Morisuke Yaku's arrival broke the awkward stalemate between the two of them.
He had also come to check out the venue today. Originally, he wanted to drag Kuroo and Kenma along, but that lazy Kenma refused to leave the house no matter what, and Kuroo spoiled him too much. In the end, poor Yaku came alone.
He had no idea how many times he cursed those two on the way here. Yaku practically used every swear word he knew. Thankfully, now that he had run into two familiar faces, the awkwardness of walking around alone finally disappeared.
"Hey, Ryosuke, did you miss me?" Yaku said with a grin, hooking his arm around Ryosuke's.
The two of them looked like little kids who hadn't seen each other in ages, linking arms as they caught up.
"I did!"
Ryosuke nodded firmly. It wasn't just Yaku-senpai he missed, but also Kuroo, Kenma, Lev, Fukunaga…
He just didn't say it out loud.
Ushijima stood to the side watching them chat, like a bodyguard.
After quite a while, Yaku rattled off complaints about those heartless Kuroo and Kenma. Only after finishing his long rant did he remember to ask what they were here for.
"Oh right, you guys came to check out the venue too?"
Ushijima saw they had finally remembered the main point and nodded.
"Yes, but we don't know where to enter."
He said it with a completely straight face, not the slightest bit embarrassed.
Ryosuke froze for a moment. On the way here, Hinata had asked him to help pick up a friend who might get lost, so they wouldn't end up wandering the streets of Tokyo.
He clearly remembered patting his chest and promising. Now he felt guilty. Extremely guilty.
After all, he didn't know the way either. How was he supposed to explain that to Hinata? Ryosuke was still thinking hard about how to deal with this problem.
Meanwhile, Yaku burst out laughing. He had thought only that fox from Inarizaki would get lost this year, but who would have guessed that these two from Shiratorizawa, who looked so smart, were also directionally challenged.
He waved his hand confidently.
"Relax, I know this place like the back of my hand. I'll take you there. Living in Tokyo has its perks. Most small tournaments are held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, so I'm very familiar with it."
Ushijima let out a small breath of relief. He had been worried that he and Ryosuke would end up going home empty handed.
Yaku led the way with great confidence, heading straight toward the training venue.
The two followed behind him without worry. In Ryosuke's eyes, Yaku was both a close friend and a very reliable senior.
After about ten minutes, they stopped in front of a very unremarkable small door.
Ushijima and Ryosuke had passed by this place several times earlier. They had even thought it was a restroom. Then Yaku pointed at the small iron door.
"It's here."
The two exchanged doubtful looks. Ushijima remembered it being different the last time he came. Had the location changed?
Perhaps their silence was too obvious. Yaku opened the door while explaining,
"This isn't the main entrance. The main one is by the gym's side entrance. This way is closer. What, you think I'm going to sell you two or something?"
Ryosuke burst into laughter at that, giggling.
"Our Yaku-senpai would never be that heartless."
Ushijima didn't argue. He simply nodded.
Once they stepped inside, the place opened up completely.
Ushijima and Yaku had both been here before, so they weren't too curious. Ryosuke was different. It was his first time here, and everything caught his interest.
The training facility was quite large. Given the size of the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, that was expected. It looked about as big as Shiratorizawa's school field.
There were four court areas with nets. If you looked up carefully, you could see several spike machines hanging from the ceiling. Volleyballs were loaded into them. One would be spiked down, and another would immediately follow. It was extremely convenient and saved the setters a lot of effort. There weren't many setters selected this time either.
Good setter prospects were becoming rarer and rarer.
The facility also had a second floor, which served as a rest area and cafeteria. To prevent the players from eating carelessly, the organizers provided all three meals.
They even called the parents specifically to tell them not to let the kids eat random food. The facility strictly controlled everyone's diet. Overeating or picky eating simply wouldn't be allowed.
This was exactly why Bokuto didn't want to come this year. The place was terrifying when it came to food. If you didn't eat properly, someone would literally follow you around with a bowl until you finished.
Even someone as cheerful as Bokuto had been forced to eat natto for an entire week. When he finally returned to school and tasted the food at Fukurōdani's cafeteria, he cried out loud. From then on, he never complained about the cafeteria food again.
