Chapter 261: The Two Hundred and Sixty-First Fox
Looking at Miya Atsumu's inexplicably gloomy expression, Shoyo blinked. "But as for Osamu-senpai.."
Although he could separate Atsumu from the rest of Inarizaki, Osamu-senpai was also a factor that truly had to be taken into consideration.
Forget it, forget it," ultimately, Miya Atsumu just sighed silently, "We'll talk about it later.
Shoyo followed Miya Atsumu with a look of confusion. On the way back, he kept glancing up at the silent Atsumu-senpai, feeling as though the other man had something very important to say to him.
So he broke the silence directly, "Atsumu-senpai, is there something you want to say to me?"
Miya Atsumu paused for a moment, Hinata, who was following closely behind him, crashed straight into him.
He glanced back slightly at Shoyo, who was clutching his nose and looking at him with accusing eyes. "There is, but now isn't the time."
Hinata stepped forward, his forceful presence blocking Miya Atsumu's way. "I think now is exactly the right time."
Under the cover of his scarf, Miya Atsumu pursed his lips.
He raised his hand and pressed it onto the top of Hinata's head, messing up his hair, which was losing its hold from the hair gel. "You still haven't grown up."
Seeing that Miya Atsumu intended to brush it off, Hinata decisively made a guess of his own: "Is it.. about Atsumu-senpai preparing to join the Black Jackals?"
Miya Atsumu was slightly surprised. "I haven't told Coach Kurosu about this yet. How did you guess?"
Coach Kurosu was not present when he had private discussions with Coach Sansou and the Minka Shugo Captain afterward; after all, the remaining matters were quite personal, once Coach Kurosu confirmed that the other party would not act against his own players, he naturally would not interfere.
And he hadn't told those two from the Black Jackals about his final decision yet; after all, some things were meant to remain a mystery.
Shoyo had a smug look on his face: "During the match, the opposing coach kept staring at you, Senpai; it felt like he really likes Atsumu-senpai."
Besides, Atsumu-senpai told me when we were watching videos before that the current setter for the Black Jackals is already thirty-one years old, right?
Although Coach Kurosu had shown them videos of other national teams using setters in their mid-thirties to control the flow of the game, it was true that once an athlete passes thirty, they are in a high-frequency stage of retirement.
Especially during the match just now, the Black Jackals' setter senior rarely performed back sets with a wide angle; it's possible he has a waist injury..
Thinking of this, Hinata frowned, a look of sadness appearing in his eyes.
Miya Atsumu, who had just intended to praise Shoyo Hinata's keen observation skills, froze for a moment and looked at him with confusion. "Shoyo?"
Why did he suddenly look so unhappy, as if he were about to burst into tears at any moment.
Hinata hesitated for a moment, then said with some concern, "Atsumu-senpai.. Coach Kurosu told me before that the average retirement age for spikers and liberos is much lower than that of setters, I didn't remember that wrong, did I?"
Miya Atsumu blinked, failing to realize what Hinata meant: "Generally speaking, that's how it is, so what about it?"
Upon hearing Miya Atsumu's affirmative answer, Shoyo Hinata's expression looked even more pitiful.
He hesitated for half a second before speaking to Miya Atsumu, "I made a bet with Kageyama that I would definitely spend more time on the court than him."
But.. why does it feel like Kageyama is going to win because of the natural advantage of being a setter?
Knowing that this was the reason, Miya Atsumu could only smile helplessly.
He continued walking forward, getting Hinata, who was hesitating on the spot, moving again.
Retirement isn't something that inevitably happens just because you reach a certain age. Spikers and Liberos retire early because they are more prone to accidents and injuries.
Miya Atsumu said simply, "But as long as you manage your physical condition well, there are plenty of spikers who are still active on the top-tier courts even in their mid-thirties."
At this point, Miya Atsumu gave Hinata an example: "Look at Sakusa; I think he can play until the day he retires."
Ever since I've known Sakusa since junior high, that guy has never been sick or injured; his ability to manage his physical condition is arguably the strongest.
Hearing this, Hinata was completely relieved: "Then I'll play until I'm ninety-nine!"
