"Not sure what Taichi is thinking right now, but if Seijoh loses this match here—" Futakuchi Kenji frowned deeply. "He'll definitely be the one to blame."
The Date Tech players all turned to look at Futakuchi in surprise. After all, he was the one most wary of Kaedehara Taichi on their team. It was rare for him to make such a critical comment.
Futakuchi pointed toward the court.
"Maybe he's been influenced by Karasuno's super-quick attack, but Seijoh's Kunimi Akir...
2025-04-10 16:00:14 +0000 UTC
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"Nishinoya!"
Smack!
Nishinoya Yū received the ball with perfect form—first touch to target.
Tsukishima Kei suddenly lunged toward the net. Kyōtani Kentarō and Yahaba Shigeru jumped up to block.
"Wait—!"
Kindaichi Yūtarō's shout came a moment too late. The two had already jumped, but Tsukishima remained crouched, a scheming smile hidden behind his cool expression.
A solo time-lag attack!
As Kyōtani and Yahaba began descendin...
2025-04-09 16:15:57 +0000 UTC
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"That kid's going a bit overboard, huh."
Coach Irihata's tone carried a trace of reproach, but the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth couldn't be hidden.
On the other side, Ukai Keishin suddenly shot to his feet. His eyes were wide, and his breathing had turned just slightly uneven.
"That guy...he's still getting stronger..."
Speed. Power. Height. Precision.
With just one spike, Kaedehara Taichi had shown a...
2025-04-09 16:14:07 +0000 UTC
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"Hey, hey, it looks like Kaedehara Taichi is about to go in!"
"For real? He's starting to warm up!"
"He's really waiting until the semifinals to show up, huh. He's got a pretty big ego."
"Well, Aoba Johsai pretty much breezed through all their matches before this. They won every single one in straight sets."
"Mm...yeah, that's true..."
The third round of the Interhigh preliminaries was underway. The morning match betw...
2025-04-09 16:12:08 +0000 UTC
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"Damn it! We were able to block those in the first half!"
"We can't keep up with their movements anymore. The fundamentals are completely different!"
"Even their simple receives and passes are way more refined than ours..."
"Tweet!—"
The whistle for the serve blew.
Yamabuki Yūjin aimed a powerful jump serve straight at Hyakuzawa Yūdai.
"I got it!" Inagaki Isao stepped in front to receive the ball.
...
2025-04-08 16:57:46 +0000 UTC
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"Isn't Aoba Johsai being a little too arrogant? Even against Kakugawa Gakuen's Hyakuzawa, they're not putting Kaedehara Taichi on the court?"
"Hmph, it'll be hilarious if Seijoh ends up losing here."
"There's no way they'll lose, right? Isn't Taichi just watching from the bench?"
"Do you think…maybe Taichi's injured?"
"That's...impossible, right? The rest of the team looks totally normal."
"But still—"
On th...
2025-04-08 16:56:04 +0000 UTC
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[June 2nd, Sendai City Gymnasium]
The place bustled with noise. High school students in a wide variety of school uniforms crowded the venue, and the air was thick with the smell of pain relief spray.
"...Kaedehara Taichi—why isn't he in the starting lineup?!"
"If Taichi's not playing, what's even the point of coming to cover the match…?"
"Did he get injured during practice?"
"No, they probably just think the opp...
2025-04-07 16:53:19 +0000 UTC
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"Ahh, we're finally back!"
"Even though we got one day off, playing matches every day is seriously exhausting."
"I don't see what's so great about Tokyo. Miyagi's still the most comfortable place."
On the night of May 7th, the entirety of Aoba Johsai's team safely returned from their Tokyo training expedition. Excluding the one-day break, Aoba Johsai had played training matches against twelve schools in Tokyo.
And the result? A complete sweep.
2025-04-07 16:52:38 +0000 UTC
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Smack!
Libero Teragane Gō's first touch was clean, and Ōki Kazuki set the ball to the right wing. Moritake Kazuya jumped for the spike.
"Double block!" Yamabuki Yūjin and Yūki Yōji leapt up.
"Don't underestimate me just because I'm a first-year!"
Boom!
The ball pierced through the gap between the blockers and fell into Aoba Johsai's court.
Moritake Kazuya scored with a spike.
[Aoba Johsai 10 – ...
2025-04-07 16:51:45 +0000 UTC
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He's just a second-year too—how could the difference be this big…?
The players of Takezō Academy couldn't wrap their heads around it. Still, they didn't want to dwell on it any longer. All that mattered now was giving it everything they had in the second set, and playing Aoba Johsai seriously.
However—
Kaedehara Taichi didn't take the court in the second set.
"This guy really does look down on us!" Moritake Kazuya's eyes burned wi...
2025-04-06 16:01:31 +0000 UTC
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[May 6th – Takezō Academy, Tokyo]
"We're playing that Aoba Johsai today, right?"
