Bang! The volleyball landed heavily on the ground. Yasuke Yaku couldn't save it in time and fell to the ground.

Beep!

Tokyo High School Volleyball Cup Qualifiers, Preliminary (Men's) Group A First Round, Jingjiayama University versus Otokumo High School. The final result was 2 (Mount Jingji) 1 (Otokumo).

The scores for each round were as follows:

Round 1: 2830 (Otokumo); Round 2: 2624 (Otokumo); Round 3: 2927 (Otokumo).

The atmosphere of the Jingle Mountain was so festive and warm, yet the atmosphere of the sound foals was so gloomy and unresigned.

If only they could have been a little faster, if only they could have jumped a little higher, if only they could have received more balls …

Akihito Matsukaze looked at the dejected teenagers on the court and sighed imperceptibly.

Sure enough … "failure" or "loss" was the most annoying.

Takahashi raised his head and exhaled deeply. He clapped his hands hard, "Alright, line up!"

The referee whistled for the last time and signaled for both teams to salute.

"Thank you for your advice!"

"Thank you for your advice!"

Takahashi took a deep breath and led his club members to line up in front of the second-floor grandstand.

"Thank you, everyone!"

"Thank you!"

The youths bowed in unison. Following their movements, thunderous applause rang out from the stands.

"What a wonderful match!"

"Thank you for your hard work!"

"Keep up the good work, Otokumo!"

"… …"

Takahashi and the others straightened up, but when they turned around, they hesitated for a few seconds before slowly returning to the rest area.

Akihito Matsukaze looked at the few people who were avoiding his gaze and feeling depressed. His expression was calm, "Do some stretching exercises before you leave the court. The self-reflection meeting can be held outside the stadium."

"For now, please replenish your water."

After Akihito Matsukaze finished speaking, he waited for a while. Seeing that no one moved, he asked helplessly, "Are there any other questions?"

Takahashi hesitated for a few seconds before whispering, "Matsutake, yes, yes …"

"No matter who it is, you don't need to apologize."

Akihito Matsukaze interrupted Takahashi's words. "Actually, although we lost, I'm still very happy."

The youths looked up at Akihito Matsukaze in a daze.

"Although it's not appropriate for me to say this, this match was much more exciting than I imagined.

I'm very happy to see such an exciting match. "

"This match made me sure of one thing — it's great to be able to join the volleyball club."

"— — It's great to be able to see the seniors' transformations."

Looking at the dazed youths, Akihito Matsukaze tilted his head and revealed a fleeting smile.

Youths: "!!!"

In fact, Akihito Matsukaze often smiled, but most of the time, her smile was very faint, as if it was not there at all.

Even when she was facing Tetsuo Kurobi, she only smiled sweetly and sincerely, unlike the way she was just now.

Bright and beautiful, like the blooming cherry blossoms in Tokyo in April, with a different kind of soul-stirring beauty.

"— — So, cheer up."

"But, but we still lost …" After a while, Shiroishi said with a hoarse voice, "If, if, at that time, I could …" He clenched his teeth, and his voice was choked with sobs.

Shibuya and Tea House's eyes were also a little red.

Takahashi, Sato, and Kobayashi looked at Shiroishi and the other two in surprise, as if they did not expect this sentence to come from Shiroishi's mouth.

Tetsuo Kuroo, Yasuke Yaku, and Hisense looked at each other, and they all remembered what Akihito Matsukaze said at the noodle shop.

This match was probably an "opportunity for change" for the seniors … But this opportunity was really unpleasant!

"Failure is failure, this is a fact that has already happened and cannot be changed."

Akihito Matsukaze calmly said, "Then, do you want to continue to bury your head in the pain of failure, or do you want to stand up and move forward?"

"If you want to move forward, then please drink more water and do some serious stretching."

The teenagers were silent for a few seconds, and then flocked to their respective towels and water bottles, wiping their sweat and drinking water.

Takahashi drank a few mouthfuls of cold water, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and said, "Do some serious stretching!

Don't be lazy! "

"Yes!"

Akihito Matsukaze looked at the teenagers who had regained some of their vitality and smiled.

When the teenagers began to do their stretching, she turned around and quietly walked out of the stadium.

Tetsuo Kuroo had been paying attention to Akihito Matsukaze's every move. When he saw Akihito Matsukaze walking out of the stadium, he instinctively wanted to follow, but he was stopped by Hisense.

"Do some stretching before you go find Matsutake, give her some time alone," Hisense said, and pushed Tetsuo Kuroo's back forward.

"… Okay."

