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Chapter 15: Ace
🕑 Added 2024-12-18 09:52:58 +0000 UTCGyukaku, a yakiniku restaurant near Aoba Johsai High.
With over 620 branches across Japan, Gyukaku is one of the largest yakiniku chains in the country. Known for its wide selection of over a hundred ingredients and budget-friendly pricing, it's a favourite choice among Aoba Johsai students for gatherings after events.
Tonight, after Coach Irihata and Team Manager-coach Mizoguchi finalized the starting lineup, the volleyball club members gathered here to relax and clear their minds.
"The starting lineup is as follows: Setter Oikawa Tooru; Wing Spikers Iwaizumi Hajime, Hanamaki Takahiro, Kunimi Akira; Middle Blockers Matsukawa Issei, Kaedehara Taichi; and Libero Watari Shinji."
With the announcement of the starting lineup, the internal selection process for Aoba Johsai's volleyball team finally came to an end.
Three first-years were considered, but only Kindaichi Yūtarō failed to make the cut. Among the second-years, only Watari Shinji earned a spot, leaving most of them with another uneventful year. For the third-years on the brink of graduation, those not selected were left with a bitter sense of regret.
"Excuse me, another drink, please." Third-year Tamamiya Toshiki raised his hand to call for the waiter.
"Toshiki, it's just juice, not Shōchū. You can't get drunk on that," Oikawa Tooru quipped, grinning mischievously as he leaned closer.
Without hesitation, Iwaizumi Hajime landed a swift kick on Oikawa's backside. "Idiot! You know underage drinking is illegal. Stop giving people weird ideas."
Tamamiya shot a glare at Oikawa. "You're such a pain, you know that? We've got plenty of complaints about you."
Oikawa merely smiled at Tamamiya, knowing that some things could only be said in moments like this.
Both third-years from Class 5, Tamamiya and Oikawa had joined the volleyball club as first-years and shared a decent relationship. Yet, over the past three years, Tamamiya had never once stepped onto the court in an official match. He wasn't the only one. Aoba Johsai had plenty of players like him.
"You're a jerk. You know that?" Tamamiya's voice grew louder, frustration bubbling to the surface. "Good at volleyball, decent grades, handsome to boot. Every time you play, girls flock to see you. It's infuriating….Are you some kind of genius?"
At first, Oikawa nodded along, pleased with the compliments and wishing Tamamiya would continue. But then, the word 'genius' struck him like a slap in the face. His expression stiffened. Was that really how others saw him?
"But Shiratorizawa…"
"That's exactly why—" Tamamiya cut him off, his voice trembling, almost on the verge of tears. "This is our last year, Oikawa! You have to beat Shiratorizawa. Show the whole country that Aoba Johsai exists!"
Oikawa froze, the words dragging him back to his first year. He remembered vividly how he and Iwaizumi had joined the volleyball club together. When the coach asked them their goal, they had shouted in unison, "To reach nationals!" The memory of their bright, determined voices still echoed in his mind.
But now, as third-years, Aoba Johsai had fallen to Shiratorizawa time and time again. The once-clear goal of 'reaching nationals' had become a silent dream, buried under layers of doubt.
Did he want to defeat Shiratorizawa? Of course, he did. His drive to reach nationals had never waned. But somewhere along the way, Oikawa had stopped picturing himself leading Aoba Johsai to victory over Shiratorizawa.
[Ding! Task triggered: Ace's Resolve.]
A mechanical voice suddenly echoed in Kaedehara Taichi's mind.
[When Aoba Johsai's ace, Oikawa Tooru, begins to waver in his resolve, the host must deliver their own declaration as the team's ace to stabilize the situation. Reward: Unknown.]
"What?!"
Taichi nearly spat out his soda. He had just been selected for the starting lineup—how could the system expect him to make such a declaration now? He was just a bystander, yet the system always pushed him to stir things up!
But the system's voice was cold and unrelenting.
