Creak!!
Inarizaki's defense is still trying desperately to recieve Akira's serves, but their lunging attempts are once again futile!
Even after serving so many times, the power behind Akira's shots hasn't diminished in the slightest!!
"You..."
"Are you okay??"
Kageyama couldn't help but glance back at Akira, who had just served another ball, and asked:
"Can you still keep going in the next set?"
"Do you want to take a break for a while??"
Hearing his words, the rest of Karasuno reacted as well.
During this whole time, they had all just been standing there, motionless, watching Akira continuously serve!
And despite the countless aggressive serves, there hadn't been the slightest dip in power!!
Just as ferocious as at the beginning!!
That's exactly why Inarizaki hasn't been able to stop a single one of his serves!
"Yeah!"
"Before we knew it, you've already served so many times!"
Daichi also looked at Akira with some concern:
"Honestly, it's okay to take a break!"
"Right?! Didn't you see those loudmouths on the other side finally shut up?"
"Haha! We've been standing here so long my ankles are sore! We want to move too!"
…
Seeing the concern in his teammates' eyes, Akira shrugged slightly, a bit helpless.
"Alright!"
Truthfully, even if he continued to serve, he could probably hold out until the end of the set without issue.
Karasuno's score had already reached 20 points!!
In other words, just five more points, and the set would be over without suspense!
But if he kept this up, his stamina for the next set might be affected.
After all, these powerful serves are nothing like normal offensive spikes in a rally!
He has to jump further than a typical back-row attack! And higher!!
That means the physical cost is greater!!
Besides, the purpose of these serves had already been fulfilled!!
The Inarizaki cheer squad was completely silent now—utterly dead quiet.
And...
If he gave up the powerful jump serves now, it might even produce some unexpected effects!!
…
So, under the watchful eyes of his teammates, when it was his turn to serve again, he sent a standard overhand float serve flying into the air!!!
Shout!!
The sudden change on the court immediately caught the attention of all the spectators!
"What's going on??"
"Why didn't Akira use that powerful jump serve??"
"That's just a normal float serve! Why didn't he go for his usual one?"
"Is he out of stamina?"
"Huh? That can't be it! If that's true, what will Karasuno do in the next set?"
…
Hearing the murmurs around him, Hoshiumi Korai pouted with mild contempt.
"Hmph! These people are so clueless."
"If Akira were out of stamina, Karasuno's coach would've subbed him out to rest!"
"There's no way they'd let their ace burn out on the court!"
"Especially since they absolutely need him in the next set!"
"Hahaha! You're spot on!"
Hirugami also nodded in agreement,
"It's just that most people can't see that!!"
…
At the same time, everyone on Inarizaki, who had been keeping a close eye on Akira's every move, immediately noticed the difference in this serve!!
Splat!
Faced with this ordinary float serve—which was clearly less powerful than the vicious jump serves—Akagi in the back row picked it up cleanly!!
And after being shut down for so long, everyone on Inarizaki suddenly saw a glimmer of hope!!
"Let's go!"
Atsumu Miya shouted, and although his legs had gone a bit numb from bracing himself for the previous serves,
He still rushed to get under the ball's landing point!!
With a swift, precise set, the ball flew toward Aran Ojiro on the wing!
Everyone on Inarizaki watched him with bated breath.
Finally, an opportunity...
This point had to be scored!!
They had to score!!
They couldn't let Akira serve again!!
Carrying everyone's hopes, Aran launched himself from the right wing!!
Boom!
His extraordinary athleticism let him rise higher than Karasuno's blockers!!
He struck the ball cleanly above the net!
A sharp spike slammed into the back of the court!!
Creak!!
The referee's whistle blew!
After so many plays, Inarizaki finally got a point!!
But across the net, there was no sign of joy or relief on their faces.
Only a deep, bitter frustration remained!
"Sigh..."
Kuroo let out a sigh in the stands.
"That kid Akira is downright murderous. He's got a wicked mind."
"Huh?"
His words drew everyone's attention.
"What do you mean?"
"Shouldn't Inarizaki be happy they finally scored?"
Bokuto asked from nearby:
"Isn't that a good thing??"
Watching the scene unfold, Akaashi couldn't help but sigh:
"Not quite, Bokuto-san."
"Think about it. From the moment Akira started those powerful jump serves until now..."
"Inarizaki couldn't receive a single one!"
"So when they finally do receive the ball, it's not because of their own effort."
"It's because the opponent chose to stop using that serve!"
"If you were on Inarizaki's side, wouldn't that make you feel... bitter?"
"You finally got a point, not because you overcame the challenge..."
"But because your opponent gave up the fight."