The Volleyball Genius

The following days were a whirlwind of new experiences for Kenshiro. No sooner had he accepted Oikawa's invitation than he found himself immersed in the world of volleyball. Every afternoon, after school, he joined the Aoba Johsai team in the gym. The atmosphere was intense but motivating. The players trained with discipline under the guidance of their coach, a strict and experienced man who let no mistake go unnoticed.

Kenshiro, for his part, was still a beginner. But despite his lack of experience, he seemed to have a natural talent for the sport. His movements were fluid, and he had an innate ability to control the ball with impressive precision. This didn't go unnoticed by the other players, even though Kenshiro himself remained nonchalant, doing just enough to avoid any remarks.

"Are we sure he's never played before?" Iwaizumi murmured to Oikawa during practice.

"No doubt about it," Oikawa replied, crossing his arms with a satisfied smile. "That's what makes him even more interesting."

For his part, Kenshiro stayed true to his laid-back nature. He wasn't the type to put unnecessary pressure on himself. If something came naturally, he accepted it; if not, so be it. This attitude tended to irritate some of his teammates, but Oikawa seemed to see untapped potential in it.

One evening, as practice was coming to an end, the coach gathered the team at the center of the court.

"Tomorrow, we have a practice match against a particular team: Karasuno," he announced in a grave tone.

A murmur spread through the group. Kenshiro, however, remained silent but quickly caught his teammates' attention.

"Karasuno?" he asked quietly, more out of curiosity than interest.

Oikawa, standing beside him, nodded, a competitive spark in his eyes.

"A team with potential," he explained. "They've got a first-year setter with a lot of talent… and, amusingly enough, he was my junior back in middle school."

Kenshiro raised an eyebrow.

"So, you want to beat them just to prove a point?" he asked in a detached tone.

Oikawa shrugged, a sly smile on his lips.

"Not just that. I want you to take this match as an opportunity too. Show me what you can do, Kenshiro. Tomorrow, I want to see why I was right to believe in you."

Kenshiro sighed lightly. He wasn't particularly motivated, but the idea of playing against a different team piqued his curiosity.

The next day, the gymnasium was filled with palpable energy. The Karasuno team arrived shortly before the match began. Kenshiro observed them discreetly. They looked relaxed yet focused—a motley crew led by their charismatic captain, Sawamura Daichi.

Among them, one boy with orange hair particularly caught Kenshiro's attention. He was small, almost frail, but bursting with energy, bouncing around like a live wire.

"They don't look like much," one of Aoba Johsai's players remarked, crossing his arms.

"Watch out for their plays," the coach interjected seriously. "Especially their setter, Kageyama Tobio. He's known for his precision."

Kenshiro was only half-listening, his focus fixed on Karasuno's warm-up exchanges. He had no idea what to expect.

The match began, and Aoba Johsai seized the ball right away. Oikawa set up a quick pass to one of his attackers, who scored effortlessly.

1-0 for Aoba Johsai.

But Karasuno immediately retaliated. To everyone's surprise, the orange-haired boy, Hinata, literally leaped into the air to spike a perfectly timed set from Kageyama. The ball shot through Aoba Johsai's defenders, hitting the ground before anyone could react.

"What?!" Iwaizumi exclaimed, stunned.

"They're fast," Kenshiro murmured, his eyes locked on Hinata.

1-1.

The game resumed, and Aoba Johsai tried to regain control. Oikawa adjusted his sets, distributing the ball to multiple attackers to disrupt Karasuno's rhythm. This tactic worked for a while, allowing Aoba Johsai to score two more points with powerful spikes.

3-1.

But Karasuno wasn't about to be outdone. Their duo, Kageyama and Hinata, struck again with a lightning-fast attack. This time, Hinata appeared to spike the ball with his eyes closed, yet the coordination between him and Kageyama was so perfect that the ball once again found a gap in Aoba Johsai's defense.

3-2.

Points followed in rapid succession. Karasuno continued to surprise with their quick attacks, while Aoba Johsai relied on Oikawa's experience and precision to stay ahead. Kenshiro, still on the bench, watched every move intently.