Tetsuo Kuroo responded in a low voice, and followed Hisense's push to straighten his arms. He crossed his fingers and pressed his palms outwards, and the soreness in his muscles immediately lessened.

Tetsuo Kuroo's heart was in a mess. On one hand, he was unwilling to lose the competition, and on the other hand, he was worried about Akihito Matsukaze.

In a way, this was probably the first time Akihito Matsukaze had lost a competition …

Would Shōnen Sauce be disappointed in them, in him?

Tetsuo Kuroo pursed his lips.

When Tetsuo Kuroo walked out of the stadium, he saw that it was very lively outside. He turned around and walked in the direction of the fire escape.

Shōnen Sauce didn't like crowded places, and she didn't like the noise of people coming and going. When she was unhappy, she would find a secluded corner …

After turning two corners, Tetsuo Kuroo saw the girl with long curly hair in a red tracksuit squatting in the corner with her head buried in her knees. For some reason, he felt a lot better.

"You like to squat so much, aren't you afraid that your legs will go numb?" Tetsuo Kuroo walked to Akihito Matsukaze's side and asked.

Akihito Matsukaze looked up at him, and the mist in her eyes made her almond-shaped eyes look even more distinct. She answered pitifully, "They're already numb."

Tetsuo Kuroo revealed a gloating smile, and at the same time, he reached out his hand to Akihito Matsukaze.

Akihito Matsukaze didn't hesitate to put her right hand in Tetsuo Kuroo's palm.

Tetsuo Kuroo held Akihito Matsukaze's right hand tightly and pulled Akihito Matsukaze up.

His other hand gently wrapped around Akihito Matsukaze and easily hugged her.

The two hugged quietly for a while, and when the tingling pain in her legs subsided, Akihito Matsukaze complained in a muffled voice, "Kuroo's body smells like sweat."

Tetsuo Kuroo reached out and pinched Akihito Matsukaze's nape, and teased, "You're not calling me 'Tetsuo Lang' anymore?"

Akihito Matsukaze didn't say anything. She just reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, and tiptoed so that she could smoothly rest her head on the youth's shoulder.

Although this shoulder wasn't that broad, it was enough to be reliable.

Tetsuo Kuroo was about to lower his head and ask Akihito Matsukaze what happened, but he heard Akihito Matsukaze whisper, "Someone once told me that 'names have special power'.

At that time, I wanted to give Kuroo more power. "

"Kuroo is also very handsome today," Akihito Matsukaze said, and rubbed Tetsuo Kuroo's shoulder.

"You," Tetsuo Kuroo hugged Akihito Matsukaze tighter and whispered, "Only the winner can be called 'handsome'."

Calling him 'handsome' at this time was simply against the rules.

Akihito Matsukaze's voice had a hint of a smile, "Then let me say this sentence openly next time, Kuroo."

Tetsuo Kuroo's dark golden eyes were tinged with a hint of a smile, and he promised seriously, "Okay."

Akihito Matsukaze then withdrew from his arms, and her face was a little red, "Let's go back quickly, everyone should be waiting anxiously."

Tetsuo Kuroo raised his eyebrows and gently pinched Akihito Matsukaze's right cheek, "I lost the game, don't you have any substantial encouragement or comfort?"

Akihito Matsukaze blinked and asked innocently, "Didn't you just give it to me?"

Tetsuo Kuroo almost laughed out of anger.

When Tetsuo Kuroo and Akihito Matsukaze returned to the stadium, Mount Jingji's coach was being interviewed by the media, and the rest of Otokumo's team members had finished their stretching and were packing up various items. Akihito Matsukaze quickly ran over to take over her work.

Then, they went to Otokumo's lounge in the sub-stadium and held a review meeting according to the original plan. Although the teenagers were still a little undisciplined, their spirits were indeed gradually recovering.

After they washed up and changed their clothes in the sub-stadium's lounge, they looked no different from usual on the surface.

"Okay, let's go eat first."

Akihito Matsukaze put her phone back into her bag, "The game in the afternoon starts at two o 'clock, we can go eat a good meal."

Takahashi was stunned, "Matsutake, aren't we going back to school?"

"Well, because everyone used up a lot of physical strength this morning, going back to school in the afternoon won't benefit much."

Rather than letting these guys vent by practicing, it was better to watch the game to calm down.

"And it's not easy to watch other schools' games, it's a pity to leave like this." Akihito Matsukaze zipped up her bag, "Watching the game is also a kind of practice."

Otokumo was in the Ranma district, as the outer district of Tokyo, it was a bit far from the Moda district. Rather than go back to school in the hot noon sun, it was better to wait until the afternoon.

