"1:0!"
Shirogane failed to receive Rinji's serve, giving his team the first point.
Since the serve scored, it was still Rinji's team's turn.
"Ah, what a shame."
"Looks like the president didn't react."
"Rinji's serve is so powerful. He doesn't even look that strong."
The spectators didn't realize the difference, only that the ball was strong and fast.
But Shirogane, standing on the court, felt the real impact.
The shock of the ball grazing past his hair, the heat on his ear—it made him think that if it had hit his face, he'd probably need an ambulance.
Though sweat dripped down his forehead, Shirogane kept thinking.
'Stay calm. The match isn't unwinnable. If Rinji keeps scoring from serves, we'll be crushed. But this is beach volleyball—he can't serve forever.'
Beach volleyball had no rotations or complex rules like front and back rows, but serving had to rotate.
Which meant once Rinji's serve was done, if they regained service, the next serve would have to be Hayasaka's.
And Hayasaka was the weak point.
She took the ball. "I'd be fine if this were baseball, but honestly, I'm not great at volleyball."
"Doesn't matter, just hit it however."
"OK."
She tossed the ball overhead, leapt, and swung her palm forward.
With a dull thump, the ball shot toward the opposite side, landing in the gap between Kaguya and Shirogane's defense.
But for Kaguya, that wasn't a problem.
She quickly retreated and one-handedly received it, sending the ball into the air.
Shirogane rushed over and set it high into the air.
At the right moment, Kaguya leaped and spiked it back toward Rinji's side.
A perfect combo.
The spike was powerful. Hayasaka managed to block it but her arms stung.
Rinji mirrored their play, setting the ball up for Hayasaka to spike.
Beeeep!
Fujiwara blew her whistle.
"Rinji-kun, foul."
"Huh?"
Rinji stared blankly. "Where did I foul?"
"According to beach volleyball rules, an overhead set must be vertical with the shoulders. Your set just now went diagonally backward."
"…"
"So the point goes to Kaguya and the president."
"Tch, using tricks like this?" Rinji complained. "Looks like you came prepared."
"No one tricked you. You just didn't know the rules."
The score was now 1–1.
Shirogane thought, 'Not bad.' Now the serve was theirs.
"Good luck, President."
Kaguya smiled as she handed him the ball.
Shirogane smiled back, then focused his gaze on Rinji.
If they wanted to win, they had to stop Rinji from attacking. That meant serving toward him so he'd have to receive. Given the serve's downward angle, he couldn't spike it back.
Even the strongest player had to obey Newton's laws.
Rinji could block perfectly, but then Hayasaka would have to spike. That would give them a chance to counter.
With this plan, Shirogane tossed the ball, jumped, and smashed it toward Rinji.
It was a clear attempt to force him to receive.
But—
Boom!
The ball had barely crossed the net when Rinji stepped up and slammed it straight back.
"…"
The score became 2–1. Rinji served again.
"We're doomed."
"President."
Shirogane felt uneasy, but Kaguya called to him.
"What is it?"
"Leave the receiving to me." Kaguya smiled. "I'm used to it."
"Eh? But…"
"Don't worry. It'll hurt when I receive, but volleyball is softer than other balls. I won't get injured."
"…"
Hearing this, Shirogane lowered his head.
'Am I just scared? It's only volleyball. At worst, a bloody nose. And Rinji isn't the type to spike at someone's face… Am I really this afraid?'
While he was thinking, Rinji served again.
On the other side, Kaguya crouched slightly, arms out, hands together. She was clearly preparing for a bump receive.
"All right, have it your way."
The ball warped briefly in Rinji's hands before blasting toward Kaguya at unbelievable speed.
Meanwhile, Kaguya was still thinking—
'Rinji's strength is immense, enough to easily twist off a doorknob, but this is volleyball, even if it hits…'
Boom!!!!
The ball didn't smash into Kaguya's hands but instead grazed past her body and struck the ground.
The blast of air whipped her hair wildly.
'As expected, this is still terrifying!!!!'
Even though she didn't take the ball head-on, Kaguya truly felt its power. Getting hit wouldn't just hurt—it would land someone in the hospital.
Although she knew Rinji would never actually throw out a "killer volleyball," she was still scared.
"Shinomiya?"
Seeing her frozen in position, Shirogane walked over worriedly.
"President…"
Kaguya stiffly turned her head, forcing a smile.
"Hm?"
"As I thought… it's better for you to handle Rinji's serves."
"What did you say!?"