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Chapter 12: First Team
🕑 Added 2024-12-18 09:49:40 +0000 UTC"Hey, Oikawa. Wakutani South wants to schedule a practice match with us. Make sure to inform the team," Iwaizumi Hajime said casually as he leaned against the hallway outside their classroom.
It was a typical break between classes at Aoba Johsai High. Oikawa Tōru and Iwaizumi were lounging in the corridor, chatting idly. Not far away, a group of girls giggled and whispered while watching the duo.
"Look, look! They're always together as soon as class ends!" one short-haired girl whispered excitedly.
"Well, that's because they're both in the volleyball club," another chimed in, trying to sound reasonable.
"Ah, you just don't get it!" the short-haired girl countered earnestly. "There are other volleyball team members in the third year, right? But do you see them running over during breaks?"
"That's only because their classrooms are close to each other," another girl analyzed. "Besides, I heard Oikawa has a girlfriend."
"They broke up already," the short-haired girl interjected calmly.
The two other girls exchanged wary glances. How does she even know this? they thought.
Isn't this borderline stalker behaviour? Kind of scary…
Oikawa, noticing the hushed commotion, turned and waved cheerfully at the girls, causing the short-haired one to squeal again in excitement.
"Hey! Focus already!" Iwaizumi barked, giving Oikawa a swift kick to the side.
Oikawa sighed dramatically. "But it's Wakutani South. Do they have a cute manager?"
"Nope."
"How about their setter?"
"It's Hanayama Kazumasa, a third-year."
"Oh, so nothing special," Oikawa remarked with a smug look, as though his point had been proven.
"You idiot." Iwaizumi smacked Oikawa on the back of the head. "You know what makes Wakutani Minami dangerous isn't their setter. It's Nakashima Takeru."
"Ah, yeah, yeah. I know, I know, Iwa-chan," Oikawa replied, rubbing the spot where he'd been hit. "They're probably the team in Miyagi that resembles us the most—well-rounded and with a high level of completion."
Both teams were last year's Miyagi Prefecture Top Four contenders but didn't have the opportunity to face each other officially, yet.
But Wakutani South had always been on Aoba Johsai's radar. Like Oikawa's team, Nakashima's squad was led by a star player, supported by a balanced lineup.
The similarities didn't end there. Both relied on their third-year core, had reached the Top Four in the prefecture, and had fallen to Shiratorizawa, missing out on Nationals.
"One step at a time. First, we beat Nakashima Takeru. Then, we take on Ushiwaka!" Oikawa declared loudly, thrusting his fist into the air.
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Coach Irihata stood before the gathered Aoba Johsai volleyball team. "I have two announcements to make. First, we'll have a practice match against Wakutani South next weekend. As a strong contender in the prefecture, they could be a major rival in the Inter-High preliminaries, so take this seriously."
"Second," the coach continued, his voice growing weighty, "today, we will finalize the starting lineup for the Inter-High preliminaries. First, Coach Mizoguchi will announce the 12-player roster. The starting lineup will be chosen from these names."
The news sent ripples through the team. Excited whispers and murmurs filled the gymnasium, but they quickly died down as Coach Mizoguchi stepped forward. Clearing his throat twice, he commanded everyone's attention. The air in the gym turned tense, every player holding their breath in anticipation.
"This is the official 12-player roster for the upcoming match," Mizoguchi began solemnly. "It was determined after much consideration, based on everyone's recent performance and training. Whether you are selected or not, I hope you continue to show unwavering effort and team spirit."
The next few seconds felt interminably stretched, as if time itself had slowed.
Every player held their breath, their hearts a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. This roster wasn't just a list of names; it was a validation of their relentless effort and a chance to step onto the grand stage of competition.
"Third-years: Setter Tōru Oikawa, Wing Spiker Hajime Iwaizumi, Wing Spiker Takahiro Hanamaki, Middle Blocker Issei Matsukawa, and Middle Blocker Toshiki Tamiya."
"Second-years: Setter Shigeru Yahaba, Libero Shinji Watari, Wing Spiker Eiji Hino, and Opposite Hirasuke Wonda."
"First-years: Wing Spiker Akira Kunimi, Middle Blocker Yūtarō Kindaichi, and Middle Blocker Taichi Kaedehara."
"These twelve players have made the roster. Next, we'll hold a 6v6 match, and the starting lineup will be determined based on your performance."
"Yes, Coach!" The players acknowledged the announcement. Those who made the cut showed measured restraint in their joy, while those left out lowered their heads, fists silently clenched in resolve.
For Inter-High (IH), the starting lineup typically consisted of seven players: two wing spikers (WS), two middle blockers (MB), one setter (S), one libero (L), and one opposite hitter (OP). However, as Aoba Johsai currently lacked a dedicated opposite, this role might be filled by either a wing spiker or a middle blocker, depending on the team's needs.
Although the starting seven hadn't been finalized, a few spots were all but confirmed:
Captain Tōru Oikawa, the setter and the team's heart. His exceptional playmaking and offensive prowess made him the driving force behind the team's success.
Vice-captain Hajime Iwaizumi, a third-year wing spiker. With his experience and reliable scoring ability, he played a pivotal role as the ace in the team's attack.
The libero, Shinji Watari, a second-year. As the backbone of the defence, his responsibilities included receiving serves and safeguarding the backline.
Beyond these three, the remaining positions were up for grabs among a pool of strong contenders: third-years Takahiro Hanamaki, Issei Matsukawa, and Toshiki Tamiya; second-years Eiji Hino and Hirasuke Wonda; and first-years Akira Kunimi, Yūtarō Kindaichi, and Taichi Kaedehara.
"Logically, it'll probably be third-years Hanamaki and Matsukawa taking those spots. They're clearly the strongest."
"Yeah, last year they even made it to the semifinals."
"But Kindaichi and Kunimi are from Kitagawa Daiichi, and their fundamentals are top-notch. Plus, Kaedehara's been on fire lately."
"Still, for the third-years, this is their last chance." A first-year player suddenly spoke up, and the room fell silent.
Everyone understood the desire to play on the court—it was the same for all of them. But for the third-years, this season carried a special weight. It might be their final opportunity to make it to Nationals, the culmination of everything they'd worked for over the years.
"Exactly because it's our last year, we have to win." Hanamaki Takahiro's voice came from behind them, startling the group.
"If we lose, it won't matter who was on the court," Tamiya Toshiki murmured from the side.
"But, senpai, you're all so strong. If you play, you'll definitely win."
"That's right. And it's not like we're planning to just hand over our starting spots," Matsukawa Issei chimed in, having approached the group at some point. "You talk as if the starters are guaranteed to be those first-years like Taichi."
"Hehe, of course not! We've always believed in Matsukawa-senpai!"
"Then let's bet on it," Matsukawa said with a grin. "One Häagen-Dazs that we'll hold onto our starting positions."
The third-year's eyes burned with determination. After three years of hard work, they weren't about to back down now. No one was willing to give up at this stage—not when the chance to bring their high school volleyball journey to a perfect conclusion was within reach.
Our summer doesn't end here!
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