"Yeah, I think so. The upperclassmen already left…"
The first-years of Takezō Academy's volleyball club were chatting casually while going through their training routines.
"Did you see their faces? They didn't look too thrilled."
"Well, obviously. We're talking about last year's Spring High national champions here. We didn't even mak...
2025-04-06 16:00:14 +0000 UTC
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Days of continuous matches had left Aoba Johsai's players physically and mentally drained. To help them relieve stress and recover their strength, Coach Irihata introduced the team's second perk of their Tokyo trip—a full day off for sightseeing.
Come to think of it, despite participating in the Nationals twice last year, Aoba Johsai had never actually gotten a chance to explore the vibrant metropolis.
"Tokyo Skytree!"
"Sensō-ji Temple!"
"Shibuya!"...
2025-04-05 15:21:11 +0000 UTC
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"Bokuto-senpai, now that the little rookie you were looking after is off the court, can you finally go all out?" Kaedehara Taichi straightened his posture, stepping forward slightly. A glimmer of both provocation and anticipation flickered in his gaze.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing what you've learned in the pros."
Yūki Yōji turned his head in disbelief. "Taichi-senpai, are you saying that Bokuto-senpai wasn't going all out before?" But…he was al...
2025-04-05 15:19:45 +0000 UTC
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At some point, the spectators on the sidelines realised something—this match was no longer just a battle between the two aces.
It had become Bokuto Kōtarō VS Kyōtani Kentarō.
Sarukui Fūto stood frozen in place.
Bokuto Kōtarō had always been the player he aspired to surpass. Kaedehara Taichi was the opponent he had set his sights on in this match.
But this Kyōtani Kentarō—who the hell was he?!
Why did Aoba Johsai have another
2025-04-04 15:59:57 +0000 UTC
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Kyōtani Kentarō never had a clear-cut career plan like Bokuto Kōtarō did, but when it came to his love for volleyball, he would never lose to anyone.
After clashing with his upperclassmen and being ostracised, Kyōtani was forced to leave his team. From that moment on, he had always been alone in the world of volleyball—like a lone star burning in silence.
No team.
No teammates.
No goal.
Even so, the stray Mad Dog never ...
2025-04-04 15:58:54 +0000 UTC
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Sarukui Fūto served the second ball.
The volleyball targeted Kyōtani Kentarō in Aoba Johsai's backcourt corner.
It had to be said—very few first-years could deliver such a threatening serve.
Smack!
Kyōtani barely managed to receive it.
Yahaba Shigeru stepped in to cover and set the ball toward the left side—Kindaichi Yūtarō leapt for a spike.
Boom!!—
"Double block!"
Smack!
2025-04-04 15:57:59 +0000 UTC
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Boom!!!—
The volleyball traced a perfect arc through the air.
An extreme sidespin!
Smack!
The ball struck Kunimi Akira's arm and flew out of bounds.
Bokuto Kōtarō scored directly with his serve!
[Aoba Johsai 0 – 2 Fukurodani]
"Hey! Hey! ! Hey! ! !"
Bokuto Kōtarō raised his right hand high, drawing enthusiastic cheers from Fukurodani's second and third years on ...
2025-04-03 16:15:03 +0000 UTC
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Sarukui Fūto's growth rate far exceeded that of his peers.
Ever since elementary school, when he first watched his older brother, Sarukui Yamato, play volleyball, Fūto had been captivated by the sport. Not only had he inherited his brother's athletic talent, but his sense of the game was also exceptional.
On top of that, he had built a strong foundation early on, surpassing even his brother in terms of physical ability.
Every day, Fūto practised with his bro...
2025-04-03 16:13:54 +0000 UTC
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"Fūto, didn't I tell you not to talk to Taichi before the match?"
After settling down Bokuto Kōtarō, Akaashi Keiji spotted Sarukui Fūto chatting with Kaedehara Taichi and quickly jogged over.
"Sorry, Akaashi-senpai," Sarukui Fūto said obediently, his usual arrogance nowhere to be seen. "But I wanted to see for myself what kind of player could defeat both Bokuto-senpai and my brother."
"Taichi, this is Yamato-senpai's younger brother—Fukurodani's firs...
2025-04-02 16:38:11 +0000 UTC
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May 3rd.
The Aoba Johsai volleyball team sat aboard a bus heading toward Fukurōdani Academy.
For Aoba Johsai, last year's Spring Nationals quarterfinal match against Fukurōdani had been an incredibly tough battle. In terms of intensity, they had even found it more gruelling than their final against Itachiyama.
However, after watching Nekoma play yesterday, the team was beginning to feel a bit concerned about Fukurōdani's current state.
"Come to thin...
2025-04-02 16:37:23 +0000 UTC
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"This is such a hassle…"
Watching as the players in the gym grew more and more hyped under Bokuto Kōtarō's influence, Kozume Kenma muttered to himself, instinctively keeping a slight distance from the commotion.
