Renji’s Counterattack

The Shift in Strategy

Renji exhaled slowly, forcing his body to reset.

The pressure was crushing. His legs burned. His lungs ached.

But Yuuto's words echoed in his head—

"If you hesitate, we lose."

Hoshin's tactics weren't about power. They were about control.

And he was done letting them dictate the pace.

Instead of reacting, he made a choice.

He adjusted his stance—just slightly.

To Hoshin's spikers, it would look like he was favoring his right side, leaving his left wide open.

It was a risk. But if they took the bait…

He'd be ready.

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The First Test

The next rally began.

Hoshin's setter, Shun Takagi, glanced at Renji—reading him, analyzing him.

Then, the set went up.

The spiker launched forward, eyes locked onto Renji's seemingly open left side.

He took the shot—powerful, direct.

For a split second, it looked like it would work.

But Renji was already moving.

At the last possible moment, he dived—arms steady, form perfect.

The ball popped into the air—flawless dig.

A gasp rippled through the crowd.

Yuuto's eyes widened.

He's not reacting.

He's predicting.

On the sideline, Coach Fujimoto's lips curled into a rare smile.

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Breaking the Pattern

The next play, Hoshin's spiker adjusted—this time aiming for the right.

But Renji had already anticipated it.

He stepped in before the spike even landed, scooping the ball up with ease.

Another fake-out? Renji saw it before it even happened.

Hoshin was caught off guard.

For the first time, their perfectly controlled offense wavered.

Shun's hands twitched slightly as he called for the next play.

This wasn't how it was supposed to go.

Misaki High wasn't supposed to adapt this fast.

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Misaki High's Comeback

With Renji stabilizing the defense, Misaki took back control.

Yuuto's sets sharpened.

Misaki's attackers, no longer second-guessing, started landing their hits.

Asuka cheered loudly from the sideline. "That's it, Renji!"

The once-unshakable Hoshin hesitated.

They were so used to manipulating the match—but now they were the ones being read.

Shun Takagi's expression remained calm, but Renji saw it—a flicker of uncertainty.

Their system was breaking.

Another rally—Hoshin tried to reassert control.

But Renji was already in position, effortlessly digging the spike.

Misaki countered.

Misaki scored.

Set point for Misaki High.

One more play.

One more chance to turn the entire match.

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End of Chapter 41

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To Be Continue