40: Turns Out it Was Just a Meal Replacement

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T.N.: "代餐" (dài cān) literally means "meal replacement," but in this context, it is slang used metaphorically. It implies that someone or something was just a temporary substitute, often in a relationship or emotional context.


KIRYUU WAKATSU, who had a direct collision with Kobayashi Aotori, undoubtedly felt it the most deeply.

He clearly felt that unstoppable momentum and pressure. To be honest, that high wall, he ultimately couldn't break through it; it still stood there resiliently.

And he only gained points according to the rules.

This serve duel—he actually lost.


————


THE FIRST SET ENDED. The result made Kobayashi Aotori feel both surprised and somewhat expected.

Shiratorizawa won 25:23. There was no extra game, and the score was fiercely contested to a certain extent. Shiratorizawa always maintained the two-point lead initially gained by Kobayashi Aotori. There were times when Mujinazaka High was about to catch up, but—

Kobayashi Aotori officially blocked Kiryuu Wakatsu's spike at that moment.


IN THE AUDIENCE, Suna Rintarou, who was sitting in the corner, finally couldn't stay calm any longer. He stood up with a "snap," his long, narrow eyes wide open, fully expressing his shock on his face.

Under his teammates' astonished gazes, Suna restored his calm, slowly sat back down, and acted as if nothing had happened.

...I must contact him, I must. Immediately right after Interhigh ends!


WHILE THE ENTIRE ARENA erupted in cheers and screams, Kobayashi Aotori's hand was still in excruciating pain.

It wasn't the just-right numb pain like when facing Aoba Johsai, but a piercing, continuous pain! Whether it was the fingertips or the joints, they were all hit hard by the volleyball, and this pain was really killing him.

Kobayashi Aotori recalled the lessons from the matches in his previous life, never expecting that even in this new life, he still couldn't escape the fate of being tormented by volleyball.

However, aside from this interlude, this set was still going unbelievably smoothly for Shiratorizawa.

A normal, fierce contest, a normal victory by leading two points in the final moments.


"...THIS... GUY!!"

Usuri Michiru, staring at Kobayashi Aotori's back, almost ground his teeth to pieces. With Tendou Satori adding fuel to the fire, he considered himself to have a strong tolerance, but how could there be someone so adept at taunting like this!

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