Spring High Preliminaries: First Round

"Oh, Kiyoko-chan, good afternoon. Bringing your boyfriend along to shop again?"

The auntie at the seasoning shop asked with a smile as the two walked in.

Kiyoko, long accustomed to the teasing from the uncles and aunties in the shopping district, nodded, tacitly accepting the label of Hayato being her boyfriend.

"Auntie Kijima, good afternoon. Please give me a bottle of soy sauce and mirin. Oh, and a can of shichimi togarashi too."

"Certainly. The usual?"

"Yes, thank you for the trouble."

After thanking Auntie Kijima at the seasoning shop, Kiyoko explained to Hayato while she waited for her items.

"Since you're here, I might as well restock the seasonings we're missing at home."

She lifted the bag she was holding and struck a pose, flexing her bicep.

"Leave it to me~"

Hayato happily accepted Kiyoko's suggestion. After finishing all their shopping, they returned to Kiyoko's house carrying several large bags. As soon as they entered, they saw Kiyoko's mother tidying up the entryway.

Ever since their last trip to Hawaii, Kiyoko's mother had subtly asked Kiyoko what they had done. Upon learning that Hayato hadn't crossed any lines and facing his polite and restrained demeanor, she was even more pleased.

When she heard that Hayato would be joining them for hot pot that evening, Kiyoko's mother welcomed him warmly. After setting a time, Hayato took his leave, citing that he still had his own home to tidy up.

After he left, Kiyoko's mother rested her chin in her hand.

"My, Hayato seems like a wonderful son-in-law."

Of course, Kiyoko, who had already gone upstairs, didn't hear this.

After tidying up the house, bringing the dried futons back to the rooms, and spending some time writing summer homework, Hayato arrived punctually at 6 PM for dinner.

Kiyoko led him into the living room, where her father, Kiyokazu, who had just returned from work, was already seated in the main seat.

"Hayato, you're here. Good evening. Come and sit down."

"Good evening, Uncle Seiichi."

The head of the Shimizu family, Seiichi Shimizu, was a section chief at a company that sold athletic equipment, while his wife, Misato Shimizu, was a full-time housewife. Both parents were very kind, and Hayato had often been asked to look after the Shimizu family when he was younger. This was also why Hayato and Kiyoko had been so close since childhood.

"Kiyoko mentioned you've been selected as a regular player? When is the match? Your Aunt Misato and I will come to watch you play."

Seiichi smiled kindly at Hayato and asked about the Karasuno Volleyball Club's match schedule.

While Hayato chatted with Seiichi, Kiyoko and her mother quickly brought the prepared ingredients to the table. Seeing that everything was ready, Seiichi stopped talking and told everyone to start eating.

At the dinner table, Hayato didn't hold back, taking whatever he wanted to eat. Kiyoko, on the other hand, took care of him, serving him dishes and pouring him drinks. Seeing Kiyoko fussing over Hayato like a wife, Seiichi and his wife exchanged a knowing smile without saying anything.

After finishing the hot pot, a satisfied Hayato was called over to the sofa by Seiichi, and the two men began to chat. Kiyoko and her mother were responsible for clearing the table.

"My, Kiyoko has always liked taking care of you, and you're happy to follow her lead. Honestly, I'm not worried about you two. I just wanted to ask, for the ceremony later on, will you choose a Western-style or Japanese-style one?"

The sudden topic struck Hayato like a bolt from the blue, causing him to choke. From the kitchen, Kiyoko also called out in a spoiled tone, "Dad!"

After coughing a couple of times and finally catching his breath, Hayato touched the tip of his nose.

"Um, Uncle Seiichi, isn't it a bit too early to talk about that?"

"Nonsense, it's not too early. You're both not children anymore, and Kiyoko will be graduating soon. Once she goes to university, won't you two be separated for a year? So it's just the right time to decide now."

Kiyoko's high school application form indicated that she intended to continue her education at university, and Seiichi knew this. Hayato was in his second year of high school, so after Kiyoko graduated and went to university, they would have a year of long-distance relationship. Therefore, he intended to settle these matters first.

"Um, Kiyoko-senpai and I still have a long way to go. Let's wait a few more years."

