Miya Atsumu wanted to say something more, but then he saw the message sent by Coach Kurosu: "Shoyo, the Haruko results are out."
Hinata Shoyo sat up abruptly and leaned over to look at Miya Atsumu's phone.
With just a single glance, Hinata's eyes instantly locked onto the name Inarizaki in the top left corner of the rankings: "We're the number one seed."
Miya Atsumu smiled. "Of course. Out of everyone here lately, we've won the most championships."
As the second seed, Karasuno was placed in the bottom-right quarter of the bracket, while the other two seeds were Itachiyama and Fukurodani.
Although Itachiyama had not achieved much in the past year, after careful consideration, the Organizing Committee ultimately granted them a spot.
—Because last year's National Sports Festival runner-up, who ranked only second to Fukurodani, failed to qualify for this Haruko.
Looking at Itachiyama, who was in the same half of the bracket as them, Miya Atsumu clicked his tongue. "Tsk, this schedule again."
Although Itachiyama's recent results haven't been great, their strength is still evident; most of the time, they just have bad luck with the tournament bracket.
No one questioned the skill levels of Komori and Sakusa, Ishikawa, representing the new generation, was also selected for the Junior National Team training camp this time.
Hinata immediately identified two familiar schools: "Star First and Karasuno are both in our half of the bracket."
As they were seeded directly into the top thirty-two, the opponents for the round of thirty-two will be decided between the Kumamoto Prefecture Representative Team and the Hokkaido Representative Team.
The remaining matches are still uncertain, especially since schools with deep foundations like Shonan are in this district, they might become the dark horses that disrupt the situation.
However, from Hinata's personal perspective, he would rather play against the two teams he mentioned.
Having guessed what Hinata was thinking, Miya Atsumu gave a light laugh. "Your wish will come true."
In these matters, their luck has always been quite good.
Even though the opponents Hinata wanted to face were all difficult to deal with, they had a more complete substitute lineup than before, allowing them to play more freely—even including himself and Hinata, as neither of them was truly expendable.
At worst.. we'll just squeeze a little more out of Unabara Uta and Nishizawa Hokuto.
Although the opposing region is also full of top-tier players, they still fall a notch short compared to Karasuno at the peak of their prime.
If no terrifying dark horse were to emerge, it would likely still be Karasuno who eventually makes it to the Finals.
Miya Atsumu's gaze was locked on Karasuno at the bottom right of the bracket.
It just so happened that last time, their schedule was very favorable, it always felt like they had been given an advantage.
This time.. even if the overall schedule is unfavorable, he will still crush Karasuno under his feet.
While Hinata was researching the possible advancement routes for their half of the tournament bracket, Miya Atsumu's voice suddenly rang out.
By the way, Shoyo, are you going to go up and take the oath at the opening ceremony of this Haruko?
Hinata replied, "I'm fine with whatever."
Being able to participate would naturally make him happy, but if he couldn't, it wouldn't matter much either; he would just follow whatever arrangements the coach made.
Miya Atsumu made the final decision: "Then you'll still be the one to take the oath."
Hinata's face was pressed against Miya Atsumu's shoulder, upon hearing that, he looked up at Miya Atsumu's profile.
In that case.. are Atsumu-ge and the Coach planning to make some adjustments to the opening ceremony arrangements?
So the greedy Hinata spoke up, "Then can I go up and carry the flag?"
Although most flag bearers are captains, it isn't a strict requirement. In theory, as long as the team discusses it and reaches an agreement, anyone can go.
Miya Atsumu reached out and tapped his head. "That's not happening. No way."
If you want to go, then win this Haruko championship, so you can go next year as a legitimate leader in your third year.
Hinata nodded earnestly: "That's a must."
It would be even better if Atsumu-ge comes to watch too.
Atsumu replied, "It's a promise."
Chapter 480: The 480th Fox
Awakening from his slumber, the first thing Miya Atsumu saw upon opening his eyes was Hinata sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at his phone and doing something unknown.
Noticing his movement, Hinata turned his head slightly to look at him.
Good morning, Atsumu-ge.
Atsumu raised a hand to brush back his messy hair, yawned, asked, "Morning. What are you looking at?"
Hinata turned his phone screen toward Miya Atsumu: "Hayami said.. there's a surprise waiting for me?"