Because of that, Bokuto had practically become the cafeteria's living advertisement. If even Bokuto could be subdued here, then it must be something special.
No one knew what other parents thought, but Coach Washijō and Keigo Atobe were delighted. If they could handle even that noisy owl Bokuto, then dealing with Ryosuke shouldn't be a problem.
As long as the kid would eat, Coach Washijō didn't ask for much. He just hoped Ryosuke's picky eating habits could be fixed.
The second floor wasn't just for resting and eating. There was also a small classroom for first years like Ryosuke, where they were taught international competition rules and basic etiquette.
Looking around now, quite a few people were already inside the training facility. Aside from staff in black uniforms, there were students from other schools walking around, examining the courts.
Someone picked up a volleyball and said excitedly to their friend,
"Wow, this is the kind of ball used in the National Championships. That's amazing."
"Of course. This is the National Youth Team."
Others commented that even the flooring felt different from what they were used to at school.
By the way, the National Youth Team's training uniforms and shoes were all issued uniformly. They were professional grade. The fabric of the uniforms was high end, lightweight, and breathable. Each piece cost at least a few thousand.
The shoes were even more impressive. They were from a well known international brand, a certain Ning brand. The shoes themselves weren't the most expensive part. The insoles were. Volleyball players go through insoles very quickly.
When you add it all up, every inch of space here felt expensive. Tokyo really could dazzle people with its wealth.
Of course, things were not always this well equipped. The facilities used to be decent, but nothing like this. This year, Keigo Atobe personally sponsored everything so his younger brother wouldn't feel uncomfortable. All the money went into improving comfort.
Ryosuke and Ushijima walked around the training facility once. Yaku took the opportunity to slip off to the restroom.
"Ushijima-senpai, how does the training here compare to school?" Ryosuke asked, watching the staff adjusting the equipment.
Ushijima turned back.
"About the same."
"Really?" Ryosuke looked shocked. The National Youth Team's training was the same as school?
Ushijima nodded helplessly. Back when Coach Washijō returned from observing the National Youth Team, he had carefully looked into their training intensity.
Then, over the following year, Coach Washijō gradually and quietly increased the training volume, even pushing it beyond what it had been before.
At first, Ushijima thought it was simply to help Shiratorizawa's future players better adapt to life in the National Youth Team.
Lowering his gaze, Ushijima looked at Ryosuke's completely unaware profile.
But now, it seemed more like Coach Washijō had been paving the way for Ryosuke. Adjusting the training plan, accepting new blood, no longer rejecting more technical spiking styles. Ever since Ryosuke joined Shiratorizawa, Coach Washijō had been making concessions.
Everything was starting to line up.
"Ushijima!"
A voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
Ushijima immediately recognized it. He frowned and looked around instinctively. Why was he running into acquaintances everywhere today?
Kiryū smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head as he greeted Ushijima.
Ryosuke noticed as well. He turned and saw Kiryū from the Tokyo training camp, immediately greeting him politely.
"Kiryū-senpai."
Kiryū paused for a moment when he saw Ryosuke, then broke into a grin.
"Oh, you're that middle blocker who shut me down one on one last time. Ryosuke, right? Just call me Waka-senpai."
Ryosuke nodded with a smile. Kiryū-senpai really did not care about saving face. Getting blocked one on one by an unknown first year would sound embarrassing no matter how you put it.
"I remember you're only a first year. That's seriously impressive."
Ushijima lifted his chin slightly at that. Of course. Did he think Shiratorizawa trained just anyone?
Ryosuke shrank back behind Ushijima, looking a little shy. Completely different from the fierce presence he showed during matches. If Kiryū did not know better, he might have thought Ryosuke was just a soft little kitten.
Noticing this, Ushijima stepped forward slightly, blocking him. In his eyes, anyone trying to strike up a conversation or get closer to Ryosuke was trouble. None of them were allowed near him.
"Anyway, you're here to check out the venue too? Nekoma's Yaku is here as well. We can grab a meal together later."
Kiryū nodded.