5-5.

At that moment, the coach signaled for Kenshiro to step in.

"It's your turn, Tsukigawa," he said firmly.

Kenshiro took a deep breath and stepped onto the court. His first exchange was a bit shaky, but he managed to receive the ball cleanly, allowing Oikawa to set up an attack.

On the next play, Karasuno attempted their quick attack again. This time, Kenshiro was ready. He blocked Hinata's spike with a precise counter, sending the ball straight back to Karasuno's court.

6-5 for Aoba Johsai.

Karasuno's players exchanged surprised glances.

"Not bad," Kageyama murmured, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Kenshiro continued to impress. He anticipated his opponents' moves with unsettling accuracy, making Karasuno's attacks less effective. In a crucial rally, he delivered a devastating spike, smashing the ball with such force that Karasuno couldn't respond.

8-6 for Aoba Johsai.

However, Karasuno didn't give up. They adjusted their strategy, using Daichi and Asahi to balance their attacks. Their efforts paid off, and the score climbed to 10-10, with both teams fighting for every point.

In the final exchanges of the set, Kenshiro and Oikawa synchronized perfectly. On a decisive point, Oikawa sent a high, fast set. Kenshiro leaped and smashed the ball with raw power, scoring the final point.

15-13 for Aoba Johsai.

The gym erupted in cheers.

"That's what I'm talking about!" Oikawa shouted, visibly thrilled.

He approached Kenshiro, a satisfied smile on his face.

"Not bad, Tsukigawa. Not bad at all. You and I, we're going places—trust me."

The score was now 15-13 in favor of Aoba Johsai. The game resumed with even more tension. Every player on the court was focused, while Kenshiro, true to himself, seemed relaxed—almost too relaxed.

Karasuno served, and Daichi sent a powerful serve directly into Aoba Johsai's court. Kenshiro, positioned for reception, didn't move immediately.

"Kenshiro, move already!" Iwaizumi shouted, exasperated.

At the last moment, Kenshiro took a casual step and raised his arms, executing a perfect reception.

"Relax, I've got it," Kenshiro replied flatly, sending a clean pass to Oikawa.

Oikawa smirked.

"Good. Now watch this."

He sent a quick and precise set to an outside hitter, who scored with a powerful spike.

16-13.

Karasuno didn't let up. On the next point, Kageyama executed a floating serve that was tricky to receive, but Kenshiro handled it effortlessly, as if it were child's play.

"How many more points, Oikawa? I'm starting to get bored," Kenshiro asked, throwing a bored glance at his setter.

Oikawa rolled his eyes.

"Stop whining and play! You'll understand why this match matters."

But Karasuno countered with a quick attack. Kageyama made a blind set, and Hinata intercepted it mid-sprint, jumping high to spike the ball between the defenders.

16-14.

"What the—?!" Iwaizumi exclaimed, staring at Hinata. "How can that guy jump so high?!"

Oikawa frowned.

"Don't underestimate him. That kid is more dangerous than he looks."

The following exchanges were just as intense. Kenshiro once again showed his natural talent. During a tense rally, he intercepted a powerful spike from Asahi with a perfect reception, allowing Oikawa to orchestrate a quick counterattack.

But every time Aoba Johsai scored, Karasuno fired back. The coordination between Kageyama and Hinata left the defenders bewildered.

19-19.

On the bench, Aoba Johsai's coach gave some instructions.

"Stay focused. They'll keep relying on their duo. Anticipate."

Back on the court, Kenshiro sighed.

"Seriously, how many more points before we can go home?" he asked Oikawa, one hand on his hip.

"Five. Maybe more if you slack off," Oikawa replied with a mocking grin.

"Pfft… Fine. Let's finish this quickly," Kenshiro muttered as he stretched.

On the next play, Kenshiro blocked a Karasuno attack with clinical precision, sending the ball straight back to their court.

20-19.

"Not bad, Kenshiro!" Oikawa shouted.

"Thanks, thanks. But don't expect me to do that all the time," Kenshiro replied, shrugging.

