Beside them, Shiratori, who had moved in with Bokuto because Shimizu and the others had gone abroad, put down the book in his hands, turned his head, looked at Bokuto. "I knew you'd catch a cold. I told you not to leave the window open to watch the snow in winter. Go take your medicine immediately."
In the end, Hanae shook his head vigorously.
No, no, no, all the previous deductions might actually be true.
But the fact that he stood him up was one hundred percent because some jerk simply thought he wasn't as useful as Komori.
Hanae clenched his fists; he absolutely refused to accept that reason.
—He's going to hold a grudge!
Hinata was still continuing to pitch Central Physical Education University, trying to find himself a few familiar and powerful teammates: "What about Akari? Do you want to come to Central Physical Education University?"
Goshiki shook his head, his tone slow and somewhat hesitant: "I haven't decided yet, I'll see next year."
Although he felt it was necessary for him to undergo further training, but.. he hadn't found the right direction yet.
However, Hinata really should mention his decision to pursue further training in Beach Volleyball to Coach Washijo, lest the Coach sees Hinata being scolded at some Beach Volleyball match one day.
Nishinoya-senpai leaned over from the back row and asked, "By the way, Hinata, do you know this person, Shimizu.. Kanata? Coach Sanjo mentioned him once before, saying he wanted me to partner up with him."
Upon hearing a certain name, Goshiki Tsutomu pursed his lips.
Nishinoya didn't notice; instead, he focused all of his attention on Hinata.
Because the other person shared the surname Shimizu, he had a particularly deep impression of them; the video Coach Sanjo showed him was also of them.
But even though they both shared the surname Shimizu, Shimizu Kanata and Kiyoko Shimizu gave completely different impressions.
If Kiyoko Shimizu's impression was that of a lithe and beautiful black panther, Shimizu Kanata felt more like a seemingly harmless sheep.
—Even if it was a giant sheep.
Hinata described it simply: "Shimizu-senpai is a very kind and gentle person, but when playing, he is very fierce. His blocking pressure is incredibly strong, his spikes are also amazing."
Hearing this, an image appeared in Kageyama's mind of someone who was usually kind and gentle, but turned into a ferocious, fierce gorilla the moment they touched a volleyball.
Aoba Haruka searched through his memory for the answer: "Ah, you're the Best Middle Blocker from last year's National Sports Festival, right?"
Goshiki Tsutomu responded in a low voice, "Yeah."
Last year's National Sports Festival.. was when Shimizu achieved the feat of shutting down Ushijima single-handedly in a subsequent match. Although part of that was due to the set itself being terrible, that poor quality was actually caused by the offense from Fukuda General's Captain.
That was the second time he followed the Shiratorizawa group to the nationals, only to be knocked out in the first round.
Nishinoya probably had a rough idea: "I see.."
Staring at Nishinoya-senpai's profile for a while, Hinata suddenly asked a question that left everyone present in silence.
“Nishinoya-senpai, how is your foreign language learning going?”
Nishinoya's answer was decisive: "Very mediocre."
Hinata fell silent for two seconds before responding earnestly, "It's okay. Learning Portuguese feels different from learning English; maybe you'll be able to learn it very well, Nishinoya-senpai."
At this moment, Nishinoya, who had originally been full of longing and curiosity for beach volleyball and world travel, felt a sudden urge to run away.
But.. traveling the world itself requires a certain foundation in language; even if he doesn't take this path, it is something he will have to face sooner or later.
Nishinoya, you are a strong person.
It's just a foreign language, I absolutely cannot let it defeat me!
The bus stopped at the station closest to the Volleyball Association building, several people got off one after another.
After dropping Kageyama off, Nishinoya-senpai also prepared to take another bus to Central Physical Education University, parting ways with the group at the bus stop.
Unlike the usual practice of one or two people coming to report separately, Hinata's group was a grand procession of seven people, which could be described as quite a large scale.
Hayami, who had been sitting in the first-floor lobby of the Volleyball Association looking at his phone, heard a commotion and looked up. He had intended to stand up and greet Hinata immediately, but instead, he saw several large figures.
He heard Hinata's voice, but couldn't find Hinata.
Hinata struggled to poke his head through the gap between Goshiki and Bai Ze, waving frantically at Hayami: "Hayami—"
Hayami's gaze swept coldly over everyone, finally locking onto Hinata.
He flashed a smile and proactively approached him, "Hinata, long time no see."
Kanzaki, who had intended to greet Hayami warmly, suddenly realized that she was also among those Hayami was scanning, her mood instantly plummeted.
Hanae glanced at him but said nothing.
To be honest, he wasn't surprised.
He and Aoba's group could only be considered Hinata's good friends, but Hayami was different; last time, he had even dared to confront Miya Atsumu head-on.