Hayato and Kiyoko had discussed this matter while chatting on their phones. Kiyoko intended to go to university and become a nutritionist, while Hayato would definitely join the professional volleyball league after graduation. Once Kiyoko graduated, she would apply to be the nutritionist for Hayato's team, and then they could be together again.

"Well, since you two have thought this through carefully, I won't press the issue any further."

Seeing Hayato's serious expression, Seiichi didn't insist.

After spending a little more time at Kiyoko's house, Hayato took his leave. Kiyoko saw him off at the entrance, and they stopped in front of Kiyoko's house.

"Don't mind what Dad said. You need to focus on the matches right now, understand?"

With her hands on her hips, Kiyoko, in an older sisterly manner, told Hayato not to overthink it. However, she didn't realize that her flushed ears betrayed her own shyness. When her father brought up the ceremony, she had already imagined herself in a wedding dress and a white kimono.

"Yes~ Yes~"

"You only need to say it once."

Helpless against Hayato, Kiyoko smiled wryly and then sent him out the gate. As Hayato reached her family's iron gate, he turned back for a final glance.

"Kiyoko-senpai, you'll definitely look super beautiful whether you wear a wedding dress or a white kimono! Good night!"

After saying that, he didn't wait for Kiyoko's reaction, waved his hand, and went inside.

"This guy..."

Teased by Hayato, Kiyoko's face turned red. She shook her head with a smile and stayed outside for a while longer until the heat on her face subsided before returning home.

After resuming club activities, each day passed ordinarily. Hayato and Kiyoko repeated their daily routine of going to school, practicing, and then returning home to do their summer homework. Occasionally, they would take advantage of the time after club activities ended to watch movies or go shopping. The summer club activities weren't from morning till night, leaving them time for dates.

For Hayato, the only fresh event was the day the Spring High committee came to record information about the new players. The volleyball team members stood together, with one row crouching in front and another row standing behind, and a large group photo was taken.

And so, time flew by to the day before the Spring High preliminaries.

Before the club activities began, Teacher Takeda called everyone together, read out the match schedule, and encouraged them. After the summer training camp and the practice during this period, the transformed Karasuno was sure to leave a deep impression on the other schools.

Everyone was fired up for tomorrow's match.

As training began, Teacher Takeda sat in his chair, looking over the data sheets that had just been sent to him. Coach Ukai walked over.

"Teacher, what are you looking at so intently?"

"Ah, Ukai-kun, the data sheets from a few days ago just arrived. Our new players are quite amazing, but I didn't expect the other teams to be so strong too."

Teacher Takeda showed the data sheets to Coach Ukai. The page that was open featured a tall player, with "Kakugawa Academy" written on his jersey.

"Ah, this guy, he's really good."

Upon seeing this player, Coach Ukai let out a sigh. Then, he looked towards the Karasuno members who were training.

"However, Teacher Takeda, we still need to believe in them."

"You're right."

Looking together at the members training hard, Teacher Takeda and Coach Ukai both smiled.

Hayato was also incredibly excited about the upcoming match, and his spike power had increased significantly during training.

"That was heavy! Hayato, your spike power has really improved."

Nishinoya, who had received Hayato's spike, praised him.

"You still managed to receive it, but the next one won't be that easy. Take this!"

"Bring it on!"

The day before the Spring High preliminaries, everyone trained hard before ending the day's practice.

Back home, Hayato neatly folded the new jersey he had received and put it into his sports bag.

"It's about to begin. The first step to advancing to nationals, the Spring High qualifiers, here I come."

Standing excitedly on the balcony, looking up at the stars in the sky, Hayato clenched his fist.

Just then, Kiyoko came out onto the balcony across from him.

"Why aren't you asleep yet?"

"You're not asleep either, Kiyoko-senpai. I just couldn't sleep."

"Me neither. This is our last tournament as third-years."

Kiyoko leaned against the balcony railing, looking up at the stars in the sky, just like Hayato.

"Mhm."

"Hayato."

"Yeah?"

"Good luck tomorrow."

"Of course. Just trust me."

August 11th, All Japan High School Volleyball Championship, commonly known as the [Spring High].

Miyagi Prefecture Representative Selection Match.

First Round Preliminary.

Opening Match.