A three-on-three match is different from a six-on-six.
Because of the small number of players, there are few offensive and defensive tactical options. It's generally difficult to have long rallies, and points are often decided in a single turn.
Furthermore, the fewer the players, the more obvious the display of individual skill differences becomes.
So, although the Green Team had stronger overall stability, the Red Team's Kageyama Tobio, relying on his individual ability, was still able to exchange points with the Green Team.
However, the Green Team having Tsukishima Kei, a tall blocker, certainly created a significant hurdle for Hinata Shouyou's offense.
Therefore, to avoid the block, Kageyama Tobio provided a live demonstration of [How to break through in the middle of a match and create a new skill called the "Monster Quick Attack"].
Honestly.
When Oda Miki witnessed that moment, he was completely stunned.
It wasn't because the "Monster Quick Attack" itself surprised him, but because of the speed of improvement Kageyama Tobio displayed during the match—it was like watching a [fast-forward of human evolution], which left him deeply shaken.
It was precisely this point.
Oda Miki finally understood what a true "genius" was.
Akashi was not a genius; Oda Miki had known this for a long time.
It wasn't just him; all the players at Senkoku Middle School were aware of it.
That's because a genius doesn't require Akashi's terrifying training volume. Although Akashi's rate of improvement during middle school was fast, when compared to his training volume, Akashi's progress could only be considered quick, but nowhere near the level of "genius."
However, Akashi was indeed very unique, because even the coach had stated more than once that a normal middle school student following his training regime would likely have physically broken down long ago.
Thus, the most common nickname for Akashi within the Senkoku team was "Monster," not "Genius."
After being stunned by Kageyama Tobio's performance, Oda Miki was also puzzled by Hinata Shouyou, as even he wasn't sure how to accurately evaluate Hinata Shouyou.
Calling him "stupid" or "naive" seemed a little inaccurate, yet also somewhat fitting.
After all, it was hard to imagine a normal person spiking a ball mid-air with their eyes closed.
The performance of the 'Luminous Shadow Duo' in the practice match truly astonished Oda Miki, and then... that ominous premonition in Oda Miki's heart grew even stronger.
Half an hour later, the match ended with a large score difference of 2:0.
Although the [Monster Quick Attack] skill had just been created, it was undoubtedly a skill that surpassed the standard of normal high school players. Although the Green Team had excellent team stability, this single skill was enough to shatter any defense.
Of course, the reason the Green Team lost so quickly was partly because Oda Miki eased up slightly to end the match sooner.
But it was only a very small amount.
...
The Practice Match Invitation
"Since you won, then according to the prior agreement... Welcome to the Volleyball Club." Sawamura Daichi formally accepted Kageyama Tobio's and Hinata Shouyou's application forms, officially allowing them to join the club.
Well.
To be precise, the moment Kageyama Tobio and Hinata Shouyou created the [Monster Quick Attack] during the match, winning or losing had become secondary.
While Sawamura Daichi's boundary was firm, under the temptation of a ticket to the "Nationals," such boundaries... were not entirely immovable.
Since today was Saturday, after the match, everyone prepared to leave except for Kageyama Tobio and Hinata Shouyou.
Oda Miki was the fastest to leave. After greeting a few upperclassmen, he was ready to head home.
However, just as he reached the gym entrance, a young teacher wearing a tracksuit and glasses excitedly ran in.
"I found it, I found it..."
Everyone was startled and asked the arrival: "Found what, Takeda-sensei?"
Takeda Ittetsu was breathless, but his expression was extremely excited. Waving the paper in his hand, he said: "It's a practice match opponent. After school next Tuesday, Aoba Johsai High School agreed to play a practice match with us."
"Aoba Johsai."
Hearing the name of the school, everyone was instantly shocked, and Oda Miki, who had already reached the gym entrance, stopped in his tracks.
"Seriously? Aoba Johsai is one of the top four in the prefecture. Takeda-sensei, how did you get them to agree?"
"It wasn't dogeza again, was it?"
Takeda Ittetsu's face flushed slightly, and he shook his head: "No, not this time. I sent a message to them with the usual exploratory attitude, and I didn't expect Aoba Johsai to agree this time."
"However..."
At this point, Takeda Ittetsu looked at the document in his hand, a trace of confusion in his eyes: "However, they have one strange request: that Kageyama Tobio be the main setter for this practice match and play the entire game."
"Eh?"
Everyone first looked at Kageyama Tobio, then at the main setter Sugawara Koushi, and the atmosphere suddenly fell silent.
...
The Publishing Deal
On the other side, taking advantage of the weekend, Akashi, who was frantically grinding... ah, no, diligently training, received an email notification on his phone.
Akashi opened the email during a rest period and found that it was an invitation from the publishing house he submitted to the day before yesterday.
The content was roughly this: after review, the novel written by Akashi was deemed publishable, and the publisher's editor wished to meet with Akashi in person to discuss some contract details.
Traditional print media is quite developed in Japan, so meeting in person is common practice for discussing novel contracts.
Akashi checked a few things, noted that the email address was indeed the official publisher's address, and the meeting location was a well-known café, thus ruling out the possibility of a scam.
Akashi had submitted to several publishing houses the day before yesterday. The email was from MF Bunko J, which, although currently trailing behind Dengeki Bunko in sales, is still a giant in the light novel market.
Moreover, Akashi's purpose in submitting this time was simply to earn some money for food, so he agreed without much hesitation.
After a moment of thought, Akashi composed a reply, agreeing to meet the next morning.
Having settled this matter, Akashi tossed his flip phone aside and resumed his training...
...