Akihito Matsukaze didn't feel any pressure to hide her wayward thoughts.

Tetsuo Kuroo put on his bag and picked up the large insulated box on his back, and curved the corner of his mouth in amusement.

Compared to these high-sounding reasons, he was more inclined to believe that the girl didn't want to go back to school in the afternoon sun.

She was really … as wayward as always.

Before taking the bus to eat, Akihito Matsukaze first went to the gymnasium's storage area to deposit large items, and the group of ten people left the gymnasium with only their bags.

"Matsutake, we're eating here?!" After getting off the bus, seeing the high-end restaurant in front of them, the group of youths were shocked.

Akihito Matsukaze took the lead to walk into the restaurant, and casually replied: "Didn't I just say that I want to eat a good meal?"

Akihito Matsukaze had already booked a private room on the second floor, and a beautiful young lady wearing a professional dress led them to the private room on the second floor.

Takahashi's face was very dignified, and while walking he whispered to Akihito Matsukaze: "Matsutake ah … our club funds …"

Akihito Matsukaze was very calm: "Takahashi senpai, don't worry, our club funds are still more than enough."

Takahashi: "…" Even if the club funds were more than enough, it might not even be enough to pay for a meal …

After everyone sat down in the private room, they wiped their faces and hands with hot towels, and a sumptuous meal was served one by one, filling the entire table.

However, the youths were all hesitant, and they didn't eat for a long time.

Akihito Matsukaze coughed lightly: "Everyone has been playing for more than two hours, and your muscle fibers are all scarred, right?

If you don't eat properly to recover, you won't be able to grow more muscles, and you won't be able to become stronger. "

"I … I'll start eating …"

"I'll start eating!"

"I'll start eating!"

"…"

Akihito Matsukaze smiled as she watched everyone from dilly-dallying to wolfing down their food. The second and third year students went from holding back to tears. Although Yasuke Yaku and Hisense didn't cry, they were all frowning as they chewed hard, and the veins on their hands that were pinching their chopsticks were bulging.

As for Tetsuo Heishui, he only ate his meal quietly. The expression on his face was a rare calmness.

Even though he had already walked out of his depressed mood, he still felt unreconciled when he thought about it.

Akihito Matsukaze didn't eat much. Firstly, she wasn't very hungry, and secondly, she was busy chatting with Bai Fukuyue and Kaoru Aseda in their small chat group.

Ever since they exchanged LINE accounts, the three girls had created a chat group, and from time to time, they would chat in the group, sharing all kinds of gossip and embarrassing things about their club members.

Although they didn't meet again, they were more familiar with each other.

This time, Owl Valley was placed in Group E for the qualifiers, and the competition venue was the Chiyoda Sports Complex, which was exactly opposite of Otokumo's.

Owl Valley won the match with 20 points, but Konoha Kotaro's confidence was very low at the beginning of the match. Although he also scored with spikes, it was only of average standard.

[Bai Fu: [Speechless emoji]]

[Bai Fu: I really can't understand the brain circuits of boys _ (: з 」 ∠) _]

[Keda: Kotaro thinks that 'E' doesn't sound good, and is still brooding about being placed in Group E. (Hands up)]

Akihito Matsukaze: "…" If it wasn't for the occasion, she really wanted to laugh.

Bai Fukuyue and Kaoru Aseda complained a few more times, saying that the opponent had a very good crosswise shot, and Konoha Kotaro's competitive spirit was aroused, so he didn't continue to be depressed.

[Bai Fu: Kotaro is best at crosswise shots, of course he won't be beaten by others.]

[Keda: That's why I said that Kotaro is single-celled (Laughs)]

Akihito Matsukaze could completely understand the two's feelings of anger and amusement.

To be honest, in this world's volleyball club … there were a lot of problematic children.

(Cheeks in hand)

"Are you full?" Akihito Matsukaze asked everyone who was slumped in their chairs as if they had eaten too much.

Shiroishi answered weakly, "I think I ate too much …"

Kobayashi: "… Me, me too …"

Tetsuo Kuroo clicked his tongue. "Seniors, you just swallowed directly, you didn't even chew, so it's normal to eat too much, please don't mind."

Kobayashi retorted angrily, "I chewed!"

Sato added coolly, "I agree with Kuroo."

Takahashi: "Seconded."

Tea House and Shibuya both gave Tetsuo Kuroo a thumbs up.

Kobayashi and Shiroishi: "… QAQ"

Tetsuo Kuroo proudly raised his chin at Akihito Matsukaze, and Akihito Matsukaze clapped silently, looking at Tetsuo Kuroo with sparkling eyes.