Karasuno attempted another quick attack, but Kenshiro was ready. He positioned himself perfectly to receive the ball and sent it straight to Oikawa.

"Your turn now," he said to his captain.

Oikawa chuckled before delivering a tricky set to Iwaizumi, who scored with a powerful spike.

21-19.

But Karasuno didn't give up. Hinata leaped into the air once more, spiking a quick set from Kageyama to score an impressive point.

21-20.

"That kid's a monster," Kenshiro muttered.

"A monster? Look at yourself before talking," Oikawa quipped with a sly grin.

The match continued with rising intensity. Every rally became a test of strength and strategy. Kenshiro, despite his laid-back demeanor, remained the cornerstone of Aoba Johsai's defense.

Finally, the score reached 24-23 in favor of Aoba Johsai. It was set point. Kenshiro, still nonchalant, turned to Oikawa.

"Let's wrap this up. I'm getting hungry."

"Then follow my lead," Oikawa replied with a confident smile.

The final point was a fierce rally. Karasuno attempted one last quick attack, but Kenshiro anticipated it perfectly. He blocked the ball with force, sending it back to Karasuno's court.

The ball hit the ground before anyone could react.

25-23 for Aoba Johsai.

After the first set ended, the Aoba Johsai team gathered around the coach for a brief moment of recovery. Kenshiro, on the other hand, casually sat on a bench, grabbing a bottle of water nonchalantly.

"Good job, everyone," the coach declared. "But the match isn't over."

Kenshiro, bottle in hand, raised an eyebrow.

"Not over? Haven't we already won?"

Iwaizumi stared at him with wide eyes.

"Are you kidding me?! Didn't you know there are at least two sets in a match?!"

Kenshiro shrugged.

"Nobody told me. You're serious? We still have to play?"

Oikawa sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Kenshiro, you're really impossible. Yes, you need at least two sets to win a match. Now get up. We still need to beat them."

"Pff... Fine, but you owe me something after this," Kenshiro replied, slowly getting up.

Karasuno served first, and right from the start, their intensity was clear. Hinata leapt for a blazing spike on a quick set from Kageyama.

1-0 for Karasuno.

Kenshiro positioned himself with his arms crossed, watching the opposing players.

"They're starting strong," he murmured.

On the next point, Aoba Johsai responded with a well-executed attack. Oikawa sent a fast pass to Iwaizumi, who broke through Karasuno's defense with a powerful spike.

1-1.

The rallies continued, with each team fighting to gain the upper hand. Kenshiro, despite his laziness, once again showed his natural talent. He blocked several of Hinata's attacks, preventing Karasuno from building a lead.

However, Karasuno wasn't backing down. On a crucial rally, Asahi landed an impressive spike, breaking through Aoba Johsai's block.

5-4 for Karasuno.

Kenshiro turned to Oikawa, looking frustrated.

"How many more points do we need to score to wrap this up?"

Oikawa burst out laughing.

"We're still far from it, Kenshiro. So stay focused."

"Focused, huh... easy to say," Kenshiro muttered as he took his position again.

Karasuno kept up the pressure. On a tense point, Kageyama delivered a precise pass to Hinata, who scored with a quick attack.

8-6 for Karasuno.

Aoba Johsai's coach called a timeout to refocus the team.

"They're starting to take the advantage. We need to block their Kageyama-Hinata duo. Kenshiro, I want you to be more alert in defense."

Kenshiro nodded, but his expression showed he was already tired of the situation.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll try."

Back on the court, Karasuno continued to impress with their coordination. Their quick attack surprised Aoba Johsai once again, allowing them to widen the gap.

12-8 for Karasuno.

Kenshiro sighed, hands on his hips.

"Hey, Oikawa, if I actually start playing, you think we can catch up?"

"What do you think?" Oikawa replied with a grin. "With me as your setter and you as the attacker, nothing's impossible."

"OK. Then I'll move around a bit more," Kenshiro said, stretching lazily.

On the next point, Karasuno tried another quick attack. But this time, Kenshiro jumped at just the right moment, blocking Hinata's spike with disconcerting precision.

