"Bang!"
The powerful biceps on Bokuto's arm bulged, the muscles standing out in a clean, impressive shape. His palm struck the volleyball, and in an instant, the ball shot out like a cannonball, carrying a faint echo with it.
Tomohiro Yamamoto's eyes widened. Interesting. A ball like that had to be at least 126 km/h. High schoolers these days were all monsters.
Yamamoto took a few steps back and studied the ball carefully. Then his left foot moved, and his right foot followed. He was choosing what he believed was the best receiving point.
The ball came whistling through the air, flashing toward him like lightning with a sharp "whoosh."
Yamamoto's receiving posture was already set. Underhand receive!
"Bang!" The ball smashed into the bend of Yamamoto's arms and rebounded away.
"Tsk." Yamamoto was a little frustrated. That ball had gone far beyond his expectations. It was too fast, and he hadn't had time to absorb the force. He had still underestimated him.
"Woohoo!" Bokuto was delighted with that hit and let out a satisfied cheer.
Failing to handle that ball properly did not affect anyone else. The match still had to continue.
On this square court, everyone had gathered to become stronger, setting aside barriers and prejudices. For the same goal, they were all giving everything they had.
"Bang!"
"Beep!"
"Nice ball!"
"Bang!"
"Ran! Nice work!"
"Beep!"
"One ball, change of serve!"
... The gym was filled with the heat and passion of youth.
By around eleven o'clock, the final set also came to an end.
The two teams lined up in front of Nakagaichi and Hibarida, waiting for them to speak.
Ushijima stood at the very front and sighed. He was not especially satisfied with the morning's score. There had been two matches in total, six sets altogether, and the training camp team had only won four of them. A record like that was disgraceful.
Even though everyone had returned to their original positions, they still were not all that familiar with one another. If any school team had come to play them now, they would have been able to go back and forth evenly, because those teams would not need to build chemistry. They already had more efficient, less exhausting ways to score.
The teams over these past two days had all been thrown together temporarily. Their cooperation was still poor, never mind actually defeating the other side. Everyone had done their best.
Nakagaichi stood on the small platform and looked around at everyone. He had watched those two matches from beginning to end without missing a single moment, and the more he watched, the more satisfied he became.
Ushijima might feel that winning only four sets was disgraceful, but Nakagaichi thought it was already very good. In the past, players like them could usually last about one set against the national team at most. But these kids, once they steadied their mindset, could still think about taking a few sets from them.
That was genuinely impressive.
"Everyone who came here was a chosen talent at their original school, the kind of player others held up and praised. But once you arrived here, you became ordinary. I know you definitely aren't happy about that.
"But over these past few days, you've also seen that only by treating all of you as ordinary people can you become stronger.
"Alright. Now let the national team senpai point out a few small issues you have."
Nakagaichi finished his long speech. From that point on, the morning practice matches were over. Next came unified training and mutual guidance.
Ran Takahashi was the first to speak. He was wearing the national team training uniform as he looked over everyone one by one. Among the juniors standing here, in two or three years, a few would surely inherit their positions and represent the country in competition.
He hoped they would not stray onto the wrong path, and he also hoped they would keep getting better.
"There weren't any major problems in the practice matches over these past two days. They were all minor details. Overall, it was still acceptable. The more obvious issue was yesterday afternoon's match. After switching positions, some people couldn't react in time.
"If you couldn't react, then fine. But why did you still handle the ball the old way? What I mean is, if you're clearly a Wing Spiker, then don't play the ball like a Middle Blocker."
Ran Takahashi looked at a few people in the crowd without naming them.
Hirugami and Hoshiumi guiltily looked away, feeling like this senior was talking about them.
"And one more thing!" Shoma Tomita added, leaning over Ran Takahashi's shoulder.
"If you want to blend into a new team, you have to coordinate with everyone and guide them patiently. You can't just insist on doing everything your own way. You have ears on your head, so listen to other people's opinions once in a while."
Shoma Tomita grinned as he looked at Kageyama and Ushijima. Both of them had this problem to some degree. Kageyama's was just especially serious. But anyone who could make it into the training camp was no pushover, and they could all handle passes like that, so they had simply turned a blind eye and said nothing.
