Just as they were about to turn onto the main road, Xiaoxia suddenly stopped in her tracks.
Hinata, who was pulling her along, froze for a moment. "What's wrong?"
He followed Xiaoxia's gaze toward the streetlight not far away, where a tall figure was standing quietly.
The moment their eyes met, he opened his arms toward him.
Atsumu-senpai!
A massive surge of surprise rushed through his heart. Hinata patted his sister's shoulder, signaling her to wait a moment before he proactively rushed forward.
Just like a beautiful play on the court during a normal game, or like encouraging each other during practice, Hinata followed Miya Atsumu's movement and hugged him.
Releasing Atsumu, Hinata asked, "Atsumu-senpai, have you been waiting for a long time?"
I don't know if it was because of the surprise, but his speaking speed unconsciously quickened a little.
Miya Atsumu replied, "No, I came here on my way after training, so I've only just arrived."
I bought you curry buns, some for Xiaoxia too.
Hinata cheered, "Long live Atsumu-senpai!"
He said Atsumu-senpai was a good person; not only did he solve the problem of him potentially getting lost, but he also brought delicious food!
Taking the steamed bun that was still steaming hot as Miya Atsumu handed it over, Hinata Natsu pouted.
"Brother." Natsu reached out her hand to her brother.
Hinata crouched down and said apologetically, "I might not be able to carry you today."
His condition hasn't been great these past few days. After a full day of training, although he can still walk and run, he's a bit unable to carry or hold someone on his back.
Miya Atsumu was eager to try: "Shall I?"
Natsume turned her head away, refusing to look at Miya Atsumu: "Then we have to hold hands."
Hinata happily agreed, "Okay."
Holding hands with her brother and squeezed between him and Miya Atsumu, Hinata Natsu looked up and met Miya Atsumu's eyes, as inexplicable sparks flew between the two.
Hinata Natsu decided that she would hate Miya Atsumu starting now.
——Because he will take his brother away.
Miya Atsumu blinked, reaching out to pat Xiaoxia's head.
Hinata Natsu was even angrier.
On the other side, in the Inarizaki High School building, Coach Kurosu was still dazed at his desk.
Coach Omimi, who had just finished packing his things, asked Coach Kurosu, who seemed lost in thought, "With Coach Inubata leading the way, Shiratorizawa.. are you still going?"
The plan to send him to Shiratorizawa was intended to let Hinata settle down and accumulate some experience, while also finding someone to help him strengthen his balance and receiving skills, but Coach Inubata could actually do all of that.
Coach Kurosu was even more distressed: "The invitation has already been sent. Yesterday, the Old man even made a sarcastic comment to me about not teaching Shoyo how to receive properly."
This time, it was Coach Omimi who was shocked: "You've already received the invitations?!"
Even if Shiratorizawa were to organize a training camp, the invitations shouldn't be sent out until after the Haruko preliminaries. Why have they been sent this early?
Coach Kurosu leaned back in his chair. "Who knows."
He always felt that Coach Washijo wouldn't do something like this; it must have been someone else who had Shiratorizawa do it.
Who else could it be.. it must be that bastard Utsunomiya!
Still not giving up on his precious player!
Coach Unabara, who was far away at the Volleyball Association organizing the winter training camp list, let out a sneeze: "Who is talking about me.."
Coach Kurosu was melancholy.
But no matter how much he lamented, he still had to face reality; in the end, he wrote a very formal and lengthy email, just to give his consent.
However, this is also quite good. Coach Inubata and Coach Washijo specialize in different areas, so they will just pick the most exquisite ones to consume.
When Shoyo goes to Shiratorizawa later.. it will be a champion's inspection.
Make Old man Washijo's jaw drop!
But that is a story for another time; what they need to focus on now is the imminent Haruko qualifiers.
This year's Haruko qualifiers in Hyogo Prefecture are being held in the first tier; Miyagi and Nagano will be held half a week later, while Tokyo and Kyoto won't take place until November.
Looking at the schedule, the tricky Minetai and Municipal Kobe are both in the Second District.
The half of the bracket where Inarizaki is located is full of old acquaintances, so there is basically no possibility of a dark horse emerging.
That is exactly why Coach Kurosu intends to use this to train his players.
During the previous Interhigh, they showed too much of their hand in the regional qualifiers, which left them in a very passive position by the time they reached Nationals; the National Sports Festival caught everyone completely off guard.
This time.. let's play a bit more conservatively first.
As long as we can win, a 3:2 result in the finals is within the acceptable range.
However, Hinata had been away from team training for nearly a week, so he wasn't actually very clear on Hinata's recent situation.
But Coach Inubata probably won't instill anything new, so the tactical arrangements should remain as usual. Besides, with Atsumu around, there shouldn't be any major issues with team cohesion.
—Call him back tomorrow to observe him.
