Coach Kurosu and Coach Omimi shared a smile. "My, look at them studying.."
Coach Kurosu, who was also an athlete in his youth, only wanted to watch the excitement at this moment.
Fortunately, Hinata was only forced to attend make-up classes for a single day, so they were still able to set off smoothly on July 1st.
Inarizaki had plenty of funds, since this was a long journey, Coach Kurosu arranged for them to take the Shinkansen directly to Sendai.
This time, Kumagai and the others did not follow the team; besides the starting seven, only Kita, Hinata, Rishia were present.
After immersing himself in studies for half a month, Hinata raised a question: "Kita-senpai, are we going to Aobajohsai first this time, then playing a practice match against Shiratorizawa?"
“No,” Kita shook his head. “You and the coach are going to Seijo the day after tomorrow, so we can have some free time, but I will likely go along as well.”
Free time is certainly good, but he still couldn't stop worrying about Hinata; as the captain, he had to be present.
Miya Atsumu, sitting in the front row, poked his head out. "Number five is actually a practice match against Shiratorizawa."
Hinata realized what the problem was: "Eh? Then number four is just a rest day?"
Of course not," Miya Atsumu leaned back against the chair, looking at Hinata with a smile. "We've scheduled a practice match against Karasuno for number four, Shoyo-kun, you're playing the whole game.
Hinata first caught the keyword "play the whole match," and before he could jump up and cheer, he realized what it meant.
"Karasuno? That king?!" Hinata's voice trembled slightly.
Miya Atsumu was very satisfied with Hinata's reaction: "That's right, they are the kings of that court."
So, are you looking forward to it?
Hinata's words got stuck in his throat, for a moment, he actually didn't know what to say.
It would be impossible to say he wasn't looking forward to it, but.. this was just too sudden; he was completely unprepared.
He is indeed stronger now than he was in the past, but the Kageyama in his memories was also indeed so powerful that he was unreachable.
What on earth have you been doing all these years!
Hinata's eyes widened slightly.
Can he.. now say with his head held high that he plays volleyball?
Looking at Hinata, Miya Atsumu reached out and pressed his hand against the top of Hinata's head, gently ruffling his hair. "It's okay, I'm here."
In the area where Hinata could not see because of the shadow cast by Miya Atsumu's arm, a strangely pleasant smile appeared on Miya Atsumu's face.
I'm going to make you realize that you are stronger than that King.
Hinata nodded with a hint of confusion and unease, "I believe in Atsumu-senpai."
There was one thing he knew.
That means.. Atsumu-senpai is stronger than Kageyama.
Burying half of his face in the crook of his arm, Miya Atsumu's exposed eyes narrowed like a fox's.
Sitting beside him, Miya Osamu rolled his eyes and decisively turned his head to look at the scenery outside the window, no longer paying attention to his twin brother.
This guy.. is at it again.
Author's Note:
I'm sliding into this! [Confetti]
Chapter 32: The Thirty-Second Fox
The Inarizaki group emerged from the Sendai station, by the time they arrived at the guesthouse and finished unpacking, it was already evening.
The rooms in the guesthouse were mostly tatami-matted, four people were assigned to each room.
And under the collective arrangement of the seniors, the ones who ultimately shared a room with the twins.. were the first-years, Hinata and Rishia.
Looking at Miya Atsumu and Hinata, who were lying on the floor looking almost soul-less, Kita came over to inspect them and looked at Rishia and Miya Osamu on the side. "What happened?"
Before Rishia could even answer, Hinata had already raised his hands: "I haven't even touched a volleyball all day—"
It felt so empty, as if something were missing from life.
Miya Atsumu raised his hand and followed suit: "Me too!"
Kita thought about it for a moment, but being unfamiliar with the surroundings, he wasn't sure if there were any indoor volleyball courts nearby.
Finally, he spoke, "Let's just get some good rest today. Sitting in the car for so long is quite exhausting.. Shoyo, are there any local specialties you'd recommend?"
Hinata sat up abruptly. "Yakiniku! Beef tongue!"
Eating BBQ is the only way to get energized!
“Alright, then pack up and get ready to head out,” Kita nodded. “I'll go call Aran and the others.”
Coach Kurosu had already let him decide what to eat for dinner, so it was all the better that Hinata had a proposal. As for the money.. that wasn't something students like them had to worry about.
Early the next morning, Hinata, who was full of renewed energy, shouted to wake Rishia: "Let's go for a run!"
