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Chapter 187: No Other Choice
🕑 Added 2025-01-27 16:24:37 +0000 UTCThey won!
Aoba Johsai defeated Shiratorizawa 3-1 in a decisive victory, claiming the championship of the Spring High Prefecture Representative Tournament.
Unlike the nerve-wracking IH Qualifier Finals filled with suspense, this time, Aoba Johsai demonstrated overwhelming strength and confidence from the start.
Their victory felt inevitable, setting the tone right from the first serve.
Throughout the match, the difference was apparent—not only in technique but also in mentality.
Facing Shiratorizawa, Aoba Johsai showed no fear. Their hunger for victory, coupled with their growth as players, filled them with unshakable confidence.
With minimal errors, seamless coordination, and precise execution of their strategies, Aoba Johsai maintained control of the game, showcasing their strengths to the fullest.
When the final whistle blew, signalling the end of the match, the Aoba Johsai cheering section erupted into thunderous applause.
"I never realized our school's volleyball team was this strong! Way better than I imagined!!"
"That was Shiratorizawa they beat!! Shiratorizawa!!"
From the second set onward, it felt like Aoba Johsai had already secured their victory.
The words spoken by Kaedehara Taichi and Oikawa Tōru during the pre-tournament rally echoed in the students' minds.
This year's Aoba Johsai really was aiming to dominate nationals!
The students screamed themselves hoarse, cheering wildly.
Kaedehara Taichi basked in the moment, celebrating with his teammates in the middle of the court.
Meanwhile, Oikawa Tōru didn't rush to take the spotlight.
A peculiar feeling washed over him—a sense of light illuminating the path forward in the final year of his high school journey, keeping his dreams alive.
On the other side of the court, Shiratorizawa's players stood in silence, the sting of loss etched across their faces.
No one stepped onto the court expecting to lose, but they had felt the difference in strength throughout the match.
"Goodbye, my paradise," murmured Tendo Satori, having already made peace with his decision to retire from volleyball after this season.
For players like him, along with the other second and third-years who had competed at nationals before, the loss was heavy but bearable.
For first-year Goshiki Tsutomu, however, the pain was overwhelming. Tears streamed down his face as he sobbed uncontrollably.
"Goshiki, it's up to you to lead Shiratorizawa back to nationals from now on," said Ōhira Reon, firmly patting his shoulder.
Ushijima Wakatoshi, ever composed, appeared calm. But that calmness stemmed from his honesty—with others, and especially with himself.
For him, the loss marked the end of his high school volleyball career, halted at the Spring High Representative Finals in his third year.
Yet, it was also just the beginning of his professional career.
Ushijima walked to the net. One side rejoiced, the other despaired—a net that drew a boundary between joy and heartbreak.
Aoba Johsai had already noticed their long-time rival approaching. Understanding the moment, they stepped aside, creating space for Kaedehara Taichi to face Ushijima across the net.
"Taichi, this time, you've won," Ushijima said calmly, but his words carried immense weight. "Next time, I hope we meet again on another court."
"Definitely!" Taichi responded with unwavering resolve.
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After more than ten minutes of celebration, Miyagi Prefecture's Governor, Murai Yoshihiro, stepped into the centre of the gymnasium. The staff quickly organized the players and reporters into their respective positions.
Murai, his face beaming with pride, approached Aoba Johsai's players, coaches, and school leaders. Taking the championship trophy adorned with the names of past winners, he handed it to Oikawa Tōru.
At first, Oikawa maintained his composure, but the moment he grasped the trophy, his eyes filled with tears. In an instant, he burst into uncontrollable sobs, tears and even a bit of snot threatening to drip onto the trophy.
Iwaizumi Hajime, who had been ready to celebrate, immediately recoiled in mock disgust. The team quickly and carefully passed the trophy around before returning it to Oikawa, who cradled it tightly.
"Congratulations on winning the Spring High Representative Tournament Championship!" Murai said earnestly, shaking Coach Irihata's hand.
