Yeah, I feel roughly the same. After all, it's possible that Aobajohsai might not have anyone to take over for Oikawa-senpai, as for Shiratorizawa.." Miya Atsumu reflected on the situation at Shiratorizawa, "Goshiki is indeed very outstanding, they have a setter in training in the Shiratorizawa S1, but it seems they don't have anyone who can take over for Ohira-senpai in terms of Libero and the Opposite.
It's hard to say regarding the Interhigh; if none of the teams have good chemistry, there might be a dark horse that makes it through, but as for Haruko, I think Karasuno has a pretty good chance.
But the prerequisites are, first, being able to recruit qualified Spikers, second, that Kageyama Tobio, as a Setter, can take things to the next level.
Otherwise, even if they made it to the Nationals, they would end up being eliminated in the first round.
Miya Atsumu did not say the rest aloud.
Anyway, everything is still an unknown, so it might as well be better to paint a bright future for Hinata.
If there's a chance, it would be best to give Kageyama a proper education again; I can't let Hinata down.
The camera moved away from the court, panning around the entire gymnasium.
And on the sidelines, Miya Atsumu caught sight of a familiar figure: "Is Coach Unabara here?"
Wait, he thought Kageyama's performance was decent; maybe he would have the chance to see him in the Junior National Team training camp next month..
Miya Atsumu began rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
But Coach Unabara is actually coming to watch the Regional Semifinals? The sun must be rising in the west.
Coach Unabara, standing by the sidelines, stretched his slightly stiff neck: "That woman, Coach Kosano, called me ten times to urge me to come watch.."
Hahaha, so it wasn't a wasted trip after all," Coach Hiya said with a smile. "Kageyama-kun, are you considering it?
This is a precious setter prospect, just as rare as a libero prospect.
They had already decided on the liberos for Municipal Kobe last week, so it would be even better if they could pick up another setter as well.
Rubbing his chin in thought for a moment, Coach Unabara shook his head: "Oikawa is indeed a usable talent, so Kageyama doesn't need to rush."
Technically, he is impeccable and his attacks are decisive enough, but.. as a setter, he lacks the necessary confidence.
In the following year's World Youth Championships, Iizuna would be just over the age limit, which is why they had been contemplating whether or not to promote Miya Atsumu to a higher group, but Oikawa Tooru's birthday fell just within the deadline, making him perfectly eligible.
That was precisely why they could have more time to wait for good talents to bloom.
At this, Unabara suddenly thought of someone: "Hinata.. I want to try the combination between Kageyama and Hinata. I'll throw them to the Old man Washijo later."
If we can develop it, we can bring them into next summer's training camp together.
This summer's training camp coincided with the Olympic cycle, so it was canceled because the coaching staff went away for study tours.
Next year is the Women's Junior World Championship, so the Men's Volleyball team can focus on evolving properly.
Unabara let out a light click of his tongue. "The Japanese leg of the adult division was such a disaster; it really infuriated the old men at the top. I just hope this batch of seedlings can grow strong."
I heard that Tokyo's bid for the Olympics is very likely to be successful, the final results will be announced next September; when that time comes, the higher-ups will only push even harder.
Coach Hiya laughed quite happily: "Indeed, Ushijima-kun, Miya-kun, Komori-kun are all once-in-a-century geniuses."
Unabara also laughed with a very good mood: "The final between Aobajohsai and Shiratorizawa tomorrow is indeed something I'm looking forward to."
"Then let's keep watching tomorrow." Hinata winked at Miya Atsumu, his eyes full of anticipation.
"Alright, anyway Coach Inubata won't be back for a few days." Miya Atsumu agreed quickly.
Moreover, Coach Kurosu has been focusing all his efforts on monitoring Miya Osamu's weight loss lately, so the two of them can legitimately..
Scouting potential future opponents!
Chapter 143: The One Hundred and Forty-Third Fox
The next day, they still went to the Volleyball Club to report for strength training, but before dismissal at noon, Coach Kurosu unexpectedly called everyone to gather at Gym 2.
I have a few things to go over.
Coach Kurosu looked at Miya Atsumu in the lineup: "Atsumu, you're going to the Junior National Team training camp alone this time."
Winter training camps for the youth teams generally do not invite third-year students, unless they are talents who have only started showing results in their third year and are urgently needed.
As for Aran, who has already been twice, it will be enough to just get his consent before next summer's tournament period.
"Understood," Miya Atsumu replied lazily from the line.
It seems that Suna and Miya's performance this time really didn't impress the Junior National Team coaching staff, but.. it's not a big problem; there will be plenty of opportunities in the future.
“Shoyo, Heisuke.” Coach Kurosu spoke again, looking at Hinata and Rishia. “Shiratorizawa has invited you to their intensive training camp this year. I'll send you to Sendai in advance later.”
"Shiratorizawa?!" Rishia Heisuke was startled.
Why did they suddenly think of inviting him? Could it be that his performances during those few appearances at the National Sports Festival left Coach Washijo very satisfied?
Under Miya Atsumu's bewildered gaze, Hinata Shoyo asked in surprise, "Really! We get to go to Shiratorizawa again!"
Coach Kurosu laughed, "Of course. When you go this time, remember to keep learning."
Yes, bring out everything that old man's hidden tricks!
