The match continued, but ended with massacre of Miyagi University.
Kirito and Oikawa were both subbed off in the second set. Kindaichi and Yahaba were substituted in their place.
Head coach wanted to give experience for both of them.
He was exhilarated by the performance of Kirito and Oikawa. Both of them proved to be monsters. He had to pull them out of the match before demoralizing the opponent.
Everyone stayed back for post-match analysis and light stretching.
"Alright everyone! I've got some news!" Oikawa announced.
"This weekend, we will have a practice match with Karasuno High." he said.
"Aren't they former powerhouse?"
"They are weak, aren't they?"
The players started discussing about Karasuno.
"Never underestimate any opponent." Iwaizumi voice cut through silencing everyone.
"They may not have the achievements of past Karasuno currently, but they have the experience of being in the Nationals. They might have integrated all their knowledge, skills and experience into the current roster. Never dismiss their dedication as a weakness." he said calmly.
"Actually, there's another reason I arranged this practice match." Oikawa said while grinning.
"My un-cute, super-strong junior setter has joined Karasuno." Oikawa said.
"Are you referring to Kageyama, Oikawa-senpai?" Kindaichi asked.
"Oh, how did you know? Wait-didn't you and Kunimi play together with Kageyama during Middle school?" Oikawa asked while being intrigued.
"Yes, Oikawa-senpai." Kindaichi admitted bitterly.
Kindaichi and Kunimi didn't have fond memory of them playing with Kageyama. They were always bickering, quarrelling, arguing and fighting amongst themselves.
"You know, Kageyama's setting skills is probably the best in whole prefecture." Oikawa said.
Everybody gasped in disbelief.
"No way!"
"Heh, but I am still better at spiking, blocking and teamwork than him." Oikawa said smugly.
"Am I not right, Kindaichi-chan?" Oikawa asked while squinting his eyes.
"Of course, you are not only better at them than him, but the best setter in the whole nation." Kindaichi said with proudly.
"Haha, you are the best junior!" Oikawa said smilingly.
"What about you, Kirito?" Oikawa turned to ask him.
"The worst player of this generation. Even I can set better than you." Kirito said deadpanned.
Thick veins bulged in Oikawa's head.
"Heresy! I say again, heresy! You brat! Come here at once!" Oikawa shouted as he started to chase Kirito.
Kirito ran all over the place. Hiding behind everyone and using them as shield.
Finally, Oikawa got hold of Kirito.
"Let me tell you something! Let me tell you something!" Kirito pleaded to Oikawa.
"Oh yeah! What is it you want to say before your premature death?" Oikawa asked in low voice.
"If you don't leave me this instant Oikawa-senpai, I will leak your nude pic to everyone!" Kirito said in a small voice with a knowing expression, audible only to Oikawa.
"Oh, you've got guts kid. Try if you dare!" Oikawa said while smirking.
"EVERYONE! Tonight at 8 pm, a special bomb will be dropped in our group chat. The bomb contains nud-" Oikawa immediately closed and shut Kirito's mouth.
"Mmmphh" Kirito was trying his best to speak.
"Ahaha! It's nothing guys. Kirito's just speaking nonsense. Right, Kirito?" Oikawa said menacingly while staring into Kirito's soul.
Kirito took a deep gulp and nodded.
Just then-
Thud! Thud!
"Not again!" Oikawa protested while getting hit hard in his head
"Why me?!" Kirito complained.
"Alright, you goofballs, leave the gym and get back home." Iwaizumi said with a piercing gaze.
Both of them gulped and ran away from the gym.
Everybody burst into laughter.
"Those two goofballs. Only goofs and trolls around everywhere." Iwaizumi said while sighing.
With that, everybody prepared to leave for their homes.
Kirito reached his apartment and went to shower immediately.
Kirito's parents had returned to Switzerland. Now, he lived alone.
He went to prepare dinner.
As he finished his dinner and did all the dishes, his thought drifted to the upcoming practice match. This will be Kirito's second time facing Kageyama. But, above that he was eager to meet Shoyo Hinata. The main protagonist of the Haikyuu world.
Containing his eagerness, he went to sleep.
For the next few days Kirito trained diligently. During this period, Kirito's system brought a little update to itself.
Now, Kirito could see stats of another player besides himself.
Kirito immediately went around to see everyone's stat.
Almost everybody's stat had above average stat of 75 to 80.
But the real surprise, was the stats of Oikawa.
[Name: Toru Oikawa
Height: 184.3cm
Speed: 85
Strength: 94
Stamina: 96
Jump: 89
Balance: 96
Technique: Setting(120), Serving(118), Spiking(83), Receiving(96), Blocking(85)]
"Is Oikawa-senpai secretly a monster? What kind of stats are these?" Kirito was beyond shocked looking at Oikawa's stats.
"A setting skill of one hundred f-ing twenty?!" Did this dude dumped all his points in setting, Kirito thought.
"Serving of 118? Damn." Kirito coughed looking at the stats of Oikawa.
Kirito started to sweat when his thought drifted to Ushijima, Kageyama and Hinata.
"If Oikawa-senpai's setting is at 120, then what is Ushijima-senpai's spiking at?" Kirito couldn't comprehend the monstrous stat Ushijima could have.
Kirito exhaled deeply. Only thing he could do is improve himself.
"UI." Kirito said.
[Name: Kirito Yagami
Height: 196 cm
Speed: 90(+5)
Strength: 96(+6)
Stamina: 95(+5)
Jump: 96(+5)
Spiking power: 96(+6)
Balance: 96(+5)
Skills: Adaptation, Infinite Physical Body
Technique: Spiking(97)[+7], Receiving(91)[+6], Blocking(96)[+6], Serving(96)[+6], Digging(91)[+6]]
Kirito's stats had increased steadily.
Physically, Kirito might not be better off than Oikawa. But, when it came down to techniques, oh boy, Kirito ate dust. Oikawa was miles ahead of him.
Kirito smiled. Kirito had no other job than to grind the hell out of his body.
If he wanted to win everything, that's the least thing he could do.
He had already lost a Final. Although, at that time, he acted tough saying that loss in Finals didn't bother him. Deep down somewhere in his heart, it hurt. It hurts to be loser. It hurts to be second. You are so close, but yet too far.
Kirito closed his eyes. This upcoming Miyagi Prefecture Interhigh Qualifiers and InterHigh Nationals, he has to win.