Rishia, who had originally intended to enjoy a day of vacation, struggled to open his eyes. "Give me a break.."
That being said, he still reluctantly climbed up, preparing to change his clothes.
Looking at Miya Atsumu, who had already rolled onto Hinata's blanket, Rishia Heisuke didn't know how to describe his feelings for a moment.
At this time.. it couldn't be that only the two of them are awake!
But the truth was otherwise; as they were heading out, they happened to run into Kita Shinsuke, who was returning with breakfast.
Hinata paced in place: "Good morning! Kita Team!"
“Good morning,” Kita said, taking a few pieces of chocolate from his pocket and handing them to the two of them. “Keep your exercise moderate; if you feel like your blood sugar is low, remember to eat them.”
Breakfast is steamed buns from the convenience store. If you want something else, you can go buy it yourself.
"Okay!" Hinata responded loudly.
Watching Hinata and Rishia's retreating figures, Kita blinked.
Why did he feel like.. Rishia had been keeping his eyes closed the whole time, as if he still hadn't woken up?
However, after these few laps, no matter how sleepy Rishia was, he was wide awake.
Having finally regained his consciousness, he looked toward Hinata, only to meet Hinata's solemn gaze.
“Heisuke, I'm lost.”
Before Rishia could even take out his phone to check the map, a boy wearing headphones and a white tracksuit ran past the intersection in the distance.
Hinata's sixth sense tingled: "Yes! It's over there!"
"Hey! Shoyo!" Rishia Heisuke's face was a picture of breakdown, he hurriedly rushed after him.
Don't just run off after people like that!
Looking at the guesthouse that had reappeared in his field of vision, the one who froze in shock was Rishia.
Huh? We can actually make it back?
Hearing the cheers erupting from behind, the boy, who had been out for his morning run, took off his headphones and looked back, looking a bit dazed.
However, the distance was somewhat far, so he could only see an orange shadow bouncing up and down in place.
Just then, a voice rang out: "You bastard, Oikawa! Why did you take the milk my family sent over!"
Another boy rushed out from the intersection, leaving a footprint on Oikawa's white shorts with a flying kick.
My stuff hasn't been delivered yet!
Hearing the commotion over there, Hinata looked over, ultimately tilting his head in confusion.
As he pushed open the door to the inn, the first thing he saw were the twins fighting over the only rice ball.
Completely unfazed, Hinata greeted them loudly, "Good morning, senpai! We're back!"
Aran greeted the two of them: "Good morning, come eat."
As for the twins?
Aside from Suna's camera.. no one cared.
According to the originally scheduled time, Coach Kurosu brought Hinata to the main entrance of Aobajohsai.
And their team, which was originally expected to have only four people, had inexplicably become the full roster.
Watching the Miya Twins and the others looking around curiously, Kita Shinsuke sighed silently.
I just hope we don't cause them any trouble in a little while.
Ema, the high jump team captain who had been assigned by the coach to pick someone up, looked at the crowd gathered at the entrance and felt a bit dazed.
Weren't there only four?
However, she continued leading the way as she spoke, "Coach said we're using the basketball gym today, the equipment we need has already been moved over there in advance."
Also, everyone from our high jump team is over in the gym. The coach said he would need to trouble you, Coach Kurosu, to check everyone's approach and things like that.
Coach Kurosu nodded. "No problem, I'll head over after I check on Shoyo's situation."
He asked his university classmates for help, he would also have to work for them.
However, he still came out on top in this deal. In addition to coaching the high jump team, Kosano Kana is also a fitness coach for the Miyagi Prefecture athletics team; last year, she was even invited to serve as a fitness coach during the national women's badminton team's training camp.
If this could be shown to Hinata properly, he wouldn't have to worry about the direction of his physical training for the next six months or even a year.
His only current concern is those handful of jokers in the volleyball club.
Even though he won't be there later, with Kita Shinsuke following along, there shouldn't be any major trouble.. right?
When everyone arrived at the Seijo Gymnasium under Ema's lead, the first thing they saw was the heroic and spirited Coach Kosano waiting at the entrance.
Long time no see, Kurosu!
She reached out and patted Coach Kurosu's shoulder. "We can catch up over drinks tonight, but which player do you want me to show you?"
As she spoke, Kosano's gaze swept across all the Inarizaki players.
As a professional strength and conditioning coach, she could certainly see that Coach Kurosu had trained these kids very well.
Their heights were excellent, from the bodies visible beneath their short sleeves and shorts, every single one had beautiful muscle definition.