But with Kuroo Tetsurō keeping a close eye on him, there was no escape. Besides, while it looked like he had distanced himself, in reality, it was only a few steps away. The real gap was probably more like several million light-years in terms of mental s...
2025-04-02 16:36:28 +0000 UTC
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Aoba Johsai's second stop was Nekoma. Compared to rivals, the two teams felt more like friends.
Although during last year's Spring Nationals, an emotionally charged Kozume Kenma had once lashed out at Kaedehara Taichi (a moment Haiba Lev frequently mimicked afterwards—earning himself quite a few beatings), Nekoma's overall strength had taken a significant hit following the third-years' graduation.
After all, expecting a newly joined first-year to immediately fill t...
2025-04-01 16:01:29 +0000 UTC
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[Aoba Johsai 25 - 20 Ichibayashi]
[Aoba Johsai 25 - 23 Ichibayashi]
Though the match ended in a 2-0 victory, Aoba Johsai's win wasn't an easy one.
To be precise, the second set had been particularly gruelling. Ichibayashi gave them the impression of a version of Nekoma with enhanced offence. Even without a libero as exceptional as Yaku Morisuke, their overall receiving ability wasn't far off.
It was clear they ...
2025-04-01 16:00:22 +0000 UTC
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[Aoba Johsai 25 - 19 Itachiyama]
[Aoba Johsai 34 - 32 Itachiyama]
Aoba Johsai secured a 2-0 victory in their first practice match upon arriving in Tokyo.
After adjusting their strategy in the second set, Itachiyama managed to keep pace with Aoba Johsai, with Sakusa Kiyoomi leading the charge. At one point, they even took the lead.
However, it was during the final rally—when Sakusa jumped for a back-row attack—th...
2025-03-31 16:08:25 +0000 UTC
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"I—"
For the first time in this match, Araki Kōsei felt an overwhelming surge of emotion, so much so that he almost let a curse slip.
That was a desperation save. To be honest, even getting the ball over the net without an attack seemed impossible...
"Is this guy a monster?" Matsuo Satoshi clutched his chest. "He's a monster, right?!"
A full-powered attack from beyond the baseline, soaring across the entire court, landing perfectly on Itachiyama's baseline...
2025-03-31 16:06:59 +0000 UTC
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Itachiyama's lineup adjustment wasn't just about staggering the rotation of Sakusa Kiyoomi and Kaedehara Taichi in the front row—it was a direct countermeasure to a crucial factor behind their first-set loss: Kaedehara Taichi's serve.
Serve switch—Aoba Johsai's serve.
Kaedehara Taichi stepped onto the service line. The defensive formation facing him consisted of Sakusa Kiyoomi, Komori Motoya, and Nishimura Hiroyuki in Itachiyama's back row—the most stable r...
2025-03-31 16:05:30 +0000 UTC
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The serve rotated, giving Aoba Johsai possession again. Kaedehara Taichi returned to the front row.
"That guy…he still looks completely at ease." Sakusa Kiyoomi scowled at him.
Kyōtani Kentarō launched a powerful jump serve, the ball cutting through the air.
Smack!
"They received it again!"
Throughout this set, Komori Motoya's receiving had been nothing short of outstanding. Aside from that brief onslaught from Kaedehara Taichi earli...
2025-03-30 16:01:07 +0000 UTC
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As the teams returned from the timeout, the match stabilized, with both sides exchanging points.
Sakusa Kiyoomi made several aggressive plays, disregarding his stamina in an attempt to close the score gap. However, Aoba Johsai countered each of his attacks with Kaedehara Taichi and Kyōtani Kentarō's powerful spikes.
Aoba Johsai was the first to break the 20-point mark.
[Aoba Johsai 20 – 16 Itachiyama]
Aoba Johsai's turn to serve—Kuni...
2025-03-30 16:00:20 +0000 UTC
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[Aoba Johsai 11 – 5 Itachiyama]
The timeout ended, and the match resumed.
It was clear from the players' expressions that Itachiyama's adjustments hadn't been particularly effective. That was hardly surprising—Itachiyama boasted an over 90% win rate in various practice matches and tournaments across Tokyo, yet they always struggled when facing Aoba Johsai.
As both teams returned to the court, Shirakawa Kaito's gaze landed on Kaedehara Taichi, who was sta...
2025-03-29 16:01:03 +0000 UTC
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"Sakusa's serves are still as nasty as ever. If we played against Itachiyama again, would we have a way to handle him?" Matsuo Satoshi asked the person beside him.
"Why are you looking at me? I can't do it. Go ask Yukimitsu or something," Araki Kōsei replied shamelessly.
"Can you not just casually dump the responsibility on a first-year? You're the ace!" Matsuo rolled his eyes.
Araki thought for a moment, then pointed toward the court. "That libero from Seijoh is a first-ye...
2025-03-29 16:00:16 +0000 UTC
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