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Chapter 44: Mad Dog
🕑 Added 2024-12-20 13:56:02 +0000 UTCKyōtani Kentarō stood with his Commercial Street team, while Oikawa Tōru and Kaedehara Taichi played for the Amateur Enthusiasts.
The match resumed, with the Commercial Street team serving first.
The serve packed a decent punch—expected from adult players—but the placement was too direct. The Amateur Enthusiasts smoothly received it, sending the ball straight to Oikawa Tōru.
No words or even glances were exchanged. The moment the serve was received, Kaedehara Taichi moved instinctively. As Oikawa's hands made contact with the ball, Taichi was already mid-approach, leaping into the air.
Boom!
The timing was seamless. Just as the ball left Oikawa's fingertips, Taichi spiked it. The blockers on the other side barely had time to raise their hands, let alone jump.
Kaedehara Taichi scored with a clean kill.
[Amateur Enthusiasts 6 - 8 Commercial Street]
"Wha—what was that?! When did he even spike?" one of the uncles from the Commercial Street team exclaimed.
"I didn't even see where the ball went," echoed another.
"Is he really a high schooler? A first-year, no less? Don't tell me all high schoolers are like this now," murmured two astonished players who had just subbed out for the Amateur Enthusiasts.
Taichi maintained his usual harmless, sheepish smile, but the thrill of pulling off a perfect quick kill was undeniable.
Kyōtani Kentarō, despite his outwardly ferocious expression, was equally stunned.
"Ah-la-la, Mad Dog-chan, you'll need to be more aggressive with your blocks," Oikawa teased, casually shaking his hand as if to emphasize the ease of the play. "Next point? I'll set it to him again."
Kyōtani was fuming.
The Amateur Enthusiasts served next.
Both teams handled their receptions without much issue.
"Sorry, that set was too low…" the Commercial Street setter apologized nervously.
But Kyōtani launched himself into the air regardless, smashing the ball with full force.
"Smack!"
The ball collided with Kaedehara Taichi's arm and ricocheted back into the Commercial Street court.
It was a rushed play—trying to force a quick attack on a poor set. Against other blockers, it might have slipped through. But against someone like Taichi? There was no chance.
Just as expected of the Mad Dog-senpai—strong, but not exactly….tactical, is he?
Kaedehara Taichi scored a block point.
[Amateur Enthusiasts 7 - 8 Commercial Street]
Kyōtani stood frozen, staring across the net at the first-year who was slightly taller than him.
Moments earlier, Taichi had been standing several steps away from his spike zone. Any ordinary player would have been too slow to react.
But when Kyōtani swung, a pair of hands appeared in front of him—fast and precise, as if Taichi had read his mind.
"Beautiful block!"
"Are you a starting player? You're incredible for a first-year," praised Taichi's teammates, showering him with compliments.
"It's nothing, really," Taichi replied, scratching the back of his head with a bashful smile.
Oikawa clicked his tongue, unimpressed. "There he goes, playing the innocent act again. That's how he tricked me when we first met."
The Amateur Enthusiasts continued their serve.
This time, the Commercial Street team avoided setting to Kyōtani. Instead, they sent the ball to another attacker.
The spike was powerful, forcing the Amateur Enthusiasts into an awkward reception. The first touch sent the ball off-course.
"Sorry, cover me!"
Oikawa darted under the ball, leaping high for a set.
"Back-quick!"
Taichi instantly understood Oikawa's intent. A tricky play for most, but for him, it was child's play.
Boom!
Another flawless quick attack. Taichi slammed the ball into the opponent's court, scoring once again.
[Amateur Enthusiasts 8 - 8 Commercial Street]
Shimizu Nobu, standing at the sideline, widened his eyes in astonishment. He finally understood—the brilliance of this quick attack wasn't just reliant on the blinding speed of the first-year.
The setter was the real terror!
"Wow, you can even set a quick off a broken play like that?" The player responsible for the earlier errant first touch gave Oikawa Tōru a thumbs-up.
"Not a big deal!" Oikawa replied, mirroring Kaedehara Taichi's innocent facade perfectly.
The Commercial Street team, however, looked tense. Praising their opponents' skill was all well and good, but losing another point like that would be outright embarrassing.