12-9.

"Not bad," Kageyama said, eyeing Kenshiro with a smirk.

"Thanks. But that's your last easy point," Kenshiro replied nonchalantly.

Aoba Johsai began to close the gap. Thanks to a series of clever passes from Oikawa, the team scored several consecutive points. Kenshiro, despite looking bored, dominated on the court with his powerful spikes and effective blocks.

14-14.

Karasuno, however, wasn't intimidated. On a tense rally, Daichi made a perfect receive, allowing Asahi to score with a devastating spike.

15-14 for Karasuno.

The score was now 15-14 in favor of Karasuno. The Karasuno players, full of confidence, high-fived each other and exchanged proud smiles. They had taken the lead for the first time in the match and seemed eager to build on it.

"Well done, Hinata!" Daichi shouted with a broad smile. "We're starting to get them."

Hinata, all smiles, turned to Kageyama.

"We got them this time, huh?! Feels great to see it working!" he said, shaking his fist.

Kageyama, calmer than the rest, nodded.

"Good, but stay focused. Don't let your guard down," he replied seriously, his eyes fixed on the opposing team.

The players got ready for the next serve. However, just before the ball was about to be served, Oikawa turned to face them, suddenly adopting a much more serious expression. He studied them intently, setting aside his usual smile. There were no more jokes, no more lightheartedness. Only a cold determination in his eyes.

"Hey, Karasuno. Feeling good about your little lead, huh?" Oikawa said, his tone sharp. "Let me remind you of something. The guy who blocked you well and intercepted your attacks has only just begun in volleyball. He's been here for a week. Barely a week."

A heavy silence fell over the gym. The Karasuno players froze, shocked by the gravity in Oikawa's voice.

"And that's not all..." Oikawa continued, his voice cutting through the air. "You're celebrating your little advantage, but there's something you're forgetting. Tsukigawa's strength isn't his defense. It's his attack. Not his blocks, not his receives. If you think you've taken the lead because of his defense, you're gravely mistaken."

He let the words hang in the air, glancing at his team, then at Karasuno.

"His real strength is his attack. And he hasn't even started going all out in that area." He paused, then added: "So enjoy your lead while it lasts, but know that it could change quickly."

A chill of uncertainty ran through Karasuno. Oikawa had planted doubt. They had seen Kenshiro shine in defense, but the idea that he still had another aspect of his game they hadn't faced yet made them nervous. The Karasuno team exchanged looks, their smiles slowly fading.

Kageyama, though calm, immediately grasped the seriousness of the situation. He looked at his teammates, his tone serious but measured.

"We need to stay focused. We know Tsukigawa's attack can catch us off guard at any moment."

Hinata nodded with seriousness.

"He's right. We really can't afford to get distracted."

Oikawa turned back to his team, still focused, and added:

"This match isn't over yet. You're going to have to step up a notch if you don't want to get caught off guard." He gave a small, knowing smile, as if he was already anticipating what was to come.

"Kenshiro!" Oikawa shouted from across the court, his voice filled with frustration but also an odd challenge. "Stop dragging your feet! You know you can do better than this!"

Kenshiro, who had been lazily swaying from one foot to the other, glanced over at Oikawa.

"Yeah, yeah. But giving it my all isn't really my style. Are you sure we need to finish this now?" Kenshiro responded, his voice casual. He took a small step back, almost yawning.

"Do you want us to lose to Karasuno? Or do you actually want to help us win?" Oikawa shot him a hard look. "I know you're capable of much more. Don't make me regret bringing you here, Tsukigawa."

Kenshiro sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Alright, alright. Fine. But you're taking responsibility for this, got it?" he replied, as if he had no other choice. He stepped back onto the court, but this time, there was a gleam of amused boredom in his eyes. He was ready to give a little more, just to see everyone's reaction.

The ball was served by Oikawa to his team, and Aoba Johsai quickly sprang into action. The match was far from over, and Karasuno didn't seem like they were going to give up anytime soon.

