Help, that's terrifying.
It wasn't until dinner time that the three were finally allowed to leave by Kita Shinsuke.
Having learned from the incident at noon where they were punished with standing in the corner, everyone was very well-behaved during the afternoon and evening, causing no trouble at all.
On the morning of the second day, the Inarizaki members headed to the gymnasium they were sharing with Fukurodani, following the original plan.
During the warm-up, Aran pointed toward the energetic Bokuto over there. "That's Bokuto Kotaro, the last of the top five you were curious about."
Hinata revealed a look of curiosity.
So this is the senior?
As he watched Bokuto strike a pose in front of that black-haired, thick-browed man that looked suspiciously like Okuchi Man, a question mark slowly formed in Hinata's mind.
Hmm.. just looking at him.. he seems so incredible?
The process of adjusting one's condition before the tournament had nothing to do with Hinata; at most, he would help carry things or help the coach record some data.
Taking the remaining loose-leaf papers out of the bag left in the hallway locker, Hinata jogged past the court on the Fukurodani side.
Give me the ball!!
A shout suddenly exploded in Hinata's ear, causing him to stop involuntarily and turn his head to look at the person who had called out.
Not far from him, Bokuto-senpai—the one Aran-senpai had mentioned earlier—was already taking his approach.
Solid muscles, a broad back, an unstoppable momentum.
With a heavy thud, he leaped high into the air.
In that instant, the words on the opponent's short-sleeved shirt were reflected with absolute clarity in Hinata Shoyo's field of vision.
[Ace's Insights]
It was the one he saw yesterday when he went shopping for clothes with Hoshiumi-senpai, but it was the spring high blue version that Hoshiumi-senpai mentioned.
And at this very moment, Hinata, who previously hadn't been able to fully understand the text above, suddenly understood it.
Bokuto's figure blocked the light shining down from the opposite side, his shadow lengthened with his jumping motion, casting bit by bit onto Hinata's face.
[First, to inspire all teammates with one's back.]
The block, which had seized absolute air superiority, followed closely, ruthlessly suppressing the direction of Bokuto's habitual spike.
But he didn't hesitate for a moment, instantly adjusting the angle of his spike to turn what was originally a short diagonal into a straight line spike.
A heavy voice rang in Hinata's ears, like a massive hammer striking his heart.
[Second, no matter the circumstances, you must break through every high wall.]
The ball slammed heavily onto the floor, the opposing team's substitute Libero couldn't even touch it.
Hinata felt his breath suddenly catch in his throat, his eyes fixed intently on the figure about to hit the ground.
[Third, every single ball must be spiked down.]
“HEY～HEY～HEY～”
As expected, my touch is top-notch today!
Bokuto raised both hands high in celebration, then high-fived the Setter beside him.
Hinata swallowed the saliva in his mouth, clutching the blue folder tightly in his arms, though his fingers uncontrollably tightened around the edges of the folder.
Since he started playing volleyball, this was the first time he had felt such a clear sense of a single person's power to take on a thousand.
Whether it was Ushijima-senpai, Sakusa-senpai, or Kiryu-senpai, they all possessed their own unique aura.
But this person before me was different; just standing beside him, I could feel an endless stream of pure, absolute confidence.
It was as if nothing could make him feel discouraged.
That intense vitality, like the scorching sun.. it makes it impossible to look away.
This is—
ACE！
Akaashi spoke up to praise his Ace: "Nice spike, Bokuto-senpai."
Bokuto clenched his fists and then vigorously stretched his body: "I'm in top form today! I feel like I can take on anyone, even Ushijima or Kiryu!"
As he leaned back slightly, he noticed Hinata standing by the sidelines.
Mokoba Akitsugu couldn't help but say, "I hope Bokuto's condition stays this way when he plays a match.."
Before he could even finish his sentence, Bokuto, who had been at the net, had already brushed past him and walked toward Hinata by the sidelines.
Hinata stared blankly as Bokuto walked over, as the distance closed, he involuntarily lifted his head.
Those golden-brown eyes stared at him, looking exceptionally sharp as they reflected the light from the floor.
Just like.. an eagle.
Under Hinata's dazed gaze, Bokuto spoke up and asked, "Hey, Little Orange, was that spike just now cool?"
Mokoba Akitsugu's expression twisted: "Hey, that's way too rude."
That's the Inarizaki manager! How could she possibly praise him!
If he were to open his mouth and mock them like Miya Atsumu.. how would they even spend the rest of their day!
Hinata felt as if he had just woken from a dream.
