Komori, sitting in the stands, rested his chin in his hands, listening to the incessant Inarizaki supporters' cheering songs and saying, "If it's best of three, then this set is the deciding set."
Sakusa's muffled voice came from beneath his mask: "It's basically the same thing."
No matter who wins this set, the next two sets will both be game points, so there will naturally be more opportunities.
Komori sighed, "True.."
It was precisely because of this that neither Karasuno nor Inarizaki chose to substitute their starting players, right?
Winning this set would at least provide a chance to catch one's breath, so they would do everything in their power to ensure victory in this set.
Hinata moved his arms, then slightly spread his legs and crouched on his toes after Asahina took his position.
Under normal circumstances where three people handle the first receive, he would only be responsible for line shots, but there is a gap between Arima Shuji's receiving ability and Unabara Uta's, since Karasuno's service turn is extremely strong, his defensive task will be even heavier than before.
Furthermore, his current positioning leaves him exposed, Asahina likely won't let him off easy.
Hinata's gaze swept over Asahina's expression. Although nothing could be seen on the surface, his intuition told him that Asahina's condition had long since ceased to be as good as it was at the beginning.
Accordingly, the quality of the serve would also decline, even if he were targeted by a specific serve, he had enough confidence to handle it well.
The whistle blew in his ears, at that same moment, Hinata also felt Asahina's gaze being cast toward him.
He stared at the opponent's movements, the moment he saw the trajectory of the ball, he lowered his center of gravity and reached out to receive it.
Asahina aimed for the sideline by his side, ensuring that Ginjima had no chance to cover for him, though the power of this serve was indeed much weaker than in the First Set, so he wouldn't be knocked over even if he went low to receive it.
As long as there is no way to interfere with his subsequent movement, then this serve is completely meaningless.
Watching the ball fly up and fall toward the front row attack line, Hinata licked his somewhat dry lips.
“Atsumu-ge!”
Miya Atsumu curled the corners of his mouth into a slight smirk.
That call wasn't a request for him to follow up after the first receive, but rather.. it was him asking for the ball.
How could one not satisfy the request of an Ace?
His gaze swept across Hirugami and Hakuma, who had already shifted toward Hinata, as he leaned his body slightly backward, he raised his hand to tip the ball, sending it directly over the net.
Under Norikura Isao's shocked gaze, the ball grazed the net and fell to the ground, making a soft thud.
Listening to the first whistle of this set, Miya Atsumu felt a slight sense of excitement.
The feeling of playing his opponents like fools helped him regain his rhythm after he had begun to show signs of fatigue.
Hinata landed on the ground, staring blankly at Hirugami, who had not yet jumped on the opposite side.
Hoshiumi turned his head toward Hakuma Mebuki first, casting a heavy, questioning look. "What are you doing here? Aren't you going to defend against Miya Atsumu's second ball and the back quick?"
After speaking, he looked up at Hirugami again, questioning him with his eyes as to why he had come over, just like Hakuma.
Hirugami stretched his legs and said with a hint of helplessness, "I'm feeling a bit unable to run; it's better to have the front row handle the Back Quick."
"That's right, exactly." In fact, Hakuma wasn't thinking that much; he simply nodded in agreement with Hirugami as he moved alongside him.
Hoshiumi couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Stop lying through your teeth."
Hirugami saw it clearly when he came over; he was certain that Miya Atsumu had moved toward him because he was certain Hinata was going to spike.
However, he had to admit that when Miya Atsumu glanced at Hinata just now, it was clearly intended to set for him, the subsequent Second Attack seemed more like a sudden decision made after seeing them follow Hinata closely.
One could only say.. the way the people from Inarizaki think is still difficult to understand.
And while Hoshiumi was judging the two of them, Hinata also looked at Miya Atsumu with a look of disbelief, his eyes carrying a hint of hurt.
Miya Atsumu looked back at Hinata with a smile.
Well, an Ace's request for the ball generally needs to be met.
But.. there are also plenty of unusual situations.
He shook his hand at Hinata, signaling for Hinata to come over and high-five him.
Hinata hesitated for a moment, but ultimately forced himself to step forward and give Miya Atsumu a high-five. "Give me the next ball."
Miya Atsumu agreed readily: "Sure thing."
Staring at Miya Atsumu for a moment, Hinata turned his head away. "Liar."
Miya Osamu crossed his arms over his chest and mocked, "Tsk, tsk, tsk."
Miya Atsumu looked at Miya Osamu with a sour expression. "Just be prepared to be worked to death by me."
Suna spoke calmly, "Childish."
At this stage, Miya Atsumu, who couldn't afford to offend anyone, could only look up and roll his eyes at the ceiling. "Tsk."
In any case, Miya Osamu's condition was declining quite seriously; after all, he had been constantly coordinating with Unabara Uta for defensive support, his physical reserves could no longer keep up.
Regardless of the final result of this set, Miya Osamu will need half a set to a full set of adjustment time, so he might as well make full use of the time while Miya Osamu can still play to secure the victory in this set.
Of course, the same applied to Suna.
Moreover..
Miya Atsumu glanced sideways at Asahina on the opposite side and gave him a smile.
Everyone thinks so, don't they?
The Head Referee urged Miya Atsumu to serve. Miya Atsumu pulled his gaze back, clutching the ball as he walked toward his approach position.
