Besides, they have already graduated from high school, so their coming here this time was more for the simple purpose of watching the excitement.
Preparing for the IH Preliminaries was a matter for the juniors, intelligence gathering was a crucial part of that process; as graduates, they naturally would not interfere.
Oikawa Tooru clicked his tongue lightly. "What's there to tell about this training match?"
Anyway, he learned from Coach Irihatsu that Seijo's recruitment plan this year wasn't going very smoothly; although they had recruited the most important Libero in their plan, they were unable to recruit a Spiker who could fill the position of Iwaizumi Hajime.
It is said that they have adjusted their Opposite playstyle, shifting all the offensive pressure entirely onto Kyokutsu.
Although he emotionally hoped that Aobajohsai could make it to the nationals once again, his reason told him.. that this year would likely be difficult.
For this very reason, they currently have no direct stake in Inarizaki's affairs.
Moreover, before the IH Preliminaries, Inarizaki still has to play the Regional Qualifiers; the footage from those matches will be far more valuable than the current training matches.
The training match between Shirabu and Inarizaki consisted of seven sets in total across the morning and afternoon, with the final result being Inarizaki 4:3 Shirabu.
In the three sets played in the morning, Inarizaki took two, while in the four sets played in the afternoon, both sides won two.
Relatively speaking, Rishia Heisuke and Unabara Uta's physical conditioning still couldn't quite keep up, unlike other players with more match experience who would rest to adjust their condition, their performance declined sharply in the later stages of the game.
Moreover, in the final three sets, Coach Kurosu substituted in Tokura Yukihito. Compared to Ginjima, Tokura made more mistakes, which Shirabu precisely capitalized on.
The several graduates had already left after having lunch. In the afternoon, Tachibana Red Falcons and the Azure Rockets would begin their return journey.
Nagumo also wanted to take advantage of the afternoon to return to Tokyo, after all, he had classes tomorrow.
After a whole day of practice matches, Hinata stood at the entrance of the gymnasium and let out a long, refreshing sigh.
So good! Playing volleyball is definitely the best!
It had been a very long time since he had played volleyball so freely and played until exhaustion like he did today.
After all, once Haruko was over, their overall preparation focused mainly on tactical adjustments, the intra-squad practice matches were only held once or twice on weekends, with most of their time spent honing individual skills.
As Miya Atsumu passed by him, he raised his hand and patted his head. "From today until the IH Preliminaries, there will be even more opportunities to play volleyball."
Hinata took the opportunity to reach out and grab Miya Atsumu's shirt, pulling on it to slow his pace. "Atsumu-senpai, what kind of plans do we have coming up?"
Miya Atsumu replied, "The basic schedule is the same as last year: a training camp during Golden Week, then we'll prepare for the IH Preliminaries."
The training camp was originally supposed to be held here, but the coach had other arrangements, so we applied to hold it at Inubushi Higashi instead.
He looked at Hinata with some confusion, "What is it, Shoyo? Do you have some thoughts on this?"
Hinata's face was filled with obvious excitement: "Atsumu-senpai said before that the Black Eagle Flag is held in May, it's right in Osaka."
His eyes lit up as he looked at Miya Atsumu. "Can we go watch it together!"
As he locked eyes with someone with a gaze like Hinata's, two big words instantly flashed through Miya Atsumu's mind.
A date.
Coughing lightly twice, Miya Atsumu put on a serious expression: "No problem, of course there's no problem."
Just the two of us will go together.
Chapter 275: The 275th Fox
On the first day of Golden Week, the Inarizaki members arrived at Inubushi Higashi High School, located on the outskirts of Kyoto, just as they had last year.
In the Kansai League hosted by Seito High School, Inarizaki was actually the only public school, while the rest, including Shirabu, were private schools from various regions.
Therefore, in terms of infrastructure, Inarizaki actually had the poorest conditions.
But unfortunately, because Inarizaki has its own track record of achievements to back it up, the school administration and the prefectural government are willing to tilt resources in its favor.
Because of this, the schools with relatively difficult conditions are actually Kaifang and Inubushi Higashi.
Especially compared to Kaifang, who is located in the Osaka metropolitan area, Inubushi Higashi is in a difficult position in Kyoto, being overshadowed by the two major schools from Kyoto Prefecture, Seito and Rakusan.
If it weren't for the unexpected incident involving Itachiyama during this year's Haruko, they probably would have been stuck in the national top eight even if they had managed to qualify.
Kaifang.. Kaifang simply relies on the school's wealth, so the overall infrastructure is quite good.
But the Men's Volleyball team itself hasn't achieved much, they are constantly overshadowed by a whole series of clubs like Women's Volleyball, Kendo, Shogi, as well as the boys' and girls' basketball teams. This has resulted in the Men's Volleyball team being unable to secure dormitory space during every training camp.
As for Inubushi Higashi.. the dormitories simply didn't have enough rooms, with so many students staying on campus during the holidays, they had no choice but to sleep in the classrooms.
However, the classrooms in Inubushi Higashi were equipped with air conditioning. Although temperatures in Kyoto had already begun to rise in May, it wouldn't have been a problem to squeeze ten people into a single classroom; however, there were many empty classrooms, so there was no need to crowd like that.
Kai Kiyoharu had been waiting at the entrance for a long time, as soon as he saw Hinata get off the bus, he rushed over immediately: "Shoyo—long time no see!"
Hinata decisively left the still-sleepy Rishia Heisuke behind and rushed over to high-five Kai Kiyoharu: "Kiyoharu! Long time no see!"
We didn't even get a chance to play a match during Haruko, so this time, I'm definitely going to beat you several more times!
