I've wrote 4 chaps last week, I will gradually post it this week while writing hopefully 7 chapters this week and gradually post it next week.
Enjoy the chaps!
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The speed of the game made split-second decisions incredibly difficult.
This was why read blocking was so hard to pull off. It required training, experience, and sharp instincts.
To do it perfectly, a player needed to react quickly and accurately, often by observing the setter and predicting where the ball would go.
Kageyama, with his flawless tosses, was especially hard to read. But Date Tech's blockers had enough experience to keep up.
They were sharp and disciplined, able to follow even the fastest plays.
Moniwa, Date Tech's setter, wasn't as naturally talented as Kageyama. But he had experience. He knew how to fake his movements, tricking blockers into making the wrong move.
"And we had no idea he could pull it off," Oiwake muttered to himself.
The Date Tech coach sat down with his feet tapping nervously. He rubbed his chin, deep in thought, as he watched the game closely.
It was clear he was under a lot of pressure.
Karasuno's Shooting Star, Tsuna, had just pulled off a perfect read block. They had no data on him being capable of something like that.
It was completely unexpected.
The only explanation Oiwake could think of was…
"Did he just learn it today or something?"
But that was absolutely impossible.
"He's agile, and his height gives him a good reach. But read blocking isn't something you can pick up in a day…"
Oiwake didn't realize he was starting to sweat. His mind raced, trying to figure out how to counter this new threat.
"Whoa, that monster just did his thing again…"
Iwaizumi's voice broke through the tension.
The Aoba Johsai players were taking off their jackets, getting ready for their own match. Irihata, their head coach, watched the game with a wary expression. "They must be confused right now…"
"Yeah," Mizoguchi agreed, his arms crossed.
Even he couldn't deny how impressive Tsuna's performance was.
Meanwhile, Oikawa stood silently, his eyes fixed on the court.
The ball flew toward Date Tech after another serve. Karasuno's momentum was strong, and the pressure on Date Tech was visible.
The crowd's cheers for Karasuno were growing louder, almost drowning out Date Tech's supporters.
"..."
Oikawa's gaze shifted to Kageyama, who was among the front-row players. Beside him stood Tsuna, rooted in his spot, continuing to pull off unexpected read blocks.
Oikawa's lips curled into a small smile. 'Seems like Tobio-chan still hasn't realized...'
"…!"
Kageyama took a tiny step forward, his eyes scanning the opposing players.
Then...
His gaze landed on Moniwa, Date Tech's setter, who was positioning himself to toss the ball.
Seeing Tsuna pull off a read block had opened up new possibilities for Karasuno. Kageyama knew he had to support this chance and shut down Date Tech's attack completely.
That was why…
'His eyes are still on the ball…'
Kageyama observed Moniwa's every move, even his micro-expressions. His eyes narrowed as he noticed Moniwa sneakily glanced to the left.
Kageyama muttered under his breath, "To their left!"
He pivoted sharply, moving to the left to intercept. But then…
"…!"
Thump!
'It was… a feint?'
Kageyama's chest tightened as he realized the ball was going to the right instead. His head snapped toward Tsuna, who was already moving in the same direction.
Panic surged through him.
'We're gonna crash!?'
"…!"
Everyone on Karasuno's side watched in horror.
A collision seemed inevitable!
Kageyama tried to stop his momentum, but it was too late. Tsuna's eyes were still locked on the ball, his body moving swiftly to block Date Tech's attack.
"Tsuna!"
Suga and the others on the sidelines shouted, their voices filled with alarm. Tsuna turned his head slightly, finally noticing Kageyama right in front of him.
"…"
Kageyama's eyes widened as their gazes met. A chill ran down his spine. 'He's gonna kill me this time…'
But then…
In a split second, Tsuna twisted his body.
"…!"
The movement was so sharp and unexpected that everyone froze in disbelief.
He avoided the crash completely!
Despite now being late to quickly get to his optimal blocking position, Tsuna took a long, powerful stride and leaped sideways, covering the distance in an instant.
"..."
Aone was already in the air, his arm swinging down for the spike. But Tsuna was there, his hand reaching up just in time.
Smack!
The ball hit Tsuna's hand and bounced high into the air.
"...."
The gymnasium fell into a stunned silence. No one could believe what they had just seen.
Kageyama stood frozen, staring at Tsuna in disbelief. Then…
"Get that ball and toss it over, Kageyama…"
Tsuna's voice snapped him back to reality.
"...!"
Kageyama's body jolted. He swallowed his shock and sprinted toward the ball.
Meanwhile, Tsuna landed smoothly and quickly repositioned himself as his figure darted across the court and took a few steps back to build enough momentum moving forward.
