Haikyuu: Reborn in Karasuno

Even though they won the recent match, Hinata still found Kageyama during the break and told him he didn't want to close his eyes anymore during the Freak Quick, which made Kageyama look disgusted.

"Isn't that why you learned the normal quick attack, because you couldn't do it?"

"Staying as we are won't work. This quick attack, with you sending the ball to me, won't do. If we continue like this, I'll always just be Kuroha-kun's decoy. I don't want that. I want to fight with my own ability too."

"So, it's because you can't..."

Kageyama, who was a bit annoyed by Hinata's words, was interrupted before he could finish.

"During the Aoba Johsai match, that last ball—when I came to my senses, we had already lost. The ball I hit flew behind me and landed on the court. After the match, even though it was my fault, Kageyama, you apologized. In aerial combat, I want to fight with my own strength until the last second."

After taking a deep breath, Kageyama also looked at Hinata very seriously.

"The Aoba Johsai match made me realize that the person who can bring out 100% of a spiker's ability is the Setter. That quick attack is your greatest weapon, and also your greatest decoy. Now that Kuroha-kun has joined, our attacking methods have been greatly expanded. What you can do now is help Kuroha-kun share the attacking pressure, not cause him trouble."

"That quick attack, even a slight deviation is fatal. So that quick attack doesn't need your will."

Although the two of them weren't overly emotional when speaking, the atmosphere between them grew increasingly tense. Sugawara, who had listened from beginning to end, quickly came out to mediate.

"Both of you, calm down, okay? It's all for the team, right?"

"Kageyama, have you considered these things when setting for me?"

Hayato joined the conversation at the right moment, hooking his arm around Kageyama's neck as he asked.

"No, Kuroha-kun, your technique is very solid. When I set the ball to you, how to attack specifically is up to you to consider."

"But Hinata's technique..."

Kageyama knew what Hayato meant, but he still retorted.

"So you're going to make Hinata obediently listen to you, Kageyama? You're a bit too conservative. The one who holds the initiative in attack isn't you, but..."

As Hayato spoke, the arm resting on Kageyama's shoulder lifted, and Hayato pointed his index finger at Hinata. Kageyama followed Hayato's gaze, and then heard Hayato's calm voice.

"Hinata."

Upon hearing Hayato's words, both Kageyama and the surrounding club members agreed with his point of view, while Hinata on the other side was incredibly moved by Hayato's support.

"Kuroha-kun..."

"Well, Kageyama is right, Hinata, your technique is indeed too terrible."

Changing his tone, Hayato curled his lips and said with a smile.

"Uh, senior, don't say that at the end. I was very moved just now."

"Haha, sorry. So, Kageyama, for the time being, you should practice how to set the best tosses for Hinata. I will make sure Hinata can keep up with your pace."

"Hinata, starting today, Hayato-senpai's one-on-one tutoring class begins. Don't you dare complain about being tired."

First, he apologized to Hinata, then Hayato kindly called out the names of the two juniors, telling them the general direction for the future so they would have a goal to strive for. Hearing their respected senior call their names, both of them excitedly replied loudly.

"Yes, Hayato-senpai!"

Hayato, who had successfully resolved the issue, glanced at Coach Ukai, knowing he had heard everything. Hayato waved at the coach.

"Coach, was my handling acceptable? Do you have anything to add?"

"This brat."

Coach Ukai chuckled and shook his head. Hayato's handling was much gentler than he had imagined. He not only pointed out the problem but also provided a solution, and most importantly, he didn't make the two feel uncomfortable at all. Haven't these two first-years already regained their fighting spirit?

"Let's go with your method. Alright, everyone, rest a little longer and prepare for the next set."

Clapping his hands to signal that the matter was over, Coach Ukai told everyone to continue resting. The others, especially Sugawara, breathed a huge sigh of relief. Before Hayato spoke, he didn't know what to do. Thinking of this, he looked at Hayato with satisfaction. After they, the third-years, retired, there would be no need to worry about the Volleyball Club.

This training camp lasted only two days, held over the weekend. Since they still had two weeks of school after exams, the teaching for Hinata would have to wait until after the practice matches. Karasuno, with renewed vigor, achieved an excellent record of 4 wins out of 7 sets by 3:20 PM, ending the training camp early. After all, they still had to take a bus back to Miyagi Prefecture, so they couldn't drag on too late.

Standing in front of the gymnasium entrance, Coach Nekomata chatted with Coach Ukai and Mr. Takeda, who had stayed behind to say goodbye.

"Oh, your new members are really impressive. Let's meet again next week for the summer training camp."

"Yes, please guide us."

Coach Nekomata smiled as he looked at the two.

"Now comes the important part. This is the only long-term training camp before the Spring High qualifiers."

In front of the bus, the two captains, Kuroo and Daichi, were chatting idly.

"Although it might be redundant to say now, I see your third-years have also stayed."

"Yes, and you guys met last year's champions on the second day, right? I heard from Hinata about the high school league preliminaries a while ago."

"Ah, we fell in the quarterfinals."

"Tokyo quarterfinals is still very good."

"If you don't win until the end, everything is meaningless."

Placing his right hand on his waist, Kuroo said with a hint of melancholy. No matter what competitive sport, no athlete participates without aiming for the championship. Quarterfinals are far from enough.

"That's right."

"However, this new player on your team is very strong. The possibility of passing the Spring High qualifiers has increased quite a bit."

"Yes, sometimes I feel Kuroha-kun is more mature than I am, a third-year. He handles things perfectly. If nothing unexpected happens, he'll be the captain next year."

"As expected of the captain, you're already cultivating your successor."

"Oh, come on, you talk as if you haven't cultivated one."

On the other side, Haiba also found Hinata.

"Next time, I'll block you too."

"Just you wait. After training with Hayato-senpai, I'll definitely surprise you."

The two, who had already formed a friendship, both laughed after speaking.

And so, the short training camp ended. The bus carried the Karasuno team towards Miyagi Prefecture.

On the bus ride back to the city, everyone, exhausted from two days of high-intensity training, leaned back in their seats and fell asleep. Kiyoko and Hitoka, as managers, were no exception. Besides preparing water bottles for everyone, recording matches, providing towels, and washing the changed clothes were all the managers' responsibilities.

Although they used the washing machine at school, a laundry basket contained over a dozen pieces of clothing, and for the entire team, three baskets were needed. Moving them around was still very heavy. The training these two days wasn't just for the main players; substitutes also participated in training as arranged by Coach Ukai.

"This training camp was really great. I feel like I gained a lot."

Mr. Takeda said to Coach Ukai in the passenger seat while driving.

"There were also many problems, though. We'll have to solve them one by one when we get back."

"That's true. Let's tackle them one by one when we get home."

"Home, huh."

"Coach Ukai?"

"I don't really want to go back. There's a big trouble coming home."

Resting his arm on the car window and propping up his chin, Coach Ukai said something with unclear meaning.

When it was completely dark, the bus finally drove back to Karasuno High School

------------

POWER STONE!!!

Support me at patréon com/Lukas25