[August 31st, Aoba Johsai's Third Gymnasium]
The members of Seijoh's volleyball team gathered together once again.
Though school officially resumed the next day, bringing the regular schedule of club activities back with it, nearly three weeks without training as a team had left the players eager to reunite on the court.
After the usual warm-up drills, the team naturally split into familiar groups for practice.
"Kindaichi, hasn't Taichi returned yet?" Oikawa Tōru asked listlessly, his recent days feeling excruciatingly dull.
"I think he just got back to Miyagi last night. He's probably still jet-lagged today…" Kindaichi Yūtarō replied sheepishly.
Compared to the upperclassmen, Kaedehara Taichi tended to interact more frequently with his same-year peer, Kindaichi.
"Must be nice. I'd love to spend an entire month playing around in Hawaii," Oikawa said, pouting slightly.
"That's not it! Taichi said he was training every day over there!" Kindaichi hastily defended his friend.
"Tut tut~! Kindaichi, you're too naïve," Oikawa said with a conspiratorial air. "I can tell just by looking at Taichi—he's totally the type to lie. He just doesn't dare to slack off when I'm around as his senior."
"Really? But Taichi doesn't seem like the type to shirk training…" Kindaichi scratched his head, puzzled.
"Exactly! It's Hawaii! While we've been sweating it out in this summer heat, Taichi was probably lounging on golden beaches, basking in the sun! Afterwards, maybe he'd surf a little, enjoy some local cuisine, and end the day sipping drinks at a beachside bar with a Hawaiiwan beauty in his arm…"
Oikawa closed his eyes, fully immersed in the picturesque scene he was weaving, complete with exaggerated gestures.
"But, uh…I'm not even old enough to drink yet."
A familiar voice broke through his fantasy.
"Huh?" Oikawa snapped his eyes open, spinning toward the source of the voice. A mixture of surprise and confusion lit up his face. "Taichi?!"
The other players also turned to look, their expressions blending astonishment and curiosity.
Kaedehara Taichi stood at the entrance, looking both familiar and…transformed.
In just one month, he seemed to have grown taller, his once-fair complexion now a sun-kissed tan from weeks of outdoor training. His lean frame exuded a quiet strength that was impossible to ignore.
Taichi wasn't bulky in the traditional sense; his physique had always leaned toward the slender side. But now, his body radiated a latent power, as though every inch of him was honed and ready to spring into action.
"What's wrong? It's only been a month—did you all forget who I am~?" Taichi teased lightly, noticing their exaggerated reactions to his appearance.
"Taichi, how tall are you now?" Iwaizumi Hajime voiced the question on everyone's minds.
"Measured a few days ago—188 cm," Taichi replied, trying to suppress a grin to avoid rubbing it in too much.
"Haha…hah…ha…" Iwaizumi let out a hollow laugh before retreating to the corner to draw circles on the ground in silent despair.
He had struggled to gain just 0.7 cm, while Taichi had grown a staggering 5 cm in half a year.
Oikawa's expression was equally conflicted. At the start of the school year, he had been slightly taller than Taichi. Now, even after growing 2 cm himself, he had been overtaken.
"What's your reach height now?" Oikawa asked, focusing on what mattered most to a setter.
Taichi's smile brightened. This was the area where his month of training had truly paid off.
"Why not test it for yourself, Oikawa-senpai?"
After changing and warming up, Taichi joined the court, while the other players continued their training.
Oikawa stood off to the side, observing Taichi's movements closely. His warm-up routine was smooth and efficient, every gesture fluid yet powerful.
The toned muscles of his arms occasionally cast subtle shadows, and the explosive strength in his legs became apparent during even the simplest actions.
Taichi resembled a sheathed sword—calm and understated, yet brimming with potential.
"Senpai, I'm ready," Taichi called out after finishing his warm-up.
"Alright," Oikawa replied.
He motioned for Kunimi Akira to toss the ball while he positioned himself at the net.
The first toss was at the height Taichi had been most comfortable with a month ago.
Taichi approached the ball effortlessly, his steps light. At the three-meter line, he leapt into the air, his airborne posture more composed than ever before.
The ball zipped down the diagonal, hitting the opposite court with a sharp sound.
"Hmm…" Oikawa pondered silently, raising the next toss half a hand's width higher.
Taichi's reaction was immediate. He assessed the ball's height, adjusted his approach, and launched himself off the ground with a powerful step. His feet pushed off with remarkable force, converting the floor's resistance into upward momentum.
The ball struck the centre of the opponent's court.
"How does that feel?" Oikawa asked.
"Still a bit low. Let's go for a full high set, Senpai," Taichi replied confidently.
"What a monster…" Kunimi muttered under his breath, shaking his head.
"No problem," Oikawa said, grinning. Having Taichi around always made things more interesting.
For the third toss, Oikawa sent the ball soaring to the left wing.
Taichi grew calm, his body leaning slightly forward, knees bending. The surrounding noise faded into silence as his focus sharpened, eyes locked onto the ball soaring above.
Taichi exploded into motion. His steps were quick and precise, every muscle in his legs and core firing in unison as he launched himself upward.
The feeling of solid ground beneath his feet reassured him—so different from the unstable sand he'd trained on in Hawaii. His hips snapped forward, torso straightening as he ascended.
Suspended mid-air, Taichi arched his back into a graceful bow, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on the ball.
"What a beautiful form…" Kunimi murmured, entranced.
Taichi's exceptional jump gave him extra time to adjust his position. When his body reached full extension, the scene seemed to freeze, as if time itself had halted to witness the moment.
"Such a perfect set, Oikawa-senpai. Even a high ball feels incredible with your touch," Taichi thought to himself, a hint of admiration flashing across his mind.
He tightened his arm and swung it down in one swift, explosive motion. The ball deformed slightly under his palm before rocketing toward the opposite court.
The deafening impact silenced the entire gym. Every movement on the court came to an abrupt halt as all eyes turned toward the source of the sound.
The ball had struck the opponent's baseline with pinpoint precision.
Height. Power. Accuracy.
This was the culmination of Kaedehara Taichi's month-long training, presented in a single, devastating spike.
The air in the gym grew tense with anticipation, a quiet excitement spreading among the players.
Oikawa could feel his heartbeat quicken. For the first time, he sensed a palpable pressure emanating from Taichi.
[Kaedehara Taichi: Height 188 cm | Power: 95 | Jump: 85 | Stamina: 92 | Speed: 92 | Key Skills: Receive: 88 | Set: 80 | Serve: 90 | Spike: 90]
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