Haikyuu : The Unstoppable Force

"Great! We actually got our revenge!"

After the game, as everyone packed their bags, Sugawara excitedly turned to Daichi.

Only those who had lost to Date Tech before could understand the depth of this victory.

"In other words, Aoba Johsai's match… is happening right next door?"

Tanaka suddenly remembered and reminded the others.

In the second set, Asahi had won against Date Tech with his own spike.

He had personally shattered the iron wall that had haunted him, and now he looked especially bright and confident.

"That's right!"

"This should be Aoba Johsai's first match!"

"We should check how their match is going."

"After all… tomorrow, our first game is against them."

After packing up, Karasuno's team entered the adjacent gym.

Once they found seats in the audience, they realized the match was already nearing its end.

On the court, Oikawa Toru was serving continuously.

Aoba Johsai's opponent—Ubugawa High—was gradually being overwhelmed by his powerful jump serve.

"Oikawa's jump serve…"

Yamaguchi clenched his fists.

"Tomorrow, we'll be facing that serve head-on."

"I hope everyone is paying close attention!"

"It's really aggressive!"

Hinata said in shock.

"The power is obvious, but what's even scarier is his precise ball control."

"He can send the ball exactly where he wants."

Yamaguchi spoke with a serious expression.

"Oikawa's serves are terrifying…"

"But what's even trickier is that, as a setter, he knows nothing about our team's playing style."

Sugawara's face was tense.

At that moment, deafening cheers erupted on the court.

Oikawa had scored again.

"Oikawa! Send another good one!"

He approached the baseline, gripping the ball in his hands, scanning the opponent's formation with sharp eyes.

Swoosh!

Jump serve!

The powerful ball was barely received by the back row of Ubugawa.

"Chance ball!"

Although the ball was picked up, the receiver had failed to control the force.

It soared straight over the net!

Oikawa rushed forward, leapt into the air, and set the ball.

Parallel Quick Attack!

Iwaizumi, already in position, spiked the ball with perfect timing.

"Their teamwork is seamless! So strong!"

Sugawara's face grew even more serious.

That parallel quick attack had revealed a lot about Aoba Johsai's coordination.

"Oikawa and Iwaizumi have been playing together since childhood," Kageyama added, watching intently.

"Their chemistry is on another level."

"We noticed this during our practice match," Yamaguchi recalled, rubbing his chin.

"Aoba Johsai's second setter is pretty good too."

"After all, it's Aoba Johsai."

"But…"

He looked at Oikawa serving calmly and continued,

"Oikawa knows his teammates inside and out."

"He brings out 100% of everyone's abilities."

Tweet!

Under Oikawa's relentless attack, Ubugawa's defense crumbled.

They couldn't escape defeat.

Aoba Johsai won 2-0!

---

That evening, Karasuno's gym was still brightly lit.

"We're going to have a short meeting," Daichi announced, standing before the team with a serious expression.

"We had a practice match against Aoba Johsai before."

"I'm sure everyone remembers their strength."

"That time, we won."

"But that was without Oikawa."

"I believe you all saw Oikawa today—and the impact he had on Aoba Johsai."

"I don't want anyone underestimating them just because we won a practice match."

His sharp gaze swept across the team.

"If we do… we'll pay a heavy price tomorrow."

"Yes!"

Even without being told, everyone understood.

A lion still uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit.

And tomorrow, they weren't facing a rabbit.

They were facing another tiger.

Daichi then turned to Akira, curiosity in his eyes.

"We don't know Oikawa's full capabilities."

"But I heard you once played against him in an official match."

"What's your opinion of him?"

_________

Seeing that everyone's eyes were focused on him, Akira rubbed his chin thoughtfully, recalling his past match with Oikawa.

"That game, I was the main attacker on the team," he began. "And Oikawa was our setter, responsible for delivering the ball to me."

"His sets..."

Hearing this, Kageyama's eyes lit up as he listened intently.

"They felt unbelievably comfortable," Akira continued, an odd expression on his face. "It's difficult to describe, but Oikawa can tailor his sets perfectly to the different characteristics of each player."

"There were multiple types of attackers on our team—some preferred high balls, others specialized in sharp quick attacks."

"After just a few attempts, Oikawa was already setting the ball exactly how each hitter liked it."

"So, he's a setter who truly enhances his team's performance," Akira concluded.

"Enhances the team?" Kageyama asked, his expression puzzled.

"Exactly!" Akira nodded. "He's the type of player who brings out 120% of his team's potential. With familiar teammates, his ability to maximize their strengths is terrifying."

"That means we absolutely cannot underestimate them tomorrow!"

Sugawara was about to ask another question, but Akira suddenly clapped his hands as if recalling something important.

"Oh, right!" he said. "Oikawa is not just a setter—he's also an incredibly offensive player. If he finds an opening, he won't hesitate to take the shot himself."

"So, don't just think of him as an ordinary setter!"

"A super offensive setter…" Kageyama muttered, his face solemn.

Seeing the serious expressions on his teammates' faces, Akira chuckled. "No need to look so worried. I actually think we can use this to our advantage against Aoba Johsai."

"What?!" Daichi exclaimed in disbelief. "You mean Oikawa will be our target?"

"That's right!" Akira said confidently. "Oikawa's habit of attacking whenever he finds an opportunity is usually an advantage, but now that we know about it in advance, we can counter him."

"How exactly?" Sugawara asked, still a little confused.

"It's simple," Akira explained with a smirk. "Oikawa's offensive plays rely on catching opponents off guard. But if we keep an eye on him, we can anticipate and block his attacks."

"If we successfully shut him down a few times, he'll hesitate to attempt those attacks again."

"And once he's thrown off his rhythm, it won't be us who struggle—it'll be him."

"That's a terrifying thought!" Akira continued. "A setter who loses their rhythm starts to make uncomfortable sets, which affects the entire team's performance."

Everyone was stunned for a moment before Suga suddenly slapped his thigh. "Yes! That's a brilliant strategy! Why didn't I think of that?!"

"Exactly!" Daichi added, clenching his fists. "If we disrupt their core, the whole team will be affected, and that's when we strike!"

Everyone turned their eyes toward Akira, impressed by his insight. Kageyama, however, crossed his arms and muttered, "I really wouldn't want to be your opponent. Being read so thoroughly… it's unsettling."

Akira turned to him with a scowl. "No one's looking at you, idiot! Don't flatter yourself!"

...

On the way home, Akira and Kiyoko walked side by side under the dim glow of the streetlights, the summer night air cool and still.

"Tomorrow's match is crucial, Akira," Kiyoko said, glancing at him with a hint of concern. "Are you confident?"

Despite the team's enthusiasm earlier, she couldn't ignore the reality—they were facing one of the strongest teams in the prefecture.

Aoba Johsai had reached the finals multiple times, proving their dominance. Running into them so early in the tournament was an unfortunate twist of fate for Karasuno.

Kiyoko typically kept her concerns to herself, avoiding adding pressure to the team. But with Akira, she felt comfortable enough to voice her worries.

"Don't worry!" Akira reassured her, taking her hand with a confident smile. "Tomorrow's game? We're going to win."

"No surprises."