After Hinata Shoyo and Nishinoya Yuu had finished greeting everyone, and once the third-year main players arrived at the gym, all the present members naturally gathered around the captain, Sawamura Daichi.
After Daichi introduced Nishinoya, Nishinoya enthusiastically greeted the new students.
"That tall guy with the fierce look!"
"Oh! Kitagawa Daiichi! A strong school too, huh?"
"I played against your Junior High too, lost 2–1. Hahaha!"
"Of course! Those pure black uniforms! Too cool!"
Sawamura Daichi and Sugawara Koushi exchanged glances and couldn't help but comment:
"This guy really is loud."
"Still got that big voice, huh."
When the boisterous Nishinoya spotted Ichinose Guren and Hoshino Katsuri, his eyes lit up.
"Oh! You two!"
"You're first-years too, right?"
"Good at serving and receiving, huh?"
"Blue-haired kid! You play libero, right?"
Meeting such a loud senior for the first time, Hoshino was a bit bewildered and awkwardly responded:
"Uh, yeah… I'm a libero."
"Oh, nice! Keep practicing well!"
Nishinoya patted Hoshino encouragingly, then turned to Ichinose.
"You look familiar… Have we met before?"
"Uh~ I don't think so. I don't remember meeting you anywhere, Nishinoya-san."
Nishinoya scrutinized Ichinose's face, feeling he had seen him somewhere, then started circling around him, his yellow-tipped hair swaying.
"Oh! I remember!"
He crouched slightly, left hand beneath, right fist tapping the palm, and exclaimed:
"You! Didn't you appear in Volleyball Monthly?"
"The ace spiker who led his Junior High to the national semifinals last year!"
Caught off guard, Ichinose had no idea where to place his hands, so he awkwardly held them in front and answered Nishinoya's questions.
"Ah… yeah, probably me."
"Oh!"
"You're strong!!"
"How about it? Want to be Karasuno's ace?"
"Hahaha! Beat the current ace, and you'll be the ace!"
Wherever Nishinoya went, boisterous laughter followed.
Hoshino, however, thought this genius libero was just a bit too noisy.
After greeting all the first-years, Nishinoya asked the question on his mind.
"Speaking of the ace, what about Asahi? He didn't come to training at lunch, right?"
"Well…"
Sugawara Koushi and Sawamura Daichi hesitated, mumbling the truth.
===========
Hinata, not fully understanding what had happened, didn't dwell on it. He quickly ran to Hoshino.
"Hoshino! How's his receiving?"
Hoshino rolled his eyes. This guy always brought up the wrong topic. Irritated, he replied:
"Stronger than me."
"Yosh! I'm going to learn receiving from Nishinoya-senpai!"
Hoshino blinked, dumbfounded.
"Are you crazy? Your ball control is worse than mine. Why go learn from him?"
Sometimes, Hoshino couldn't understand Hinata's logic. The premise for learning from a top player should be that your skills are already sufficient. Otherwise, the senior might dismiss you.
But for Hinata, this was never an issue. Besides, Nishinoya was the senior of a top team; asking for guidance was perfectly natural.
"Why not?"
Hinata's small face displayed utter confusion.
"Hoshino, you said what I lack is experience and daily practice. So what's wrong with learning from someone stronger?"
"To get stronger, you have to learn from everyone better than you, right?"
After saying this, Hinata didn't continue the discussion, his little brain was convinced that if he did, Nishinoya might run off.
The other players, seeing Hinata seeking Nishinoya's guidance, silently followed the "Little Giant" out of the gym.
Only Ichinose and Hoshino remained behind. Hoshino's thoughts were in chaos. Although he didn't want to admit it, he knew deep down:
Hinata was right. Most people would feel asking for help is troublesome, maybe even embarrassing if refused.
But, as Steve Jobs said, don't be afraid to ask for help.
Compared to what you want, embarrassment is trivial.
"This monkey! How does he have such determination and exaggerated energy?"
"Damn it!"
Hoshino suddenly felt a twinge of jealousy toward Hinata.
This guy…
He's not running slower than me, just started later.
I don't want to lose to him.
Face your own heart.
For the first time, ambition appeared in Hoshino's eyes.
No longer calm, no longer ordinary. He was ready to ask himself seriously what he truly wanted.
"Guren!!!"
"You're not resting, right?!!"
"Another 50 powerful jump serves!"
"Hit me hard!"
Ichinose, now in standby mode, revealed a half-grim smile, spinning a volleyball in one hand and shaking his shoulder.
"Good, ready?"
"Katsuri!"
That's right, teammates. Show some ambition.
I won't interfere too much with your own growth.
If you leave me, will you stop playing?
Progress always comes with hardship. Only your own drive can resist it.
Understanding this is the only way to move forward.
===========
Meanwhile, the Miyagi Prefectural Board of Education received a call.
"Hi, this is Miyagi Prefectural Board of Education."
"Hi! Hello!"
"Hi!! I understand! I'll pass it on!"
"Okay, I've checked the fax; it's on."
"Thank you very much for your concern and guidance!"
"Thank you! Looking forward to next time!!"
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Completed version available on Patreon.com/Veltoria