Kenshiro positioned himself after a long series of passes. When Oikawa sent him the ball, it was like lightning. The ball shot through the air at an incredible speed, its trajectory perfect. Yet, to Kenshiro, it seemed almost slow. Just a moment earlier, he had already anticipated the reception, and his next move was as natural as breathing. Without moving an inch, he adjusted the angle of the ball with a simple touch, delivering a perfectly measured pass to Iwaizumi.

The spectators were silent for a moment, stunned by the precision of the attack. Some murmured to each other.

— "What… what was that?" one of the Karasuno players whispered, completely stunned by the fluidity of Kenshiro's movement. — "He didn't even really jump! It's like he guided the ball…" said another Aoba Johsai player, eyes wide.

Iwaizumi, feeling almost ashamed for not converting the pass into a point, looked at Kenshiro, who was already preparing for the next exchange, completely detached.

— "That was… impressive," Iwaizumi said, his gaze betraying a sense of respect.

The ball came back quickly after a fast exchange. Karasuno tried to respond with an attack from Kageyama to Hinata, but Kenshiro, having seen the trajectory, positioned himself perfectly. He jumped… but instead of hitting the ball as expected, he rolled in mid-air, his hand outstretched. The ball entered his hand as if it were an extension of his own body, and instead of a simple smash, he released the ball in a movement of supernatural fluidity. The ball, seemingly propelled by an invisible force, crossed the court in a way no one could have anticipated, landing in Karasuno's open zone.

Point for Aoba Johsai.

The spectators, once again, were stunned.

— "He… he did it with one hand!" exclaimed a Karasuno player, watching the point scored with wide eyes. — "It was almost like he teleported the ball…" murmured another Aoba Johsai player, unable to believe what they'd just seen.

Oikawa, still wearing his smile, approached Kenshiro after the point.

— "See? That's what I meant! When you put a little effort in, you do incredible things," Oikawa said, giving Kenshiro a light pat on the shoulder. "Keep it up."

Kenshiro shrugged with an amused expression.

— "Not bad… but it's gonna wear me out in the long run," he replied, looking at the opposing team nonchalantly, despite the brilliance of his move.

On the next point, Karasuno served. The ball flew toward Kenshiro, who was ready to attack. But this time, he didn't strike in a spectacular manner. Instead, he waited for a moment, almost as if he were purposely letting Kageyama's attack come to him. Suddenly, in one swift and relentless movement, he jumped, perfectly controlling the ball's trajectory, before sending it to the right. The ball flew with such speed that no player from Karasuno had time to react, and the point was scored.

Point for Aoba Johsai.

The crowd was once again stunned by this new attack.

— "What… what kind of guy is this?" said a Karasuno spectator, incredulous. — "I think he controlled the ball like it was an extension of himself…" murmured another player. "He doesn't even seem to be trying."

Kageyama, on the other side of the court, furrowed his brows, seeming to understand something.

— "He's much stronger than we thought…" he murmured, a hint of doubt in his eyes.

The match between Aoba Johsai and Karasuno continued to be a true test of strength. While Karasuno fought to regain the advantage, Aoba Johsai, led by Oikawa and Kenshiro, slowly began to dominate the game. But there was still one question hanging in the air: How far would Kenshiro go? His mastery of the ball seemed almost supernatural, and with each new action, it became more evident that he had yet to show the full extent of his abilities.

— "Hey, Tsukigawa, you still haven't finished impressing us, huh?" Oikawa said with a provocative smile as he tossed a pass to Kenshiro.

Kenshiro stood at the center of the court, perfectly positioned to receive the ball. But, as usual, he didn't look rushed. He swayed from foot to foot, his posture relaxed, almost nonchalant. Barely a movement, and he was waiting. The ball then flew in his direction.

Kenshiro's eyes locked onto the ball. Then, with a fluid and controlled movement, he lifted his arm for a spike. But suddenly, just before the attack materialized, he took a small step to the side. The ball seemed to hesitate for a moment in his hands, and the next instant, Kenshiro spun on himself with a graceful turn, almost like a dance. He effortlessly avoided the block from one of Karasuno's players.