As the leader, Ushijima was not only bad with words and quiet, but after arranging the lineup and the team, he also did not know how to explain to everyone how they should coordinate. He could only follow the style he used on his own team and have everyone send the ball to him.
That was why, whether it was yesterday afternoon's team or this morning's, the team Ushijima was on only had him as the sole attack point. If he said he had not done it on purpose, Shoma Tomita would not believe him.
As Shoma Tomita said this, he looked straight at the two of them.
Kageyama nodded stiffly, while Ushijima lowered his head slightly.
"We'll take that to heart."
Bokuto, Hoshiumi, and Ryosuke stood together, chests straight, eyes fixed expectantly on Ran Takahashi. He wanted to hear Ran Takahashi's evaluation of him. He hoped this year's evaluation would be different from last year's. Bokuto also hoped he had improved.
Bokuto's hopeful, burning gaze left Ran Takahashi unable to speak.
He remembered his evaluation of this young ace last year. Chuunibyou and unapproachable. He truly wanted to go back in time and slap his past self hard across the face.
Ran Takahashi coughed twice.
"Kōtarō Bokuto."
"Here!" Bokuto raised his head high after his name was called. He was not afraid of harsh criticism. He was only afraid that he had no room left to grow. Those negative evaluations were the driving force that pushed Bokuto forward.
Of course, Bokuto would sometimes feel down and spiral into a dead end, believing he really was useless. But thankfully, Keiji Akaashi was there to patch up Bokuto's fallen spirits.
Ran Takahashi looked at Bokuto, who wore his sharpness openly and already showed the beginnings of a national ace, and felt both gratified and emotional.
"You're very good. A year has passed, and you've improved a lot. There aren't any major problems now. You can stabilize your mindset, wait for the best timing to attack, and contribute on both offense and defense. Very good. I hope you can achieve a strong result at this year's Inter-High.
"Kōtarō Bokuto! I'll be waiting for you on the national team."
As he said those final words, a smile appeared in Ran Takahashi's eyes.
Under that gaze, Kōtarō Bokuto broke into a bright grin.
"I definitely will!"
It was a promise. To Kōtarō Bokuto, receiving Ran Takahashi's recognition meant more than any award.
Tomohiro Yamamoto stepped forward then. As a Libero, he naturally had valuable advice to offer the other Liberos.
"I'm a Libero. Unfortunately, I didn't start playing volleyball when I was young, which is why I've only made it this far. But I'm also lucky. I had enough talent to reach this point.
"But you're different. After watching you play these past two days, I can say you're all excellent kids. Your receiving awareness is top notch, your reflexes are outstanding, and your physical conditioning is first class.
"If there's one problem, it's that when the ball comes toward you, you're not decisive enough! Don't hesitate! Receive the ball. It's fine if you fail. Only by failing can you understand why you failed.
"Be more decisive! Liberos! Don't be indecisive."
Tomohiro Yamamoto's voice was so loud that even the people in the back row could hear him clearly. The few Liberos present all looked up at him with admiration in their eyes.
"One last thing, Ryosuke. I sincerely hope you'll take the Libero position in the future. I hope I can see you on the national team while I'm still active."
Yamamoto had only learned that morning that Ryosuke played as a Middle Blocker. Having such a promising player as a Middle Blocker was a waste of that speed and dynamic vision. Of course, compared to Komori and Yaku, Ryosuke still felt a little raw.
But Ryosuke's greatest strength was his mental fortitude. Whether things were going smoothly or not, his composure remained as calm as still water. Someone like that was born to be a Libero.
Ryosuke froze when he was singled out, momentarily at a loss. Shouldn't he be saying this to the seniors? Why was he saying it to me? Am I really that good?!
Ryosuke, who was usually so sharp, was unusually bewildered in that moment.
Hoshiumi chuckled. It was the first time he had ever seen such confusion on Ryosuke's face. He nudged Ryosuke with his arm and whispered,
"Say something. The senior is still waiting for your answer."
Only then did Ryosuke snap back to himself. His face flushed bright red as he stammered,
"I... I'll definitely work hard! I won't let you down!"
"Great! Then I'll be waiting for you!"
Tomohiro Yamamoto made his final decision. He would not retire. He would stay on the national team and wait for this kid to grow up and carry on his legacy.
Nakagaichi and Hosho had slipped into a corner at some point, choosing not to interrupt the conversation between the young players.
