Chapter 31: Making Friends with Volleyball
The last weekend of April. The twelve starting members of Aoba Johsai High School's volleyball team, along with their coach and manager, boarded the school bus heading to Shiratorizawa Academy.
The weather was pleasant today, with clear skies stretching endlessly, yet not overly hot. The azure sky hinted at the arrival of summer.
However, the Aoba Johsai players on the bus were unusually quiet, their mood not matching the bright sky. Shiratorizawa had become something of a nightmare for the team over the past two years.
"No need to make the atmosphere so heavy, right? Oikawa, come on, liven things up," Hanamaki Takahiro said, leaning back in his bus seat.
Usually so noisy, the team's silence today felt unsettling.
"You third-year starters are all sitting there looking miserable, making the underclassmen too scared to speak," Matsukawa Issei added from the other side of the aisle.
"Don't mention Oikawa. That idiot's probably the most nervous one right now," Iwaizumi Hajime said with a smirk from the second row. "He was all confident after scouting last time."
"Huh? What're you saying? I'm not scared at all! Today, we'll crush Little Ushi!" Oikawa Tooru finally sprang to life, standing and looking around.
Kaedehara Taiichi sat in the second-to-last row of the bus, leaning against the window, cheek resting on one hand, gazing at the passing scenery.
Since Taiichi and Oikawa scouted Shiratorizawa and confirmed the practice match date, the Aoba Johsai volleyball team's training atmosphere had grown noticeably tense. An invisible pressure and urgency drove each player to voluntarily increase their training intensity and focus.
It started with Taiichi and a few third-years staying late after regular practice to refine techniques and boost stamina. Soon, the second-years, unwilling to be outdone, followed suit, extending their training time. Even Kunimi Akira was dragged along by Kindaichi Yuutarou.
This training frenzy spread like ripples, eventually engulfing the entire Aoba Johsai volleyball team. From first-year rookies to reserves and even support staff, everyone was swept up. The Aoba Johsai gymnasium buzzed with activity, lights blazing, balls thudding, and a thick air of preparation.
Such intensity was fine short-term, but prolonged, it risked burning out some players. Coach Irihata and Manager Mizoguchi, while pleased, had to remind everyone to mind their health.
During this period, Taiichi's training could only be described as obsessive. Beyond never missing team practice, he carried a volleyball everywhere—eating, walking, even in class.
After Oikawa's persistent questioning, Taiichi finally explained.
"You don't get it. This is called 'making friends with volleyball.' You build a deep emotional bond with the ball in your hands. That's what anime protagonists do."
Oikawa didn't get it, but after two weeks of relentless training, Taiichi's skills had visibly improved. This earned him the nickname "Little Monster" from Oikawa.
"Kaedehara Taiichi, Power: 78, Jump: 68, Stamina: 73, Speed: 90, Specialties: Receive 71, Serve 70, Spike 72 (Receiving and Spiking have reached average level; phased training goals updated)."
"Training Goal 1: Complete 50,000 receives for Receive +1 (until host reaches ability value 80)."
"Training Goal 1: Complete 50,000 serves for Serve +1 (until host reaches ability value 80)."
"Training Goal 2: Complete 50,000 spikes for Spike +1 (until host reaches ability value 80)."
When Taiichi's technical skills hit 70, the system updated its training goals, now tracking serves separately.
His physical attributes had slightly improved too. Jump saw a significant boost from a prior system task, while Speed, Taiichi guessed, had hit his current physical limit, showing no change.
The training goals were now five times harder, but this was within Taiichi's expectations. For now, he planned to focus on receiving and spiking, maximizing his existing strengths on the court.
***
After the bus arrived at Shiratorizawa Academy's gymnasium, the Aoba Johsai players disembarked.
"Though it's just a practice match, there's no doubt Shiratorizawa is the toughest hurdle to nationals. I've seen your training these past weeks. Now, it's time to test your strength. Perform well!" Coach Irihata gave a final speech as the team lined up.
"Yes!"
Even Taiichi felt a surge of excitement, his blood pumping.
The players, dressed in matching athletic uniforms, grabbed their bags and headed to the gymnasium.
Stepping inside, the soundscape changed instantly.
"So many people!" Kindaichi couldn't help but exclaim.
It was almost absurd. For a mere practice match, the crowd was overwhelming, with countless students in Shiratorizawa uniforms watching from the second floor.
Clearly, though just a practice match, both teams treated it as a rehearsal for the Inter-High prefectural finals.
The spectators' chatter echoed under the ceiling, amplifying the pressure of being the away team, even for a practice match.
Oikawa's gaze crossed the net, locking onto Shiratorizawa's players, who exuded a regal aura. Their eyes met, the air crackling with tension.
Shiratorizawa's players carried themselves with grandeur, their every move radiating the confidence and dignity of a championship team.
Under Aoba Johsai's watchful eyes, Shiratorizawa began warming up. Taiichi spotted Ushijima Wakatoshi among them.
A ball set by Shirabu soared high. Ushijima leaped, smashing it down.
Bang!
The floor shuddered. The ball rebounded, sailing over the spectators and landing in a second-floor student's hands.
"What was that?! Blocking that would break your hands…" Kunimi Akira said, as if snapped awake.
The unprecedented sight stunned Aoba Johsai's players who hadn't seen Ushijima spike before. Faced with this overwhelming power, they could only stare, dumbfounded.
Only now did the newer Aoba Johsai players truly grasp what it meant for Ushijima Wakatoshi to be "Miyagi's top, Japan's top-three attacker."
And they finally understood the caliber of opponent they were up against.