[77] Grade 11: Spring National High School Competition
Just as Imadegawa's fingertips were about to touch the ball, his entire posture, even the corner of his eye, perfectly created the illusion that he was about to quickly pull the ball across to the right wing.
But an unknown string in Kita Shinsuke's mind began to resonate.
Not right-wing...
Instead, it's faster, shorter, and more agile near-body velocity—
Kita Shinsuke keenly spotted a white figure approaching silently and slowly, like an undercurrent—it was Koizumi.
Those seemingly light steps concealed a threat that could erupt at any moment.
So the instant the volleyball left Imadegawa's fingertips, even before the ball reached its highest point, Kita Shinsuke's body, as if receiving a clear command, suddenly sprang into action!
Analyzing and predicting the opponent's setter's choice of passer is only the first step in defense.
The next step is also a more crucial one, and it will put even greater demands on the ability to interpret information instantly.
You must be able to anticipate the opponent's final spiking route in the blink of an eye.
This requires not only speed, but also an extraordinary level of focus and composure.
And Koizumi Minato—
This person, quite unlike his seemingly gentle, harmless, and even somewhat childlike appearance, is the most cunning and unpredictable of all the attackers in the Crane Cry Hall.
He doesn't rely on sheer brute force to overwhelm his opponent; instead, he incorporates skill and deception into every swing of his arm. Whether it's a serve or a spike, it's like an elegant white crane that suddenly reveals its venomous claws while gracefully dancing.
Kita Nobusuke was highly focused, carefully observing the subtle shifts in Koizumi's posture in the air: the angle of his shoulders, the extent of his arm pull back, the direction of his core power, and the almost imperceptible inward or outward rotation of his wrist at the end...
Will he hit a straight shot? Or a slight diagonal line? Or perhaps another unexpected light drop shot?
Every possibility flashed rapidly through Kita Nobusuke's mind.
Koizumi hit the shot.
so--
Will he deduct from here?
Kita Nobusuke lowered his shoulders and took a step forward with his right foot.
Just as Kita Shinsuke had predicted, the spike landed deep inside Inarizaki's sideline, at a point that almost grazed the marker.
Kita Shinsuke, who arrived just in time, tilted his body sharply toward the ground, his right thigh scraping against the ground—after half of his body fell to the ground, he was pushed forward again.
He also pushed the volleyball upward with his right arm, performing a skillful side roll save.
The volleyball hit his arm.
'...He got caught again.'
Koizumi suppressed the soft, gentle smile on her lips.
He thought with a hint of complaint, '...How annoying.'
Volleyball has always been a sport that is both passionate and strategic.
Players cannot rely solely on brute force to launch relentless attacks.
After the first pass is in place, the setter's choice of attack point and overall coordination, and the attacker's choice of spiking route, power and timing, all require careful concealment of the true intention, like laying a fog to lure the opponent into guessing, judging and ultimately falling into the trap.
This should also be the area that Heming Pavilion excels at.
Imadegawa, as the setter, has provided them with near-perfect support, creating excellent attacking opportunities for them time and time again with his passes.
Unfortunately, instead of delivering a more impressive spike, he was once again outmaneuvered by the overly silent first-year student on the other side, and was hit by the volleyball again.
Although I knew my spikes weren't unstoppable and that being returned wasn't unacceptable, it still felt a bit awkward.
'snort,'
but--
'Even if we do run into each other, so what?'
(uxQy) Koizumi looked up as the volleyball leaped from Kita Shinsuke's arms, spinning wildly through the air in a crooked arc.
'I'm number 3 at Crane Cry Pavilion—'
He watched as Inarizaki's setter frantically ran sideways because of that almost out-of-control first pass.
'Regarding Tsuru-chan's control over rotation, number 3 has the deepest understanding—'
The childish complaint on Koizumi's face vanished instantly, replaced by an almost cunning, somewhat arrogant look.
so,
From the moment Koizumi hit the ball, this smash was not just aimed at scoring a point.
The extremely subtle yet intense spin that Koizumi deliberately applied to the ball was also the real killer move.
It causes the receiver's arm to feel abnormal vibrations, making the trajectory of the pass unpredictable and difficult to discreet, greatly increasing the difficulty of the setter's adjustment and thus disrupting the opponent's counter-attack rhythm.
Kita Shinsuke was not surprised by the other hidden move in this ball. Even though he didn't pass the ball properly, he was not discouraged and immediately stepped in to fill the gap for Inarisaki.
After all, I already knew that Heming Pavilion was this style.
After all, he already knew that Heming Pavilion had this kind of subtle and intricate style.
Every touch of the ball could harbor a deadly threat.
Despite being in a very passive situation, Inarisaki setter managed to adjust the highly spun first pass to the vicinity of position four thanks to her amazing ball control.
