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Chapter 142: Transformation
🕑 Added 2025-01-09 16:00:11 +0000 UTC[Team Irihata 19 – 25 Team Washijō]
Taichi's team lost the second set as well, and they still failed to block even a single spike from Ushijima Wakatoshi.
The reason? Oikawa Tōru had begun to exert his influence fully.
When he realized that Irihata's team was focusing too heavily on blocking Ushijima, Oikawa seamlessly brought his other teammates into the attack.
Terushima Yūji's speed.
Hyakuzawa Yūdai's towering height.
Kindaichi Yūtarō, who fell somewhere between the two in terms of skill and power.
Even Kunimi Akira, usually more subdued, became more active in his offensive movements.
In this set, Ushijima only spiked the ball 12 times—the lowest number of attack attempts he had made in any match in years.
Ushijima wanted to hit more, but Oikawa never set to him unless it was the optimal choice. Every single set that didn't go to him became part of a successful offensive sequence.
In a long, drawn-out game, the energy reserve of a team's ace often determined the outcome in the endgame.
Considering this, Ushijima couldn't help but think—If only Oikawa had come to Shiratorizawa…
After the match, some players stayed behind for extra practice.
"Koganegawa, your sets were all over the place again today," Futakuchi Kenji remarked.
"Sorry! I'll run ten laps right away!" Koganegawa Kanji shouted in response.
"...Practice your setting instead, dumbass!!!" Futakuchi groaned.
"Got it!"
"Hey, Koganegawa. What kind of set do you use for Aone-senpai?" Taichi approached, curious.
His impression of Koganegawa had been vague until now, aside from one persistent rumour—tall setters always have ulterior motives—except Koganegawa.
"Ah! Taichi! Your quick attacks with Oikawa-senpai were incredible!" Koganegawa's eyes lit up with excitement. "I wish I could set like that, but I'm nowhere near that precise!"
Taichi blinked, startled by Koganegawa's enthusiasm.
This guy…is somehow like a weird mix between simpleminded Kindaichi and socially fearless Hinata Shōyō.
An over-excited, straightforward Koganegawa.
"Coach Oiwake says I'm not ready for complex sets yet, so my current job is just moving the ball from one high point to another," Koganegawa explained. "And honestly, Aone-senpai's the only one who can reach them, so I didn't set to you during the match."
"Hmm." Taichi nodded thoughtfully. "Mind if I give it a try?"
His vertical leap had already surpassed 80 centimetres on the first day of camp. He felt confident he could handle it.
Koganegawa's stats flashed through Taichi's mind:
[Koganegawa Kanji—Setter. Overall skill score: 84.5. Height: 191.5 cm, Strength: 94, Jump: 88, Stamina: 88, Speed: 85, Key attributes: Spike: 65, Set: 70.]
…Wait. Are we sure this isn't a wing spiker's stat sheet?!
No wonder only Aone could handle his sets!
Futakuchi tossed the ball, and Koganegawa jumped into position, gently lofting it high. Taichi followed, sprinting into his approach and leaping.
Missed it.
Their timing was off. Koganegawa's stationary jump nearly matched Taichi's full-speed, running leap.
These freak athletes…They're terrifying, Taichi thought, shaking his head.
"Again!"
"Sure!"
With Futakuchi now resigned to his role as a human ball launcher, he wordlessly accepted his fate. The physical strain of spiking every time had been lifted, so for now, he kept his complaints to himself.
Thud!
This time, the connection was perfect.
The ball rocketed down, and Taichi and Koganegawa exchanged high-fives, grinning ear to ear.
But this wasn't enough. Taichi clenched his fists, determination blazing in his eyes.
"Again!"
"Of course!"
"Ugh…" Futakuchi groaned, realizing he might regret his decision.
-----
[Day three of the training camp]
Boom!
Oikawa's powerful jump serve hurtled toward Iwaizumi Hajime, who absorbed the impact with perfect form, sending the ball arching high into the air.
"Hyakuzawa! Kill it!" Terushima shouted.
"Koganegawa!" Taichi called, pulling back to begin his approach.
