After lunch, Hayato continued keeping the two boys company as they rushed through their homework. Since the room had no air conditioning, he brought out an old fan from the storage room. The long-unused fan was covered in dust, but thankfully, it was well-made and still worked after being cleaned.
Summer sunlight, stifling heat, a spinning fan, and ice cubes in their drinks.
This should have been the kind of summer day where one lay on the tatami under a light blanket, drowsily enjoying the season. But instead, Hayato could only sit with these two boys and rush through homework. Was there anything more miserable?
"Hayato, why does this part of the math have to be written like this?"
As it turned out, there was. Copying the answers without even understanding what they were copying.
After going downstairs once more to fill a whole pitcher with chilled tea, the two of them finally finished copying the summer homework for two subjects before they finished the pitcher.
"Only half left. Thank goodness."
"My body feels like it's rusting after sitting all day."
As they stretched, both of them looked exhausted, as though it had been more tiring than club activities.
"Oh, right, Hayato. Even though the teacher said we had a week off, everyone's planning to continue independent training tomorrow afternoon. Are you coming?"
Tanaka remembered to mention it to Hayato just after seeing the two of them to the entrance.
"Independent training? When was that decided?"
"Last night. Daichi mentioned it while he was talking to me, then we asked everyone else, and they all agreed. Daichi was originally going to contact you, but I said I was coming over today and would tell you directly. Then I got here and completely forgot."
Hayato looked at Tanaka helplessly. He had to admire the guy for managing to forget something so important.
"Hahaha, Ryu, you must've been too excited from seeing Kiyoko-senpai in casual clothes."
Nishinoya laughed as he patted Tanaka on the back.
After giving each of them a glare, Hayato pushed the two of them out through the entrance.
"Alright, I know about it now. Get going already. I'm not providing dinner, you know. Remember to come over tomorrow and keep catching up on your homework, got it?"
After saying goodbye to them, Hayato returned to his room, cleaned up the table, put all the textbooks back on his desk, and changed into sportswear to go exercise.
He had only just reached the river when he ran into familiar faces on the embankment. It was Hatoya Kohane and her friend from yesterday, with one more person joining them today. The three girls were practicing in cheerleading uniforms.
"Yaho, good evening, Kuroba-kun! Out exercising?"
Spotting Hayato jogging nearby, Kouha waved the red pom-poms in her hands and greeted him. Hayato felt awkward about simply standing there, so he walked over to say hello.
"Good evening, Hatoya-san, Sarutobi-san, and this is?"
The girl with a dark blue ponytail nodded at him.
"Hizume Arima."
After the brief introductions, Hayato learned that besides being a manager, Kouha was also the president of the cheerleading club. Kouha introduced Hayato to Arima as the Volleyball Club member she had mentioned yesterday.
After watching the Volleyball Club's performance yesterday, Kouha had wanted to practice more as well. When the Representative Selection Tournament came around, she planned to put on her cheerleading uniform and officially cheer for them.
After thanking Kouha for her kindness, Hayato took his leave and continued exercising. Once he had gone far enough away, Hizume Arima put a hand to her chest and let out a breath.
"Even though Kuroba-kun seems really friendly, his height feels so intimidating."
Aside from Kouha, who was 151 centimeters tall, both Arima and Uki were only around 160 centimeters. So Hayato, at 190 centimeters, really could make them nervous when he stood in front of them.
On his way back, Hayato found himself thinking about Arima's long hair. It would be nice if Kiyoko grew her hair out too. After returning home, Hayato messaged Kiyoko. She did not mind his request. Her current shoulder-length hair was not short to begin with, and since Hayato wanted to see what she looked like with long hair, growing it out a little more would not hurt.
Having finally finished their summer homework, Hayato treated Tanaka and Nishinoya to lunch again, then called Kiyoko over. The four of them went to school together for independent training. Once nearly everyone had arrived, the dull practice began again.
Kageyama was absent from training today. Hinata said Kageyama had gone to scout out The King. Hayato took a moment to realize he meant Aoba Johsai. Hayato was also very interested in the Aoba Johsai Volleyball Club captain he had yet to meet—the ultra-offensive setter, Toru Oikawa.