The Karasuno spectators could only watch, frozen, as Kenshiro, still rotating, sent the ball with devastating power. The spike shot directly into the open space, where there was no blocker to stop the attack. The ball hit the ground, perfectly where no one had expected it.

Point for Aoba Johsai.

— "What... what was that?" one of the Karasuno spectators said, eyes wide. "He spun on himself... it was like he anticipated the block before it even happened."

Oikawa, on the other side of the court, let out a small laugh. He knew Kenshiro had something unique, but even he hadn't anticipated such a move.

— "Not bad, right?" Oikawa said to his teammates, throwing them a knowing glance. "He doesn't care about putting in all his effort. But when he does, you can see what happens."

The Karasuno players were left speechless, completely overwhelmed by the fluidity of the movement. Even Kageyama, who usually remained impassive, furrowed his brows, realizing that the situation had just become significantly more complicated.

The next point came quickly as Karasuno served again. And once again, Oikawa delivered a perfectly placed pass to Kenshiro, who was preparing for another attack. But this time, instead of rushing into a smash like before, Kenshiro let the ball hover in his hands for a fraction of a second. As if playing with time itself, he passed the ball between his fingers in a way that seemed to defy the laws of physics.

— "Look at that..." murmured one of the Aoba Johsai spectators. "He's... he's almost doing magic with that ball."

Kenshiro allowed the ball to drop slowly, brushing it in a subtle motion. Then, in one swift motion, he changed the angle, sending the ball in a perfect arc. The ball floated to an incredible height before descending like an arrow directly onto Karasuno's backline.

The spike was perfect, clean, and irrefutable. It was like lightning in the sky—hard to see coming.

Point for Aoba Johsai.

The crowd was frozen, stunned by how Kenshiro seemed to manipulate the air around him, as though he were playing a volleyball game from another level. The control he had over the ball was almost supernatural.

— "It's like he already knows the trajectory of the ball before it even leaves Oikawa's hands," Daichi said, looking impressed. "This is beyond anything we know."

But the moment that truly marked the difference came a few exchanges later. Karasuno seemed to be gaining some rhythm, and Hinata, full of energy, managed to destabilize Aoba Johsai's defense with a quick attack. But the ball quickly returned toward Kenshiro.

This time, everyone was expecting a smash. All eyes were on him, hands ready to applaud the unstoppable attack. But Kenshiro, as calm as ever, made a slight movement with his arms, feinting a smash. The Karasuno team, especially Asahi, rushed to block.

But it was just a feint. Kenshiro, with an almost imperceptible movement, turned his hips and launched in a completely new direction. The Karasuno team, caught off guard, had no time to react. The ball, propelled at insane speed, headed toward the opposite corner of the court.

Point for Aoba Johsai.

— "Impossible…" murmured a Karasuno player, his mouth open in astonishment. "It was too fast. How did he turn like that and avoid our block?"

Oikawa turned to his team, a satisfied smile on his face.

— "That's it, Kenshiro. Now you get it." He turned his gaze toward Karasuno. "They can't compete with you when you give everything you've got."

The Karasuno players looked at each other, hesitant, aware that they had just discovered something truly dangerous. Kageyama, calm but determined, clenched his fists.

— "We can't let them take control like this…" he said in a cold tone. "We'll need a new plan."

But Aoba Johsai wasn't going to let them breathe. Kenshiro had just unveiled a new dimension to his game, and it was going to have dramatic consequences for Karasuno. The match was only just beginning, and Aoba Johsai was about to show the full power of their attack.

But the moment that truly marked the difference came a few exchanges later. Karasuno seemed to be gaining some rhythm, and Hinata, full of energy, managed to destabilize Aoba Johsai's defense with a quick attack. But the ball quickly returned toward Kenshiro.

This time, everyone was expecting a smash. All eyes were on him, hands ready to applaud the unstoppable attack. But Kenshiro, as calm as ever, made a slight movement with his arms, feinting a smash. The Karasuno team, especially Asahi, rushed to block.

