"So, what do you think of the Aobajosai team?"
Kuiya was very curious. How exactly had a lone wolf like him managed to fit into Aobajosai?
Kyotani spoke about his impressions of Aobajosai with no expression on his face. Even though it was his own experience, he told it as if it were someone else's story.
Only when Oikawa was mentioned did his emotions show a slight shift, something like irritation, and something like helplessness.
"Aobajosai… is pretty good."
Irihata narrowed his eyes and nodded, clearly pleased to hear that. But the next sentence wiped that satisfaction away.
"It's just a bit worse than Shiratorizawa."
Irihata: ......
"I don't really know how to evaluate it. I've never stayed in a club for more than a week. I think everyone is great, but I don't really know how to explain it.
Iwaizumi-senpai is really amazing. Arm wrestling, running, push-ups, eating rice balls… he's better than me at everything.
Hanamaki is great too. Sometimes he brings me cream puffs from the shop near the school gate. Watari takes me to different cafeteria counters every day at lunch, and Kindaichi is teaching me how to play games.
Kunimi really dislikes my clothes, so sometimes he sends me a bunch of outfit pictures on LINE…"
Completely unlike his usual self, Kyotani rattled off a long list of trivial details. He almost didn't seem like himself anymore.
Kuiya listened carefully, then asked,
"Why didn't you mention Matsukawa and Oikawa? Do you not like them?"
Kyotani's expression twisted slightly.
As for Matsukawa, it was simply because the two of them had fought and both got beaten up by Iwaizumi. They were still in that phase of not being able to stand each other. They didn't dare fight again, but ever since the prefectural tournament ended, Kyotani had started to realize some of his mistakes.
For example, he shouldn't have fought. He shouldn't have… snatched the ball.
As for Oikawa, Kyotani found him annoying every single day. He kept shouting "Mad Dog" in his ear, provoking him with that smug attitude, trying to pick fights. Knowing he couldn't win, he would hide behind Iwaizumi and show off.
Kyotani spoke reluctantly.
"Matsukawa… he's good at fighting, and his temper is actually pretty good. Even after getting mad, he'll still call me to practice with him.
Oikawa-senpai… he's kind of annoying. He pulls pranks on me every day, hides my sneakers and makes me find them myself. Sometimes he tells me the coach is looking for me, but when I go, there's no one there."
Kuiya fell silent.
Irihata fell silent as well. He knew Oikawa could be childish, but he hadn't realized he was this childish. If he didn't understand Oikawa's intentions and Kyotani's temperament, he might really have thought Oikawa was bullying him.
"Ahahaha, Oikawa-kun is really… lively."
Kuiya forced out the word after holding it in for a while, letting out an awkward laugh.
"Then have you ever resented the people who wouldn't let you join the club?"
The topic shifted. Kyotani still had that same resigned expression as before. He fell quiet for a moment, organizing his thoughts.
Irihata waited patiently.
"Hmm… not really."
An ambiguous answer.
"Practicing with a group is practice, and practicing alone is still practice. And it seemed like people didn't really like me, or maybe they were just afraid of me, so they wouldn't pass me the ball during practice.
But there's nothing much to say about it. I learned more skills on my own, and later I joined Aobajosai."
What a kid. Not a single word about the hardship or frustration he went through.
Kuiya sighed inwardly. Just sticking with volleyball was already hard enough. And with a face that looked so intimidating, Kyotani probably hadn't been accepted by anyone all these years. Aobajosai was likely a very important place for him.
Irihata sighed softly as well. This kid really had it rough. If Aobajosai had found him earlier, maybe he wouldn't have grown into someone so stubborn and short-tempered.
"So, is there anything you want to say to people who are like you and still playing volleyball?"
Kyotani nodded openly. He looked at the camera, as if also looking at his past self, and spoke in a steady, calm voice.
"If you're like me, don't rush. Take your time to grow, and wait for the team that suits you, the one that can bring you victory. No volleyball player is born alone. Neither are you."
The lounge fell silent for a couple of seconds. Then Kuiya started clapping, and Irihata followed.
