First In-Team Practice Match Replay

Unlike Hayato, who had gone out to train again, Kiyoko here was putting the clean clothes she'd brought back into the washing machine. Coincidentally, she'd taken a familiar item out of her bag.

"I can't believe I actually brought it with me. Good thing Hayato didn't do anything."

Picking up the small box and holding it in her hand, Kiyoko felt a mix of embarrassment and annoyance. How could she have impulsively brought it with her? She had to admit, a girl's feelings were fickle. Just moments ago she was thinking she shouldn't have brought it, and now she was wondering why Hayato hadn't made a move. Shaking her head, Kiyoko stopped thinking about it and went back to her room to organize the data from the other schools' volleyball clubs.

That's right, a team manager wasn't just responsible for logistics and miscellaneous tasks; collecting game data and recording information about opponents were also part of a manager's job. Therefore, Kiyoko had made no small contribution to Karasuno's advancement to the nationals.

Upon returning home after finishing his training, Hayato received a message from Hinata.

"Welcome back, Hayato-senpai! I've made su~per~ big progress these past few days you were away."

As usual, the energetic Hinata eagerly reported his training progress to Hayato.

"Really? Then I'll be looking forward to your performance tomorrow, Shoyo."

"Of course! But it seems I can't hide it from everyone anymore. Kageyama has noticed me consciously controlling our offensive rhythm during practice recently."

Hayato thought about it and realized it made sense. Once they knew he was training Shoyo, everyone would understand if he made progress.

"Then, after club activities tomorrow, bring Tobio with you. We'll give Coach Ukai a surprise and let him see your Monster Quick Attack, and show him your progress."

"Alright!"

After finishing his chat with Hinata, Hayato put away his phone and went downstairs to cook. He was hungry after training, and Hinata's message had arrived before he could even start cooking.

The next day, Hayato was cornered by Tanaka as soon as he arrived at his classroom.

"Hayato, have you been with Kiyoko-senpai these past few days?"

Since they had both taken leave and returned at the same time, it was hard not to suspect they had done something together.

"Heh heh, it's a secret."

Hayato gave Tanaka a mysterious smile and didn't directly reveal the reason, which only made Tanaka more curious. So, he slung an arm around Hayato's neck and pretended to put him in a chokehold.

After some playful banter, Hayato told him the reason he had prepared in advance. Kiyoko's relative was getting married, and her parents couldn't attend, so Hayato accompanied her. While this reason still involved being with Kiyoko, it was at least more acceptable than the two of them going on vacation abroad. After all, one was handling a proper event, while the other looked like a couple on their honeymoon.

The real reason for their absence was only known to Coach Ukai. They had even used this reason when requesting leave from their teachers, as no one could guarantee that the teachers wouldn't gossip about it in the office. Coach Ukai was much more reliable when it came to keeping secrets.

This reason was barely enough for Tanaka to accept.

Later, at the locker room during morning practice, Hayato was questioned by Nishinoya. The two members of the "Kiyoko Protection Squad" had surprisingly similar thoughts.

"Kuroba, Hinata has been faster during team practice matches these past few days. Did you teach him?"

While the other team members were training, Daichi, the captain of the volleyball club, came over and asked. Sugawara also seemed very interested. During recent practice matches, Coach Ukai had been putting Hinata and himself on the same team, having Kageyama and Hinata practice separately. Hinata's running speed during quick attacks had significantly increased compared to before.

During one quick attack, everyone thought Hinata would spike the ball, but unexpectedly, at the moment he swung his arm, he chose to do a dump shot. This offensive maneuver, which clearly involved some thought, surprised everyone. Kageyama even worriedly asked Hinata if his head was okay.

Hinata, who had already been practicing dump shots and tools, had finally managed to execute them successfully. He was so excited that he was jumping all over the place.

However, Hayato had started teaching Hinata both of these techniques after joining the volleyball club, and Daichi and the others were aware of this. Seeing their curiosity, Hayato directly told them his thoughts.

After hearing Hayato's explanation, Daichi and Sugawara fell silent. Then, they patted Hayato's shoulder and thanked him.

Having Hinata run at full speed not only played to Hinata's strengths but also increased Asahi's chances of playing. In the current volleyball club, there were only so many starting positions. For the ace spiker position, Hinata and Kageyama together would undoubtedly be a formidable force, and Hayato was already an ace player. Daichi, due to his pivotal role, couldn't be a substitute. The remaining candidates would have to be chosen from Tanaka and Asahi.

During the training camp in Tokyo last time, Asahi had been a substitute, which was very difficult for a third-year student. Therefore, Hayato's suggestion not only played to Hinata's strengths but also increased Asahi's opportunities to play. Although this approach couldn't be stated directly, the other two third-year students, being close friends, were very grateful to Hayato.

"Ah, good morning, Hayato-senpai!"

Hinata saw Hayato at the gym entrance and ran over to greet him. Upon hearing that Hayato had arrived, Kageyama also came over to greet him and reported his training progress. Hinata next to him quickly reported his own training results. Then the two of them started bickering, their relationship seemingly having returned to normal.

Hayato interrupted them with a smile. When he announced that he would take them to see Coach Ukai, Hinata, already aware of this, didn't react much. Kageyama, however, was very excited about meeting the legendary Coach Ukai.

Morning practice was short, and everyone only engaged in basic drills. The main event was scheduled for the afternoon club activities. As soon as Hayato entered the gym that afternoon, Coach Ukai had everyone play a practice match and paired Hinata and Kageyama together.

This time, Hayato was once again placed on the opposing team to the two of them.

Seeing Coach Ukai's team setup, Hayato knew that the coach wanted to see if the two of them could now execute their new Monster Quick Attack. In fact, everyone in the volleyball club had felt their efforts and thought it was about time.

Hayato, Tsukishima, Daichi, Sugawara, Tanaka, and Ennoshita formed a team, just like in their first practice match when they first joined the club. On the other side, Hinata and Kageyama were on the same team as Asahi, Yamaguchi, Nishinoya, and Kinoshita, just like that day.

However, this time, Hayato's coordination with his teammates was more harmonious, and the opponents had also undergone training and were different from before.

Hayato held the volleyball in one hand, raised his arm, and pointed at Hinata and Kageyama with the ball.

"Shoyo, Tobio, try to defeat me with your strongest attack."

Hearing Hayato's words, the first-year duo's fighting spirit was ignited, and they responded in unison in loud voices.

"Yes!"

The others, however, had accustomed expressions. After all, it was only natural for someone who dared to name his jump float serve "Railgun" to occasionally engage in some chuunibyou activities.

Hayato's team served first. However, a clean and sharp jump float serve did not result in a score as it had last time. The one who defended Hayato's serve was none other than Nishinoya.

After receiving the ball, Hinata and Kageyama launched a regular Monster Quick Attack. However, this Monster Quick Attack was faster than before, and before Hayato's team could even react, they were scored on.

Hinata, having successfully scored, first high-fived Nishinoya, then high-fived Kageyama.

"How about that? We haven't made no progress, you know! Scoring easily like before isn't going to work anymore!"

Nishinoya confidently said, giving Hayato a thumbs-up. Ever since Hayato joined, Nishinoya had been facing him in team practice matches and was constantly attacked by Hayato's jump float serves. Coupled with the matches against strong opponents from various high schools during the two days of the Tokyo training camp, Nishinoya had been steadily improving. Successfully receiving Hayato's killer first serve now boosted their confidence even further.

"Then let's try again! Bring it on~!"

Seeing his teammates' progress, Hayato was very happy and got into a defensive stance, waiting for the opponent's attack.