But since Inarizaki and Shirabu had a bye on the first day, their main goal was still to maintain their sense of rhythm. They wouldn't have any conflicts with them regarding court usage at critical moments, so they were all in high demand.
"Then I'll be heading off first, you all should get to sleep early as well." Kondo returned in a rush.
"The Kita Team? Was the gym recommended by Coach Nekota?" Hearing the familiar school name, Hinata Shoyo leaned in, his face full of curiosity.
He had actually been in contact with Kenma all along, but he hadn't heard about this.
Kita Shinsuke replied, "It was just decided; word is the other party is an old friend of Nekoma."
The distance between the competition venue and the hotel is not far, the location is excellent; it's a rental agreement the other side managed to secure.
Similarly, the price was exorbitantly high; only a powerhouse like Inarizaki could afford such an amount for rent.
Seeing Hinata's attempt to press for an answer, Kita Shinsuke, who wasn't entirely clear on the matter himself, decided to change the subject.
By the way, although Coach didn't say anything, if you're coming with the team as a manager, you should learn a bit about recording data to lighten the burden on the coaches and the others.
Just as Kita Shinsuke expected, Hinata's attention was easily diverted: "Okay, no problem! I'll go learn right now!"
But in the next second, he paused: "But Kita Team, it seems like.. no one has a manager?"
Among the five teams in the Kansai League, Hinata was the only one with a manager. However, except for Shirabu, every team was led by two coaches.
Kita Shinsuke also fell silent for two seconds before finally saying, "I'll teach you."
He was already quite skilled at this, as he used to frequently help organize and summarize data when he was in the Inarizaki Second String.
"Long live the Kita Team!" Hinata exclaimed in surprise.
The Kita Team is simply omnipotent; they can do everything.
It was simply amazing!
The short-term training camp was quickly drawing to a close, everyone left Osaka to return home and prepare for their respective battles. During this period, Hinata also followed Kita Shinsuke to learn the basics of organizing and recording data.
Although he couldn't understand the actual meaning of the data, he still knew how to perform basic, mechanical tasks like checking and recording numbers.
And on August 3rd, the members of Inarizaki boarded a bus, leaving Amagasaki to head toward Niigata, the host city for this year's Interhigh.
As a school that had achieved quite impressive results in past competitions, Inarizaki naturally had the privilege of staying in the hotel arranged by the organizers.
Standing at the top of the stairs and looking up at the hotel, which was over twenty stories high, Hinata's eyes were filled with shock: "So this is—a luxury hotel! It's so tall! It's so huge!"
Nagumo sighed, "Don't stand there, Shoyo, be careful not to fall."
These stairs are quite high; falling would easily cause problems.
Before Hinata could answer, his upside-down field of vision darkened slightly.
While Hinata was still feeling confused, a familiar face appeared before his eyes.
Long time no see.
Hinata's expression instantly shifted from confusion to surprise: "Hirugami-senpai! Long time no see!"
He instantly stood straight, tilting his head to look past Hirugami toward the back.
At the bottom of the hotel steps, Hoshiumi Hikari was indeed standing there, arms crossed over his chest, watching him.
Miya Atsumu, who had already finished the check-in process, walked out holding his room card. "Shoyo, you're staying with me.."
But in the very next second, Hinata, who had been standing there, suddenly rushed down the steps and disappeared from his sight.
Immediately after, a voice rang out, so loud that it could be heard across the entire street.
Hoshiumi-senpai!!
In the hotel lobby, the startled black-haired boy turned around and saw Miya Atsumu standing at the entrance.
That silhouette was exceptionally desolate; even in the sweltering heat of summer, one could clearly feel the chill emanating from him.
Miya Atsumu?
The person beside him looked over as well: "What's wrong? I thought I heard someone call out Hoshiumi? Did you hear it? You did, right?"
What was that called again? Hmm.. Is my hearing failing me? Anyway, they're so energetic.
The black-haired youth replied, "I heard it; it should be the people from Karasuno arriving."
Also, it was deafening.
But why are the people from Karasuno here, while the people from Inarizaki are standing at the entrance looking melancholy?
Could it be that the two sides are at odds? Is there some conflict?
At the same time, the person who was clearly a coach clapped his hands: "Alright, it's done. Let's head to the 9th floor."
Watching the crowd in their black and white patterned sportswear enter the elevator, Aran, who was still waiting for Miya Atsumu, froze for a moment. "Why is everyone here already?"
The Interhigh opening ceremony doesn't start until the day after tomorrow; they arrived today because they are coming from quite a distance, to prevent anyone from being in poor condition due to the travel.
Why have the ones from Tokyo and Nagano also arrived today?
Kita brought the room key over: "910, we can go up now."
Aran took his bag and prepared to go upstairs with Kita Shinsuke.
Before leaving, he took one last look at Miya Atsumu's back and asked in confusion, "By the way, who is Osamu staying with?"
