This time, Miya Osamu was truly so angry that he laughed.
He kicked him directly: "Just go die! You scum, Atsumu!"
Hearing the commotion from next door, Hinata remained silent.
He looked at the curious Xiaoxia: "Xiaoxia, it's getting late, let's go to sleep first.."
On the bed by the window, Xiaoxia obediently covered herself with the quilt: "Goodnight, big brother."
Hinata responded gently, "Goodnight, Xiaoxia, see you tomorrow."
Meanwhile in Amagasaki, the Inarizaki members of the cheering squad, the Inarizaki Brass Band, the second and third strings of the Volleyball Club were also packing their things overnight in preparation for departure.
Coach Inubata, following the cheering squad, clenched his fists tightly: "I heard Xiaoxia has already gone to Tokyo; I'll make sure to have a great time with her!"
The assistant beside him said nothing, merely watching the high-spirited Coach Inubata.
Will it really.. go smoothly..
I'm telling you, Xiaoxia is just too cute!
Coach Himegomiya sat on the sofa, raising his wine glass toward Coach Utsunomiya, who looked pale across from him.
Utsunomiya really wanted to throw this guy, who was disturbing his peaceful sleep, out right now, but..
He was curious!
He was truly curious to see what the golden egg that was about to be his would look like!
Himegomiya belongs to Itachiyama, he himself belongs to Itachiyama.
If you round it up, Himegomiya belongs to him!
From now on, he can also be considered half of Jin Dan's master!
Daily training to maintain form wouldn't start until the afternoon; everyone had gone to bed late yesterday, so Coach Kurosu didn't call everyone for early morning training.
The three members of Itachiyama were already sent back to their dorms by bus last night, they will follow the team here later.
After the daily fundamentals and physical training, the Inarizaki members returned to the hotel once more, this time..
Another person appeared at the door of Hinata's room, making Miya Atsumu's face contort with rage.
Hinata, who was holding Xiaoxia's hand, froze for a moment. "Hoshiumi-senpai?"
Hoshiumi stood there with his hands on his hips: "You're just in time, let's go see Tokyo Tower."
Hinata, who had been a bit dazed, quickly found the next focal point: "Tokyo Tower!"
Miya Atsumu waved his hand. "No, no, no, didn't we say we're going tomorrow!"
It's brighter to see it at this time," Hoshiumi Hinata said, "and you can also get a bird's-eye view of the Tokyo nightscape.
He had made plans in advance, so that after visiting Yoyogi National Gymnasium tomorrow morning, he could devote himself entirely to preparations in the afternoon.
Hinata cheered, "Awesome! Atsumu-senpai, let's go together!"
Faced with Hinata's enthusiastic invitation, Miya Atsumu could not refuse.
He tilted his head. "Then let's go."
Damn it, if only Hoshiumi wasn't here!
Their hotel was not too far from Tokyo Tower; it could actually be seen faintly from the hotel window.
Since today's training volume wasn't particularly high, the four of them decided to walk the whole way, which was expected to take about forty minutes.
On the way to Tokyo Tower, Hinata looked at Hoshiumi: "Hoshiumi-senpai, did you guys go to Kiyomizu-dera today? How was it?"
He remembered that Hoshiumi-senpai and the others had terrible luck yesterday.
Speaking of which, Hoshiumi's entire face crumpled: "It was alright, Sumiyoshi."
As long as it's not fierce, I can accept anything.
Glancing at Miya Atsumu, who looked inexplicably smug for some reason, Hoshiumi continued, "Actually.. before coming to see you, we also went to Senso-ji."
Senso-ji is in Tokyo; they came straight here after leaving Kiyomizu-dera.
The facts proved that the Inari God was biased; only the Inari God was fierce toward them.
Hinata blinked. "How is it?"
Hoshiumi let out a huff and pulled the fortune slip he had drawn from his pocket, showing it to everyone.
“Eighty-Fifth, Great Blessing!”
Looking at the four short lines on the fortune slip that he couldn't understand at all, Hinata cheered, "Hoshiumi-senpai is amazing!"
Miya Atsumu clicked his tongue lightly. "Tsk, they probably only gave that to you because they couldn't bear to see you fail."
It took three tries in a row to get a Great Blessing; that person at Senso-ji was just too kind.
Hoshiumi glared sharply at him, his face clearly saying, "If you don't shut up, I'll treat you like a mute."
