Two consecutive loud bangs, sounding as if they might blow the roof off, caused Unai Aman, who was just walking to the entrance, to stop in her tracks.
Despite the surging crowds around him, Unai Aman could inexplicably hear his own breathing.
His shoulders slumped slightly, but after one heavy breath, they relaxed completely.
Finally.. he turned around, following the dictates of his own heart.
The moment he turned around, Unai's vision was filled with a flash of orange.
Hinata, unable to stop himself in time, nearly collided with Unai, but fortunately, Unai was quick enough to grab him by the sleeve.
“Whoa—!”
Having regained his footing, Hinata looked up and met Unai's somewhat helpless eyes.
Be careful, don't fall.
Hinata opened his mouth, then raised his hand to cover his face under Unai's bewildered gaze.
Damn it! This is so embarrassing!
Not only did he fail to recognize Unai-senpai, but after finally catching up, he almost ran right into him—
After five seconds of self-reflection, Hinata looked up again and found Unai looking at him with curiosity.
Taking a deep breath, Hinata stood up straight with his chest out and said to Unai Aman, "Hello, Unai-senpai!"
I'm Shoyo Hinata, a first-year from Inarizaki! I only started playing volleyball because I saw the Little Giant's match on TV!
The current positions are Setter and Opposite! And the jersey number is 10!
Unai listened to him finish speaking, a heartfelt smile appearing on his face: "Eh? Number 10, what a nostalgic number."
His tone was gentle and casual, as if he and Hinata weren't people who had only just met for the first time.
Hinata raised his hand. "Yes, it's the same number that Giant-senpai used during Haruko!"
Because Coach Kurosu knew how much I admire you, he gave me this number to use!
Hinata said affirmatively once again, "It's the Little Giant's number!"
Unai looked at Hinata, who was also sizing him up. "That is truly wonderful."
Although he didn't think he had done anything special, someone had truly fallen in love with something because of him..
His heart must still be difficult to calm.
Before Hinata could say another word, Unai Aman was the first to ask, "Hinata-kun, have you eaten yet?"
Hinata shook his head. "Not yet, but I came here with Heisuke."
So he couldn't have lunch with Unai Aman.
Unai scanned the hall, finally raising a finger to point toward the bench near the vending machine. "Then let me buy you a drink. It's a bit crowded here; shall we go to those chairs over there?"
"I can't let you spend your money, Unai-senpai! I'll treat you to a drink!" Hinata was the first to pull out his coin purse, jogging all the way over to the vending machine.
He blocked the coin slot, staying on guard in case Unai Aman reached for his money. "What would you like to drink, Senpai?"
Unai did not refuse, simply saying, "Fanta is fine."
Hinata quickly bought two identical cans of orange Fanta, the two of them sat down on the chairs.
The heating in the gymnasium was turned up high, after staying for a while, it was inevitable to feel a bit parched.
The two of them opened their sodas at the same time, raising them almost in unison to take a long, gulping drink.
So good!" "Refreshing!
Two exclamations arose simultaneously, Unai turned his head to share a smile with Hinata.
Hinata spoke first: "I heard you don't play volleyball anymore, Giant-senpai?"
Unai Aman was a bit surprised; he hadn't expected Hinata to know about this. "Did Shion tell you?"
Hinata shook his head and replied, "No, Coach Ukai told me."
“Coach Ukai!” Unai Aman's eyes widened, she hurriedly asked, “Have you seen him? Is he doing alright!”
Even if he no longer plays volleyball, Coach Ukai will always be his mentor.
“Hmm..” Hinata raised a hand to scratch the back of his head. “It seems Giant-senpai's Coach Ukai has already been discharged from the hospital, he even brought us to play volleyball.”
But the one who told me about Giant-senpai was the little Coach Ukai.
Unai Aman was left a bit dazed by Hinata Shoyo's use of the adjective "little," and it took him a long time to realize that "little Coach Ukai" seemed to be Coach Ukai's grandson; Tsukishima had mentioned something about Karasuno when he had come to find him for a meal before.
Upon hearing the news that Coach Ukai had entered the hospital, tears welled up in Unai's eyes. "The last time I went back to see Coach was the year before last. I've been so busy with my internship that I haven't been back to Miyagi for over a year.."
Hinata patted his chest. "Don't worry, Unai-senpai! Coach Ukai is full of energy when he's coaching us in volleyball!"
I can bring some souvenirs back for you next time, Unai-senpai!
Unai Aman immediately noticed Hinata's choice of words: "Go back? Hinata-kun, are you.."
Hinata chuckled. "Just like you, senpai! I'm from Sendai!"
