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Chapter 126: Too Quiet
🕑 Added 2025-01-02 16:00:07 +0000 UTC"Out of bounds!"
"Oooouuuuut!"
Inarizaki's cheering squad erupted with boos and jeers, their voices loud and relentless. They refused to believe Aoba Johsai's players could maintain their composure under such auditory pressure.
Kaedehara Taichi nonchalantly used his pinky finger to clean his ear, then cupped his hand around it in a mock listening gesture.
The Inarizaki supporters stared, momentarily confused.
Before they could react, Taichi exaggeratedly mouthed the words:
"Too quiet! Can't hear you!"
For a brief moment, there was stunned silence. Then the Inarizaki supporters collectively realized what he meant, their faces twisting in disbelief.
"You little punk! Who do you think you are?!"
"Come down here if you've got guts!"
"Your serve is definitely going out!"
Over in Aoba Johsai's bench area, Coach Irihata buried his face in his hands. After three years with Oikawa Tōru, he thought he had built up immunity to troublemakers.
But now, Kaedehara Taichi was proving to be an even bigger headache—albeit an entertaining one.
"Beep!"
The referee signalled for quiet in the arena, issuing Taichi a formal warning.
On Inarizaki's side, Miya Atsumu couldn't hide his grin.
"This guy…He's got my kind of style," Atsumu remarked, thoroughly amused by Taichi's antics.
Taichi's attention turned back to Inarizaki's backline. He carefully studied their formation—Ginjima Hitoshi, Miya Atsumu, and Akagi Michinari were positioned to receive.
Not easy.
If the serve went to Atsumu, there was a high chance he would nail a pinpoint pass, setting up a lethal quick attack. Aiming for the libero, Akagi, would likely yield nothing but a perfect reception.
I'll have to mix things up.
As the referee's whistle signalled the next play, Taichi stood ready, ball in hand. Inarizaki's players lowered their centres of gravity, bracing for a powerful serve.
Three seconds passed…
Nothing.
Five seconds passed…
Still no movement.
By the eighth second, the referee's brow furrowed, and the whistle was ready to blow.
Inarizaki's players began to shift uneasily when—
Boom!
Kaedehara Taichi launched a serve at the last possible moment. Though it wasn't his usual aggressive jump serve, his precision was razor-sharp.
The ball shot toward the seam between Ginjima Hitoshi and Aran Ojiro, landing in the tricky no-man's-land between the front and back rows.
For a split second, confusion rippled through Inarizaki's ranks. But Ginjima didn't hesitate—he rushed forward and bumped the ball cleanly into the air.
"Nice save!"
Atsumu quickly rotated into position, setting the ball to the nearest attacker, Ren Ōmimi.
"Double block!"
Kyōtani Kentarō and Hanamaki Takahiro leapt together, their hands forming a tight barrier over the net. But Ren, always calm under pressure, tipped the ball delicately past their fingers, dropping it just beyond their reach.
Dive!
Iwaizumi Hajime hurled himself forward, making a spectacular diving save. The ball popped back into the air, and Oikawa stepped in, setting it to the right side.
Kunimi Akira charged forward, his jump timed perfectly with the set. He unleashed a powerful spike, aiming for the seam in Inarizaki's block.
"Block it!"
Aran Ojiro shut down Kunimi's cross-court attempt, his hands forming an impenetrable wall. The ball ricocheted off his fingers, but Akagi Michinari was there to scoop it up effortlessly.
"Chance ball!"
Atsumu was already in position, raising the ball high with a controlled set to the right wing.
Aran Ojiro sprinted into his approach, his strides powerful and deliberate. He soared into the air, his arm swinging down in a devastating arc.
Boom!
The ball rocketed past Kunimi's hands, clearing their fingertips and slamming into Kaedehara Taichi's outstretched hand.
The force was overwhelming, and the ball deflected out of bounds.
[Aoba Johsai 5 – 2 Inarizaki]
"Damn it." Taichi clenched his teeth. This summer, I absolutely have to perfect my serving.
On the other side, Kunimi Akira found himself feeling uncharacteristically restless. Ever since Aoba Johsai qualified for the nationals, his emotions have been in turmoil.
Volleyball, as a high school club activity, was something Kunimi intended to take seriously.
Although he often gave off the impression of slacking, he had never neglected any of his responsibilities. Kunimi simply completed every task with efficiency, nothing more, nothing less.
In fact, his consistent position as a starting member of Aoba Johsai proved his dedication.