"I'll play volleyball for the rest of my life, I'll make it happen!" he said.
Miya Atsumu laughed. "Fine, then I'll play until I'm a hundred."
So even when he is a hundred years old, he will definitely be the one who is happier than stupid Osamu-senpai!
Watching Hinata, who had regained his energy and started charging forward with great vigor, Atsumu cast a downward glance at the road beneath his feet.
The climate in Osaka is still a bit warmer than in Tokyo; although it snowed at the beginning of the year, it has long since melted.
Hinata, who had run far away, ran back again, his eyes full of curiosity as he looked at Miya Atsumu: "By the way, Atsumu-senpai, about the Black Jackals!"
It's not that complicated. It's just as you said—the Black Jackals' setter is preparing to retire, they are planning to make a change during next year's winter transfer window.
Miya Atsumu explained in detail, "And since I'll be finished with Haruko and ready to graduate right around that time, I'm the best Setter, of course they'll take an interest in me."
There was no exaggeration in that; he was indeed the unquestionable "strongest."
And it wasn't that the Black Jackals chose him, but rather that he chose the Black Jackals.
Just like Hirugami's actions, the Black Jackals are not the only ones currently recruiting a new setter; Shwaiden Adler is also a great choice.
Given that both teams are top-tier V1, that Shwaiden Adler might even be stronger than the Black Jackals, it is the Black Jackals' honor that Miya Atsumu has chosen them.
As for why he didn't choose Shwaiden Adler..
He didn't personally like Shwaiden Adler's playing style, nor did he particularly like Shwaiden Adler's management model.
There were also some trivial reasons—for example, not wanting to work with people he didn't like, thinking the Adler mascot was ugly, not wanting to go to Tokyo, among others.
However, whether or not he would ultimately join the Black Jackals had not yet been decided. If the Black Jackals did anything to make him extremely unhappy.. he could always choose Shwaiden Adler instead.
Hinata also nodded vigorously, giving high affirmation to Atsumu-senpai's boast of being the strongest: "Atsumu-senpai really is the most amazing, isn't he?"
He turned his back to Miya Atsumu and raised his hands to cheer himself on: "I have to keep working hard too!"
To become strong enough, one must have the right to be sought after and the power to make one's own choices.
Miya Atsumu said, "There's definitely no problem."
Having received the strongest setter's affirmation, Shoyo gave a cheeky grin.
He quickly turned serious, looking up at Miya Atsumu with the manner of a little adult. "So Atsumu-senpai doesn't need to worry about me being sad. After all, all seniors will have a day when they graduate; it's not like we'll never see each other again."
I'll be watching Atsumu-senpai's cool performance on TV then, um.. it would be even better if Atsumu-senpai were willing to provide me with a few tickets!
Miya Atsumu gave a thumbs up. "Don't worry, I'll prepare front row seats for you when the time comes, you can file for reimbursement for your travel expenses with me."
Professional players all have their own perks, tournament tickets are certainly one of them. Just like how they receive tickets to Haruko, they are free to give them away or resell them as they please.
He would save a front-row seat for Shoyo for every match, so that Shoyo could see his handsome performance from up close. Of course, he could also see Shoyo just by turning his head.
"Long live Atsumu-senpai!" Hinata cheered.
Watching Hinata's head bobbing up and down as he jumped around, Atsumu-senpai let out a slow breath, feeling a sense of slight relaxation.
Actually, what he wanted to say wasn't about the Black Jackals, but it didn't matter if Hinata thought that.
After all.. he actually really enjoyed these kinds of days.
After losing today's match, Inarizaki had no further matches scheduled.
Even though they had already obtained autographs today, there would be additional merchandise sales at tomorrow's event, so Coach Kurosu was in no hurry to head back.
After all, they could stay in the hotel until two in the afternoon, Osaka and Amagasaki were very close, so there was no need to worry about spending too much time on the road. Coach Kurosu dismissed everyone, reminding them to stay safe and to report in advance if they were going somewhere far away.
Early the next morning, Miya Osamu arrived at Miya Atsumu's room and pounded on the door: "Atsumu, wake up! Let's go eat breakfast!"
