The current score: Karasuno 2:0 Nekoma.
However, to Nekoma, being down by two points meant nothing, especially since this was just the first set, and only a practice match. The players in red-and-black uniforms clearly treated the match with relaxed composure.
Though each of them performed their receive work with absolute precision, there was almost no pressure weighing on them regarding the score.
Which naturally meant their receiving ability only became quicker and sharper.
Sure enough, Kageyama Tobio's second killer serve was received once again by Nekoma.
This time, Kageyama targeted Nekoma's setter in the far corner. But Fukunaga Shouhei, prepared this time, moved early, stepped into the ball's landing point, and delivered a near-perfect first touch.
"Mm!"
Kageyama's expression hardened.
This was the second time his serve had been taken cleanly.
The first serve at least disrupted Nekoma's back-row formation, preventing Kozume Kenma from using a back-row attack.
(Though Nekoma rarely uses back-row attacks in the first place.)
But this second serve?
It was nothing more than a simple reception practice for Nekoma.
Their first pass was so stable that it gave Kenma plenty of time to choose whatever strategy he wanted.
And so, the "brain" of Nekoma began working at full capacity, analyzing every Karasuno player's movements and expressions while the ball was still in the air.
Seconds counted as he mentally drafted character profiles of the opposing team.
"#4, libero. Height around 160. Explosive reaction speed. If needed, his first receive can be guided and used as a playmaking advantage."
"#15, likely a middle blocker. Height around 190. Great vertical and speed. Feels like Inuoka from back then."
"His block earlier was predictive, not reactive. He prefers pre-read blocking. Test him again, if confirmed, I can save a finishing strategy for late-game."
"#9 setter and #10 Hinata's quick attack, impossible to block the first time you see it."
"But everything has a counter. Need to observe their patterns more carefully."
"The others, still gathering data."
The ball only floated for a few seconds, but within that time, Kenma had already sketched a working psychological and technical report of nearly all of Karasuno's members.
And none of that interfered with his selection or precision as a setter.
It was truly fitting for someone whose mind and skill were max-level among high school players.
Kenma once again chose Shoyo Hinata, the shortest blocker on Karasuno's frontline, as the breakthrough point.
Another fast, sharp, impossible-to-reaction-read quick attack, perfectly timed.
Haiba Lev, the third-year ace, remained steady and unmoved by Hinata's explosive vertical jump or the overwhelming pressure of his approach.
He also ignored Hyakuzawa and Ichinose sprinting in to assist the block.
With a subtle body feint, he caused both Hyakuzawa and Hinata to mistime their jumps, leaving them no chance for a second jump.
Lev immediately jumped.
This put him in a clean one-on-one in midair, against Ichinose Guren.
The sight of Ichinose's terrifying elevation, paired with his height advantage of nearly 10 centimeters, would usually force a direct power clash.
But Lev was not foolish.
His fingers brushed the ball with the lightest touch.
The volleyball's trajectory softened instantly, arcing in a clever, graceful curve just above Ichinose's fingertips.
However, Ichinose's jump height was absurd. Even a perfectly executed tip from a third-year ace took too long to fall.
If it had been a first-year performing that tip, Ichinose would've already landed in time to pursue the ball directly.
Lev's technique was flawless, textbook-perfect.
But Ichinose's block height was simply inhuman.
Kageyama, from the back row, had enough time to rush forward and save the tipped ball.
Yet Lev did not show disappointment, expressionless, he simply shifted right back into a defensive stance.
On Karasuno's side, because the setter had taken the first receive, Nishinoya moved in to set, but Ichinose stepped forward and took over instead.
Just one look was enough for Nishinoya to understand.
If the libero has a better option, it's better to prepare for the follow-up, not force the set.
He immediately backed off slightly, ready to chase a blocked ball or dig the return.
Stomach's acting up a bit… but whatever. I'll still finish ten chapters today.
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Completed version available on Patreon.com/Veltoria