Haseda only knew that the bespectacled coach who came to visit him in person the next day had told him—that even during high school, as long as he played well and achieved results, he would make money.
So he wanted to become a starter as quickly as possible; he wanted to be on TV, he wanted his grandmother to see him on television.
Because of this, since he didn't know much about Inarizaki, he had impulsively challenged the seemingly most unremarkable Hinata.
But as it turned out, having been eliminated in the second round of the Interhigh Junior High, he was indeed utterly useless.
Kaku-sensei was only saying he was amazing to coax him; right now, he simply didn't have the ability to compete on the same stage as these seniors.
Masaru Haseda suddenly felt a sudden sting in his nose.
He suddenly stood up, looking down at Hinata, who was still sitting there.
Tears streamed uncontrollably from the corners of his eyes.
The boy bit his lip, looking at the only person in his field of vision with a very serious gaze.
He had his back to the sunlight behind him, but not a single bit of his long shadow was cast upon the person opposite him.
The orange-haired youth sat in the warm glow of the setting sun, his eyes reflecting the light as they gazed at the person in front of him.
A voice on the verge of tears rang out, its tone undeniably firm.
“I will work hard! Once I have mastered my training, I will challenge Hinata-senpai in the future!”
Hinata also stood up, looking back with an equal stance.
Of course, I accept your challenge anytime! But the winner will definitely be me!
Just as he wanted to challenge Aran-senpai in the past, he would certainly accept a challenge from a junior.
But he would undoubtedly defend his position as the Ace until the moment of graduation; he had absolute confidence.
The two stared at each other for over a minute before finally laughing at the same time.
Hinata lowered his head and looked down, wearing a serious and earnest expression: "Do you want to try our Inarizaki Diner's super extra-large, no-extra-charge delicious yakisoba bread, which is only available every evening?"
The top ten are only 250 yen, the price of a bottle of soda. Sales start in half an hour.
Haseda Katsuya also became serious and replied firmly, "Yes."
Hinata gave a little huff and a smile: "Alright, then follow me.."
“All right!!”
The two's battle to grab yakisoba bread ended in total defeat; after all, they had arrived late, the ones squatting in the front were hulking men from the American football team, making it impossible for them to squeeze through.
In the end, Hinata could only have the curry rice at Inarizaki as a senior treating a junior, before preparing to return to the club for evening practice.
Since the new student had not officially joined the club yet, Haseda Katsuya had just finished his check-in procedures and still had to unpack, Hinata did not make him stay much longer.
With a nervous heart, Haseda Katsuya knocked on the door and then used his key to open the dormitory door.
What met his eyes was a laptop sitting on the table, a stranger organizing photos beside it.
This must be the Suna-senpai that Hinata-senpai was talking about..
Hello, Suna-senpai, I am Haseda Katsuya.
Suna nodded to him: "It's just the two of us in this room right now. We can each take a bottom bunk, or you can sleep on the top bunk if you want."
Haseda nodded and honestly placed his things under the bottom bunk opposite Suna's bed.
Before he could even start unpacking his things, Suna called out to him, "It's highly likely that your first-year students won't be in the starting lineup during regular training matches this year, so.. there are some things I need you to do."
Suna sat with his legs crossed, his posture and expression incredibly serious and solemn.
Haseda Katsuya immediately straightened up, momentarily thinking he was about to be entrusted with some heavy responsibility.
As a result, the next second, Suna handed over a phone playing some kind of meme video.
Suna continued, "Find an opportunity to film this; don't miss a single exciting moment."
Haseda stopped thinking.
Suna looked at Haseda, whose face was blank. "What's wrong? There's a reward."
Haseda remained silent.
Shortly after, two words echoed from the dormitory.
Holy crap.
Having finally finished the statistics task for the Second String and Third String, Miya Atsumu and Miya Osamu arrived at the door of Coach Kurosu's office, carrying a stack of forms.
It seemed lively inside, with the sound of people arguing.
The Miya Twins exchanged a look, then simultaneously lightened their footsteps and, in perfect unison, pressed themselves against the office door, remaining silent.
A very energetic voice came from Coach Kurosu's office: "Coach, please let me play Middle Blocker!"
Coach Kurosu's voice followed immediately: "No, you'll play wing spiker. With your height, there's no way you can play middle blocker."
That energetic voice continued to argue stubbornly, "Coach, believe in me! I'll be fine!"
My serves are incredibly powerful! And I won't have any problems with my offense either!
The sound of Coach Kurosu rapping on the table rang out: "Fukami, we aren't lacking in offensive power right now; what's important is blocking."
Taking everything into account, the Left Wing Spiker position is the most suitable for you at this time; this has been carefully considered by all of us.
