Because..
The two coaches were staring each other down.
Ultimately, Coach Inubata was the first to speak: "Inubata Masahiko, graduated from Central Physical Education University, former starting setter for the Japan National Volleyball Team, has been engaged in children's volleyball education for 15 years."
A life resume? How interesting.
Coach Himegomiya did not back down: "Himegomiya Satsuki, Master's degree from the University of São Paulo, former starting Middle Blocker for the Japan National Team, 3 years as a women's volleyball coach, 7 years as a men's volleyball coach."
Did you see that? Sakusa, Komori, Iizuna, the male and female national team players from Itachiyama—they are all my disciples.
Whether it's her education or her resume, she won! It was worth her taking time out of her busy schedule to complete a graduate program abroad in recent years!
Coach Inubata's expression was contorted.
But in terms of educational background, he won!
With her arms being pulled to either side by two coaches, Hinata Natsu struggled to maintain a smile.
"Yo, what are you two doing?" Just then, another female voice rang out.
Wait, you two know each other?
Coach Inubata and Coach Himegomiya looked up at the same time, then fell silent at the same time.
Coach Himegomiya subtly shifted her position, shielding Hinata Natsu behind her.
She called out a greeting, "Long time no see, Kurosawa Chika."
“I've been looking for you! Come see my kid, our Ace.” The other person laughed quite boisterously, then pushed a very tall high school girl forward.
Come on, Yege, this is Himegomiya, the coach of the Itachiyama Men's Volleyball Team. The other one with the afro is Coach Inubata; he should be teaching the kids right now.
The captain of the Japan Women's Volleyball Team ten years ago, Kurosawa Chika, is now..
The head coach of Shinzan Girls' High School.
Himegomiya's expression was distorted.
Even if she definitely has to challenge Shinzan Girls in high school, it doesn't mean she is ready to give up her right to instruct Hinata Natsu!
Even her former captain wouldn't be able to do it!
No way!
Chapter 165: The One Hundred and Sixty-Fifth Fox
While the three coaches on Xiaoxia's side were still at a stalemate, Hinata had already rushed to the side of the court where Nekoma was scheduled to play; currently, the Hokkaido Representative Team was competing on the court.
However, the match has only just begun, it is still a long way from the second match; for now, the Nekoma team should be warming up in a nearby gymnasium.
Hinata was also the type who couldn't sit still, stubbornly dragging Miya Atsumu around the entire gymnasium several times, even greeting Inubushi Higashi and the others several times.
Miya Atsumu, who had been stubbornly forced to follow him, felt a bit of a headache: "The Nekoma people should be arriving soon, let's go to the stands."
"But I feel like we can see much closer from the sidelines." Hinata looked at Miya Atsumu, his eyes full of earnestness.
Miya Atsumu, who no longer wanted to walk around the court lap after lap, thought rapidly and finally pulled a reason out of his corner.
We can sit in the women's volleyball cheering section on the second floor; that way we can watch both Nekoma and Aobajohsai's matches at the same time.
Just as Miya Atsumu-senpai expected, Hinata turned back to him, his eyes sparkling: "As expected of Atsumu-senpai, you're amazing!"
Before Miya Atsumu could even prepare to check if there were any seats left in the stands, Hinata's next sentence rang out: "But I want to say hello to Kenma first, let's wait here in the players' tunnel for a while."
He didn't even see him during the morning opening ceremony; everyone from Nekoma High School had already left.
Having already had a premonition that something was wrong, Miya Atsumu could only nod and say, "Alright."
The match on the court ended, the members of Nekoma High School, who had already changed their clothes outside, began entering the court one after another.
Hinata, who had been crouching by the sidelines for a long time, jumped up directly: "Kenma!"
Seeing Hinata rushing over, Kenma was also stunned for a moment, but rather than surprise, he felt more joy: "Shoyo, long time no see."
The last time they met in person was back in August.
Kuroo stood to the side with his hands on his hips. "Oh? Who's this? Aren't you our national champions?"
"Kuroo-senpai!" Hinata greeted him.
When Yaku, who was at the end of the line, looked over, Hinata became even more excited: "Yaku-senpai!!"
Yaku, who had been sternly lecturing Lev, looked up and smiled the moment he saw Hinata: "Hinata, I've watched the footage from the National Sports Festival; your receives have improved."
Hinata scratched his head, trying to suppress a smile that made his expression look somewhat goofy: "I still have a long way to go, but I'm much better than I was before."
Yaku laughed, "Then I'll be looking forward to it."
As long as they can keep winning, they will meet on the morning of the third day.
Hinata worked hard to cheer for everyone in Nekoma: "Go for it!"
Watching every single person from Karasuno and Nekoma high-five, Kuroo laughed, "You've got a lot of energy."
Kenma also narrowed his eyes, a smile playing on his lips: "Yeah, Shoyo is much more confident than before."
Compared to the green and inexperienced boy he remembered seeing at Coach Nekota's club, the current Hinata possessed an aura of a natural-born powerhouse.
