IN THE UPCOMING MATCHES, Kageyama and Kobayashi Aotori both forced themselves to not only get used to the playing style of one teammate, but also to use their abilities more flexibly.

Johzenji, who originally had the leisure to comment on Karasuno, gradually became overwhelmed.

Especially Terushima Yuuji, who, if he was initially interested in the pressure exerted by Kobayashi Aotori, felt it was no longer fun when he repeatedly tried to spike the ball only to be tightly followed by a ghost-like figure.

Seeing Terushima Yuuji's increasingly unpleasant expression, Futamata Takeharu couldn't help but smile, and the next moment, he was chilled by the overwhelming resentment from behind—

It was Tsuchiyu Arata, who had received countless serves from Kobayashi Aotori.

Futamata's eyes twitched because, in his eyes, Tsuchiyu looked like he was on the brink of death, just short of engraving "I want to die" on his face...

Indeed, playing against Kobayashi Aotori was highly beneficial...

At least in terms of mentality, after this match, it would definitely improve significantly...

————

IN THE FOLLOWING PRACTICE MATCHES, after playing a few games for Karasuno, Kobayashi Aotori moved to Johzenji's side, allowing Johzenji to experience the joy of having your hated opponent become your teammate.

At the same time, without the negative buff of 'whitewashing weak three-pointers,' Kobayashi Aotori's dominance remained undiminished even when he joined Johzenji.

T.N.: "洗白弱三分" (whitewashing weak three-pointers) seems to be a metaphor or slang phrase. In gaming or competitive contexts, a "buff" is a beneficial effect, while a "debuff" is a detrimental effect. Here, "洗白弱三分" could imply getting rid of a perceived weakness.

For Karasuno, they once again deeply felt the psychological and physical torment Kobayashi Aotori had once brought upon them.

But fortunately, the torment always has an end.

As the sun set, the exhausted players finally prepared to leave. Before they knew it, a few spectators had gathered around the stadium, and it was time to go.

Johzenji's gains today were substantial. Through their battle with Kobayashi Aotori, they gained a new understanding of volleyball techniques.

Terushima Yuuji, with both hands behind his head, cheerfully bid farewell to Karasuno and Kobayashi Aotori, and before leaving, he told Karasuno that Johzenji will win next time, then led his teammates out of the stadium.

Kobayashi Aotori also said goodbye to everyone in Karasuno, unaware of the indelible impression he had left on them. This separation was also a significant relief for Kobayashi Aotori.

So, all three parties left satisfied, Johzenji and Karasuno for today's gains and the possibility for escaping Kobayashi Aotori's dominance, and Kobayashi Aotori was simply happy that he didn't have to socialize with people from other teams.

...Moreover, today was also quite rewarding for Kobayashi Aotori.

At least it made him realize how terrifying habits can be.

It can reshape a person or destroy a person.

Walking alone on the way home, Kobayashi Aotori slipped one hand into his pocket, thoughtfully squeezing the item in his hand. The crisp "click" sound snapped him out of his thoughts.

He paused, looking down at the water bottle in his hand.

The originally cold water had turned to room temperature.

He silently rubbed the droplets on it, thousand thoughts racing through his mind.

It seems... I'm still a long way off.

With a firm squeeze, the empty bottle crumpled. He raised his eyes, looking at a nearby trash can, raised his hand slightly, aimed, and with a light touch of his toe—

"Bang."

Perfect shot.

————

SHIRATORIZAWA VOLLEYBALL CLUB

Kobayashi Aotori lightly tossed the volleyball in his hand, looking at the empty space opposite, then hit it forcefully—

The volleyball wobbled, hesitated over the net for a few seconds, and then softly fell to the ground.

He shook his head and went to pick it up.

He was trying to turn his occasionally explosive "jump float serve" into a "habit".

That's right, in the last practice match with Karasuno and Johzenji, Kobayashi Aotori realized how important habits were to him.

He could turn his originally mediocre serving skills into muscle memory through repeated practice.

As long as he made every serve the best, over time, even if he wanted to make a bad serve, his body would resist it.

So, Kobayashi Aotori was currently focused on making his difficult jump float serve more proficient.

He believed that no matter how stupid he was, through thousands of repetitions with the utmost concentration, he would eventually turn the most standard action into his most familiar one.

While Kobayashi Aotori repeatedly practiced similar moves again and again, the third-year students were huddled together reading.

Yes, reading.

In some cases, it was easy to forget that they were about to take college entrance examinations.

Kobayashi Aotori exhaled a breath, walked across the net to pick up the ball, and suddenly saw Ushijima Wakatoshi and Ohira Reon working on the exercises in front of them with frowns on their faces.

With nothing else to do and driven by curiosity, he approached with the volleyball, quietly standing behind Semi Eita—

Focused on their problems, they didn't notice the tall figure standing behind them.

"Choose C. I personally think so."

