This time, Miya Atsumu did not choose to time it with the buzzer; instead, he leisurely waited until the fifth second before tossing the ball up during that awkward moment.
Hearing the very light sound of the hit, Akakura cried out in alarm, "Net!"
Miya Atsumu's ball was clearly aimed at the top edge of the net between Goshiki Tsutomu and Kawanishi Taichi. Although logically the Wing Spiker should have received it, Goshiki is the Ace, so this ball should have been received by Kawanishi Taichi.
Kawanishi stepped forward and used one hand to receive the ball.
Seeing that Kawanishi's receive was decent enough, Miya Atsumu felt a slight sense of regret.
His reaction speed was very fast, much better than he had imagined. Based on these conditions, the opponent's guess block would likely be even faster in an emergency..
“Nice!” Shirabu praised sincerely, jumping up from the back row to prepare for a set.
Goshiki Tsutomu didn't say a word; he simply retreated to his starting position for the approach immediately after Kawanishi Taichi provided him with cover.
Shirabu used his peripheral vision to confirm his position, then decisively sent the ball to him.
Although he could have chosen to use the Ace as a decoy at a time like this, letting Kawanishi or Kanegawa score, but.. he was Shiratorizawa's Setter.
What he needed to do was to believe in his Ace, help the Ace rebuild his confidence to score when necessary.
Because he believed his Ace could give him a sufficient response, just like.. that person from before.
The ball flew steadily through the air toward Position 4.
Goshiki Tsutomu stepped forward with steady strides; unlike the previous ball, this one gave him enough space to adjust and aim, as well as more time to put power into his movement.
This time.. it'll be fine.
Miya Osamu and Suna followed again, Hinata also decisively moved over, as the three of them formed a triple block against Goshiki Tsutomu.
This ball was in perfect condition; a double block would absolutely, absolutely be unable to stop it.
Watching the blockers jump on the opposite side, Goshiki Tsutomu glanced at the three of them out of the corner of his eye, finally focusing his gaze on the spot where he had just spiked.
When the three-man block is closed together, there is a tiny gap to prevent a touch, but.. he won't.
In general, a powerful spike would be blocked or touched, but.. he won't.
This was his absolute favorite way to spike, it was also his trademark.
Thud!!
Thud!
Two heavy thuds rang out in succession. The ball hit Miya Osamu's outstretched hand, but he couldn't control the force of the ball.
The ball's momentum shifted his entire upper body, then it slammed into the opposing side without even changing its trajectory.
Unabara Uta rushed over from a short distance, reaching out, but failed to touch it.
The ball landed just outside the sideline.
The whistle blew, the Head Referee raised his hand to signal that Inarizaki's block went out of bounds, giving the point to Shiratorizawa.
The cheering from the Shiratorizawa side erupted, their synchronized shouts drowning out the entire Inarizaki No. 2 Gymnasium: "Akari, Akari, great spike! One more!"
Tsk.
Hearing Miya Atsumu's light click of the tongue, Unabara Uta, who failed to receive the ball, shrank his neck.
Although Miya Atsumu had been relatively "kind" to him this past year, a mistake like this on the court shouldn't be exempt from his scrutiny.
Miya Atsumu didn't say anything either; he just rolled his eyes at the ceiling, his gaze sweeping past the back of Hinata's head before finally glaring fiercely at Miya Osamu.
Miya Osamu turned his head as if by telepathy, squinting his eyes as he looked at Miya Atsumu.
The two stared at each other in a standoff before finally huffing in unison and turning their heads away.
Su-Su-Su-Super Short Diagonal!!" Hinata stared at Goshiki Tsutomu on the other side of the net, his eyes sparkling with pure admiration. "Akari's line shots really are the best!
Goshiki Tsutomu, who had just looked at Hinata with a somewhat provocative gaze, took a step back, crossed his arms over his chest, slightly lifted his chin, closed his eyes to avoid meeting Hinata's gaze. "It's.. it's nothing special."
He opened one eye to look at Hinata and said very seriously, "That was just a warm-up; now is my true strength."
The outcome is not yet decided.
"Nice play," Sakusa said softly, while slightly turning his head to look at the person walking over.
The newcomer nodded slightly, handed the item held in his left hand to Komori on the other side, spoke in response to Sakusa.
Yeah, he's already a mature Ace.
Having interrupted Miya Atsumu's service turn, the members of Shiratorizawa all breathed a sigh of relief in unison.
Allowing Inarizaki to score only two points was within the margin of error of their original strategy.
Kawanishi clapped his hands and said, "You're in great form, keep it up."
Goshiki Tsutomu responded, "Yes!"
Having gained the Service Right, Kanegawa had already walked to the back row serving position. He had only recently started practicing the Jump Serve, his success rate wasn't high, but.. he still had to play the ball.
His gaze swept past Hinata and Rishia, he lowered his eyes to the volleyball in his hands.
