Until the match truly ended, none of them were going to stop preparing. After all, for every team competing now, earning a spot at Spring High was the most important thing of all.
Once the Round of 16 group matches were fully completed, the teams across Miyagi Prefecture were filtered down once again. Aoba Johsai successfully advanced to the top eight, and just so happened to be matched up against Date Tech High in the group stage. Barring any surprises, the two teams were set to meet in the next match.
...
One day later, in Group A of the quarterfinal stage, Aoba Johsai—fully recovered and changed into their uniforms—was just about to enter the court when a group of tall figures suddenly approached from the front. The one leading them had white hair, no eyebrows, and a fierce face that made him look intimidating.
The moment he saw Hank, he stopped right in the doorway and blocked the entrance.
"..."
Aone, with his white buzz cut, stared fixedly at Hank, his face full of seriousness, as if he were about to throw hands with him at any second. Seeing that, Toru Oikawa immediately stepped in front of Hank, his expression darkening.
The tension seemed ready to explode at any moment. If Date Tech High started something, Aoba Johsai would not stand by and do nothing.
After training together for so long, the bond between them had already become extremely strong. There was no way they would ever let one of their teammates get into trouble while everyone else just watched.
"Date Tech High, our match is next."
"If you're not getting ready for the game, are you here to start trouble instead?"
Oikawa looked openly displeased. Who acted like this right before a match? It was obvious they were picking a fight on purpose.
"Sorry, sorry."
"We didn't mean anything by it. It's just that Aone has a habit of pointing at the ace of the opposing team. He's not trying to start anything—he just really wants to prove himself."
The person beside Aone, Moniwa, spoke awkwardly, hurrying to pull Aone back while apologizing again and again.
After explaining, they turned and walked toward the court.
"Hank."
Before leaving, Aone stretched out his hand and pointed in Hank's direction, then left without saying another word. He had barely spoken at all, but the provocation was already obvious. Everyone from Aoba Johsai felt anger rise in their hearts.
This was the first time they had run into an opponent like this. The match had not even started yet, and the other side was already provoking them.
"Damn it, these guys..."
Oikawa was so irritated that his teeth ground together.
"We'll settle it on the court. It's nothing."
As someone with experience, Hank honestly did not feel much about it. In his memory, when it came to Date Tech High, the person he remembered most was Aone. The guy was extremely tall, and the entire team focused heavily on blocking.
It was precisely because they specialized so much in blocking that the whole team had earned the nickname "Iron Wall."
Hank understood this team very well. As long as he could break through their blocking, their lineup would become fragile in an instant. But exactly how to deal with that block was something he needed to think through carefully.
Using this opportunity to further polish his spiking technique was definitely not a bad choice.
"We've got to teach them a lesson once we get on the court. They really don't take us seriously at all."
Kindaichi was obviously furious. In the upcoming match, he was determined to make them remember this. Back when he and Kunimi first joined Aoba Johsai, they had only been drifting along without much passion. But after seeing a fellow first-year like Hank,
they realized they truly had a chance to earn a spot at Spring High. Because of that, their desire to win now burned far hotter than it ever had back when they were at Kitagawa Daiichi.
....
Once both teams had taken their places and finished warming up, the referee finally announced for all players to enter the court.
Next came the match between Date Tech High and Aoba Johsai.
The winner would advance directly into the top four.
(End of Chapter)
[100 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter]
[Check out my Patreon to read 20+ chapters ahead]
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]