Ushijima's assessment of Oikawa—that he could bring out a team's greatest potential no matter what team he was on—proved that he was no ordinary player. And Karasuno was no longer what it used to be. What kind of sparks would fly when they faced Aoba Johsai again?
Training continued from afternoon into the evening. By the time night had fallen, Kageyama returned from scouting Aoba Johsai with a grave expression.
Hinata moved closer.
"Kageyama came back alive. So, how did the scouting go?"
"I... I might never be able to beat Oikawa-senpai for the rest of my life."
"What are you talking about?!"
Seeing Hinata getting angry, Kageyama explained what he had seen. The Karasuno team stopped training and listened to his account.
Aoba Johsai was no longer satisfied with playing practice matches against other schools. They had found a university team made up of graduates and played practice matches against those adults. Oikawa had joined the university students' side as their setter. He seemed to be meeting most of them for the first time, but after only a few rallies, Oikawa had completely blended into their team.
Even Kageyama, scouting from outside, had noticed the wing spiker's exceptional condition. Bringing out one hundred percent of anyone's ability was something no one could guarantee they could do, no matter how much time they spent trying. Yet Oikawa before his eyes made Kageyama feel that Oikawa-senpai could definitely do it.
"So, Kageyama, are you scared of that powerful King again?"
"Yeah. Terrified."
Hinata was just about to get angry when he saw the fighting spirit on Kageyama's face.
"Oikawa-senpai poured three years of effort into building Aoba Johsai into what it is now. Spring High is our only chance to face them. As a team, we have to beat them this time!"
"Yeah! Take down The King!"
Inspired by Kageyama's words, Hinata raised the ball and shouted.
"That was my line! Idiot!"
Hayato took the volleyball from Hinata, who was still running around excitedly.
"Not only Aoba Johsai—Shiratorizawa is our opponent too. We're going to Nationals! Everyone, let's do this!"
After exchanging looks with Hinata and Kageyama, Hayato turned to look at the third-years. Holding the ball high in one hand, he declared his ambition.
Everyone was fired up after hearing that.
"Alright, we're going to Nationals!"
Seeing everyone so energized, Tsukishima fell into thought. Since they were on break, his older brother had returned home as well. He had invited Tsukishima to train with his school's team, and Hinata had also asked Tsukishima that afternoon whether he could block Ushijima.
Tsukishima had replied in his usual calm manner that Ushijima was one of the top three aces in the country, so it was impossible. Blocking him once or twice would already be sheer luck. Even with Hayato around now, Hayato was a wing spiker and could not always participate in blocks. Tsukishima and Hinata, as middle blockers, were the main blockers.
Hinata, however, said that if Tsukishima could not do it, then he would. Those words stirred Tsukishima's competitive spirit, so he changed his mind about refusing his brother's suggestion.
He planned to go train extra with his brother outside of independent practice.
Time passed like that, and soon it was Saturday, the day the boys had been eagerly awaiting—the fireworks festival.
Kiyoko's Yukata still fit, so she did not rent another one. Hayato also took the black Yukata hanging in his closet and put it on, slipping his phone, wallet, and other belongings into the pocket inside his robe. With his wooden sandals clicking against the ground, Hayato arrived at Kiyoko's front door.
Before long, Kiyoko emerged from the house, already dressed in her Yukata.
The light blue lily-patterned Yukata made Kiyoko's elegant Japanese beauty stand out even more. Since the Yukata covered most of her body, the only visible part—her slender neck—became all the more eye-catching. Her shoulder-length black hair had also been pinned up.
As expected, the best part of a girl wearing a Yukata is the back of her neck. She looks incredibly beautiful.
Hayato stroked his chin as he admired Kiyoko's Yukata, silently thinking to himself.
"You look beautiful, Kiyoko-senpai."
He could not leave out the spoken compliment either. After seriously taking in her appearance, Hayato said so. Kiyoko held her handbag and smiled at him.
"Thank you for the compliment. Alright, let's go."
The two of them walked side by side toward their arranged meeting place.
Before you continue