However, it wasn't that he was intentionally withholding the ball from Hinata; it was mainly because Hirugami and Hakuma were a bit difficult to handle during a back row quick attack, he preferred to use Hinata's back row play style when dealing with Bessho Chigen.
When stamina is limited, one must choose a more cost-effective way to play.
And the most cost-effective, least effortful way to score.. is a serve!
The moment the whistle blew, Miya Atsumu raised his hand and clenched his fist, calling a halt to the Inarizaki supporters, his gaze fixed directly on Asahina on the opposite side.
Asahi's expression remained unchanged; the moment Miya Atsumu struck the ball, he stepped back toward the sidelines, clearing space for Hirugami to provide cover for him at the front row.
Taking the detour to the front row was indeed a bit slow, but he believed Hirugami would be able to provide a sufficiently high First Receive.
Facing Miya Atsumu's heavy and spinning serve, Hoshiumi's expression twisted slightly. In a state of slight exhaustion, he was knocked backward by the ball and fell to the ground.
Watching the ball fly high into the air, Miya Atsumu clicked his tongue.
You're really difficult to deal with, Hoshiumi.
But it doesn't matter; at least Hoshiumi has no way to participate in the subsequent offense. The players they are likely to defend against are probably only Hirugami and Hakuma.
As for these two's offense.. their own blocking is likely of little actual significance, so they can only rely on the stability of their back row receiving.
Hinata also understood this principle well, decisively choosing not to participate in the block and instead retreating to a position on the side to receive front-court balls.
Of course, this doesn't mean they would completely give up on blocking.
Suna kept a side eye on Asahina's movements, the moment he raised his hand toward Position 4, Suna stepped forward to close in ahead of Hakuma.
Miya Osamu, who was already on this side, took a step back before moving forward to jump and join the block.
The two players had maintained sufficient distance from the net, although Asahina's set was high, the quality of the ball was poor, leaving Hakuma with little opportunity to adjust the trajectory of his spike.
Glancing at Hinata and Ginjima Yui, who were positioned behind to play a cross shot, Hakuma decisively chose to spike the ball down a line.
Suna flattened his fingers at that moment, leaning back slightly to touch the bottom of the ball: "Touch!"
“Nice!” Arima Shuji decisively followed up, reaching up to direct the ball toward the position for the setter to run the next attack.
Hakuma frowned, but since the attack failed, he could only continue preparing for the subsequent defense.
A touch block is indeed annoying, but.. when it comes to blocking, our Karasuno is still stronger.
At the moment Miya Osamu took the ball and prepared to spike, Hirugami and Norikura Isao had already jumped to follow up, Hakuma, who was positioned to defend Hinata from the side, also used his long legs to successfully leap into position; the three of them jumped together, completely blocking Miya Osamu's spiking path.
Miya Osamu, who had no intention of using a dump, decisively chose to try and spike right at Norikura Isao's hands, but the incredibly fast-reacting Hirugami swung his hand out with a single motion, blocking the path of the ball.
With two heavy thuds exploding in succession, Hirugami slammed the ball directly back onto Inarizaki's court.
Arima Shuji dove from the back row, but he failed to save it.
Sitting in the stands, Komori felt a tingling sensation on his scalp. "As sharp as ever."
This is the true strength of the number one Middle Blocker in high school right now; that level of judgment and raw power at the net.. it's truly terrifying.
"Osamu! How many times is this!" Miya Atsumu glared at Miya Osamu immediately.
Miya Osamu looked at Hinata. "How many times for you?"
Hinata blanked for a moment, counting them off on his fingers. "In total, I've been blocked five times."
Damn it! How could he have been blocked five times!
No, he is the Ace; he cannot give up so easily! From now on, he won't let a single one be blocked!
Hearing this answer, Miya Osamu looked up at Miya Atsumu. "I've also lost five, this is the sixth."
Miya Atsumu fell silent for two seconds before continuing his accusation with another way of putting it, "You lost one more point than Shoyo! You're a senior, how can you have the nerve!"
His set was absolutely perfect. Even with Karasuno's blocking pattern, even if one tried to use a feint, the effect wouldn't be particularly great, Hakuma had managed to follow up just now.
Ginjima tried to break up the fight: "Don't fight, don't fight.."
Arima Shuji hurriedly said, "My bad, my bad, I just didn't manage to save it."
After a light click of his tongue, Miya Osamu suddenly spoke, "Send it high again, I'll spike it."
Hinata froze for a moment upon hearing that, then leaned in close to Miya Osamu. "Is Osamu-senpai about to experience a small universe explosion?"
After saying that, he raised his hand toward Miya Atsumu: "Atsumu-ge! I want one too!"
Miya Atsumu said mercilessly, "No, Shoyo, take it easy, there's still the next set."
"Oh." Hinata left in disappointment.
Watching Hinata first get tricked and then get rejected when asking for the ball, Hirugami couldn't help but say, "That's cruel."
Miya Atsumu glared over.
Hirugami shrugged his shoulders.
Hoshiumi, preparing to serve, let out a scoff and rotated the ball in his hands.
It looks like Miya Osamu is Inarizaki's main offensive focus for this set..
Fine, he admitted that, in a sense, Miya Osamu was much harder to deal with than Hinata.