But it was just a feint. Kenshiro, with an almost imperceptible movement, turned his hips and launched in a completely new direction. The Karasuno team, caught off guard, had no time to react. The ball, propelled at insane speed, headed toward the opposite corner of the court.

Point for Aoba Johsai.

— "Impossible…" murmured a Karasuno player, his mouth open in astonishment. "It was too fast. How did he turn like that and avoid our block?"

Oikawa turned to his team, a satisfied smile on his face.

— "That's it, Kenshiro. Now you get it." He turned his gaze toward Karasuno. "They can't compete with you when you give everything you've got."

The second set had just ended. The score of 25-16 perfectly reflected Aoba Johsai's dominance. Karasuno had tried to resist, but across from them, Kenshiro and Oikawa's team were on a completely different level. Kenshiro's mastery of the ball, his ability to anticipate and manipulate each attack with almost supernatural ease, left his opponents speechless. Every movement seemed effortless, as if the entire team was poised to crush Karasuno's dreams of victory.

Karasuno, completely shaken by this quick defeat, stood in silence on the court, watching Oikawa and his team celebrate, but they weren't happy. They knew they had been crushed, and the difference in skill was glaring.

"That was... incredible," murmured Hinata, out of breath, his eyes fixed on Kenshiro, who was already heading toward the exit of the court.

"Impossible to counter," added Kageyama, frowning. "How are we supposed to block that?"

Oikawa, in his usual enthusiasm, turned toward Karasuno's team, a teasing smile on his face.

"Don't forget to train if you don't want to get crushed like this next time. But hey, don't worry, this is just a warm-up for us."

As Karasuno seemed dejected by their defeat, Oikawa turned toward his teammate, Kenshiro, who, without saying a word, had already begun walking away from the gym.

"Hey, Tsukigawa! Where are you going?" Oikawa called out, a mix of annoyance and amusement in his voice. "You don't want to stay a bit for training before you leave? It's not over for you!"

Kenshiro, hands in his pockets, glanced back without really paying attention to Oikawa's invitation.

"I don't have anything to prove here," Kenshiro replied lazily. "It's just a match."

He then continued walking toward the gym's exit without turning back, while Oikawa watched him go, a flicker of frustration in his eyes.

"You're unbearable!" Oikawa shouted at Kenshiro, but the latter didn't stop. He walked slowly, as though the atmosphere of the gym no longer interested him.

The other members of Aoba Johsai, despite winning, were in an odd mood. Oikawa stepped toward them, crossing his arms.

"That guy's weird," Oikawa said, referring to Kenshiro. "It's like he doesn't care about anything. Did you see how he plays? It's almost disgusting." He threw a glance at Kageyama and Hinata, who were still in shock from their defeat.

"But it's not over. I'll make sure he trains properly, even if I have to drag him." He then walked away, his mind already focused on what came next.

Kenshiro walked down the hallway, the sounds of the gym slowly fading behind him. He had no intention of lingering any longer. Victory meant very little to him. He knew he had potential, but he didn't have a true desire to fully invest himself. He enjoyed having control over the game, but for now, that was enough.

He exited the gym, breathing in the fresh evening air, and headed toward the quiet streets. The city lights shone in the distance, and everything seemed peaceful. He relished this solitude, the feeling of being off the radar, far from the hustle and bustle of the volleyball world.

Inside the gym, Oikawa stood by the door, watching Kenshiro's silhouette disappear.

"You can leave," Oikawa murmured, "But I'll find you. You can count on me."

The rest of the team, despite their victory, didn't seem entirely satisfied. They knew they hadn't seen everything Kenshiro could offer, and they were eager to push him to surpass himself. But for now, Aoba Johsai was leaving the match with a brilliant victory, and everyone knew this was only the beginning.

Kenshiro, for his part, walked home at his usual pace, calm and detached. He had done what was necessary. He knew that Oikawa's training, or the challenges he would throw at him, were nothing more than distractions. As long as he kept controlling his body and manipulating the ball with such ease, it would all remain effortless.

The match was over. But a new, more internal battle had just begun for Kenshiro.