The Birth of A Volleyball Legend

"You guys are panicking," Akira said as a matter of fact. "I mean, I can see and understand why you would start panicking, but we all know that doing that is probably the worst thing you can do in this situation, right?" All the Tsunemori players bowed their heads deep, frustrated over their current situation.

It was after the play where Kaito spiked the ball from above Hirano and Koji that Akira finally called a timeout for the team. It was a pretty shocking decision, considering the score was still 11 – 11, a tie game between the two teams with the score itself was still far from the final goal. In the final set, calling a timeout first meant that the coach admitted that his team couldn't adapt to the pace of the game, which usually would be a huge blow for the team itself, making them all think that their coach didn't believe that they could adapt. Akira of course knew about that, and by the look of disbelief and frustration shown by his players when he called that, the coach also understood his players' feelings.

However, he also believed that this decision was necessary.

In the last couple of plays, Tsunemori High could only attack the opponent three times, and all of those offenses were sloppy ones that were easy for Kikugawa High to deal with. They all were too busy adjusting their defensive state as they were bombarded by Kikugawa High's waves of offense from any direction on the court. Moreover, after leading the set by four points in the beginning, to be tied at this moment would definitely be a huge blow for them all, and they all needed to take a break from the game.

"I don't get it, though!" Ogawa scowled, frustrated. "I mean, the last two sets are pretty much balanced, right? How could they suddenly play like they are a different team?! Hell, if I don't know better, I would think they are Konan High players!" Some of the players there also nodded in agreement.

"You forget about one thing, Jimmy-kun." Megumi suddenly spoke softly, attracting everyone's attention. Even though Megumi's understanding of the game was not as profound as the players, she had her unique insight from watching the game as a spectator, and because she was basically the team's mother and big sister, everyone was willing to listen to her. "You forget that they finally get out of the shell they used to hide from our supporters."

That… Was a good argument. The only thing that went different from the last two sets were probably how active Kikugawa High's supporters this time, giving a boost to their players' morale. This also dampened the blow their players received from the abuse sent by Tsunemori's supporters, which was a big deal since Kikugawa High players finally able to go all out. Still, Ogawa was not convinced with that excuse.

"Could that really make a big difference, though?"

This time, instead of Megumi, Akira took over the question with a nod. "Yeah, it makes a big difference in the game. You should've still remembered how timid they were during the last set, right?" Well, even though they didn't want to admit it, they all indeed could still remember the nervousness their opponents suffered during that time. After all, they took advantage of it really well, resulting in a win for them to tie the game. "Well, that gives you guys the illusion that they are timid and don't have a backbone to fight, making you guys unconsciously forget about what I talked about their playing style, right?"

Some of the players there winced unconsciously, knowing that Akira was spot on this time. They still remembered how the coach told them that Kikugawa High had an aggressive offensive style and they had to be ready to defend their area with their lives all the time just like their usual playing style. However, when Kikugawa High couldn't show their true potential because they were being suppressed by the supporters, all the Tsunemori High players somehow forgot about that piece of information. That was why they were so frustrated when Kikugawa High finally showed their full potential, somehow still expecting – or hoping – that the opponent would still show the same level of performance as they did during the second set. It was a naïve thought that Kikugawa punished decisively at the beginning of the third set.

This was a lesson for them that the game wasn't just about who was better physically and technically, but also who was better mentally. They all won the second set because their supporters helped them suppressed Kikugawa High's mental state. But now that the same trick couldn't be used twice, they needed to adjust or it would be them who would suffer the same fate as Kikugawa High in the last set.

Seeing that his players finally realized their mistake and started adjusting it, Akira couldn't help but sigh, relieved. "Okay, for the next play until the end of the game, I want you guys to adjust your mental state. No half-ass effort and hoping for an easy play anymore! Let's show them why we are called the toughest defense in the tournament! You all remember our motto, right?!"

"Yes, Sir!"

"Then, say it to me!"

"Yes, Sir! Let's drag them to hell!"

-0-

A moment later, all the players went back to the court, getting ready to continue the game. All the Tsunemori players walked with the new confidence as they just adjusted their mentality. However, that was something that couldn't be seen from the outside perspective, so their supporters couldn't help but worry about them.

"Hey, hey, is it okay? Akira-sensei doesn't change anything, you know?"

"Don't worry, just trust them. Akira-sensei knows what he is doing."

"Is he, though? You know that this is just his second time going to the top eight, and the first time was in the last summer during the Inter-high tournament, right?"

"That…"

Hearing all the whispers from the people around them, of course, would affect the children's confidence in their brother's team. Even Mai who didn't know anything about the sport and just joined for fun asked, "Kato-nee, is Yuki-nii going to lose?"

"What are you talking about?!" It was Hina who answered with a fierce glare toward her sister. "Of course, he is going to win! Don't talk nonsense like that!"

"Hey, you cannot blame me for thinking about that! Don't you listen to what the others said?"

"Stop listening to them!"

"Make me!"

Kato could only shake her head in exasperation as once again, she and Aiko had to separate the two girls before they could start fighting again. However, it would be a lie if she said she wasn't concerned. She turned her eyes to the court where Yuki and Riku were whispering something to each other, and she couldn't help but think, "Come on, you two! The kids are watching you guys, don't disappoint them!"