With Sugawara's words, Sawamura Daichi also agreed to participate in this rare practice match. Coach Takeda then gave them more detailed instructions: the match would be held next Wednesday after school, as a single best-of-three practice match.
After school, noticing that Ichinose Guren seemed a little off, Sugawara Koushi approached him proactively.
"What's wrong, MVP underclassman?"
His face wore a bright smile, and his hand landed firmly on Guren's back.
"You're not upset because of Hinata's lucky left-hand spike that touched the net, are you?"
Guren smiled as well.
"As expected of Sugawara-senpai… you can detect even the slightest change in my mood."
"A lucky shot will never bring me down. Besides, a loss is a loss."
"I was just wondering what role you'll take on in the team from now on, Sugawara-senpai."
"Oh?"
Sugawara's slightly surprised face quickly returned to a smile, and he patted Guren's back again.
"You little guy… thinking about things the captain considers, even as a first-year?"
"Truly the kind of person who can lead a team into the national top four."
He stopped patting Guren's back and instead reached up to scratch his ear.
"To be honest, I'm quite clear myself."
"In terms of both stamina and technique, Kageyama is stronger."
"Even after knowing that Kageyama would play as the starting setter, I felt somewhat relieved and relaxed."
"I don't know what my role will be going forward."
"But!"
Sugawara looked at his open hand, then clenched it tightly into a fist. Raising his head, he faced Guren with determination.
"After watching the battles of your two teams, I understood one thing."
"I want to play volleyball with you guys!"
"Even as a substitute, even if I don't get court time, I want to see this great Karasuno team in action! I want to be part of it!"
Guren didn't expect that the steadfast and gentle Sugawara would open up to him so quickly, sharing his deepest thoughts after just a few words.
From a distance, Kageyama, who had been preventing Hinata and others from interrupting, quietly thought to himself:
"The trust Sugawara has from the team… as a first-year, I could never replace that."
But in the next instant, Kageyama sprinted forward.
"I won't lose to you!"
"Since when…?"
Guren and Sugawara looked at Kageyama, suddenly appearing out of nowhere, and were momentarily stunned. But Sugawara quickly reacted.
"I thought you wouldn't even consider me."
"But since you've declared it, I won't back down easily either!"
Though still called a prodigy, Kageyama's understanding of team dynamics was just beginning. His gaze met that of Sugawara, the stable, ordinary third-year setter, the "mom" of Karasuno volleyball. Between them, the spark of teammate-and-rival shone brightly.
Clack.
The door of the small shop swung open. Sawamura Daichi stepped out carrying several bags of meat buns, breaking the tension. Other players from a distance also began to gather.
"Oh!"
"Healthy competition!"
"Everyone, do your best!"
"These are for Sugawara, these are for Kageyama, and these are for Guren."
After distributing the meat buns, Daichi patted his wallet, feeling a little sore. Guren took out his phone and sent a message to Ayasaki Hayato:
Guren: Sorry to bother you, Ayasaki-san. If it's convenient, could you help Karasuno set up a sports foundation?
Hayato responded instantly.
Ayasaki: Sure. I'll start preparing it right away.
After finishing their meat buns and exchanging greetings, the players gradually left for home. Guren, Kageyama, and Sugawara, the three with a solid sense of game awareness and deep appreciation for volleyball, remained behind at Daichi's insistence.
After greeting the small shop owner, Sugawara was the first to speak.
"Oh~ oh~"
"I remember your first official match. Daichi, Tanaka, and I were all there!"
Hearing this, Kageyama tensed, a wave of unease sweeping over him. His face, incapable of hiding emotions, clearly reflected his thoughts:
"Back then, he had conflicts with teammates… There's no way the third-years will bench me after the Aoba Johsai practice match, right?"
"Relax, relax. I have no intention of putting you on the bench for something like that."
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Completed version available on Patreon.com/Veltoria