Chapter 29: Shiratorizawa
Ushijima Wakatoshi finally took a serious look at the player before him. Clean, neatly trimmed black hair, a lean physique, and arms with smooth, powerful muscle lines—Kaedehara Taiichi, was it?
To keep up with his pace, sprint in the final stretch, and reach the finish line faster than him—this first-year claiming to be Aoba Johsai's ace might not be entirely joking.
"Why did you choose Aoba Johsai?" Ushijima asked suddenly, his face serious.
Before Kaedehara Taiichi could respond, Ushijima continued, "Was it because of Oikawa? Indeed, unlike Aoba Johsai's other players, he's an exceptional athlete."
Ushijima paused, then added, "He should have come to Shiratorizawa."
As expected, Taiichi thought to himself. Ushijima never missed a chance to recruit Oikawa Tooru. His mindset was practically an extension of Coach Washijo's.
Shiratorizawa Academy pursued pure strength. When selecting volleyball team members, they gathered intelligence and scouted powerful, aggressive players.
Ultimately, the team revolved around the ace, serving the ace's attacks. As long as it didn't hinder the ace's offense, anything went.
In his youth, Coach Washijo was denied a chance to compete due to his height. This fueled his philosophy of "power above all," building teams around dominant, strength-focused wing spikers.
But didn't this approach contradict his younger self's struggles?
Taiichi knew of Coach Washijo's forty-year-long resentment, which explained his harshness and high expectations toward Hinata, who shared a similar experience.
"Why come to Shiratorizawa? Are you saying Shiratorizawa's team guarantees a hundred percent victory?" Oikawa Tooru stepped forward, unable to hold back. He'd been eavesdropping on Taiichi and Ushijima's conversation from the sidelines.
"At least for now, that's the case," Ushijima replied, his expression unchanged. "In Miyagi Prefecture, the team with me is the strongest. That's not wrong, is it?"
"Hah? Still that infuriating confidence," Oikawa retorted, stepping close to Ushijima. "You've only won for two years. We'll make you taste defeat soon enough!"
Ushijima remained unfazed. "It's five years. You didn't beat me in our three years either."
"Pfft…" Taiichi stifled a laugh, recalling Oikawa's junior high losses. "Sorry, carry on."
"Taiichi! Whose side are you on?!" Oikawa glared at him, fuming.
Taiichi didn't answer. Instead, he moved to Oikawa's side, standing shoulder-to-shoulder, facing Ushijima.
"That's all in the past. From now on, we'll be the ones winning."
Ushijima fell silent for a moment, then turned toward the gymnasium. "Until you actually beat me, I won't take anything you say seriously."
…
As Ushijima stepped into the gymnasium, Goshiki Tsutomu darted in front of him.
"I don't want to be like Ushijima-senpai, excelling only in power. I want to be a wing spiker with both control and technique!"
Ushijima responded as usual, expressionless, "I see. Keep working hard."
"Yes!" Goshiki replied loudly, like a child praised by an elder.
Today's conversations felt unusually frequent, leaving Ushijima emotionally drained. He just wanted to start spiking soon.
Oikawa and Taiichi followed Ushijima into the gym, Oikawa still frustrated over his earlier exchange.
Coach Washijo and Coach Irihata approached from the other side, having finalized the practice match schedule.
"Tsutomu, I heard you collapsed from overeating…" Coach Washijo stood in the gym's center, as the other players quickly formed ranks before him.
Goshiki stepped forward, answering decisively, "Thank you, Coach. I'm fine now—I threw it all up!"
"You idiot!!" Coach Washijo's roar echoed through the gym, causing surrounding teammates to flinch.
Yet Goshiki remained unfazed.
"System, check Goshiki Tsutomu's stats," Taiichi said, intrigued.
"Goshiki Tsutomu, Overall Ability: 83, Height: 181.5 cm, Power: 80, Jump: 88, Stamina: 86, Speed: 78, Specialties: Receive 82, Spike 85."
An overall ability of 83? A first-year with such stats? Taiichi had heard Goshiki was the only first-year selected as a starter among many second- and third-year reserves.
This strength surpassed most of Aoba Johsai's starters. No wonder he was Shiratorizawa's anticipated next ace. He likely didn't even notice Coach Washijo and his teammates' special treatment.
"Everyone else, start training. Shirabu, set for Ushijima's spiking practice. Goshiki, no spiking practice today," Coach Washijo ordered, then returned to the sidelines to sit.
"Why, Coach? How can I surpass Ushijima-senpai like this?!" Goshiki panicked, hearing he couldn't spike.
Tendou Satori sidled up, chuckling, "Tsutomu, focus on receiving practice, okay?"
"Tendou-senpai!"
Ushijima passed Goshiki, saying flatly, "Keep at it."
Goshiki's face scrunched up. Even Ushijima-senpai said so. Reluctantly, he joined the first-years for receiving practice.
Soon, the gym filled with the sounds of training.
Taiichi and Oikawa rejoined Coach Irihata, observing Shiratorizawa's practice.
Whoosh!
Matching a tossed ball, Shirabu Kenjirou set it high and far from the net.
Ushijima charged, leaping powerfully, his body extending mid-air as his left arm swung fiercely.
Bang!
The gym seemed to shake. The spiked ball hit the floor, deforming slightly before rebounding high.
"Wow, Ushijima-senpai's in great form today," teammates remarked after a brief pause, resuming their chatter.
"Is it because of the practice match with Aoba Johsai? He seems pumped."
"No way, Ushijima-senpai wouldn't get worked up over that."
Ushijima glanced toward Taiichi, expressionless, without further reaction.
"One more," he said to Shirabu.
"Yes, Ushijima-senpai!"
Shirabu looked at Ushijima under the gym's lights, filled with admiration. This was the volleyball he wanted to play—unmatched volleyball among the elite.