With the end of Hinata's training, a similar scene unfolded at the National Sports Center, where Akira and Kageyama had been staying.
"Goodbye, everyone!"
"Take care!"
Backpacks slung over their shoulders, the athletes gradually walked out of the towering facility behind them.
"See you at Spring High!"
Akira smiled and waved goodbye to Atsumu Miya, Kōrai Hoshiumi, and the others nearby.
"See you at Spring High!"
…
The National Youth Intensive Training Camp truly lived up to its name—it was the kind of experience many dreamed of.
Even though everyone here was already among the top players in the country, this short yet intense camp had helped them grow even more.
"Ahh, I envy you guys!"
"You actually made it to Spring High!"
Next to Akira and Kageyama stood Eiyoshi Chikaya of Senran High. They were all heading to the nearest train station together.
Chikaya let out a frustrated sigh.
"We fought so hard, but we still lost in the final round…"
"We didn't qualify for Spring High…"
"You're only in your first year," Kageyama said, trying to comfort him.
"Even if you didn't make it this time, as long as you keep working hard, failure won't stop you."
"Sigh…"
Chikaya exhaled again.
"I hope so…"
…
As the three of them chatted, the tall station building appeared before them.
"Goodbye, you two!"
"I'll be cheering for you at the Spring High Tournament!"
"Take care! Keep working hard too!"
…
With the end of the training camp, there was now less than a month left before the Spring High Volleyball Tournament.
In this short window, all the teams hoping for a strong showing at Spring High had begun their final push.
"Akira! Kageyama!"
"You're back!"
The moment they stepped into the Karasuno gym, Hinata's excited voice rang out.
As he shouted, all eyes turned toward them.
"Whoa! You're finally back!"
"Daichi and I were just talking about you two—we didn't expect you to show up today!"
"Yeah! If we count the days, today's the last day of the Youth Training Camp, right?"
Akira smiled and blinked at Shimizu, who had been quietly watching them from the sidelines, before turning to greet the rest of the team.
"Why does it feel like you two got taller in just a few days?"
"Right?! Especially Akira!"
"Haha! You're imagining things—no way it happened that fast!"
…
While everyone was chatting, the gym door suddenly opened.
"Everyone!"
"I've got good news for you!"
Takeda walked in from outside, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"What good news?"
Everyone immediately turned to him, curiosity piqued.
"We got a training match!"
"Huh?"
At first, everyone blinked in surprise.
Training matches were nothing unusual, so why did Takeda seem so excited this time?
"Takeda-sensei…" Daichi began, but before he could say more, Takeda continued:
"It's a training match—with university players!"
"What?!"
"University players?!"
Everyone's eyes widened as they shouted in unison.
"Seriously?"
"Yes!" Takeda confirmed with a smile. "It's a training match with Tohoku Polytechnic University in Sendai!"
"Tohoku Polytechnic?!"
"That strong?"
"In university volleyball, they're considered upper-mid tier!"
"Yeah!"
…
Watching everyone burst into chatter, Takeda couldn't help but smile proudly.
"Thank you so much, Takeda-sensei!"
Daichi and the others, now fully processing the announcement, bowed deeply in gratitude.
They knew just how difficult it was to secure a training match with a university team.
Other high schools often relied on connections—former students who had graduated and gone on to play at those universities. Through them, schools could set up these kinds of practice games.
But without such connections, arranging a match with a university was extremely difficult.
Karasuno was one such school.
Because of its slump in past years, very few volleyball players had gone on to continue playing in college.
Even fewer had stayed in touch.
Daichi, Sugawara, and the other third-years knew this all too well.
And now, Takeda had managed to arrange a match with a university team?
It was a huge, unexpected surprise.
"Hahaha…"
Seeing everyone's reaction, Takeda waved his hands sheepishly.
"Actually, I didn't do that much!"
"It was mostly thanks to Coach Washijō from Shiratorizawa!"
"You all should really thank him this time!"
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