In the back row: Kaedehara Taichi.
On the right: Matsukawa Issei.
Despite Aoba Johsai's aggressive formation, Fukurōdani showed no signs of panic. Under Konoha's command, every player locked onto their designated mark.
It had been a long time since Oikawa had felt this level of defensive pressure.
Ever since Kaedehara Taichi's rise as a dominant attacker, Oikawa had grown used to manipulating defences.
But now, every attacker on his side was within Fukurōdani's field of vision—his setting choices would be read the instant the ball left his hands.
Fukurōdani had assigned a single blocker to mark Iwaizumi.
But two were watching Kaedehara Taichi.
Oikawa was confident—even from the back row, Taichi wasn't someone two blockers could stop so easily. However, as the match progressed, Aoba Johsai couldn't rely solely on Taichi.
Their other attackers needed to step up.
"Matsukawa!"
Oikawa sent the set to the right wing.
Matsukawa Issei—deliberately left open by Fukurōdani's blockers.
"Onaga, cover the cross!"
Even as Akaashi Keiji called out instructions, he and Onaga Wataru shifted to the right.
They wouldn't make it in time to meet Matsukawa head-on.
But—
"Double block!"
The two positioned themselves at the side, sealing off the crosscourt angle.
Smack!
Matsukawa adjusted mid-air and went for a straight shot.
Komi Haruki was ready—he received the spike with ease.
Akaashi jumped to set the ball.
No one in Fukurōdani knew when Bokuto's mood might take a downturn.
So they had to secure the first set now.
"Bokuto-senpai!"
Akaashi back-set the ball to the right wing.
"Double block!"
Oikawa and Matsukawa jumped to challenge Bokuto.
If they couldn't contribute on offence, they had to make up for it on defence. Compared to first-year Kindaichi Yūtarō, Matsukawa was far more precise in covering straight shots.
Boom!
Bokuto unleashed a powerful diagonal spike.
Smack!
Watari Shinji made the receive.
A perfect dig!
But the ball rebounded high, and Oikawa, having just landed from his block attempt, couldn't step in for the set.
"I got it!"
Hanamaki quickly positioned himself under the ball.
His heart pounded.
Among Aoba Johsai's four third-years—
Oikawa was their ace setter.
Iwaizumi was their most reliable attacker.
And he, Hanamaki Takahiro, was just…average.
This fact had only become clearer after Aoba Johsai welcomed three first-years into the starting lineup.
Forget the "THE Monster" Kaedehara Taichi—
Even Kunimi Akira and Kindaichi Yūtarō had evolved into vital players.
Kindaichi had started showcasing his raw talent as a blocker.
Kunimi had become a crucial stabilizer, keeping their offence and defence balanced.
How could he, a third-year, just stand by and watch his underclassmen carry the team?
This was their final tournament.
They had to take responsibility for their own battles.
And just like this ball in his hands—
It might not be as refined as Kunimi's sets.
But this was Hanamaki Takahiro's answer.
"Hanamaki-senpai! Set it high!"
"Got it!"
Kaedehara Taichi, noticing Hanamaki's tension, called for the ball himself.
Hanamaki sent a high, steady set toward the net.
It wasn't anything flashy.
But it was perfectly stable.
"That's more than enough!"
Kaedehara Taichi took off from the back row, launching himself from just behind the three-meter line.
Bam!
A spike infused with his senior's determination—he would never let it go to waste!
"Triple block!"
Sarukui Yamato, Onaga Wataru, and Akaashi Keiji formed a solid wall in front of him.
Taichi's contact point wasn't high enough to overpower Fukurōdani's blockers outright.
And attacking from the middle meant he had no sharp crosscourt angles to work with.
Boom!!—
Kaedehara Taichi chose to break through head-on!
Smack!
The ball slammed into Akaashi Keiji's forearm, ricocheting off upon impact and crashing into Fukurōdani's court.
Smack!
Bokuto Kōtarō dove to save it, but he hadn't expected the sheer force of the spike even after it had cleared the block. The ball struck his wrist and rebounded back into the air over Aoba Johsai's side.
"Taichi! Again!"
Oikawa Tōru leaped for the set.
Taichi had just landed in the back row, but he was already sprinting forward for another approach.
This time, Oikawa's set was even higher—faster—sharper!
BAM!
Taichi soared once more, and Fukurōdani's front row scrambled to jump with him.
BOOM!!
A high-hand spike!!!
The block did nothing to stop him!
Gasps erupted from the stands. Bokuto, just having gotten to his feet, could only watch as the ball plummeted from above.
Smack!
The sound of the receive was dull—slightly different from a standard dig.
"Nice receive!!!" Bokuto roared.
The crowd erupted into laughter.
"H-He shouted it himself!" The commentator chuckled in surprise.
"Hahaha…"
The audience, caught off guard by the unexpected moment, let out a breath amidst the tense rally.
"That's Bokuto for you, casually taking a ball to the chest like that."
"Completely unbothered!"
"Man, this guy is something else…Hahaha!"
But on the court—there was no time for laughter.
"Block it!"
The ball floated directly above the net.
Onaga Wataru and Matsukawa Issei both jumped.
Smack!
Onaga, using his height and wingspan, barely managed to tip the ball to the left.
"Ah—!"
Sarukui Yamato leapt, but he was still just short of reaching it.
Smack!
Just before it dropped, Sarukui swung his left hand upward, nudging the ball over the net.
"Chance ball!"
Hanamaki Takahiro received it.
Oikawa hesitated for a split second—he didn't opt for a quick attack.
Taichi needed just a little more time to reset.
"Left-wing!"
From the baseline, Taichi extended a single hand and called for the set.
Then, he dashed down the sideline, preparing to unleash every weapon at his disposal!
Oikawa lifted the ball high toward the left wing.
BAM!
Taichi jumped for the third time.
"Triple block!"
Akaashi Keiji stepped up without hesitation, even if it meant getting blown through again.
Because just now—
Hadn't Bokuto been standing behind him to cover?
Taichi's arm muscles tensed. He whipped his arm forward with explosive power—
"It's a wipe-off!"
Komi Haruki retreated toward the baseline.
A smirk formed at the corner of Taichi's lips.
At the very last second—he slowed his swing.
"This brat—! It's a tip!"
From the back row, Konoha Akinori sprinted forward.
—Smack!—
In his eyes, Taichi's grin magnified.
Yes—it was a tip.
But—
The ball floated high into the air, dropping softly onto the far corner of Fukurōdani's court.
Konoha skidded to a halt, twisted his body, and lunged—
But he lost his balance and crashed to the floor.
Komi dove from the side, but even he couldn't reach it.
Tap, tap, tap…
The only sound left on the court was the ball bouncing against the floor.
Kaedehara Taichi scores.
[Aoba Johsai 16 – 17 Fukurōdani]
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