"Come on up, Iron Wall!"
Tsuna's shout echoed through the gym.
Date Tech's blockers at the front snapped back to reality, their focus instantly sharpening.
'He pulled an aggro... intentionally at that?'
Keishin knew what Tsuna was doing as he watched on with sweat rolling down his forehead.
The whole Karasuno was also surprised at this since it was their best chance for an unexpected attack—a free point.
"What the hell is he thinking…?"
Kindaichi muttered in shock.
The Aoba Johsai players were equally stunned. They had forgotten to warm up, their eyes glued to the court.
Even Irihata, their coach, didn't reprimand them.
He was just as invested in the game.
"…"
Irihata watched intently with his arms crossed. He simply couldn't look away.
As Kageyama moved, his expression remained one of disbelief. Oikawa shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips.
'That's right, Tobio-chan...'
He knew exactly how Kageyama felt. Being on the same team as someone like Tsuna was deeply frustrating.
It was a constant battle against fear and self-doubt.
The pressure should be suffocating.
"That tightness in your chest… that's something I've always felt when we were on the same team," Oikawa thought.
The inferiority complex that came with facing a talent far beyond your own was overwhelming. It could devour even the strongest players.
Thud!
Aone, Futakuchi, and Sasaya abandoned their read-blocking technique out the window and moved forward to block.
"Hahaha!"
Tsuna, feeling the pressure mount, grinned even wider. He heard the pop of the ball as it flew high toward him.
"Yes! Every single one of you, jump in 3… 2… 1…!"
Tsuna shouted, counting down as if he were leading a drill.
"..."
The blockers gritted their teeth and jumped, their movements sharp and synchronized. Tsuna's eyes darted to the ball, then scanned the net.
It was completely blocked—except for one small gap.
"Kekeke…"
Tsuna's grin widened. He swung his arm, his hand connecting with the ball. The sound of the impact was sharp, like a gunshot.
The ball shot forward, its trajectory precise.
'This bastard... that spike would've blasted my hand apart too...'
Futakuchi flinched.
Even though Tsuna had used his left hand, the power behind the spike was terrifying. It felt like the ball could have torn through his hand if he had tried to block it.
But as he watched the ball's path, he felt a flicker of relief.
'Aone should get it...'
Futakuchi's eyes darted to Aone.
The towering blocker's eyes gleamed sharply as he tracked the spike. He had seen the small gap Tsuna had peeked at earlier.
Aone's hand shot out, moving to intercept the ball's trajectory.
But then…
"…!"
The ball flew past Aone's outstretched hand, narrowly missing his fingertips.
Aone's eyes widened in shock.
The ball landed on Date Tech's side of the court with a loud thud. He turned sharply to Tsuna, who was laughing loudly, his voice echoing through the gym.
"You think you can read my spike too? Thank you for moving your arm exactly as I expected! Keke..."
Tsuna said as he seemed to have enjoyed Aone's reaction.
He had just read Aone's read!
"Whoaaa!"
"Karasuno's #9 is fucking crazy!?"
"What the hell was that?"
The crowd erupted in cheers, drowning out Date Tech's supporters who were weakly cheering them up.
Their excitement broke the sound barrier, filling the entire gymnasium with deafening noise.
Meanwhile…
Kageyama quickly approached Tsuna, his face filled with guilt.
He realized he had almost messed up the play, "Tsuna-san… my apolo—"
"…"
Tsuna didn't even look at him. He walked past Kageyama without a word, heading back to his position.
Kageyama's mouth snapped shut, his apology unfinished.
A swirl of complex emotions churned in Kageyama's chest.
He looked at Tsuna's face and understood. It wasn't that Tsuna was giving him the silent treatment. It was worse.
'I was… simply insignificant in his eyes…'
For the first time in his life, Kageyama felt his worldview crumble.
He, who had always been hailed as a genius, felt utterly overshadowed.
The talent towering over him wasn't on some rival team—it was right here, on the team he had chosen as his second option.
Kageyama stared at Tsuna's figure, his voice barely a whisper. "…He's awesome."
His words were sincere, his expression genuine.
And further away from the court...
"…!"
Oikawa was startled.
He had been observing Kageyama, quietly gloating. After all, he was petty enough to enjoy seeing Kageyama receive the same treatment he had endured back at Kitagawa Daiichi.
But now…
"Ah…"
A strange, bubbling sensation rose in Oikawa's chest. A new feeling swirled within him, something he couldn't quite name.
His eyes landed on Tsuna, and he mumbled under his breath, "How lucky."
He was jealous.
Not of Tsuna's talent, but of Kageyama. He wished it were him standing on that court, playing alongside someone like Tsuna.