This was something Yaku-senpai had whispered to him privately.
Coach Kurosu mentioned it before too, saying that Nekoma is.. a typical example of spoiling their Setter?" Hinata tried his best to recall the coach's words from before. "I think it was that word.
Hoshiumi nodded. "I can tell."
If it weren't for Hayakawa Industrial's overly tricky and targeted playstyle, that number 5 would most likely have remained completely motionless.
How many normal setters can play like that..
But speaking of spoiling setters.." Hoshiumi's mouth twitched. "Isn't it your Inarizaki that deserves the most criticism?
Nekoma spoils their Libero, Kenma, in terms of defense, while Inarizaki purely dotes on their Setter, Miya Atsumu, in terms of offense.
What kind of Spiker would take all the blame for errors like Inarizaki does, refusing to let the Setter shoulder any of the responsibility?
And with Miya Atsumu's terrible temper..
In a certain sense, Inarizaki is much like Nekoma.
"Really?" Hinata scratched his head.
"Absolutely," Hoshiumi said seriously.
That damn Miya Atsumu, what kind of garbage knowledge has he filled Hinata's head with!
Right at that moment, the stalemate on the court suddenly shifted.
A sudden burst of cheers erupted from the Nekoma High School stands, followed immediately by a volleyball flying toward their side, nearly hitting Hirugami.
The whistle blew, Nekoma scored on a block.
Hoshiumi's eyes widened: "Whoa, what's going on?"
Hirugami, who had been keeping a close eye on the situation on the court, said, "Nekoma is starting to counterattack."
Although it had dragged on to this point, the initiative was unexpectedly held in Nekoma's own hands.
Should I say.. as expected of the "brain" that Nekota chose?
Feigning weakness to draw the opponent in, then delivering a lethal blow once the situation reached a stalemate—it was a textbook Nekoma playstyle.
And just as Hirugami expected, Nekoma ultimately secured the victory in the third set.
However, Kenma's own physical exhaustion was not small either; he nearly lost his footing while bowing in respect after the match.
Hinata dragged Hoshiumi to the nearest spot to buy drinks, while Hirugami happened to be called away by someone he knew.
So, in the end, only Hinata and Hoshiumi returned to the court with drinks.
Watching the Nekoma members walk off the court, Hinata rushed over with the sports drinks at the first opportunity: "Kenma! Good job!"
Mechanically taking the drink from Hinata, Kenma nodded blankly, "Yeah."
Watching the Nekoma brain that had already stalled, Kuroo let out a soft sigh.
He turned his head to look at Hinata: "You wouldn't poison the drinks, would you?"
Hinata recoiled a step, a wounded expression on his face.
He denied it vehemently: "How could that be! I'm looking forward to tomorrow's match!"
After all, how could he possibly poison Kenma!
As soon as Hinata said this, the entire Nekoma team instantly fell silent.
Everyone looked at him simultaneously, their eyes filled with scrutiny and vigilance.
Hoshiumi stood with his hands on his hips, also turning his head to glance at Hinata.
Hinata blinked, clearly startled, involuntarily took a half-step backward.
What's going on? Why is everyone staring at him?
He was just telling the truth, but why did it feel like he had triggered some kind of forbidden switch..
Shrinking slightly behind Hoshiumi without leaving a trace, Hinata asked in confusion, "W-what's wrong? Isn't Kuroo-senpai looking forward to it?"
Kenma, whose expression remained unchanged.
He unscrewed the sports drink from Hinata and took a calm sip.
It seemed as if he had only just regained his composure; he looked up at Hinata, who was already clutching Hoshiumi's clothes for protection.
Yaku said nothing, while Hai just kept smiling as usual.
After a long silence, Kenma gave Hinata a smile. "I'm looking forward to it."
The moment he met that smile, Hinata felt his head ring, goosebumps broke out all over his back.
Hinata questioned this friend who suddenly felt a little unfamiliar: "Ken, Kenma?"
Kenma continued, "You're looking forward to it too, aren't you?"
The trembling atmosphere suddenly vanished, Hinata relaxed bit by bit.
He returned to the state he was in when he first arrived: "Of course, I'll be too excited to sleep tonight!"
Kuroo seized the opportunity to chime in: "Then don't sleep at all."
