The Birth of A Volleyball Legend

Chapter 144: Yuki VS Akihiro!

The most important task for a setter was always one, and that was to facilitate his teammates to get better while also helping them score a point in the game. That was why Sawada had never thought of doing something flashy like a dump, a no-look pass, or something like that.

In his mind, the best setter was always one who strived in the dark and never showed his fang, yet still was able to enact fear toward the opponent.

However, that didn't mean he couldn't attack by himself.

Just like this time, when the game entered a tough rally with all the methods available being blocked by the opponent, Sawada knew he couldn't stay passive all the time. He knew something must be changed to break the deadlock. Coincidentally enough, his competitive spirit was also ignited by Yuki's service trick and Riku's constant provocation.

He was determined to make a splash here to remind his opponent that while he was shy and quiet, that didn't mean he was easy to get bullied.

'See? What you can do, I can do it too!'

However, his move not only surprised the opponent, but also his teammates. For two months they played together with each other, this was the first time they saw Sawada take the initiative to do a flashy play like this. They couldn't believe the usual stable and sometimes cowardly Sawada would be so bold this time.

"Good job, Nobu!" Matsumoto slapped his back. "That is one hell of a play!"

"Yeah, Nobu-chan. You did a good job!"Lucas added. "But after this, don't forget to pass the ball to me, okay?"

One by one, all the Konan players said a word or two to Sawada. The setter himself had his face beet red, which clearly showed he wasn't used to being in the spotlight like this. However, looking at the smile on his face, everyone knew he was pleased by his decision in the last play.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the net...

"Why are you all so depressed? You look like lost puppies right now." Riku sighed. "Come on, everyone! While it is a pity that Yuki's streak was stopped, do you expect the best team in the country would let us do what we want? Don't be ridiculous! We have already expected a difficult game, so why do you feel bothered by a small setback like this?

Come on, show more spirit!"

"Yeah, Riku is right!" Yuki also tried to lift up the mood. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly though, didn't know how could all of his senpai be so unreliable that they needed their kouhai to take the leader's responsibility here. "Also, the last play is a good one. We didn't give up until the end and drag the play for as long as we can. We are just unlucky to lose concentration at the last moment.

"Come on! Move, move!"

After receiving the ball, Yuki wasn't idle on the spot. He rose immediately and moved forward, tracking Akihiro's movement and got ready if the opponent managed to block his teammate's attack. And true to Yuki's thought, when Koji spiked the ball, Akihiro shut him down immediately.

Fortunately, Yuki had already predicted this, as before the ball fell onto the floor, he picked it up and let it fly once again.

"Oh! Nice save again, Yuki!"

Akihiro clicked his tongue in annoyance. Since the last play, he noticed that Yuki kept targeting him, always tracking his movement and saving his block. Somehow, this made him feel uncomfortable, as this was the first time someone challenged him blatantly. For a moment, their eyes met with each other, and they both had the same thought.

'Don't think you can always hold me back!'

'Don't think you can escape from me!'

"Rano!"

"I got this!"

Riku who noticed the weird state between Akihiro and Yuki tossed the ball immediately for a quick attack. Although Hirano wasn't that good in offense, he was still decent enough to be the secret weapon to pull once in a while. Riku's move was perfect, since Akihiro himself was caught off guard by the sudden quick attack.

Unfortunately, he forgot one presence who had a monstrous game-reading and reaction speed, who rushed forward immediately at the same time as when Riku released the ball and extended both his arms in the air.

*BAM!*

This time, since Yuki's attention was on Akihiro, he couldn't cover the other area. The ball bounced back to Tsunemori's side, while all the players there stared at it for a while before turning their heads around, just for the tanned-skinned boy to wiggle his finger with a bright smile at them.

'No, no, no. You cannot forget about me like that.'