Wakamura-senpai, could you please stop causing trouble for our Spiker?
Miya Atsumu placed his hand lightly on Hinata Shoyo's shoulder, leaning forward slightly to envelop him.
Although he had a smile on his face, Hinata could inexplicably sense an aura that was somewhat dangerous.
Wakamura-senpai had intended to say something, but at this moment, he suddenly realized what Miya Atsumu had just said.
A.. wing spiker?
The smile on his face stiffened for a moment, Wakamura-senpai lowered his gaze to look at Hinata: "You.. are you the manager?"
Miya Atsumu's eyes were deep, his smile remaining only on the surface. "What are you saying, senpai? Shoyo-kun is the Little Giant we are training with all our might."
It's just that the current roster is full, the coach simply wants to keep him close by.
Wakamura's smile froze on his face, as the news he had just heard felt like a bucket of cold water being poured over him.
The original joy faded bit by bit. He opened his mouth, but couldn't say a single word.
In that instant, he felt a chill run down his spine.
So, he was the only one who was rejected.. right?
After a brief moment of confusion, a massive surge of rage welled up in his heart.
Wakamura bit his lower lip.
He turned and left abruptly, without saying another word to Hinata.
"Ah, Wakamura-senpai.." Hinata said, sounding a bit flustered. For the first time, he ignored Miya Atsumu and stepped forward, attempting to chase after him.
But Wakamura-senpai was walking very fast, disappearing into the stairwell in the blink of an eye, it was impossible to tell whether he was going up or down.
Miya Atsumu looked at Hinata's expression, feeling a bit lost himself. "Shoyo-kun? What's wrong?"
For a moment, Hinata didn't know how to describe his feelings.
Miya Atsumu hadn't done anything wrong, Hinata wasn't sure exactly what had gone wrong.
It's just.. it's sad.
Miya Atsumu, who had no idea what had happened, patted Hinata: "Let's go, Shoyo-kun. In a little while, the Kita Team is going to have Aran come and catch you."
Hinata nodded. "Okay.."
Looking at Hinata's expression, Miya Atsumu frowned slightly.
He stood at the doorway of the stairwell with his hands on his hips, looking at Hinata against the light. "I don't know what happened, but I don't think you need to worry."
For a volleyball player, there are some things that can be felt through the ball.
You'll find out.. once you've played a match.
Hinata blanked for a moment, nodding in confusion.
Understood.
Author's Note:
So it's a two-in-one!
Chapter 28: The Twenty-Eighth Fox
Despite what Miya Atsumu said, Hinata still kept thinking about finding Wakamura-senpai to get a clear explanation.
Unfortunately, Municipal Kobe, who was competing in the same period, left immediately after the matches ended.
Because he needed to follow the team, Hinata didn't get an opportunity until the first day's schedule was over.
On the way back to the hotel, Rishia finally couldn't help but ask him, "Did something happen?"
This guy has been out of it all afternoon, as quiet as if he were a completely different person.
Hinata scratched his head. "Ah.. it's about Wakamura-senpai and Coach Kurosu."
Hearing their conversation, Nagumo looked over. "Ao? What's wrong with him?"
"It's like this.." Hinata recounted the complicated situation once again.
After hearing the whole story, Nagumo sighed helplessly, "Ah.. that's definitely something that guy would do."
Shoyo, you don't need to worry about him; he's just childish.
Hinata looked up at the Setter senior who had been setting for him quite a lot lately: "Nagumo-senpai, do you know Wakamura-senpai?"
Nagumo shrugged. "Of course. We were rivals back in junior high and played against each other all the time, so we naturally became acquainted."
Meeting Hinata's gaze, Nagumo suddenly realized what this junior was actually concerned about.
What Hinata is concerned about is that he, who was once a rival to Wakamura, is now playing as a substitute at Inarizaki.
If Wakamura can lead his team to the national top sixteen, then Nagumo being at Inarizaki is a complete waste of talent, just as Coach Kurosu said before.
—Will you feel unfulfilled and regretful?
After giving a somewhat helpless smile, under the gaze of Rishia, who had completely failed to keep up with the rhythm, Nagumo suddenly said, "Not at all."
"Eh?" Hinata froze for a moment.
Nagumo put an arm around each of his two juniors, pushing them to keep moving forward so they wouldn't fall too far behind the main group.
He said quite casually, "Atsumu's talent truly blossomed after he entered high school, so I'm actually not as strong as him."
I was also quite surprised when Coach Kurosu rejected Sō was back then, but later Coach Kurosu told me that at Inarizaki, he could only play as a substitute.
