The sky outside had long since fallen into complete darkness, and the students had already left the school one after another.
"Heading home! Let's head out!!"
"Everyone, let's clean up!"
Daichi's voice rang out.
"It's been getting chilly lately!"
"The forecast says it's going to rain tomorrow—so bring an umbrella and dress warmly!"
"Otherwise, if you catch a cold, you're not allowed to come to practice!"
"Uh-uh…"
"Did you forget, Daichi?"
Kōshi Sugawara's voice came from behind:
"Tomorrow's Saturday. The school's doing some minor repairs to the gym!"
"So we can't come in for training!"
"Huh?"
Daichi scratched his head sheepishly. Thinking back carefully, he did vaguely remember something like that.
"Haha! That's right…"
"I forgot about this before… the 19th?"
Ever since they returned from winning the Inter-High, it was clear that the school had started paying much more attention to the volleyball club.
To support their training, the school was now carrying out renovations and improving some of the gym facilities.
After all, so many teams had participated in the Karasuno Training Camp recently!
Even just for the sake of appearances, the school wanted to spruce up the gym a little.
"Haha! I think Captain Daichi is just too focused!"
Yū Nishinoya laughed from behind.
"Especially with the Spring Tournament qualifiers coming up!"
"Exactly!"
"It's next week!"
Shōyō Hinata, who was mopping the floor, added excitedly:
"We haven't had an official match in over a month!"
"I'm so pumped for it!"
But then, as if he suddenly remembered something, his face fell.
"Although… our first match is against Yūdai Hyakuzawa…"
"Just thinking about it kind of…"
"You're not scared, are you?"
Tobio Kageyama, who had just finished putting away the net, chuckled and looked over at him.
"Just his height alone is freaking you out?"
"Yes!"
Hinata groaned dramatically.
"Yes…"
"I…"
"Hmph."
"Instead of making that face, why not think of that guy from Kamomedai?"
At Kageyama's words, Hinata froze.
"You mean…"
"Hoshiumi-senpai?"
"Yeah!"
"Do you think when Hoshiumi faces a two-meter-tall opponent, he gets like you?"
"I…"
Hinata rubbed his chin.
"Now that you mention it…"
"If it were Hoshiumi-senpai, he'd probably flash that excited grin of his!"
"He's only 169 cm. Beating someone two meters tall would be a huge challenge!"
"So…"
"He'd definitely jump at the chance to go up against someone like that…"
"I get it now!!"
Hinata clenched his fists, face lighting up with determination.
"I'm not gonna lose to him!"
"Yeah! Let's go! Aaaaahhh—!!"
Without warning, he shoved the mop away and started dashing wildly around the gym, yelling at the top of his lungs!!
"Uhhh…"
Everyone else exchanged glances and wiped cold sweat from their brows.
"Looks like… maybe firing him up too much isn't such a good idea after all…"
...
Tick, tick…
A light rain pattered outside the window, tapping against the glass and splashing into tiny rings.
Inside the house, Akira rested his chin in his hand, staring out the window in mild boredom.
It was Saturday, and no one had training today.
He had originally planned to head to the Miyagi Prefectural Gymnasium to play some pickup games with others.
But when he woke up, a light drizzle was already falling outside.
And just like that, as laziness crept in, he decided to scrap the plan entirely.
After a quick breakfast, he went through a few indoor exercises half-heartedly… then crawled back into bed.
"Sigh! So boring!"
"Maybe I should…"
"Ask Kiyoko to come over and play a few rounds together?"
Scratching his head, Akira picked up his phone and started composing a message.
But just as he finished typing and was about to hit send, the front gate creaked open.
Even with lightning-fast reflexes, he had already pressed the "send" button.
Outside the window, Kiyoko Shimizu walked in under a plain umbrella, slowly making her way through the yard.
Akira's eyes lit up instantly. He sprang from his bed and hurried outside.
But just as he reached the door, he heard Kiyoko's startled voice.
"What's wrong, Kiyoko?"
Akira rushed out.
"It's Kuroka!"
When she saw him come out, Kiyoko stepped under the eaves, pointing to the steps.
"Kuroka and her kitten!"
Akira looked in the direction she was pointing—sure enough!
The two calico cats that had mysteriously shown up in his yard the other day were now curled up under the eaves, sheltering from the rain.
But when they realized they'd been spotted, they didn't panic at all!
The little kitten even ran straight to Akira and tried climbing up his leg!
"Uh…"
Startled, Akira quickly picked up the kitten and placed it back beside its mother.
"Haha! Looks like the two of them are still fond of you!"
Kiyoko closed her umbrella and leaned it aside, stepping up next to Akira.
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1st Bonus Chapter - 400 Power Stones
2nd Bonus Chapter - 800 Power Stones
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