Yasuke Yaku covered his eyes. "Why am I the one who discovered their public display of affection again?!"

Hisense patted Yasuke Yaku on the shoulder. "… Actually, I noticed it too … But the atmosphere in the team is much better now."

Yasuke Yaku clicked his tongue. "That guy just likes to provoke."

"Matsutake -san."

The lady in the dress who had led the way just now stood in front of the service desk on the first floor. Together with a few waiters, she bowed respectfully. "Thank you and your friends for coming to our shop. We hope that our service will satisfy you and your friends."

"Thank you, we're all very satisfied," Akihito Matsukaze replied politely.

The lady took the bill from Akihito Matsukaze with both hands and said with a smile, "The president has already told us that you'll get a 50% discount when you eat at our restaurant. You only need to sign the bill."

Songkaze Akiyan nodded and signed the receipt that the little missy handed over. When he turned his head, he saw that the expressions on the faces of his club members were very subtle. Only Tetsuo Kurobi seemed a bit calmer.

Tetsuo Kuroo rubbed his nose. Sure enough, he had to work harder in the future. Otherwise, Shōnen Sauce's family would definitely despise him …

"We look forward to your next visit."

After they walked out of the restaurant.

Only then did the youths begin to discuss all at once.

"That lady just now was so pretty!"

"Shiroishi, your focus is always so strange!

The point is, why did Matsutake only sign the bill?! "

"And it's 50% discount!"

"Matsutake, are you the young mistress of some organization?!"

"This is the first time I've seen 'signing the bill' in real life!"

"Yes, yes, yes, me too!"

Akihito Matsukaze was a little helpless. "You're thinking too much. My family is just an ordinary business person.

The discount is because the club that this restaurant belongs to has a cooperation with my family. Signing the bill is to make it easier for them to settle the bill.

You're thinking too much. Be careful not to get a headache. "

Shiroishi muttered, "I feel like the last sentence is discriminating against our intelligence."

Tea House: "No, we're not discriminating against you."

Shibuya quickly followed up, "Because Shiroishi, you have no intelligence."

Shiroishi: "…" If we weren't in public, I would definitely beat you guys up!

Yasuke Yaku glanced at Tetsuo Kuroo gloatingly. "Good luck, poor son-in-law."

"What is this, ridicule from a bachelor?" Tetsuo Kuroo glanced sideways at Yasuke Yaku.

Yasuke Yaku was a little annoyed by his condescending gaze. "I told you not to look down on me!"

Tetsuo Kuroo clicked his tongue. "Yaku, you're really a troublesome guy."

"People like you have no right to talk about me!"

Hisense: "… Please don't make a scene on the road."

"Who would make a scene with this guy?!"

"Who would make a scene with this guy?!"

They spoke in unison, and even the tone of disdain was exactly the same.

Hisense: "…" He suddenly understood how Matsutake felt every time she complained about Kuroo being "childish."

It was almost two in the afternoon when they returned to the stadium. The teams for the second round of the competition had basically all entered the stadium to prepare and warm up.

Takahashi looked at the groups on the bulletin board and directly made a decision. "The second and third years will go watch the second round of Mount Jingji's competition.

Matsutake Kaze, you and the first years are free to choose. Gather here around five. "

"Yes!"

When the second and third years disappeared into the crowd, Akihito Matsukaze asked Tetsuo Kuroo and the others, "Which school are we going to watch?"

Tetsuo Kuroo thought for a moment and pointed in the direction of Division C. "Let's go to Kobe Academy of Fine Arts. A particularly difficult guy went to Kobe Academy of Fine Arts."

Yasuke Yaku and Hisense expressed that they didn't care.

The four of them walked towards Division C's competition venue.

"Actually, I wanted to watch the second round of Mount Jingji's competition." Yasuke Yaku shrugged. "But the seniors probably want to whisper to each other."

Hisense muttered, "It seems like the third year seniors don't plan on participating in spring high school."

"They already said that they would retire after IH … But this way, we have to face a big problem." Tetsuo Kuroo spread his hands. "The first and second years don't have a setter."

Compared to Yasuke Yaku and Hisense, Akihito Matsukaze was calm and composed. "Don't worry, I think Satō Gakucho will solve this problem."

"I don't know what it will be like when we're third years …" Hisense suddenly felt a little emotional.

Yasuke Yaku patted him on the shoulder. "Of course we'll think about this when we're third years!

Now we just have to focus on what's in front of us! "

Tetsuo Kuroo:

○

Д

○)

Although he didn't want to admit it, Yaku was really, really manly!

The second round of the C division was about to begin. It was between Kobe Academy of Fine Arts and Gentan High School.

