AT THE TOURNAMENT VENUE

After bidding farewell to Karasuno and Tomoko Ito, who had gone to join the cheering squad, Aotori and the rest of the Shiratorizawa made their way to the competition venue. Beside him, Tendou suddenly leaned in close, his large eyes narrowed into slits:

"Aww~ Aotori-chan has such a good relationship with Karasuno. I'm getting a little jealous!"

No, please don't joke around.

Kobayashi Aotori rejected Tendou's attempt to get closer, and unceremoniously pushed him aside. "We're just ordinary friends, Tendou-senpai."

Next to them, Goshiki instinctively glanced at the opposing spectator stands and noticed the group of people above Shiratorizawa's cheering section.

Those people... are they from Karasuno?

The team (not) recognized by Aotori? But didn't they lose to Aoba Johsai?

He frowned slightly, not understanding Kobayashi Aotori's actions. However, under the pressure from the latter, he silently swallowed his question.

Goshiki didn't know when he had started treating Kobayashi Aotori like a senpai without even realizing it. Perhaps it was the seed planted during their first encounter when Kobayashi Aotori spiked a ball near his ear. Through subsequent joint training sessions, this seed had taken root and sprouted, becoming second nature.

"Hmph..." Tendou hummed pretentiously, as if intending to say more, but Ushijima quietly picked up the volleyball and said, "Time to warm up."

Kobayashi Aotori breathed a sigh of relief. Tendou was just like that annoying clingy girlfriend his friends used to talk about in his previous life.

Ushijima, can you please keep Tendou occupied more often and stop letting him bother me?

As Ushijima delivered a thunderous spike, he suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

"Aotori... come over here," Semi Eita called out when he noticed Aotori about to warm up alone again. He looked seriously at Aotori, a hint of unspoken helplessness in his eyes.

Every warm-up, Aotori would distance himself from the others and do some simple exercises alone... Is he too independent, or does he really not want to be with us?

Eita thought seriously. If it was the latter, it needed to be corrected.

After all, they were a team, and volleyball—

is not a solo sport.

Confused by the summon, Kobayashi Aotori turned back, saw Semi Eita holding a ball with a serious expression.

What's going on? If I join, won't it delay others? Besides, I've always warmed up alone.

...Could it be that!

Semi-senpai serious expression—is he dissatisfied with my skills and plans to knock some sense into me before the game?!

Kobayashi Aotori was alarmed, but he didn't show it on his face. He walked over with a somewhat heavy step, took a deep breath, and stood in front of Semi Eita.

Semi Eita looked at Kobayashi Aotori, who didn't show much obvious reluctance, only slight resistance. His expression relaxed a bit, and he bent slightly, deciding to set up a perfect ball.

—At least Kobayashi Aotori must understand that even if he's as strong as a monster, the seniors of Shiratorizawa are not vegetarians! They are trustworthy partners!

T.N.: 白鸟泽的前辈们也不是吃素的: Uses a common Chinese expression "不是吃素的" (not vegetarians) to imply that the seniors are tough and capable, not weak or easily bullied.

Feeling Semi Eita's cold and stern demeanor, Kobayashi Aotori subtly swallowed his saliva. He's really going to give me a tough time.

—Absolutely! I absolutely can't drop the ball! Even if I'm weak, I must spike this ball as beautifully as possible!

Thus, what was meant to be a warm-up became as serious as a match point, their imposing auras pressuring not just their teammates but even catching the attention of Aoba Johsai.

Calculating the highest point of Kobayashi Aotori's spike in his heart, Semi took a deep breath and concentrated fully on setting the ball to—

A perfect set! In a match, you wouldn't have this much time to think, making this meticulously considered set even more remarkable.

What would your reaction be... Kobayashi Aotori?

Suddenly, a shadow loomed before their eyes—a youth leaped up like an arrow, unstoppable, with his hazel eyes emotionless yet exuding an unmatched sense of terrifying oppression in calmness.

Kobayashi Aotori, suspended in mid-air, took a deep breath. Unintentionally, his high presence attracted the attention of everyone in the arena. From Karasuno's side, all eyes were on him. This wasn't the Kobayashi Aotori who visited during the practice match with Nekoma.

That leaping figure seemed to be illuminated by a spotlight in the darkness. No one could shift their gaze away from him.

At this very moment, in everyone's eyes, there was no court, no match, no volleyball net— before them only the towering figure—

Kobayashi Aotori was completely focused, his eyes closely following the trajectory of the volleyball. All of this happened in just an instant.

Determined, he struck with all his might—!

"Bam—!!"

The volleyball instantly turned into a blur, like a bullet being shot out, carrying lingering gun smoke, proclaiming an undeniable powerful presence and an unstoppable force.

This spike created a colossal impact in everyone's hearts, leaving an indelible crater.

Yet the one who delivered this earth-shattering spike landed calmly, with a relaxed and carefree expression, as if he hadn't just unleashed an explosive move. Only the navy-blue short hair, slightly ruffled by the impact, revealed the subtle change brought by Kobayashi Aotori's powerful spike.

The air in the arena stood still. All eyes were focused on one spot—Kobayashi Aotori.

—Hidden among the astonished members of Shiratorizawa, Ito's eyes shimmered. Her delicate hand couldn't help but tighten her hold on the megaphone in her hand. Watching the navy-blue-haired boy on the court, for some reason, her nose felt a bit sore.

