16–17.
Karasuno scored another point.
This point was crucial, it pulled Karasuno's morale back from the edge of the cliff.
But the overall situation hadn't reversed, because Karasuno still couldn't stop Ushijima Wakatoshi from scoring.
Kageyama's second serve didn't score directly, and Shiratorizawa launched a counterattack, pushing the score difference back to two.
16–18.
However, with Karasuno's morale revived, the battle of offense and defense resumed.
17–18.
17–19.
18–19.
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Shiratorizawa and Karasuno volleyed back and forth, the score tight all the way to 22–23.
At this point, the gap was just one point, but Shiratorizawa held the attack.
This point was critical for Karasuno, if they lost it, Shiratorizawa would enter match point, pushing Karasuno to the brink.
On the other hand, if Karasuno could tie the score here, the rest of the set would be much easier.
But this point was almost impossible for Karasuno to win because Ushijima was still positioned in the front row.
The pressure turned to sweat, nearly soaking the Karasuno players' uniforms.
Amid the tension, Tsukishima Kei remained calm.
"Next ball, who will Shiratorizawa's setter pass to? Will it be Ushijima attacking, or will Ushijima be used as bait... No, not bait. As the absolute core of the team, even if the next pass is clearly targeted for defense, Shiratorizawa's setter won't change the play."
With that thought, Tsukishima quickly moved to stand directly in front of Ushijima.
Sure enough, the next second, the ball flew precisely above Ushijima.
"Got you."
Tsukishima's eyes flashed.
He jumped to block, spreading his hands upward, not pressing down, but forming a tray-like shape.
A touch-block.
Thud!!!
Though lacking in power and height, this technique could weaken the spike's force, buying precious moments for the back defenders.
This was exactly the defensive move Tsukishima used against Ushijima in the original match.
But this time,
The moment the ball touched Tsukishima's palms, he hadn't even completed the 'touch' when the ball, like an iron ball, pierced through the block and plummeted toward Karasuno's backcourt.
"Tch, As expected, my strength alone can't stop this monster. How embarrassing! I was boasting I could block a few balls, but I can't even block one!"
"But... volleyball isn't a one-man sport, so you guys, be ready!"
Clap!
A sharp sound rang out, and the spike that had just pierced the block suddenly flew back up into the air.
Ushijima's eyes flickered with surprise.
Only when Tsukishima landed did Shiratorizawa's players realize that three Karasuno defenders had concentrated behind him.
"What's going on? Have Karasuno lost their minds? They've stacked all their backcourt defense in one spot! Aren't they afraid Ushijima will suddenly go for a diagonal spike?" Hanamaki Takahiro asked, seeing Karasuno's reckless formation.
"No. Karasuno is certain Ushijima will break through from the front, so they've done this intentionally."
Oikawa Tooru said seriously, "In the previous attacks, Ushijima easily smashed through Karasuno's tall block, planting a seed in his mind."
"And that last ball, Karasuno's tall blocker seemed to defend with all his might, but his stance hadn't changed from before. To Ushijima, that stance is already a guaranteed score."
"So Ushijima will definitely attack from the front."
"Tch, Karasuno's team really is full of smart players!"
Tsukishima, making use of his 'can't stop Ushijima alone' disadvantage, finally managed to block one of Ushijima's spikes at the crucial end of the match.
Karasuno immediately launched a counterattack, four players acted simultaneously, launching a coordinated multi-directional attack.
Bang!
With a powerful spike, Karasuno tied the score.
23–23.
The crowd erupted in cheers, waves of sound flooding the entire arena.
Without a doubt,
Compared to Aoba Johsai's match against Date Industrial, this battle was far more exciting.
Both teams returned to the same starting point.
Only now, neither stood on solid ground, they both teetered on the edge of a cliff, one misstep away from total defeat.
"Who would've thought?" Iwaizumi said with some awe.
"Yeah! Didn't expect the match to reach this point," Matsukawa Kazuhisa agreed.
They had trained with Shiratorizawa over summer camp, so no one knew better just how strong Shiratorizawa was now.
Yet, it was surprising that Karasuno, who lost to Shiratorizawa last year, was now holding their own so evenly, this shocked the Aoba Johsai members.
────────── ✦ ──────────
Bang!
25–24.
As the Aoba Johsai spectators debated in the stands, the match on the court neared its climax.
Karasuno maintained a one-point lead, but Shiratorizawa held the attack, and Ushijima was still in the front row.
"Come on!"
Karasuno's back row players served the ball, which passed over the net, was received by Shiratorizawa's libero, then, unsurprisingly, set to Ushijima.
His tall figure rose like a white bird soaring.
Instantly, Karasuno's players tensed.
Suddenly, time seemed to slow within Hinata Shoyo's vision, as if he'd seen this moment in midair before, like time itself had stopped.
Boom!!!
With an explosive crack, Ushijima's cannonball spike landed without any resistance, almost instantly piercing through Karasuno's front defense and crashing into the backcourt.
Nishinoya Yuu and Sawamura Daichi saw the ball's trajectory but couldn't keep up.
"Damn it!"
They screamed silently in frustration.
Just as the ball was about to hit the ground, suddenly a figure appeared directly in front of it.
Smack!
The ball was dug up.
Time froze for a moment.
Everyone stared at the suddenly appearing Hinata Shoyo, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Pass it to me!"
Before anyone could hesitate, Hinata, nearly knocked down, suddenly stood and sprinted forward.
Kageyama reacted instantly.
Their figures crossed in a flash, and Kageyama sent out a New Monster Quick Attack, a perfect set to Hinata's hitting point.
Bang!
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Completed version available on Patreon.com/Veltoria