Akashi Asuka
Age: 15
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 75 kg
Reach Touch: 336 cm
···
These were Akashi Asuka's latest measurements from yesterday's test.
Aside from gaining two centimeters in height over the past six months, the biggest change came from his Jump stat reaching 75.5, resulting in a near-explosive improvement.
This improvement wasn't just about jumping higher, it represented a breakthrough in his physical limits.
Previously, Akashi Asuka's max vertical reach was 331 cm.
Back then, even though he felt like there was still power left in his legs during takeoff, he just couldn't unleash that extra strength. But once his Jump stat broke past 75, that "unused strength" quickly turned into explosive power at takeoff.
A 336 cm vertical reach, forget Junior High, even in college, that's already on par with some of the main attackers at average-level schools.
Beep!
After a brief pause, the referee blew the whistle again.
Akashi Asuka's last spike had been a vital turning point for the team.
Though he wasn't the type of player who could naturally boost his teammates' morale with charisma, on the court, raw power alone could sometimes serve as a kind of psychological stimulant.
With that thunderous spike still fresh in their minds, the players of Sengoku seemed noticeably looser and more confident in their movements.
In the back row, Oda Miki served the ball. The opposing libero received it smoothly, setting up Tobio Kageyama on the second touch. With a swift quick-attack, they bypassed Sengoku's blockers and scored with ease.
1:2.
Just as Sengoku was starting to gain momentum, it was immediately doused like a bucket of cold water to the face.
If the first lost point could be blamed on Ryuhei Sanashita's error, then this point made the difference in ability between the two teams crystal clear.
Whether it was teamwork, synergy, or individual skills,
Sengoku was completely outmatched outside of Akashi Asuka.
The biggest gap lay in the setters.
Even though Akashi had never paid much attention to that "main character" talk, facing Tobio Kageyama head-on now, he could clearly sense just how terrifying this opponent was.
This guy was a true genius.
If their abilities were translated into system stats, Akashi couldn't say for sure how they compared in every area, but in Setting, Kageyama was already easily above an 85.
And by the system's standards, a score of 90 meant you were at professional level.
Akashi glanced at Kageyama's back across the net. His gaze had begun to change.
Perhaps sensing his stare, Kageyama turned after scoring and locked eyes with him.
In that moment of eye contact, Kageyama's expression carried a subtle hint of provocation.
"Tch. What a smug little punk."
··
Fifteen minutes into the match.
The score was now 14:24, with Kitagawa at set point.
A full ten-point lead made the difference in skill painfully clear.
Even though Kageyama was still struggling with his psychological issues, his team's overwhelming talent allowed them to steamroll Sengoku without even needing to go all out.
In fact, of the 14 points Sengoku had earned, the vast majority had come from Akashi's brute-force attacks.
Behind him, his teammates were already panting heavily.
Even with the same amount of game time, fighting a high-level opponent drained far more energy than playing a regular match.
The whistle blew again.
Kitagawa served. Oda Miki received it cleanly, with great placement and perfect height. Ryuhei Sanashita quickly got into position.
Next moment,
Oomae Masato, Jujiro Kazama, and Akashi Asuka all charged forward, two middle blockers and one outside hitter.
Akashi jumped first. Seeing this, Akira Kunimi and Kageyama didn't even try to block him. Instead, they shifted sideways, preparing to intercept Oomae Masato.
Then,
The ball soared right above Akashi Asuka.
It was a reverse bait.
In previous games, Akashi had often acted as bait to draw the opponent's blockers and open up space for his teammates.
But recently, perhaps because they'd realized Sanashita couldn't effectively set quick attacks, the opponents stopped reacting to the first jumper altogether.
And honestly,
They were right.
Sanashita simply didn't have the skill to execute fast sets. Or rather, even if he could, Sengoku had never run a proper quick-attack formation in a real match before.
So this play was a gamble, for both Kitagawa and for Sengoku themselves.
And this time… luck seemed to be on their side.
Boom!
Akashi's arm snapped forward, and the ball shot like a bullet.
Then came a muffled thud as the ball hit the court.
Except,
It landed inside Sengoku's side.
Akashi's pupils shrank in midair.
As he looked forward, he suddenly noticed, when did Yūtarō Kindaichi appear in front of him?
Both of Kindaichi's arms were raised high, he had completely blocked the spike.
"YOSSHAA!!"
Kindaichi pumped his fist and shouted in excitement.
As the whistle blew, the rest of Kitagawa swarmed the court, cheering in triumph.
Meanwhile, Sengoku's players stood frozen in place, stunned.
14:25.
Sengoku loses the first set to Kitagawa.
Both teams went into their break.
Kitagawa's coach didn't bother drawing up any tactics, it simply wasn't necessary.
Sure, at first, even he had been surprised by that number one's attack power.
But that was it.
The skill gap between the two teams was just too large. That #1 on the other side, for all his raw power and impressive spiking and blocking, was full of holes in other areas of his game.
And the rest of Sengoku's lineup? Not even worth discussing.
Yūtarō Kindaichi sat in the corner of the bench sipping water. The excitement on his face had faded, replaced with a look that was equal parts frustration and reluctant admiration.
"That guy again, huh…"
A voice came from behind, it was Akira Kunimi.
Kindaichi nodded. "Yeah, he told me to lock down their #1 for the final point. He said their setter would almost certainly send the ball to him. As long as we cut off the other two, the pass would be a risky one, and even if I were the only blocker, I'd still be able to shut him down."
Clutching his water bottle, Kindaichi looked toward a certain player and muttered, "That guy has the worst attitude... but damn it, every time, I end up admiring him anyway."
"It's frustrating."