—MEANWHILE, the members of Karasuno, behind and to the side, were staring in shock at the spike. Even Tsukishima, who usually paid little attention to anything, fell silent. Everyone watched Kobayashi Aotori land effortlessly after hitting the ball.

This was the first time they saw Kobayashi Aotori spike. They thought the pinpoint serves had already been jaw-dropping, but in the end, it was just the tip of the iceberg of his strength.

Mr. Dynamite... Hinata's breath caught. He and the excited-looking Kageyama instinctively swallowed, their excitement reaching a peak.

I really want to, really want to play volleyball with Mr. Dynamite/Kobayashi Aotori!

—FACING KOBAYASHI AOTORI, the members of Aoba Johsai looked serious. Kindaichi lost his color, turning into a stunned rock, while Yahaba Shigeru, who usually consoled him, was also in shock.

Iwaizumi frowned slightly, subconsciously considering whether he could receive this ball—

No matter how many times he imagined it, the answer was always negative.

Little did everyone know, Kobayashi Aotori, who looked like the ultimate boss in everyone's eyes, had just secretly sighed in relief.

Although Semi Eita had a blank expression (he was shocked), I think I did okay? It may not be as strong as Ushijima Wakatoshi, but it should be enough to handle the 'senior's challenges'.

Spiking the ball felt great, but afterwards it's a crematorium.

Kobayashi Aotori then felt the burning pain in his palm.

Just as he was about to relax and go stretch on the side, a slightly teasing voice entered cut through:

"Oh~~ Aotori-chan and Semisemi, so scary~~~" Tendou suddenly appeared beside the stunned Semi Eita, surprising him back to his senses, he immediately put on a wry smile:

"It should only be Aotori, right?"

Tendou pouted, looking contemplative, and then suddenly grabbed Semi Eita's shoulder, his big eyes curving up:

"COM! PLETE! LY! WRONG!" He forcefully pulled Semi Eita's shoulder and said in a playful tone, "You know, Aotori-chan could only make that spike entirely thanks to Eita-kun!"

"What...?"

Tendou let go of Semi Eita, smiling as he mimicked the motion, "If Semisemi set the ball a bit lower or just chose not to set for Aotori-chan, Aotori-chan wouldn't have been able to make that spike at all!"

Semi Eita helplessly pulled out a smile, "Even if Tendou-senpai says that, this kind of thing..." it's something anyone could do.

"Tendou-senpai is right." Before Semi Eita could finish speaking, a calm voice suddenly interjected. Semi Eita was slightly stunned, and when he turned around, he saw Kobayashi Aotori leaning on the volleyball net, smiling at him:

"I could make a spike like that all thanks to Eita-senpai."

Kobayashi Aotori was speaking honestly. If Semi Eita hadn't volunteered to "challenge" him suddenly, he wouldn't have been able to put in full effort to make that decent spike.

The timing wasn't perfect; it seems their coordination needs more work, at least two more weeks of extra practice. Otherwise, in case Shirabu encounters any unexpected situations, I wouldn't be left helpless.

He didn't realize he unintentionally hurt the team's two setters.

"..." Shirabu couldn't help but glance at Kobayashi Aotori. He knew it; Kobayashi Aotori wouldn't easily change his ways. It turned out he still had that annoying attitude of "I can't do it, you're the best."

As expected, this guy's habit of giving backhanded compliments has acted up again.

If initially, Semi Eita felt a bit touched by Kobayashi Aotori's first statement, when he turned around and saw Kobayashi Aotori say the next sentence in such a manner, those damn feelings of camaraderie instantly dissipated.

Let me ask you, which person sincerely praising someone would lazily lean against a structure, with a mischievous smile on their face, and add, "I'm so amazing, it's all thanks to you"?

Seeing the atmosphere he created effortlessly destroyed by Kobayashi Aotori, Tendou widened his eyes, looking left and right, ultimately landing on Semi Eita's dead fish eyes.

Hmm... It's like writing a program. Although the process is chaotic, it eventually falls into the right place.

Should be fine, right? Tendou tilted his head.

Oh dear, he's always helpless with the magical and cute junior, Aotori-chan.

Suddenly, an excited voice broke the frozen atmosphere, "A-Aotori-kun! Come here and please train with me!" Goshiki was full of excitement, releasing two streams of hot air from his nose, energetically looking at Kobayashi Aotori.

I want to learn... that move... so cool! Once I master that, I can beat Ushijima-senpai (not really)!

Shirabu had a black line across his forehead. Goshiki, there are many monsters in this world, and ordinary people can't learn a monster's moves in the blink of an eye. Requesting this will only get you played by that "demon."

He couldn't help but recall the first time Kobayashi Aotori came to Shiratorizawa for training. They partnered for an afternoon, leaving an indelible and vivid mark on his life.

"Okay." Although he didn't understand why Goshiki suddenly made such a request, Kobayashi Aotori agreed, not passing up a chance to train with a "protagonist."

However, he didn't notice that at the moment he agreed, Shirabu, who had previously seemed indifferent, suddenly trembled, staring at his departing figure with an incredulous expression!

What does this demon want to do to the foolish Goshiki! Although he's foolish, it won't lead to someone's death, right? It absolutely will, right!

Goshiki Tsutomu: Great! ...Achoo!