After finishing greeting Hinata, Hayami looked toward Kanzaki. "You haven't been able to produce any results, the Coach hasn't selected you to come on the court; I thought you were the one with the broken leg, not me."
Resurrected" Hayami shrugged. "By the way, I'm perfectly fine and full of life right now.
Kanzaki was completely crushed and collapsed to the ground.
Are they still the best of friends!
Hayami, who had already finished the registration procedures, pulled Hinata out of the crowd: "Hinata, are you going to live with me?"
With Miya Atsumu-senpai not here this time, he would be able to have a proper discussion about volleyball with Hinata without anyone interrupting.
Goshiki Tsutomu reached out instinctively, but Hayami moved with lightning speed, having already dragged Hinata to the front to sign in.
The next second, Aoba Haruka grabbed him: "How about.. the two of us live together?"
Kageyama was also terrifying; he was completely unable to communicate smoothly with the other party. Compared to Kageyama, Goshiki looked much more reliable.
Goshiki expressed his agreement.
Kageyama replied to someone's message, followed behind Hanae and the others to sign in, was assigned to the same dormitory as Bai Ze.
Everyone went upstairs one after another, Chikatani and Takahashi, who arrived a step later, entered the Volleyball Association building one after the other.
Chikatani scratched his head. "Didn't Kageyama say it would be crowded and lively? Why is it so deserted?"
Moreover.. Kageyama, who had sent him a message, hadn't waited for him at all!
After the report, everyone continued with their usual schedule, gathering data for various basic items at the first-floor testing center.
Moreover, since many new first-year players had been selected for this winter training camp, individual ability assessments were even more necessary.
"169.8 cm.." Hinata grimaced as he looked at his physical examination report.
Damn it, just two millimeters short!
Why can't his height be a bit more sensible and grow a little more!
Peering at his physical examination report, Hayami remarked with a hint of emotion, "He's almost going to be 1.7 meters tall, how wonderful."
Under the diligent efforts of Coach Kurosu and the others, Hinata's height has seen remarkable growth over the past two years.
At least he is no longer the shortest among the players selected for this group.
Because the shortest was.. Hanae, who was one millimeter shorter than Hinata.
Hanae's mind went blank.
Why did he still lose by a little bit here!
"Even if it was by only two millimeters, but.. I won!" Hinata cheered, holding up his report.
Hanae's breath hitched.
Thinking that Hinata was talking about his Hanae, he turned to look at Hinata, only for the other's next words to follow immediately after.
Hinata chuckled and said, "Hikari-kun probably wasn't as tall as me at this time last year!"
As he spoke, he pulled out his phone, took a photo of his height entry, sent it to Miya Atsumu and Hoshiumi.
Miya Atsumu's reply was quick; he sent back a long string of praise via voice message, also reminded him to eat well and get enough rest, urging him to try his best to reach 170 cm by the time he returns to Inarizaki.
Hoshiumi didn't reply to him after reading it.
After a long time, the other party finally sent over a picture.
It was a photo of a single hand gripping a volleyball.
Hinata lay on the ground, unable to get up.
Why—why even after growing this much, I still can't hold the ball with one hand!
That shouldn't be!
Hearing his voice, Hayami couldn't help but laugh.
Although Hinata's hands aren't that large, he should have no problem holding a volleyball with one hand, which meant that the issue wasn't the size of his hands.
He opened his hand toward Hinata. "Let me see your palm."
Hinata reached out his hand toward Hayami.
Hayami solved it in a second: "Hinata, the calluses on your hands aren't thick enough yet, so there might not be enough friction."
It'll be fine once you play volleyball for a bit longer.
Hinata's eyes widened. "Really!"
Hayami nodded repeatedly: "Really, really."
Watching Hayami coax Hinata, Kanzaki felt like he was seeing a ghost.
S-so scary—
The equipment used by the Volleyball Association to test VO2 Max was broken and undergoing repairs due to its age, so the remaining items for today's physical test were changed to the most agonizing one: the one-thousand-meter long-distance run.
Kanzaki collapsed past the finish line, watching Hinata, who took first place, raise his hands and cheer.
His legs are so short, how can he run that fast!
It shouldn't be, it shouldn't be!
Even if Hinata has great short-distance explosive power and excellent stamina, stride length has a huge impact on long-distance running; theoretically, he shouldn't be falling behind by this much!
Hayami, who finished fourth, replied, "It just means you're not good enough."
The twelfth-ranked Kanzaki looked at the first-ranked Hinata, then at the fourth-ranked Hayami, then at the thirteenth-ranked Hanae, feeling as though his identity as a Middle Blocker was being ground into the dirt.
Hayami was right.
It might not be Hayami who breaks his leg, but him.