Silence fell over the entire gymnasium once again.
Miya Atsumu looked up at the gymnasium ceiling, feeling as if he were suddenly missing something.
After a long time, Osamu's voice rang out again.
Atsumu.
You love volleyball more than I do.
Struggling to get up, Miya Atsumu once again aggressively grabbed the Twins' clothes; Miya Atsumu stared at him, but couldn't say a single word.
Under Miya Osamu's almost indifferent gaze, Miya Atsumu struggled to let out a breath: "How pathetic."
The moment he heard those words, Miya Osamu exploded once more: "Huh? You really think playing volleyball is the only right choice?"
“Just because I'm stronger than you and more talented, does that mean I have to play volleyball? I have things that I love! My future will definitely be happier than yours!”
He grabbed Atsumu's clothes, a roar nearly squeezed from his throat: "When you're old and toothless, if you can live a happier life than me, then come back and mock me!"
With a bang, the door to the changing room was pulled open.
Aran, who had already changed and was ready to leave, Kita Shinsuke turned back after hearing the noise.
"What are you doing!" Kita Shinsuke's voice was significantly more stern.
Atsumu and Osamu both had visible marks on their faces from the punches they had exchanged.
As if finally calming down, Miya Osamu and Miya Atsumu let go of each other.
Miya Atsumu lifted his chin like a fighter who would never bow in defeat. "First of all, I play volleyball better than you."
Second, when I'm old and toothless.. I will absolutely, absolutely be much happier than you!
Having said that, Miya Atsumu burst through the door, leaving the side of Kita Shinsuke and Aran without giving Miya Osamu a single glance.
From afar, he seemed to hear an unfinished sigh.
“Sorry..”
Watching Miya Atsumu's retreating figure as he changed his shoes and left the gymnasium, Aran shrugged at Kita Shinsuke.
Kita looked back at Miya Osamu: "If you want an ice pack, go find one in the fridge yourself."
"Yeah." Miya Osamu nodded, picked up his phone that had just been swatted away, walked over to Kita Shinsuke and Aran.
Kita's voice rang out again: "Don't worry too much, Atsumu has actually already figured it out."
I know," Miya Osamu said, lowering his eyes. "And I'm relieved, because even if I'm not there, the road ahead..
He won't be too lonely either.
Kita smiled faintly, looking at the junior beside him who was quite a bit taller than him. "What about you? Have you decided what you want to do in the future?"
"Yeah, I've decided. I want to work in the food industry for the rest of my life." Speaking of this, Miya Osamu's eyes lit up.
Just as Miya Atsumu once said, whenever the topic of food comes up, Miya Osamu always gets this feeling of "it's so good to be alive."
Hearing this incredibly certain answer, Kita and Aran both breathed a sigh of relief at almost the same time.
Kita patted Miya Osamu on the back: "That's perfect. I plan to go back home and farm after I graduate. My family has several acres of rice paddies, so maybe one day in the future, I can become one of your suppliers."
"That would be wonderful." Miya Osamu also laughed.
Meanwhile, in the three gyms, Hinata, having heard the news that they were heading to Shiratorizawa next, couldn't sit still and was pulling Rishia Heisuke aside to practice setting.
Picking up the ball that had been tossed away, Hinata held it up toward Rishia once again: "One more!"
Rishia, whose expression looked a bit strained, was just about to struggle into an agreement when a voice drifted in from the doorway.
“Shoyo.” Hinata looked back and found it was Miya Atsumu.
He glanced back at Rishia, who, looking like a savior, hurriedly waved his hands, signaling that he wouldn't play anymore.
Handing the ball to Rishia with a hint of regret, Hinata jogged up to Miya Atsumu. "Atsumu-senpai? Do you want to.."
Before he could even finish his sentence, Hinata Shoyo sensed that Miya Atsumu's emotions were off.
Looking up at Miya Atsumu, although he couldn't see any tears, he had a strange feeling that the other man seemed to be crying.
Without saying a word, Miya Atsumu simply bowed his head slightly and gently opened his arms to Hinata Shoyo.
Hinata took a step forward and embraced Miya Atsumu.
Sadness and a faint sense of unwillingness surged forward like a tide; the embrace, so forceful it felt as if it were melting into his very bones and blood, left Hinata feeling inexplicably sorrowful.
Just as he would usually comfort Xiaoxia, he reached out and stroked Miya Atsumu's head.
"Shoyo." Atsumu called Hinata's name again, as if trying to confirm his presence.
"What's wrong?" Hinata's voice sounded from right next to him.
He told him—I'm here.
