Chapter 76: Starting Lineup Battle - The ACE Who Fights for His Teammates
Just as Azumane Asahi and Sawamura Daichi were chatting at the gymnasium entrance, at the front of Sakanoshita Store, Ukai Keishin - who had been successfully provoked by Nekoma's taunting tactics into agreeing to coach during this period - also learned about Karasuno's current situation.
While untying his work apron, he inquired with Takeda-sensei about which members of Karasuno's volleyball team currently had the ability to play in the starting lineup.
After learning about the personnel composition from first, second, and third years and Takeda-sensei's vague descriptions of their abilities, a bold idea formed in Ukai Keishin's mind.
"Hey, sensei, the volleyball team needs to select the starting lineup now, right?"
"Yes!"
Although he didn't know why this temporary coach was asking this, Takeda-sensei still answered the coach's question truthfully.
"Then as coach, I also need to observe the players' technical and tactical levels and characteristics."
"How about we hold a starting lineup determination match!"
Takeda-sensei found Ukai Keishin's statement somewhat incredible.
"Eh?!!"
"So suddenly?"
Ukai Keishin looked as if it were perfectly natural.
"What's so sudden about it? The practice match isn't far away, right? If we don't select the starting players, there won't be enough time to develop good team chemistry."
"By the way, there's a first-year combination that can execute what looks like an impressive quick attack, plus the main core from a previous national championship middle school team, right?"
This time, Takeda-sensei roughly understood what Ukai Keishin wanted to do. If it was a starting lineup determination match, the coach would need to balance both sides' strength. Based on the questions just asked, Ukai Keishin probably wanted to put the first-years in one group.
"That's right. There's a first-year middle blocker over two meters tall, and another close to 1.9 meters who was MVP when his middle school reached the national semifinals."
Takeda-sensei tried to share everything he knew, hoping to give Ukai Keishin a clearer picture of the players' abilities.
"Two meters! I heard about this before, but even with your confirmation, it's still impressive."
"However, middle school MVP is different in high school."
"Even a national championship MVP from middle school, after entering high school and facing senpai who have trained two years longer, won't have that overwhelming strength from the underdeveloped middle school stage."
"Well, anyway, let me call my teammates first and see how many I can get to come. If too many show up, I'll have them watch from the sidelines and substitute as needed, hahaha."
After saying this, Ukai Keishin picked up his phone and started making calls.
.....
After brief self-introductions and match announcements, Ukai Keishin declared that this game was a battle for starting positions. Any player who wanted to be a starter could participate, and if there were too many people, he would arrange substitute appearances in order.
"Let me make this clear - I won't select starting players based on this match's outcome!"
"I'll only decide who enters the starting lineup based on your technique, fighting spirit, intelligence, and tactical level of physical ability."
"But don't think it's enough to just do what you're supposed to do!"
"Only by giving your absolute best effort can you help your teammates perform better, so treat this match as seriously as a real game!"
Once entering his coaching role, Ukai Keishin habitually channeled the feeling of his grandfather, becoming very stern and sharp.
Although unintentional, the division between the first-year team and the veteran team meant Nishinoya Yu didn't have to bear the burden of 'we can win even without Asahi who didn't fight alongside us.'
Thus he joined the veteran team of second and third-years plus the neighborhood association team.
Just as the available members of the neighborhood association team arrived at the gymnasium, sharp-eyed Hinata Shoyo spotted Azumane Asahi, who had come to the gym because he couldn't let go of volleyball.
Ukai Keishin cursed and opened the door, scolding Azumane Asahi inside.
"What are you doing! So sloppy, are you late? I'm about to test your abilities!"
"What year are you! What position do you play!"
"Uh, I'm a third-year, I play wing spiker."
"Then hurry up and get in!"
After being scolded by Ukai Keishin, Azumane Asahi still hesitantly walked into the gymnasium.
Sugawara Koshi naturally walked to Asahi's side, standing together with his good friend. He turned to look at Kageyama Tobio and said:
"Kageyama, although after the previous practice match with Aoba Johsai, I once felt at ease standing behind you with your overwhelming strength."
"But that doesn't mean I'm willingly giving up the starting position to you."
"If you want this position, then let's settle it!"
"Use your strength to defeat me fair and square!"
Looking at Sugawara Koshi shouting at his kohai in front of him, Azumane Asahi couldn't help but feel a flash of embarrassment.
'My former teammates have all become more reliable, yet I've aimlessly stepped onto the court again.'
'Still, I really do love this place.'
"Asahi-senpai."
"?"
Everyone saw a tall first-year with slicked-back hair from the first-year team calling out to Azumane Asahi, who had just returned to the gymnasium.
"If you're going to play, I advise you to play seriously and with everything you've got."
"This is a match that determines whether your teammates can enter the starting lineup."
"If you lose, I don't know if you care, but your classmates Sugawara-senpai and Daichi-senpai will be sitting on the bench in their final year of high school."
Hearing this, Azumane Asahi was first stunned, then looked at Sugawara Koshi and Sawamura Daichi with disbelief.
After seeing both of them tacitly nod together silently, then show dejected expressions, Azumane Asahi looked somewhat angrily at Ukai Keishin.
"Coach, how can you put third-year players on the substitute list?"
"Huh?"
Ukai Keishin was first confused, then saw Sugawara Koshi behind Azumane Asahi, looking embarrassed but frantically making gestures, and Ichise Guren on the other side winking at him.
He caught on.
'Although I don't know what's going on, since they're all saying this, I'll play along.'
"Hah? I'm the coach - I decide who starts and who's a substitute."
"Besides, isn't the volleyball court a place where only the strong can stand?"
"I don't know what your situation is, but if you don't want to be a substitute or have your friends be substitutes, then seriously show your fighting spirit and defeat the other side!"
Looking at Ukai Keishin suddenly showing a nasty expression, combined with his blonde hair, headband, and earring, Azumane Asahi - who wasn't nearly as tough inside as he appeared on the surface - was scared and stepped back two steps.
But then he realized this concerned his two good friends' starting qualifications, and he absolutely couldn't back down. So he quickly adjusted his mindset and stared at Ukai Keishin with wide eyes.
"Alright!"
"I'll prove to you together with them that they have the strength to be starters!"
Ichise Guren, who had spontaneously orchestrated this scene, though the idea was impromptu, still clearly remembered Azumane Asahi's personality.
'Tough-looking exterior but extremely delicate and soft inside.'
'Though his mentality isn't stable or bold enough, he's a wing spiker who would give everything for his teammates.'
'When facing Dateko High School, he once touched the monster realm - Karasuno's ace.'
'Azumane Asahi.'