Kita replied, "Atsumu snatched Heisuke's room card."
In other words, Miya Osamu and Rishia Heisuke are staying together.
They had fifteen players in total, including the starters and substitutes, with Hinata and the two coaches, they needed exactly nine rooms.
Inarizaki's cheering squad and brass band are not staying here; this accommodation was provided by the school. After all, once they finish cheering for the Volleyball Club, the brass band has to head over to cheer for the baseball team.
Ginjima said, "As expected of Atsumu."
He could never bring himself to do something like stealing from his juniors in his entire life.
Besides, he wouldn't care who it was with; even if Miya Atsumu didn't want to be with Miya Osamu, he could just come to him to swap room cards.
As if sensing what Ginjima was thinking, Suna tightened his grip on the room key in his hand.
No, he refused to stay with Miya Atsumu.
On the other side, Akagi Michinari had not yet caught up with everyone's pace, saying quite cheerfully, "It's a pity the manager can't participate in the review ceremony, otherwise Shoyo would be very excited."
Kita responded seriously, "The opening ceremony of the National Sports Festival will be even more formal."
After all, the Interhigh is just a high school tournament, whereas the National Sports Festival is a true national-level event. When that time comes, the number of spectators.. will only be even greater.
Author's Note:
I am lazy, I repent to the God of Typing (hands pressed together).
It's decided. If this book reaches 20,000 favorites before it's finished, I'll do a 60-coin special for everyone.
(I think it shouldn't be a big problem.. right? OwQ)
Additionally, on top of the original three-piece set, I've also put together a group photo clear card, hehe, only three days left (silly grin).
Chapter 59: The Fifty-Ninth Fox
After saying goodbye to his seniors, Hinata also followed the coach's instructions and went with Atsumu to the room to pack his things first.
Before leaving, Miya Atsumu turned back and glared at Hoshiumi.
Hoshiumi didn't pay it any mind; he just silently forwarded the new emojis from his phone to Komori Motoya.
Just as Hinata Shoyo had finished arranging the daily necessities, he heard a knock at the door.
He opened the door and saw Hoshiumi Hikari standing at the entrance with his hands on his hips: "Hoshiumi-senpai?"
Didn't we say we'd go out to see the venues together this afternoon? Why are you here now?
Glancing at Miya Atsumu, who had just taken off his shirt and was preparing to change into a tank top to lie down and rest, Hoshiumi let out a sneer.
He reached out and grabbed Hinata's clothes, dragging him out of the room: "Come on, I'll take you to a great place, we can grab a meal at the same time."
Without even a millisecond of hesitation, Hinata answered decisively, "Okay!"
Grabbing the room card and the coat left by the door, Hinata followed behind Hoshiumi and completely left the room.
With a loud thud, the door was shut, the once lively hotel room fell into instant silence; shortly after, the lights went out as well.
Mechanically pulling the jersey over his body, Miya Atsumu was a bit dazed.
In less than three minutes, there was another knock on the door, followed by the sound of the door being opened with a key card.
“Ah, Hoshiumi said he wanted to take Shoyo to eat ramen. I've brought the room card back for you. In a little while, we'll go to the hotel restaurant.." Looking at Miya Atsumu, who was staring blankly in the darkness, Owari Aran felt lost. "Why haven't you drawn the curtains?"
He put the room card back, the lights in the room came back on.
Miya Atsumu's expression was very serious. After sitting down by the bed, he reached out and patted the spot beside him, gesturing for Aran to sit down as well.
Despite being confused, seeing Miya Atsumu acting like this, he still sat down opposite Miya Atsumu, prepared to hear whatever serious matter he had to say.
"Aran, I am contemplating a very serious matter." Miya Atsumu rested his hands on his lap, supporting his chin with the back of his hand, putting on an air of profound thoughtfulness.
"What problem?" Aran swallowed hard, becoming serious as well.
It couldn't be something life-or-death, right? Like, for example, he just sprained his ankle and can't play in the Interhigh?
No, no, no, this is Miya Atsumu!
On one hand, it was impossible for Miya Atsumu to have an issue like a sprained ankle before a match, on the other hand, as the childhood friend of the Miya Twins, he knew very well what kind of person Miya Atsumu was..
"I wonder if it's just my imagination, but has Shoyo been attracting too many players from other schools?" Miya Atsumu began reasoning with a dead serious expression.
And I suddenly remembered, when I made a wish last summer, I think I made it to the Inari God. Could it be because I.. forgot to go and offer thanks?
Aran stood up expressionlessly, preparing to leave Miya Atsumu's room: "I suggest you take a nap now and have a good think about everything you've done from last year until now."
He knew it!
Miya Atsumu is such a jerk!
To think he actually worried for him with all sincerity! It was a complete waste of emotion!
Another sneer came from the doorway. Miya Osamu was standing outside, with Suna standing beside him holding a phone to record.
The Miya Twins mocked him without mercy: "Serves you right."