Summer Vacation

"Hayato-senpai! How was I just now?"

"Amazing. I always believed you were a genius, Shoyo—and you too, Tobio. You two completed the New quick attack in only a week. That's incredible."

After Coach Ukai finished his assessment, he had everyone rest where they stood. Hinata, who had clearly been holding himself back for a while, dragged Kageyama over. Seeing their obvious expressions begging for praise, Hayato could only laugh helplessly. He patted each of them on the shoulder and encouraged them.

Hinata rubbed the back of his head, suddenly embarrassed, while Kageyama nodded excitedly as he accepted the praise from a senior he respected. But seeing that the two were getting a little carried away, Hayato reminded them that their New quick attack still was not stable enough and needed more practice.

Sugawara had just given them the same reminder, but Hayato repeating it made the two first-years take it more seriously.

The first-year duo's progress also inspired the other members. After basic training ended, the multi-person simultaneous attack strategy Coach Ukai had proposed gradually began taking shape through Daichi and the others' practice. Hayato had suggested the tactic during the days he was abroad, and now that he was back, he could be added in to expand the possible combinations. After all, there could never be too many lineups that required the whole team to work together.

Nishinoya, meanwhile, sought out Asahi to practice. After watching the technique they were working on, Hayato understood what it was: a libero jump set. Nishinoya and Asahi had already been close before Hayato arrived, and Nishinoya had always believed in Asahi as their ace.

But now that Hayato had arrived, the ace position had changed hands. Even so, Nishinoya still wanted to do something for Asahi. Asahi did not disappoint him, and the two improved together. Hayato did not think there was anything wrong with that. Starting positions on a team were meant to be competitive. Only by working harder could they avoid being left behind.

"Hayato, why are you spacing out over there? Come train with us! After I set for Asahi, it'll be your turn!"

Noticing Hayato watching from the side, Nishinoya did not stand on ceremony and called him over. To him, both of them were aces in his heart. Even if he wanted to help Asahi, he could not neglect Hayato. That would be far too unfair.

"Huh? I get a turn too?"

"What kind of nonsense is that? We're teammates. Of course we have to get stronger together."

Nishinoya puffed out his chest and said something incredibly cool as if it were only natural.

"Nishinoya-senpai is so cool!"

Hinata heard that and immediately stepped up as the designated hype man. His praise made Nishinoya a little embarrassed, and then Nishinoya offered to buy Hinata a popsicle. After all, he was a senior, so looking after his juniors was only natural.

Nishinoya and Asahi began practicing their new technique in earnest off to the side. Watching Nishinoya, who was clearly different from the Nishinoya he had known before, Hayato suddenly felt a little melancholy. He missed his former teammates, and he sighed as soon as the thought surfaced.

There's no going back. But I'm not alone now, am I?

After answering his own question, Hayato smiled again and joined Nishinoya and Asahi's practice.

After club activities ended, Hayato took Hinata and Kageyama to see Old Coach Ukai. Once Kageyama had introduced himself, Hayato first had the old man watch their Monster Quick Attack. After shocking him with that, Hayato revealed the New quick attack as well, thoroughly piquing the old man's curiosity.

Unfortunately, the two failed to pull off the New quick attack ten times in a row.

Just as the old man was about to suggest that they take a break first, an impact like a crow taking flight, like black feathers scattering through the air, shot straight toward him. The New quick attack had succeeded. The elementary school students watching let out cries of surprise.

"That's amazing."

"Yeah, Shoyo's partner is really strong too."

Watching the stunned old man, Hayato grinned like a fox.

"So, Coach? Karasuno's new weapon."

"This really is... incredible."

The old man looked at the two first-years and sighed with emotion. Hinata had outstanding reflexes and physical ability. If his technique had not held him back, Old Coach Ukai felt that Hinata could stand alongside the Little Giant. Those were the conclusions he had reached from observing Hinata over the past few days, so he was not surprised by Hinata's performance.