When the four of them reached the second floor of the stadium, the two teams were still warming up.

Compared to the morning, there weren't many spectators in the stadium. The cheerleaders of the two schools weren't as spectacular as Jingjiayama University's cheerleaders, but the atmosphere in the stadium was still quite lively.

The four of them didn't look for a seat. They planned to stand and watch the game.

Tetsuo Kuroo found a place with a wide field of view and a little further away from the cheerleaders. He stood there and didn't move. He lazily leaned against the fence like a big cat preparing to bask in the sun.

He also grabbed Akihito Matsukaze's left hand and interlocked his fingers with hers.

Akihito Matsukaze was a little helpless and wanted to laugh. She didn't break free from Tetsuo Kuroo's hand.

Yasuke Yaku and Hisense calmly walked around Tetsuo Kuroo and stood beside Akihito Matsukaze. Out of sight, out of mind.

"Both Kobe Academy and Gentan High School are quite strong."

Yasuke Yaku paid attention to the situation in the stadium. "I didn't expect them to meet in the second round."

Hisense said, "I know Gentan High School. It's a classic offensive team. Kobe Academy … Do any of you know anything about them?"

"Kobe Academy seems to be a very strong defensive school."

Yasuke Yaku's brown eyes were bright. He raised his right index finger. "Their nickname is' Snake. 'It's said that they're very good at psychological warfare."

"Yaku, how do you know so much?" Akihito Matsukaze asked curiously.

"I investigated the volleyball departments of many schools before deciding to study at Otokumo!" Yasuke Yaku clenched his fist. "Of course, there are other reasons, but the volleyball department is the main point."

Tetsuo Kuroo said lazily, "I think that 'other reasons' are referring to academic results."

Yasuke Yaku's face was cold. "Do you know that you'll go to hell for talking nonsense, Kuroo?"

Kuroo was about to say something when he was interrupted by a somewhat arrogant voice.

"Hey, hey, hey. Isn't this Mr. Black?"

A black-haired youth who had just finished stretching stood up and walked a few steps toward the stands. He gave Tetsuo Kuroo a rather malicious smile and spoke in a very provocative tone.

The youth's hair was neatly combed to the left. His bangs were slightly long and almost covered the corners of his eyes.

His appearance could be considered handsome. Although his eyebrows and the corners of his eyes carried a bit of ruthlessness, his entire person wasn't gloomy.

On the contrary, the youth wearing the number eleven uniform looked full of spirit and drive.

"You don't have to deliberately emphasize my name. I know my name sounds better than yours." Tetsuo Kuroo retorted bluntly. "Don't be envious, Admiral."

"'Great General' sounds better, and it's much more intimidating than 'Blacktail'!"

The youth narrowed his eyes. His tone was full of ridicule. "What, are you here to admire my heroic appearance as the starter?"

Tetsuo Kuroo chuckled. "You're thinking too much. I'm here to see you in a sorry state after being reprimanded."

Tetsuo Kuroo didn't wait for the youth to refute. He turned to Akihito Matsukaze and said, "Shōnen Sauce, this guy who looks like a delinquent is actually a delinquent is Admiral Yuu. He's a coward who has a crush on a girl for three years and doesn't dare to pursue her."

Admiral Yuu exploded. "You, what nonsense are you talking about?!

I, I, I … "

Just as he was about to say something, the referee had already blown the whistle. The first ten minutes of the match were about to begin.

"Good luck."

Tetsuo Kuroo laughed heartily. He waved his left hand slightly at Admiral Yuu. "I'm looking forward to your performance."

Seeing Admiral Yuu run away angrily, Akihito Matsukaze, Yasuke Yaku, and Hisense were all strangely silent for a few seconds.

Hisense was a little helpless. "Kuroo, to provoke him like this before the match … isn't it a little bad?"

Yasuke Yaku also said, "You're really black-hearted, Kuroo."

Tetsuo Kuroo snorted. "Don't worry. That guy isn't that weak."

"Hai, please pay attention to your words."

Akihito Matsukaze said faintly. "Two kids are arguing. Don't use words like 'provoke'."

Tetsuo Kuroo: "…" Indeed, it's the people closest to you who are the most ruthless?!

Yasuke Yaku: "… Pfft hahahaha!" Matsutake was really amazing!

Hisense held back his laughter. "… En, I'll pay attention next time."

Akihito Matsukaze smiled at Tetsuo Kuroo innocently. "I'm not talking about you. Kuroo, don't take it personally."

Tetsuo Kuroo gritted his teeth. "I!

Know!

Do!

Ah! "