Creak!
It was during the period when everyone was chatting and laughing with Nekoma outside the venue.
With the referee's last whistle, the score on the digital screen flashed: 25.
In the final set, there was still no suspense.
Under Akira's powerful smashes, Karasuno gradually ushered in its first victory!!
"Yay!"
"We won!!"
"Nationals! Let's keep going!!"
...
Thus, the first match of the tournament was won.
At this moment, under the spotlight, the players of Karasuno seemed to have become the protagonists of the world.
They were immersed in the sweet fruits of victory!
However, this atmosphere lasted only a short while before the team sobered from their joy.
"Tomorrow's match, let's keep it up!!"
"Yes!!"
Watching from the sidelines, Ittetsu Takeda couldn't help but nod in satisfaction.
Instead of dwelling on a fleeting victory, they looked to the future.
A team like this could go far on the stage of the national tournament!
...
Meanwhile, the players from Sarukawa Tech were not as disappointed as one might have expected.
"Alas!"
"That match felt like torture!"
Walking back from the court, Iori Kanazawa spoke with a wry smile.
"Yeah..."
Itaru Shiramine's face held a similarly relieved expression.
"Honestly, from the moment I watched their game footage, I thought we'd lose to that team..."
"I just didn't want to say anything and shake everyone's confidence."
Nearby, Hisahiko Wakura laughed suddenly.
"Haha! I was thinking the exact same thing!"
"I kept wondering how we could possibly beat the team that defeated Shiratorizawa 3–0!"
"Still, I didn't want to admit defeat back then, so I kept quiet."
"I felt the same way!"
"Huh? You all thought that too?"
"Not just you guys, me too..."
"Hahahaha!"
"So that's what everyone was thinking back then!"
...
"Next time at Spring High... we must become stronger!"
"We want to go further on this stage!!"
Representing Ishikawa Prefecture, Sarukawa Tech High School—
Eliminated in the first round of the National Tournament!!
Elsewhere, Karasuno's players returned to their court.
"You guys played fantastically!!"
Ittetsu Takeda laughed as he spoke to them:
"Everyone maintained a strong mentality!"
"We have to keep pushing forward tomorrow!!"
"Win the next match!!"
"Yes!"
Just then, the sharp-eyed Sugawara seemed to notice something.
"Huh?"
"Speaking of which..."
"Where's Coach Ukai?"
"Did anyone see him just now?"
Ukai was a very responsible coach. He should've been here, sharing in the team's victory!
After all, without him, they wouldn't have made it this far!
"Uh..."
"Well..."
Takeda offered an awkward smile.
"He had something urgent to handle and stepped out to take a call."
"He'll be back soon!"
"Let's head outside the stadium now—the next match is about to start!"
"Huh?"
"Is something going on?"
The team all looked confused.
...
At the same time, far away in Miyagi Prefecture, in a small countryside village—
In a modest courtyard, several elderly men sat huddled around a television screen.
At that moment, a sharp-eyed elderly man walked slowly along the low outer wall.
When one of the men watching the screen spotted him, his eyes lit up and he called out:
"Hey? Coach Ukai!"
"Come and take a look!"
"Isn't this the same school you used to coach?"
"Karasuno High... I remember that name, right?"
"Huh?"
The man, Ikkei Ukai, who was walking outside, turned with a confused expression.
"Takatsu, you old goat, what nonsense are you spouting now?"
"What about Karasuno??"
Takatsu slapped his thigh with excitement!
"The Nationals!!"
"Don't you know?"
"Their coach is on TV—it's your grandson!"
"Didn't he tell you?"
"Keishin??"
Ikkei was even more confused now.
"Wasn't he just helping his mother at the shop?"
"You sure you didn't get the wrong guy??"
"C'mon! See for yourself!!"
"Yeah, Ukai! Come and check it out!"
"That's your grandson on TV, right?"
The other old men looked over at Ikkei with anticipation and waved him over.
"You guys aren't pulling a prank on me, are you?"
At their insistence, Ikkei stepped into the courtyard, puzzled.
"Take a look at this!"
"I recognized that kid's hairstyle immediately!"
They pushed Ukai into a chair and pointed at the screen with eager expressions.
"Isn't that Keishin?"
When Ikkei looked at the screen, his eyes nearly popped out!
"This... This is..."
"Well?"
"Say it already!"
His stunned reaction made the others squirm like ants on a hot stove.