I Haven't Admitted Defeat Yet

"Serve it well!"

"Cover!"

"Leave it to me!"

Shouts rose and fell throughout the gymnasium. Every player on the four teams competing at once gave it their all. Hinata had long since collapsed into a chair to recover his strength, sweat pouring down his face like rain. Even after wiping it away with a towel, it flowed down his cheeks again.

Three sets. Hinata, who had been sprinting at full speed, could only last three sets. This was different from before, when he had needed to conserve his stamina. Every run and every jump used all the strength in his body. In exchange for sacrificing stamina, he gained even greater speed—and greater speed meant opponents had even less time to react to his quick attacks.

His coordinated attacks with Hayato in the front row also gave the other teams a headache. At Hayato's suggestion, Hinata began learning to use hand signals to communicate with the setter like the others did. The first thing he learned was the decoy attack between Hayato, Hinata, and Kageyama.

As long as those two were in the front row, it did not matter who Kageyama set the ball to. Once the opponents were drawn in by the feint, the other person could attack and score directly.

It was an obvious strategy, but there was still a way to deal with it: defend from the back row. As long as they could stabilize themselves and keep the ball up, they would be fine. However, Hayato's spikes were powerful while Hinata's were fast, so receiving them still put their digging skills to the test.

That entire morning, Karasuno constantly rotated its players. Coach Ukai also racked his brains trying to get everyone onto the court. Seeing Tsukishima showing a little more drive during matches made him very pleased. Kageyama, who was on the court with him, felt it especially clearly. Tsukishima, who normally did not even jump for feint attacks, actually jumped along today, though he still did not get very high.

Thanks to Hinata's activity, they won three out of five matches that morning. Although everyone was given playing time, the regulars still had more chances to play. After all, developing the core players was the most important thing. As a result, the regulars' workload increased considerably. The fact that even a stamina monster like Hinata no longer had the strength to fool around showed just how exhausting full-speed running was.

Hayato was also exhausted. Whenever he played, he always spiked with full force. While that gave him a high chance of scoring, it also consumed a great deal of stamina. In the final match that morning, Yamaguchi was sent in to practice his Float Serve. He performed well in the first half, but they still lost in the second half. After all, Yamaguchi only had that one weapon for now.

During the break, the managers carried over several trays of watermelon. The parents of Morisaki High School's students had specially brought them as a treat for everyone.

People gathered in twos and threes, carrying watermelon out to the grass and eating leisurely. Hinata went over to Nekoma's side and competed with Lev to see who could spit watermelon seeds farther. Naturally, he was utterly defeated.

Hayato, meanwhile, joined the third-years and reported yesterday's matter with Tsukishima to captain Daichi. Since Kuroo had already talked to Tsukishima before practice that morning, reporting on the team member's condition became Hayato's job.

After hearing the whole story, Daichi was not particularly surprised.

"Tsukishima said something similar before Kuroba joined the Volleyball Club."

Asahi beside him added,

"Yeah. He said his job was simply to do his best not to make mistakes on defense whenever Hinata rotated to the back row."

At that moment, Tanaka also came over and said that his sister had mentioned there had been a player named Tsukishima at Karasuno during the Little Giant's era. He did not know whether that had anything to do with it.

However, Tsukishima rarely talked about his own affairs, so no one knew whether he actually had an older brother.

Hayato did know. Tsukishima's expectations had put so much pressure on his brother that, despite not being a regular, his brother had pretended to be one for Tsukishima's sake. In the end, Tsukishima found out.

In truth, Tsukishima was not ashamed of his brother's inadequacy. He blamed himself for putting pressure on his brother and forcing him to lie.

"Well, Tsukishima looked a little more motivated today."

"Yeah. You could definitely tell he was different from yesterday."

Daichi and Asahi spoke back and forth, then looked at Hayato at the same time. Hayato only said that he had talked to Tsukishima yesterday. As for what exactly they had discussed, that was between the two of them, and he could not reveal all of it.

Then Tsukishima's change today must have been because Hayato's words yesterday had worked.

"Ah, senpais, that's a trade secret."

Hayato smiled and brushed it off, not intending to explain it outright. Fortunately, everyone understood. Just then, Sugawara came over to call them. They threw their leftover rinds into trash bags, washed up, and headed back to training.