Chapter 131: The One Hundred and Thirty-First Fox
It had been over a week since Hinata's first day reporting to the volleyball clinic, during this time, under the coach's arrangements, he had not yet reported to the Volleyball Club.
However, it wouldn't cause much delay for Inarizaki, since Hinata is generally considered a wild card; at this stage, the main thing is to ensure he can integrate well with Miya Atsumu.
Miya Osamu had been coughing and had a stuffy nose the whole time, so Kurosu just let him take time off and report back once he was better.
However, the good news was that the flu was not spreading seriously here in Hyogo, no one else in the team was infected afterward.
Holding today's training schedule, Coach Kurosu quietly scanned the players who had arrived in small groups, contemplating the upcoming tactical adjustments.
Hinata cannot remain a wildcard forever; after all, their opponents are the top and most professional teams in the country, Hinata will inevitably be thoroughly analyzed.
As for when to transition Hinata into a standard unit, it will depend on when his fundamentals can be improved.
Before he could have Kita Shinsuke prepare the team to line up, an orange figure lunged toward him.
Coach Kurosu—I missed you so much!
Reaching out to catch Hinata, a smile unconsciously appeared on his face.
Patting Hinata on the shoulder, Coach Kurosu tried his best to look serious: "Get down and stand straight."
Hinata stood at attention honestly, while simultaneously stealing glances at Coach Kurosu's expression.
Did he do something wrong? That can't be right; Atsumu-senpai said that he would definitely be very happy if the team greeted the coach.
Could it be.. while he was away, Atsumu-senpai secretly said bad things about him to the coach?!
Coach Kurosu said coldly, "I don't know what Coach Inubata has had you practicing, but let's start with a three-on-three to check your progress. If you don't perform well.. you can expect extra training."
Hinata's expression became guilty, he even took a quiet step backward.
He.. it seems like he really hasn't done anything this week. Aside from the auxiliary jump training Coach Kurosu has been making him do, he hasn't even spiked much.
It was just that sometimes, when he couldn't keep his hands still, he would ask Atsumu-senpai to toss him a few balls after returning home; the rest of his time.. was spent entirely practicing receives.
Practicing digs with the little kid, practicing digs with Xiaoxia, practicing digs with Atsumu-senpai.
This is bad, this is bad, this is bad. Why do we have to play three-on-three as soon as we get back? Don't we need to warm up first?
Seeing Hinata's reaction, Coach Kurosu felt a great sense of foreboding. He couldn't have let Inubata actually spoil his disciple, could he?
His face darkened by two shades, he pointed to the sidelines: "Line up, stretch your joints, run ten laps first."
YES!!
After everyone had gone for their laps, Coach Kurosu looked at Coach Omimi with a grim expression. "I have a bad feeling about this."
Coach Omimi tried his best to smile: "Shoyo is still.. very reliable."
After all the warm-ups were finished, the members of the First String returned to Coach Kurosu.
Looking at the eager Miya Atsumu and then at the anxious Hinata, Coach Kurosu said expressionlessly, "Heisuke, Atsumu, Rintaro, thirty more laps."
Shoyo, Kuniharu, Yui, go to the other side. Aran, Ren, Shinsuke, you three stay here. Michinari and Kamibayashi, act as referees.
Hinata was even more frightened.
Help, why isn't Atsumu-senpai here either! He hasn't played a proper game in so long, is he really going to choke!
Hinata and Kumagai locked eyes, with Hinata trying to get this fellow classmate setter to go a little easier on him, but Kumagai simply raised a hand in an OK gesture.
Don't worry, the two of us are definitely invincible. I'll set for you!
Casting a pleading look toward Miya Atsumu, who was already being forced into extra physical training, Hinata trembled under the coach's sidelong glance.
No, no, no—let him find his rhythm first!
But every attempt was a failure, after struggling in vain, Hinata was still forced onto the court, while Miya Atsumu's resentful and heavy gaze drifted toward him from the side.
Please take care of us!!
Kita Shinsuke served first.
Exchanging a glance with Ginjima Yui, the two of them stepped back simultaneously to prepare for the first receive; their only goal for this set was to ensure that Kumagai Kuniharu would not have to receive the first serve.
Hinata shouted at the top of his lungs, "Bring it on!"
Watching Hinata's movement, Coach Kurosu, who had been feeling completely despondent, suddenly felt as if the whole world had brightened up.
Lowering the center of gravity forward, slightly rising onto the toes to prepare for movement while maintaining a state ready to dive at any moment—this is the most standard receiving preparation movement.
Coach Kurosu closed his eyes, when he opened them again, Kita Shinsuke had already tossed the ball into the air.
With a steady approach and a standard, flawless serve, the ball was sent precisely toward the corner behind Hinata.
The moment he made his judgment, Hinata took a cross-step toward his back-left, simultaneously bending his knees and using his arms to actively meet the ball head-on.
"Beautiful." Coach Kurosu applauded silently in his heart.