"Damn it, sorry, I overestimated myself," Kunimi Akira said, frustration evident on his face.
"It's fine; I couldn't handle it either," Taichi replied.
Deep down, he knew once again that the toughest obstacle in taking on Shiratorizawa would always be Wakatoshi Ushijima's spikes.
Shiratorizawa's rotation had shifted, and this was currently their weakest offensive lineup.
"Wow, that was a fantastic toss!"
"Oikawa, that was brilliant!"
Tōru Oikawa accepted his teammates and the crowd's praise with a proud grin.
On the other side, Goshiki Tsutomu stared at his hands in frustration. His signature 'Super Straight Shot', something he prided himself on, was not only received cleanly but turned into a spectacular counterattack by the opposing team. 2024-12-18 10:16:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Kunimi Akira wiped his hands on his shorts. In that fleeting moment when Ushijima Wakatoshi served the ball, Kunimi found himself overwhelmed by the sheer force of his presence.
His body froze, unable to react in time.
Sweat drenched his palms as he stood there, stunned. The ball had slammed into the ground and rebounded past his face, close enough to feel a wave of heat in its wake...
2024-12-18 10:14:58 +0000 UTC View PostUshijima Wakatoshi landed cleanly on the court, his gaze fixed on Kaedehara Taichi across the net.
Without saying a word, his eyes conveyed a silent question: Why can you only jump this high? How can someone so weak claim to be Aoba Johsai's ace?
"Oy, Ushiwaka, don't bully my first-years," Oikawa Tōru chimed in at the perfect moment. He then turned to Taichi. "Hey, Taichi,...
2024-12-18 10:13:53 +0000 UTC View Post"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 wa...
2024-12-18 10:12:37 +0000 UTC View PostOn 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 ...
2024-12-18 10:11:47 +0000 UTC View Post"System," Taichi concentrated as the system promptly displayed Shirabu's data.
[Kenjirō Shirabu: Overall Ability: 82, Height: 174 cm, Strength: 75, Jump: 82, Stamina: 88, Speed: 80; Key Attributes...
2024-12-18 10:10:41 +0000 UTC View PostUshijima Wakatoshi finally took a good look at the player in front of him. Clean-cut black hair, a lean yet athletic build, and arms lined with muscles that exuded strength and fluidity.
Kaedehara Taichi, was it?
To keep up with his pace, then muster the energy to sprint in the final stretch, and even outpace him to the finish line—this first-year claiming to be Aoba Johs...
2024-12-18 10:09:18 +0000 UTC View PostAs the afternoon classes concluded, it was time for Shiratorizawa Academy's volleyball team to begin their daily practice. Clad in their team uniforms, the players gathered in the parking lot in front of the gymnasium, preparing for their long-distance run.
"Hey, over here! Ushijima Wakatoshi!" a voice called from a distance.
Ushijima turned toward the source of the sound. Two figur...
2024-12-18 10:08:29 +0000 UTC View Post"Again!"
The exhilaration felt like landing a perfect combo in a video game for the first time. Taichi's heart was soaring as if a butterfly had emerged from its cocoon. Every cell in his body seemed to cheer in unison.
"Alright!" Oikawa Tōru shared in the sense of breakthrough, an irrepressible smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
With each approach, jump, swing, and sp...
2024-12-18 10:07:42 +0000 UTC View PostAlthough Kageyama Tobio didn't fully understand what Oikawa-senpai meant by "sticking to the status quo," he caught the gist of the rest—finding new ways to attack was indeed necessary.
Kageyama stood motionless, lost in thought, not even noticing Oikawa and Iwaizumi leaving.
"Shōyō, are you okay?" Taichi asked as he observed Hinata Shōyō suddenly bowing his head in front of h...
2024-12-18 10:05:26 +0000 UTC View PostInside the Third Gymnasium of Aoba Johsai High School, the air buzzed with the resonant shouts of the players.
The recent string of victories had acted as a catalyst, infusing the team with a newfound surge of confidence and morale.
The gym was thick with an atmosphere of relentless determination. Every player pushed themselves to their limits, running and jumping tirelessly. They w...
2024-12-18 10:04:10 +0000 UTC View PostThe Wakunan team members were packing up, preparing to leave soon, when Takeru Nakashima ran over to find Taichi Kaedehara.
"Hey, first-year! Are you a fan of the 'Little Giant' too?"
"Not just a fan, but a student. The 'Little Giant' is my teacher." Taichi replied with a faint smirk. He wasn't exactly lying—he had indeed called Udai-senpai his teacher ...
2024-12-18 10:03:08 +0000 UTC View PostTaichi noticed a shadow falling over the statistics sheet in his hand. He looked up to find Oikawa Tōru standing in front of him, smiling brightly.
"Well? Do you see how amazing your senpai is now?" Oikawa teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Taichi paused for a moment, then lowered his gaze. "Yes, I've always known that Oikawa-senpai is incredible."
"Huh?" Oikawa blinked...
2024-12-18 10:01:37 +0000 UTC View Post"Oikawa, when Taichi gets on the court later, focus the sets on him. I want to see how his offence holds up as we approach the endgame." Oikawa Tōru recalled the coach's words as Kaedehara Taichi stepped onto the court.
Standing at the net, Taichi noticed Oikawa staring at him.
"What is it, Oikawa-senpai? Thinking about whose head to blast open with your serve again?"
"Hmph, ...
2024-12-18 10:00:25 +0000 UTC View PostAfter Kindaichi Yūtarō entered the match, Aoba Johsai's blocking height saw a noticeable improvement. His spikes were also simpler, more direct, and packed a punch.