While going to the faucets to wash their hands, Daichi and Asahi, who had fallen behind the group, exchanged a glance.

"Daichi, Kuroba solved another problem while we weren't looking. Have you decided?"

"Yeah. With Kuroba's sense of responsibility, I'd feel completely at ease handing him the captain and ace positions."

Since Karasuno had already played enough matches that morning, the afternoon was much more relaxed. After another match ended, the defeated Karasuno had to accept their punishment and run the slope. After finishing the round trip, Asahi received an unexpected visitor: Tsukishima.

After first praising Yamaguchi's improvement with his Float Serve, Asahi turned to Tsukishima and indicated that he could ask whatever he wanted.

"Azumane-senpai, don't you feel upset? The intense threat of someone who came later surpassing you."

Soon after Hayato joined the club, he had taken a starting position. Though it was only for practice matches, everyone understood that Hayato would definitely become a regular. Compared to the competition between Tsukishima and Hinata, Asahi had already lost. It was easy to imagine how he felt.

"To be honest, of course it hurts. Hayato is strong, and he has the confidence of an ace. In terms of our positions, Tsukishima, the two of us are very similar. We both have a powerful opponent."

Asahi gave a bitter smile as he said it, and he did not feel good inside either.

"But this year, with first-years like you all and Kuroba joining us... truly, you've given us third-years a great deal of hope. Our dream is to make it to Nationals. Fallen powerhouse, crows that can't fly—those were all names we heard for the Karasuno Volleyball Club when we first joined."

"We tried hard too, but we weren't enough. But things are different now. We have you. You brought us hope. So, Tsukishima, even though it hurts, the fighting spirit I've received from you all is far greater. I haven't given up yet. Whether it's a regular position or the ace title, I haven't admitted defeat."

Under the setting sun, Asahi's profile seemed to glow. The fighting spirit in his eyes blazed like fire.

Seeing Asahi like that, the flame in Tsukishima's heart seemed to flicker as well. He unconsciously placed a hand over his chest, feeling his heartbeat as he recalled what Hayato had told him last night.

The light in Tsukishima's eyes gradually grew brighter.

"Azumane-senpai, thank you very much."

Tsukishima gave Asahi a solemn bow. Even his steps seemed much lighter as he left.

Asahi watched Tsukishima walk away, somewhat confused. Yamaguchi beside him, however, understood.

"Azumane-senpai, Tsukishima seems to have regained his spirit. Please look forward to what Tsukishima can do once he gets his fighting spirit back."

Yamaguchi also bowed before chasing after Tsukishima.

"Hehe, looks like I've gained another opponent."

In the next two matches, Tsukishima was still quiet and reserved, but everyone could see that he was more proactive in his movement, blocking, and attacks. There was fighting spirit in his eyes now as well.

Even Hitoka could see Tsukishima's change.

"Kiyoko-senpai, Tsukishima-kun..."

Kiyoko-senpai reached out and patted Hitoka on the shoulder.

"Another fledgling crow from Karasuno is about to spread his wings and soar."

Hitoka's cheeks flushed red with excitement. To her, it was wonderful whenever anyone from the Volleyball Club improved.

"Yes!"

The next day's training also came to an end. Bokuto seized the opportunity and came over to catch Hayato.

"Kuroba, you promised this morning. Come on, let's go!"

"Ah, Bokuto-senpai, wait a moment. I'll call someone else too. Tsukishima!"

Seeing Tsukishima wiping away his sweat, Hayato tried calling him over. Hayato had also noticed Tsukishima's performance that afternoon, so he was now going to see whether he could get him to join them.

Tsukishima saw Hayato and Bokuto. After falling silent for a moment, he walked over to the two of them.

"Senpais, are you doing individual practice again today?"

At Tsukishima's words, even Kuroo was drawn over. He came up with Bokuto and the two of them teased Tsukishima with exaggerated "oh my, oh my" remarks.

Tsukishima looked so disgusted that he was about to snap, but Hayato pushed him from behind.

"Alright, alright, don't mind them. Let's go train."

"Hey, Tsukishima went to train with Hayato-senpai and Fukurōdani's ace. I'm so jealous, damn it."

Hinata watched Hayato and the others leave, speaking enviously. Yamaguchi beside him explained that they had trained together yesterday as well.

"I'm going to watch."

As always, Hinata's body moved before his brain did, and he immediately ran after them.