"The training camp is officially over. You've all worked hard, practising in an unfamiliar enviro with teammates you've never pyed with before."

  "You were handpicked by our coag staff from all over the try—each of you among the best in your respective regions. I hope you approach the training here as something distinct from what you do with your own teams."

  "If you push each other to grow during this time, that would be ideal. Regardless, tio work hard and strive for improvement moving forward."

  "Yes!"

  With that, the five-day National Youth Strengthening Camp came to a close.

  The diverse group of volleyball pyers, each with their own unique personality and skills, would now return to their schools and teams.

  However, it wouldn't be long before most of them reunited—Spring Nationals was now less than a month away.

  "Taichi, see you at Spring High!" Komori Motoya called out cheerfully, dragging Sakusa Kiyoomi along as he made his way over to Kaedehara Taichi.

  "Of course, Komori-senpai."

  "Taichi, don't go getting eliminated before you eve a ce to face me." Hoshiumi Kōrai, as always, tilted his up slightly with an air of fidence.

  "Don't worry, Hoshiumi-senpai. But if I remember correctly, both Kamomedai and Aoba Johsai got knocked out in the quarterfinals st year." Taichi mimicked his posture, tilting his head back just enough to gnce down at him from an angle.

  "Hmph—" Hoshiumi turned sharply on his heel, leaving behind only his retreating figure. Damn kid, he actually remembered that so clearly...

  "Taichi, try not to run into us too early this time, or you'll be going home just as early as st year." Miya Atsumu grinned. "And Tobio, if you get the ce, take down Taichi and e see what it's like at Nationals."

  "I will." Kageyama Tobio's response was firm and unwavering.

  Taichi gnced sideways at him in exasperation. This guy…If he keeps talking like that, I might just leave him behind.

  As for Atsumu's challeaichi didn't take offence. Losing to Inarizaki st time was an undeniable fact. But this time…

  "I'd actually love to face you as early as possible, Miya-senpai." Taichi's eyes narrowed slightly.

  Standiween them, Kageyama gnced left and right, suddenly unsure which of them was more fox-like.

  -----

  [Mid-December]

  Dawn had just broken, and the m mist had yet to fully dissipate. Kaedehara Taichi buried his nose deeper into the scarf ed snugly around his neck as he jogged toward school.

  Winter ms were brutal. Even though the cold air had chased away any lingering drowsiness, he still wished he could have stayed in bed just a little longer.

  But sleep wait until after Spring High. Taichi ched his fists slightly. I refuse to experience defeat again.

  By the time he reached the gym, he noticed something unusual—the doors were already open.

  That's odd. I'm usually the first one here…Who would e this early in this freeziher?

  "Good m!" Taichi called out as he stepped inside.

  "Oh, Taichi! You're as early as ever." Iwaizumi Hajime greeted him eically.

  Beside him, however, was a different sight entirely—Oikawa Tōru, ed up tightly in his sports jacket like a burrito, looking half-asleep.

  "Iwa-, I told you there was o e this early!" Oikawa yawned. "And see? Only one person has shown up so far!"

  "Dumbass Oikawa! You're still the team captain—act like it!" Iwaizumi shouted before ung a well-pced kick.

  Taichi, having developed a high tolerance for their antics, automatically tuned out Oikawa's yelp of pain. Instead, he turo Iwaizumi with a questioning look.

  "Um…Iwaizumi-senpai, is there something special happening today?"

  "Hm?" Iwaizumi gave him a puzzled look before realization dawned on him. He suddenly turoward Oikawa, grabbing him by the colr.

  "Oi, Bakakawa…Don't tell me you fot to inform everyone?"

  Seeing the dark aura fring up behind Iwaizumi, Oikawa instantly snapped awake, the cold vanishing from his body.

  "Eh-heh~!" He pulled an exaggeratedly i expression, hoping to weasel his way out of it.

  "YOU—!"

  With a loud THWAbsp;Iwaizumi smashed his forehead directly into Oikawa's face.

  Oikawa Tōru: Deceased. [T/N - R.I.P]

  —

  Last week, their team manager, Mizoguchi, informed Iwaizumi and Oikawa that a group of middle school students from the area would be visiting to observe their practice today.

  Since Iwaizumi had been occupied with a career selling session at the time, the responsibility of inf the team had fallen to Oikawa. Which, as a captain, was his job to begin with! But just in case, they had double-checked with Iwaizumi as a backup.

  A…

  "This isn't a big deal," Taichi said after hearing the expnation. "We're just practising as usual, right?"

  "Yeah, but…I have a bad feeling about this." Iwaizumi frowned.

  Show-offs, drama kings, loudmouths—and Kyōtaarō.

  Hopefully, they wouldn't end up sg the middle schoolers away.

  —

  As eight o'clock approached, the team gradually trickled into the gym.

  "Alright, listen up!" Iwaizumi cpped his hands together, addressing everyone. "Even though we have middle schoolers visiting today, don't get distracted. Just practice as usual—don't try to act cool or show off. The tour is ing up soon, so don't let your focus slip. Uood?"

  "Yes!"

  Their response was loud and firm, but Iwaizumi still had a nagging sense of unease.

  "Kyōtani, don't make your expression so scary."

  "…Got it." Kyōtaarō answered, looking surprisingly obedient.

  "Kunimi, at least pretend to be a little more motivated."

  "…Okay." Kunimi Akira's reply was deliberately sluggish.