It wasn't that Kyotani's words were particularly eloquent, but he had truly stood in the same place as those kids and given them something meaningful. With words like this, they might take fewer detours and keep moving forward with their dreams.
After all, no one teaches a withdrawn and hot-tempered kid how to hide their sharp edges. These words might one day have a profound impact on someone.
"Alright, thank you very much for your time."
Kuiya stood up, smiling as he shook hands with Kyotani, signaling the end of the interview. Kyotani got up quickly and headed out, looking like he didn't want to stay in the lounge even a second longer.
Mizoguchi had no idea why applause suddenly came from inside the lounge. Looking confused, he pushed at the door to peek inside.
Just then, Kyotani opened the door, and the two nearly bumped faces. Both of them were startled.
Before Mizoguchi could say anything, Irihata's loud voice came from inside.
"Mizoguchi!"
"Coming!"
Mizoguchi had no choice but to step aside. Kyotani left immediately without stopping.
Inside the lounge, Mizoguchi learned the name of the next person to call. With resignation, he went off to search around the school, hoping to run into him by chance.
At this time, he was probably with Oikawa.
Mizoguchi changed direction and headed toward the cafeteria. At this hour, Oikawa was definitely there sneaking food.
Sure enough, at the entrance, Mizoguchi saw that flashy setter Oikawa, along with the ever-serious, dad-like Iwaizumi beside him.
Iwaizumi was exactly the person Coach Irihata had asked for.
As Mizoguchi got closer, he could hear Iwaizumi scolding him.
"Are you an idiot? I've told you so many times not to put ketchup on my fried tofu. It's disgusting. Who could even eat that?"
Iwaizumi was fuming, but no one in the cafeteria paid it any mind. This scene played out every day. It was just the usual routine between the volleyball club's childish pretty boy Toru Oikawa and his strict, dad-like Iwaizumi.
Mizoguchi wiped the sweat off his forehead and walked over helplessly. He silently decided that in a few days, he really needed to lose weight. It was just a short walk, and he was already out of breath.
At this rate, his stomach would end up just like Coach Irihata's.
Before he could finish that thought, Oikawa spotted him from afar and immediately called out.
"Coach Mizoguchi, want to try some?"
Oikawa waved the chicken leg in his hand enthusiastically. Mizoguchi turned his head away and refused. If he kept eating like this, his stomach would only get bigger.
"I'm here to find Iwaizumi."
Iwaizumi was picking out the pieces of fried tofu that hadn't touched the ketchup. Hearing that, he glanced up and stopped.
"What is it?"
Mizoguchi sat down to catch his breath before answering.
"Not me. The coach is looking for you."
Iwaizumi exchanged a confused glance with Oikawa, not sure what was going on. Oikawa, however, knew it was about the interview. He didn't say anything, just grinned and pushed Iwaizumi along.
"Go on, go on. Hurry up, and come back to practice with me later."
Iwaizumi nodded, picked out the last clean piece of tofu, then pushed the ketchup-covered ones toward Oikawa before standing up.
"Let's go, Coach Mizoguchi."
Mizoguchi nodded, not noticing that small action at all. He was already used to Iwaizumi's "dad-like" way of taking care of others.
Oikawa happily ate the tofu Iwaizumi had picked out, his eyes narrowing with satisfaction. Iwaizumi was really great. That beating earlier was worth it.
"Coach, where are we going?"
Mizoguchi rubbed his nose and gave a half-true answer.
"The lounge."
It was indeed the lounge, but what awaited there was another matter.
Iwaizumi nodded and didn't ask further.
When they reached the lounge, Iwaizumi pushed the door open. The moment he saw a room full of reporters, he understood what was going on.
Oikawa and Mizoguchi hadn't said a word and had simply dragged him here. He was still wearing his dusty practice clothes from the morning, his hair messy, and there was ketchup on the hem of his shirt. He looked a bit disheveled.
Iwaizumi glanced awkwardly at the coach behind him, then said to Kuiya,
"Should I go change first, Mr. Anri?"