His attitude wasn't the issue.
Yet Kunimi was acutely aware of one thing: after graduating, he probably wouldn't continue playing volleyball. Knowing this, he often wondered—was it really worth giving everything for something that would only last three years at most?
If Aoba Johsai hadn't made it to the nationals, Kunimi wouldn't have thought too much about it. His skills were sufficient for Miyagi Prefecture.
Even if he put in extra time to improve slightly, it wouldn't have made much difference if they still failed to qualify.
But now, standing on the national stage, Kunimi realized Aoba Johsai had become a focal point for attention.
"Is it enough to just meet the bare minimum?" This question had been lingering in his mind throughout the tournament.
Until today. Until just now.
Kunimi knew the opposing teams had started targeting him as a weak link.
If it were just about improving himself, Kunimi couldn't summon the same drive as his peers, like Kaedehara Taichi or Kindaichi Yūtarō.
But if his shortcomings led to Aoba Johsai's defeat on the national stage, that was something Kunimi absolutely couldn't accept!
Inarizaki's serve.
Ren Ōmimi mirrored Kaedehara Taichi's earlier tactic, holding the ball for the full eight seconds before serving.
"Such an annoying spot…" Iwaizumi Hajime muttered as he moved to the sideline to receive the ball.
"Mad Dog-chan!"
Oikawa Tōru raised the ball high to the left wing.
Kyōtani Kentarō sprinted sideways into his approach, facing Inarizaki's strongest blocking lineup.
"Triple block!"
Miya Osamu, Aran Ojiro, and Ōmimi Ren formed a solid wall in front of him.
Bang!
Kyōtani avoided the block, driving the ball down the edge with a powerful straight shot.
"Out!"
The referee immediately signaled.
[Aoba Johsai 5 – 3 Inarizaki]
"Inarizaki's blocking is terrifying," one commentator noted. "Ōmimi Ren, standing at 191 centimetres, completely shut down Kyōtani Kentarō's favourite diagonal shots. Miya Osamu also did an excellent job sealing off the straight path. That straight shot from Kyōtani was clearly forced."
"Sorry," Kyōtani said bluntly.
The rest of Aoba Johsai's players, witnessing Kyōtani's development over this tournament, felt a lump rise in their throats.
"Don't worry about it!"
"Shake it off; we'll get the next point!"
"We'll take back the next one!"
Their chorus of encouragement only made Kyōtani scowl in irritation.
"...Hah."
Seeing his expression, they collectively stopped talking and returned to their positions, preparing to receive the next serve.
"Let's get a good one!"
"Beep!"
Bang!
Almost as soon as the whistle blew, Ren Ōmimi unleashed his serve, aiming to catch Aoba Johsai off guard.
"Front row!"
"This serve is targeting Aoba Johsai's front row. While it doesn't pack much power, the placement is exceptionally tricky!"
Kunimi Akira turned his body, forcefully bumping the ball upward. It soared high, heading toward the left wing.
You must feel frustrated too. That's why you're always ready…
"Mad Dog-senpai!" Kunimi shouted instinctively, realizing a moment too late that he'd mimicked Taichi's nickname for Kyōtani.
Fortunately, Kyōtani didn't notice. His focus was locked solely on the ball arcing toward him.
"Was that a receiving error from Aoba Johsai's #13, Kunimi Akira? The ball isn't heading toward the setter's position."
"No! That's a pass! The ball is heading high to the left wing!"
Kyōtani Kentarō sprinted into his approach once more. This time, fully prepared, he exuded an even more menacing aura.
Stepping onto the court, Kyōtani launched himself into the air, his body stretching to its limits as he formed an arched silhouette. His right arm tightened, muscles taut with power.
"Didn't learn your lesson, huh?"
"Triple block!"
Once again, Inarizaki's three-man block loomed in front of him.
Kyōtani's powerful swing halted abruptly at the moment of contact. Instead of smashing the ball, he gently pushed it over the block.
"It's a tip!"
The ball dropped behind the blockers. Ren Ōmimi dove forward but failed to save it.
Tap, tap, tap…
Kyōtani Kentarō scored with a well-executed tip.
[Aoba Johsai 6 – 3 Inarizaki]
"This… this is unexpected!"
"Aoba Johsai's #16, Kyōtani Kentarō, is known for his raw power. His diagonal and straight shots have left a lasting impression. Who would've thought he had a tip like that in his arsenal?"
"The timing of his swing adjustment was flawless, completely outsmarting Inarizaki's blockers!"
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