Chapter 38: Seijoh vs Shiratorizawa (7)

Shiratorizawa's serve.

Wakatoshi Ushijima's gaze was sharp as he tossed the volleyball high into the air. With a powerful run-up, he leapt and smashed the ball with all his strength.

The first serve after the timeout—it had to shatter Aoba Johsai's painstakingly built momentum.

Iwaizumi Hajime clenched his teeth and rushed to intercept but the ball ricocheted off his right shoulder, flying out of bounds.

Wakatoshi Ushijima remained unstoppable, scoring directly with his serve!

[Aoba Johsai 10 – 15 Shiratorizawa]

"Great serve!"

"Ushijima-senpai is the strongest!"

Ushijima's eyes shifted to the other side of the net. Contrary to his expectations of seeing a defeated Aoba Johsai, their expressions showed neither despair nor discouragement. Even with the widening point gap, their gazes were calm and focused.

[Ding! Team Buff Activated: "Unyielding Spirit"!]

[All Aoba Johsai players' morale is high. For every point recovered, the team's overall stats increase by 1 until the score is tied. Buff disappears upon equalization.]

The system's voice suddenly echoed in Kaedehara Taichi's mind.

But Taichi felt that Aoba Johsai's fighting spirit wasn't solely due to the buff. The timing was ideal, though. His lips curled into a small grin as he thought, System, use Shoyo Hinata's Player Experience Card.

[Acknowledged. Experience Card activated. Host's stats matched. Duration: 5 minutes.]

While there were no dramatic special effects, Taichi instantly felt his body grow lighter. A quick glance at his status bar showed his speed rising to 93 and his jump stat hitting 81, though his strength had dropped to 70.

"It's enough," he thought. "No point aiming for power when I can't match Ushiwaka's anyway."

"Hey, Oikawa-senpai," Taichi whispered, sidling up to Oikawa Tōru. "When you set for me later, aim higher. I'm feeling good right now."

Oikawa gave a small nod. Although the final adjustment would depend on Taichi's jump during the attack, starting with a slightly higher set was doable.

Ushijima served his third ball.

Watari Shinji reacted quickly and received it cleanly.

Taichi sprinted to the right and leapt, while Oikawa delivered the set—a bit higher, just as requested.

But compared to Taichi's incredible jump, Oikawa's set turned out too low and slow!

Oikawa's eyes widened in shock.

Only half a month ago, he'd noticed Taichi's reach had improved by a few centimetres. Now, he was jumping even higher. Did he not even use his full strength before?

Taichi had anticipated the imperfect set. As the ball floated a body's length away, he twisted mid-air and stretched out, barely managing to swipe the ball over.

Unexpectedly, this disrupted Shiratorizawa's defense.

Amid their frantic adjustments, the ball was lifted back into play by Ōhira Reon.

"Chance ball!" Iwaizumi yelled, digging the ball up.

Oikawa set the ball high into the middle of the court, eyes gleaming. He wanted to see just how far Taichi could push his limits.

Thud! Taichi soared through the air.

"Double block!" Ōhira Shion and Tendō Satori rose together, forming a formidable wall.

But in Taichi's eyes, the block was crystal clear. With a deft touch, he tipped the ball past Tendou's fingertips, watching it land tauntingly behind him.

Another tip point!

[Aoba Johsai 11 – 15 Shiratorizawa]

"That sneaky brat!" Shiratorizawa's players glared at Taichi.

"Oh my! Has the 'King' Shiratorizawa fallen for the same move twice in a row?" Taichi sneered, his mocking smile drawing their ire.

Aoba Johsai's morale surged, ready to ignite their counterattack.

Taichi stepped onto the service line. His serve, the most ordinary of the match so far, flew across the net.

"Chance ball!" Goshiki easily received it, sending it up to Shirabu's zone.

Time to end this rally with Ushijima! With that resolve, Shirabu Kenjirō set the ball to Ushijima for a back-row attack.

"Oikawa!" Matsukawa Issei dove and barely managed to lift up Ushijima's spike, shouting as he did.

"Give me the ball!" Taichi suddenly sprinted to the left.

Shiratorizawa's players instinctively tracked him, but Oikawa set the ball to the right, where Hanamaki Takahiro delivered a powerful spike.

