[63] Grade 11: Spring National High School Competition
As native Tokyo residents, even though the Otokoma volleyball team failed to qualify as one of the three representative schools in Tokyo in the spring high school volleyball Tokyo preliminary round, the Otokoma team did not miss the audience at the national tournament.
They practically followed the schedule of the Heming Hall matches – this was already the umpteenth match they had watched, from the first round to the current round of sixteen, without missing a single one.
Before the IH National Tournament, Otokoma's current libero, Eisuke Yaku, happened to notice Tsurumikan's defensive formation. During a volleyball team training session, he watched a video of Tsurumikan's Kyoto preliminaries on his phone. After Coach Nekomata noticed this, the entire Otokoma volleyball team developed a strong interest in this strong Kyoto defensive school.
Especially after Heming Hall won the IH National Championship, this attention has only increased.
Soundhorse is an expert in the "ironclad defense followed by a counterattack" strategy. Their core philosophy of "maintaining" is to digest the opponent's attack through an impeccable defense, patiently wait for and create the opportunity for a decisive blow.
Therefore, they have a natural interest in all teams that excel at defense.
However, the defensive system of Heming Hall showed the players of Yinju a possibility that was both familiar and completely different.
Unlike the solid "maintenance" built by Yinju through precise positioning and teamwork, Hemingguan's defense is more like a "flowing net".
The defensive formation of Heming Hall is not fixed. Instead, it will make extremely subtle and rapid overall shifts based on the opponent's attacking habits and the anticipation of the ball's trajectory. It often appears in some unexpected but just right positions, as if it can predict the future.
Hemingguan seems to be extremely adept at using their blockers to create visual obstructions and induce attack angles, silently forcing attackers into their pre-set defensive traps.
This defensive approach, which perfectly combines accurate prediction, psychological warfare, and flexible formations, both shocked and excited the members of the Sound Horse team, who were also deeply involved in defense.
The tactical system of Heming Hall is a valuable research sample for all schools that excel in defense.
Not only was Tomi, who was also a representative of Tokyo's defense, studying hard, but Nekomata, the coach of Otokoma, had also repeatedly analyzed all of their official game videos and figured them out thoroughly.
Every subtle habit and movement of the official athletes at Heming Hall, and every ingenious choice of positioning, was thoroughly analyzed by the members of Yinju.
So during the Spring High School Volleyball Tournament these past few days, all the regular players of the Otoko Volleyball Club, led by Coach Nekomata, gathered in the stands in twos and threes, dressed in their everyday clothes.
Kuroo Tetsurou also specially invited Kozume Kenma, who is currently a third-year student at Nekoma Junior High School—his introverted but brilliant childhood friend will be directly promoted to Nekoma Senior High School next year, and they will continue to play volleyball together sooner or later.
Furthermore, Kuroo often takes Kozume to study the volleyball tactics system of Tsurumeikan.
“Tomi’s defensive play was also very interesting,” Yoru said, arms crossed, looking focused. “But what’s even more noteworthy is that… how should I put it, the cunning hidden beneath the rules.”
This year, Otoko didn't face Tomi in the preliminaries, but instead encountered Itayama in the quarterfinals.
Although they had met Tomi before during the training camp, both sides had played conventional defense and had not yet experienced Tomi's move.
Hisense loudly echoed, "That's right! It was cunning! That ball from Heming Pavilion was definitely a line shot!"
Yoru shook his head: "Using blind spots to create misjudgments is indeed a very clever tactic, but it is also very risky."
He didn't continue, but the meaning was clear—this behavior was essentially a psychological game of dancing on the edge of a knife.
It's not just a battle of wills with the opponent, but also a battle with the staff.
While Tomi had the home advantage, she barely managed to gain the upper hand over Tsurumeikan in a battle of momentum—it's said to be a close call because Tsurumeikan was a strong team, favored by most volleyball enthusiasts besides casual spectators. Furthermore, casual spectators would cheer when Tsurumeikan scored, joining in the excitement.
However, casual spectators are often undecided and tend to support their home team. Therefore, in this scoring contest, Tomi unexpectedly received even stronger support.