“Hoshiumi-senpai will definitely be fine,” Hinata cheered for Hoshiumi, “See you in the semifinals!”
According to the schedule, if they were to face each other, it could only be in the Semifinals.
Hoshiumi raised an eyebrow slightly. "Don't worry, just make sure you guys don't get careless."
It's just Fukuda General; they will definitely take down Karasuno.
Xiaoxia's voice rang out at that moment: "Big brother! Tokyo Tower!"
Hinata's attention was instantly diverted; as he turned his head, he saw the Tokyo Tower fully appearing in his field of vision.
He reached out and grabbed Miya Atsumu, "Atsumu-senpai! Tokyo Tower!"
Miya Atsumu shook his phone at Hinata: "Come on, let's take a photo."
He looked at Hoshiumi Hikari: "Hoshiumi, do you want to be the photographer?"
Exactly, be the photographer, so you don't appear in their group photo!
Hoshiumi wanted to refuse Miya Atsumu, but after meeting Hinata's gaze, he agreed anyway: "Fine, just so you don't take such ugly photos of Xiaoxia."
—He questioned Miya Atsumu's aesthetic sense.
Author's Note:
Senso-ji Eighty-Fifth Great Blessing
May one's worries fade with time, as fame is gradually attained and peace is found. The clouds will eventually part to reveal the ladder, the path home shall lead to the immortal realms.
Chapter 163: The One Hundred Sixty-Third Fox
The next morning, Hoshiumi woke Hinata up at his room door as promised.
After leaving Xiaoxia with the Kita Team, Hinata, Hoshiumi, the insistent Miya Atsumu set off for Yoyogi.
The Yoyogi National Gymnasium also has matches scheduled recently, but fortunately, Hoshiumi had already asked some people from the Karasuno basketball club for a few tickets in advance, allowing him to enter the venue.
The opening ceremony for the Winter Cup was being held over at the basketball gym, while the volleyball gym was empty, to be used later as a warm-up venue for basketball matches.
Fortunately, the volleyball gym was left unlocked because of this.
The venue was very empty. The gymnasium, which Hinata remembered being covered in banners, was now completely vacant, there were even no fences between the various courts, making it feel quite spacious.
Hoshiumi took a volleyball out of his bag. "Want to try playing a few rounds?"
Hinata's eyes widened: "Hoshiumi-senpai actually brought a ball!"
He wondered why Hoshiumi-senpai was carrying such a huge sports bag; he and Miya Atsumu had only brought the sneakers they needed for afternoon practice, but he had actually brought a volleyball!
Excitement lasted for less than a second before Hinata, who had quickly changed his shoes, noticed the empty poles in the court.
There was no net on top; it had likely been taken down because it hadn't been used for a long time.
".. There's no net." A hint of disappointment appeared in Hinata's heart.
Miya Atsumu, who had just finished changing his shoes and walked in, reached out and patted his head: "It's okay."
He raised his hand, his long fingers pointing to the space between the two poles in the court.
The net is right there, isn't it?
—The net has been in our hearts from the very beginning. You remember where it is, don't you?
Hinata's eyes lit up, then he nodded heavily: "Yes! Atsumu-senpai, let's play volleyball!"
Hoshiumi slightly lifted his chin, saying nothing.
Fine, he would concede to Miya Atsumu on that one point, but that was all.
After a simple warm-up to loosen his joints, Hinata jogged all the way onto the court.
Hoshiumi tossed the ball in his hands, after exchanging a glance with Miya Atsumu, he said, "Here it comes."
Hoshiumi Hinata tossed the volleyball steadily, then used his hands to set the ball right over the head of Miya Atsumu, who was already standing at the "net."
Playing the whole match is impossible, after all, they don't have anyone left.
It was just..
As Hinata stepped forward, the sound of his soles friction against the floor seemed to bring the entire gymnasium to life.
In the quiet arena, the sound of blood flowing and heavy heartbeats suddenly erupted.
He sprinted toward Position 3 Center, making his final step in an instant.
Thump.
The lights from above shone down, as Miya Atsumu slightly tilted his head, he seemed to see a net that wasn't even there.
Perfect positioning, absolute height—even if the opposition was the block from Karasuno, Hinata would definitely be able to break through.
Yes.
They just wanted to let someone here.. touch the sky.
Hoshiumi's eyes widened slightly.
A long, long time ago.