Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium - Spectator Stands.
Ryuu sat in the front row of the second tier, legs stretched out over the empty seat in front of him. He held a massive pork bun in one hand and a sports drink in the other.
"You're getting crumbs on my jacket," Kenma muttered, shrinking away from Ryuu.
"I'm carbo-loading," Ryuu said, chewing thoughtfully. "Watching these guys makes me hungry."
Below them, the court was a battlefield.
Semifinals Match 2: Fukurodani Academy vs. Itachiyama Institute.
It was a clash of philosophies.
Fukurodani was emotion, energy, and chaos.
Itachiyama was logic, precision, and silence.
Set 1 Recap:
Fukurodani had taken the first set 25-23. Bokuto was in "God Mode." He hit cut shots, straights, and wipes that defied physics. The crowd was 90% cheering for the Owls.
"Bokuto is scary when he's happy," Kuroo noted, leaning on the railing. "He's hitting above the block."
"He's flashy," Ryuu swallowed his bite. "But look at the Weasels. They aren't panicking."
Set 2
Score: Itachiyama 18 - 15 Fukurodani.
The momentum had shifted. It wasn't sudden; it was a slow, grinding death.
Sakusa Kiyoomi stood at the service line. He didn't have a flashy routine. He just served.
A jump serve with a nasty, wicked spin.
Fukurodani's libero received it, but the spin made the ball pop sideways.
"Cover!" Akaashi shouted.
Akaashi set to Bokuto.
Bokuto jumped. He was still energized. "I'LL BREAK IT!"
He swung for a massive cross.
But Komori Motoya, the Number 1 Libero, was there.
Komori didn't dive. He read the spiker's form perfectly. He took a step to the left and dug the ball with an overhand pass.
POP.
"Easy," Komori said, smiling.
"Chance ball!"
Itachiyama countered. Their captain, Iizuna Tsukasa, set the ball. He didn't set Sakusa. He set the middle.
Quick attack. Point Itachiyama.
19 - 15.
"They're suffocating him," Yaku observed from the stands. "Komori is digging everything Bokuto hits. If you keep digging an Ace, eventually he breaks."
Ryuu watched Sakusa.
The Ace of Itachiyama walked back to his position. He pulled his jersey over his nose for a second, his eyes dead.
"He's boring," Ryuu said. "He plays volleyball like he's filling out a spreadsheet."
"That's why he's strong," Kenma said quietly. "He doesn't make mistakes."
_____________
Score: 24 - 20 Itachiyama.
Set point.
Bokuto was getting frustrated. His spikes were getting dug. His straights were going out.
"JUST ONE MORE!" Bokuto yelled.
Akaashi set him again.
Bokuto smashed a line shot.
Sakusa was blocking.
Sakusa didn't block like Ryuu. Ryuu blocked with mass and intimidation. Sakusa blocked with technique.
He shoved his hands into the space, angling them perfectly to funnel the ball.
THUD.
One touch.
Komori dug it. "Counter!"
Iizuna set to Sakusa on the left.
Sakusa approached. He saw the Fukurodani block.
He jumped.
His wrist... it was unnatural.
Ryuu leaned forward, squinting.
'Look at that snap.'
Sakusa hit the ball. It looked like it was going out. The Fukurodani defenders let it go.
But at the last second, the heavy topspin kicked in. The ball dove sharply.
SMACK.
It landed right on the back line.
Game Set.
Itachiyama Wins Set 2: 25 - 20.
The crowd gasped.
"That spin is disgusting," Ryuu muttered. "It's like the ball is remote-controlled."
Set 3
Score: 10 - 4 Itachiyama.
The third set was a massacre.
Bokuto had entered "Dejected Mode." He missed a spike, and then he started overthinking.
"Akaashi... don't toss to me anymore..."
"Bokuto-san, please," Akaashi sighed.
Without their Ace firing at 100%, Fukurodani crumbled. Itachiyama was ruthless. They targeted the holes in the defense. They served at the weak receivers. They played perfect, sterile, winning volleyball.
Score: 20 - 10.
Ryuu finished his drink and crushed the cup.
"It's over," Ryuu said, standing up.
"Itachiyama is consistent," Kuroo agreed, looking serious. "We beat them once, but that was a best of 3, and Ryuu surprised them. In a 5-set match... their consistency is a weapon."
"Tomorrow is best of 5," Kai reminded them. "The Finals."
______
Score: 24 - 14 Itachiyama.
Match Point.
Sakusa was in the front row.
Iizuna set to him.
Sakusa jumped. He saw the block. He didn't try to power through. He saw a gap in the defense—a small, efficient path.
He snapped his wrist. A sharp inner spike.
BAM.
The ball hit the floor.
Game Set Match.
Itachiyama Wins: 2 - 1.
(23-25, 25-20, 25-14).
The whistle blew.
The Fukurodani players looked devastated. Bokuto was on his knees, staring at the floor.
Sakusa didn't celebrate. He just turned around and walked toward the bench to sanitize his hands.
Ryuu looked down from the railing.
The Itachiyama team gathered their things.
Sakusa put his jacket on. He looked up at the stands. He knew where Nekoma was sitting.
He locked eyes with Ryuu.
The distance was far, but the intent was clear.
Sakusa raised a hand. He pointed two fingers at his own eyes, then pointed at Ryuu.
'I see you.'
Ryuu grinned. He leaned over the railing, resting his chin on his hand.
He raised a single finger and dragged it across his throat.
'You're dead.'
Sakusa's eyes narrowed. He turned and walked into the tunnel.
"Subtle," Yaku said sarcastically.
"He started it," Ryuu shrugged.
_______________
Ryuu went to the vending machine near the locker rooms to get another drink (he was a growing boy, after all).
He rounded the corner and saw Bokuto.
The Owl was sitting on a bench, a towel over his head. Akaashi was standing nearby, giving him space.
Ryuu walked over. He kicked Bokuto's shoe lightly.
"Yo."
Bokuto didn't look up. "I lost, Dragon-kun. I played bad."
"Yeah, you did," Ryuu said bluntly. "Your third set was tragic. I almost fell asleep."
Bokuto flinched. "You don't have to rub it in!"
Ryuu sat down next to him.
"Sakusa is annoying," Ryuu said, staring at the opposite wall. "He makes you feel like everything you do is dirty. He cleans the court with you."
Bokuto sniffled. "He spun it around my block. I couldn't stop it."
"He's the Final Boss for a reason," Ryuu said.
He stood up.
"Go home, Owl. Eat some meat. Cry a little. Then get ready for the Spring High."
Ryuu looked down at Bokuto.
"I'm going to beat him for you," Ryuu said. "Not because I like you. But because I hate him more."
Bokuto lifted the towel. His eyes were red, but a spark returned.
"You better!" Bokuto shouted. "If you lose to him after beating me, I'll... I'll come to your school and serve volleyballs at you during lunch!"
"Terrifying," Ryuu deadpanned.
He walked away.
"Ryuu-san," Akaashi called out softly.
Ryuu paused.
"Sakusa-san has been saving his right shoulder," Akaashi whispered. "He didn't hit full power today. Be careful."
Ryuu's eyes widened slightly. Then, a feral grin spread across his face.
"Saving it?" Ryuu chuckled deeply.
"Good. I'd hate to break a toy that was already broken."