  Looking around at his teammates, who were all brimming with energy in different ways, Iwaizumi sighed. This better not turn into a disaster.

  Meanwhile, Oikawa—the actual team captain—was pletely at ease, casually chatting with the team's managers.

  A vein pulsed on Iwaizumi's temple.

  THWACK!

  A volleyball smacked directly into Oikawa's head.

  "Oi! What was that for, Iwa-?!" Oikawa whined, rubbing his forehead.

  "Oh, nothing." Iwaizumi dusted off his hands nontly. "My hand slipped."

  Taichi gave them a long, thoughtful look.

  …Is it possible that the scariest one here is actually Iwaizumi-senpai?

  -----

  Time passed.

  Initially, everyo gng toward the entrance, w when the middle schoolers would arrive. But at some point, whether due to their natural focus or just pin fetfulness, they gradually became absorbed iraining.

  Practice tinued as usual, with the main pyers running drills and exeg pys.

  Then, from the gym entrance, a youthful, eic voice rang out—

  "Excuse us!"

  A group of unfamiliar faces stepped inside.

  The middle school students had finally arrived. They were all dressed ly in matg Western-style uniforms, apanied by a teacher from Aoba Johsai.

  The gym, bustling with activity just moments ago, suddenly felt a little different.

  "Oh, quite a lot of them came this year." Hanamaki Takahiro remarked with i.

  Though this wasn't the first time he had seen such a se, each year brought a different feeling. Some of these fresh faces would eventually join Aoba Johsai, but by then, he and his teammates would have already graduated…

  Kindaichi Yūtarō and Yahaba Shigeru kept staring curiously at the group of middle schoolers, making it hard to tell which side was actually here for the visit.

  Cp, cp, cp.

  Iwaizumi Hajime cpped his hands, drawing the attention of the team. "Focus on practice!"

  "Yes!"

  The pyers withdrew their gazes and resumed training.

  "Such presence! Is he the captain?"

  "That's amazing, leading a team like this!"

  The middle school students watched the team's practice with growiement.

  Seeing the differen iy and atmosphere pared to their own school teams, they were pletely captivated.

  Notig how all the middle schoolers' attention was drawn to Iwaizumi, Oikawa Tōru was visibly displeased.

  "Why is Iwa- so popur with guys?! I thought we weren't supposed to be showing off!"

  Boom!

  A sharp cross-court spike thundered across the court.

  The loud impact startled the middle schoolers, making them turn toward the source—Kyōtaarō. Despite not being much taller than them, he packed an incredible amount of power.

  "Yussh!!" Kyōtani roared, his eyes burning with iy.

  "Whoa…" Some middle schoolers eve out startled yelps at his aggressive demeanour.

  "Oi, Kyōtani! I told you not to scare them!" Iwaizumi scolded.

  "I wasn't." Kyōtani averted his gaze awkwardly.

  "Don't mind him. Just think of it as being bitten by a mosquito and fet about it," Yahaba said kindly.

  "I DIDN'T BITE THEM!" Kyōtani snapped.

  "Damn it, even the Mad Dog is stealing the spotlight!" Oikawa turo Kaedehara Taichi.

  "Let's go, Taichi! Our turn now!"

  Kaedehara Taichi pulled his attention away from the middle schoolers. He was more ied in figuring out which of them might bee his juniors iure.

  Aoba Johsai had won the prefectural championship two times in a row now—surely not all the talented pyers will be hogged by Shiratorizawa this time.

  Kitagawa Daiichi, Minami Third, Sendai Gakuen…The middle school teams visiting today seemed to have promising pyers.

  Yes, it was time to put on a show.

  Meeting Oikawa's gaze, Taichi gave a slight nod. The sed, he suddenly sprioward the .

  The middle schoolers' eyes were instantly locked onto him.

  He's fast! And he jumps so high!

  But what was he doing? They hadn't evehe ball yet—

  In the instant, the ball seemingly materialized right in front of Taichi.

  !?!?!

  Where did that e from?! Who set that?!

  A particur boy among the middle schoolers suddenly had a gleam in his eyes.

  That set was high!

  Oher side of the , Kindaichi Yūtarō was already rising for the block.

  BAM!

  Taichi adjusted mid-air, avoiding the blod spiking the ball down.

  Smack!

  Kunimi Akira was already positioned behind Kindaichi, smoothly digging the ball.

  "You're not the only one who's been improving, Taichi."

  "Whoa!!!"

  "He actually received that?!"

  "That was insane!!!"

  The force of the spike sent the ball rebounding high into the air.

  Taichi had already retreated to the backrow, readying his approach.

  At the same time, Oikawa jumped at the ipping the ball with one hand toward the side.

  ???

  The middle schoolers were bewildered by the move. Why set it so high?

  Boom!

  Taichi soared into the air. For the first time, these middle schoolers sayer's form up close—perfectly trolled, graceful, yet explosively powerful.

  "He looks like he's flying…"

  Among the croarticurly tall boy—nearly 190 cm already—stared up in awe.

  SMASH!

  A super overhand spike!

  The big blocker from before was utterly iive against him.

  BANG!

  The ball pouhe court with a deafening impact.

  The sound was a couple of notches more powerful than that fierce-looking guy from earlier!

  Taided smoothly, fshing a bright, fident smile. With his strikiures, the bination was nothing short of overwhelming for the middle schoolers.

  "Wele to Aoba Johsai."

  His voice was warm and inviting, yet carried an undeniable authority.

  "Let's stand together at the top of the nation."

  _________

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