Rishia, who had finally caught up with the pace, was shocked: "Only a substitute?"
If that's the situation, would he still choose to come to Inarizaki? That would be.. so painful.
Hinata looked up and asked Nagumo, "Were you also a substitute when you were a first-year, Senpai?"
Nagumo nodded, his tone extremely relaxed. "The third-year seniors were still around when I was a first-year. By the time I was a second-year, Atsumu-senpai had moved up, so I never officially played on the court during high school."
He smiled very gently. "Actually, compared to So or Atsumu-senpai.."
I don't like volleyball that much either.
Hinata opened his mouth.
This was the first time an acquaintance from the volleyball club had told him that they didn't like volleyball.
What does it feel like to dislike volleyball?
Hinata had no idea at all.
Nagumo continued, "I came to Inarizaki only because I wanted to get into a better university in the future, but unfortunately, I spent all my energy on volleyball during junior high."
Later, I realized that I wasn't actually suited to continue playing volleyball, only to find that my grades were a complete mess.
Speaking of this, Nagumo felt a bit embarrassed.
He is the kind of person who cannot have it both ways, yet still pursues the absolute best.
Perhaps by devoting himself entirely to volleyball, he might have the chance to join a V3 or even a V2 team in the future, but to him, it wouldn't mean that much.
Nagumo laughed, "Coach Kurosu gave me the opportunity to enter through special admission, so why wouldn't I come?"
“Aoi is flamboyant, whereas I am actually better suited to a more stable playstyle.”
“Being able to cover for Atsumu and the others like this, while still being able to focus on my studies.. it's just wonderful for me.”
He raised his hands and vigorously rubbed the heads of the two juniors: "That's why, if you find something you truly want to do, you must never hesitate."
The goal was right there, the opportunity had been laid out before him; he had no reason not to seize it.
Looking at Nagumo's sincere smile, Hinata and Rishia also slowly let the heavy weight in their hearts settle.
Rishia tentatively posed a question to Nagumo: "Nagumo-senpai, so how are your grades doing right now?"
Nagumo puffed out his chest with considerable pride: "I'm in the advanced academic class, you know!"
This time, it was Hinata and Rishia's turn to be shocked: "Whoa, whoa, whoa—that's amazing!"
Before entering high school, it seemed like he wouldn't be able to get into Inarizaki, but now he is already in the advanced classes.
This is way too amazing!
Right? Right?" Nagumo said smugly, before giving both juniors a heavy pat on the shoulders. "You two, don't just focus on playing volleyball and neglect your studies. Be careful not to fail your final exams and get held back by the teachers for remedial classes.
Hinata trembled. "I.. I'll work hard.."
Rishia also felt his vision go dark; he wasn't much better than Hinata when it came to studying.
Seeing the two of them like this, Nagumo spoke earnestly, "Knowledge is a very important thing. The logic and tactics of volleyball, the metrics and parameters of various training programs—understanding all of these requires a solid foundation of knowledge."
“Not to mention, if you're to interact with players from other countries in international competitions in the future, English will also be of utmost importance.”
He tapped the two of them: "At the very least.. don't sleep in class!"
“Yes..”
Inarizaki's opponent for the semi-finals on the next morning was Minetai Academy, one of the established powerhouses from Hyogo Prefecture, this was also the first time Coach Kurosu had adjusted the starting lineup.
In the final arrangements before the match, Coach Kurosu said simply, "In the first set, Shinsuke will be replaced by Osamu. Use jump float serves to suppress the opponent's setter, also pay attention to supporting Atsumu-senpai during counterattacks."
"Yes." Kita nodded.
Coach Kurosu looked at Miya Atsumu: "Stop using the Quick Attack for now; we'll save that for the Nationals."
The opponent's blockers have a very high reach. Atsumu, make sure to give high balls to Ginjima and Aran.
Atsumu nodded in agreement, "Understood."
Minetai Academy's advantage lies in the fact that they have a 1.92-meter Middle Blocker, their overall tactics are centered around this Middle Blocker.
Coupled with a Libero of decent skill within the team, they possess a unique expertise in defense.
While things were being arranged on the Inarizaki side, the Minetai Academy coach on the other side of the net also clapped his hands: "Miura, pay attention to following the opponent's Ace. Try to time your buildup and jump as accurately as possible; a one-on-one block would be best."
The Middle Blocker Miura nodded. "Understood!"
In terms of overall physique, he completely overwhelmed Owari Aran, since Aran doesn't play many technical shots or quick attacks, his proficiency might not be that high.
In that case, his overall movement trajectory would be very easy to predict, making it entirely possible to succeed with a one-on-one block through anticipation and following up.