Moonlit Heart-to-Heart

Hayato clenched his fist, straightened his arm, and lightly touched Tsukishima's chest over his heart.

"The flame in your heart hasn't been extinguished. Although it's very small right now, so small you can't even notice it yourself, there will be a day. Perhaps when you win a hard-fought victory, perhaps when you hit a perfect spike, perhaps when you successfully block an opponent's attack. The moment you find the reason you love volleyball will come, and I believe it will burn brightly again then."

"But what if that moment never comes?"

Tsukishima, being intelligent, remained calm even now.

"That's why everyone is working so hard. To win, to go further in the national tournament. In any case, until that moment arrives, your seniors will buy you time."

At some point, the dark clouds that had been obscuring the moon in the night sky parted slightly.

"Thank you very much, Kuroba-senpai."

Bowing to Hayato, Tsukishima thanked him calmly and then left.

"So that's why he's such a smart kid," Hayato muttered, scratching his head. Effort and talent were eternal topics in competitive sports. He had seen geniuses improve at lightning speed, and he had also seen ordinary people who couldn't win championships despite years of effort. Tsukishima was smart and not lacking in talent, but he had trapped himself. Hayato wondered if their conversation today would make any difference.

Arriving at the cafeteria, many people were still eating dinner, but Tsukishima was nowhere to be found. Hayato took a deep breath as Kiyoko handed him a plate of chicken curry rice at the serving line.

"It smells so good. You really need meat after exercising."

"What's wrong? Did something happen that's bothering you?"

Kiyoko immediately noticed something was off with Hayato. Asked directly, Hayato couldn't pretend everything was fine. He gave a wry smile.

"I guess I can't hide anything from you, Kiyoko-senpai. Something's bothering me. Ah, I'll tell you after dinner."

The sounds of other team players walking behind him and his own rumbling stomach confirmed that now was not the time to talk.

Hayato found an empty table, sat down with his tray, and began to tackle his dinner. After only a few bites, he overheard the next table discussing which of the female managers was prettier, with suggestions for Fukurodani and Kamomedai.

Spoonfuls of curry rice went into his mouth. Hayato chewed and swallowed slowly, not hearing anyone mention Karasuno. He felt a bit indignant, but it was for the best. They were here to train, and if anyone actually took a liking to Kiyoko-senpai or Hitoka-chan, it would only cause more trouble.

After finishing a large plate of curry rice, Hayato wiped his mouth with a napkin and returned to Karasuno's empty classroom. This summer training camp was the same as the last; various high schools slept on the floor in empty classrooms, with pillows and bedding provided. It seemed this kind of camp wasn't a new experience.

He took out his phone and sent Kiyoko a message. After they agreed on a meeting spot, Hayato washed his face before going to meet her.

Kiyoko arrived five minutes later.

"Sorry, I'm a little late. I was just helping clean up the dishes."

"It's okay, it's okay. Thanks for your hard work, Kiyoko-senpai."

Leaning against the wall, Hayato smiled at Kiyoko, who returned a smile that few others ever got to see.

"So, what's up? Our training went smoothly today. Did something happen just now?"

Hayato told Kiyoko everything that had happened with Tsukishima. After listening, Kiyoko fell into thought.

"Coach Ukai mentioned to Teacher Takeda that Tsukishima always gives off the impression that getting by is good enough, and going any further is a waste. While we don't expect him to be as passionate as Nishinoya, Tanaka, or Hinata, if he continues to be surpassed by others during this training camp, he might lose his starting position."

Coach Ukai's words were not wrong. Everyone in the Karasuno Volleyball Club was training hard. Those who couldn't keep up would definitely be removed from the starting lineup. This was the harsh reality of sports clubs. Ennoshita, Kinoshita, and Narita were not without skill, but there were only so many starting spots. If one person moved up, another had to move down.

"Sometimes I wonder if I'm meddling too much. Tsukishima said I shouldn't interfere with things he doesn't want to talk about, and I almost agreed with him."

Hayato's smile was tinged with helplessness as he recalled being outmaneuvered by Tsukishima.

It was the same with Hinata and Kageyama. Although the outcome was good, with both of them evolving ahead of schedule, he questioned whether it was right for him to impose his will on others.

A hand reached out and gently patted his head.

Standing on tiptoe, Kiyoko first comforted Hayato, then withdrew her hand, placed her hands behind her back, and looked up into his eyes.

"When people live together, they influence each other. Tsukishima-kun thanked you in the end, didn't he? So don't think like that."

"Hayato, this is my last year at Karasuno. After the Spring High tournament next year, we third-years will graduate. Although none of the third-years have said it outright, they are all very happy about your arrival. You can see it in how much harder they're training. They also really want to make it to the nationals."

Lifting his head to look at the bright moon in the night sky, Kiyoko's face held a hint of anticipation.

"So I'm really happy to have met you again, Hayato. Partly because we've reunited, and partly because I never expected your volleyball skills to be so good. Although you think you shouldn't meddle too much, I actually think it's precisely because of you that Hinata, Kageyama, and the others have been able to improve."

Hayato opened his mouth, wanting to say that even without him, they would have found a way to break through their barriers on their own.

"Besides, meddling is also what a captain should do."

This statement stunned Hayato. After the third-years graduated, wouldn't Ennoshita be the captain?

"Captain? Me?"

Seeing Hayato's surprised expression, Kiyoko playfully hit his arm.

"Why are you acting so disbelieving? The Hinata-Kageyama duo are practically your fanboys. Yamaguchi trusts you completely when he plays with you. Tsukishima-kun hasn't said it directly, but he plays very relaxed when he's on the court with you. As for the second-years, you're practically best friends with them. You get along with everyone, you have the skills, and you can guide the team. Tell me, if not you, then who else could be captain?"

Earlier that day, the third-years had discussed potential captain candidates with Coach Ukai and Teacher Takeda. When Hayato was mentioned, they realized he had already integrated himself into the team without them even noticing.

Whether it was encouraging everyone on the court or directing teammates, he did an excellent job, and everyone relied on him. Even Asahi trusted Hayato. Of course, this didn't mean Asahi had given up his ambition as the ace. With his fighting spirit restored, he was fully focused on competing with Hayato for the ace position during the training camp.

Therefore, with unanimous approval, Hayato becoming captain was a foregone conclusion.

"Kiyoko-senpai, hearing you say that, I feel like I'm the obvious choice for captain."

After listening to Kiyoko, Hayato recalled the past period. It seemed he had been interacting with everyone from a captain's perspective all along. Perhaps it was out of habit. He had intended to be just an ace, but he ended up taking on the captaincy as well.

Hayato didn't act humble, however. Since everyone trusted him, he wouldn't let them down. But for now, his priority was to advance to the national tournament with everyone.

"Yes, so, future captain, the team is in your care now. That way, it won't count as meddling, right?"

Kiyoko playfully winked at Hayato, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she spoke.

"Haha, you're right, Kiyoko-senpai. You're absolutely right."

Hayato, having been cheered up by Kiyoko, returned to his usual self and smiled, reaching his hand towards the moon in the sky.

"That's the captain's duty, after all."

After their heart-to-heart talk, the two headed back together. Kiyoko still had to organize her notes for the day, so she said goodbye to Hayato and returned to the room where the managers stayed. Hayato waved goodbye to her, but as soon as he turned his head, he found himself cornered by Kiyoko's two devoted guards.

It seemed they had just finished their showers and run into him. Once again, Hayato was subjected to their playful punishment, one with an arm around his neck and the other jabbing him in the stomach, as he endured their jealousy.