Haikyuu: I Grind To Beat My Genius Twin Brother

Having talented newcomers join the team was a good thing, but Iwaizumi Hajime couldn't help worrying that his and Oikawa's positions might be replaced by these fresh faces...

"Beep—"

Serve rotation.

A domineering figure sauntered toward the service area, silver hair fluttering gracefully in the air.

It was Kikuzawa Yuma, ready to start some trouble.

"Using overhand serves the entire first set felt unnatural. Jump serves suit my style better."

Hanamaki Takahiro: "Make it a good one!"

Kindaichi: "Show Karasuno what Aoba Johsai is made of!"

Watari Shinji: "Go for it!"

Aoba Johsai's unusual commotion naturally caught Karasuno's attention.

When a team shows extreme reactions to a server, there are usually two possibilities: either the server is exceptionally good or exceptionally bad.

Tanaka Ryuunosuke: "Hey, wasn't this guy's serve pretty average last set? What's the big deal now?"

Sawamura Daichi realized something: "He might have been holding back earlier. Stay alert...!"

BAM!!

The wind pressure from the serve lifted Hinata Shouyou's bangs as he remained in a crouched position, pupils shaking violently.

The entire Karasuno team turned their heads in unison, shocked expressions all directed at where the ball had landed in their backcourt.

"!!!"

"That was fast!"

"A powerful jump serve just like Kageyama's!"

"They have another server of that caliber?!"

Kageyama Tobio glared fiercely at Kikuzawa Yuma in the service area, eyes practically burning. Noticing his gaze, Kikuzawa smirked and tilted his chin up in clear provocation.

Kageyama: "That bastard!"

Sawamura Daichi clapped his hands: "Alright everyone! Stay focused. If we have Kageyama, it's not surprising they'd have a strong server too. Hinata, move back a bit when receiving and leave the position to me and Ennoshita."

Given Hinata Shouyou's current receiving skills, facing serves of this level was still too early for him.

Sawamura's plan was sound—having Hinata retreat while he and Ennoshita Chikara expanded their coverage was the best strategy under these circumstances.

But reality proved much harsher than expectations.

BAM!

Another powerful jump serve smashed into Karasuno's backcourt. Sawamura Daichi formed a platform with his arms to receive, but the ball ricocheted far out of bounds the moment it made contact.

CLANG!

The volleyball flew all the way to the second floor, hitting the railing and drawing gasps from spectators.

Sawamura Daichi wiped sweat from his brow.

—Damn it! If only Nishinoya were here...!

Before Karasuno could regroup, Kikuzawa Yuma's next serve was already coming.

The third serve had noticeably less power but carried tricky spin, tracing an unpredictable arc through the air before grazing past Sawamura's diving receive attempt to land on Karasuno's court.

Kageyama Tobio gritted his teeth while glaring at the silver-haired opponent: "This asshole can do jump float serves too?!"

Under Kikuzawa Yuma's relentless assault, Karasuno lost five consecutive points, bringing the score to 10-3.

On his sixth serve, Kikuzawa sent the ball out of bounds, allowing Karasuno to finally breathe again.

Kikuzawa Yuma: "Tch! Put too much power into that one."

Hanamaki Takahiro: "Don't sweat it!"

Iwaizumi Hajime: "No worries, you did great."

Even professional players make serving errors, but for Kikuzawa Yuma, missing a serve felt utterly humiliating.

Turning around, he predictably found Yuuki staring at him with undisguised contempt, as if failing to serve properly was completely unacceptable.

Kikuzawa Yuma: (｀へ´)

After two more serves, the score reached Aoba Johsai 12 - Karasuno 5.

Despite their comfortable lead, Aoba Johsai remained vigilant.

Because Hinata had rotated to the front row again, meaning the freak quick could appear at any moment. Worse still, Karasuno's current server was Kageyama Tobio.

Having been suppressed for so long, Kageyama was practically steaming with anger. His already unfriendly expression darkened further as he marched to the service area looking ready to murder someone.

BAM!

Perhaps fueled by rage, Kageyama's serve carried unprecedented force, the impact sending Kindaichi flying onto his backside.

