"Bang!"
A thunderous spike echoed from Akashi Asuka's palm. Fukurodani had set up a triple block, but Asuka, with his extraordinary hang time, shattered their formation mid-air.
Though all four players had jumped simultaneously, by the time Fukurodani's blockers were already descending, Akashi Asuka was still suspended in the air like an eagle.
In the end, the three blockers could only watch in shock as Asuka slammed the ball over their heads and into the court.
[Whoa~~~! It's Akashi Asuka again!]
[The first-year ace of Aoba Johsai, Akashi Asuka, scores once more with an overwhelming display of power right in front of Fukurodani's triple block!]
[Despite facing three blockers, Asuka used his exceptional vertical reach and hang time to force a 'super-spike' past them, Fukurodani's libero didn't even have time to react…]
[And with that point, the score is now 6-1. Since the opening serve, ]
[Since the start of the match, Fukurodani has only managed to score once against Aoba Johsai's formidable defense, while the latter has racked up six points, four of which were scored by their ace, Akashi Asuka.]
[It's clear that without their own ace, Bokuto, Fukurodani's offense is faltering. When will Bokuto return to form? Right now, they're in serious trouble!]
Whoosh!
["What's going on? Fukurodani just not playing like themselves today!"]
["Can't you tell? It's not that Fukurodani is doing poorly, it's that their opponents are just too strong. No wonder they beat Shiratorizawa. I've never seen Fukurodani fall behind by this much!"]
["Hey~~~ Bokuto! How long are you gonna stay out of it? If you don't snap out of it soon, this match is going to end without you!"]
As the commentators' voices echoed through the stands, the crowd erupted into commotion.
On Fukurodani's court, sweat dripped from the defenders' foreheads. Taking advantage of Bokuto not paying attention, a few of them huddled around Keiji Akaashi and whispered,
"Hey, Akaashi! Things aren't looking good. Without Bokuto, our offense just can't break through their defense. If this gap keeps widening, we're in big trouble later on."
"Still no sign of recovery from him?"
Akaashi glanced behind him at Kotaro Bokuto, whose expression was still a bit blank, but there was a spark in his eyes, a flicker of anticipation. Finally, Akaashi nodded slightly.
"He's almost there. For the next play, I'll need everyone's help."
"Got it!"
────────── ✦ ──────────
And just like that,
Aoba Johsai's serve was already on its way. Fukurodani's backline received the ball and passed it to Akaashi. In the very next moment, all three players, except for Bokuto, sprang into motion.
"A multi-angle synchronized attack?"
Oikawa Tooru's heart skipped a beat. You couldn't blame him for being caught off guard, Fukurodani's coordination was impeccable. From their movement alone, it looked exactly like a real approach.
But only for a split second.
"No, wait, this isn't an attack. They're decoys! Watch their No. 4, Bokuto!"
Oikawa's warning was fast, but still too late.
Only Akashi Asuka, who typically stays back for block coverage, wasn't fooled. The other two front players, Kindaichi and Hanamaki, hesitated just long enough to delay their reaction.
By the time they realized what was happening, Kotaro Bokuto had already launched himself into the air beneath the gymnasium lights, like an owl finally wide awake. Facing Akashi Asuka's solo block, he swung his flexible arm and unleashed a perfect super sharp cross.
Boom!
The ball landed barely two meters past the block, bouncing high and almost hitting the referee on the stand.
After the hit, Kotaro Bokuto spread his arms and cheered with electrifying energy:
"OHOOOOOH~~~ THAT FELT AMAZING! HEHEHE~!"
The crowd outside the court roared like a tidal wave.
"OOOOHHH~~~ Beautiful spike, Bokuto!"
"We've been waiting for this!"
"That's our ace! What a textbook kill!"
────────── ✦ ──────────
The cheers echoed in Bokuto's ears, lifting his spirits sky-high. He placed his hands on his hips, grinning broadly at Akashi Asuka.
"HAHAHA! You see that, you annoying brat? That's my real power!"
Clearly, Bokuto was still holding a grudge over being tricked by Asuka earlier. As for the score? He didn't seem to care in the slightest.
Classic Bokuto.
Even the players from Aoba Johsai were dumbfounded by Bokuto's mood swing. Asuka had warned them about this, but seeing it first hand was another thing entirely.
It was hard to believe someone could shift emotions so dramatically, and have their skill level fluctuate right along with it. He was like some kind of rare mythical beast.
"…Did he really just recover like that?" Oikawa stared at Bokuto, who had gone from totally out of it to completely energized in the blink of an eye.
"Seems like it–" Akashi Asuka replied calmly. "But it doesn't matter now. Our plan already succeeded."
────────── ✦ ──────────
"Quit celebrating, idiot!"
Back on Fukurodani's court, libero Komi Haruki scolded the still-grinning Bokuto.
"Take a look at the scoreboard! Do you realize how far behind we are because of you?"
Bokuto glanced over and went pale.
"Wh-Wh-What!? What happened!? Didn't the match just start!?"
"The match just, Are you serious? Do you know how long you've been sulking!?" Komi rolled his eyes.
"Uhhh…"
Bokuto was instantly lost for words, his excitement fading into dejection. His teammates flinched, thinking he was going to relapse.
But in the very next moment, Bokuto stood tall again, full of energy.
"Don't worry! Leave the comeback to me! After all, that's the ace's job… hmph!"
A puff of white breath escaped his nose as he declared with confidence.
Akaashi wanted to say: You're the reason we're behind in the first place…
But he kept it to himself. One wrong word and Bokuto might slip back into "meltdown mode", and that would be a nightmare.
Kotaro Bokuto was truly a rare kind of player. The moment he returned to form, it was as if the whole team lit up. Even the audience could feel it.
The score still showed them trailing, but the aura on the court had completely changed. With Bokuto back, it felt like Fukurodani would never give up.
Then the next play began,
BANG!
Another relentless spike. The same familiar impact. As the ball forced its way between defenders and slammed onto the floor behind them,
Fukurodani's middle blocker Onaga and libero Komi were stunned. The flashbacks of Akashi Asuka's unstoppable scoring streak came flooding back, like shadows rising from the depths of memory.
The whole team turned toward the net.
Akashi Asuka was landing from his jump, but something about him had changed.
His presence was stronger than ever.
And then,
A cold voice echoed across the court:
"So Bokuto's back to normal, huh? Good for you. But don't think for a second that just because he's recovered, you're going to claw your way back that easily."
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