Anyway, Shoyo Hinata had already gone out for his morning run, so he wasn't worried at all about being caught in the crossfire.
After about five or six minutes, Miya Atsumu walked over and opened the door, looking pale.
Miya Osamu silently raised his phone and took a frontal photo of Miya Atsumu, confirming that the most disheveled version of Miya Atsumu had been frozen in his phone.
The flash went off, Miya Atsumu, who hadn't been fully awake, was startled wide awake.
The first thing he said upon waking up was a heart-wrenching scream: "Just how many favors did Rintaro give you!!"
After saying that, he lunged forward directly, wanting to snatch Miya Osamu's phone.
But wearing disposable slippers, he was no match for Miya Osamu, who dodged him with a single quick movement.
Atsumu rushed out of the room in a rather disheveled state, nearly crashing into the opposite wall, while Miya Osamu had already strolled into the room shared by Miya Atsumu and Shoyo Hinata as if he were taking a casual stroll.
After tapping send on his phone, Osamu looked up and down, taking in the room.
The layout was basically the same as his own room, with the only difference being the positions of the entrance and the bathroom. The two beds in the room clearly showed signs of being slept in, Hinata's things were on the bed closest to the bathroom.
So Osamu walked to the very back and reached out to touch the bed by the window; it was still warm.
Miya Osamu was satisfied.
Very good. It seems that this shameless twin brother of his hasn't taken advantage of anyone this time; overall, he has improved.
Miya Atsumu couldn't even be bothered to argue with Miya Osamu anymore; he just wanted to get back to his rare, well-deserved sleep. "Is there something else? If not, I'm going back to sleep."
After saying that, Miya Atsumu sat straight up in his own bed and pulled the quilt over himself, preparing to go back to sleep.
Osamu pulled back his covers, forcibly waking the sleeping brains of the Miya Twins: "Someone from Kaifang recommended a few breakfast places nearby yesterday, I've already made reservations. Get up quickly and come eat with me."
Miya Atsumu's hair practically stood on end in shock: "How many places?! Just how much food are you planning to eat this early in the morning! Has your body fat percentage even gone down!"
Coach won't care today. Let's go, let's go, hurry up and get dressed. I finally managed to snag this reservation," Miya Osamu said, casually grabbing a few pieces of clothing and tossing them to Miya Atsumu. "We'll run to the next place right after we finish at this one; we'll arrive just in time for lunch.
It could even serve as a bit of exercise; it was a perfect itinerary!
He felt a bit guilty eating all by himself; he had originally intended to call Hinata, since Hinata was someone Coach Kurosu had specifically pointed out needed to eat more. But since Hinata wasn't there, he could only call Miya Atsumu.
Anyway, he wouldn't be the only one getting scolded!
Looking at the ugly combination that had been thrown at him, Miya Atsumu's vision went dark: "Spare me.."
While the Miya Twins were busy checking in at the shops near the marathon route, Hinata, who had returned from his morning run, could not find Miya Atsumu. In the end, he could only drag the currently idle Rishia Heisuke along with him to return to the venue where the competition was being held.
Unlike yesterday, as soon as they entered the largest gymnasium, a giant Fox-Wolf Helper mascot was on display in the lobby.
Rishia pointed at Fox-Wolf Helper and said to Shoyo, "It's the Black Jackals' mascot, Fox-Wolf Helper. Didn't Xiaoxia say she wanted to see it before?"
Hinata's eyes lit up, he hurriedly handed his phone to Rishia, joining the crowd of people nearby taking photos to commemorate the moment.
So this is Fox-Wolf Helper! He looks so cool!
“Heisuke! Take a photo with me, quick!”
After saying that, he struck a pose exactly like Fox-Wolf Helper's.
Rishia Heisuke raised his phone and took a photo of Shoyo Hinata and Fox-Wolf Helper. "There, all done."
Hinata looked up and glanced at it: "Ohhh—super perfect!"
Although he didn't understand various photography techniques, he knew that both he and Fox-Wolf Helper were in the center of the frame.