In Japan, the period around May 1st is also referred to as 'Golden Week'. From April 29th's Showa Day to May 5th's Children's Day, people get a week-long break to rest and recharge. This is also a famous period in Rom- anime where the male-lead triggers various 'events' to get close to the female-lead.

  Even though Taichi siders himself the main character of this world, sadly he didn't have such fortune.

  Alternatively, this period is also famous for hosting summer camp-ar Shounen-anime.

  After their practice match with Shiratorizawa, Coach Irihata gave the team a day off. The respite was mueeded, as the gruelling five-day training camp—a staple for sports clubs—was set to follow immediately.

  For Kentarō Kyōtani, this camp marked the final ce to ie fully with the team if he wanted a spot ier-High lineup.

  That's why Coach Irihata pressed Tōru Oikawa to make a decision quickly. Time was tight, and any ges o start "now."

  "Not having to adjust my schedule feels amazing!" Taichi Kaedehara stretched out zily in his small house's garden after breakfast.

  Taichi hadn't had the eet his parents in this life. From what he could recall, they were often away for work.

  During middle school, he had lived with his grandmother in the tryside.

  After being accepted into Aoba Johsai High, his parents rented him a small house with a yard he school. Judging by the generous allowahey sent monthly, they were likely well-off.

  This carefree, worry-free lifestyle suited Taichi perfectly. He had little i in dealing with plicated family dynamics or the expectations of adults.

  For now, all his focus was on volleyball.

  "Taichi!" A familiar voice called from outside the gate. It was Tōru Oikawa.

  After discussing their pns st night, they had agreed to meet Coach Irihata this m. Ohey secured his approval, they'd immediately set out t Kentarō Kyōtani back to the team.

  Naturally, the ones assigo this task were the ever-determined captain, Oikawa, and Taichi, who had volunteered to tag along purely for the excitement.

  Though he was sulking for quite a while when both the coad the captain rebuked him for wanting t a tub-of-pop along.

  Near a venieore close to Aoba Johsai High, a blond-haired boy with a buzz cut stood out. His distinctive bck streaks at the sides of his hair gave him the air of a deli.

  This was her thaarō Kyōtani, a sed-year member of the Aoba Johsai volleyball team.

  With a bag of fried chi—the kind he loved from FamilyMart—Kyōtani casually walked toward the local town gymnasium. Yet, he couldn't help but feel flicted tely. Lawson's new "Fried Chi-Kun" had been giving his favourite chi some serious petition.

  For various reasons, Kyōtani hadn't participated in club activities for a while. Not that it mattered to him; he found the team atmosphere frustrating. The endless rules and iions with teammates felt stifling.

  Instead, he spent his time at the town gym, pying volleyball with a group of older men. While he khey weren't particurly fond of him, as long as he could enjoy volleyball to his heart's tent, nothing else mattered.

  As soon as he stepped into the gym, a familiar and irritating voice reached his ears.

  "Yo, Mad Dog-!" said a grinning, sharp-featured young man.

  Findiarō Kyōtani turned out to be surprisingly easy—or perhaps it was just that his habits were predictable. Taichi Kaedehara and Tōru Oikawa asked around at the sports facilities near Aoba Johsai, and by the third location, they had his whereabouts.

  "Stop calling me weird names. Also, we're not close," Kyōtani snapped, brushing past Oikawa to set down his bag.

  "Oh? Is that so?" Oikalied, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

  [Kentarō Kyōtani. Overall stats: 87, Height: 178 cm, Strength: 90, Jump: 88, Stamina: 83, Speed: 86, Specialty: Spikes—88]

  Taioted silently, reading off Kyōtani's system-given attributes.

  As expected, he was an offensive powerhouse. Stat-wise, his 87 was sed only to Oikawa within Aoba Johsai.

  Ign the two entirely, Kyōtani greeted one of the older men in the gym before joining a team for a match.

  The game began almost immediately.

  "Wait, aren't we here to vince Mad Dog-senpai to rejoieam? And that's all yoing to say to him?" Taichi Kaedehara asked as he stood on the sidelines with Tōru Oikawa, watg the match begin.

  "We're not there yet. I o see how his skills are right now," Oikalied, gng at Taichi.

  It was hard to gauge Taichi's level of politeness. On one hand, he casually called someone he had just met 'Mad Dog'. Oher hand, he still remembered to add 'senpai' at the end.

  "Hello there. I'm Nobu Shimizu, sort of a regur at this gym. Are you students from Aoba Johsai?" An older man approached and struck up a versation with Oikawa.

  "Ah, hello, Shimizu-san! Yes, we're from Aoba Johsai's volleyball team. We're friends of Kyōtani," Oikawa responded with his usual charisma.

  Shimizu felt a twinge of disappoi at being called "Shimizu-san" instead of his usual niame, 'Shimizu-aniki', used by the gym's regurs.

  Still, the mention of Aoba Johsai and their cim of being Kyōtani's friends piqued his i.

  "When Kyōtani first showed up here, he had this 'don't e near me' vibe, and his fierce expression didn't help. Thankfully, we're all adults here, so no one really bothered him about it.

  "He said all he needed ce where he could practice freely. Some people found it odd—why wouldn't a high schooler just join his school's club?

  "But soon enough, it became clear. Someone as hot-headed as him? He's ly built for teamwork."

  Shimizu sighed and tinued, "Not many people here like him because of his personality, but his skills are undeniable. We're always short on pyers, so I often invite him to join our matches."

  After a pause, Shimizu added with a wistful expression, "Holy, he reminds me of my younger self. That's probably why I'm a bit biased toward him. But Kyōtani is strong. Take him back to your team—he'll be a real asset."

  Bang!

  Kyōtani smmed the ball with a powerful spike, earning his team another point. With him on their side, their offerength was on a whole other level. The score was now 5-8, and his team was leading.

  "Mind if we join in for a bit?" Oikawa suddenly called out to the pyers on the court, pletely ign Shimizu's remarks.

  The pyers paused, gng at Shimizu for firmation.

  "They're from Aoba Johsai's volleyball team. Let them have a try," Shimizu oward the pyers, giving his approval.

  "Thanks! I'm a setter, and he's a middle blocker," Oikawa said, motioning to Taichi as the two of them sed pces with the pyers on the court.

  Across the , Kyōtani gred at Oikawa with his trademark ferocity. It was clear he didn't trust Oikawa's iions.

  "Oikawa, stop interfering with my game!" Kyōtani growled.

  "Here's the deal, Mad Dog-. If you score a point against us, we'll leave the court. How does that sound?" Oikawa taunted, his smirk as infuriating as ever. "How fast we leave depends on how fast you score. Oh, and by the way, this is Taichi Kaedehara, a first-year rookie."

  Taichi gave a polite nod toward Kyōtani. "o meet you, Mad Dog-senpai."

  The vein on Kyōtani's temple visibly twitched. These two—he already hated them both!

  _________

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