Akashi Asuka's opening serve error allowed Date Tech to claw back a point, narrowing the gap to 6–3.
While it wasn't a major setback, coach Nobuteru Irubata didn't even call for a timeout, the smirk on Oikawa Tooru's face was enough to get under Akashi's skin. Clearly, he hadn't yet reached the level of total emotional composure.
And so, in the next few rallies, Akashi poured his full effort into making up for that lost point.
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BOOM!!!
A thunderous spike, like a meteor crashing down, tore right through Date Tech's "Iron Wall" block and slammed into the libero's arms, ricocheting all the way into the second-floor stands.
Such brutal, overwhelming power instantly electrified the crowd.
"Wooooaaahhh!"
"What a monster hit! Date Tech's 'Iron Wall' looked like paper out there!"
"That kind of spike is just violent. What is that guy?! He's not human!"
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The score moved to 10–5.
It was the third point Akashi had reclaimed for himself.
The Date Tech players were beginning to question reality. Had they not seen it with their own eyes, they would never have believed their pride, the Iron Wall, could crumble so easily.
Aoba Johsai regained service.
This time, it was Kyotani Kentarou's turn to serve. Within Aoba Johsai, Kyotani's serve ranked just behind Akashi and Oikawa in power.
His error rate was still on the higher side, but if he managed to land his serve inbounds, his scoring percentage was over 50%.
Kyotani racked up two straight points.
He missed on the third, but the lead stretched again, 12–6.
At this point, the match's direction was already clear, yet no one on Aoba Johsai let their guard down, because Date Tech still hadn't given up.
The double toll of mental and physical exhaustion had clearly slowed Date Tech's movement compared to the beginning. Their faces and eyes were filled with fatigue, pain, and strain. But no matter how hard it was, there was one emotion absent from their eyes:
Surrender.
That's what separated powerhouse schools from ordinary ones.
As long as they didn't give up, the chance to turn the tide would always exist. If not this match, then the next. If not today, then tomorrow. If not this generation, then the next would continue fighting…
That perseverance is what allows legacy programs to continue thriving year after year.
And so, facing such opponents, Aoba Johsai would never relax, no matter how far ahead they were. As long as the referee hadn't blown the final whistle, they would keep attacking relentlessly.
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14 minutes into the first set.
Akashi received a poorly placed second set, both the angle and height were bad. He wasn't Wakatsu Kiryu after all; he couldn't force a cannon shot from that.
So, instead, he pulled off a clever diagonal tip, slipping the ball past Date Tech's double block for the point.
16–9.
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16 minutes in.
Oikawa faked a set and used a surprise setter dump, catching Date Tech's defense completely off guard.
19–11.
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18 minutes in.
Akashi leapt for a perfectly set ball from Oikawa, the highest toss yet. His current max spike height was an astounding 347 cm. Facing a triple block from Date Tech, Akashi broke right through them with a super spike, a heavy-hitting meteor of a smash.
The back row libero was knocked off balance.
23–14.
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20 minutes in.
Akashi stepped up to serve again. This time, there was no mistake. With a clean, powerful jump serve, he ended the first set with a final blow.
25–15.
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Truthfully, the gap between Date Tech and Aoba Johsai shouldn't have been this wide. But this year's spring was… unusual.
On paper, it looked like just a month's difference in training time. But in reality, Aoba Johsai's summer boot camp had been far more intense, more effective than an entire semester of regular practice.
That's what it means to compete in a hyper-competitive environment.
If you don't push forward, someone else will push past you.
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The second set unfolded just as quickly. It lasted around 19 minutes, and Aoba Johsai sealed it with a 25–16 victory.
With a 2–0 sweep, Aoba Johsai secured their ticket to the finals.
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"Congratulations," said Futakuchi Kenji after both teams bowed at the end of the match.
Then, turning to Akashi Asuka, he added, "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure. What is it?"
"I want to know… how did you guys improve so much? Did you go through some kind of secret training over the summer?"
"Uh, well…"
Akashi hesitated. "Honestly, I think… it might be better if you don't know."
In truth, Aoba Johsai's intense summer training wasn't exactly a secret anymore, not just in Miyagi, but likely across the country.
And precisely because of that, Akashi felt it was better not to say anything.
After all, out of the four semifinalist teams in the Miyagi Prefectural prelims, three had undergone some form of special training.
Only Date Tech… had no idea what was going on.
That made them stand out in a rather embarrassing way.
"If it makes you uncomfortable, then forget I asked," Futakuchi replied politely.
But that politeness only made Aoba Johsai look stingier in comparison.
After a moment of thought, Akashi decided to be more forthcoming. "Actually… yeah. Our summer training camp was a lot longer than usual this year. Lasted for almost a full month."
"Oh?" Futakuchi's eyes widened slightly, clearly aware of just how much progress a month-long bootcamp could bring.
But he quickly masked his surprise and smiled. "Well then, congrats again. Sounds like Aoba Johsai's odds of reaching Nationals are better than ever."
"Ahem, well, I wouldn't go that far," Akashi coughed awkwardly. "It wasn't just us. Shiratorizawa and Karasuno also did similar summer training this year."
Futakuchi's smile froze.
"Karasuno and… Shiratorizawa? They also did special training?"
"Not just them," Akashi admitted. "Honestly, most of the top schools nationwide went through serious summer training, pretty much all around a month long."
With the truth out, Futakuchi's expression shifted, from shock, to disbelief, and finally… to hollow silence.
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Completed version available on Patreon.com/Veltoria