Motoki Eiro walked over to Atsumu Miya and Kageyama, sizing up the two young men. There was no doubt that both of them were unique geniuses, but he did not know what the future had in store for them. He hoped these two would become rivals.
If they became teammates, one of them would inevitably end up as a substitute. With talent like theirs, he could not bear to see either of them sitting on the bench.
Their styles were like two extremes. There was no way they could peacefully coexist on the same team.
"You're both very good. Kageyama, try listening to other people's opinions once in a while. Give someone two minutes, and you might hear some useful advice. That's a good thing. People need to communicate with one another. If you don't speak, no one will know what you're thinking."
Kageyama blushed faintly and nodded stiffly. He would definitely change! The senior had told him to listen more to everyone's opinions. Once he got back to school, he would properly discuss things with the team.
Under Atsumu Miya's expectant gaze, Motoki Eiro spoke at a measured pace.
"As for Atsumu Miya, you really are a genius. In every aspect, you're close to flawless. You just need to stabilize your mindset a little more. Your mindset may not affect others, but it will affect you."
Atsumu Miya nodded. Getting even a word or two of guidance from the national team's Setter was a good thing.
Everyone gathered together to discuss their own shortcomings. It was as if they had pulled away the last scraps of cover hiding their weaknesses, then started analyzing them carefully from the very beginning.
Many of them nodded again and again, taking the seniors' advice to heart. Once they returned to school, they planned to start correcting those small mistakes one by one.
The training camp was filled with lively discussion. ... Back in Miyagi, everyone began packing their bags and saying their goodbyes. The Golden Training Camp had come to an end, and everyone returned home with plenty gained.
At that moment, Hinata was sitting in his dorm room, staring at the bed covered with snacks and the wrist guards gifted to him by his seniors, feeling a little overwhelmed.
The Shiratorizawa crew... they really were too generous. He had arrived with only a backpack, but now he was going home with bags and packages. The seniors' affection was truly a heavy burden.
"Hinata, are you ready?" A head popped in through the doorway, looking like an Angry Bird from a video game. It was Koganegawa.
Ever since people found out that Hinata was staying in Ryosuke's dorm, the news had spread like wildfire. Reon was still confused. He had clearly told everyone not to blab, so how had it gotten out?
In the end, it turned out that the unreliable Tsutomu Goshiki had let it slip. Poor Goshiki received a "loving scolding" from Reon's dad that very night.
News like this spread like wildfire among teenagers. Since then, everyone had loved dropping by Hinata's place whenever they had free time.
At first, everyone had looked down on this ball boy a little. But after getting to know him, their attitude gradually changed.
"This kid is so cute!"
"He works so hard! I'm going to work harder too!"
By now, Hinata's popularity at Shiratorizawa rivaled Ryosuke's. If Ryosuke did not come back soon, his position would be in danger.
Hinata looked at Koganegawa, sighed, and said hesitantly,
"The seniors are just too generous... There's no way I can take all of this home."
Hearing that, Koganegawa leaned in and looked around. When he saw all the snacks piled on the bed, his eyes went blank for a moment before he quickly recovered.
"What's the big deal? I have an empty box I'm not using. I'll go get it for you right now."
"Eh? Wait a second..."
Before Hinata could finish, Koganegawa had already dashed off.
Hinata was still puzzled. Why would Koganegawa have an empty box with him at training camp?
In fact, Koganegawa had brought quite a lot of food with him this time, an entire box full, because he was worried he would not be able to stomach the camp meals. But in the end, all those snacks had been given away. Most of the things on Hinata's bed had actually come from Koganegawa, though he himself was completely unaware of it.
By the time Koganegawa dragged the box over and the two of them huffed and puffed their way through packing everything, it was already close to ten o'clock.
Futakuchi came to find Koganegawa and helped Hinata carry the box. Before leaving, everyone gathered at the gymnasium. Once Coach Washijō finished his closing remarks, the training camp would officially come to an end.
Although Futakuchi looked annoyed, he still carried Hinata's box very carefully. His mouth, however, showed no mercy.
"You came here for a training camp, not a picnic."
Hinata scratched his head sheepishly and mumbled in his own defense,
"These were all gifts from the upperclassmen."
Futakuchi's words caught in his throat. He snorted and said nothing more.
...
...
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