“Huh? Changing the trajectory of his life?” Maple Field Taiichi’s mind raced. Could it be that his appearance had caused a shift in the world line!
Recalling the original story, Hinata Shoyo and Kageyama Tobio’s Freak Quick Attack was indeed almost invincible at first, until during training with Nekoma, the defensive-minded Nekoma barely managed to limit Hinata Shoyo a little with Inuoka Sou.
Besides that, up until the IH match, the Freak Quick Attack was Hinata Shoyo’s trump card. It was only after losing to Aoba Johsai in the quarter-finals that Hinata Shoyo began to consider ways to strengthen it during the later training camp.
Because Azumane Asahi was absent, the offense in this practice match was almost entirely on Hinata Shoyo, and Tanaka Ryunosuke couldn’t effectively share the offensive pressure with Hinata Shoyo. This led to Maple Field Taiichi almost perfectly limiting Hinata Shoyo’s performance, causing Hinata Shoyo to now realize he couldn’t rely on the “Freak Quick Attack.” The evolution of “Karasuno” would be greatly accelerated.
Originally, he wanted to use the victory in the practice match to help Aoba Johsai build confidence early on, but now it seemed to have promoted Hinata Shoyo’s growth instead. Aoba Johsai would likely find it even harder to defeat Karasuno than before.
However, being able to see a stronger Hinata Shoyo earlier made Maple Field Taiichi a little excited, not to mention the bonus to his jumping ability. It was definitely not a loss!
“Taiichi, your smile is so perverted…”
“Cough, cough, no it’s not…” Maple Field Taiichi reined himself in a bit.
“Taiichi, thank you…” Kindaichi came over. Perhaps in others’ eyes, this was just an ordinary practice match, but for Kindaichi, its significance was extraordinary.
“Kindaichi, it was my serve that won the match, you know.” Oikawa Tooru leaned over, looking proud.
“If you had been on the court from the start, we wouldn’t have had such a close game!” Iwaizumi Hajime hit Oikawa Tooru on the head with a ball.
“How can you do that, Iwa-chan, I’m still injured… Stop it, stop it.”
“Oikawa-senpai, next time we play, we’ll win.” Kageyama Tobio came over and said seriously.
“Oh, it’s Kageyama Tobio. Long time no see, you’ve grown taller.” Oikawa Tooru’s face held a teasing smile. “I’m still better right now.”
Kageyama Tobio was silent for a moment, then pulled the dazed Hinata Shoyo next to him: “With two of us, we won’t lose.”
“Is that so? You’re not the only ones with talented first-years.” Oikawa Tooru pointed to Maple Field Taiichi, who was sitting on the side stretching and watching the drama. “Taiichi, say something harsh!”
Maple Field Taiichi rolled his eyes; he was truly childish.
Seeing Maple Field Taiichi not giving him face, Oikawa turned his gaze to Kindaichi. Kindaichi was stared at by Oikawa for a while, but eventually succumbed to his captain’s oppressive aura.
He stared at Kageyama: “Next time, the victory will also be ours.”
After the Karasuno team left, Oikawa Tooru, Maple Field Taiichi, and Kindaichi Yutaro sat in a row at the entrance of the gym.
Iwaizumi Hajime walked over, kicked Oikawa Tooru, and asked Maple Field Taiichi: “What’s wrong with this idiot?”
Maple Field Taiichi glanced at him: “He just greeted Karasuno’s beautiful manager and was ignored, and that bald upperclassman on the other side kept staring at him.”
Oikawa Tooru looked up: “She must have been shy. I really don’t mind at all, really.”
Kunimi Akira also walked over: “What’s wrong with Kindaichi again? Wasn’t he happy about winning the match just now?”
Maple Field Taiichi glanced at Kunimi Akira again: “He’s thinking about Kageyama…”
Kindaichi looked up: “Kageyama just said the word ‘we,’ and I feel a little unwilling.”
Iwaizumi Hajime and Kunimi Akira were speechless, looking at Maple Field Taiichi: “Then why are you sitting here?”
Maple Field Taiichi finally couldn’t hold it in, covering his stomach and laughing loudly: “I’m watching the drama, hahaha…”
“Crazy…” Iwaizumi Hajime felt that the team was getting more and more problematic children. “Come in quickly, let’s review today’s match with Karasuno.”
Inside the gym, Coach Irihata had already written a lot about the match on the whiteboard, as well as an analysis of Karasuno’s players.
“Compared to last year, this year’s Karasuno has added several very promising first-years, which is indeed worth our attention.” Coach Irihata paused. “Although we invited Karasuno for a practice match today, Karasuno’s intention to train their players was very clear. Even when that small player wasn’t performing well in the first set, they didn’t substitute him, but gave him time to adapt to the match rhythm.”
“The victory in the first set was merely a fluke; we cannot be complacent because of it. In the second set, before Oikawa came on, we also did not control the rhythm of the match.”
“I’m so sorry, but I always become the center of attention in an instant!”
That irritating expression, and that light, airy tone… Iwaizumi Hajime couldn’t help but deliver another flying kick.
“Oikawa.” Coach Mizoguchi motioned for Oikawa to be quiet. “Karasuno didn’t even use their full strength. That excellent libero from last year didn’t play today.”
Speaking of which, Oikawa Tooru still remembered Nishinoya Yu, who graduated from Chidoriyama Junior High and won “Best Libero” in middle school, and that big, fierce-looking Ace. Karasuno really had a lot of hidden cards.
“The first-year small player on the opposing team still has a very weak foundation, but he can become Karasuno’s most threatening weapon by relying on precise sets. The last ball seemed like a mistake, but it was actually the best proof that they are urgently seeking evolution.” Coach Irihata looked at the Aoba Johsai players. “All teams that want to win are doing the same thing, which is practicing desperately for victory.”
“Regardless of strength, no team stands on the court to lose.”
“Yes!”
Listening to the loud responses beside him, Coach Mizoguchi looked at Coach Irihata with admiration. The older ginger is spicier; just a few words could prevent the players from becoming complacent.
Thus, Aoba Johsai’s Saturday training continued.
***
Outside the gym, the Karasuno team walked back. Because they lost the match, everyone was relatively silent.
“Kageyama, from what you just said, you and Oikawa have known each other for a long time?” Sugawara Mama tried to lighten the mood.
“He was my senpai in junior high. I learned my serve and block by imitating him.” Kageyama Tobio paused. “If I can surpass Oikawa-senpai, I’ll be the best setter in the prefecture.”
Sawamura Daichi looked at him. It was rare for Kageyama to admit he was inferior to someone else in setting.
Sawamura Daichi gently shook his head, pushing aside the distracting thoughts: “Honestly, I’m very frustrated. Although Hinata and Kageyama’s partnership is excellent, this practice match exposed our two biggest weaknesses…”
“First, when Hinata’s offense is ineffective, no one else can break through the offensive deadlock. Second, our intercepts are scattered. If our intercepts are bad, we can’t organize an offense, especially at the National level, where Oikawa isn’t the only one with such a powerful serve.”
Kageyama Tobio frowned. Captain Sawamura was indeed talking about their most important current problems, but these were not issues that could be resolved overnight.
“However.” Sawamura Daichi suddenly turned his head, looking at his teammates behind him. “There’s no need to worry too much. Karasuno’s Guardian Deity and Ace will be returning soon.”
“Ace!”
“Guardian Deity?!”