Chapter 17: Aoba Johsai vs. Wakutani Minami 2
"No problem, that was a lucky ball for them. We'll take the next one!" Nakashima Taku's calm voice rang out.
"Got it!" Wakutani Minami's players showed no trace of panic.
Nakashima Taku kept his eyes on Kaedehara Taiichi. Something about the first-year felt familiar, but he couldn't place it.
Aoba Johsai's serve. Iwaizumi Hajime sent the ball over the net. Nakashima Taku received it, passing to Hanayama Kazuya.
"Nice receive!"
Kaedehara Taiichi tracked Nakashima's position, ready to follow up with a block. But Hanayama Kazuya softly set the ball to the back row, where a pineapple-headed player sprang up. With only a single blocker, Kawato Shunya spiked for a point.
[Aoba Johsai 1 vs. Wakutani Minami 1]
"Great spike, Shunya!" Nakashima Taku praised.
Kawato Shunya, hearing his teammates' cheers, turned and struck a victory pose, boosting Wakutani Minami's momentum.
"This is Wakutani Minami, always among Miyagi's top teams. Their average height isn't standout, but their team coordination nearly matches ours," Manager Mizoguchi Sadayuki said beside Coach Irihata.
Irihata nodded. "They're highly polished. With Nakashima Taku as their backbone, they don't falter easily under pressure."
"Didn't expect that bearded setter, Hanayama Kazuya, to make such a soft set. Talk about deceptive looks," Oikawa Tooru said, shaking his hand and glancing at Kaedehara Taiichi. "Taiichi, are you focusing too much on Nakashima? They've got more than one wing spiker."
"Yes, I get it!" Taiichi knew the last point was his mistake, fixating on the opponent's ace and neglecting the immediate defense.
Wakutani Minami's Shiraishi Yuki served. Hanamaki Takahiro received the ball.
"Nice receive, Hanamaki."
Oikawa Tooru set the ball to the right. Iwaizumi Hajime followed through, slamming it down. Wakutani Minami's libero, Akiho Kazumitsu, barely dug it up.
"Not clean! Cover!"
Hanayama Kazuya had to use an underhand pass to get the ball to Nakashima Taku.
"Taku, attack's on you!"
"Alright, no problem!" Nakashima Taku approached and jumped.
"One, two, stop him!" Aoba Johsai's triple block! Iwaizumi Hajime, Kaedehara Taiichi, and Matsukawa Issei lined up and leaped.
Nakashima Taku aimed for the side of Taiichi's palm. The ball struck his hand and flew straight out of bounds.
Hit out off the block! Nakashima Taku scored.
[Aoba Johsai 1 vs. Wakutani Minami 2]
As expected, Taiichi thought, watching the ball sail out. He'd known it would happen.
Unlike Ootai's Hoshiumi Kourai, dubbed the current Little Giant for his build and skill, Nakashima Taku's playstyle mirrored Karasuno's former Little Giant perfectly!
Wakutani Minami served again. Kunimi Akira received, sending the ball to Oikawa Tooru. Iwaizumi Hajime was already jumping on the left.
A quick attack?
Wakutani Minami's front-row duo rushed to block.
At that moment—Oikawa's setting motion shifted into a downward spike, smashing the ball into Wakutani Minami's court.
[Aoba Johsai 2 vs. Wakutani Minami 2]
The gymnasium fell silent for a moment.
"Oikawa-senpai's setter dump!" Cheers erupted from the bench.
"Didn't see that coming…" Wakutani Minami's players felt toyed with.
"Oikawa-kun's so cool!" Naturally, Oikawa's fan club chimed in.
Seeing his team still reeling from the play, Nakashima Taku clapped to refocus them.
"It's fine, it's fine. Take the next one!"
"Yeah, don't zone out. Gotta receive the next one," Oikawa Tooru said with a smile to Wakutani Minami.
Because next was Oikawa Tooru's serve. What a nasty guy.
"No need to rush. If we can't stop their ace yet, let's solve it with offense."
Oikawa Tooru took the ball to the baseline at position one, pointing at Nakashima Taku.
"Besides, no matter how great the attack, you've got to receive first."
In top form today, with his fingers feeling sharp, Oikawa tossed the ball, took a running start, and slammed it with full force. The ball rocketed toward Wakutani Minami's baseline.
Bang!
Wakutani Minami's players seemed frozen, unable to react.
"Line ball, service ace."
[Aoba Johsai 3 vs. Wakutani Minami 2]
"This guy!" Nakashima Taku's eyes blazed at Oikawa Tooru. Facing one of Miyagi's top teams was thrilling.
"One more!" Aoba Johsai's team cheered.
Kaedehara Taiichi felt a wave of reassurance. Oikawa Tooru's serves were mesmerizing.
Bang!
Oikawa's second serve. Wakutani Minami's libero, Akiho Kazumitsu, barely reacted, shifting his feet. The ball smashed near his feet, bouncing away.
[Aoba Johsai 4 vs. Wakutani Minami 2]
"Nice serve, Oikawa-senpai!"
"One more!"
"Aaah, Oikawa-kun's so cool…"
Caught in this opening onslaught, Wakutani Minami's coach, Oninotsume, grew restless, about to call a timeout.
"Receive it first!" Nakashima Taku shouted suddenly.
"Everyone back up. Me, Kazumitsu, and Yuki will handle first touches. The rest is up to you."
Such powerful serves couldn't succeed every time. They needed to break through fast.
"Shunya, don't be so tense. See that long-haired girl on the second floor? I noticed she didn't cheer for Oikawa. Maybe she's our fan," Nakashima Taku said, winking at Kawato Shunya to ease his nerves.
"Whoa, really?!" Kawato Shunya looked where Nakashima pointed.
"She's cute!"
The rest of Wakutani Minami chuckled, the earlier tension easing, their movements less stiff.
"Impressive, Oikawa. Look at their captain's leadership," Matsukawa Issei said from the back row.
"I'm a different type!" Oikawa Tooru pouted. That kind of morale boost was effective, but what if they still couldn't receive?
Oikawa's third serve. Not only was the power undiminished, but the speed was even faster!
In a blink, the ball was in front of Nakashima Taku.
Move, move, body, move! Nakashima Taku screamed internally.
The next instant, he leaned forward slightly, lowering his center of gravity, straining to adjust his arms for the receive.
Bang!
The ball struck Nakashima's arms, rebounding swiftly and flying straight to the second-floor railing.
"Ah!" Spectators on the second floor yelped as the ball shot toward them.
The ball dropped back into the court, leaving the crowd speechless.
Oikawa Tooru scored three consecutive service aces!
[Aoba Johsai 5 vs. Wakutani Minami 2]
Beep! "Wakutani Minami requests a timeout."
As the whistle sounded, Wakutani Minami's players were still dazed.
"Taku, you okay?" Coach Oninotsume's voice snapped Nakashima Taku out of his stupor.
That last ball gave Nakashima the same feeling as facing Ushijima Wakatoshi in last year's semifinals, where Wakutani Minami lost 0–2 to Shiratorizawa without resistance. Ushijima's serves alone scored over 10 points.
Could they receive it? Could they receive it well? Oikawa Tooru's serves alone put immense pressure on Wakutani Minami.