[Dear Hinata, I don't know if I should tell you this piece of bad news, but today at the Inarizaki No. 2 Gymnasium.. or perhaps even earlier, you will receive a surprise.
—Hayami
Miya Atsumu narrowed his eyes, ignoring both the bad news and the surprise.
Looking at the initial position of this text message, he felt much more awake.
.. Dear?
Hinata's hand, which was just about to pull his phone back, paused. He flipped it over to take a quick look at the message content, then looked at Miya Atsumu's face, which was squinting and clearly still half-asleep.
“Atsumu-ge, your focus is really strange.”
Miya Atsumu reached out and wrapped his arms around Hinata's waist, burying his face against his side: "Shoyo, you have to realize, there are nothing but bad people out there."
Hearing that pitiful voice, Hinata hesitated: "Atsumu-ge.."
He asked a profound question: "You wouldn't lack confidence in your own charm, would you?"
Atsumu retorted, "Of course I have confidence!"
The one with the problem is Hinata!
Hinata's charm is the hardest thing to control, because of his strange constitution for accidents, he frequently manages to attract some very difficult people.
For example, Hoshiumi, Kozume Kenma, also Shiratori and Hayami.
Even though he trusted Hinata, some people's methods were truly ruthless.
In just one moment of inattention, Shiratori had subtly usurped Hinata's position as the next setter.
Although he was very confident in his own appearance, it was obvious that Hinata wasn't particularly interested; sometimes, he would even find himself staring blankly at him.
So Miya Atsumu asked.
Hearing his question, Hinata was filled with shock: "Huh?"
“How could I not like you!”
Atsumu-ge, you're so handsome, your body is so well-built!
Hinata pulled back the covers, speaking while reaching out to feel his abs.
Miya Atsumu kept his head buried against Hinata's waist and asked grumpily, "Then why do you sometimes just stare blankly even when you're looking right at me?"
Hinata spoke honestly: "Because I was stunned by how handsome you are."
Feeling the muscle contours become even more pronounced due to Miya Atsumu's deliberate exertion, Hinata added fuel to the fire: "I really want to kiss you, but the setting isn't quite appropriate."
Atsumu raised his head slightly. "Really?"
Hinata said with absolute certainty, "Really!"
Atsumu finally asked the question he had been wanting to ask: "So, who's more handsome, me or Kazuharu?"
The moment his brain captured and understood the meaning of the question, Hinata froze.
Osamu-senpai and Atsumu-ge.. which one is more handsome?
But those two faces are clearly identical!
Then set aside their appearance and think about it from another perspective.
Hinata replied very, very seriously, "Atsumu-ge is more handsome on the court."
Atsumu opened his mouth and bit fiercely at the soft flesh on Hinata's waist. "So once we're off the court, you'll be with Kazuharu?"
In what way is that guy more handsome than me? Shoyo, do you prefer silver hair?
Hinata cried out in pain, "Ow."
His hand reached toward the area near Atsumu's navel, out of a sense of spite, his fingers dug inside.
“Nn—"
Miya Atsumu subconsciously curled his abdomen, letting out a long, soft moan.
Atsumu released his grip on Hinata, pulling that mischievous hand out from inside his clothes.
At that moment, he noticed that Hinata had no reaction.
He raised his head and saw Hinata's face, which had turned red all the way to his ears.
Atsumu, who understood what was going on instantly, let out a low chuckle, his voice sounding even more pathetic: "Shoyo, is that guy Kazuharu really more handsome than me?"
Having snapped out of it, Hinata felt a little guilty, replied, "The faces.. are the same.."
Atsumu wasn't prepared to keep making things difficult for him. "So, you're just as handsome off the court?"
Hinata nodded. "Yeah."
Miya Atsumu's lips curled into a slight smirk.
Very good, he's quite handsome on the court, just as handsome off it; so, taking everything into account, he's even more handsome.
Very good, he wins by a landslide!
Meanwhile, Hinata was thinking about something else, his attention completely off the matter of which of the twins was more handsome.
Miya Atsumu's voice is very pleasant to listen to.
He had known this from the very beginning, he was fascinated by it.
Hinata loved it when he called his name, of course, he loved the syllables he let out when he could no longer restrain himself even more.
Looking at the reclining Miya Atsumu, Hinata used the hand that Miya Atsumu had previously thrown aside to grab his collar.
He wanted to hear Atsumu's voice again, so he decided to go and kiss him.