GAME INTERVAL:
"They're really on fire...," said Oikawa.
"Yeah, they're much better now with the addition of the seventh-year rookie," noted Iwaizumi.
"That Hajime is quite interesting..."
Ushimi's Bench View:
"Well, guys, we're doing well. In the next set, we'll start with the reserves so the new guys can gain experience. So, Washio and Yuma, you're on the bench, and Wataru and Kanji start playing."
THE GAME RESUMES:
"They've put in the reserves; they're really underestimating us. Let's show them what we're made of, Oikawa...," said Iwaizumi.
The game restarts with Wataru serving towards the enemy defense, successfully received. Oikawa sends a long pass to Iwaizumi, who hits the ball on Wataru's block fingertips, and it lands in the backcourt.
1-0 (Kitagawa)
Kitagawa's opposite serves, and the serve is received by Shinji. Kanji decides to pass a long ball to Bokuto, who is at the back of the court but ends up too short. However, Bokuto makes an effort and manages to find an unlikely parallel shot.
1-1 (Tied)
"Sorry, Bokuto-kun, it came out too short."
"RELAX, YOUR SENPAI IS AMAZING, NO WORRIES."
"I need to improve my passes," thought Kanji.
Moment for Bokuto to serve.
"SEND IT TO ME!" shouted Iwaizumi.
"Your wish is my command."
Bokuto sends a powerful serve towards Iwaizumi, who tries to receive it, but the ball hits his forearm and goes flying.
2-1 (Ushimi)
Bokuto will serve again.
"ONE MORE TIME!" yelled Iwaizumi.
Bokuto once again does as he was asked and sends a powerful serve towards Iwaizumi, who this time surprisingly manages to make the reception.
"Good defense, Iwa-chan!"
Seizing the tense moment of the match, Oikawa performs a drop shot that catches the Ushimi team off guard and scores a point for Kitagawa.
2-2 (Tied)
It's Iwaizumi's turn to serve, and he decides to retaliate by aiming at Bokuto, launching a strong attack, but Bokuto manages to receive it.
"Nice, Bokuto-kun," said Kanji.
"Go, Shinsuke-kun!"
Kanji passes to Shinsuke, who is at the back of the court and scores a point with a good diagonal attack.
3-2 (Ushimi)
"Hmph, he got my serve the first time..."
Shinsuke is serving now, and he sends a well-executed float serve that manages to beat Kitagawa's defense.
4-2 (Ushimi)
"Nice, Shinsuke," said Kanji.
Shinsuke just nodded.
And he's serving again with the same float serve but this time it's received by Kitagawa's libero.
Oikawa sends a short pass to his middle blocker who is near the net and manages to pierce Ushimi's block.
4-3 (Ushimi)
At this moment, Hajime notices that Kageyama is coming in for the middle blocker who was supposed to serve.
"Oh, so Kageyama has a Pinch Server role at Kitagawa, for now," thought Hajime.
Kageyama delivers a powerful serve towards the back of the court but ends up going too strong and gets substituted.
5-3 (Ushimi)
"And apparently, he doesn't have much control over it, haha."
Now, Wataru is serving. He makes a decent serve that is received by the enemy libero.
"Shall we start an Ace battle?" Oikawa asked Kanji.
"WHAT IS THIS GUY TALKING ABOUT," thought Kanji.
Oikawa sets the ball for Iwaizumi on the left, who makes a powerful spike that leaves no chance for Ushimi's defense.
5-4 (Ushimi)
"Looks like I understand what he meant now."
It's Oikawa's turn to serve, and one can feel the tension on the court as he prepares, as everyone knows how powerful his serve is. He unleashes a powerful attack, but it is received by Shinji.
"With this, Hajime thinks that despite him already having a powerful serve, he still doesn't have as much strength and control over it as in the anime."
"Now it's our ace's turn, go Bokuto-kun," shouted Kanji. Kanji sets the ball for Bokuto, who makes a beautiful parallel shot that hits the opponent's defense perfectly.
6-4 (Ushimi)
"LET'S GO," celebrated Bokuto.
In the next rounds, there was an intense battle between aces, with both teams exchanging many points.
Partial Score: 19-20 (Kitagawa)
By this point, the Ushimi team had already put their starting players back in.
Now, it's Oikawa with the ball preparing to serve, more determined than ever. He launches a powerful attack that goes towards Shinji, who manages to receive it but falls backward due to the impact.
"Send it to me," said Hajime. Yuta decides to follow the advice and sends a long pass to Hajime, who in mid-air faces Kitagawa's block, hitting the ball on the fingertips, and the ball goes out of bounds. It's a point for Ushimi.
20-20 (Tied)
And now it's Hajime's turn to serve.
"Well, I'll show a bit of my tricks."
Everyone watches as Hajime serves, launching a powerful serve that leaves no chance for anyone to even think about getting it. Everyone on the court is impressed because it's exactly the same as how Oikawa performs his serves.
At the end of the game, the final score was 25-20 for the Ushimi team, and the result left everyone on the court stunned.
"Did that kid really make five consecutive serves?" thought Tokugawa.
"WOW, HAJIME, WHY DIDN'T YOU EVER SAY YOU COULD SERVE LIKE THAT," exclaimed Kanji with enthusiasm.
"I was saving it for the right moment to show off a little, hehe."
"GOOD JOB, HAJIME, YOU DESTROYED THEM," shouted Bokuto, pointing at the Kitagawa team.
"How did that guy manage to copy me and even defeat me with my own move?" said Oikawa angrily.
"Well, there's nothing more to be done. Let's just go and congratulate them and thank them for the game."
"Ugh!! I have to go anyway," said Oikawa with a disgruntled expression.
"Yeah," said Iwaizumi, slightly annoyed.
Both teams went to the net to shake hands.
"Well, guys, this is the national level. If you want revenge against them, we have to work hard to get there. We have many strong teams ahead, like Shiratorizawa Academy Junior High."
After the game, Hajime and his teammates left the school to return to Tokyo. On the way to the exit gate, Hajime could hear two people talking about him.
"Did you hear? Our school was defeated in a friendly match by them, and that white-haired guy made 5 consecutive aces."
"Really?"
He felt happy hearing this conversation because he could now leave his mark in this world, and this is just the beginning of a new era in his life.
Final Scores: Bokuto (18 Points), Hajime (17 Points), Shinsuke (8 Points), Washio (5 Points), Yuta (1 Point), and Kanji (1 Point).