They said they were supposed to rest properly, but the gymnasium repairs only took a day. Training had been suspended yesterday, but it resumed today. The difference was that everyone in the Volleyball Club had a completely different mindset now.
Every one of them was fired up. Thanks to Captain Daichi's efforts, they had secured the right to use the First Gymnasium. After the girls' volleyball team finished training, anyone who wanted to practice alone could use their court there.
The boys' Volleyball Club was currently using the Second Gymnasium, holding club activities separately from the girls' volleyball team.
"Hayato-senpai! Coach Ukai taught me so many things yesterday! I still couldn't really understand the Offensive Rhythm you mentioned before, but Coach had me experience it firsthand, and then I got it!"
Before training, Hinata eagerly rushed over to Hayato and poured out everything that had happened yesterday like spilling beans.
"Uh, I see. Since you understand it now, I'll set for you after basic training. Get ready to start individual practice."
Hayato had been prepared for Hinata to say that he still hadn't understood the material he had given him, so he did not mind. Hinata was a practical player, after all. He ruffled Hinata's hair and told him that they would begin training today.
But Hinata said that Coach Ukai wanted to meet Hayato today, so he had to take Hayato over there.
"I see. Then let's go meet him. Didn't you say there's a court over there too? You can train there while we're at it."
After getting Hayato's agreement, Hinata happily skipped off to warm up. Once he had settled Hinata's matter, Hayato called Kageyama over. The two had not actually gotten into a fight, but the atmosphere between them was still a little awkward.
"Tobio, how is it? Have you figured out what kind of sets suit Shoyo?"
"Coach Ukai discussed it with me."
The honest Kageyama told Hayato everything Coach Ukai had discussed with him yesterday. Hayato was still quite reassured by Kageyama. Once a genius like him figured out how he needed to play, all that remained was to make up the rest through practice.
Hayato patted him on the shoulder and offered a few words of encouragement, then said nothing else.
For now, Hayato did not intend to interfere with the others. As long as he got the Odd Couple of Fast Attacks sorted out, with himself added in, Karasuno's front row would be the strongest for the time being. So over the next stretch of time, Hinata needed to work on becoming faster and jumping higher—breaking away from blockers faster, reaching his highest point faster, and jumping higher.
There was no need to worry about stamina. Rather than conserving energy to play all five sets, it was better to crush the opponent as quickly as possible in the first set. After that, they could either sub out and rest or play another set. In martial arts, nothing beats speed.
With Hayato, Tanaka, Hinata, and Asahi, Karasuno did not lack power on offense. A rotating lineup was the most suitable approach. No one would have to sit on the bench forever, and everyone could maintain their condition.
Perhaps the old Coach Ukai's demand from the original story—that Hinata be able to respond perfectly no matter who the setter was—would have suited Hinata better. But developing so comprehensively would take too long. Hayato believed that now was the time to maximize strengths rather than patch up weaknesses. Kageyama's setting was the strongest.
Then they had to use their strongest abilities to work with Kageyama. Their goal was the championship. Once they won it all, there would be plenty of time to give Hinata more lessons. The third-years only had one chance, so in order to win the championship, Hayato would rather turn Hinata into a bucket with only one exceptionally long plank.
After training ended that day, Hayato apologized to Kiyoko and told her that he could not walk home with her today. Then he took Hinata to meet the old man, while everyone else stayed behind to train a little longer.
"Oh? You're the new member of the Volleyball Club? You've got plenty of spirit."
The old man looked Hayato up and down, then nodded in satisfaction.
"Hello, I'm Kuroba Hayato. Shoyo and Coach Ukai should have mentioned me."
"Very nice. How about showing me what you can do?"
The old man patted Hayato on the shoulder, clearly interested in seeing his true abilities.
After thinking it over, Hayato agreed to the old man's request and displayed his superb skills. Whether it was a cross-court spike or a line shot, every hit carried tremendous power. His setting and receiving were not bad either.
