—He can do this!
Just like in a volleyball counterattack, when a teammate is on the offensive, he needs to move up to defend against the opponent's return!
Two consecutive sounds of hitting the ball rang out; Hinata seized the opportunity to jump and execute a spike on the ball Miya Atsumu had sent back.
The entire process was a direct clash of strength, both Miya Atsumu and Oikawa Tooru failed to cover the gap in time.
The Badminton Club president applauded: "A beautiful follow-up at the net."
Whether it was the speed of the follow-up or the subsequent counterattack, it was incredibly brilliant; aside from the movements themselves, one wouldn't even be able to tell he was a beginner.
Coach Kosano was also pleasantly surprised: "Hinata plays quite well!"
As a professional, she could certainly tell that these kids had never received systematic badminton training, let alone experience in doubles.
But relying solely on instinct, they managed to pull off some surprisingly good coordination.
To be honest, she actually just really wanted to get a little bit of revenge on Miya Atsumu.
But..
Seeing several people about to leave, Coach Kosano dropped straight to his knees, grabbing Hinata and Oikawa Tooru by their legs, one in each hand, while simultaneously glancing toward Miya Atsumu.
Her face was written with misery: "You, you guys.. please stay and play badminton—I'm serious—"
He already looks so professional after just this little bit of time; it would be a complete waste if he didn't play badminton!
Especially Hinata, whose learning ability is incredible; his adaptability to badminton is even better than Oikawa Tooru's or Miya Atsumu's, he is practically his chosen disciple!
Volleyball..
She didn't care what happened over in volleyball!
Miya Atsumu and Oikawa Tooru were rarely on the same side.
Facing Coach Kosano's relentless tugging and pulling, the two fought back with all their might, eventually succeeding in escaping the den of iniquity known as the "Badminton Hall" along with Hinata.
Breathing in the fresh air outside. Oikawa Tooru let out a long sigh. "Coach Kosano.. is terrifying."
Miya Atsumu agreed wholeheartedly: "It's terrifying."
Having said that, the two looked at each other again, both catching a glimpse of disdain in the other's eyes.
Oikawa Tooru decisively ignored Miya Atsumu and looked at Hinata. "Do you want to go play volleyball later?"
Before Hinata could even speak, Miya Atsumu said directly, "No, we have other plans this afternoon."
Oikawa rolled his eyes at Miya Atsumu.
—I didn't ask you.
He stared at Hinata. "Then come back the day after tomorrow if you have the chance, remember not to bring this non-recyclable trash with you."
Hinata nodded. "Okay, I'll come, but Atsumu-senpai isn't trash."
In an instant, Oikawa Tooru's expression became quite distorted.
As soon as he looked up, he met Miya Atsumu's smug smile, he became even angrier.
—Hinata hadn't listened to a single word he said!
Oikawa Tooru, judged by Hinata to be suffering from a broken heart, sighed countless times.
In the end, under Oikawa Tooru's dark gaze, the two left Aobajohsai, without having had a single chance to touch a volleyball from beginning to end.
Walking down the road, Hinata couldn't help but sigh.
However, sadness comes and goes quickly. Having completely shifted his focus, Hinata suddenly remembered the request his parents had made not long ago.
Speaking of which.. Mom is planning to organize a short trip for us before school starts, but the destination hasn't been decided yet.
"Speaking of going on a trip.. Nagano is the place to be this season, as expected," Miya Atsumu said instinctively.
A prefecture covered by mountains, completely landlocked. Many ski resorts open during this season, the national observatory over in Nozawa Onsen is also a great place to take girls out to have fun.
"Nagano?" Upon hearing this place name, the first person Hinata thought of was Hoshiumi Hikari.
He spoke up with some excitement, "We could also stop by Karasuno on the way!"
However, Atsumu-senpai said Nagano is an inland prefecture, but Karasuno is symbolized by seagulls..
Miya Atsumu decisively changed the subject: "Or Hokkaido is also quite good; it's not particularly far from Miyagi, there are many attractions to visit."
“Like Goryokaku in Hakodate..”
Hinata looked at Miya Atsumu, his expression shifting bit by bit from excitement to sadness following his words.
Miya Atsumu fell silent.
He said the most insincere words: "Nagano is good, just Nagano."
Hinata chuckled, "Then I'll send a message to Hoshiumi-senpai later."
Miya Atsumu refused quickly and decisively: "No, we're going to give him a surprise."
Who knows which remote corner of Nagano Karasuno is in; it's still uncertain whether they will even go.