"I'm fine with that."
The next second, an overly energetic voice rang out. The kind that could only belong to Fukurōdani's signature personality.
"Hey hey hey! Ushijima! Waka! Ryosuke!"
Ushijima frowned even deeper. Was this ever going to end. Another one?
Kiryū and Ryosuke both turned around and saw Bokuto charging over, full of energy as always. Behind him was Akaashi, looking helpless as he muttered,
"Bokuto-senpai, slow down. You're going to bump into someone."
"Bokuto-senpai!"
Ryosuke's eyes lit up instantly.
If there was anyone Ryosuke enjoyed being around most during the Tokyo camp, it was definitely Bokuto. A senior who could go wild and have fun with him. No matter how outrageous Ryosuke's ideas were, Bokuto would seriously consider them.
Someone so sincere and full of passion felt completely different from Hinata.
Hinata was like a warm little sun. Bokuto was a star on the court and an owl off it, living in his own unique little universe.
"Oh ho!"
Bokuto rushed forward, grabbed Ryosuke under the arms, and lifted him up, spinning him around several times.
Ushijima's brow twitched.
Akaashi's face changed instantly. Bokuto-senpai was being way too reckless.
"Bokuto-senpai, put him down! He's not Konoha-senpai or Haruki. Ryosuke is going to get dizzy like that!"
Ryosuke's mouth fell open in surprise, his eyes wide. This was his first time being lifted and spun around like this.
Even when Keigo Atobe spoiled him, he would never do something so improper. After all, as the young master of the Hanyu family, every action had to remain composed.
This was a completely new experience.
Akaashi looked like he was about to lose it. Just yesterday, Coach Takuro had told him to look after Shiratorizawa's Ryosuke. After all, he was the Hanyu family's young master, and he absolutely could not let anyone inappropriate take advantage of him. And now Bokuto-senpai had gone and done this.
Ryosuke felt the strength in Bokuto's shoulders, his eyes sparkling. His head was a little dizzy, but he still reached out and patted Bokuto.
"Bokuto-senpai! A few more spins!"
Completely fired up, Bokuto lit up at those words.
"As expected of you, Ryosuke! I love this kind of thing too!"
"Hey hey hey! Watch this!"
The others could only stare as the two of them went wild.
Ushijima and Akaashi tried to step in, but Bokuto, that idiot, suddenly spun around while holding Ryosuke and ran off.
Akaashi shut his eyes briefly. This is the end for Fukurōdani. Then he snapped into a ninety degree bow toward Ushijima.
"Ushijima-senpai! I sincerely apologize! Please do not take this to heart!"
Ushijima sighed and let out a quiet sound of acknowledgment.
With such a chaotic start, he had a feeling this National Youth Team trip would be anything but peaceful.
"Ah! Bokuto! Ryosuke!"
"Oh! Kōrai!"
Ushijima closed his eyes, not even wanting to look anymore.
Hoshiumi watched Bokuto with sparkling eyes, his expression clearly saying he wanted to join. He turned expectantly to Hirugami beside him.
Hirugami shook his head helplessly. You want me to do that. You are trying to break my old bones.
Seeing this, Bokuto finally set Ryosuke down. Ryosuke's face was flushed, and he wobbled slightly as he landed. Bokuto steadied him, then turned to Hoshiumi.
"No problem, Kōrai! I'll play with you!"
"Yay!"
Hoshiumi cheered and rushed over.
By now, quite a few staff members were glancing over, some even secretly taking photos. Ushijima and Bokuto were famous enough that most people present recognized them.
Akaashi quietly shrank into a corner, looking small and helpless compared to the chaos over there.
Coach Takuro, this is too difficult. I am going to fail you. I can barely handle one Bokuto-senpai. There are countless Bokuto-senpai in the National Youth Team.
Having run into friends, Kōtarō Bokuto's energy seemed to double.
Kiryū glanced around, looking at Ushijima and Hirugami standing side by side, then at Akaashi curled up in the corner. No matter how he looked at it, the three of them seemed like they were here to babysit.
Which made him feel completely out of place.
Kiryū scratched his head.
...
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