It seemed like something hit the floor with a thud, followed immediately by a heart-wrenching cry: "Coach, please give me a chance!!"
I can definitely do it! Middle Blocker!
After watching Suna-senpai's match, I really can't help but feel restless, Suna-senpai isn't even that tall!
Miya Atsumu couldn't help but laugh. "Pfft."
He said in a low voice, "True, Rintaro is exceptionally short for a Middle Blocker."
Miya Osamu added, "Actually, the average height of our Inarizaki is at the lower end of the entire high school spectrum. Now that Oori-senpai has graduated, we don't even have a single person who is 1.9m anymore."
Suna and Tokura's ideal heights were both over 1.9m, but neither of them had grown to that height yet.
Miya Atsumu clicked his tongue lightly and decisively knocked three times before opening the door to the Coach's office.
He wanted to see just how tall this guy was, to the point where Coach Kurosu would call him short..
Then, the Miya Twins saw a guy kneeling on the ground, clutching Coach Kurosu's leg and refusing to let go.
By the looks of it, he was just a little over 1.7m tall.
Miya Atsumu fell silent.
This height for a Middle Blocker is certainly..
But immediately after, he realized something: "Wait, aren't you the Setter?"
He remembered that this guy was the best Server in Hyogo's Interhigh Junior High last year, even though he played as a Setter, his skill level was..
Fukami blinked and said honestly, "Because he was told to quit by the coach for being a terrible setter."
Coach Kurosu covered his face with his hands.
If Reo Mizuta's skill level is comparable to Usui Mitsuru's, then Fukami is someone who absolutely should not be in the position of Setter.
After all.. this kid is a bit too foolish.
Fukami, get up first..
Chapter 266: The Two Hundred and Sixty-Sixth Fox
Fukami simply refused to get up, hugging Coach Kurosu's leg even tighter.
“Coach—Anyway, I reckon I won't get a starting position as a First Year High Schooler, so just let me play Middle Blocker!”
If you don't agree, I'm not getting up!
Fukami continued to give absurd reasons: "What if I suddenly grow twenty centimeters during my first year of high school!"
Coach Kurosu also felt like his head was about to explode.
However, what Fukami said did make sense. First of all, although the substitutes are reported before the match, high school matches do not have restrictions that only players of the same position can be substituted for one another.
So in previous matches, he had also used a Wing Spiker to replace a Middle Blocker, especially during crucial points; in fact, most of those substitutions involved a Wing Spiker or a Setter replacing a Middle Blocker.
To put it bluntly, his main purpose for bringing Fukami in was to use him as a tactical substitute for critical serves; after all, their starting lineup is currently very complete, they don't yet have a player like Hinata who excels exceptionally in one particular area.
Theoretically, there wouldn't be any problem even if Fukami were registered as a Middle Blocker during enrollment; rather than letting this kid come to him to cause trouble every other day, it would be better to..
Coach Kurosu conceded, "Alright, alright, I promise you. If you want to be a Middle Blocker, then you're a Middle Blocker."
It just so happens that we only have three Middle Blockers in the First String right now, so adding you makes exactly four.
Fukami, finally having his wish granted, widened his eyes, let go of Coach Kurosu, raised his hands in celebration. "Long live Coach Kurosu! Coach, you're the best!"
Just as he was about to kowtow to the coach, Miya Atsumu, who had anticipated his actions, grabbed him by the arm.
Stop, stop, stop! This is going too far!
Coach Kurosu, looking more stressed than ever, hurriedly shooed him away: "That's enough, your wish has been granted, now get going, get going!"
Fukami left the Coach's office in high spirits, nearly smashing the neighboring basketball team's coach's vase while rounding the corner.
The office finally fell silent. Coach Kurosu slumped in his chair as if all his strength had vanished, then gestured for Miya Atsumu to put the things on the desk.
Wait for Omimi to come back and have him order it. You guys can go now. Today's evening practice is changed to self-training; I need some peace and quiet.
His ears were still ringing.
This kid.. is too noisy!
Miya Atsumu hurriedly said, "Don't be like that, Coach. I also wanted to ask about the arrangements for the training matches in April."
How about we play Karasuno again? I want to crush Hoshiumi Hikari.
Miya Osamu's mouth twitched: "You're just using this for a personal vendetta."
Coach Kurosu hurriedly waved his hands. "No, no, Karasuno is too disgusting to play against, now isn't the right time anyway. I'm scouting other schools."
Karasuno's lineup this year will definitely be terrifying.
Not to mention the High School's top Middle Blocker who is entering his Third Year, the Two-Meter Giant, their Little Giant, but that Bessho Chigen, who is entering his Second Year this year, is also a tough opponent to deal with.