The Birth of A Volleyball Legend

The final set between Tsunemori High and Kikugawa High finally began, and just like the first two sets, the game started at a quick pace with Yuki taking over from the beginning to give his team a quick lead by four points in less than two minutes. However, except for the players on the court and the supporters of both teams, all the neutral spectators didn't really pay attention too much to the game itself. Rather, they were staring with full interest at the neutral stand where coincidentally enough, all the Konan High players and Matsuyama Kita players sat in the same row, creating an awkward atmosphere around them.

"Matsumoto-kun, are you sure you didn't deliberately order the seat next to them?" Lucas asked, trying his best to hold back laughter.

Matsumoto's face stiffened a bit as he answered cooly, "Of course, not! We are the ones who sit here first! It should be them who do this deliberately, right?" Unfortunately, even though he said it in English, some of the Matsuyama Kita players who were proficient in that language could understand what he was saying.

Amagi, probably the most vocal player in Matsuyama Kita regarding their rivalry with Konan High scoffed rudely. "For your information, if we know that you will be here, we would rather not come and watch this game. Also, why would you come this early? Trying to act almighty while watching the lower creatures fight pitifully to be your next prey?" Even though compared to Matsumoto and Lucas who were proficient in the language, Amagi's accent was a bit too thick and made it hard for anyone to understand, at least the two people he intended to hear that reacted, fully understanding his words.

The question Amagi threw also a reasonable one despite it was being rude. For all of his career with Matsuyama Kita High, Amagi was so obsessed with Konan High that the setter even researched a lot of useless trivial things about them, and one of them was the fact that Konan High had never had their team come earlier to watch their potential opponent's game. This was the confidence they had that no matter who would be their next opponent and what kind of playing style they had, Konan High would be able to defeat them all fair and square.

Of course, it was just all their inner thought, not something that they should say out loud. So, for Amagi to say that, it was clear that Matsuyama Kita's setter wanted to embarrass the best team in the country for their almighty act.

However, Matsumoto showed why he was a veteran by using his 'thick skin' skill to answer that. 'Well, it is free for everyone to watch the game, so who are you to forbid us from coming here? You know, Amagi-kun, you care too much about us. Maybe, that is why your team still couldn't beat us in the last two years. Even a school like Kyoei Gakuen could do better. What a downfall for the eternal runner-up…'

Ouch… All the people who could understand his words winced unconsciously, knowing that the insult would sting for Matsuyama Kita. The worst part was that Matsumoto didn't even bat his eyes before throwing the sharpest blade to kill Amagi with his words.

All the Matsuyama Kita players also turned around immediately after that, glaring fiercely at Matsumoto. Even though most of them didn't know English, they could recognize a mocking tone when they heard one.

Gondo was about to get up and fight back for his kouhai. However, Amagi raised his hand, his expression was terrifyingly calm for someone who had just been insulted by his opponent. Still, Gondo could see that Amagi clenched his fist so tight that the captain was afraid that the setter would hurt himself from it.

"Don't worry, Senpai. I am already immune to their insult." He whispered lowly. However, Gondo knew rage was building slowly inside the boy, ready to explode at any random time in the future. "Don't worry, I wouldn't do anything stupid here. We need to be here more than them right now. Let's settle everything over the court when our next meeting is happening."

Gondo stared at his kouhai intently for a few seconds before nodding reluctantly, finally going back to his seat. With that, the tension between the two teams finally disappeared even though it was just momentarily.

Seeing the atmosphere was still awkward, Sawada – Konan High's setter – decided to melt it down with a question. "Um… Matsumoto-senpai, do you know why Kikugawa High hasn't called a timeout yet? I mean, you said it before that…" He paused, glancing sideways at the rival's players. He didn't want to share the intelligence they had accidentally, especially if it could help the rival team have an easier game in the future.

It seemed Amagi knew what he was thinking about as he just snorted loudly. "Don't worry, I know what you are talking about. The fact that you don't know the reason why Kikugawa High hasn't called a timeout yet just shows that you are still amateur."

The mocking tone laced in his words was enough to make Sawada embarrassed for his question. However, Matsumoto came in his defense, patting the boy's back gently, and said, "Don't worry about asking a question to me. Also, don't listen to a loser too much, or it will also infect you. We don't need one in our team, after all." Amagi felt like his head was about to explode when he heard that.

"As for why they haven't called a timeout yet, it is because this is the final set," Matsumoto answered.

"Does it make any difference?" Sawada asked curiously. Not just him, but some of the freshmen players from the team who usually sat as bench warmers and even some of the Matsuyama Kita players paid attention to the conversation. Seeing this, Matsumoto couldn't help but give Amagi the smuggest smile he could muster, which the setter just snorted coldly in return.

"Oh, yes, it makes a big difference." Matsumoto finally answered. "After all, this could be the last set of the tournament for both teams. So, they would be careful to use their timeout this time. After all, anything could happen in a clutch moment, and the coaches from both teams would rather use their timeout for that time."

All the players who listened to the answer pondered for a moment before Akihiro – Konan's middle blocker – finally asked, "So, who do you think will win the game, Senpai?" All eyes turned to Konan's captain immediately, curious of what probably the best player in the country would say.

"Oh, it is hard to predict, but if I have to choose, Kikugawa High looks promising," Matsumoto answered casually. "After all, besides the pressure from the outside, they are the better team compared to Tsunemori High, and sooner or later, they would adapt to it and overcome the difficulty easily. That is when Tsunemori High will lose all their advantage in this game and lose the game as well."

Some of them nodded slightly, somehow finding themselves agreeing with Matsumoto's words. However, Amagi just snorted a little, his eyes wandering on the court where Yuki was there to serve the ball. Even though everything looked like Kikugawa High was the better team, he knew his new friend well. He knew that the boy wouldn't let the statistic on paper affect his performance, and honestly, he was looking forward to the boy making a surprise in this round.

As he shifted a little to make himself comfortable, Amagi stared at Yuki intently while murmuring, "Come on, Kobayashi. Show me your magic and silence those fuckers from Konan High. I am counting on you!'