During last year's winter training camp, he was responsible for picking up balls on the sidelines. At that time, Shiratorizawa had not yet held its personnel re-selection after the change of seasons, so the only ones participating in the training camp were the First String members and Yura, who had been recruited via recommendation.
He had a deep impression of Hinata.
Coach Washijo, who was extremely harsh toward them, could always show a smile when facing Hinata, which led to rumors that Hinata was a myth, even rumors that Hinata was Coach Washijo's grandson.
But later, this rumor was debunked, because Coach Washijo was even harsher on his little grandson than he was on them.
However, as someone who had watched that training camp from beginning to end and had even spoken quite a bit to Hinata.. he could completely understand.
Because compared to them, Hinata truly has great perseverance and a very high level of comprehension.
He could remember everything the coach said and execute it perfectly, showed great enthusiasm during training, wouldn't repeat the same mistakes pointed out to him in the next set.
Seeing someone like that, even they would find themselves involuntarily following them.
In this nearly year-long period, he perfected his Jump Serve and worked hard on his receiving and blocking; he did not seek the highest level of offense, but would do everything possible to become the person who clears the obstacles for the Ace.
Then, two months ago, he successfully surpassed his seniors in the internal selection and, with Coach Washijo's approval, took a starting position from them.
And now.. it is time for him to test the results of his training.
That national champion who once seemed unreachable in his field of vision, now.. he has also arrived before his opponent.
Exhaling softly, Kanegawa looked up and signaled to the Head Referee.
The Head Referee raised his hand, blew his whistle, signaled for the Serve.
Although Shiratorizawa's style is relatively traditional, they all know that Coach Washijo actually never liked people who were overly conservative at his core.
Whether it was the once unconventional Tendo or Hinata, who stood before them all to break through preconceived notions, they were both types of people Coach Washijo would choose.
So.. he will also make even bolder attempts here.
Go forward without any hesitation!
Toss, approach.
Just like he had practiced over and over again, spike the ball!
THUD!!
Unabara Uta took a step toward his left, raising his shoulder and turning his body to face the ball.
A heavy thud followed immediately, the ball flew high, landing near the front row's attack line.
He flashed a smile at Kanegawa, who had just landed.
—Sorry, but when it comes to working hard and having clear goals, they won't lose either.
Cheers immediately followed: "What a great first receive!"
Hinata raised his hand, demanding the ball: "Give the ball to me!"
Miya Atsumu's gaze swept over the opposing middle blocker, Kawanishi, who had not yet moved, after making a quick mental calculation, he decisively sent the set toward.. Miya Osamu.
Kawanishi, who had just been about to move toward the side, jerked his head back, but it was already too late. Miya Osamu, who had already jumped at the edge of Position 2, had already spiked the ball, aiming it straight for the middle of the back row.
Akakura, facing the Negative Tempo Quick Attack head-on the court for the first time, failed completely to keep up with Inarizaki's offensive speed, letting the ball fly right past him.
The score on the sidelines jumped again, Inarizaki 3:1 Shiratorizawa.
Osamu, Osamu, what a great spike! One! More! Ball!
The Inarizaki cheering area erupted in cheers.
Aran also shouted loudly along with the crowd, his blood boiling: "Great play! One more!!"
During the Interhigh, he had nearly died of anxiety watching the livestream, Akagi, who came over to watch the match with him, was also quite panicked.
Their coordination now is much stronger than it was before.
Akakura wiped the sweat from his forehead. "I couldn't react at all."
Yanagita also nodded in agreement, "It's much more terrifying than in the video."
The only reference footage they could use was actually from the second round of this National Sports Festival, but it was clear that Hinata hadn't run at his best speed in that set, Miya Osamu's double quick wasn't this fast either.
Goshiki Tsutomu turned his head toward the two of them. "Get used to it; Inarizaki will definitely pick up the pace again later."
The two nodded. "Understood."
Coach Washijo didn't say a word; it was perfectly normal that the previous ball couldn't be received.
The top eight was actually the goal they had set before coming here; the focus of the upcoming matches would be to let everyone properly adapt to the pace of a large-scale tournament.
With Shirabu's semi-retirement, Shiratorizawa only has two and a half third years left in the starting lineup; if they can coordinate smoothly, their roster next year will be extremely strong.
He had always been a very patient person, never in a hurry.
Inamura rubbed his chin and turned his head to look at the person sitting on the other side of Sakusa. "I wonder if it's just my imagination.."
Most of Miyagi's representative teams have been sent home by Inarizaki over the last two years, haven't they?
Ushijima thought back seriously: "That's true. Aobajohsai and Date Tech also lost to Inarizaki."
Inamura gasped, "Whoa, Miyagi's killer."
It seemed that Shiratorizawa's strength remained stable within the top eight in the nation, while Date Tech had been swept out in the round of sixteen. He had originally been wondering why Shiratorizawa had lost to both Date Tech and Aobajohsai.
Thinking about it now.. if they hadn't gone up against Inarizaki, those two teams might have had a chance to advance even further.
In the front row, Inamoto shrugged his shoulders. "That's terrifying, Miyagi.."