[Aoba Johsai 12 – 15 Shiratorizawa]

"He's just shouting to draw attention. Don't let it distract you," Tendō advised, keeping Shiratorizawa calm.

Taichi sent another ordinary serve over the net.

The ball clipped the top of the net, falling into Shiratorizawa's court. Shirabu scrambled to save it, sending it back toward Aoba Johsai.

Without hesitation, Oikawa jumped and slammed it down.

Aoba Johsai scored again.

[Aoba Johsai 13 – 15 Shiratorizawa]

"Huh? That easy?" Oikawa teased, flashing a cheeky smile and a "V" sign at Shirabu.

"Hahaha! Did you see my invincible serve? Lucky~!" Taichi grinned from the service line.

Goshiki opened his mouth to retort, but a glance at Coach Washijo rising from his seat made him think twice. Silently, he bowed his head instead.

"You bunch of idiots! Letting a soft, elementary-school level serve score on you?" Coach Washijo's booming voice filled the gym as his sharp critique began anew. "Lose one more point, and it'll be 500 reception drills after the match!"

"Yes, sir!" Shiratorizawa's players responded in unison.

Taichi glanced at Coach Washijo, who seemed to be both berating his team and mocking Taichi's serve at the same time. That old geezer! Taichi fumed. Calling my serve soft and childish like that.

Fueled by indignation, Taichi sent out his third serve.

The ball struck the net directly.

Service error—Kaedehara Taichi.

[Aoba Johsai 13 – 16 Shiratorizawa]

"Wow, that was easy! No wonder it's the 'invincible serve.' Lucky!" Shirabu Kenjirō shot back sarcastically, mirroring Oikawa's earlier smug "V" gesture.

Oikawa turned to look at Taichi, who was now sheepishly trying to shrink into his jersey.

Shiratorizawa's turn to serve.

Ōhira Reon sent a powerful jump serve barreling toward Aoba Johsai's court, but Iwaizumi Hajime dug it out cleanly.

"Mine!" Taichi yelled, sprinting forward and taking to the air with explosive speed.

Oikawa didn't hesitate and set the ball perfectly into Taichi's path.

Bam!

Taichi's back-row attack thundered straight down, the ball landing mere inches from Wakatoshi Ushijima's feet.

[Aoba Johsai 14 – 16 Shiratorizawa]

Ushijima had considered the possibility of Taichi going for a back-row attack, but not at this speed. Faster than at the start of the match, Taichi's spike descended from such height that there was no time to react.

Oikawa, brimming with excitement, high-fived Taichi. I knew it, Oikawa thought, our little monster always has a surprise up his sleeve.

With just one play, Aoba Johsai reclaimed the serve.

The atmosphere on the court was electric, their momentum peaking. Every player felt like they were performing at their absolute best.

Especially now—because it was Oikawa Toru's turn to serve.

Taichi glanced at Oikawa's stats: Power 98, Serve 98, Set 98.

Right now, Oikawa Tōru was unstoppable.

Wham!

Oikawa's first serve rocketed over the net, grazing the baseline on Shiratorizawa's side.

In-bounds. Service Ace—Oikawa Tōru!

[Aoba Johsai 15 – 16 Shiratorizawa]

"Beautiful serve, Oikawa-senpai!"

"One more!"

Oikawa pressed the volleyball lightly with his palm, feeling every bit of his prime condition.

He turned his gaze toward Ushijima, his target clear. Tossing the ball high, he unleashed a full-power jump serve.

The ball streaked toward Shiratorizawa's court like a missile.

Ushijima reached out to receive it, but the ball soared high, spinning awkwardly before landing....in the hands of a spectator in the stands.

Even Ushijima couldn't handle Oikawa's serve!

Aoba Johsai had scored again.

[Aoba Johsai 16 – 16 Shiratorizawa]

The two teams were back on equal footing.

[Ding! The score is tied. Team Buff 'Unyielding Spirit' has ended.]

[Ding! Oikawa Tōru has entered Burst Mode.]

[Oikawa Tōru (Burst Mode): Overall Ability Rating: 95

Height: 184 cm | Power: 99 | Jump: 90 | Stamina: 95 | Speed: 90

Technique: Serve: 99 | Set: 98]

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