Chapter 32: Seijoh vs Shiratorizawa

"It feels like Ushijima's power has increased again," Iwaizumi Hajime said gravely.

"Indeed. It seems that when Taichi and I came to observe their training last time, he wasn't even using his full strength," Oikawa Tōru replied in a low voice.

Throughout the journey here, Oikawa had acted perfectly normal. But precisely because of that, Iwaizumi sensed something was off. Without warning, he kicked Oikawa's calf.

"Hey! You're way too tense. If the captain is like this, how are we supposed to win against Shiratorizawa? This is just a practice match," Iwaizumi chided.

Oikawa stumbled forward, caught off guard, and turned around to glare at him. "What's your problem? Can't I act a little deep and brooding? Besides, haven't you noticed all the Shiratorizawa girls in the audience today?"

"Soon, they'll witness my brilliant plays, fall for my charm, and cheer me on from the sidelines. Ah, what a sinful man I am~" Oikawa boasted, completely immersed in his fantasy.

Iwaizumi sighed, but he felt a little relieved seeing Oikawa back to his usual infuriating self. That familiar cocky grin prompted Iwaizumi to instinctively headbutt Oikawa's forehead, hard.

"OW!" Oikawa staggered back, clutching his now-red forehead, about to complain when he noticed the serious expression on Iwaizumi's face.

"Good. If you're fine, then lead the team through the warm-ups, Captain," Iwaizumi said firmly.

"Got it," Oikawa replied, glancing at the team behind him. He finally felt his earlier unease subside as he strode toward the centre of the gym.

"All right, everyone, let's warm up. The match starts in thirty minutes," Oikawa announced.

"Yes, Captain!" the team responded in unison.

Both teams began their warm-up drills: passing, receiving, and spike simulations, one after the other.

"Hey, System, there's gotta be a task for playing against Shiratorizawa, right?" Kaedehara Taichi asked while stretching.

[Ding! Temporary Task: A Pre-Finals Preview]

Shiratorizawa is the strongest team in Miyagi Prefecture. Winning this practice match lays the foundation for victory in the finals.

Task Objective 1: Defeat Shiratorizawa. Completing this will increase all base stats by 1.

Task Objective 2: Be the highest scorer of the match. Completing this will reward +5 to Spiking.

Task Objective 3: Limit Ushijima Wakatoshi to 10 points or fewer in a single set (inclusive). For every successful attempt, receive +2 to Receiving.

Failure Penalty: None.

Taichi studied the lines of text that appeared before his eyes and fell into thought. Three tasks for a single practice match, and no penalty for failure—was the system implying he wouldn't complete even one?

Was this match going to be that challenging?

"Taichi, why are you spacing out?" Kindaichi Yutaro nudged him from behind, signalling it was his turn to spike.

"Nothing." Taichi snapped out of his thoughts and quickly jumped for the spike.

On the other side of the net, Tendo Satori wandered over to Kawanishi Taichi and whispered in his ear, "Taichi, did you notice there's another kid named Taichi on the other team?"

Kawanishi nodded slightly. "Yeah, he's the first-year who came with Oikawa-senpai last time. I know who he is."

Tendo grinned and darted to the opposite side. "I heard he beat Ushiwaka in a long-distance run during training."

"What? Tendo-senpai, is that true?" Goshiki Tsutomu suddenly popped up from the side.

Before Tendo could answer, Goshiki rushed over to Ushijima Wakatoshi. "Ushijima-senpai, did you lose to their first-year in a long-distance run?"

Ushijima frowned. To him, that wasn't even a proper competition, but he still nodded. "Yes, that's correct."

"What?!" Goshiki Tsutomu looked utterly devastated, his confidence shaken.

Kawanishi Taichi, hearing Ushijima's response, couldn't help but glance over at the first-year on the opposing side, feeling a ripple of unease within.

"Ushijima-senpai, the only one who can surpass you is me! Today, I'll prove myself by dominating Taichi from the other team!" Goshiki declared, his fighting spirit reigniting as he shouted at Ushijima.

"Save your big talk for when you've actually improved," Shirabu Kenjirou said flatly, dousing Goshiki's enthusiasm with his usual bluntness.

"All right, all right! Goshiki's confidence is just as charming as his bangs!" Tendo Satori interjected, his voice brimming with amusement at the unfolding drama.

"Thank you, Tendo-senpai!" Goshiki responded earnestly, missing the teasing tone entirely.

Kaedehara Taichi glanced over at the noisy Shiratorizawa players, wondering what on earth they were talking about.

[Ding! Temporary Task: There Can Only Be One Taichi.]

Due to Kawanishi Taichi's attention, you've been identified as the opponent he most wants to defeat on the court.

Task Objective: Score more spikes than Kawanishi Taichi. Reward: +1 to Spiking.

What? Before Kaedehara could process the new task, another notification popped up.

[Ding! Temporary Task: Surpass the Future-Ace]

Due to Goshiki Tsutomu's attention, you've been identified as the opponent he most wants to defeat on the court.

Task Objective: Perform better overall than Goshiki Tsutomu. Reward: +1 to Receiving, +1 to Strength.

Another one? And what does "perform better overall" even mean?

Taichi glanced at Kawanishi and Goshiki, only to find them acting perfectly normal.

Ugh, treacherous opponents already conspiring against me!

Still, it's all the same goal. I just have to spike with everything I've got.

Taichi couldn't help but feel like Shiratorizawa was some kind of task generator. The number of missions triggered by this single practice match already exceeded all his prior tasks combined.

But after the flurry of system notifications, his initial nervousness began to fade, replaced by a determined focus.

Whistle! Teams, line up!

"Please take care of us!" both teams said, bowing respectfully before the match.

Aoba Johsai's lineup consisted of:

Front Row: Setter Oikawa Tōru, Middle Blocker Kaedehara Taichi, Wing Spiker Kunimi Akira. Back Row: Wing Spiker Hanamaki Takahiro, Middle Blocker Matsukawa Issei, Opposite Hitter Iwaizumi Hajime and Libero Watari Shinji

Shiratorizawa's lineup consisted of:

Front Row: Middle Blocker Kawanishi Taichi, Opposite Hitter Ushijima Wakatoshi, Outside Hitter Ōhira Reon. Back Row: Middle Blocker Tendou Satori, Setter Shirabu Kenjirou, Outside Hitter Goshiki Tsutomu and Libero Yamagata Hayato

The match began with Aoba Johsai serving.

Shiratorizawa's formation was exactly as Aoba Johsai anticipated. To maximize Ushijima's offensive power, he was positioned in the front row right from the start.

"Let's test the rookie's reception skills," Iwaizumi said as he served. Rather than targeting Tendo, a third-year, or the libero Yamagata, Iwaizumi aimed the ball straight at the first-year, Goshiki.

"Nice receive, Goshiki!"

Goshiki adjusted quickly, passing the ball with a clean, controlled motion that landed perfectly for Shirabu Kenjiro.

"Ushijima-senpai!"

As expected, the first ball was handed to their ace. Shirabu set the ball high into the air, right in the middle of the net.

Ushijima began his approach from the back row, his strides growing more powerful with each step. He planted his foot firmly and leapt high into the air.

He's coming! Seeing the setup, the three blockers at the net—Oikawa, Taichi, and Kunimi—immediately aligned themselves for a triple block.

Bang!

The volleyball blasted through with no resistance, slamming straight into Aoba Johsai's court.

A super spike!

Ushijima's spiking point was so high that it completely bypassed Kaedehara and Kunimi's block, striking deep into Aoba Johsai's backcourt.

[Aoba Johsai 0 : 1 Shiratorizawa]

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