"Beep—"

Service ace!

"Nice one Kageyama!"

"Great serve!"

"Let's close the gap!"

Karasuno's morale soared as they praised their powerful server.

"Everyone move! I'll take his serves!"

Kikuzawa Yuma shoved Kindaichi and Hanamaki Takahiro aside, swept his bangs back, and assumed a serious stance while claiming most of the backcourt defense area.

He might not compare to receiving geniuses like Yuuki (94 in receiving), but he'd grown up taking serves from a former professional player!

—You think all those bones I broke getting hit by Dad's serves were for nothing?!

Rage!

Kageyama Tobio's serving form—stolen from Oikawa—carried distinct traces of Aoba Johsai's captain in every movement: the approach, jump, and swing momentarily made Seijoh players feel like they were facing their own leader.

THWACK!

The volleyball dented dramatically where Kageyama's palm connected, hanging motionless for an instant before rocketing toward Seijoh's court at ridiculous speed, the yellow-and-blue blur leaving an afterimage in the air.

"I got this!"

Kikuzawa Yuma sidestepped in front of Hanamaki Takahiro, lowering his center of gravity and straightening his arms to receive.

BAM!

The impact sent a violent shock through his arms, momentum threatening to topple him backward. At the critical moment, he clenched his teeth to prevent exhaling, engaging his core to stabilize his upper body despite losing balance. With a slight arm adjustment, the ball's force dissipated instantly, soaring perfectly back to Seijoh's frontcourt.

A flawless receive!

"Yuuki!"

Still sitting on the floor, Kikuzawa shouted before even standing up.

"Got it."

Yuuki didn't disappoint, securing this hard-won receive and setting it perfectly for Iwaizumi Hajime.

SMASH!

"Beep—"

Seijoh scores the spike.

"Nice kill!"

"Great receive Yuma!"

Kikuzawa Yuma clutched his side as he got up, immediately taunting Karasuno with a smirk.

"Hahaha no way no way? Don't tell me someone only practiced serving but not receiving! Wait, you actually exist? Hahahaha—!"

Karasuno team: ...

Yuuki observed his brother's stiff posture before poking his injured side sharply.

"YEOWCH—!"

The scream drew everyone's attention.

Yuuki had precisely targeted the spot aggravated by Kikuzawa's earlier receive, nearly sending his dear brother to an early grave.

"Yuuki! What the hell's wrong with you?!"

Kikuzawa Yuma glared at his backstabbing brother with horrified eyes.

Iwaizumi Hajime approached appropriately: "Yuma, you okay? Hurt?"

Kindaichi also expressed concern: "Is it the same injury from yesterday acting up?"

"Beeeeep—"

Aoba Johsai's Coach Irihata called a timeout.

Coach Irihata: "Yuma, what's wrong?"

The team crowded around Kikuzawa Yuma in the rest area, who wore a peculiar expression.

Before he could speak, Yuuki—who'd been observing closely—cut in: "His back's injured. Needs to sit out."

Kikuzawa Yuma grimaced: "It was fine until you gave me that critical hit! Now it actually hurts!"

Coach Irihata stroked his chin before patting Kikuzawa's shoulder reassuringly: "Then rest for now Yuma. Kunimi will sub in."

Karasuno used Seijoh's discussion time to hydrate and rest.

Sawamura Daichi: "Their ace got subbed out—did he get hurt receiving?"

Tanaka Ryuunosuke: "He kept holding his side—probably back problems."

Tsukishima Kei sneered: "As expected of the King's serves—knocking opponents out of the game."

Hinata Shouyou bounced excitedly: "Kageyama you're amazing! Your killer serves can actually kill people!"

Even Kageyama Tobio seemed stunned by his teammates' praise.

"...My serves are that powerful?"

Karasuno's discussion carried clearly to Kikuzawa Yuma on the bench, making him snap: "Like hell! Your limp serves couldn't hurt a fly! I got betrayed by my own teammate!"

—A classic case of the mouth remaining tough even in death.

The scene provided much amusement.

Just then, a chorus of female shrieks erupted in the gymnasium.

A tall, handsome figure entered.

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