The Birth of A Volleyball Legend

Akira's mouth twitched a little as he saw how Kaito celebrating the block. He knew the boy was impulsive, but even after provoking the school a few days ago, it seemed the lesson didn't quite reach his head. As expected, in the next second, all the harsh scolding and insults went out of the supporters' mouths as everyone was cursing at him.

"YOU FUCKER! DO YOU REALLY WANT TO DIE?!"

"YUKI, RIKU, I DON'T CARE HOW YOU DO IT, BUT MAKE SURE YOU KILL HIM!"

"YOU GAY BASTARD! GET OUT OF HERE!"

The boy himself just grinned as if he was provoking for more violent reaction. Akira had to admit that Kaito was smart. The boy knew the supporters couldn't do anything excessive, only throw an insult and curse from their spot. If the boy hadn't been bothered by it, all the harsh words thrown by the supporters would only put more pressure on Tsunemori's team, which brought more benefit to Kikugawa High.

"Riku!" He called his nephew when everyone was still in a daze. Right after the blonde boy came, he instructed the boy immediately. "Don't go to Koji all the time. You have been passing the ball to him four times in this set, far more than anyone else on the court. Try to involve everyone and don't be predictable!"

Riku was stunned for a moment, not realizing that he had fallen onto a predictable route. He didn't even notice that he went to Koji all the time, always thinking that he went to the player who was in an open position. However, that only meant one thing.

'They are targeting Koji, always giving me a false sense that he is open just to shut him down immediately. Not bad…'

Of course, Riku was impressed by this strategy. If not for Akira's words, he wouldn't have noticed this subtle movement and he wouldn't know how much point the team would lose because of this. As one trickster to another, he admitted that the opponent's trick was superior this time.

'Still, that doesn't mean I will admit defeat more than this.' He licked his lips eagerly. 'Come on! I have already known your trick! Show me another one!'

A moment later, after the commotion was over, the game restarted again. The referee also had to go to the official first to reprimand the supporters so that they wouldn't go too far with their banter. It was okay to trash talk, but to threaten murder even in a heated situation was a no-go.

Just like before, Tachibana sent another ordinary serve, and like usual, Kaede picked it up with no trouble. Riku moved to the middle quickly, ready to initiate the attack. He could see that Koji's area was cleared, giving a false safety sense to him. However, since he knew the trick already, of course, Riku would never fall for it again.

'Well, it is time for you to repay your sin, Senpai!'

He sent the ball shortly to the left side. Koji furrowed his brows, thinking that it wasn't like Riku to make this amateur mistake. However, before he could go for the ball, he heard a shout from behind, "KOJI! THAT'S MINE!"

Koji was stunned for a second. However, the instinct he honed for a long time on the court told him instantly that this ball wasn't meant for him. However, he still jumped, attracting the opponent's blockers.

His effort was proven to be useful as in the next second, Ogawa managed to get the ball without anyone from the Kikugawa High's side attempting to stop the shot. Even though he wasn't the most powerful spiker on the team, Ogawa was still confident with his offensive ability, so it was pretty easy for him to convert this as a point.

BAM!

"YOSSHAAAA!" Ogawa roared when he saw the ball fall on the middle back.

"Good job, Jimmy! That is how you should attack!"

"Come on! Concentrate! Don't repeat the same mistake before!"

"Jimmy-senpai, that is so cool! Do it more!"

This successful attack also washed away the shame of his last ridiculous service attempt. As for the Kikugawa players, they just consoled each other, knowing full well that their preparation was seen by their opponent already.

"Okay, so now that we cannot target him again, should we go for the second phase?" Ao asked his captain.

Suzuki didn't even need to think about it as he nodded firmly. "Yes, we will go for the second phase. Get ready, everyone. The next part will be a patience battle!"

"Yes, Captain!"

After that, Koji stepped up to the service line as he was ready to serve the next ball. Akira still decided to put Ogawa on the court, but Asahi was back on the court to replace Kaede who was on the front line. Now, Tsunemori had Yuki, Ogawa, and Asahi on the front while Riku, Ogawa, and Koji on the back. They were still one rotation away from putting Okamura on the court.

Akira couldn't help but frown once again when he saw the current formation. Even Megumi also knew that the team was very vulnerable in the current rotation. "Sensei, don't you need to say something to the players?" She couldn't help but ask.

"No, that is unnecessary." Akira shook his head after pondering for a moment. "The weakness is in our back line, and Ogawa is still a decent defender. He could stall the time for Yuki to drop back when necessary, so I don't think we will have a problem with the current situation."

Unfortunately, some things always happen far from the plan. Akira didn't count the fact that Ogawa was always a support player, never leading the entire back row to move together and created a great barrier to stop any incoming attack. Koji himself was not a great defender in the first place and always relied on Yuki or Kaede's command whenever he was on the back, so their current defense was full of holes.

This was exactly what Kikugawa High took advantage of, as in the next play, right after Suzuki received the ball, Ayane tossed it far to the left side, and even with Hirano and Asahi jumping together, they were unable to stop the straight spike going to Koji, and the team's ace himself was taken aback when the ball was coming to his direction.

As a result…

BAM!