The Birth of A Volleyball Legend-Chapter 474: The Beginning of Shimo High’s Counterattack!
While the players from both teams were discussing with each other, all the Tsunemori players on the stand couldn't help but turn their attention to the old man. After all, this was exactly the opposite of what the old man predicted before. Some of the mischievous ones couldn't help but snicker, teasing the old man silently.
"Hey, hey, what is going on here? How could his prediction go so wrong like this?" Ogawa whispered, then held back his snicker as he glanced at the old man.
"Well, at least we know by now that he is not a Miko, right?" Kaede added, his shoulder shaking from holding back laughter.
"Don't be rude like that," Riku whispered, frowning. "It is normal to make a mistake as a supporter, you know?" Even though the old man's prediction was wrong, the blonde boy still respected the man for his vast knowledge and his willingness to share with young people like them. It was rude for them to talk and laugh behind his back like this.
However, it seemed the old man heard the commotion behind him.
"Don't worry, Boy! This old man is not so stingy as to get offended so easily by the young man's teasing like that. Hahaha!" He laughed, making both Ogawa and Kaede blush immediately. After all, those two were the main perpetrators who teased the old man before, and they didn't expect that the old man's hearing would be so sharp as that. "As for my prediction being wrong, well, this is still pretty early to say so." He smiled mysteriously.
His words somehow intrigued Riku. The blonde boy didn't know where the old man got the confidence from, and he also didn't want to ask about it, wanting to figure it out himself. After all, he wanted to see how much the gap he had as a young man compared to the wise old man in front of him.
'Maybe, this old man can give me enlightenment and help me improve myself in the future.'
-0-
Back to the court, the referee didn't give too much time for Shimo High to discuss or even adjust their new strategy, forcing them to get ready for another play. This time, it was Kubota, the team's opposite hitter who was on the service line.
"Come on, Kubota-kun! Don't feel pressured, just send it safely!"
"Don't worry about making a mistake! Just send your most powerful serve!"
As he received the support from his teammates, Kubota took a deep breath, trying to put his focus on the ball. While he was the first server on the team, in terms of power, he was not the best here, as it was clear that their captain, Takumi, held that position. However, he had his own advantage, as his accuracy was by far the best, even compared to his senpai. His task was to test the opponent's defense by sending the ball straight to the opponent's defensive specialist. After all, if even the team's defensive specialist failed to receive his serve, it would make everything easier for the team in the future.
BAM!
"I got this!" Wakamatsu shouted, using his forearms to cushion the ball. After the adjustment that Miura made during the intermission, he moved a bit forward compared to his initial position, making it easier for him to receive this short, powerful serve. "Ueno-kun!"
"I got this!"
BAM!
Shimo High suddenly launched a blitz attack that no one expected, and Senki, who was right next to Ueno, slammed the ball without hesitation, not giving the opponent any chance to react.
"YOSSHAAAA!" Senki roared, venting out his emotions.
"Good job, Senki!" Ueno bumped his chest into his friend excitedly."That is what I want to see from you!" He was probably the most excited one since it was like someone suddenly took off the massive stone on his shoulder. Yeah, he was still burdened by his mistake in the first set which basically sealed the team's fate at that time.
"Come on, everyone! We can do this!" Hideo clapped his hands with the same excitement. "Let's show them our Shimo High spirit!"
Right after the commotion was over, the next play was about to start, and due to the rotation, this time, Ezaki was on the front line, facing Takumi and Yuya directly on the left side. Seeing this, the old man who sat right in front of the Tsunemori players straightened his back immediately and said, "Watch carefully, Boy! This is going to be the game-changer! You will see what I meant by saying that it would be hard for Shirayuki High to score in this set!"
Back on the court, this time, it was Senki's turn to serve. This was the chance for the team to turn around after a slow start, and he didn't want to mess this up. In the end, he decided to go conservative and sent an ordinary serve straight to Tsubasa, which was easy for Shun, the team's defensive specialist who was protecting the setter there, to pick up.
Thud!
"Okay, nice receive, Senpai!" Tsubasa shouted, rushing forward to take over the ball. "Go, everyone!"
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Just like in the first set, Yuya and Takumi who were on the same side tried to overwhelm the blocker in front of them. However, this time, Ezaki didn't even move, waiting calmly until Tsubasa took action. All the Shimo High players also waited patiently, still remembering what the coach said earlier.
"Remember, when Yuya-kun and Takumi-kun are on the same side, there is a high chance that the ball will go to the other side of the court, using them both as bait to fool you guys. Just wait patiently and don't be anxious to help Ezaki deal with those two, okay? Trust him!"
True enough, it seemed this playing style had already been ingrained into Tsubasa's head, as the boy didn't even observe the situation on the other side of the court and just went straight to the opposite wing. He still believed that Shimo High would guard the right side heavily, especially since the two best hitters of the team were there.
When the ball flew straight toward the left side, Genta, Shimo High's middle blocker, had his eyes shining brightly. After a humiliating performance in the first set, he was also one of the players who was determined to redeem himself in this set, and he knew that this was his chance to do that. He didn't even look at who the hitter was in front of him, jumping straight without hesitation while extending his arms high. The imposing wall he formed was enough to intimidate the opponent's hitter as the one in front of him tried to adjust his stance. However, Genta also reacted quickly, shifted his wall at a light speed to shut down the entire area completely, and in the next second…
BAM!