However, this hasty adjustment was not ideal in terms of either height or position.
Just as Big Ears gritted his teeth and jumped, trying to get the uncomfortable ball over the net—
A white figure had been waiting for a long time!
Koizumi jumped in sync with the flight, his long arms stretching out in the air to form an insurmountable barrier.
His jump completely blocked all possible spike routes for his opponent.
"Bang!"
A crisp, clean crack!
The volleyball was firmly blocked by his fingertips and slammed heavily onto the court in Inarizaki!
—It's a chain reaction!
Koizumi landed lightly, her eyes curving into two crescent moons.
His previous complaining expression had long been replaced by pleasure, and his smile carried an undisguised slyness.
Even if the opponent can receive Koizumi's spike, he will never give them any easy opportunity to organize an attack.
From applying spin to disrupt the first pass, to judging and blocking the hasty adjustment attack, everything was within his calculations.
He's not some delicate, spoiled little fox who only knows how to act cute—
Koizumi raised his head and approached Imadekawa.
He's number 3 in Heming Pavilion, the closest number to number 1!
He was also a hunter, just like Imadegawa, skilled at setting traps and dragging his prey step by step into a desperate situation.
Hemingguan scored with a block.
The scoreboard next to the referee turned a page with a loud thud.
Jin Chuchuan glanced at the scoreboard.
————
Tsurumeikan: Inarizaki
20:15
————
...There are still five points left.
The captain of the Crane Cry Pavilion thought to himself calmly.
...
Meanwhile, the ace Inarisaki on the opposite side was also looking at the scoreboard.
————
Tsurumeikan - Inarizaki
20-15
————
...There are still five points left.
Captain Inarisaki pondered deeply.
————————
The third game was drawing to a close, and the numbers on the scoreboard were like a death knell, with every point gained or lost tugging at the heartstrings of the entire audience.
In the stands, both teams' support groups had already raised their cheers to their peak.
The drums and horns of Inarizaki attempted to ignite the team's counterattack with their fiery passion; while the cheers of Tsurumeikan remained ancient and magnificent, enveloping the stadium with an undeniable aura, each shout seemingly announcing the ownership of victory.
Neutral spectators, who were not supporters of either side, held their breath, their eyes glued to the trajectory of the volleyball, afraid of missing any moment that would decide the outcome.
Unlike the still-excited atmosphere in the stands, the atmosphere on the field was spiraling towards danger.
The air was so hot it felt like it was about to burst into flames, and every breath carried the smell of gunpowder.
In the final moments of the match, the Inarizaki team members inevitably became somewhat agitated once again.
Several attacks that posed a significant threat to other schools were thwarted by Heming Hall's impenetrable defense, allowing them to capitalize on the opportunities to score.
Frustration creeps up on the tree in my heart like vines.
Some players also started making more mistakes. An unnecessary serve that went into the net and a slightly hasty attempt to steal the ball drew a burst of suppressed regret and boos from the section of the stands supporting Inarizaki.
Meanwhile, the opposing Heming Hall remained completely calm in their actions and eye contact, as if they were not in the lead.
—Or rather, they were meant to be ahead.
This relaxed atmosphere once again became a huge pressure on the opponent.
The atmosphere suddenly became noticeably tense, and Coach Blackbeard made a snap decision to request a substitution.
He directly substituted a second-year player who was visibly frustrated and whose movements were starting to become distorted. He patted the substitute on the shoulder and gave him a few concise instructions.
At this point, no amount of lengthy explanation is as effective as a decisive adjustment.
In this increasingly tense atmosphere, Kita Shinsuke's presence seemed out of place.
He didn't shout and cheer like the others, and there was no trace of impatience or panic on his face.
With every precise run, every impeccable defensive preparation, and his ever-calm gaze, Kita Shinsuke silently conveyed a message to his teammates: the game is not over yet, stay calm, we can fight back.
When Akagi glanced at Kita Shinsuke because of a communication breakdown and a slightly off-target pass, he was met with Kita Shinsuke's usual calm gaze, a look of nonchalant trust that said, "Just handle the next ball well."
When Oshiro's powerful spike was blocked and he landed with a slightly annoyed shrug, he saw Kita Shinsuke silently move to the best defensive position, ready to face the opponent's counterattack.
Nobusuke Kita was like a steadfast reef in a stormy ocean, remaining unmoved no matter how fiercely the waves crashed against him.
And through this silence, he quietly soothed the somewhat disordered rhythm and emotions of his teammates.
Even the strongest reefs could not stop the overwhelming waves.
"Beep—"
The whistle blew.
It's another match point at Heming Hall.
————————!!————————
(Sucks on paws) Goodnight—
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