Resting his chin on Hinata Shoyo's shoulder, Miya Atsumu took a deep breath.
As if having calmed his emotions, he asked that question he had already asked once before: "What do you plan to do after you graduate, Shoyo?"
Hinata's answer was decisive, without any second-guessing: "To play volleyball."
Miya Atsumu continued to press, "What about the even more distant future?"
This time, Hinata actually took a moment to think about it.
Does the distant future refer to the day he becomes an old man? But even if it comes to that..
"It's also playing volleyball." Hinata's answer remained the same.
Miya Atsumu held the person in his arms even tighter: "Then.. will you stay by my side forever and ever?"
He frowned slightly, looking as if tears were about to fall the next second.
Please do not leave.
Please do not all leave him.
Hinata gave him an affirmative answer once again: "If Atsumu-senpai is going to play volleyball for the rest of his life, I'll be there."
The entire gymnasium fell silent, with only the sounds of Kumagai, Unabara, the others practicing on the other side.
Yukihito, you can't spike like that.
Like that! Beautiful! Great receive!
After a very, very long time, just as Rishia Heisuke felt like he was about to suffocate, Miya Atsumu's voice rang out once again.
Sit with me for a while, Shoyo.
Hinata Shoyo readily agreed, "Okay."
He turned his head toward Rishia Heisuke: "Heisuke, you should go with Akuma and the others! Atsumu-senpai and I will be a bit later."
Taking a cautious glance at Miya Atsumu, Rishia shook his head. "Actually, I'll just wait for you."
He was a little afraid that Hinata would get lost if he walked alone.
Since they met, it seemed like Hinata had never walked this way to school by himself once; he highly doubted whether Hinata actually remembered the way.
Miya Atsumu looked at Rishia Heisuke: "I'll take him back."
Rishia shut up and decisively joined Kumagai's group of three on the other side.
After helping Hinata change into his shoes, shorts, a short-sleeved shirt, the two of them found a shaded chair near the gymnasium and sat down.
Neither of them spoke first; they simply sat there, watching the ants nearby carry things.
Hinata instinctively glanced at Miya Atsumu's side and felt a brief moment of confusion when he noticed the other boy wasn't carrying a bag.
But Miya Atsumu was clearly not in good condition, so he didn't say anything either.
The strange atmosphere lasted for a very long time, just as Hinata was about to fall asleep, he suddenly felt a weight settle on his shoulders.
As if all his energy had been drained, Miya Atsumu slumped directly onto Hinata Shoyo.
"I don't want to go home anymore." Miya Atsumu rested his head against Hinata Shoyo's shoulder.
Seeing Miya Osamu's face made him feel irritated, and.. he felt that he needed some time to calm down.
Actually, he wasn't surprised at all. It seemed like Miya Osamu had already made up his mind long ago; his failure to make the Junior National Team was merely a catalyst.
But that's exactly what makes it even more annoying.
"Then you'll come stay at my house?" Hinata suggested eagerly.
Although he didn't know what had happened, he felt that Atsumu-senpai was in much better condition.
Besides, it's still early, so he can go home, watch the live stream, then continue playing volleyball without pestering Rishia.
Miya Atsumu agreed readily, "Okay."
After reporting to his parents, Miya Atsumu happily followed Hinata Shoyo on the way home.
Just as Miya Atsumu was wondering why Hinata hadn't practiced with the Volleyball Club until evening, Hinata's voice rang out with a hint of protest.
Atsumu-senpai, have you forgotten something important?
He thought something was strange; Atsumu-senpai's current state didn't look anything like someone who was about to watch a live stream with him.
The smile froze on his face, Miya Atsumu's expression turned blank. "What?"
Hinata cried out in anguish, "The match between Shiratorizawa and Aobajohsai—we promised we'd watch it together!"
But Atsumu-senpai went off to do something, when he came back, he dragged him to sit under a tree for an entire hour!
Miya Atsumu, who had already completely cast this matter aside, felt his head ring.
Oh no, I'm doomed.
"Let's go, let's go! The finals are five sets. If we're lucky, the two of us might even get to see the end of it." Miya Atsumu grabbed Hinata Shoyo and started sprinting.
Of course, if one side is unlucky enough to lose 3-0 or 3-1, they will only be able to watch the replay.
But the two of them weren't very lucky; they hit several red lights on the way home and even encountered roadwork that forced them to take a detour.
The two of them rushed home at breakneck speed. Since no one was home at this hour, Miya Atsumu immediately turned on the TV and found the channel broadcasting the live stream.
The moment he saw the scoreboard, Miya Atsumu froze.
24:23? Which set is this?