[We're now in the final moments of the match between Aoba Johsai and Mujizaka!]
[The score is currently tied at 24:24. From here on out, whichever team can pull ahead by two points will win the match and advance to the next round.]
[Judging by the expressions on the players' faces, both teams are clearly exhausted after three intense sets.]
[It's now Mujizaka's turn to serve, and stepping up is their ace, Wakatsu Kiryu. For various reasons, his powerful serves haven't played a decisive role in this match, at least, not yet. But with the match approaching its climax, let's see what he brings to the table this time.]
Boom!
The moment the commentator's words ended, Wakatsu Kiryu launched a serve like a cannon blast from the back line.
Despite it being the end of the match, his serve hadn't weakened in the slightest, on the contrary, it was even more powerful.
Aoba Johsai's libero, Watari Shinji, drained of stamina, couldn't react in time.
Thud!
The ball crashed down onto the floor.
[Point scored!]
[Mujizaka's ace, Wakatsu Kiryu, has finally unleashed his terrifying serve in this crucial moment, winning a vital point for his team.]
24:25.
Aoba Johsai was suddenly pushed to the edge.
Wakatsu went for the kill, launching his second serve.
The ball flew with the same terrifying speed and force, reaching Aoba Johsai's backcourt in the blink of an eye.
"Damn it, move, body, MOVE!!"
Watari Shinji tracked the ball with his eyes, but his worn-out body felt glued to the court.
At the last possible moment, he forced himself into action, diving hard to the right and just barely managing to dig the ball with his whole body.
The ball was passed by Ryuhei Sanashita to Akashi Asuka.
Mujizaka's blockers instantly deployed.
Standing tall at 190cm, Mami positioned himself directly in front of Akashi, sealing off the straight shot.
In the backcourt, Wakatsu Kiryu and Mujizaka's libero guarded the left and right flanks.
"This defensive setup is insane!" Oikawa Tooru muttered grimly, observing Mujizaka's formation. "They're still coordinating this well even at the end of the match?"
It was a testament to Mujizaka's solid fundamentals.
Still airborne, Akashi Asuka, relying on the last shreds of his [Clear Mind] state, took in the entire court in an instant and swung his arm down decisively.
Smack!
The ball flew like a laser, struck Mami's arm, and deflected sharply out of bounds.
[What a shot!]
[It's as if Akashi Asuka is answering Wakatsu Kiryu's blazing serve with an explosive hit of his own, using a precise deflection to score off the block and tie the game once again.]
25:25.
The Aoba Johsai players crowded around Akashi, shouting with joy.
Serve rotation.
Now it was Oikawa Tooru's turn.
As he picked up the ball, Oikawa's mind kicked into high gear:
"Wakatsu's in the back row now, this might be our best and final shot. If we can secure a lead here before Akashi's next service turn, we can tilt the game."
Boom!
After a brief pause, Oikawa served with pinpoint aim, targeting Wakatsu Kiryu.
Smack!
The serve was so fast, no one else could cover. Wakatsu had no choice but to receive it himself, and the reception was messy.
With the first touch broken, Mujizaka couldn't set up an attack for Wakatsu. Their setter had no choice but to pass to Mami.
Jump. Slam.
Just as Mami spiked, a figure rose in front of him, Akashi Asuka.
Stuff block.
Though Akashi's block stat of 81 wasn't enough to consistently stop someone like Wakatsu, shutting down an exhausted middle blocker like Mami was a different story.
26:25.
Aoba Johsai was back in the lead.
Oikawa served again, once more targeting Wakatsu. This time Mujizaka was ready, and their libero stepped in to receive.
Wakatsu followed up with a back-row attack and scored cleanly.
26:26.
Mujizaka served next, but after Aoba Johsai regained possession, they immediately took the lead again.
27:26.
Oikawa grinned.
Perfect. Just as he'd planned.
By securing that one-point edge, Akashi Asuka could now enter his serve turn with the advantage.
"All yours now, Akashi."
Carrying the hopes of his team, Akashi Asuka stepped into the service area. He took a slow breath, ball in hand.
Serving near the match's end comes with crushing pressure, one mistake could cost your team everything. That's why many players play it safe, dialing back power in favor of control.
But not Akashi.
He tossed the ball, ran up, jumped, and struck it with a fierce swing, adding a subtle curve,
Boom!
The ball rocketed forward.
With the help of his last lingering moments in [Clear Mind], Akashi could feel the perfect connection from hand to ball.
Under the gaze of the entire stadium—
—at the apex of its flight, the ball curved.
[Banana serve! It's another banana serve!]
The commentators erupted with excitement.
The Mujizaka players, however, looked like they'd seen a ghost.
"Damn it, again!?"
Mujizaka's libero's face twisted in rage. If he'd had a knife, he looked ready to stab Akashi on the spot.
Smack!
Just before the ball hit the floor, Wakatsu Kiryu dived under it and somehow dug it out.
But the ball shot back up and arced straight over the net, heading back toward Aoba Johsai's side.
The Mujizaka front line instantly realized the danger.
"Crap, stop them, now!"
Mami, one of Mujizaka's twin blockers, sprinted after the ball with everything he had left.
But just as he jumped, a pair of hands reached above the net from the opposite side, Oikawa Tooru.
He caught the pass, flicked his fingers, and the ball sailed like a comet toward Aoba Johsai's back row.
And in that moment,
A tall, commanding figure soared up from the shadows of Aoba Johsai's backcourt, cutting through the gymnasium lights like an eagle.
Akashi Asuka.
He struck the ball mid-air,
BOOM!
A beam of light pierced Mujizaka's court.
Thud.
The ball slammed to the floor.
BEEEEEEEP!
The referee's whistle blared through the gym, freezing Mujizaka's players in place.
"Game over!"
"The winner is Aoba Johsai High School, 2 sets to 1!"
==========
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