Hidden Plot and Chemical Reactions That Only Appear After Clearing

The whistle was like a sharp pair of scissors, instantly cutting through the taut air of the court.

25:23.

The numbers on the scoreboard froze, and only then did the heavy feeling pressing on their chests finally recede, replaced by the burning sting in their lungs and the ache in their muscles. They won. Even though it was just a practice match, even though the opposing team's main setter only played the final set, a win was a win.

"Line up!"

Sawamura Daichi's voice was still loud, but with a hint of imperceptible tremor.

Across the net, the Aoba Johsai players had varied expressions. Iwaizumi Hajime smacked Kindaichi hard on the back, seemingly telling him to stand up straight. And Oikawa Tōru, the man who had nearly broken Karasuno's spirit in the final set, didn't show much of a gloomy expression of defeat. He just stood there, his gaze sweeping over the net, as if appraising a bunch of rookies who dared to challenge Elite Monsters right after leaving the Novice Village.

The players from both teams walked to the net, bowed, and shook hands.

"Thank you for the match!"

The voices echoed in the gymnasium.

Lu Ren, mixed in with the team, was about to pull his hand away when he felt his palm gripped firmly. He looked up, meeting a pair of brown eyes with a smile.

Oikawa Tōru.

"Lu Ren-chan," Oikawa Tōru didn't let go, instead applying a slight pressure and leaning forward, lowering his voice. "The suggestion I made at the city gymnasium is still valid, you know."

Lu Ren raised an eyebrow. Was he poaching players in front of the whole team? Truly a villainous BOSS, showing no sportsmanship.

"Aoba Johsai's cafeteria must be better than Karasuno's, right?" Oikawa Tōru added with a grin. "Besides, don't you think it's more interesting to grind Instances with a max-level account than to lead a group of low-level characters?"

Lu Ren felt the pressure on his palm, the rough texture of calluses formed from years of setting. He glanced at Hinata, who was baring his teeth at Iwaizumi Hajime beside him, and then at Kageyama, who, despite his poker face, clearly looked relieved.

"Indeed, Aoba Johsai's setup is very luxurious, well-equipped, and you're the top support player on the server," Lu Ren shrugged and pulled his hand away. "But, I have a bit of a masochistic tendency."

Oikawa Tōru blinked in surprise.

"Buying a max-level account directly is awesome, but the process of starting from scratch, gradually replacing trash gear with divine equipment, and watching the experience bar slowly fill up – that's the essence of the game," Lu Ren patted the dust off his sweatpants. "This team, even though they don't even have a proper libero yet and their defense is as leaky as a sieve, that's precisely why it's exciting to climb up."

Oikawa Tōru stared at Lu Ren for a few seconds, the smile on his lips deepening, a dangerous glint flashing in his eyes.

"Is that so?" He straightened up, resuming his charming demeanor. "While I respect your masochistic hobby, the doors of Aoba Johsai are always open to you. After all, I'm looking forward to the day I can personally shatter this 'fun' of yours."

"Then I'll be waiting."

Lu Ren turned and rejoined his team.

On the sidelines, Teacher Takeda Ittetsu stood frozen. The lenses of his glasses had even fogged up, and he seemed dazed by the "Monster Quick Attack" they had just witnessed. He muttered unconsciously, "Amazing... truly amazing..."

"Teacher!"

Sawamura Daichi led the team to Teacher Takeda, bowing in unison: "Thank you for your guidance!"

This was an unwritten rule in Japanese sports clubs; one must thank their advisor or coach after a match.

This shout finally brought Teacher Takeda's spirit back. He flinched and waved his hands frantically, "Ah! Yes! Uh... you all worked hard!"

Sugawara Kōshi whispered from the side, "Teacher, you should say something now. A concluding remark from an elder, something like that."

"Ah? A conclusion? Me?" Teacher Takeda pointed at himself, looking a bit flustered. He was a literature teacher, and his understanding of volleyball rules was limited to "the ball can't touch the ground." The match just now was like watching a Hollywood blockbuster for him – nothing but shock.

He took a deep breath and looked at the group of sweaty, bright-eyed youths before him.

"Well... regarding volleyball, I am indeed a complete outsider," Teacher Takeda adjusted his glasses, his voice gradually steadying. "I don't understand the techniques, but I know that you've accomplished something incredible just now."

The entire place fell silent.

"In the new year, although we gained some very talented first-years, at first, you were completely scattered, even hindering each other." Teacher Takeda's gaze swept over Kageyama and Hinata, then looked at Tsukishima and Lu Ren. "But today, I think I've come to understand something."

He paused, his eyes becoming a little distant, as if he could see something grander through the gymnasium ceiling.

"It's okay if you're not united, it's okay if your personalities don't match. The encounter between people is itself a miracle. When different elements collide, they will generate intense chemical reactions."