"To commend the outstanding performance of both schools during this match, and to wish Aoba Johsai great success in the upcoming national tournament, let's give them all a big round of applause!"
Clap, clap, clap…
The entire gymnasium erupted into applause, celebrating both teams' efforts.
Amid the enthusiastic cheers, Kaedehara Taichi and Oikawa Tōru raised the championship trophy high together as the team gathered for a commemorative photo.
Following the celebration, it was time for the players' victory speeches.
After all the senior members had shared their thoughts, Kaedehara Taichi stepped forward as the final speaker to deliver his closing remarks and discuss the team's aspirations.
"Winning the championship feels amazing. It’s a testament to how much stronger we’ve become," Taichi said confidently, standing under the spotlight with a victorious smile. His words carried the weight of pride and certainty.
"Last time, I said we aimed to dominate the nationals, but we only made it as far as the quarterfinals."
The audience chuckled good-naturedly.
Ambitious goals were common among sports clubs, but most spectators understood how difficult they were to achieve.
"This time, our goal hasn’t changed—we're still aiming to dominate the nationals!" Taichi declared, his tone firm, full of unwavering faith in himself and his team.
"Because for us, there is no other choice!"
Three other teams heard Kaedehara Taichi’s bold proclamation from the stands. Karasuno and Date Tech could only laugh it off for now; neither team had yet qualified for the nationals.
With Aoba Johsai still standing in their way, the idea of national domination felt like a distant dream.
The players from Shiratorizawa, however, were stunned. Most of them had already experienced the national stage, with the third-years attending four times.
In Miyagi, Shiratorizawa had reigned as undisputed champions for years, but their best result at nationals was still only a top-eight finish.
Four times!
And each time, their journey ended in the quarterfinals.
For someone to so boldly proclaim a national championship after experiencing the nationals firsthand—this was no small thing.
This guy...Is it confidence? Or arrogance?
He’s too full of himself!
Yet, deep inside, a glimmer of expectation began to stir in their hearts.
Maybe…if it’s this Aoba Johsai team...Just maybe...
-----
A few days later, the Aoba Johsai team discovered something peculiar in the locker room.
“What’s this?” Iwaizumi Hajime asked, holding up a strange object he had taken from the outside of Oikawa’s locker. It looked like a hanger, but it had Oikawa’s face printed on it.
“An Oikawa hanger? Hahaha!” Hanamaki Takahiro burst into laughter at the bizarre item.
“Wait, is this a hanger with Oikawa-senpai’s face on it???” Kindaichi Yūtarō asked, walking over to get a closer look.
“Can I see it for a moment?” Kunimi Akira seemed unusually intrigued. “It looks like it’s made of paper. Why does something like this exist?”
“Wow!” Oikawa snatched the hanger back, admiring the “artwork” with a delighted expression. “What do you mean, ‘something like this', Kunimi?”
“Uh, well…doesn’t it seem kind of suspicious?” Kunimi mumbled.
“No, no, no! What’s suspicious about it? This is a masterpiece!” Oikawa clutched the hanger tightly, his voice rising in indignation.
“Where did this strange thing even come from?” Iwaizumi demanded, snatching it from Oikawa’s hands again.
“Apparently, when Oikawa-senpai ordered the team jerseys last time, he asked the store staff to make it for him,” Taichi revealed casually, dropping a bombshell.
“You requested this yourself? That’s so embarrassing!” Matsukawa Issei remarked with a straight face.
“Everyone, don’t be jealous!” Oikawa beamed, striking a smug pose.
“No one’s jealous of you...” Hanamaki stifled a laugh behind his hand.
“If you fold it like this, you can probably make a funny face out of it,” Iwaizumi said, holding the hanger and looking as though he was ready to experiment.
“Don’t you dare, Iwa-chan! You’re just jealous, aren’t you?!” Oikawa cried out in panic.
Bang!
Just as the hanger was on the verge of being deformed, Mizoguchi Sadayuki suddenly burst into the locker room.
“Taichi! Oikawa! You’ve been selected!”
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[T/N] - I am excited for the U19 Arc. Let's go!!!