Coach Kurosu shifted his gaze away from Hinata and Rishia, turning instead to the others: "The rest of you continue your regular training during this time. Kuniharu will play as the main Opposite, Shinsuke will fill the other Setter position."
Alright, that's all for today's training. I have a meeting this afternoon. Those who want extra practice, go to the Third Gymnasium. Dismissed.
Yes!
Watching Coach Kurosu leave, Hinata turned to look at Miya Atsumu. "Um, Atsumu-senpai, what is the Junior National Team?"
It sounded like an abbreviation; it couldn't really be what he was thinking, could it?
The next second, Miya Atsumu confirmed his thoughts: "The Junior National Team is currently recruiting players who are capable of participating in the U20 World Junior Championship the year after next."
However, there are also U19 or U17 group matches on a regular basis, ranging from world-class to Asian-level; it depends on the arrangements made by the higher-ups.
Iizuna-senpai and Ushijima-senpai often travel with the team for matches, but I haven't been yet.
But it was only a matter of time.
Seeing that Hinata was still a bit dazed, Miya Atsumu continued, "Generally, players are selected from the three major high school tournaments, the winter training camp gathers the first and second-year players they've taken an interest in."
Hinata thought about it for a moment.
That means the players who actually get scouted are all at Atsumu-senpai's level, he might still have quite a long way to go.
Atsumu lowered his head and met Hinata's gaze: "It's okay, you'll get there sooner or later."
"Really!" Hinata's eyes widened; he was just about to say that he was still quite far behind Atsumu-senpai.
Miya Atsumu lifted his chin. "I heard the libero from Municipal Kobe next door was also selected, there should be plenty of other familiar faces left, like Hoshiumi, Sakusa, Komori."
Hinata's mind went blank. He felt like he couldn't reach the players in the next few positions yet, but the libero from Municipal Kobe—he felt like he could reach him.
Miya Atsumu patted his chest. "Don't worry, don't worry, it's definitely possible. By next winter at the latest, there will definitely be a chance."
If we shut those people up with our results, no one will have any objections.
"I understand!" Hinata said, eager to try.
He will definitely catch up to Atsumu-senpai within the next year!
After cleaning up the balls on the floor, taking down the net, mopping, the group split into small groups to change clothes or headed to the adjacent Gym 3, which was still open, to continue training.
In the gymnasium, which was about to become empty, Miya Atsumu slowly walked to the door, also preparing to leave.
Without even looking back, Miya Atsumu said quite smugly, "Looks like I won again this time, dummy Osamu."
Hinata was waiting for him outside the door, though it was unclear what he wanted to do.
Just before Miya Atsumu walked out of the gym, a voice suddenly called out to him from the distance.
“Atsumu.”
Atsumu turned his head and saw Miya Osamu standing quietly in the shadows.
—It was far away from him.
Miya Atsumu stopped in his tracks, waving back at Hinata Shoyo to signal him to go on ahead.
"Then Miya Osamu and I are heading to Gym 3." Hinata's voice drifted over from afar.
Meanwhile, Rishia, who had been pushed through physical training all morning by Coach Kurosu and was just about to head home to relax, closed his eyes and returned to Hinata's side, accepting his fate.
As the footsteps of the two faded away, Atsumu finally locked eyes with Osamu.
Seemingly struggling with something internally, Miya Osamu closed his eyes, but ultimately said, "Actually.. there's something I've wanted to tell you for a long time."
What? You ate my pudding for tomorrow?" Miya Atsumu's eyes widened. "Then you owe me ten servings.
Feeling a faint sense of foreboding, Miya Atsumu felt his throat was very dry, he desperately wanted to say something to break this eerie atmosphere.
—Shut up, don't say another word.
But Miya Osamu didn't seem to be in the mood to joke with him, simply stating with utter cruelty, "I don't plan to continue playing volleyball after I graduate high school."
As if a thunderclap had exploded in his ears, Miya Atsumu's original smile froze on his face.
He couldn't help but take a step toward Miya Osamu. "You're not giving up just because you weren't called up to the Junior National Team, are you?"
“Are you kidding me? Even if it doesn't work out this time, you'll definitely make it into a professional team; when that happens, there will be more than enough opportunities. Can you really live with yourself if you give up just like this!”
Miya Osamu's expression remained very calm, as if he had already thought about certain words in his heart over and over again: "Of course I'm not willing to give up."
Miya Atsumu took another large step forward, reaching out to grab Miya Osamu by the collar: "If you're not satisfied, then go fight for it! Right now, you don't act like my twin brother at all!"
He knew very clearly, he knew very clearly, that from the moment they started learning at the volleyball classroom, Miya Osamu had always been the one with the most talent in Coach Inubata's words.
In the future, they will surely reach even higher places together, just as they are now.
His temple throbbed, Miya Osamu struck out mercilessly, using his slightly more robust physique than Atsumu-kun to land a punch.
With a thud, the two of them fell to the ground together.
"Can't you just speak properly, you bastard!" Miya Osamu said, grabbing Miya Atsumu by the collar as he held him pinned to the ground.
Of course I'm not resigned to it! I'm not resigned to the fact that I wasn't selected!
Before Miya Atsumu could even argue, Miya Osamu's voice rang out immediately after.
But!
What I'm most unwilling to accept is.. I really only have a tiny bit of resentment about this!
Slowly loosening Miya Atsumu's collar, Miya Osamu, who was trying his best to calm his emotions, sat down on the floor.