Semifinals: Nekoma vs. Nohebi High
Semifinals: Nekoma vs. Nohebi High
The semifinal match of the Tokyo Inter-High Qualifiers was a clash of titans, a battle that had the entire gymnasium on edge. Nekoma, with their star first-year ace, Wakasa Kiyoshi, and their strong team cohesion, had already impressed everyone in the tournament. Now, standing in their way was Nohebi High, a team that had gained a reputation for its unyielding defense and tactical play. At the heart of Nohebi was their captain, Daisho Suguru, a seasoned player and one of the fiercest blockers in the competition. Alongside him was Yuuto Ryo, their ace, whose quick reflexes and powerful spikes made him a player to be feared.
But Nekoma had something Nohebi didn't—Kenma's brilliant playmaking and Wakasa's raw power. Together, they were a deadly combination, a setter and an ace unlike any other.
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The Opening Whistle: Tension in the Air
The moment the whistle blew, the tension in the air was palpable. Nohebi's defense immediately set the tone, with Daisho positioning himself as the core blocker, while Ryo stayed on the lookout for any opportunity to pounce.
Nekoma's players, however, were calm. Kenma, always the mastermind of their attacks, immediately took his place as setter, eyes narrowed as he observed Nohebi's formation. Wakasa, standing at the ready, was in his element—poised and confident. He could already feel the flow of the game, his instincts kicking in. He knew that Kenma's sets would be critical in breaking through Nohebi's defense.
Shiraishi had tried to target Kenma in their quarterfinals, but Nohebi had a completely different defensive structure. Their players were much more coordinated, and Daisho's towering presence at the net made any attack seem like a daunting task.
Kenma didn't hesitate. As the first serve came to him, he passed it smoothly to Kuroo, who set up Wakasa. But this wasn't just any set.
Kenma had already analyzed Nohebi's block timing and decided to surprise them with a short, quick set. The ball went to Wakasa in an unexpected way, and the first-year's boom jump, powered by his instincts, came into full play. He launched himself into the air, almost too fast for Daisho's block to react, and sent the ball sailing through the hole in Nohebi's defense, bypassing Daisho's massive arms.
Point to Nekoma.
"Nice one, Wakasa," Kuroo called out, his voice filled with satisfaction.
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Nohebi Strikes Back: Daisho's Block and Ryo's Precision
Nohebi wasn't going to let themselves be outdone. After losing the first point, Daisho tightened his defense, calling for his teammates to focus on their blocks. When Nekoma's next attack came, Daisho was ready. He timed his block perfectly against a spike from Lev, stopping the ball cold and sending it back over the net.
"Gotcha," Daisho said with a smirk, his eyes locking with Kuroo's across the net.
Kuroo, however, wasn't phased. He nodded at Kenma, who quickly adjusted the play. Kenma's sets weren't just about speed—they were about deception. The next ball came fast and low, and Wakasa, seeing an opening, launched another booming spike, but this time he aimed for the sidelines. Nohebi's libero, Kawai, made an impressive dive, but the ball whizzed past him.
Point to Nekoma.
But Nohebi responded. Yuuto Ryo, with his near-perfect instincts, read the court well. He faked a regular spike and instead delivered a powerful cross-court shot that even Wakasa couldn't anticipate. His shot landed just inside the line, cutting the lead.
"Nice one, Ryo," Daisho called, and for the first time, Nohebi looked dangerous.
The match was heating up.
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The Kenma and Wakasa Duo: A Set to Remember
Nekoma's momentum quickly regained strength, and the next few points saw Kenma and Wakasa working like a well-oiled machine. Kenma had grown more and more comfortable feeding Wakasa the ball, but it wasn't just about power—Wakasa's shot precision, copied from Bokuto, was the key. He mixed up his shots, using the cross-court and line shots with brutal precision, hitting spots Nohebi didn't expect.
Kenma, whose quick thinking and playmaking were often underestimated, was orchestrating each attack with ease. He didn't simply set the ball—he set it where Nohebi's defense wasn't, drawing Daisho's blockers out of position and leaving openings for Wakasa.