Their chances of winning increase only if the opponents are not in good condition, but..
Waving his hand, Kuroo gave up on his plan to immediately find a place to bury Hinata.
Forget it, you should just get some good sleep. Kenma is really looking forward to tomorrow's match.
The chance to face the national champions is not something you get every time.
Especially Inarizaki, as for Nekoma, they have watched them gradually transform into the level they are at now.
It was just unknown whether Nekoma themselves could keep up with this kind of pace.
Kuroo stopped thinking as he caught sight of Haiba Lev staring intently at Hinata out of the corner of his eye.
—Probably not.
Right at that moment, a voice rang out that made everyone at Nekoma High School frown.
Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing?
Miya Atsumu appeared from some corner, walking up behind Hinata with an air of command.
Hoshiumi stood with his arms crossed over his chest, turning his head to look at him. "You certainly arrived early."
This guy usually follows Hinata around like a persistent shadow, but Hinata almost got into a conflict with those people from that Nekoma school just now, Miya Atsumu actually wasn't there.
Isn't this completely unreliable!
Miya Atsumu, who just wanted to assert his presence, looked confused: "Huh? Did something happen?"
That can't be right, don't the people from Nekoma like Shoyo a lot?
Bully him?
Miya Atsumu looked down at Hinata: "Was Kuroo-senpai bullying you?"
Hinata blinked. "No, he didn't."
Although it was indeed a bit intimidating, it was just a greeting.
".." Hoshiumi hesitated, his eyes narrowing as he stared at Hinata for a long time.
Finally, he said, "Alright."
Glancing at the time, Hoshiumi waved his hand. "Alright, I'm heading out now. See you later."
Their meeting time was approaching, he couldn't keep wasting time here with the people from Inarizaki.
Whether it's Hinata Shoyo, Miya Atsumu, or those people from Nekoma High School, not a single one of them has a normal way of thinking.
What's with all this telepathy and riddles.. He doesn't want to stay here any longer.
"See you later, Hoshiumi-senpai!" Hinata jumped up to say goodbye to Hoshiumi.
As he passed the entrance to the Players' Tunnel, he ran straight into Oikawa Tooru and Iwaizumi Hajime, who were in the middle of talking.
Hoshiumi, who felt as if he had just swallowed a fly, felt his eyes light up and immediately rushed over: "Oikawa-senpai!"
Hearing someone call him, Oikawa Tooru looked back. "Hoshiumi?"
Appearing to have found an ally, Hoshiumi raised his hand and pointed toward the court, then quickly made several gestures, his entire frantic state written all over them.
Oikawa Tooru watched Hoshiumi's expressive face and his blatant, unmistakable gestures with an expressionless gaze.
Under Iwaizumi Hajime's bewildered gaze, he raised his hand and made an OK sign.
Hoshiumi left.
Feeling like he had missed some important plot point, Iwaizumi Hajime blinked. "What's the situation? You're close with Karasuno's Little Giant?"
Oikawa Tooru gave a brief explanation: "We met during the Junior National Team; you could say we're allies on the same side."
What alliance?
It's the Anti-Atsumu Alliance, of course.
Peering out from the players' tunnel, Oikawa Tooru immediately saw Hinata, who was excitedly talking to the members of Nekoma.
And.. Miya Atsumu, who was standing beside him, looking at the back of Hinata's head with eyes curved in a smile.
Oikawa felt a bit nauseous.
Wow..
This guy's smile is truly disgusting.
While Miya Atsumu and the Nekoma captain were saying something, he beckoned to Hinata, who happened to be looking over.
Hinata blinked and, under the gazes of Kenma and Yaku, walked toward Oikawa Tooru.
"Oikawa-senpai?" He looked up at the senior.
Oikawa Tooru glanced at Miya Atsumu, who had his back turned and hadn't noticed at all that Hinata was gone.
After letting out a contemptuous laugh, Oikawa Tooru reached out and pulled Hinata into the tunnel, whispering, "The timing isn't right, but I'll give you a piece of advice for now."
"What?" Hinata was bewildered.
Oikawa Tooru had no intention of being blunt at this time, merely saying, "Watch out for Miya Atsumu, he is very dangerous."