Kuiya waved his hand.
"No need, this is perfectly fine. No need to go through the trouble."
Kuiya warmly invited him in. A bit of dirt on his clothes didn't matter. It made him look more real. When the program aired, people would see this and appreciate their dedication.
Iwaizumi nodded helplessly and sat down.
Kuiya sat across from him and started with some casual questions.
"Iwaizumi, were you training before coming here?"
Iwaizumi simply nodded. There was no need to mention grabbing food with Oikawa afterward.
"It really looks tough. As far as I know, you and Oikawa-kun are the captain and vice-captain. What is it like managing the team? Do you think you can lead Aobajosai well?"
Kuiya spoke at length. Iwaizumi might not be as sharp as Oikawa, but he was definitely not someone like Kindaichi. He knew how to handle this kind of question.
"Aobajosai is a good team. It's not too difficult to manage. Everyone is motivated. Our results at the Inter High this year weren't ideal, so Oikawa and I have already discussed adjusting the training plan.
It's not that we are leading Aobajosai. The team chose us. The initiative still lies with everyone. But I believe Aobajosai will keep getting stronger."
It was a very official answer, but it also subtly elevated Aobajosai. Even Kuiya had to admire his response.
He followed up with another question.
"What do you think about your ranking in this tournament?"
This was the real question. Kuiya wanted a genuine answer, not a polite one. But he also knew that telling the truth could offend people.
Iwaizumi fell silent for a moment. His emotions were complicated. Even though he had already beaten Oikawa earlier to snap him out of it, his own feelings of guilt and frustration remained.
"Shiratorizawa is strong. We've known that from the beginning. Every time we play them, whether it's a practice match or an official game, we feel like if we just try a little harder, maybe we can change things.
But every time, we lose. Especially Oikawa. He's been facing Shiratorizawa since middle school. For five years, every match has carried that weight of self-blame. It's become something he can't let go of."
"For people who don't understand volleyball, our result might not matter. Everyone only remembers first place. Who remembers second?
But for us, second place means Aobajosai hasn't been left behind by Shiratorizawa. We still have a chance. Even if it's second place, it can only be Aobajosai's."
Iwaizumi's gaze was fierce, his tone firm. He truly believed what he was saying.
There was sadness, of course. Not being able to beat Shiratorizawa felt like something he couldn't change, just like not being able to grow taller. It was frustrating, but also something he still hoped to overcome.
He felt he had let everyone down. If his judgment on the final ball had been just a bit faster, maybe things would have turned out differently.
"Alright."
Kuiya noticed his mood dropping and interrupted gently with the final question.
"What would you like to say to everyone at Aobajosai?"
Iwaizumi smiled, looking a bit shy. People with strong personalities often feel more embarrassed in moments like this. As he answered, his gaze softened noticeably.
"Thank you for staying with me all this time. Whether we win or lose, as long as we're on the same side of the net, the chances are on our side."
He opened his mouth, but the rest of his words didn't come out.
He wanted to say that they weren't actually that annoying, that he cared about every single one of them, that graduation was coming soon.
But he couldn't say it. Partly because there was still time left, and partly because it felt too embarrassing. He thought that maybe when that moment really came, when everyone was crying together, those words wouldn't feel so out of place.
Kuiya nodded and didn't press further. Some things weren't meant to be said in a setting like this.
Iwaizumi gave a quick nod and left.
After he left, Kuiya and Irihata discussed the remaining interviews, Hanamaki and Matsukawa. After that, they would head to Karasuno.
"Oh? Karasuno?"
Irihata straightened up, unconsciously recalling that boy who shone like the sun. The determination in his eyes, and that refusal to accept defeat. That boy would go far.
"Karasuno is good… very good."
Irihata had always trusted his own judgment.
Kuiya didn't quite understand why Irihata rated Karasuno so highly, but he still laughed awkwardly and nodded.
However, on the way to the next interview, after watching the recording of the match between Karasuno and Aobajosai, Kuiya found himself deeply drawn to that school as well.
...
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