He tried to explain that it wasn't that he personally liked this color scheme: "When we were doing the New Year's fortune-telling, Mom got a green Omamori, for some reason, she fell in love with it, so she bought us each a pair of green pants."
Suna expressed that he understood.
Hinata sprinted to the merchandise shop like he was in a hundred-meter dash, raising both hands and cheering in victory.
The matches are still ongoing in the arena, so there aren't that many people coming to buy merchandise, since it is already the third day, everything that was meant to be bought has long since sold out.
Hinata's destination for this trip was the Haruko limited edition blue Ace's Insights.
He had already bought one for himself last year; this one was intended for Masaru Haseda.
Central Physical Education University won the University Championship this year, Bokuto was named Best Newcomer and received the MVP award.
Because he often wore this short-sleeved shirt during interviews, it became a highly sought-after item, selling out completely on the first day of the Haruko opening; only the less popular numbers still had stock remaining.
But unfortunately, Masaru Haseda's size is considered a standard size among volleyball players.
He had already received a gift from Nishizawa Hokuto, when he heard that his junior thought he could grow to 1.75 meters, he broke down and hugged Nishizawa Hokuto, crying for a while.
Although he couldn't read what was written on the short-sleeved shirt, the gift from his junior was truly touching.
“Osamu said that Haseda Katsuya and the others have already gone to the cafeteria for lunch. Should we head over there, or watch the match for a little longer?”
Facing Hinata's eager eyes, Miya Atsumu had already guessed the answer: "There is still a long time before the afternoon match, so there's no rush to eat."
Let's go inside the court to watch the match.
"Alright!" Hinata cheered.
In the stands, Kita, Akagi, Oori were chatting about Star First, while Unai was striking up a conversation with Shiratori and Bokuto.
While Shiratori and Bokuto were arguing about why a cashew is called a cashew instead of a curved fruit, Akagi, having finished watching the previous match, was in quite a bad mood.
Akagi let out a soft sigh. "To make it to the top sixteen, the current Star First is already quite impressive. It's just that Inarizaki's defensive handling is indeed somewhat lacking in those imperfect situations; you could say they are being countered."
To have made it this far while being without their starting Libero for a year, with an uncoordinated team, a lack of offensive options.. it only shows how hard everyone at Star First has worked.
He and Star First's starting Libero from last year were old friends; the other person had to withdraw during the National Sports Festival due to the flu, they failed to qualify for Haruko, so his final year of high school matches could be described as nothing but regrets.
It was unavoidable that Star First's performance hasn't been good these past few years, he just felt.. that it was a bit too much of a regret.
Akagi raised his hand to rub his chin. "It seems Kirishima isn't here to watch this time; I wonder what he's doing."
Hmm? Are you talking about Kirishima-senpai?
Hearing a strange voice, everyone in Position 1 and 2 turned their heads at the same time and saw Star First and his companion approaching.
Akagi was a bit surprised: "Hayami? What are you doing here?"
Hayami spoke truthfully: "I wanted to see if I could run into Hinata, also come say hello to Akagi-senpai."
Arashiyama bowed slightly. "Hello, seniors."
Akagi's mouth twitched. "Am I just an afterthought?"
He nodded to Arashiyama, then stood up and gestured for Hayami to sit in his seat. "You sit here. I'm a bit tired and need to stretch my back for a bit."
Hayami blinked, glanced at Arashiyama, then sat down in the spot Oori had vacated, next to Unai.
Thank you, Akagi-senpai.
Watching Hayami quickly merge into the Inarizaki ranks, Arashiyama found it amusing, but he also felt a sense of relief: "There's still some business over at Star First, so Hayami, stay here and don't wander off. I'll come pick you up for lunch."
Hayami said goodbye to Arashiyama: "Goodbye, Senpai—"
Akagi was leaning against the railing, turning his head to look at Hayami. "So why didn't Kirishima-senpai come? I remember he was watching the Hakone Ekiden a couple of days ago."
Hayami replied, "Kirishima-senpai went abroad on a business trip with his advisor and won't be back for half a month. He's in an integrated master's program and has already started working in the lab."
Oori Ren, who had barely managed to get into his second-choice school, had a look of shock wash over his originally calm face.
The already graduated Unai, the college student Yatsu, Shiratori were all shocked. For student-athletes like them, a combined undergraduate and master's program in a laboratory was a bit too niche..
Bokuto was thinking seriously: "What's connected?"
Shiratori had no intention of paying him any mind; instead, he turned to ask Kita Shinsuke, "Kita, Shoyo mentioned before that someone from your Inarizaki Volleyball Club went to Todai, right?"
He was already the top performer in the Fukuda General Volleyball Club, only one or two students from the entire university could attend Todai; how did this have anything to do with volleyball?
Hayami said in a low voice, "Shiratori-senpai, there's something you don't know. The setter from Hinata's year, he came to our school for a competition and won a national gold medal."
It's said he's going to challenge the Ace major at Todai.
Nagumo entered the media studies major, which was worlds apart from the Ace's major.
Unai didn't know what to say.
After a long silence, he could only squeeze out a single sentence: "The juniors playing volleyball these days are truly incredible.."
He heard that the tall, bespectacled player from Karasuno's second year seems to be planning to go to Tohoku University.
Back when he was at Karasuno, even among the starters, none were such good students.
He plays volleyball well and is also highly intelligent.
This is simply terrifying.