For Takeru Nakashima, this was actually a relief. He no longer had to worry about the odd, unpredictable blocking ideas of Taichi Kaedehara or his constant darting around the court, allowing Nakashima to perform more freely ...
2024-12-18 09:59:23 +0000 UTC View Post[Ding! The reward for the mission "The Ace's Determination" has been updated. Tōru Oikawa has broken through his limits. Passing ability +1.]
[Ding! The host has successfully altered Tōru Oikawa's career trajectory. Reward: Tōru Oikawa (current state) player card.]
The system chimed twice in quick succession, leaving Kaedehara Taich...
2024-12-18 09:58:14 +0000 UTC View PostCurrent Score: [Aoba Johsai 9 - 7 Wakunan]
Aoba Johsai's serve. Issei Matsukawa sent the ball into the gap between Kazumasa Hanayama and Naruko Teppei. The hesitation between the two players cost them the perfect timing to receive.
Naruko Teppei quickly attempted to recover, and Kazumasa Hanayama barely managed to set the ball high over Takeru Nakashima.
"Thre...
2024-12-18 09:57:13 +0000 UTC View Post"Don't rush, your strategy just now was solid, Takeru!" Coach Onikabe called out firmly to Takeru Nakashima.
Takeru lifted his head and met his coach's gaze. The coach spoke in a low voice, "Your battlefield is in the air!"
"Yes, sir!" Nakashima responded resolutely and returned to the court with his teammates.
Coach Onikabe watched Nakashima's back intently. He knew that at t...
2024-12-18 09:55:57 +0000 UTC View Post"Don't worry! That was just a lucky shot. We'll take the next point!" Nakashima Takeru's calm voice cut through the tension.
"Got it!" The players of Wakunan responded without a trace of panic.
Nakashima fixed his gaze on Kaedehara Taiichi. There was something oddly familiar about him, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Aoba Johsai's Iwaizumi Hajime served the ball wi...
2024-12-18 09:55:01 +0000 UTC View PostOn the weekend, the volleyball team of Wakunan Minami High School boarded a bus bound for Aoba Johsai High School. Though Wakunan had initiated the practice match invitation, their gymnasium was unavailable due to the basketball team's usual weekend usage. As such, the match was scheduled to take place at Aoba Johsai.
Upon arrival, the Wakunan team disembarked in an orderly manner under t...
2024-12-18 09:53:56 +0000 UTC View PostGyukaku, 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 Iri...
2024-12-18 09:52:58 +0000 UTC View Post[Unyielding Spirit: This ability can only be activated when the host, as a member of the Aoba Johsai team, is trailing by 5 points during a match. It ensures that the team does not succumb to low morale. For every point regained, all team members' comprehensive ability increases by 1 until the score is evened out, at which point the team buff disappears.]<...
2024-12-18 09:51:52 +0000 UTC View Post"Cough, cough... What's the specific difference between an outside hitter and a middle blocker?" Taichi leaned in close to Akira Kunimi and asked in a hushed tone. After all, Kindaichi didn't exactly strike him as a brainiac.
Kunimi Akira glanced at Taichi in slight surprise. "You've been playing for this long and you still don't know?" Normally, Taichi seemed like the analytical type—n...
2024-12-18 09:50:29 +0000 UTC View Post"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...
2024-12-18 09:49:40 +0000 UTC View Post"Wait, isn't this supposed to be volleyball practice?"
Taichi Kaedehara stared, puzzled.
Tenma Udai looked a little embarrassed. He wasn't exactly a natural teacher, and it had been a while since he last played volleyball seriously. He wasn't sure how much he could deliver. Still, after having the boy chat with him about manga all day, it would be unfair not to show him at ...
2024-12-18 09:48:44 +0000 UTC View PostDespite Aoba Johsai's volleyball team adhering to a weekly rest day, for Taichi Kaedehara, this day felt almost unbearable, as if his passion for volleyball refused to be contained.
The joy of levelling up—the magical transformation from novice to adept—was like an addictive spell, pulling him deeper into the sport with every step forward.
So, on this supposed day of rest, he de...
2024-12-18 09:47:42 +0000 UTC View Post"Hmm? Changing the course of destiny?" Kaedehara Taichi's mind raced as he processed the situation. Could his presence have altered the world's trajectory?
Reflecting on the original storyline, Hinata Shoyo and Kageyama Tobio's 'Freak Quick' was indeed a nearly invincible move at first. However, during a training match against Nekoma, their defensive ace, Inuoka Sō, managed to p...
2024-12-18 09:46:45 +0000 UTC View PostThe momentum on the court had shifted in Aoba Johsai's favour. The substitutions had proven highly effective.
However, Taichi, tasked with defending against Hinata Shoyo, was reaching his limit. Hinata's relentless energy was on full display—his stamina, rated a near-perfect 99, made him an unstoppable force.
Taichi had been chasing Hinata across the court, left to right, jumping ...
2024-12-18 09:45:41 +0000 UTC View PostAfter a brief intermission, the second set began swiftly.
With Karasuno serving first, Ennoshita's serve targeted the centre court but was successfully received by Kindaichi. Setter Yahaba quickly set the ball for Kunimi, who spiked it from the left. Tsukishima barely managed to dig the ball.
"Kageyama, get the ball!"
Daichi's sharp call echoed across the court. Kindaichi nodd...
2024-12-18 09:44:03 +0000 UTC View Post