Inarizaki's bench depth is decent enough; they can catch opponents off guard only if they make adjustments based on different situations.
Watching Hinata perform a diving maneuver, Coach Kurosu had no intention of interspersing any offensive training.
Strike while the iron is hot and form as much muscle memory as possible.
Until Hinata joined the team on the trip to Tokyo, he didn't have the chance to spike even a single ball.
Originally, he would play ball with Rishishi after school, but the recent high-intensity training left the two of them with absolutely no energy left to continue.
Actually, Hinata still had energy, but Ishi had already collapsed on the tatami mats as soon as he got home.
Hinata went this time in the capacity of team logistics, the fact that it was his first long trip without his parents made him exceptionally excited.
However, they departed at three-thirty in the morning, even he couldn't resist nodding off halfway through the journey.
This training match was originally supposed to be held at a gymnasium in Kyoto, but since Karasuno had another match scheduled with a school from Tokyo the next day, the destination was set directly in Tokyo's Nerima Ward.
Miya Atsumu looked up at the plaque with a small cat painted on it, then glanced at the extremely childish interior decor, his face full of disdain.
Why is it a children's club..
Miya Osamu didn't care at all: "What does it matter? The net is the same height regardless."
It was said that Karasuno had asked someone to make the reservation, so the fee was relatively cheap.
Anyway, it's not like they're paying for it, so it doesn't matter where we use it.
Not far behind the group, Hinata, who had followed the team, had already begun admiring the iron tower in the distance along with Rishishi.
Oohhh—so this is Tokyo Tower—
Unabara Uta, who had at least competed in the nationals, didn't know how to respond: "How is that possible.. that's just an ordinary utility pole."
Besides, this is Nerima Ward, it has absolutely nothing to do with Tokyo Tower.
Kita clapped his hands: "The people from Karasuno haven't arrived yet, so everyone can move around freely for now. We'll wait until the Coach has confirmed all the arrangements with the other side.
YES!!
Inarizaki's uniforms are red, which is quite similar to the style of this club, the children and parents passing to and fro constantly cast curious glances.
Especially the highly conspicuous Aran, who was stared at throughout the entire process.
Just as Aran was about to find a corner to hide in, a group of extremely tall youths walked in through the entrance.
Blue and white tracksuits, plus the Little Giant with white hair following closely behind the captain..
It was Karasuno, without a doubt.
After a brief greeting, the coaches from both sides went to collect the pre-selected court keys, while the crowd still lingering in the lobby began to catch up with one another.
Miya Atsumu reached out and waved toward Hoshiumi Hikari from Karasuno: "Yo, long time no see."
"Not so long," Hoshiumi Hikari replied perfunctorily.
He had realized it back during youth training; he and this guy simply could not get along at all.
However, when it came to volleyball, he acknowledged that his opponent was a formidable competitor.
After exchanging greetings, silence fell between the two.
Just as Captain Suwa, feeling awkward for the two of them, tried to find a topic of conversation, Hoshiumi felt a burning gaze coming from behind, staring intently at him.
Hoshiumi glanced out of the corner of his eye at Hinata, who was staring at him, asked Miya Atsumu somewhat uncomfortably, "Is that little shrimp your new Libero?"
Since when did Inarizaki start recruiting such short players? Their Liberos have always been quite tall.
Hakuma turned his head to look at Hirugami: "He actually called someone else a little runt."
Hirugami laughed heartily, "Haha, alright, Hikari is indeed a bit taller."
It was hard enough to win once; let him be happy for a while.
Thinking of Hinata's disastrous receiving skills, Miya Atsumu suddenly burst out laughing: "Pfft, a Libero."
The 1.8-meter Unabara Uta weakly raised his hand. "Hello, Hoshiumi-senpai, I am the substitute Libero."
Hoshiumi's expression contorted for a moment. "Huh? What's that? Your manager?"
So, could he please stop staring at him? It felt like his back was being pricked by needles.
Miya Atsumu narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at Hoshiumi Hikari with a smile. "How is that possible? That is a Wing Spiker we are training with all our might."