No wonder he finds watching modern volleyball matches a headache; many times he can't keep up with the rhythm on the court. So, it turns out they are all duels between clever people..
For someone like him, who is half-full of dissatisfaction and half-full of aimlessness, it was simply too cruel.
Bokuto was still trying to understand what everyone was saying: "Ace? What Ace? Who is the professional?"
Chapter 500: The Five Hundredth Fox
So.. what about Hinata?
After chatting for a long time, the restless Hayami took the initiative to bring up the question.
He had come here to wait for Hinata, not to chat with several seniors and be showered with all this concern. Akagi, in particular, was being quite enthusiastic toward him, he really couldn't handle it..
"I guess he won't be coming up." Shiratori spread his hands.
He had already guessed this; after all, Miya Atsumu had just seen him, so he would certainly try every possible way to prevent Hinata from coming over, especially since there was likely another match Hinata wanted to watch afterward.
A familiar voice came from below the railing. Shiratori turned his head and saw Hinata, who was carrying a shopping bag and pulling Miya Atsumu toward the gymnasium.
Glancing at the time, Unai-senpai stood up with her backpack in hand. "Akagi-senpai, you can sit in my seat. I'm going to sit with Karasuno later; they said they saved a seat for me."
Today, Karasuno's match is the one about to take place; if they win, they will play against Inarizaki in the afternoon.
Regardless, it wouldn't be right for him to keep sitting here.
Karasuno's cheering area was on the opposite side of the gymnasium; if he didn't leave now, he wouldn't make it in time before the match started.
Shinsuke Kita and the others said goodbye to Unai. "Goodbye, Unai-senpai."
Bokuto reached out and tugged on Shiratori's sleeve: "Natsume, Fukurodani's match is about to start too, let's go back and watch the match."
Fukurodani's match is in the same rotation as Karasuno's; even Unai-senpai has left, so he should probably leave as well.
Shiratori reached out to pull his hand down, responding, "There are no seats for us over there, so we might as well stay here."
He gave another reason that Bokuto couldn't refuse: "Besides, don't you want to watch both matches? The view is better from here."
Bokuto thought seriously, Bokuto felt that Shiratori was right.
—Although he wasn't quite sure why the two of them had seats just now, but didn't have any now.
It must have been Akaashi and Shiratori who said something; he remembered that seating for Fukurodani was still very tight.
Hayami gave a slightly resentful glance at Hinata and Miya Atsumu, who had already crowded near the center of the court, but remembering Arashiyama's instruction not to run around, she hesitated for a moment before ultimately giving up and going down to find Hinata.
It wasn't because he had to listen to Arashiyama, he just simply didn't feel like moving.
Once his body truly relaxed, his knees were indeed quite uncomfortable.
Glancing at the bag in his hand, Hinata suddenly felt a bit of regret for not leaving his things in their lounge.
After making it into the top eight, the organizing committee had already arranged an afternoon lounge for them in advance, so they could head over after eating to spread out some bedding and lie down for a while.
But it didn't matter; this didn't hinder him from studying Karasuno's matches.
Finding a good spot to stand, Hinata stared intently at the Karasuno members, who were currently undergoing their final round of warm-ups.
Miya Atsumu had already taken out his notebook, preparing to note down the key points of this match so he could review the most important parts of the video later.
The men's and women's volleyball matches for the round of sixteen this morning consist of a total of four rotations. Once this match concludes, they will have three hours left to prepare.
—That's enough.
Peeking at the gesture Enoshita Chikara made toward Kageyama, Hinata turned his head and said to Miya Atsumu, "Karasuno is starting."
Miya Atsumu glanced at Hinata, but he didn't say anything; instead, he flipped to the page he essentially used to record Karasuno's rotation.
Kageyama starts.. or maybe the number 8 Middle Blocker starts.
Hinata froze for a moment. "Why number 8? I remember Karasuno's starting lineup usually starts with Kageyama?"
Miya Atsumu spread one hand. "Karasuno uses a 4-2 rotation, so the Setter's initial position isn't actually that important. Regardless of the situation, they can basically guarantee a three-point attack from the front row, so the significance of Kageyama starting is his Power Serve."
And with Karasuno's current roster, number 8's Jump Float Serve is also a very difficult point to handle; his scoring rate is absolutely terrifying.
Facing Hinata's eager, studious eyes, Miya Atsumu couldn't help but curl his lips into a smirk: "If I were the coach of Karasuno, the opponents were in poor overall condition, I would definitely choose to lay the foundation for victory through two rotations of Power Serves during the opening.
Hinata nodded earnestly: "I understand, now is the perfect time."
"That's right." Miya Atsumu nodded.
Of course, if they were playing against them, Karasuno would definitely choose a strategy where Kageyama serves, as they would need to save a Power Serve to bail them out when the situation turns unfavorable.
He pointed to someone else on the court: "Karasuno's Number 7 also has a quite good Jump Float Serve."
Hinata's eyes lit up: "Oh! Tsukishima!"
He knew the answer to this; he had noticed it during the Inarizaki Regional Qualifiers.
Aside from Kageyama, Karasuno's powerful service turns are mostly Jump Float Serves; both of their Middle Blockers can do it, among the substitutes, the senior in Position 5 is also a Jump Float Server.
Miya Atsumu didn't care much about this: "It's not a problem for Unabara Uta to handle it."
Having trained under him for so long, Unabara Uta was still stronger at handling Jump Float Serves than most Liberos.
And the question now is.. how many moves Karasuno's Libero can hold his own against him.