Kuroo lowered his eyes, his smile not reaching his eyes. "Victory really does make a man."
Scanning the massive guy who could only be reached if Hinata jumped foolishly high, Kuroo's smile became even more strained.
When on earth are we ever going to be able to raise someone like that..
Kenma said expressionlessly, "It's not going to happen in this lifetime."
The Nekoma members entered the court one after another at the referee's call, while Hinata tried to go around half the court to find Kindaichi and Kunimi Akira on the opposite side.
Fortunately, Miya Atsumu was quick-handed and grabbed him back, "Just go to the stands. There's no point in trying to go around now; you won't be able to say hello anyway."
After struggling for a bit, Hinata Shoyo finally gave up. "Alright.."
Actually, he really wanted to say that he could go by himself, but at the thought of the instructions from the Kita Team and Coach Kurosu, he gave up.
He really won't get lost by himself!
After finding a good seat in the stands, Miya Atsumu-senpai finally breathed a sigh of relief.
But clearly, he was overthinking it.
Listening to Hinata's voice on one side saying, "Kenma's second attack is so amazing," and on the other saying, "Oikawa-senpai's serve is so cool," Miya Atsumu felt like he was about to turn into a stone statue.
He suddenly felt that it would have been better to let Rishia stay with Hinata; after all, on the path of a Setter, he was..
As his mind turned to this, alarm bells rang in Miya Atsumu's head.
After scanning his gaze across Nekoma and Aobajohsai in succession, he suddenly felt that something was wrong.
Wait, wait, wait, since when did the setter position become so overcrowded!
Nekoma and Aobajohsai both secured beautiful 2-0 victories over their opponents to advance to the next round, showing a clearly significant difference in skill level compared to their opponents.
"We won!" Hinata cheered.
Seeing Hinata heading toward the stretching area to find someone, Miya Atsumu hurriedly said, "Do you want to go watch the Fukurodani match? It's in the side gym."
"Sure." Hinata, who had already wanted to go find Bokuto, nodded quickly.
Making a peace sign behind his back, Miya Atsumu took the initiative to lead Hinata toward the secondary gym.
After witnessing Bokuto-senpai's slump, then seeing him inexplicably glance their way before being cheered up and starting to play with intensity, Miya Atsumu felt that this entire day of surreal experiences was even more exhausting than playing a full day of matches.
Something like, "Look, Inarizaki's little guy and the High School's Strongest Setter are both here to admire your spike's elegance"..
He must be hallucinating, he must be.
And of course, Bokuto-senpai was still wiping away non-existent tears: "Atsumu-senpai! I didn't realize you liked me this much—"
Miya Atsumu felt his head ache even more: "I didn't— I'm not— I'm leaving right now."
"Akaashi told me everything, what you're doing is called.." Bokuto paused, crying.
After Akaashi's lip movements prompted him, he continued crying, "You're just saying the opposite of what you mean!"
In the end, the one who broke Bokuto-senpai's reverie was Hinata, who had finally managed to compose his words: "Bokuto-senpai!"
His face was written with eagerness, filled with a look of determination to win.
"What's wrong?" Bokuto looked at Hinata.
Hinata said what he had been thinking about all morning: "Can I take a look at your jackets? You know, those.. down jackets!"
Of course!" Bokuto-senpai agreed readily, then looked toward his own vice-captain, "Akaashi! My clothes!
Akaashi, who had been responsible for catching the clothes that Bokuto had thrown, brought them back, saying expressionlessly, "Next time, please don't just throw your clothes. You can just leave them in the basket. Down jackets are heavy and difficult to catch."
Anyway, today's match was already over, so he had to point out the problem on the spot.
Bokuto, who was being scolded by Akaashi-senpai, looked on with blank, dot-like eyes.
Hinata poked his head over: "Can I try it on for a bit?"
Akaashi-senpai answered on behalf of Bokuto-senpai, "Yes."
Afterward, he continued staring at Bokuto-senpai: "Bokuto-senpai, you had two service errors in the last set, one attempt at a tool resulted in a point for the opponent's block, you also committed a block-out while trying to block the opponent's spike.."
Wearing a down jacket that was clearly several sizes too big for him, Hinata spread his arms to show Miya Atsumu. "Do I look cool?"
Looking at the sleeves, which were clearly much too long, Miya Atsumu didn't know what to say.
In the end, he could only quickly pull out his phone, take a photo, say, "His clothes are too big; they don't suit you."
Hinata also thought that Miya Atsumu made sense.
Bokuto was not only 185 cm tall, but his entire physique was also very burly; with his muscular build, his shoulder width was especially exaggerated.
If he could ever fill out this shirt one day, it would probably mean his volleyball skills had become very good.
In the afternoon matches, Municipal Kobe and Karasuno also advanced one after another, meaning Inarizaki's opponent for tomorrow is now locked in: their old rivals, Municipal Kobe.
And on the morning of the second day of Haruko, this highly anticipated match finally officially commenced.
【The next match to be played is between Inarizaki High School and Kobe City Municipal Kobe High School; the match is about to begin.】