In this state, Hinata has many options; it all depends on whether the Fukurodani back row Libero can keep up.
However..
Hinata was almost about to jump to the net from behind the three-meter line, while directly opposite him was Bokuto, who was desperately trying to limit his Kou Chokusen.
He knew very well just how terrifying Hinata's Kou Chokusen was; under these circumstances, where everyone's reaction speed could no longer keep up, it was best not to give Hinata any chance to spike.
He would leave the rest to the others; after all, there was only so much he could do.
Miya Atsumu's expression was relaxed and cheerful.
He knew that Hinata would not give the opponent's back row Libero a chance to follow up.
The sound of the hit suddenly exploded in his ears, as the ball grazed past Bokuto's face and slammed down in the direction the net extended horizontally.
Before Akaashi could make a desperate diving save, the ball had already slammed into the floor.
Bang.
The whistle blew, at that very second, the scoreboard at the side of the court jumped to Fukurodani 22:25 Inarizaki.
Immediately following, a long, sustained buzzer echoed throughout the arena, signaling the end of the match.
Bokuto turned his head, looking toward Hinata who had just landed.
Hinata also looked up at him.
The two looked at each other for a few seconds before simultaneously withdrawing their gazes and turning back toward their teammates.
Suna was already slumped on the ground, motionless, with Miya Osamu sitting beside him.
Miya Atsumu had been waiting behind for Hinata to return for some time.
Watching Hinata walk over, he raised his arms and opened his embrace toward Hinata.
Hinata took a few quick steps forward, rushed up, threw his arms around Miya Atsumu's neck.
Miya Atsumu, whose physical strength was already exhausted, was suddenly pulled by Hinata, causing his legs to give out as he tumbled forward.
Watching Hinata and Miya Atsumu crash down toward them, Suna and Miya Osamu rolled to both sides almost simultaneously to avoid becoming human cushions.
After a moment of chaos, Miya Atsumu and Hinata crashed into a heap.
The boisterous Inarizaki members didn't give the two any chance to get up; Akagi took the lead, lunging forward to pull several people into his embrace.
Several first-years also rushed over, soon everyone had formed a circle on the court.
“Shoyo is amazing!”
That serve was truly beautiful!
Rintaro was so energetic today, his block was so cool!
“It's finally over—I'm exhausted!”
Standing by the sidelines, Coach Kurosu stood with his hands on his hips and took a long breath toward the sky. If he hadn't been thinking about his status as an elder, he would have wanted to go over and give the players a hug as well.
—The kids were truly so cool and reliable.
Before he could hold back the tears in his eyes, Hinata, who had already been dragged out of the crowd by Rishia Heisuke, scrambled toward him on all fours.
In addition, Miya Osamu and Suna also put in a lot of effort to pull Hinata off of Miya Atsumu.
Coach! We won the Haruko championship!
Hinata lunged forward with such speed that even Rishia Heisuke couldn't catch him.
Coach Kurosu quickly reached out to catch Shoyo, exerting force through his whole body to prevent himself from falling or straining his back.
He is a coach; he cannot let his emotions show.
Composure. He had to remain composed.
“Well played, well played.” He patted Shoyo's back, feeling how soaked he was.
Hinata let go of Coach Kurosu and turned to rush toward Coach Omimi.
Seeing the unmistakable smile on Hinata's face, Coach Kurosu couldn't help but be infected by it.
A smile spread across that face, which had previously been somewhat serious.
Forget it, just for today, let's cast aside all that dignity of a mentor and the maturity of a coach!
That was something only the old man Washijo and the others would consider; he was still just a young man!
Thinking this, he decisively beckoned to Hinata.
Hinata let go of Coach Omimi and looked back at Coach Kurosu, walking to his side at the other's beckoning.
Coach Kurosu slid his hands under Shoyo's arms and lifted him straight up: "Shoyo, you were truly amazing today!"
Look! Everyone, look!
This is his golden egg!