Hinata felt that it made sense.
Besides, I'll have to ask Mom and Dad where exactly we're going, so it's better not to bother Hoshiumi-senpai in advance.
Miya Atsumu walked beside Hinata with his hands in his pockets.
His pocket money and prize money from competitions were still quite substantial, so he could easily afford to go on a short trip.
Moreover, he had no club duties this month and wouldn't be threatened by Suna, so his pocket money was in very healthy shape.
If it's on the way back to Amagasaki, Nagano is indeed more on the way than the Hokkaido Representative Team..
Tsk, if only I could completely ignore Hoshiumi.
The two of them walked into the bus stop to wait for the return bus.
Glancing sideways at the Aobajohsai gymnasium not far away, Hinata spoke with a hint of regret, "There was no chance to play volleyball with everyone from Seijo today."
Miya Atsumu reached out and patted his head. "There will be other chances the day after tomorrow. Aren't you going to have dinner with the old man this afternoon anyway?"
Hinata asked in confusion, "Aren't you going, Atsumu-senpai?"
Miya Atsumu shrugged his shoulders. "I won't bother coming. I'm feeling lazy; I'm just going to watch TV and take a long nap."
Although he knew the Hinata family wouldn't mind him coming over for a meal, he was somewhat afraid that some of the elders might be cunning or adamantly opposed; he feared they might try to tear them apart before he was even prepared..
Just thinking about it was terrifying.
"Alright." Hinata sat on the station chair, looking up at the clouds in the sky.
But it's such a shame. As expected, Aobajohsai still has more fans of Oikawa-senpai; those people didn't even cheer for Atsumu-senpai's brilliant performance.
If it were at Inarizaki, Atsumu-senpai would have received much more cheering.
In short—Oikawa-senpai is cheating by taking advantage of the home court advantage.
That doesn't matter.
Miya Atsumu spoke very bluntly, even taking a moment to tidy his scarf.
Hinata tilted his head. "Hmm?"
Atsumu turned his head to look at him, a joyful smile playing around his eyes.
As long as you think I'm the coolest, Shoyo.
Hinata replied just as unthinkingly, "Of course I think Atsumu-senpai is the most handsome."
Even though Oikawa-senpai is also very handsome, overall, I still prefer Atsumu-senpai; he's incredibly charming.
As he spoke, he gave Miya Atsumu a thumbs up.
After leaving Karasuno, he began to use this pose even more often.
Miya Atsumu accurately caught the keyword: "You like Atsumu-senpai?"
Hinata nodded in agreement with his words: "Mm-hmm."
Atsumu-senpai is the best Setter in the whole world; in his eyes, he is much cooler than Oikawa-senpai.
Moreover, Atsumu-senpai has won more awards than Oikawa-senpai; that is a substantive victory.
A honey-like sweetness flowed through his heart. Behind him, Miya Atsumu squeezed his own hands, slowly chewing over Hinata's words from just now.
After a long time, he finally spoke slowly.
Then I like Shoyo, too.
Chapter 246: The Two Hundred and Forty-Sixth Fox
The Hinata family had all gone out together, leaving Miya Atsumu alone at home.
Most of the Hinata family's belongings had already been moved to Amagasaki; the only things remaining in this house were items from Hinata's early childhood that were no longer needed.
Miya Atsumu tilted his head to look and discovered two bags that appeared to contain balls on a shelf in Hinata's room.
Curious, he leaned in closer and gently opened the bags, only to find a soccer ball and a basketball inside.
The surface of the soccer ball was heavily worn, the rough surface of the basketball had also become somewhat smooth; it was obvious that they had been used extensively.
Hinata told him that before seeing that match with the Karasuno Little Giant, he had been playing football with his friends and occasionally playing basketball as well.
Judging by the extent to which the rack had been oxidized by sunlight.. it probably hadn't just been left unused for one or two years.
Atsumu couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile as he silently put the two balls back.
Alright, what should we do next..
There is no need to rush into practice. This break is intended for them to reflect on the lessons learned from this match, so the overall training can be set aside for now.
If they were feeling restless, they could go to the Karasuno or Aobajohsai gyms at any time, or call to ask if the Shiratorizawa gym would let them in.
Hmm.. considering how difficult Coach Washijo is, he would rather go to Aobajohsai to find Oikawa-senpai.
Forget it, if Hinata isn't around, he has no interest in playing along with these people.
Anyway, Hinata had given him the keys before leaving, so Miya Atsumu could feel at ease wandering around the nearby area.