What surprised him was Kageyama. His sets were so precise, like scalpels. At Kageyama's age, he had already surpassed the level of a genius—especially his ability to deliver the ball exactly to the point of contact.

Having finally succeeded, Hinata and Kageyama clenched their fists and cheered. When they looked at Old Coach Ukai and saw the stunned expression on his face, they felt as refreshed as if they had drunk ice-cold water in summer.

"Coach, remember to come watch Karasuno's matches during the Spring High preliminaries," Hayato reminded him thoughtfully.

"Haha, you brat. All right, I'll definitely go watch."

Over the next few days, everyone in the Volleyball Club trained hard. At last, Friday arrived—the day before summer vacation.

"Finally, vacation!"

After the final class ended and the teacher dismissed them, everyone in the classroom cheered to celebrate the vacation that had finally arrived.

"Remember to stay safe during summer vacation, and don't forget your summer homework. Otherwise, you'll regret it when you come back."

After reminding the students once more, the teacher left the classroom.

The others began packing up as well, preparing to head home.

"Hayato! Vacation is finally here! We can leave for training camp tonight. Aren't you excited?"

Tanaka leaned over beside Hayato, who was packing his schoolbag, looking every bit like a fired-up teenage boy.

"Don't get so close. It's hot. Also, you haven't packed your things yet."

Hayato pushed the hot-blooded boy a little farther away and reminded him that he had not packed yet.

"So cold. We're going to training camp! You can afford to be a little more excited. Show some of the spirit you have when you play, my friend."

Back at his own seat, Tanaka stuffed the things from his desk into his bag, slightly dissatisfied with Hayato's lack of enthusiasm.

"Because it's hot. Don't you think so? The temperature's gone up these past few days."

"Huh, has it? I didn't really notice."

After chatting while they finished packing, they headed toward the locker room. Since summer vacation was about to begin, Hayato could feel everyone getting a little restless the moment he entered. Daichi, as captain, had to step in and remind everyone that their summer training camp began tomorrow, so it was not time to relax yet. Only then did the mood settle down.

Since they still had to leave for Saitama in the middle of the night, Coach Ukai arranged a fairly light training session today. If they exhausted themselves too much, they would not be able to rest well on the bus, and affecting their performance the next day would not be worth it.

This summer training camp was being held at Morisaki High School in Saitama Prefecture. Apparently, it was cool there. Hearing that, Hayato was the happiest of them all, because he had realized that he was starting to struggle with the steadily warming summer. Whenever it got hot, he had no energy.

Could it be summer fatigue? Hayato wondered as he drifted off into random thoughts.

Club activities ended quickly, and everyone had to go home to pack their luggage. They would be staying there for quite a while this time, so they needed to bring extra changes of clothes. Hinata was taking Hitoka home today, so Hayato and Kiyoko could head home directly.

"Okay, clothes are packed, toiletries, phone charger... Ah, and I need to bring mosquito repellent too. I wonder if there are a lot of mosquitoes over there."

While packing, Hayato received a message from Kiyoko asking how his preparations were going.

Sitting on his bed and chatting with Kiyoko, Hayato was in no rush since there was still plenty of time before departure. After talking with her for half an hour, they finally ended the conversation.

Once he had packed everything into his bag, Hayato decided to go have dinner first.

After night had completely fallen, everyone gathered at school. Teacher Takeda, who was leading the group, gave a speech before they set off. Like last time, they were expected to arrive in the morning.

Hinata, who had missed the previous late-night departure, was excited all by himself.

"Leaving in the middle of the night is so exciting!"

"Well, you and Kageyama missed it last time."

Tanaka said this while standing beside Hinata with his arms crossed.

Tsukishima snarked from nearby that it must be nice being single-celled, since they could sleep anywhere. That single remark instantly enraged the two single-celled idiots.

"What did you say?" they answered in unison.