The Test of Aoba
Day two of the Prefectural Sports Meet began, pitting Senkoku Middle School against the formidable Private Aota Middle School.
This school was clearly operating on a different competitive level than yesterday's opponent, Yushi. Aota's defense, in particular, was stable and highly coordinated.
The aggressive, singular offensive strategy used against Yushi was, therefore, obsolete.
Even Akashi Asuka, with his enhanced power, would struggle to consistently breach a well-executed triple-block.
For this match, Senkoku was forced to adopt a more intricate tactical approach, utilizing running sets, crossing patterns, and multiple attacking options to keep the opponent's defensive focus fragmented.
Yet, one truth remained: Akashi Asuka's sheer attacking efficacy was undeniable.
While a high-level triple-block might momentarily halt him, any defensive arrangement short of three dedicated players would still struggle immensely to neutralize his threat.
Beep!
The match was tense, twenty-five minutes in, with the score narrowly sitting at 22-19.
The contest was tight—a genuine battle, unlike the previous day's rout.
Akashi Asuka served long, costing Senkoku the point and the possession. Aota's coach seized the moment and called a timeout.
"Damn it, who is that guy? I swear I've never heard him mentioned in any scouting report," Aota's Libero vented, rubbing his stinging forearm while taking a desperate sip of water.
As the primary target, he had borne the brunt of Akashi's spikes.
The player lamented that Akashi's strikes weren't just powerful; they were incredibly fast and deceptive. The ball would often hit the ground before his mind could translate what his eyes had seen. Even when he managed to predict the angle, the force was so immense that the moment his arms made contact, the ball would violently deflect, escaping his control.
"Truly, their outside hitter's technique and raw power are likely among the best in the prefecture," Aota's setter pondered. "But it's baffling; why has Senkoku Middle School, a program known for nothing, suddenly produced him?"
"Coach," someone asked, "have you encountered the name Akashi Asuka?"
Aota's coach thoughtfully considered the question, then nodded slightly. "I recall a whisper of the name, but the context escapes me. What I do remember is the report emphasized his spiking ability as the only impressive feature; the rest of his skillset was unremarkable."
"Unremarkable? That level of power is terrifying!" the Libero protested, gesturing to his reddened arm.
"Hmm. While his strength is astonishing, given his prior anonymity, he must have achieved a significant, rapid breakthrough in power very recently."
The coach concluded his assessment and issued the new directive. "Let us set his power aside. While striking force can be dramatically improved quickly, foundational skills like receiving require meticulous time and repetition. Their basic defense is weak. We must exploit the fact that Akashi is now rotating into the back court. From this moment until the end of the set, you will direct every single attack onto him."
Aota and his teammates responded with a focused, determined affirmation.
The Critical Flaw and the Unthinkable Counter
The match resumed with Aota in possession.
Aota served, sending a simple overhand ball flying directly toward Akashi Asuka's defensive zone.
On the sidelines, Coach Shimokawa's gaze hardened.
"Our central weakness has been exposed," Shimokawa Sanwa thought with a pang of dread.
As the coach, he knew the truth: Akashi Asuka's explosive offense had leapfrogged the entire team's development. Senkoku's offensive firepower was now top-tier, but their defense, coordination, and the skill of the supporting players lagged far behind.
Akashi's attack was utterly disconnected from the team's ability to sustain a rally.
Senkoku Middle School was, figuratively, a spear with only its tip: against weak opponents, the tip was enough to pierce all resistance, but against stronger foes, the lack of a sturdy shaft to support the power would quickly be exploited.
"However..."
A flicker of strange confidence crossed Coach Shimokawa's face. "Aota. Even if it is merely the tip of a spear, can you truly withstand its concentrated, unexpected thrust?"
The volleyball hit Akashi Asuka's forearm, deflecting high and slightly off-target, but remaining safely on their side of the court.
Akashi Asuka's passing attribute was now functional. While he couldn't guarantee a perfect reception, he could reliably keep a non-threatening serve in play.
"I'll handle it!" Setter Mitsuhira yelled, quickly positioning himself under the descending ball.
Just as he was mentally cycling through his limited attacking options, a deep, magnetizing, and utterly resolute voice resonated from the backcourt.
"Give me the ball."
Mitsuhira knew instantly who commanded the play. This voice rarely cut through the noise, but every time it did, it resulted in a point.
Before his conscious mind could analyze the risk, his body obeyed.
He tapped his fingers lightly, sending a low-arcing, yet high, lob set soaring toward the backcourt line.
In the next moment, a tall, powerful silhouette erupted high into the air, leaping from the back row, and then swinging his arm with total commitment.
Bang!
The explosive sound of the ball impacting the court echoed violently.
The spectators and players watched an impossible trajectory: a spike originating entirely from the backcourt, clearing the net, soaring over the desperate fingertips of Aota's blockers, and landing decisively within the three-meter line. The ball bounced high, spinning wildly in the air.
The arena fell silent. It was a few precious seconds before a cheer, louder and more disbelieving than any before, erupted from the sidelines.
"Ohhh..."