The sudden voice, seemingly hoarse from disuse, startled Semi Eita so much that his soul almost flew out his mouth—

Shirabu Kenjirou merely chuckled coldly.

"Why?" Ushijima Wakatoshi asked seriously, his eyes focused on Kobayashi Aotori. Kobayashi Aotori raised his eyebrows and repeated his thoughts, adding:

"It's just my personal opinion, it may not be correct."

Ushijima Wakatoshi furrowed his brows, seemingly pondering the feasibility of Kobayashi Aotori's answer.

Ohira Reon's reaction was a little faster, excitedly punching his palm, realizing, "That's right! It is C."

Passing student Goshiki Tsutomu, seeing Kobayashi Aotori's answer affirmed by the senpais', blinked. Of course, he knew Kobayashi Aotori's grades weren't bad, after all, they were in the same grade, and he was familiar with the top names on the transcript.

Calling it top names might be an exaggeration; it was more like the top three.

He knew Kobayashi Aotori had good grades, but he didn't expect him to be so good that he could solve third-year problems.

Sensing Goshiki Tsutomu's admiring gaze, Kobayashi Aotori raised his head, blinked, his long hazel eyes filled with confusion.

Even if he had graduated years ago, he wasn't entirely ignorant of high school knowledge, right?

Forgetting that he was just an ordinary first-year student now, Kobayashi Aotori was still surprised by Goshiki Tsutomu's reaction.

From a distance, Tendou Satori stood outside the crowd, curiously tilting his head, watching the commotion, and suddenly remembering something, he slowly walked towards Kobayashi Aotori, who was picking up the ball—

"Hey! Aotori-chan~!"

Kobayashi Aotori, who had just startled Semi Eita, was quickly repaid by Tendou Satori's sudden approach, scaring him.

He turned slightly, seeing Tendou Satori insist on draping an arm around him. Tendou Satori, smiling with his bunny-like mouth, stood behind Kobayashi Aotori, using his height and long limbs in advantage.

Turning his head slightly, he saw the red-haired Tendou Satori beside him who looked at him questioningly.

Tendou looked at Aotori with a smile, attempted to get closer and was pushed away with one hand—

"If you have something to say, just say it." Kobayashi Aotori's expression was deadpan, rejecting Tendou Satori's attempt to treat him like Ushijima. The other party was not annoyed being pushed away, and narrowed his eyes with a smile:

"Aotori-chan, do you still remember our promise before the match?"

Upon hearing this, Kobayashi Aotori paused, blinking genuinely.

"...What promise."

Tendou Satori's smile froze, and seeing Kobayashi Aotori's confused expression, his smile gradually disappeared, his face struggling to maintain composure.

During Tendou Satori's actions, in mere seconds, Kobayashi Aotori's mind executed cosmic-level calculations, finally capturing a memory fragment—

In the lounge, making another bet with the "Goddess of Luck."

...

...Oh no.

I only remembered betting with the Goddess of Luck. What did I tell Tendou Satori back then? Why couldn't I recall any of it?

Kobayashi Aotori, feeling guilty, touched his nose. Across from him, Tendou Satori's artstyle had turned into a simple sketch...

"Hah—Aotori-chan is super mean, huh?" Tendou Satori sighed, drifting like a ghost to Kobayashi Aotori's side, his eyes "resentful." Seeing Kobayashi Aotori's blank stare, he sighed lightly:

"If I understood correctly, you meant you wouldn't immediately quit Shiratorizawa Volleyball Club after moving up to the second year and after we graduate, right?"

Kobayashi Aotori froze, memories rushing back. He recalled the conversation with Tendou Satori—

He fell silent.

Although not much time had passed, every minute, every second seemed infinitely extended.

Tendou Satori didn't rush Kobayashi Aotori for an answer.

His expression remained the same as always, but the expectation and impatience in his eyes could not be deceived in any way.

After all, no matter what, the people here are ultimately just a group of young people who have just reached adulthood.

Compared to them, Kobayashi Aotori, who is psychologically an adult, was much more composed.

He was silent for a long time. In just a few seconds, his mind was full of thoughts, replaying past experiences at Shiratorizawa, the laughter, joy, anger, sorrow and happiness of his teammates unconsciously appeared before his eyes.

Those serves that went astray, those balls that always hit his head accurately, those serves that were penalized by Coach Washijo because of giving points...

Countless memories surged, and suddenly, he felt a strange sensation in his heart.

A feeling that was both sour and poignant.

"..."

After a long silence, the tall figure in Tendou Satori's eyes finally responded—

He straightened up, gripping the volleyball tightly, his long hazel eyes calmly looking ahead, as if seeing Tendou Satori, yet as if looking through him to his past self.

Two figures stood opposite each other, one standing tall, the other bowing his head. One had a rich expression, the other was expressionless.

He heard his own voice:

"No one has ever stipulated..."

"The protagonist of a work can't be changed, right?"