Hearing this, Unai Aman breathed a sigh of relief: "Then I really must trouble you, Hinata-kun. Let's exchange contact information."
He probably won't have time to go back himself, so it would be wonderful if Hinata could go and check on Coach for him.
And.. I'm sure Coach Ukai will be very happy to see Hinata too.
Having successfully obtained Unai Aman's phone number, Hinata couldn't stop smiling and quickly saved him in his contacts as "Little Giant!!"
Watching Unai save his number, Hinata leaned in with curiosity on his face. "Is Senpai drawing manga right now?"
Unai scratched his head. "I'm telling you even this.."
Hinata leaned in closer: "Can I take a look!"
"Hmm.. It should be something to give to you, from Shion?" Unai Aman speculated.
When Inunari asked him for something, he only said it was for his fan; at the time, he thought it was a reader who had seen the four-panel manga he submitted to a small magazine.
Thinking back on it now.. it was probably for Hinata.
"Long live, senpai!" Hinata cheered upon hearing that.
Unai couldn't help but smile, looking down as he asked Hinata, "So.. will you be a little disappointed?"
Hinata turned back with a look of confusion. "What?"
Unai said in a calm voice, "I am not the person you long for in your memories."
"Huh?" Hinata became even more confused.
He looked Unai up and down, then, under Unai's somewhat dazed gaze, leaned back to take a look at the other's back.
Then Hinata stared with wide eyes and said to Unai with absolute certainty, "Isn't this exactly the same?"
Although he didn't recognize it at first, that silhouette was exactly as it appeared in his memory, without any difference.
—Firm and upright.
Unai's eyes widened slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. "I see.."
Hinata blinked, a look of confused bewilderment on his face: "Huh?"
He truly felt there was no difference; after all, he hadn't even known what Unai looked like before this.
All he could confirm was that at this very moment, Giant-senpai was also very happy, that what he pursued was something the other person loved and would fight for throughout his life.
—That was enough.
Unai didn't remain silent for long, but instead quickly started laughing again: "It's nothing."
He laughed heartily and then said, "Although I haven't seen your match footage yet, Shion said you are very amazing."
And you even won the Haruko championship, which is a super amazing feat.
Hinata patted his chest. "Then you can come to the venue to watch me play! We'll be going to Tokyo for Haruko again next year!"
I'll do my best! I'll become a Little Giant just like you, Unai-senpai!
Unai turned his head and met Hinata's gaze.
Hinata's breath hitched; for a moment, he felt as if he were looking into some bottomless abyss, one so warm that it felt as though it could embrace everything.
A voice rang in his ear, carrying an unmistakable trace of amusement.
No, you are already someone even more amazing than me.
“The current you is the true Little Giant, Shoyo Hinata."
Hinata widened his eyes.
His vision was a bit blurry, he felt something trickling down his cheek.
He subconsciously made a request: "Atsumu-senpai, can you give me a hug?"
Right now, he desperately needed to confirm whether he was dreaming, wanting to feel the scent of a real person—just like the way Atsumu-senpai usually comforted him.
Unai agreed readily; having been somewhat flustered by seeing Hinata lose his composure, he offered Hinata some comfort.
Hinata's mumbling appeared in Unai's ear. "Even though Hikari-kun is more amazing than me, today Giant-senpai personally designated me as the true Little Giant.."
Letting go of Unai Aman, Hinata said with a hint of regret, "Hikari-kun already left yesterday. If he knew he could see Giant-senpai, he would have been very happy too."
Unai Aman followed up on his words, asking, "Hikari-kun is??"
When Hoshiumi Hikari was mentioned in front of an idol, Hinata became even more excited: "He's my mentor! The Ace of Karasuno! The widely recognized strongest Little Giant!"
“Giant-senpai, let me tell you, Hikari-kun he..”
Hinata talked a lot to Unai Aman, mentioning how he decided to play volleyball after seeing Unai's silhouette, how he lost to Kitagawa Daiichi in his first match.
He talked about Miya Atsumu, everyone at Inarizaki, his first meeting with Hoshiumi Hikari..
Unai Aman listened quietly, as if listening to an old friend chat about writing inspiration, giving Hinata the appropriate responses from time to time.
The quartz clock in the hall chimed, striking eleven times in succession.
Realizing that time was up, Unai hurriedly stood up. "Sorry, Hinata. I have a meeting with a magazine editor in a little while. I'll have to hear the rest of your story next time."
Hinata got up after him with a hint of reluctance, following him all the way to the entrance of the gym: "Goodbye, Giant-senpai!"
At that moment, the bus slowly pulled into the station. The doors opened, the people by the roadside boarded one after another.