"Well now, with you joining them, Karasuno might really make it to Nationals."
Watching Hayato finish his display, the old man spoke with satisfaction. Hayato did not bother being modest. He called over Hinata, who had been sitting nearby and watching, and conveyed his idea to the old man.
On the way to Coach Ukai's house, Hayato had already told Hinata about his plan. It was completely different from the coach's idea, leaving Hinata conflicted for a long time over whether he should listen to the coach or his senpai. In the end, he chose to trust his senpai.
So when Hayato finished speaking with the old man, Hinata bowed alongside his senpai and asked the old man for his help.
"Anyway, Kuroba, you and the little guy should try it once first."
The old man did not rush to make a conclusion. He wanted to see the results first, while Hinata looked rather unwilling.
"Um, Coach, my name is Hinata, not 'little guy.' And why do you call Hayato-senpai by his surname?"
"Isn't it obvious? If your volleyball skills suck, you only deserve to be called little guy."
The old man wore a mischievous grin as his merciless words left Hinata speechless.
They walked to the middle of the court, and Hayato and Hinata focused. When the old man tossed the ball to Hayato, in the blink of an eye—yes, just one blink—Hinata vanished from his sight. By the time he spotted Hinata again, Hinata had already rushed to the net and leaped high into the air. Hayato's set arrived at his hitting point.
Hinata had long followed Hayato's suggestion to keep touching the ball and maintain his usual composure, so he did not panic over Hayato's less-than-perfect set. He simply picked his spot and spiked, slamming the ball successfully into the other side of the court.
"So, so fast."
"So that's the effect."
Watching the two score successfully, the old man fell into thought. The two of them, celebrating their success, walked over and looked at him expectantly.
"All right, your idea is correct. I won't say anything more."
In the end, the old man agreed with Hayato's opinion. Having gained his understanding, the two cheered and high-fived.
"Then the little guy won't need to come train here anymore, right?"
"About that, I want to keep bringing him here to train. When summer training camp comes around, we can give everyone else a surprise."
Hayato proposed this little plan with a mischievous smile. The old man immediately recognized a kindred spirit, and they hit it off at once. Hinata would continue training here, except instead of being set to by others, the old man and Hayato would take turns setting for him.
Though Hayato was relatively outstanding on offense, he was only average when it came to setting. His technique was not even as good as Sugawara's. But if they wanted to surprise everyone, he still had to practice.
The old man personally stepped onto the court, but due to his stamina, he could not set too many balls. When he went to rest, Hayato took over. With the two of them feeding Hinata a huge number of balls, Hinata improved faster and faster. Of course, his stamina was also running out just as quickly, and he could not hold on for long.
Since Hinata still had to ride his bike home, Hayato did not push him too hard. Before letting him leave, the two agreed that starting tomorrow morning, Hinata would come find Hayato so they could go running together and train Hinata's speed.
Hayato even took out paper and a pen. After asking Hinata whether there was anything he disliked eating, he made him a nutrition plan so that he could get the nutrients he needed every day according to the foods listed on it.
He had learned this particular skill from the nutritionist on his former team. Professional athletes had dedicated nutritionists who arranged their daily meals for them. Of course, Hinata's current plan was nowhere near that luxurious. It was simply meant to supplement his nutrition.
Nutrition could not be fully met through meals alone. He also needed other fruits as supplements.
After returning home, Hayato ordered five pounds—one tub—of banana cream-flavored Protein Powder online, so Hinata could drink some after exercising every morning and evening. It cost him over ten thousand yen. Naturally, Hayato did not intend to tell Hinata about it. It was not a small amount of money, and if that kid found out, he definitely would not accept it. So Hayato came up with a plan.
He would prepare two bottles and have them split it, telling Hinata that he was bringing some along for him anyway. That way, Hinata's volleyball-filled little brain would not overthink it. This trick would probably only work on Hinata. If it were the clever Tsukishima, he would likely see through Hayato's intentions the first time Hayato gave it to him.
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