As Kenma delivered a quick set to Wakasa, the ace didn't hesitate. He took off with his explosive jump, and the force of his spike was unstoppable. Daisho, despite his impeccable timing, couldn't get a hand on the ball. It shot past him, and Nohebi's defense crumbled under the pressure.
The crowd roared as the scoreboard flashed: Point to Nekoma.
"Wakasa's unstoppable," Lev shouted from the sidelines, his eyes wide with amazement. "He's playing like a monster!"
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The Rivalry: Kuroo vs. Daisho
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the court, a quiet rivalry simmered between two players: Kuroo and Daisho.
Kuroo had always been the type to thrive under pressure, and facing Daisho was no different. The two had faced off in the past, each pushing the other to greater heights, and today was no exception.
Daisho was relentless in his pursuit of Kuroo's weaknesses, looking to find a gap in the setter's control. But Kuroo, who had spent years perfecting his craft, was unshaken. Every time Daisho challenged him, Kuroo responded with a sharp set to either Wakasa or Lev.
"You still haven't beaten me, Daisho," Kuroo called over the net during one break in play. His voice had an edge to it, and a slight grin tugged at his lips.
Daisho's eyes narrowed, but there was a flicker of respect. "Don't get too cocky. This isn't over."
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Set Two: Wakasa's Full Power
The second set began, and with the score tied, it was clear that Nohebi wasn't going to make this easy. But neither was Nekoma.
Nohebi's defense had tightened up, and they focused their attention on stopping Wakasa's spikes. But Wakasa, having fully grasped the power of his instincts and his ability to copy opponents' skills, didn't give them a chance.
In one rally, Kenma set Wakasa up perfectly, but Nohebi had stacked the blockers on his side. Wakasa, ever adaptable, adjusted mid-air. His jump height—powered by Hinata's instincts—allowed him to alter his spike trajectory at the last second, sending the ball to the opposite side of the court. It was a perfect shot—Ryo couldn't reach it, and Kawai was left diving for nothing but empty space.
Point to Nekoma.
"That's insane," Lev muttered, impressed by the sheer versatility Wakasa had displayed.
And just when Nohebi seemed to recover, it was Wakasa's defense that sealed the deal. His blocking abilities, amplified by his Sakusa-like stats, were enough to shut down any spike Nohebi sent his way. Time and time again, Wakasa's hands intercepted attacks, sending the ball straight back over the net. His presence at the net was like a wall that Nohebi couldn't breach.
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Match Point: The Final Blow
The score was now 24-22 in favor of Nekoma. A single point stood between them and the finals. The pressure was on. Kenma received the ball from the serve, his eyes scanning the court. He glanced at Wakasa—his signal was clear.
Kenma set a fast, low ball right into Wakasa's path. Wakasa, eyes sharp with focus, exploded into the air. His boom jump came down hard, and the ball soared over Nohebi's blockers. There was no stopping it.
The ball hit the floor with a resounding thud.
Final Score of Set Two: Nekoma 25-22
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Aftermath: A Hard-Fought Victory
As the final whistle blew, Nekoma's players let out a collective cheer. They had beaten Nohebi in two sets, but it hadn't been easy. The match had tested every aspect of their play, from Kenma's brilliant setting to Wakasa's near-unbeatable power.
Nohebi's players, including Daisho and Ryo, nodded in acknowledgment. They had been bested by a team that was simply too good.
Kuroo, wiping sweat from his forehead, walked up to Daisho with a smile. "Looks like we've got one more match to go. Hope you're ready for the finals."
Daisho gave a short laugh. "You're a hell of a blocker, Kuroo. See you in the future."
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Nekoma's Triumph: Eyes on the Finals
With their victory secured, Nekoma had advanced to the finals. But now, the true test awaited them—Itachiyama. They had come so far, but this last match would be their greatest challenge yet.
For now, however, Nekoma was savoring the victory, especially with Wakasa and Kenma forming the perfect setter-ace duo. They were ready for anything, and nothing was going to stand in their way.