[Failure in three seconds: Three…Two…]
What?! That fast?!
In a panic, Taichi shot to his feet, accidentally knocking over his soda in the process. The previously quiet atmosphere grew restless as everyone turned to him, puzzled by his sudden outburst.
"I….I'll become Aoba Johsai's ace!" Taichi blurted out, his voice trembling.
"???"
"What did Taichi just say?"
"I didn't quite hear that…"
"I'll become Aoba Johsai's ace, lead us to defeat Shiratorizawa, and make it to nationals!" Kaedehara Taichi shouted again, louder this time, his voice cracking slightly.
"Pfft, hahahaha…" The second and third-year seniors couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Taichi, what are you doing?" His first-year teammates thought he might have gotten drunk, even checking the spilt soda nearby to confirm it wasn't spiked or anything.
Oikawa Tooru glanced at Taichi, noticing a mix of awkwardness in his expression—but also, unmistakably, a fiery determination.
Seated next to Taichi, Kindaichi Yūtarō tugged at his sleeve, urging him in a low voice, "Dude, you are embarrassing us. Sit down already…"
On the other side, Kunimi Akira covered his face with one hand, internally lamenting, Why did I have to sit here of all places?
The brief commotion seemed to lighten the mood. Iwaizumi Hajime gave Oikawa a gentle pat on the back, and Oikawa nodded before turning to Tamamiya Toshiki. "Don't worry. This year, I'll make sure we make it to nationals."
"Yeah. I believe in you."
-----
After finishing their meal, Aoba Johsai's players began to leave the yakiniku restaurant one by one. However, Iwaizumi signalled for the starting lineup of twelve players to stay behind.
Oikawa cast a glance at Hanamaki Takahiro and smirked. "Takahiro, it's our last year at Aoba Johsai. Don't embarrass us, okay?"
Hanamaki replied nonchalantly, "Relax. I have no intention of graduating with regrets."
"And Matsukawa…"
"I know." Matsukawa Issei cut him off before he could say more, his tone calm but resolute.
"Watari, the backline depends on you," Oikawa said, addressing the usually quiet Watari Shinji sitting in the corner.
"Yes, Oikawa-senpai," Watari responded crisply.
"And Kunimi, don't get nervous. You've got the skills—just focus on showing them."
"Understood."
Finally, Oikawa turned to the substitutes—Tamamiya Toshiki, Yahaba Shigeru, and the others—and bowed deeply.
"You are the strongest support we have on the bench. When the starters falter, we'll count on you to step up. Even though you may not get many chances to play, your trust and commitment mean everything to us. Thank you. We'll bring back the victory for all of us."
Kindaichi, startled, shot up to attention and exclaimed loudly, "Yes, Oikawa-senpai! I'll do my best!"
The others exchanged looks, unable to suppress their laughter. "What's with this sudden seriousness? That's not like you at all."
Standing quietly to the side, Taichi observed it all. As a member of Aoba Johsai's volleyball team, he could feel the unshakable trust his teammates had in Oikawa Tooru. That trust seemed even stronger than Oikawa's belief in himself.
As a setter, Oikawa didn't just dictate the rhythm of their offence with his technical skill—he united the team with his resilience and determination. This bond of trust and reliance was the driving force that pushed Aoba Johsai forward, constantly striving to surpass their limits.
But wait—didn't they just skip over me in that conversation?
Taichi couldn't help but glance at Oikawa. "Uh….Oikawa-senpai, don't you have something to say to me too?"
"Hmph? Didn't you just declare yourself as Seijoh's ace? What else is there for me to say?" Oikawa turned his head to the side with an exaggerated pout.
"..."
Seriously? I'm trying to steal the ace position from you, and this is how you act? Taichi thought, frustrated by Oikawa's childish antics.
Iwaizumi clapped his hands, calling everyone's attention back. "Tomorrow's match against Wakutani Minami is the first for our new lineup. Let's make it a clean win!"
"Yes!"
