Head coach Irihata and coach Mizoguchi were in the staff's room devising plans about the starting lineup.
"The starting lineup won't change much except the addition of Kirito, Kunimi and Kindaichi." Head coach Irihata said.
"Yeah, and they are all first-years." Coach Mizoguchi said.
"For the next three years we will be in good hands." he added.
"Yes." Head coach Irihata nodded.
Head coach Irihata looked at his note which was written as-
Kindaichi Yutaro: Middle blocker, decent blocking, strength and stamina.
Akira Kunimi: Wing Spiker/Opposite Hitter, high game IQ, overall balanced stats.
Kirito Yagami: Outside Hitter, exceptional at blocking and spiking.
"Kindaichi can rotate with Matsukawa." Head coach Irihata said.
Coach Mizoguchi nodded.
"Kunimi will rotate with Hanamaki." Head coach added.
"Kirito will be in the starting lineup." He finalized.
Coach Mizoguchi nodded.
"We finally have a monstrous ace spiker." Coach Mizoguchi said.
"Yes, we do. But I'll have to talk to Iwaizumi." Head coach Irihata said.
"Why so?" Coach Mizoguchi asked.
"For the past two years, he has been caring all the responsibilities for both offence and defense." Head coach Irihata said.
"Now, with the addition of Kirito, he can load off the responsibility for attacking." he added.
"Although, I don't know whether he will be willing to give up the responsibility." he added.
"This is his final year to win the National Championship. The last dance."
"I'll talk to him about this, and I'm pretty sure he will comply because he knows what's for the best." Head coach finalized.
Meanwhile, at the gym, the boys were practicing.
Everybody were practicing and training with-passing, serving, setting, spiking and many more.
Even though these practices were boring and repetitive, it was designed to build a strong foundation for reaching a higher competitive level.
Kirito was currently practicing diving with Oikawa and Iwaizumi.
"So, Oikawa-senpai, how does it feel to lose to a first-year?" Kirito asked jokingly.
"You brat! You are so un-cute! Kageyama is way better than you!" Oikawa said.
"Ouch! That hurt right in the heart!" Kirito said while showing pain expression in his face.
Thud! Thud!
"Why?!" Both of them said in unison after getting punched at their heads.
"Focus." Iwaizumi said.
They started training in spiking.
Iwaizumi stood in sideline looking at Oikawa and Kirito.
"What kind of set do you prefer?" Oikawa asked.
"High sets." Kirito replied.
"Alright."
Iwaizumi passed the ball to Oikawa. Oikawa set the ball with a very deadly precision and right at the sweet spot of Kirito's spiking point.
Kirito ran and approached the ball.
Screech
He planted his feet firmly on the ground and leapt high into the air. His navel was almost above the net.
Oikawa and Iwaizumi were stunned at that high jump.
With every ounce of strength in his body, Kirito gathered all power into his arms and hands. He swung the ball violently.
BOOOM!
Oikawa grinned wildly and looked at his hands. He was missing that kind of spiker.
Although Iwaizumi was very exceptional at spiking, comparatively to the top aces of nation, it won't be enough to put them on pressure.
Oikawa and Kirito continued to practice with Iwaizumi providing advices and tips along the practice.
The third-years were watching those three.
They could feel and tell, both Oikawa and Iwaizumi were passing the baton to Kirito.
Everybody finished their practices and left the gym.
Kirito, Oikawa and Iwaizumi went to a nearby restaurant. They were the last ones to leave the gym.
As they were finishing the food, Iwaizumi asked, "What makes an ace, Kirito?"
"I'll head to washroom for a sec." Oikawa glanced at Iwaizumi and gave space for both Kirito and Iwaizumi.
Kirito looked down at his empty plate and sat silently for few seconds.
"For me, an Ace is a special player. A player who bears the responsibility for a team's offence and defense. Even, when facing failure or when reaching a breaking point, he should be able to shoulder all the responsibility. He should know that responsibility means showing up fully, not controlling the results." Kirito answered honestly.
