The Birth of A Volleyball Legend
Chapter 96: Connection Between Yuki & Hirano! (I)

Normally, if losing three points in a row from the same player, getting the momentum snatched away from the team, and having their two best players collide with each other that could cause a potential injury to happen at the same time, it would be interpreted as a bad omen, as if saying that even the universe didn't want them to win.

This would usually make any team feel depressed, plummeting the mood in a second.

However, right now, the two players who just collided with each other, Yuki and Hirano, had identical grins that confused all of the Tsunemori players, making them forget to feel depressed for all the reasons stated above.

"Are you sure you're both okay?" Megumi asked, trying to scan their body with her eyes. When she didn't receive any answer to her question, she huffed. "If you keep grinning stupidly like that and not answering my question, I will assume that something goes wrong with your head and call an ambulance, you know?" She showed her fist threateningly.

Yuki could only stare at the girl with a deadpanned expression while Hirano didn't even take the threat seriously. The other players choked on the spot and some stiffened their laughter, didn't expect their usually calm and collected manager to threaten an injured player like this.

"If a person still smiles after clashing with the other, you should've assumed that he is okay, Megumi-senpai, not that there is something wrong with his head," Yuki said wryly.

"Well, you cannot blame me for worrying about you, especially when you had this stupid smile and ignored my question." Megumi crossed her arms in front of her chest. "So, is there any problem with your head?"

"No, Senpai." Yuki shook his head, indicating he was okay. Hirano also followed his gesture, giving a thumb-up to reassure the manager. "See? Everything is under control here."

After another round of checking and not seeing any problem with them, Megumi sighed in relief before turning her head to Akira. The coach nodded, also showing a relieved expression as he was glad that none of his players got injured.

"Well, although our reason for asking a timeout is not ideal, at least the timing is perfect for cutting off their momentum." He said, trying to light up the atmosphere. Not that he had to, since strangely enough, the atmosphere was quite mild here, not as bad as he thought it would be after losing three points in a row.

It might be because they heard the news that Yuki and Hirano were okay that they didn't feel too depressed here. "Anyway, why are you both still smiling after the collision?" He couldn't help but ask.

After hearing the question, all the eyes turned to both Hirano and Yuki, also curious about that.

"Well… I don't really know how to explain it…" Yuki rubbed his neck sheepishly. "Maybe, it is because I am glad to see Rano-senpai also rushed to stop the attack too… But I don't know…" His tone was unsure.

That was probably the closest explanation he could give to what just happened. He was indeed relieved to see Hirano was able to match his reaction in the last play. However, there was more that Yuki couldn't explain clearly. It was as if something suddenly clicked, strengthening the connection between him and Hirano.

However, he himself wasn't so sure about that too, since it was the first time he had ever felt something like this.

Akira stared at his players for a while. However, when he saw Yuki's confusion and Hirano's usual cold face, he finally sighed, letting it slide for a while.

"Well, since nothing bad happened, we might as well take advantage of this timeout to discuss what we are going to do. Yes, Hirano-kun?" Akira was surprised to see the cold-hearted blocker raise his hand. However, Hirano didn't care about the coach's reaction and said what was inside his mind quite frankly.

"Can I have a request here?"

-0-

After ensuring that the players were okay, the referee asked for all of them to go back to the court once again to resume the game. Since the last play ended up with Ito's successful attack, the privilege to serve was still on Kyoei's captain.

Unfortunately for Kyoei, Ito's serve wasn't the most impressive one by nature. Sure, it had a nasty spin, but it lacked velocity and power, which made it easier for the Tsunemori players to pick it up. Even Ogawa who was the most ordinary one out of all the six of them was able to save it easily, sending it straight to Riku on the front line.

"Nice receive, Jimmy!"

"Asa!"

*BAM!*

"YOSSHAA!"

"Nice kill, Asa!"

"Good job!"

Riku took advantage of Kyoei's carelessness after doing a serve to initiate a quick attack. And Asahi who received the ball was able to execute it perfectly, not giving Nitta in front of him a chance to jump and block the ball.

A collective sigh could be heard all around the building as the crowds released it simultaneously. They couldn't help but feel nervous before when the opponent received the second wind, afraid that it would cost Tsunemori too much later. Fortunately, the players were calm enough to recover and stop the wound before it was too severe and affected the whole game.

"Come on Koji! You haven't done anything yet today!"

"You have to score, you Bastard!"

"Don't let them think you are an easy prey!"

"Come on! Kill them all!"

When they all heard the support from the crowds to Koji, they had a little bit of sweat drop on their face. It seemed Koji's friends were so violent and prideful and took this game too seriously. However, it seemed their support worked, as Koji's next serve was enough to give the opponent a difficult time.

*BANG!*

"Damn! Sorry about it!"

"Yamada! Took cover!"

"Overhead ball! Hirano, jump!"

Seeing the ball fly so close to the net, both Hirano and Kyoei's setter jumped at the same time, trying to get the ball first and knock it down the opponent's area. This time, Hirano showed his ability to win the aerial battle by jumping higher, reaching the ball first and tapping it slightly to deflect the ball to Kyoei's area.

Unfortunately, Haruo managed to react fast, rushing forward to save it before the ball could touch the floor.

"Oh! Damn, Haruo! Nice dig!"

"YAMADA!"

As the ball flew still close to the net, The setter who was still there didn't hesitate to toss it immediately, giving his teammates enough time to attack without Hirano's interference. However, Tsunemori's middle blocker was still calm. He recovered from his position immediately, moving to the right side where the ball flew and jumped.

Even though he was one step behind, Hirano couldn't help but smirk, especially when he noticed someone rushed forward and helped him form a two-man block. Stay connected through m-v l|e'-NovelFire.net

'As expected, you will be there. Your talent to read the game is monster, Yuki.'

*BAM!*