Koganegawa took a sideways step, sprang into the air, and lifted the ball with a gentle touch.
Taichi followed immediately. As he reached the peak of his jump, Hyakuzawa was already descending.
"Kindaichi!"
Kunimi shouted loudly.
Kindaichi was already airborne, blocking Taichi directly in front of him, while Kunimi stood positioned diagonally behind, ready to cover.
"Excellent defensive coverage!" Irihata Nobuteru's eyes gleamed with approval. Kindaichi had perfectly timed his block to seal off Taichi's line shot, with Kunimi stationed precisely where the crosscourt shot might go. Their coordination was impressively seamless.
Thud!
Taichi's spike crashed into Kindaichi's block, sending a powerful vibration through his arms, but the ball didn't bounce far—it soared upward instead.
"One touch!" Kindaichi shouted, his voice echoing in the gym.
Taichi landed and instantly shifted into a defensive stance. Across the net, the front row featured Hyakuzawa Yūdai, Kindaichi, and Oikawa Tōru.
No time for Kindaichi to recover and attack.
That left Hyakuzawa and Oikawa in the front row, while the back row required careful attention to Ushijima Wakatoshi.
Kunimi received the second touch, steadying the ball. Oikawa leapt, poised to set, as Hyakuzawa surged forward on the left wing.
Smack!
Oikawa pivoted mid-air and spiked the ball himself.
"So fast!"
The transition from motionless to full force happened in an instant—the ball blurred past Taichi's side before he could react.
I was prepared for that! And it still slipped by...No wonder Oikawa's setters dumps were so dangerous.
Facing Oikawa from across the net, Taichi finally saw what had been invisible when they were teammates.
Whap!
Iwaizumi Hajime had already anticipated Oikawa's move. He stepped forward early, diving into position, his arms outstretched. The ball rebounded high.
"Save!"
The ball arced back into play. Koganegawa Kanji jumped and, rather than setting, swung down hard—launching his own setters dump.
Whap!
The ball slammed into Oikawa's waiting block and ricocheted with brutal speed, striking the court on Irihata's side.
Point for Team Washijō's.
[Team Irihata 12 – 15 Team Washijō]
Oikawa smirked mischievously. "Your form is full of tells, kid."
"Ugh! So frustrating!" Koganegawa grabbed his head in despair.
"Koganegawa! Set the ball! Aone was already mid-jump behind you!" Futakuchi was practically fuming. He'd assumed the attack was a fake-out—only to realize Koganegawa had genuinely gone for the hit.
The attempt had been painfully awkward.
"Sorry, Futakuchi-senpai! Sorry, Aone-senpai!" Koganegawa's apology was as loud as ever.
Aone simply placed a hand on Futakuchi's shoulder, shaking his head in silent understanding.
Futakuchi heaved a sigh. "Right, right. Patience. Koganegawa's still a baby after all…"
Aone nodded solemnly and returned to his spot on the court.
Futakuchi rolled his eyes. A baby who's over 190 centimetres tall! He sighed again, the weight of captaincy heavy on his shoulders.
-----
The third set ended.
[Team Irihata 21 – 25 Team Washijō]
It had been another decisive victory for Washijō's team.
But while the score gap remained, a subtle yet unmistakable change had taken hold of the game.
The difference in raw power still existed—but now, both teams moved with increasing fluidity and synchronization. Simple, avoidable mistakes had dwindled.
The sense of "someone on the team is strong" was evolving into "this is a strong team."
The gap between them wasn't as vast as it had seemed.
Both sides were gaining confidence with every point.
Among the players showing the most dramatic improvement, two stood out—
First, Hyakuzawa Yūdai from Kakugawa.
With Oikawa feeding him ideal sets, his attacks had grown more assured, and he no longer carried the entire offensive burden alone.
Second—Iwaizumi Hajime from Aoba Johsai.
Having endured relentless barrages from two of the nation's most powerful servers, his defensive reads had sharpened, and his receptions grew steadier with each attempt.
"Bring it on!!!"
Every movement of his body seemed to scream the challenge.
-----