Iwaizumi looked at him for a second. He sat silently. Both of them looked at each other. It was a moment of silence and respect.
Iwaizumi then bloomed into a sweet smile and said, "Well, I think the team will be in good hands."
Iwaizumi took his fist and shoved it into Kirito's chest.
"From now on, you are the Ace. The Ace of the team. The Ace of Aoba Johsai." Iwaizumi said.
"Become the Absolute Ace of the nation and the whole world, Kirito." he finished.
Kirito looked at Iwaizumi with a stunned look all over his face.
"Wha-What do you mean senpai?" Kirito asked immediately.
"Are you retiring?" he asked.
The fist Iwaizumi held at Kirito's chest turned into a punch at Kirito's head.
Thud!
"Idiot." Iwaizumi said while smiling.
Kirito took his fist and bumped it with Iwaizumi's fist.
"I will become the Absolute Ace." Kirito said firmly.
Meanwhile, Oikawa was behind the door the whole time. He was smiling. He knew, the will and baton of Aoba Johsai was being passed to the new ace, it's successor.
Oikawa suddenly rushed into the room and jumped on both of them.
"Wohoo! I'm backkkk!" Oikawa shouted.
"You idiot! This is a public place. Don't jump around!" Iwaizumi said.
Oikawa sheepishly smiled and scratched the back of his head.
At the same time, a waiter came to bring the bill and cleanup the table.
"Excuse me, here is your bi-" the waiter stopped mid-sentence and saw Oikawa in his boxers.
Kirito came behind Oikawa and pulled his pants down infront of the waiter.
Click. Click.
Kirito took two pictures of Oikawa in his boxers and bolted out of the restaurant.
"KIRITOO!! Come here at once! YOU brat! You are a dead meat today!" Oikawa shouted and chased after Kirito.
Iwaizumi just sighed at their antics. He couldn't believe now there are two goofballs in the team.
Iwaizumi apologized to the waiter about their antics and paid the bill.
On the way, Kirito had bruises all over his face. Oikawa's right cheek was bruised up. While, Iwaizumi was smiling at them.
"Delete those pictures, Kirito." Oikawa pleaded.
"Hell no, those are treasures." Kirito replied.
"This brat! Wanna go for a second round?" Oikawa said menacingly.
"Hehe." Kirito smirked and ran towards his apartment.
Oikawa tried to chase after Kirito, but gave up. He still could take revenge the day after in school.
He sighed.
"So, did you guys talk out?" Oikawa asked.
"Don't pretend like you were not there the whole time, dumbass." Iwaizumi said.
"Hehe." Oikawa smiled sheepishly.
"I'm doing this for our team. So, we can win championship." Iwaizumi said seriously.
"I'm doing this especially for you, Oikawa." he added.
"You deserve that championship more than anyone in this team."
"We couldn't even provide a shot at the nationals for you."
"I know, how much exposure a player needs to shine and build his professional career."
"I won't be continuing playing volleyball after High school."
"But, I know you will pursue a professional career in volleyball."
"To me, if you win the National Championship, I will be very happy and satisfied."
"Because you worked tirelessly and endlessly for the past two years. No one deserves that championship more than you."
"Matsukawa, Hanamaki, me and the other third-year guys knew from the beginning, we weren't built for volleyball."
"Your genius was overshadowed by our mediocrity." Iwaizumi finished.
"Don't say it that way." Oikawa said slowly.
"You are making me feel bad. I might cry, you know." Oikawa said honestly while gazing at the stars in the night sky.
"But, Thanks! I wouldn't be the player I am today if it weren't for you guys." Oikawa said honestly.
"I am grateful to have teammates like you."
"You know, I wouldn't be that heartbroken if I didn't win any Championship or even get into Nationals."
"I would have just shrugged it off and start again from zero."
"But, I would be heartbroken and sad that it will be the last time I ever play with you guys." Oikawa finished.
Iwaizumi and Oikawa looked at each other and fist bumped.
"You better dominate the Nationals then, dumbass." Iwaizumi said.
"You can bet on it!" Oikawa replied.
And, both of them returned to their own homes.