Returning from the timeout, Akashi made an error on his first serve, causing Seijoh to lose a point.
The score was 5:4.
However, on the very next ball, after Shiratorizawa served, Oikawa suddenly initiated a 'setter dump,' immediately regaining the two-point lead.
The score was 6:4.
On the following point, Seijoh served, and Shiratorizawa gained the right to attack.
The volleyball, after a tactical feint, landed in Goshiki Tsutomu's hands once more. However, this time he did not aim for Akashi but chose a normal spike.
As the only first-year on the Shiratorizawa main team, Goshiki Tsutomu's skill was naturally beyond doubt.
Although his spikes were not as visually impactful as Akashi's, they were equally refined. The volleyball narrowly avoided the block, landing for a score just before Kindaichi could get there.
The difference returned to one point.
6:5.
"Oh? Did the first-year kid smarten up? Did he learn how to give up?"
Oikawa stood in the front row, looking at Goshiki Tsutomu on the opposite side. As a dirty-minded... ah, no, as an intelligent setter, if he didn't throw out a few provoking words to disrupt the opponent's focus when faced with such a change, he wouldn't be Oikawa.
Unfortunately, Goshiki Tsutomu seemed unmoved.
"I never learned how to give up. It just wasn't the optimal time for that shot."
The words Washijo Tanji spoke to Goshiki before the match were not intended for him to give up his rivalry with Akashi. They were merely to tell him that if he made a decision, he should not regret it.
Washijo Tanji always keeps his word. If Goshiki continued to challenge Akashi, then this match was his opportunity, and the post-match penalties would be carried out without exception.
And Goshiki Tsutomu was clearly not the kind of person who feared punishment.
The match continued.
Both teams maintained a difference of one or two points, chasing each other until Seijoh reached set point.
The final point.
Shiratorizawa served. After Seijoh received the ball, Oikawa quickly organized the offense. After several quick exchanges in just a second or two, the volleyball ultimately landed in Akashi's hands.
Akashi leaped into the air. Facing him were two blockers: Goshiki Tsutomu and Ohira Leon.
BAM!
Using his brief hang time, Akashi ultimately chose Goshiki Tsutomu as his breakthrough point. The volleyball, carrying immense power, smashed through Goshiki Tsutomu's arms and flew directly out of bounds.
"BEEEP~~~"
The sharp, prolonged whistle sounded, officially ending the first set.
"Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh..."
"Akashi, nice work!"
"Great shot!"
The moment Akashi landed, the Seijoh players immediately swarmed him, surrounding him in a huddle and cheering wildly.
The Seijoh team's excitement was understandable.
After all, for many years, Seijoh had never won an official match against Shiratorizawa. Even in practice matches, they could only occasionally snatch one or two victories when the opponent was not in good form or missing players.
Winning the first set against Shiratorizawa, who was at full strength today, was a historical first for Seijoh.
In contrast, the atmosphere on the Shiratorizawa side became somewhat subdued.
The court was silent, save for the sound of low, heavy breathing.
This silence lasted for an unknown period until a hand suddenly clapped the back of the silent Goshiki Tsutomu, saying: "Good job. Keep up the effort in the next set."
At these words, Goshiki Tsutomu, whose eyes had been somewhat dim, immediately showed an expression of unwillingness.
Just as Goshiki Tsutomu himself had stated earlier, he had not given up on challenging Akashi, the "Middle School Best Main Spiker," in the first set.
However, even before he could truly initiate a challenge, Goshiki Tsutomu had already suffered a complete defeat.
In the subsequent offensive plays, Akashi repeatedly aimed his attacks at Goshiki Tsutomu, scoring consistently.
This was clearly not Akashi childishly accepting the other's challenge but simply that, in those situations, the area Goshiki Tsutomu was defending was the opponent's weakest point.
But precisely because of this, it inflicted an even greater wound on Goshiki Tsutomu's spirit.
A Challenge from the Ace
Returning to the bench, Washijo Tanji looked at the players before him, remaining silent for a long time. Finally, he spoke: "I won't be giving commands for the rest of this practice match..."
At these words, the Shiratorizawa players, who had been bracing for a scolding, were instantly taken aback.
"Seijoh's strength has indeed increased with the addition of a few new players this year, but if we talk about overall power, we are undeniably stronger. So, whether you win or lose the rest of the matches is entirely up to your own performance."
...
...
After the break ended, both teams returned to the court.
The moment they stepped onto the court, all the Seijoh players immediately felt an immense pressure assault them from the opposite side. The mountain-like heavy oppression caused everyone to gasp.
Iwaizumi Hajime grinned slightly: "Heh, looks like the troublesome guy is coming."
Oikawa rallied his team: "Don't be afraid, everyone! We've already taken the first set. Let's try to take the victory in one go in the next set!"
The second set began with Shiratorizawa serving first.
Shiratorizawa substituted in a player with gray hair for this set: Semi Eita.
He was once Shiratorizawa's main setter, but after Shirabu Kenjiro joined, he became a substitute and is now the team's key server.
In terms of individual skill alone, Semi Eita's setting technique is superior to Shirabu Kenjiro's. However, his setting technique has too strong an individual style. For Washijo Tanji, Shiratorizawa's setter needed to be a functional player who could perfectly utilize Ushijima Wakatoshi's power, not one with outstanding personal technique.
Semi Eita was eliminated because he had too many ideas.
Semi Eita's serve is also a powerful jump serve. Although his serve power is inferior to his teammate Ushijima Wakatoshi and the opposing Oikawa and Akashi.
To score with a serve, one doesn't need to surpass the opponent's server; one only needs to defeat the opposing receiver.
BAM!
The serve flew over the block and landed in the corner of the Seijoh backcourt.
But the next second, Iwaizumi Hajime made a timely save, just barely touching the serve. However, this caused the volleyball to rebound directly over the net and into the Shiratorizawa side of the court.
"Chance ball!" Shirabu Kenjiro shouted.
However, just as Shirabu Kenjiro was preparing to set the ball, a figure suddenly leaped high beside him, violently spiking the oncoming volleyball.
BAM!
The volleyball heavily crashed onto the floor, then powerfully slammed into the wall behind the Seijoh court, and finally bounced back.
Instantly, the air on the court solidified.