End of Summer Training Camp

After Hayato took the court, Karasuno, with their hot streak, defeated Kamomedai by a large margin. However, they were handed two consecutive losses by Nekoma and Fukurodani, proving with their strength why those were considered powerhouse schools. Fortunately, Karasuno quickly regrouped afterward.

The third day of training matches concluded with a 10-game, 5-win record. The persistent issues exposed today were the usual ones: Karasuno's offense was top-tier among these teams, but their critical defensive weakness became even more apparent when Nishinoya rotated off the court, and Daichi and Hayato were substituted.

The score couldn't be pulled away today because the two players' court time was reduced. However, it was only the third day of the training camp, and Karasuno still had time to adjust the players' condition. During individual training, each player added a few sets of receive drills for themselves.

Hinata and Tsukishima went to practice 3v3 with Fukurodani's Bokuto again. However, Hayato didn't join the fun today because he had talked with Kuroo and the others that afternoon. Ushijima of Shiratorizawa was much stronger than he had imagined. In terms of the power of jump float serves and spikes, Hayato was not bad, but both Kuroo and Bokuto unanimously agreed that Ushijima's power was superior.

Therefore, to strengthen his serving power, he decided to increase his serving practice starting today.

Coincidentally, Hinata ran into Kageyama, who was practicing setting alone. Kageyama immediately joined him, saying he wanted to help Hayato with his spiking. Hayato readily agreed, telling Kageyama to set up the bottles first for his setting practice, and he would find him after he finished a hundred serves.

Kageyama was, of course, more than willing to help a senior with his training. After asking Hitoka to help set up the bottles, and then to help throw the balls, Kageyama began practicing by himself.

After completing a hundred serves, Hayato, feeling good, called out to Kageyama, who was still practicing. The two began their serving practice. This time, Hayato intended to spike with more force. Unfortunately, at Hayato's current spiking power, he could still accurately aim. Once he increased the force, controlling the spike's trajectory became much more difficult.

Midway through practice, even Nishinoya joined in, wanting to practice receiving with Hayato. The individual practice directly turned into a group practice. After training for a while longer, their stomachs began to protest, and everyone finally agreed to stop and go to dinner together.

In the following days, Karasuno continued to rotate their lineup as usual, with their record showing both wins and losses. On the morning of the last day of the summer training camp, Karasuno's overall ranking had reached second place.

1st: Fukurodani: 45 wins, 19 losses 2nd: Karasuno: 42 wins, 22 losses 3rd: Nekoma: 38 wins, 26 losses 4th: Kamomedai: 29 wins, 35 losses 5th: Nohebi: 21 wins, 43 losses

Based on the current record, Karasuno's strength had greatly improved. They were only three games behind Fukurodani, and they had also defeated Nekoma multiple times. This was even with the constant lineup rotations.

On Friday morning, they only trained for one session. After lunch, Karasuno would depart and return to Miyagi.

Thanks to Captain Daichi's early leak, everyone knew they were having a barbecue feast for lunch. After a week of long training, everyone's spirit and stamina were nearly depleted. With a barbecue feast to reward them, the simple-minded group, led by Hinata, had already had their eyes lit up.

In the last match, Karasuno's simple-minded players had "barbecue" practically etched into their eyes. Motivated by the barbecue, they won their final match against Nohebi by a large margin, concluding the last game of the summer training camp.

Seeing how excited they were, Coach Ukai and Teacher Takeda exchanged a wry smile. They had originally planned to keep it a secret, but the Karasuno members seemed to already know. Winning the match directly with the power of barbecue wasn't a bad outcome.

After finishing their final training, the team members took out the desks, ingredients, tableware, and grills, chatting as they set them up. The managers had already prepared the onigiri. After cutting various vegetables into sizes suitable for grilling.

The teachers and coaches lined up and called everyone forward. Coach Nekomata of Nekoma, the elder statesman, spoke first.

"You've all worked hard for this week-long training. Everything tastes delicious when you're hungry. Go ahead and reward your muscles."

"Itadakimasu!"

The meat and vegetables had already been placed on the grill and were almost cooked. Everyone, unable to wait any longer, shouted together and eagerly began eating with disposable plates and chopsticks.