Hoshiumi's movements stiffened for a moment, his expression turning serious instantly, he turned his head and walked toward Hinata directly under Miya Atsumu's gaze.
Standing directly opposite Hinata, Hoshiumi looked down at him. "Hey, shorty."
How tall are you?
"One hundred sixty.. three!" Hinata puffed out his chest and held his head high, silently inflating his height by two millimeters.
Hoshiumi remained expressionless, but he was secretly clenching his fists in his heart.
Very good, he won!
Are you measuring your reach?
"Three meters thirty-three!" Hinata replied loudly.
Is this the contemporary Little Giant that the coach spoke of? Up close, his presence is truly overwhelming!
Hoshiumi made a victory sign in his heart once again.
Very good, he won again!
He asked again, "What position do you play?"
"I don't know!" Hinata's voice was loud and crisp, carrying a strange sense of self-righteousness.
Hoshiumi, who had just been about to make a comparison in his mind, was truly stunned this time.
What on earth? What do you mean you don't know?
Miya Atsumu, who was behind him, finally couldn't help but burst out laughing: "Hahahaha—"
Hinata Shoyo, a future ace in the making who has played both Wing Spiker and Middle Blocker during training, has almost zero competitive experience, has recently been practicing basic receiving.
Hoshiumi glared fiercely at Miya Atsumu.
Play with him! Isn't he just a complete rookie?
Just then, Hinata finally spoke up on his own initiative: "Hello, Hoshiumi-senpai!"
Hoshiumi snapped his head around.
S-Senior—
Hinata looked at the Hoshiumi Hikari standing right in front of him with eyes full of admiration. "I'm Hinata Shoyo! I watched your videos before, you were just so amazing!"
That way you just leap up with a sudden thud and score points right off the iron wall—it's just incredible—
Ishimaru whispered to Unabara beside him, "It's starting, the unconscious super cheerleader."
Hoshiumi, who had previously looked quite fierce, awkwardly averted his gaze. "It.. it wasn't that bad.."
Everyone present fell into a momentary, unspoken silence.
—If you're so capable, then don't blush.
Miya Atsumu was very unhappy: "I messed up. I should have subtly instilled a sense of competitiveness in Shoyo before coming here."
Aran, however, watched with amusement: "I'm afraid Hinata probably sees everyone as an idol right now, since he doesn't have many skills of his own."
Meanwhile, at the entrance of the club, the boy in a red tracksuit layered with a white hoodie saw the noisy scene inside and immediately ducked behind the wall nearby.
There are so many people.
So terrifying.
Author's Note:
Shivering
Chapter 9: The Ninth Fox
After warming up, the practice match between Inarizaki and Karasuno officially began.
On this court filled with giants, Hoshiumi's presence was exceptionally striking, his strength made him shine even more brilliantly at this very moment.
A heavy thud rang out as Hoshiumi steadily received Suna's sudden change-of-pace spike, sending it directly to the setter Captain Suwa.
That body seemed to possess infinite strength, not just in offense.
“Coach, I want to go over to Karasuno and take a look,” Hinata said, standing up and pointing toward Karasuno.
At this moment, he only wanted to be closer to the court.
Coach Kurosu nodded. "Stay safe, don't disturb the referee."
"Yeah!" Hinata went around the back of the coaching bench and walked over to the Karasuno side.
Coach Aran naturally noticed his arrival, but he said nothing.
Hikari, come!
The ball was passed by Captain Suwa into Hoshiumi's hands, Hoshiumi, facing a three-man block from Inarizaki's side, showed no fear.
He keenly caught a slight flaw in the block and raised his hand to spike a sharp cross-court ball at a very narrow angle.
The volleyball hit Ginjima's arm, then dropped between the block and the net.
Holy crap.
Hoshiumi let out a long sigh of relief: "Phew—"
Inarizaki truly lived up to their reputation as the strongest challengers; their balance in all aspects was nothing short of seamless.
Inarizaki is still in the lead, giving the impression of steadily and methodically accumulating points.
But.. it doesn't matter.
Give me the ball!!
An ace is someone who can spike every ball to death, tear a path to survival for the team in any adversity, inspire others with their silhouette at any time.