The atmosphere in the hotel was unusually quiet, and the faces of the Aoba Johsai team were grim. Google Search Reading
The match between Tomi and Fukurodani had ended.
The final victor was Fukurodani Academy, winning by a score of two to zero.
And ever since watching the match between Fukurodani and Tomi, all the joy the Aoba Johsai team had just gained from their first-round victory had completely vanished.
"Too strong, Fukurodani's Ace." After an unknown amount of time, someone finally spoke.
"Facing Tomi Academy's tight Defense, he was still able to find gaps and create such a high score difference. He truly lives up to his reputation as one of the top five Aces in the nation."
In the daytime match, ever since Fukurodani Academy's Ace regained his form, Tomi Academy's read blocks had no effect whatsoever.
Fukurodani Academy advanced to the next round of the first match with an almost unstoppable momentum.
Not only that.
What made everyone subtly uneasy was that, in addition to his superb skills, Fukurodani's Ace's Spike also possessed a magical power that could boost others' morale.
Everyone from Aoba Johsai saw that Spike at the time.
Even as opponents, when they saw the Spike hit by Fukurodani's Ace, they still felt their blood boil and their spirits lift.
The Aoba Johsai team were all seasoned players who had been through many battles.
They naturally understood how terrifying an Acewho could boost his teammates' morale at critical moments truly was.
"Clap, clap, clap… Alright, don't boost others' morale and dampen your own spirits.
Seeing that the match hadn't even started and their own morale had already plummeted, Iwaizumi Hajime immediately stood up and clapped his hands, saying, "Although Fukurodaniis strong, we are not weak. Don't forget, we defeated an Ace ranked among the top three in the nation to make it to the National Tournament. At worst, we'll just have another match like that tomorrow."
Iwaizumi Hajime's encouragement was very effective.
It made sense.
They had defeated Ushijima Wakatoshi to get their ticket to the National Tournament, so there was no reason to be afraid of an Ace ranked among the top five in the nation now!
"Alright, everyone go back to sleep! Get some rest so you can give your hundred percent against Fukurodani tomorrow."
"Yes!"
After Iwaizumi Hajime finished speaking, he turned to leave, but suddenly, he seemed to remember something, stopped, and turned to look at someone: "Hey! Idiot Oikawa, don't stay up too late tonight, otherwise, if you have any problems on the court tomorrow, I'll beat you up."
Oikawa Tooru: "...Iwaizumi-chan, you really can be a little gentler with me."
Iwaizumi Hajime: "(〝▼dish▼) Huh?"
Oikawa Tooru: "Σ(?Д? ;)...I didn't say anything, don't worry! Iwaizumi-chan, I will definitely appear on the court full of energy tomorrow."
Iwaizumi Hajime snorted coldly and turned to leave.
Only Oikawa Tooru was left, sighing deeply, then he took out the video recording of today's [Fukurodani vs. Tomi] match and watched it intently.
"Sigh~~"
"I say, Sanxia, you weren't even on the court today, what are you sighing about?"
In the hotel dormitory, in the first-year resting area, Akashi Asuka was holding a book and reviewing his homework, but sighs came one after another, disturbing his study, which immediately made a 'fury' character pop up on Akashi Asuka's forehead.
Mishita Ryuhei: "..."
This remark was like Garen using an item, it instantly silenced Mishita Ryuhei.
Mishita Ryuhei clenched his fists, his expression changing several times, and then... he clenched his fists even tighter.
Damn it, I can't refute it.
A moment later.
Mishita Ryuhei's voice rang out again: "Hey! Akashi. We must win tomorrow's match! Don't let our Zenkoku Middle School regret happen again."
Akashi Asuka's hand holding the book paused slightly, then he calmly said: "Don't worry!"
"Alright, good morning to all the audience here and in front of your televisions."
"I am today's commentator, Oda."
"I am Oda."
"Welcome back to our program, this is the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, and we are about to begin the second round of the National High School Comprehensive Sports Tournament, Men's Volleyball Club."
"After yesterday's eliminations, there are now thirty-two representative teams remaining."
"And the upcoming match is between Tokyo's second representative team, Fukurodani Academy, vs. Miyagi Prefecture's representative team, Aoba Johsai Private High School."
"First, let's introduce the starting players for both sides."
"On the left court, wearing black jerseys, is Fukurodani Academy. First to appear is the Volleyball Club captain, number 4, Wing Spiker: Motoyasu Kotaro!"
As the commentator's words sounded, Fukurodani's Ace, Motoyasu Kotaro, was the first to enter the court, and immediately, a wave of enthusiastic cheers erupted around the court!
"Oh oh oh~~~"
"Go, Owl."
"Bokuto, Bokuto, Bokuto..."
And upon hearing such enthusiastic cheers, Motoyasu Kotaro's already sparkling eyes became even more excited.
"Oh~~ It seems Motoyasu's popularity is very high!"
"Of course, after all, he is an Ace ranked among the top five in the nation!"
"Alright, let's continue to introduce the remaining players. Following Motoyasu is Fukurodani Academy's number 5 Setter: Keiji Akaashi."
"Number 7 Wing Spiker: Akinori Konoha."
"Number 2 Middle Blocker: Washio Tatsuo."
"Number 12 Middle Blocker: Osamu Onaga."
"Number 11 Libero: Komi Haruki."
"And on the right, wearing light blue and white jerseys, is Aoba Johsai Private High School. The first player to appear is the Volleyball Clubcaptain, number 1 Setter: Oikawa Tooru."
"And finally, the number 8 Wing Spiker: Akashi Asuka."
"Go, go, go, go Aoba Johsai! Go, go, go, go Aoba Johsai!"
"Go Aoba Johsai!"
In the stands, the music club played Aoba Johsai's school song, cheering on the team with all their might.
"Hey~ hey~ hey~ I heard you guys defeated Ushijima Wakatoshi, right?" Just as the Aoba Johsai players were about to warm up, Fukurodani's Ace suddenly walked towards them.
Facing such a strong opponent, the other Aoba Johsai players naturally instinctively became wary, thinking that the other party had come to declare war or provoke them.
But only Akashi Asuka knew that this guy was probably acting up again.
So Akashi Asuka walked directly in front of Motoyasu Kotaro, thought for a moment, and said, "You heard wrong. Actually, we didn't defeat Ushijima Wakatoshi. Because on the day of the qualifiers, Ushijima Wakatoshi was sick and couldn't participate in the match. We just got lucky."
"Eh? Really?!"
Motoyasu Kotaro was greatly surprised, and then he believed it.
"So that's how it is..." Motoyasu Kotaroimmediately deflated, his hands hanging listlessly, looking like a dejected owl.
"I thought you guys defeated Ushijima Wakatoshi? If that were the case, then if I defeated you, wouldn't that mean I'm stronger than Ushijima Wakatoshi?!"
"But now, even if I defeat you, it won't have any meaning!"
In an instant, Motoyasu Kotaro seemed to have lost all meaning in life, like a soulless shell, even his hair became limp.
The members of both Aoba Johsai and Fukurodani, seeing Motoyasu Kotaro's appearance, immediately had black lines appear on their foreheads: "...This person, isn't he an idiot?!"
Then they looked at Akashi Asuka, who was lying expressionlessly: "This person even deceives idiots, he's simply not human."
"..."