Coach Kusubashi clicked his tongue in the stands. "Look at him, acting so smug."
Coach Utsunomiya and Coach Himegomiya were equally disdainful of Coach Kurosu's behavior.
It doesn't matter; they have already reserved Xiaoxia, so they still gained something!
In stark contrast to the jubilant mood over at Inarizaki, the overall atmosphere at Fukurodani was very dejected and heavy.
Akaashi lowered his head and apologized, "I'm sorry.."
He actually shouldn't have given that ball to Bokuto; thinking back, the success rate of a Second Attack might have been a bit higher.
"No need to apologize." Bokuto's tone was incredibly firm.
He withdrew his gaze from the Inarizaki members and looked at his teammates with utmost seriousness.
Being able to pass it through was already impressive enough. It was my fault for failing to score and getting blocked, I also failed to touch the ball to interfere with Hinata's score on that last play.
He is the Ace, his glory and the team's honor have always been one and the same.
And just as he said, those mistakes were his responsibility.
So, there is no need to apologize to him.
He failed that trust and those expectations; it was only right that he should apologize to everyone in Fukurodani.
Taking a deep breath, Bokuto turned to look at the Fukurodani banner on the opposite side.
His high school career ended at this moment.
Their three years came to an abrupt end.
In the very end, he failed to bring the championship trophy back to Fukurodani.
A little..
It's a bit of a shame.
But.. it was truly wonderful to be able to play a match against Inarizaki like this.
In the not-too-distant future, perhaps he will also undergo some kind of change because of this match.
After giving both sides time to recover and adjust, the referee signaled for the players from both teams to line up to exchange greetings and handshakes.
At the end of the handshake line, after letting out a long breath, Bokuto reached out his hand toward Hinata from beneath the net.
You played really well, Hinata.
Hinata grabbed at it with a look of pleasant surprise: "I'll keep working hard!"
The Super Short Diagonal, a technique Bokuto had demonstrated to him before, was something he could now use very effectively.
Bokuto laughed loudly. "If we get the chance, I'll see you again in the future."
Shoyo nodded vigorously. "Alright! I will!"
Kuroo Rei leaned back against his chair, looking somewhat melancholy. "Spring has completely come to an end."
But a gentle and natural voice from Shiratori drifted from beside him: "No, the ice and snow have not yet melted. Spring.. hasn't even begun yet."
Whether it was Hinata or Miya Atsumu.
This championship is just the beginning for them; they will win many more awards—in the future.
Whether it be himself or his childhood friend.
Their lives will surely shine brightly.
——He looks forward to it with great anticipation.
[Haruko Men's High School Volleyball Tournament Finals, final score 3:1.]
【Winner, Hyogo Prefecture representative, Inarizaki High School.】
Chapter 233: The Two Hundred and Thirty-Third Fox
Seeing Hinata dozing off in his chair halfway through changing his clothes, Rishia Heisuke hurriedly reached out to call him.
Shoyo, don't fall asleep yet. The lounge has to be returned in a bit.
The schedule here at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium is quite tight; there are other matches to be held tomorrow, the rest areas all need to be disinfected and cleaned, so it's impossible to reserve them for them until the end of today.
The award ceremony would basically begin right after the Women's Volleyball matches ended, so they wouldn't have much time left afterward.
"Yeah." Hinata perked himself up and continued changing his clothes.
After putting on his thick jacket, Shoyo looked up and noticed that several people were missing from the lounge.
He looked at Rishia Heisuke with a bit of confusion, "Where are Kita Team and Atsumu-senpai?"
The intense match ended, replaced by a surging sense of exhaustion.
It wasn't just physically; mentally, it gave him the sensation that his brain had stopped functioning.
"We're going to the judges' table with the coach to check the score." Rishia Heisuke handed Hinata a bottle of the sports drink that the coach had bought before leaving.
Hearing this, Hinata perked up significantly: "Ah, you mean the individual awards, right!"
Upon hearing this, he was no longer sleepy; this was something truly worth looking forward to.