Chapter 49 : Interview Aired and Reactions

As soon as everyone got off the bus back in Karasuno, Tanaka and Nishinoya couldn't wait to shout and run towards the office.

"Interview! Interview! Interview!"

Seeing this scene, Daichi was also a little curious.

"Akira, what did you say during the interview?"

"Just some ordinary questions and answers," Akira replied with some uncertainty. "The TV station probably won't air all of it. They'll likely cut some parts too."

"Let's go see it too!" Takeda Ittetsu suggested from the side. He had now recovered from his earlier low spirits.

"Right after our interview, I ran into Ushijima Wakatoshi!"

"What? That ace of Shiratorizawa?"

"Yeah! His presence is intimidating!"

Everyone continued talking as they walked toward the office.

Before they even got close, they could hear the dramatic cries of Nishinoya and Tanaka from inside.

"Ahh!"

"It's starting! It's starting!"

Everyone perked up and hurried into the room, gathering in front of the TV.

"This morning, Karasuno High School emerged victorious from the 'group of death,' defeating multiple strong opponents... What was the key to overcoming such powerful teams?"

"Nothing special," Akira answered on screen. "I think our teamwork was better, and we had a solid understanding of our opponents in advance."

Hearing this, everyone turned to look at Akira.

"Oh?"

"Akira's answer is actually so humble!" Hinata said in surprise.

Tsukishima smirked and added teasingly, "I expected you to say something like:

'We're just stronger than them. These weak opponents? Just crush them directly! No need for any special strategy!'"

Akira's face twitched. "Am I really that kind of person to you?"

"Haha! Don't worry, there's more to come!" Takeda Ittetsu chuckled.

"What?"

Hearing this, everyone quickly turned back to the screen.

"Before the match, Oikawa-san from Aoba Johsai made a few comments about Karasuno. What do you think about that?"

"That bastard Oikawa..."

At the mention of his name, everyone instinctively clenched their teeth. They had seen his interview the night before and knew exactly what kind of comments he had made.

"It felt great to eliminate Aoba Johsai this morning!"

"Yeah! Akira, you'd better have clapped back at him in this interview!"

On screen, the reporter handed the microphone to Akira.

"I hope the Aoba Johsai players meet us again in the Spring High tournament," he said with a confident smirk. "I'll beat them again."

Everyone watching was silent for a moment, then erupted into laughter.

"Haha! Oikawa must be fuming right now!"

"Yeah! He's probably losing his mind over this!"

Imagining Oikawa sulking, Nishinoya and Tanaka were the happiest of them all. Because of Oikawa's popularity, they had always been envious of the attention he received. But now, they were finally getting some revenge.

"Nice one, Akira!"

"That response was perfect!"

"It's exactly the kind of thing Nishinoya-senpai and I would say!"

The two clapped Akira on the back approvingly, grinning ear to ear. The others shook their heads at their exaggerated reactions.

As the interview continued, the reporter asked, "After your performances in the morning and afternoon matches, what are your thoughts on the team's overall performance?"

"It's not just me. The whole team played really well," Akira replied. "Like our libero, Nishinoya-senpai. And Tanaka-senpai…"

"And of course, our coaches and teachers, who have been supporting us from behind the scenes."

"Whoa!"

Nishinoya and Tanaka immediately jumped up in excitement.

"Akira mentioned my name!"

"He mentioned mine too!"

"That means Nishinoya is going to be famous all over Miyagi Prefecture!"

"Tanaka too!!"

Watching their ridiculous excitement, everyone sighed in exasperation.

"Akira, you actually went out of your way to mention them?" Sugawara asked, looking slightly amused.

"Haha! Sugawara, you're just jealous of us!" Nishinoya said proudly.

"Yeah! You're jealous!" Tanaka agreed, nodding vigorously.

"Jealous? Of you two?" Sugawara deadpanned.

"I swear, I really want to open your heads and see how your brains work!" he muttered in frustration.

As the conversation continued, the on-screen interview approached its final question.

"Now that Karasuno has reached the semifinals, what are your thoughts on tomorrow's game?"

Akira's confident smile appeared on the screen. "The team representing Miyagi Prefecture in the national tournament this year will be us, Karasuno!"

"Even Shiratorizawa, the 'Uncrowned Kings' of Miyagi—do you think you can defeat them?"

"Of course!" Akira answered without hesitation.

"Akira is right!"

"Down with Shiratorizawa!"

"We're going to be champions!"

Tanaka and Nishinoya shouted in excitement again, their enthusiasm at an all-time high.

"Enough!" Daichi intervened. "Instead of thinking about the championship, let's focus on tomorrow's match first! Jozenji isn't an opponent to be taken lightly!"

"If we underestimate them and lose, that'll be the real embarrassment."

At Daichi's warning, the atmosphere calmed down.

"Yeah, you're right."

Just as everyone was about to leave, Akira suddenly spoke up.

"Nishinoya-senpai, I have something I want to discuss about tomorrow's game."

"If anyone else wants to join, feel free."

Hearing this, the team members grew curious.

Could Akira have some new insight into the game strategy?

Intrigued, they all followed him toward the Karasuno volleyball gym.

As they walked, Akira smiled and said, "After tomorrow morning's match, we'll be facing Shiratorizawa in the afternoon."

"And about their ace, Ushijima…"

"His spikes have some unusual characteristics."

The room fell silent as everyone turned to listen carefully.

Tomorrow's match would be another battle.

But they weren't backing down.

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4/8✅