The game with the staff refers to this kind of behavior of greedily taking controversial shots, which relies heavily on the referee's instantaneous judgment. Once it is seen through, it will instantly undermine the credibility of one's own defense and may even lead to more severe penalties.
This is why, in the first two games, Tomi maintained an almost deliberate respect for the chair umpire and linesmen, politely gesturing after each point and never getting entangled in disputes—all of this was to prepare for the possible controversial moments that might arise, and to try to establish an initial impression of "orderliness" and "reason" in the referees' minds.
However, this is ultimately not a sound strategy, but a risky gamble that had to be taken after the score gap widened and the team was forced into a desperate situation.
At this moment, the cold numbers on the scoreboard revealed the root of this game: the score difference between Tsurumeikan and Tomi had been widened to a breathtaking eight points by Tsurumeikan.
—Not the eight points at the beginning, but the eight points in the middle and later stages of this game.
"Tomi is an expert at pretending to be innocent," said Otoko, the setter who is the same age as Tomi, with his arms crossed and a knowing look in his voice.
In the same volleyball school circle in Tokyo, during his three-year volleyball career, Otokoma and Tomi had countless practice matches and training camps together, so he was very familiar with Tomi's seemingly cheerful but actually scheming style.
"—They acted so well before, just waiting for this moment to try and gain the referee's trust."
"What they do best is sabotage their opponents behind the scenes, drag them into a quagmire, and then decide the outcome using their familiar dirty tricks."
Hisense gripped the back of the seat in front of him nervously, leaning forward almost to his feet: "Will the referee change his decision? Will he?"
“Difficult,” Kuroo smirked. “Insufficient evidence, hard to discern with the naked eye. Especially when the public opinion is so overwhelmingly in favor of the referee. The pressure on the referee is immense.”
Sure enough, after a brief exchange of glances and gestures with the linesman, the referee hesitated for a moment, but ultimately stuck to his initial decision, decisively pointing his arm out of bounds.
Hu Mei's score is valid.
——————
In the field.
As Numai walked toward the service court and waited for the whistle to sound, Hiroo, in front of Tomi, launched the first attack.
He turned unabashedly to the half of the court facing Heming Hall, a mocking smile playing on his lips. His voice wasn't loud enough for the referees closest to the sidelines to hear, but it was clear enough to penetrate the net and reach the ears of the players in the front row of Heming Hall:
"Is this the level of skill of this year's IH champions?" He raised his voice, his tone carrying undisguised sarcasm. "Truly an eye-opener!"
Hiroo is notorious in the Tokyo high school volleyball world for his sharp tongue. He not only attacks his own teammates without mercy, but he is also highly skilled at spewing venom at others.
Takachiho, who always bickers with Hiroo during training, is now showing amazing chemistry, perfectly playing the role of a yes-man, repeating in the same annoying tone: "What an eye-opener~ What an eye-opener~"
General Yu, naturally, wouldn't let this opportunity pass. He immediately added fuel to the fire, deliberately drawing out his words and pronouncing each one exceptionally clearly: "What a really low-level mistake~"
The three of them, working in unison, tried to take advantage of the delicate atmosphere created by the controversial ruling to provoke the crowd at Heming Hall and disrupt their usual calm.
They knew perfectly well that this point was not won honorably; it was entirely due to their carefully crafted "good boy" image during the game and their performance at crucial moments that they managed to deceive the referee.
But this dishonorable act has become their weapon of attack.
Across the net, Koizumi's eyes suddenly darkened, and his azure pupils contracted slightly.
The hot-tempered Saotome instantly tightened her jaw, her gaze like a tangible blade, slashing fiercely at the three arrogant guys in front of Tomi, as if she were about to rush over the net to argue with them at any moment.
However, in that instant when tensions were high, Yujin Imadegawa's calm voice rang out, still carrying his unique, enigmatic, gentle smile: "Never mind."
He even chuckled slightly, as if the other party wasn't provoking him: "Letting them win a point is fine."
The calmness with which they left Sichuan stemmed from an extremely clear tactical judgment.
