Chapter 31: Friends with Volleyball

On the final weekend of April, the Aoba Johsai High School volleyball team boarded the school bus. Twelve starting players, along with their coach and manager, were headed to Shiratorizawa Academy.

The weather was excellent—clear skies stretched endlessly, with just the right warmth to suggest that summer was on its way.

But the mood on the bus was sombre, a stark contrast to the bright day outside. For the past two years, Shiratorizawa had been a recurring nightmare for the Seijoh players.

"Does it really have to be this gloomy? Oikawa, aren't you going to lighten the mood?" Hanamaki Takahiro leaned against his bus seat, his tone carrying a hint of teasing.

It was unusual for the usually lively team to be this quiet, and the silence felt almost unnatural.

"You third-years look like you're carrying the weight of the world. It's making the underclassmen afraid even to speak," Matsukawa Issei chimed in from across the aisle.

"Don't mention Oikawa. That idiot is probably the most nervous of all right now," Iwaizumi Hajime muttered from the second row, his lips curling into a smirk. "The guy was all cocky and full of confidence after he came back last time."

"What are you talking about? I'm not scared at all! I'm going to crush Ushiwaka today!" Oikawa Tōru suddenly came to life, standing up and glancing around the bus dramatically.

Near the back of the bus, Kaedehara Taichi sat by the window, propping his chin on one hand as he gazed at the moving scenery outside.

Ever since Oikawa and Taichi had returned from scouting Shiratorizawa and finalized the date for their practice match, the atmosphere during Seijoh's training sessions had grown increasingly intense. It was as if an invisible pressure had gripped the team, driving every player to push their limits with heightened focus and effort.

Initially, it had been Taichi and the third-years who stayed behind after regular practice for additional drills, refining techniques and improving their physical fitness.

Inspired by their seniors, the second-years soon followed suit, extending their training hours. Even the usually laid-back Kunimi Akira found himself being dragged along by Kindaichi Yutaro.

The feverish energy spread like ripples, eventually encompassing the entire team. First-years, substitute players, and even the support staff were swept up in the fervour. Night after night, the Seijoh gym remained brightly lit, filled with the echoes of volleyballs and the palpable tension of preparation.

However, the coaching staff, including Coach Irihata and Manager-Coach Mizoguchi, couldn't help but worry.

While they were pleased with the team's enthusiasm, they reminded everyone to be mindful of their physical limits to avoid burnout.

Taichi's training, however, stood out even among his dedicated teammates. To others, his regimen seemed nothing short of insane. He didn't just train during practice—his focus on volleyball extended to meals, walking, and even during class.

After much pestering from Oikawa, Taichi finally explained his mindset.

"You don't get it, do you? This is called 'becoming best friends with the volleyball.' You have to form a deep emotional bond with the ball. That's how anime protagonists do it."

Oikawa rolled his eyes, unable to make sense of it.

But over two weeks of relentless training, Taichi's skills had improved significantly. His dedication earned him a new nickname from Oikawa: "The Training Monster."

[System Update]

[Kaedehara Taichi – Stats:

Power: 78

Jump: 68

Stamina: 73

Speed: 90

Technique: Receive: 71, Serve: 70, Spike: 72

(Receiving and spiking have reached average proficiency. Training objectives have been adjusted.)]

[Training Objectives(updated):]

[For every 5,000 successful receives: +1 to Receiving (up to a max of 80).

For every 5,000 successful serves: +1 to Serving (up to a max of 80).

For every 5,000 successful spikes: +1 to Spiking (up to a max of 80).]

The system had updated Taichi's training goals when most of his stats reached the 70-point threshold. Now, his serve and receive drills were tracked separately.

His other physical attributes had seen slight improvements as well. His jump stat had increased significantly thanks to completing a system mission. However, his speed seemed to have hit a plateau, likely reflecting his current physical limitations.

The new goals were five times more demanding than before, but Taichi had anticipated this. He resolved to focus on perfecting his receiving and spiking skills, maximizing his impact on the court.

This, he believed, was the role he needed to fulfil for his team.

-----

The bus came to a stop outside Shiratorizawa Academy's gymnasium, and the Aoba Johsai volleyball team disembarked one by one.

"Even though this is just a practice match, there's no doubt that Shiratorizawa will be the toughest obstacle on our path to Nationals," Coach Irihata said during the team's lineup. "I've seen all the hard work you've put in during training. Now's the time to test your strength. Go out there and give it your best!"

"Yes, sir!"

Even Taichi felt a rush of excitement, his blood boiling at the prospect of the match.

Clad in matching tracksuits, the team grabbed their gear and walked toward the gym.

As they stepped inside, the atmosphere changed dramatically.

"So many people!" Kindaichi couldn't help but exclaim.

It was, indeed, overwhelming. For a mere practice match, the number of spectators was staggering.

Scores of Shiratorizawa students in school uniforms lined the second-floor balcony, observing from above.

It was clear that despite being labelled as a 'practice match', both sides treated it as a preview of the prefectural finals for the Inter-High qualifiers.

The crowd's chatter reverberated against the ceiling, amplifying the noise and instantly reminding Aoba Johsai that they were in enemy territory—even if this was just a practice match.

Oikawa Tōru's gaze locked onto the figure standing across the net.

Shiratorizawa's team exuded an almost regal presence, each player brimming with the confidence and composure of champions. Their eyes met, and the tension in the air was palpable, like the calm before a storm.

Every player clad in the white-purple uniform carried themselves with an air of authority, every movement radiating the poise of a team accustomed to victory.

As the Aoba Johsai players observed, Shiratorizawa began their warm-up routine. Taichi quickly spotted the figure of Ushijima Wakatoshi among them.

A ball was tossed high into the air, and Ushijima leapt with an effortless grace.

Boom!

The ball struck the floor with a resounding thud, vibrating through the gym. It ricocheted off the ground, soaring effortlessly over the heads of the audience before landing neatly in the hands of a student on the second floor.

"What…what was that? If I tried to block that, my hand would probably break!" Kunimi Akira muttered, shaken.

The sheer force of the scene left the Aoba Johsai players stunned. Those who had never witnessed Ushijima's spikes before stood frozen, their jaws slack in awe of his overwhelming power.

For the first time, the new team members truly understood what it meant for Ushijima Wakatoshi to be ranked the prefecture's best and one of the top three attackers in the nation.

And for the first time, they grasped the gravity of the opponent they were about to face.

_________

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