Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty

Chapter 78: Tunnel Vision

"We're 6 points behind...we have to close the gap somehow." Kageyama Tobio anxiously surveyed the court.

"Right side! Right side!"

"Nice one, Daichi-senpai!"

Sawamura Daichi scored with a spike from the left side.

[Aoba Johsai 8 vs. 3 Karasuno]

"Damn it! That was a double block just now. We were this close to getting blocked again." Even though they'd managed to score, Kageyama Tobio couldn't shake his anxiety.

"Hanamaki! Nice ball!"

"Oh!"

Hanamaki Takahiro smashed through the centre to score, proving his strength as a wing spiker.

[Aoba Johsai 9 vs. 3 Karasuno]

"Cover!"

"Tsukishima! Spike it!"

"Double block!"

Smack!

Tsukishima Kei's spike was blocked by Iwaizumi Hajime and Kyōtani Kentarō.

[Aoba Johsai 10 vs. 3 Karasuno]

"The gap has grown to 7 points....This won't work. I have to at least make the blockers split up!" Kageyama gritted his teeth in frustration.

"Whoosh!"

Bang!

"Nice! Asahi-senpai, great spike!"

Under Kageyama's guidance, Azumane Asahi managed to barely pull off a quick attack.

[Aoba Johsai 10 vs. 4 Karasuno]

"That was so fast..." Asahi wanted to point something out to Kageyama but froze when he saw the intense look on his face.

"Whoa—Kageyama's sets seem sharper than before!" Kunimi Akira's comment immediately caught Oikawa Tōru's attention.

"Good. We've avoided the block. We'll close the score just like this!" Kageyama muttered, completely immersed in his own world.

Thud!

Kyōtani Kentarō's spike slammed into the floor with a resounding bang.

He'd broken through two blockers to score.

[Aoba Johsai 11 vs. 4 Karasuno]

"We need to catch up. Fast!" Kageyama set the ball to the left side.

"Looks like they've subbed in a cheerful guy," Oikawa Tōru muttered, his eyes locked on Sugawara Koushi. Being Kageyama Tobio's substitute must be exhausting.

"Don't worry! Let's get those points back!" Sugawara called out confidently as he stepped onto the court. Karasuno's players visibly relaxed at his presence.

"Daichi, you're awfully quiet today," Sugawara teased as he pulled Sawamura Daichi aside. "If even the captain looks tense, how are the rest of us supposed to feel?"

"Ah, sorry," Daichi admitted, realizing his own mindset wasn't right.

"There it is! The only player who can lecture Captain Daichi," Azumane Asahi and Tanaka Ryūnosuke whispered to each other from the sidelines.

After a brief exchange with his teammates, Sugawara nodded to the referee, who signalled for the game to continue.

Aoba Johsai served.

Kunimi Akira targeted Karasuno's current offensive powerhouse—Azumane Asahi.

Asahi managed a shaky receive, and Sugawara set up Tanaka Ryūnosuke for the spike.

"Nothing special?" Oikawa watched carefully but couldn't pinpoint any particular traits in Karasuno's new setter. Judging by the warm-ups earlier, his speed and jump weren't on Kageyama's level, so his blocking must be weaker too.

Hanamaki Takahiro picked up Tanaka's spike, and Oikawa set the ball to the middle for Iwaizumi Hajime.

Iwaizumi glanced at the blockers—Sugawara Koushi and Tsukishima Kei. Aiming for the lower block, he swung down hard, but a pair of hands suddenly appeared in his path.

"Iwa-chan!"

Smack!

Iwaizumi's spike was blocked back into Aoba Johsai's court.

Karasuno scored with a block.

[Aoba Johsai 12 vs. 5 Karasuno]

"My bad!"

"It's fine!" Oikawa called out reassuringly, though his gaze lingered on Sugawara. Did Karasuno's strategy just outthink him?

Before the block, Sugawara and Tsukishima had subtly switched positions—something they must have planned in advance.

"Nice block, Tsukishima!"

"No...it was Sugawara-senpai..." Tsukishima started to correct him.

Sugawara waved a hand and whispered, "In matches against strong teams, blockers like me with lower height usually become targets, so this time was no exception."

Then, with a grin, he patted Tsukishima's shoulder. "It's reassuring to have tall teammates like you around!"

"Uh...sure..." Tsukishima mumbled, a little embarrassed.

"Look, look! Sugawara-senpai is so good at complimenting people!" Hinata said, beaming enviously at Tsukishima.

Kageyama Tobio: "..."

Maybe...I should also try complimenting them next time?

_________

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