"Next, let's turn our cameras to Group A."
"The focus of attention in Group A today is definitely Aoba Johsai High School's Captain, Oikawa Tōru. With his handsome looks, he has attracted many female fans to watch the match, making him a player who combines both skill and popularity."
"Additionally, in today's match, another Aoba Johsai player, Akashi Asuka, also performed exceptionally well. Player Akashi Asuka was last year's Prefectural 'Best Junior High Spiker' and led his team to the National Tournament. Furthermore, according to internal Aoba Johsai sources, Akashi Asuka, despite being only a first-year, has officially become Seijoh's 'Ace.'"
"In today's match, players Oikawa Tōru and Akashi Asuka consecutively scored eleven points using their powerful serves. This became the focus of the match."
"For tomorrow's game, they will face Karasuno High School, which defeated last year's top eight team, Date Tech High School, in straight sets. Let's ask them for their thoughts on tomorrow's match."
Shortly after the match ended, as Aoba Johsai was packing up and preparing to leave, a reporter stood in front of the camera, commentating as she walked toward the group.
"What are your thoughts on your opponent for tomorrow's match—Karasuno High School?"
The reporter approached Oikawa Tōru and Akashi Asuka, offering the microphone, while the camera operator shifted the lens toward the two players.
Akashi had no experience with reporter interviews.
But Oikawa Tōru handled it smoothly, saying with a bright smile: "Karasuno is a great team. I hope they bring their full effort to try their luck against us... and then get crushed."
"Oh? It seems Player Oikawa Tōru is quite confident about tomorrow's match!"
The reporter then asked, "So, Player Akashi Asuka, do you have anything you'd like to say to your opponent for tomorrow, Karasuno High School?"
Akashi thought for a moment and said: "I hope they dedicate themselves to delivering an exciting match."
...
Karasuno's Reaction
Several hours later.
Karasuno's players watched the Seijoh interview on TV, none of them getting any screen time.
"That guy... he's already become the 'Ace'?" Kageyama Tobio clenched his fist, filled with resentment.
"o(▼皿▼メ;)o"
"Huh??? Who is that guy! He's so cocky!"
"We absolutely cannot lose tomorrow's match!"
"Hehehe~~"
The group's expressions darkened as they watched Oikawa Tōru's smiling face on television.
A moment later, the Karasuno players gathered in the club room. Coach Ukai Keishin stood in front of a tactics board, looking at the team: "Today's match was just the beginning. Although we beat Date Kogyo today, tomorrow's opponent will be just as tough, if not tougher, than Date Tech."
"While we defeated Seijoh in the previous practice match, Seijoh's core player, 'Oikawa Tōru,' only played once near the end of the match."
"And the other powerful spiker didn't even participate in the match... Oda!"
"Yes!"
As Ukai Keishin spoke, he suddenly called Oda Miki's name.
"We have more or less an understanding of Seijoh's other main players from the last match, but there is one spiker whom many of us are unfamiliar with. So, while we have the chance, let's have Oda Miki briefly describe the situation."
Oda Miki stood up and walked to the tactics board, then began: "First, let me state that everything I'm about to say is just that guy's stats from Junior High. I'm not entirely sure about his current volleyball level."
"Seijoh's Number 8, named Akashi Asuka, is a Wing Spiker. He's skilled in powerful jump serves and net attacks. He won the Miyagi Prefectural 'MVP Spiker' award in Junior High."
"In the Junior High National Tournament, Akashi Asuka's highest spike reach was 340{cm}..."
"Eh? 340?"
The team was stunned: "Seriously?"
Oda Miki nodded: "It's true. And if I'm not mistaken, his reach should be even higher now, because Akashi's height has increased quite a bit since graduation. I guess he's close to 185{cm} now."
Hinata Shōyō: [Sustaining Heavy Damage Image]
For a boy whose height increase was less than ten centimeters throughout all of Junior High, Oda Miki's words felt like a knife stabbing into his heart.
Just then, Oda Miki continued: "But height is not his strongest point. Akashi's true power lies in his 'superhuman strength,' which far exceeds that of a junior high student."
"During the Junior High National Tournament, Akashi's spiking power was roughly comparable to, or perhaps even greater than, Azumane-senpai's current power..."
Azumane Asahi: "Eh? Why did that suddenly drag me into this?"
No one answered.
The others heard this, first looking at Azumane Asahi's face, which looked like that of a "fifth-year high school student," and then voiced their doubts.
"No way! Although Asahi-kun is a bit of a weakling sometimes, his power is reliable. Even if your former teammate is strong, it's highly unlikely that he could surpass Asahi-kun!"
Azumane Asahi: "... Uh, wait, was I just insulted?"
Still, no one answered.
"No, what he said is true."
Before Oda could speak, Kageyama Tobio suddenly interjected: "Akashi Asuka's spikes have the power to blast through a triple block. If he attacks tomorrow, you need at least two blockers to have any defensive effect."
As a former opponent who had faced Akashi, Kageyama Tobio's words carried significant credibility.
Silence fell over the group.
After a long while, the Karasuno players suddenly realized: "Wait a minute! Based on what Oda is saying, doesn't that guy have no weaknesses?"
"The serve."
"What?" Everyone looked at Kageyama Tobio.
"There is a flaw in his serve. Although Akashi Asuka's serve is incredibly powerful, he has absolutely no control over the landing spot. So, if his serve happens to land directly in front of a backcourt player, there is a high chance it can be received..."
...
The Karasuno players discussed for a long time in the club room. After covering Akashi Asuka's general situation, Coach Ukai Keishin laid out the lineup and strategy based on tomorrow's opponent.
Afterward, he dismissed the players, while Ukai Keishin himself took a disc of the [Seijoh vs. Omisaki] match and headed back to his home...