He opened his mouth slightly, his eyes filled with an easily perceptible sense of longing and admiration.
So cool! Super, incredibly cool!!
The angle and timing of that spike were absolutely perfect! The way it slammed down was truly shocking!
He had originally thought that among the people he knew, Akari and Kiryu-senpai's line shots were already the pinnacle, but he hadn't expected to see something even more shocking here.
The smile on Bokuto's face was impossible to suppress: "Oh! You've got great taste! I also thought that angle just now was quite perfect!"
"Um.. Bokuto-senpai!" Hinata's eyes sparkled.
What exactly was that move from a short diagonal to a line! It's my first time seeing such a fast and precise adjustment!
Bokuto, who didn't even know Hinata's surname, raised his hand and demonstrated it for him directly: "It's just like this, a little twist, then—bam!—it's over."
“Bam!”
Hinata followed suit, mimicking him: "I get it! Like this!"
Bokuto gave a thumbs up: "Exactly, exactly! That's it!"
Mokoba Akitsugu, who had originally intended to stop them, was momentarily at a loss for words: "What on earth are they doing.."
Komi Haruki was also shocked: "Can someone actually understand that?"
Coach Anromi glanced at Coach Kurosu, who clearly had no intention of getting involved, for a moment, he didn't know what to do.
Fukurodani and Inarizaki were merely acquaintances; the two teams rarely interacted, perhaps only because Bokuto and Miya Atsumu had crossed paths regarding the Junior National Team.
What's going on with this little brat from Inarizaki?
Setting aside the fact that Inarizaki hasn't had a manager for over ten years, just the way this person immediately started asking about technical matters.. it doesn't seem like something a manager would do.
And their Captain is also a handful; does he have even the most basic sense of confidentiality!
During the previous training camp, he insisted on dragging Karasuno's tall guy into games and deep conversations, which almost turned into a diplomatic incident with Karasuno.
Why are you still holding onto that Inarizaki guy and refusing to let go!
Akaashi Keiji, who had completely read Bokuto's psychology, remained silent for two seconds.
He probably thought something like, "Compliments from strangers are indeed the most sincere," at this moment.
But Akaashi felt that it had nothing to do with whether the person was a stranger or not; perhaps this little brat just had a very keen eye.
For an average passerby, it would actually be very difficult to understand that spike Bokuto just made..
Miya Atsumu, who had been observing from the side, quietly approached. After exchanging a glance with Akaashi Keiji, he reached out and placed a hand on Hinata Shoyo's shoulder.
Bokuto-senpai, could you please let go of my Spiker?
Bokuto's expression was one of pleasant surprise: "Atsumu-senpai! You're actually talking to me!"
Since yesterday, Miya Atsumu has been treating him like air for no apparent reason.
Even though they live so close, he barely even says hello..
Bokuto expressed that he was very hurt.
They had gotten along so well in the Junior National Team!
Hinata repeated Bokuto's nickname in a low voice: "Atsu-Atsu?"
He looked up at Miya Atsumu, who was half a step behind him, seriously considered whether the nickname was appropriate.
Seeing the most troublesome one, Miya Atsumu, approaching, Akaashi Keiji walked quickly to Bokuto Kotaro's side, staying alert to Miya Atsumu's mouth at all times.
At the same time, he was also secretly observing the two from Inarizaki.
Akaashi had also just heard Miya Atsumu's words.
Miya Atsumu said Hinata was an Inarizaki Wing Spiker, which solved that initial problem; he was likely placed in a manager position because there wasn't room for him in the First String.
On the other hand, to receive this much attention from the coach, he must be a player who will become a pillar of Inarizaki in the future.
Is he a potential opponent.. what type??
The reliable sub-captain Akaashi was thinking subconsciously, while the "reliable" captain Bokuto was staring intensely at Miya Atsumu.
Miya Atsumu was the first to look away, lowering his head to meet Hinata's eyes, which were slightly tilted back looking at him.
In this instant, he inexplicably felt a sense of crisis emanating from Bokuto.
Because.. he suddenly remembered something Coach Kurosu had said once before.
—For Hinata, perhaps a Bokuto in peak form was the ultimate form of the Ace in his dreams.
Miya Atsumu narrowed his eyes slightly and said to Hinata, "There's nothing much to see, right? Sakusa-senpai, Aran, Ushijima-senpai, Kiryu-senpai are all stronger."
After saying that, he glanced out of the corner of his eye at Bokuto, who was staring with wide, dot-like eyes.
The members of Fukurodani felt alarm bells ringing in their hearts.