Given that the referee already had a good impression of Tomi, who was good at "playing innocent," insisting on arguing over this already ambiguous controversial ball would not only make it difficult to change the decision, but would also leave the referee with a negative impression of being impatient and unruly, which would be detrimental to the referee's officiating in the following game.
Arguing with the referee is never a wise move, especially when the opponent has already gained the upper hand.
"Be careful from now on," Imadegawa turned his head slightly and whispered to his teammates behind him, "Don't give them any more opportunities to hit the ball right on the line like that."
Jin Chuchuan's retreat and composure made the general feel like he had punched cotton.
So the general's "not ashamed but proud" spirit (JXqL) intensified, and he immediately seized the opportunity, drawing out his words slowly and deliberately, his face full of an infuriating expression that said, "Oh? Then let's give us a few more goals~ Champion—sir—?"
Even the bird principal of the Crane Pavilion, who was secretly observing from a distant marker pole, couldn't stand this posture.
The little chubby bird was so angry that its feathers bristled, making it look like an angry ball of fur, its small chest heaving violently.
It suddenly took off from the marker pole, swooped down with lightning speed, landed on the general's head, and then pecked his head hard with its small beak.
The only one who could see this scene, Imadegawa, could only laugh.
—What an Angry Bird!
Imadegawa watched as the angry little chubby bird carried out its "justice," and then saw that General Yu himself was completely oblivious, still maintaining that provocative expression...
He finally couldn't hold back any longer, turned his face away, and his shoulders trembled slightly.
The general keenly noticed Imadegawa's smile, which only made him more confused.
He was clearly trying to provoke the other party, but the other party not only didn't get angry, but also seemed to be enjoying the show.
The general who took the initiative to provoke the situation was completely baffled.
As he turned back after leaving Sichuan, the lingering smile on his face made him appear somewhat shy, yet his golden eyes remained clear and calm, without the slightest ripple.
He glanced at the general casually, tilted his head slightly, and smiled harmlessly.
"Dream on."
His tone remained gentle, yet carried an unwavering certainty, as if he were stating a future that was destined to come true:
"From this moment on, you will not receive a single penny more."
————————!!————————
(Happy pats on the little ones' paws—) It's finally the weekend! I can finally get a good night's sleep. No need to get up early tomorrow, yay!
Such behavior of Tomi's, which is obsessed with controversial shots, is certainly not something to be encouraged on the field.
And Hu Mei doesn't need to use it many times (the referee isn't blind if he uses it too many times). It's just an occasional temporary tactic. Adding trash talk and other tactics can easily provoke emotions. Once emotions are unstable, people become easily agitated and their rhythm will be disrupted. It can be considered an effective tactic when you want to close a large gap. For example, even Kominato was a bit provoked by them.
Of course, this doesn't work for our Tsurumeikan. As long as Tsurumei's mentality doesn't collapse, the rest of us won't either—everyone blindly follows Tsurumei's commands. This is also why Kominato didn't make any rash moves to attack those opponents who were talking big about Tsurumei during the match against Tomi. In the tournament, everyone completely listens to Tsurumei's commands.
Our Xiaohe has an incredibly strong heart; it's completely impossible to provoke her with trash talk (she's such a good-natured kid).
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Part Two:
Tonight I replied to some of the comments I missed from the past few days. To clarify, I will only reply to comments from the latest chapters or those from a few chapters later that I didn't have time to reply to on the same day. I will no longer reply to comments from earlier chapters.
I hesitated to even mention the controversial play, but it was indeed one of Tomi's tactics. It wasn't exactly honorable, but it couldn't be entirely considered cheating either. These kids are still young and ambitious, and their desire to win is commendable. However, they didn't play dirty to maliciously injure or force their opponents to leave the court. They simply took advantage of the situation to make a couple of controversial plays, which wasn't ethical, but it wasn't bad either.
Perhaps it really is because my writing skills are limited and I didn't write well... I bow to all the fans of Hu Mei and Hemingguan. All three parties (Hu Mei's fans, Hemingguan's fans, and the readers) are wonderful, but I didn't balance things well. I overestimated my abilities and didn't present Hu Mei's fans beautifully to everyone. I'm truly sorry (bowing again).
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