Mentioning this, Kai Kiyoharu laughed with difficulty.
Even though both of them were scolded by various coaches for having poor fundamentals last year, his coach for Haruko praised Hinata's standard movements and improved fundamentals several times.
Oh no, if this continues, he won't be the only one getting scolded this year!
Kai's gaze swept over the Inarizaki freshmen coming down last, trying to catch sight of someone who could divert the coaches' attention.
The current Inubushi Higashi Captain, Mamiya, had already walked up to Miya Atsumu, the two of them shook hands in a very formal manner.
“I'll lead the way. We're staying on the third floor of the main building again this year. There's a basketball training camp on the floor below, so please try your best not to disturb them.”
The group followed Mamiya upstairs with their luggage. The bedding had already been placed on the tables pushed against the corners of the room, they could set up their sleeping mats in the remaining open space.
Inarizaki brought eighteen people this time, including sixteen members of the First String and two members of the Second String who were part of the team's logistics.
The two members of the Second String are Ogata, whom Coach Kurosu is currently looking to develop into a tactical brain for the court, Nishizawa Hokuto, who is still learning the basics.
Watching Miya Atsumu set down his luggage, Miya Osamu asked with his arms crossed, "What's the arrangement this time?"
Five Third Years are coming this time. If we are to have six people per classroom, we'll need to pick one more person from the First or Second Year classes.
Miya Atsumu rolled his eyes. "Is that even a question?"
Miya Osamu said expressionlessly, "I disagree."
Your disagreement won't change anything.
After saying that, Miya Atsumu turned and headed out the door, grabbing Hinata, who was about to enter the classroom next door. "It's too crowded over there. Shoyo, you'll stay here."
Hinata, who hadn't reacted at all, was a bit dazed: "Eh?"
Rishia, Unabara Uta, the others quickly retreated, showing not the slightest intention of saving Hinata.
You've got to be kidding me.
If Hinata doesn't go, then one of them will have to go.
Sharing a room with those demon-like seniors.. I'd definitely die a miserable death!
Thinking this, Rishia silently bowed and apologized to Hinata, then turned and rushed into the classroom ahead without looking back, clutching his backpack.
Unabara Uta and Kumagai also moved quickly, even reaching out to pull along Tokura Yukihito, who was walking a bit slowly, the other first years.
Just then, Hinata, who had just been hauled inside by Miya Atsumu, was hauled back out by Miya Osamu.
Miya Osamu turned his head, still speaking to Miya Atsumu, who was being pinned down by Suna inside: "Atsumu, don't go too far."
He turned his head, preparing to call for anyone to come inside and stay.
But in the next second, he found the entire corridor empty; let alone the First and Second Year students, there wasn't even a fly to be seen.
A string of question marks appeared over Miya Osamu's head.
Wait, weren't Rishia and the others all still at the entrance three seconds ago? Where did they go?
"Tsk." Miya Osamu clicked his tongue lightly.
Forget it, it doesn't matter who stays here anyway; if Rishia and the others came over, Miya Atsumu might even boss them around if he was in a bad mood.
On the contrary, Hinata is relatively safe here, since it's impossible for Miya Atsumu to bully Hinata into doing his chores.
Wait, does this mean he can boss Miya Atsumu around?
Thinking of this, Miya Osamu set Hinata down.
He smiled at the bewildered Shoyo, "There's no other way, Shoyo, you'll just have to stay here."
Hinata nodded. "Okay."
Miya Atsumu poked his head out, staring at Miya Osamu and saying, "That laugh of yours is disgusting. You aren't thinking about something dangerous, are you?"
This guy actually agreed to let Hinata stay here; there's definitely something wicked going on in that head of his.
Miya Osamu said with a chuckle, "How could it be? Wasn't this your suggestion?"
After speaking, he pointed at the bucket and mop beside him. "Alright, Atsumu, go sweep the floor, then mop it thoroughly."
Hearing Miya Osamu's tone, Miya Atsumu froze for a moment, instantly wondering if Miya Osamu had gone crazy today.
He retorted, "How can you speak to the Captain like that?"
Miya Osamu turned his head toward Hinata, who was finding a corner to put his luggage: "Shoyo, can you help sweep the floor for Atsumu-senpai?"
Hinata raised his hand in response: "Okay—I'll be right there!"
Miya Atsumu's eyes widened, his gaze toward Miya Osamu was filled with shock.
Glaring fiercely at his twin brother, Miya Atsumu quickly went to grab a broom and said to Hinata with a smile, "I'll join you."
Suna walked over and gave Miya Osamu a thumbs up. "Impressive skills."
Watching Suna pull out his newly purchased portable home camera, Miya Osamu said modestly, "Likewise."
The flash suddenly went off, Miya Atsumu, who was busy cleaning the floor, snapped his head around to look.
You bastard Rintaro, what are you doing! There's nothing worth photographing!
Suna replied with total seriousness, "I'm preparing promotional materials and display boards for the future Volleyball Club. The title will be: 'The Volleyball Club Captain is humble and kind, actively participating in all cleaning activities and setting a great example for the juniors.' How does that sound?"
Miya Atsumu thought about it for a moment and felt it sounded quite good: "Fine, then go ahead and take them."
Indeed, publicity is also one of their responsibilities; they don't just need to capture highlight reels during training matches, but also snippets of their daily lives are required by the higher-ups.
Moreover, most of these things are requested by the school; essentially, they are part of the coaches' responsibilities, Suna is merely taking on this part of it.
Suna nodded, then quickly used Hinata's phone to snap several photos in rapid succession, immediately sending them to Hoshiumi Hikari.