[Aoba Johsai 25 – 20 Nekoma]
[Aoba Johsai 25 – 20 Nekoma]
With a 2–0 victory, Aoba Johsai defeated Nekoma and advanced to the next round.
"Man, both sets ended with the exact same score," Kuroo Tetsurō muttered wearily, staring at the scoreboard. "Even though we gave everything we had in the second set, we still couldn't close the gap, huh?"
"I guess that just highlights the difference between us," Kai Nobuyuki said, patting Kuroo on the shoulder.
Kuroo let out a sigh. "I'm not sure if it was lucky or unlucky that Karasuno didn't run into Aoba Johsai during their prefectural qualifiers..."
Looking at Aoba Johsai, he couldn't shake the feeling that this team was aiming straight for the national championship.
That unwavering conviction in their eyes, the sheer certainty that they would keep winning—it was almost terrifying.
Yaku Morisuke still hadn't fully processed the match. "It's over? It doesn't even feel real…"
Nearby, Kozume Kenma collapsed onto the floor, completely drained.
"…I'm probably gonna have a fever when I get home," Kenma thought to himself, resigned.
"Kenma!" Kaedehara Taichi jogged over and crouched beside him. "So, how does it feel to lose this time?"
"Do you have to ask so soon…?" Kenma groaned, his face full of reluctance.
"Well, I wanted to hear it straight from you," Taichi grinned. "So? Frustrated?"
Kenma glanced around at his teammates—the self-reproachful Lev Haiba, the determined-looking Yaku, and Kuroo, who would never have another chance to compete alongside them in an official match.
But in the end, none of that really affected Kenma's core belief.
He was only interested in what he found interesting. That was all.
"…Yeah, I'm frustrated," Kenma admitted. "But I still have two more 'revival' chances, right?"
Next year's Interhigh and Spring Nationals.
"Of course." Taichi's eyes curved into a smile.
Kenma turned his gaze toward Oikawa Tōru in the distance.
"When you lose your greatest weapon," he murmured, "I'll come back with an upgraded version of mine."
Taichi also shifted his gaze to Lev Haiba.
"I'll be looking forward to it."
Since Aoba Johsai had a bye in the first round, they hadn't played a match on Day 1.
Now that today's game against Nekoma had ended, tomorrow marked the infamous "Demonic Third Day".
"Huh? That soon?" Kindaichi Yūtarō looked completely baffled. "We just played one match, and now it's already the third day of Nationals?"
"…Didn't we lose and go home on the third day last time?" Kindaichi added absentmindedly—until he suddenly felt a dozen murderous glares directed his way.
"…Huh? Did I say something wrong again?" Kindaichi scratched his head and looked toward Kunimi Akira.
Kunimi, who hadn't played in today's match and was in a good mood, absolutely refused to let Kindaichi ruin it.
Explaining things would be too much of a hassle, so he simply ducked behind Yahaba Shigeru without a word.
Realizing he wouldn't get any help there, Kindaichi turned to the ever-reliable Kaedehara Taichi.
"Kindaichi, didn't we agree that if you said something stupid again, you'd be punished?" Oikawa Tōru smirked. "Tomorrow morning, bring me milk bread."
"Ah—then I want ramen," Matsukawa Issei immediately chimed in.
"I'll take a croissant," Hanamaki Takahiro followed up.
"Oi, this is just bullying!" Iwaizumi Hajime spoke up, pretending to defend Kindaichi.
"Oh, no worries. The hotel we're staying at has all these things," Kindaichi replied earnestly.
"Oh, then I'll have tamagoyaki," Iwaizumi added swiftly before rejoining the group of third-years.
Kaedehara Taichi: "..."
Would it be too much to ask him to bring two extra rice balls?
As Aoba Johsai exited Court E, they ran straight into their next opponent—Inarizaki.
And that was precisely why Kindaichi's jinxed comment had earned him so much punishment. This time, Aoba Johsai had to face Inarizaki a full round earlier than they had in the previous tournament.
"Taichi! You guys finished your match pretty fast, huh?" Miya Atsumu greeted them with an easygoing smile.
Thanks to the twins' differing hair colours, it was easy to tell Atsumu apart at a glance.
But more importantly, after their last encounter, Aoba Johsai had developed a very distinct impression of him—a familiar, aggravating sensation.
"This guy…isn't he just another Oikawa Tōru?"
A powerful serve, a pinpoint setting, and an absolutely insufferable personality.
Yes, the biggest difference between those two and any other setter was undoubtedly their awful personalities.
"Miya-senpai," Kaedehara Taichi stepped forward, smiling brightly. "What a stroke of luck to run into you so soon."
"Oh?" Atsumu narrowed his eyes. "I thought you'd rather face us in the finals. The semis at the very least—wouldn't that be more exciting?"
"Exciting? I'm sure it'll be thrilling for you, Senpai," Taichi replied. "But for me, meeting Inarizaki in the next round is perfect. Any later, and it just wouldn't feel quite as satisfying."
"…Hmm?" The Inarizaki players all turned their attention to Taichi.
What seemed like a casual conversation between Atsumu and Taichi had suddenly pulled both teams into the tension.
"Does Senpai remember?" Taichi continued. "Last time, we faced off in the quarterfinals, and after losing, Aoba Johsai only managed to place in the nation's top eight." His tone grew oddly sharp.
"Nope. Don't remember." Atsumu shrugged. "I don't care about a loser's ranking."
"Hmm...That's fine." Taichi's smile didn't waver. "I'm sure Senpai will remember tomorrow—when Inarizaki finishes as one of the nation's Top 16."
Taichi met Atsumu's gaze, completely unfazed.
For a moment, the air turned razor-sharp. The Inarizaki players' eyes gleamed dangerously, locking onto Taichi like a pack of predatory foxes.
But before things could escalate further, Oikawa Tōru and Iwaizumi Hajime casually stepped up behind Taichi, flanked by the rest of Aoba Johsai. Even Kindaichi could feel the tension in the air.
A battle was about to break out.
Atsumu chuckled. "You've got a sharp tongue. More entertaining than Tobio-chan, at least."
"But in the end, it all comes down to strength. Who goes home first?"
"That's true." Taichi's smile was as polite as ever. "I'll make sure to etch the match into Senpai's memory forever."
"…Damn brat," Atsumu muttered, irritated.
Had he just gotten mocked using Inarizaki's own motto?
"We don't need memories"
Damn it. And the worst part? Aoba Johsai's motto—"Rule the Court"—really did sound cooler.
Atsumu frowned. Something had definitely gone wrong in that exchange.
"…Aran, isn't that kid your rival?" Miya Osamu muttered. "Go say something intimidating."
These twins would choose to present a united front at times like these, but weren't they the ones responsible for this scene? Aran thought to himself.
Was this really his moment to be menacing?
Just as Ojiro Aran took a step forward, he heard—
"Ojiro-senpai," Taichi greeted him with a bright smile. "I've been looking forward to facing you—after all, I want to take on all of Japan's Top 5 Aces."
"...Oh." Aran nodded—then stepped back
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