Chapter 28: Ushijima Wakatoshi
After afternoon classes ended, it was time for Shiratorizawa Academy's volleyball club to begin practice. Players dressed in Shiratorizawa's uniforms gathered in the parking lot outside the gymnasium, preparing for long-distance running training.
"Hey, over here, Little Ushi!" a boy in a blue tracksuit shouted from afar.
Ushijima Wakatoshi glanced toward the voice. Two figures approached, both in Aoba Johsai uniforms. The one shouting was someone he knew—Aoba Johsai's setter, Oikawa Tooru.
Ushijima continued his stretching without pausing, saying calmly, "Oikawa, it's rare for you to visit Shiratorizawa."
The two visitors were indeed Oikawa Tooru and Kaedehara Taiichi. Coach Irihata was planning to discuss a practice match with Shiratorizawa's Coach Washijo.
If all went as planned, this would be Aoba Johsai's final practice match against a Miyagi Prefecture school before the Inter-High preliminaries. After much thought, Coach Irihata decided to challenge the toughest opponent.
Oikawa, upon hearing this, eagerly offered to bring Taiichi to broaden his horizons at another school. After brief consideration, Coach Irihata agreed, thinking it would be good for the players to observe Shiratorizawa's training firsthand.
Thus, the opening scene unfolded.
Oikawa approached Ushijima and said, "We're likely having a practice match soon, so we came to scout things out in advance."
Huh, can you just say that outright? Taiichi, visiting another school's campus for the first time, looked around curiously. Shiratorizawa was truly grand—there was even an equestrian club on campus, something he'd never seen in his previous life. Outside the gymnasium, where Shiratorizawa's players had just emerged, stood a dedicated volleyball team bus, screaming luxury.
"Go ahead. Our strength won't weaken just because you watch our training," Ushijima said, still serious. "But we're about to start long-distance running, so the gym's probably empty."
"No worries, I can wait till you're back," Oikawa said casually, heading toward the gymnasium.
Ding! "Temporary Task: The Daily Life of the Absolute King," the system's voice chimed.
"Ushijima Wakatoshi, known at Shiratorizawa as the 'Absolute King,' embodies the training routine that the host must experience to become an ace."
"Keep up with Ushijima Wakatoshi's pace to complete the long-distance running training. Reward: Stamina +1."
Hmm? Complete the run for Stamina +1? Taiichi sensed something fishy. But with no mention of a penalty, there was no reason not to try.
"Uh, can I join the run?" Taiichi asked, looking at Ushijima.
Oikawa, walking ahead, paused abruptly, turning back to Taiichi with a sly smile.
"Forgot to introduce him. This is Aoba Johsai's first-year ace—Kaedehara Taiichi."
Ushijima finally looked at Taiichi. A first-year? As for Oikawa's "ace" claim, Ushijima didn't take it seriously. His own team had a loud first-year clamoring to be an ace, probably about to show up.
"I absolutely won't lose today, Ushijima-senpai!"
A booming voice drew the attention of nearby teammates stretching. Sure enough, it was that noisy first-year—Goshiki Tsutomu.
After confidently declaring victory, Goshiki finished his warm-up and sprinted toward the school gate at near-dash speed.
Watching his shrinking figure, teammates accustomed to his competitiveness exchanged glances.
"He's rushed off alone again. Coach Washijo's gonna chew him out."
Ushijima, unfazed by the interruption, finished warming up and said to Taiichi, "If you can keep up, come along."
"Let's go," he said calmly to the remaining teammates.
"Yes!"
Shiratorizawa's players followed Ushijima, starting the long-distance run in a grand procession. Taiichi quickly stretched and joined the group.
At the first intersection, the other teammates split off from Ushijima. In reality, almost no one at Shiratorizawa followed Ushijima's grueling route. Some had tried to match his pace out of bravado, but all inevitably dropped out, rejoining the group later.
Even third-years like Ohira Reon and Tendou Satori didn't run with Ushijima, though they didn't slack off—they just took a different route.
Exhausting themselves during warm-up runs would leave them scolded by Coach Washijo during gym training.
Taiichi, unaware of this, simply followed the system's task, sticking close to Ushijima.
Ding! "Training Mode activated. During training, the host's stamina recovery surpasses normal limits, preventing exhaustion."
Hearing the familiar system prompt, Taiichi relaxed. This was his confidence in accepting the task.
Keeping pace with Ushijima and settling into the rhythm, Taiichi used the system to check Ushijima's stats.
"Ushijima Wakatoshi, Overall Ability: 94.5, Height: 189.5 cm, Power: 99, Jump: 90, Stamina: 99, Speed: 90, Specialties: Serve 97, Receive 92, Set 90, Spike 99."
What is this? Taiichi nearly tripped in shock. A hexagonal warrior? These stats didn't belong to a high schooler.
Four specialties highlighted by the system? Taiichi felt dizzy.
Ding! "Note: Ushijima Wakatoshi has been selected as a full member of Japan's Youth National Team."
An extra note? No wonder he's Shiratorizawa's "Absolute King." Taiichi went numb. No surprise Miyagi's teams struggled to reach nationals against this squad.
Taiichi shook off his thoughts, focusing on running earnestly with Ushijima.
The two continued silently. After rounding a few corners, Taiichi spotted a familiar figure.
Goshiki Tsutomu lay collapsed near a low bush, looking unconscious.
"Hey, you okay?" Taiichi rushed over, with Ushijima stopping beside him.
"Goshiki, what's wrong?" Ushijima asked.
Goshiki opened his eyes, seeing his familiar senpai, and struggled to say, "Ushi… the beef katsu rice is churning in my stomach…"
Hearing this, Ushijima relaxed. No injury, just Goshiki's own fault. At lunch, trying to one-up Ushijima, Goshiki had wolfed down two plates of beef katsu rice.
Ushijima pulled out his phone, messaging the support staff, then looked down at Goshiki for a moment. "The logistics team will be here soon. I'm going."
Goshiki, knowing his own mistake caused this, didn't dare delay his captain's training. He mumbled agreement, swallowing his usual "I won't lose next time" in this embarrassing moment.
Taiichi followed Ushijima onward. With help coming, there was no need to meddle in another team's affairs.
After about half an hour, Taiichi finally glimpsed Shiratorizawa's outline again.
"Why did Oikawa come to Shiratorizawa today?" Ushijima asked suddenly.
Good thing they were alone, or Taiichi would've doubted Ushijima was talking to him.
"Oikawa-senpai said Aoba Johsai's planning a practice match with Shiratorizawa."
Ushijima pondered, rephrasing, "With Aoba Johsai's strength, you can't beat Shiratorizawa. That's why I asked why Oikawa came."
Still calm, but his words sparked Taiichi's anger. He surged ahead, overtaking Ushijima without looking back, tossing out, "They're opponents we'll defeat in the Inter-High prelims, so checking them out early doesn't hurt!"
Ushijima noticed the first-year's sudden sprint, aiming to reach the finish first. It didn't mean much, but he wouldn't lose.
Ushijima accelerated too, the two racing the final stretch like a competition.
When it comes to speed, I won't lose to you.
Taiichi beat Ushijima by a few strides, entering the campus. Exhausted, he stood tall and said to Ushijima, trailing a few steps behind:
"Let me introduce myself again. I'm Kaedehara Taiichi, Aoba Johsai's first-year ace. I'll lead Aoba Johsai to defeat you in the Inter-High prelims and reach nationals!"