Kageyama choked on his meat, and nearby, Akaashi, the Fukurodani setter, who was observing everything, quickly handed him water. Bokuto, who hunted silently like an owl, successfully snatched the barbecue meat from Kuroo's mouth, enraging Kuroo, who grabbed him by the collar and yelled.

"Bokuto! You bastard! How dare you steal my meat!"

The managers carried plates around, delivering onigiri. Fukurodani's big-eating manager, the short-haired Shirafuku Yukie, grabbed two onigiri at once and ate them in three or four bites. According to rumors, she was also quite wealthy, and Bokuto often borrowed money from her but always forgot to repay it.

On the other side, the Kiyoko Protection Squad gained a new member today: Nekoma's Yamamoto Taketora, who had a mohawk hairstyle and was Tanaka's friend. The two knelt before Nishinoya, listening to Nishinoya, the captain, give his orders.

"Absolutely do not let anyone casually approach Kiyoko-senpai at this time. Do you understand!"

"Of course. Right, Tora?"

"That's right, Ryuu."

As a result, Kiyoko ended up eating barbecue with Hayato. When Hayato choked a little, she even handed him water.

"Hey, doesn't that intellectual beauty from Karasuno have a boyfriend?"

"Is the one eating with him that second-year from Karasuno?"

"Could it be an age gap relationship?"

The casual chatter from others reached them. The three members of the protection squad hadn't even made a move before they all collapsed to their knees, turning into white sand that scattered with the wind.

Tsukishima and Yamaguchi, on the other side, saw the tragic state of the three.

"Ugh, how pathetic."

As Yamaguchi ate his onigiri, he offered his condolences to the three.

Tsukishima, sitting on the steps with his chin propped on his hand, was unfazed.

"That's to be expected. Kuroba-senpai and Kiyoko-senpai are childhood friends, and they have a very good relationship."

At this moment, Daichi came over, holding a plate full of meat and onigiri.

"Tsukishima, eat more."

Kuroo also walked over.

"Don't forget your vegetables."

"Meat, eat more meat, Tsukki."

Bokuto, with meat clamped in both hands, also joined in the fun.

"Um, I really can't eat anymore."

Tsukishima's response was completely ignored by the three captains. They were urging Tsukishima on like concerned relatives or uncles, making the scene quite joyful.

Hitoka wasn't as happy, as there were tall people everywhere. She wandered around like a small hunted animal, her expression a mix of fear and hunger. Fortunately, Hayato had spotted her long before.

After calling Hitoka over, he shared some of the meat and vegetables he'd brought with her. Teary-eyed, Hitoka held her plate and repeatedly thanked her senior for his kindness.

Finally, she got to eat the barbecue she'd been dreaming of.

"Mmm~ Barbecue~ So delicious~"

With chopsticks in her mouth, Hitoka looked like a little white rabbit.

On the other side, the group of female managers was truly enviable. The sight of the girls laughing and eating made the boys' hearts yearn, but when they then looked at Karasuno's Hayato, their envy turned into burning rage.

The two managers were gathered around Hayato. In reality, only Kiyoko was eating with Hayato; Hitoka was just an afterthought.

"Damn it, both the intellectual beauty and the cute beauty are by his side."

"Ah, I'm so envious, so jealous."

Hayato, focused on the barbecue in front of him, seemed to notice everyone's gazes. He glanced at the other boys, then at the two girls beside him. After a moment's thought, he gave the boys a thumbs-up and winked.

The result was that the boys collectively dragged Hayato away.

"Excuse us, ladies, we're borrowing Kuroba-kun for a bit."

Hayato, who had already become familiar with these guys, didn't mind. After a week of high-intensity training, a little relaxation once in a while was harmless, but he underestimated the boys' jealousy. These ungrateful guys actually lifted him up for an aruba game.

He couldn't let them get away with it. Planting his feet against the trunk of a tree, Hayato decisively surrendered.

"My bad, my bad, don't do this, it'll kill me."

"Too late, accept your punishment."

"Hey, Nishinoya, Tanaka, you two are betraying me too, noooo~"