They had already started focusing on the first-year, but no one expected him to turn such a scrambled pass into an incredible quick attack.
"Akiyama, Aoki, you two focus on him," one of the uncles instructed.
"Of course," replied Uncle One and Uncle Two in unison.
Meanwhile, the Amateur Enthusiasts were all smiles, chatting and laughing as they prepared for the next serve.
The Commercial Street team received the serve cleanly this time, with the first touch placed perfectly. The setter tossed a high ball, giving Akiyama a chance to spike.
But just as Akiyama leapt, another figure shot up beside him, jostling him out of position. It was Kyōtani Kentarō.
He couldn't stand watching Oikawa and Taichi flaunt their skills any longer.
Kyōtani stole the ball from his teammate and swung with all his might.
Smack!
But it was still received!
"First touch!" Taichi shouted as he lifted the ball with his hand, steady as a plate, blocking Kyōtani's powerful spike.
The Amateur Enthusiasts recovered the ball. Oikawa set it high, giving Taichi time to adjust his position.
"Three-man block!"
Commercial Street's blockers—Akiyama, Aoki, and Kyōtani—formed a wall at the net. They weren't afraid of any spiker, as long as it wasn't a quick attack.
In mid-air, Taichi smiled. This was exactly what he wanted. He targeted the edge of Kyōtani's hand and spiked sharply.
The ball deflected off Kyōtani's fingers and flew out of bounds.
[Amateur Enthusiasts 9 - 8 Commercial Street]
"This… is like watching the Little Giant!" Shimizu Nobu muttered in disbelief.
He recalled the electrifying matches from Miyagi's high school volleyball tournaments and how those tactical hits off blockers left a lasting impression.
"Whoa, these high schoolers are amazing! They've been scoring nonstop since they came on!" The spectators around the court were now fully engrossed in the match.
"Kyōtani, that move was dangerous!" Akiyama scolded. Kyōtani had been reckless like this when he first joined the team, and it had taken ages for him to rein it in.
Kyōtani didn't reply, silently returning to his position.
Shimizu gestured to Akiyama to let it go for now and focus on the game. Akiyama sighed but didn't press the issue further.
The Amateur Enthusiasts served their fifth ball.
The Commercial Street team received it cleanly, and the setter, noticing Kyōtani's overly eager expression, deliberately sent the ball to the opposite side.
Aoki spiked the ball, but it was once again picked up by the Amateur Enthusiasts.
Taichi began a diagonal approach across the court. Akiyama and Kyōtani scrambled to keep up, determined to block him. As Taichi leapt, both blockers jumped desperately in front of him.
"Not a chance!"
Boom!
But the ball never came. Taichi was a decoy!
Oikawa had set the ball to another uncle on the opposite side, who, with no blockers in sight, easily scored.
[Amateur Enthusiasts: 10 - 8 Commercial Street]
Five consecutive points!
The players in the local gym fell silent. Since when had Aoba Johsai produced such an incredible duo?
"Sorry about the set earlier," Oikawa said to the uncle who had just spiked. "I think it was a little low. Didn't expect you to jump that high!"
"No, no, it was perfect!" the uncle replied, waving his hand. Truthfully, he hadn't expected the ball to be set to him at all, but the precision was stunning, especially for a first-time combination.
"Taichi, let's go. No need to keep playing," Oikawa said, bowing slightly to the surrounding players in thanks. He motioned to leave the court.
"Huh? But Mad Dog-senpai hasn't scored yet," Taichi replied with a teasing grin.
Kyōtani's glare could have burned holes through Oikawa.
"He's not getting any more sets. No point continuing," Oikawa said nonchalantly, pulling Taichi along. He turned to the spectators and players, bowing once more. "Sorry for the interruption. Thank you all."
Oikawa's remark hit the Commercial Street setter squarely on the nose. But he didn't deny it—Kyōtani's reckless style risked injuring teammates, so he'd already decided not to set to him again.
Kyōtani, understanding the truth in Oikawa's words, quietly left the court and stood at the sideline.
As Oikawa and Taichi were about to exit the gym, Kyōtani suddenly yelled, "Oikawa! What are you even here for?!"
"If you want to know," Oikawa replied without turning back, "be at Aoba Johsai's gym tomorrow morning at eight. Don't be late."
