Fireworks Festival

When they arrived at the station, the Volleyball Club members who had been waiting there all let out exclamations at Kiyoko's Yukata.

"Ohhh~~"

Tanaka and Nishinoya turned to sand on the spot, wearing expressions of having no regrets in life.

"Sorry, I'm late!"

Hitoka hurried over in a white Yukata. Unlike Kiyoko's elegant, traditional beauty, Hitoka had a cuter style, and the first-years all praised her outfit. With everyone finally assembled, they boarded the train together.

On the train, Hayato deliberately glanced at Yamaguchi. That guy was acting as though nothing had happened, making it impossible to tell how he felt as he chatted with Tsukishima beside him. Tsukishima had not wanted to come initially, but Yamaguchi had dragged him along in the end. Since even the least sociable Tsukishima was here, the entire Volleyball Club had gathered.

Daichi and the other third-years were also wearing black Yukata. Of course, on Asahi, the outfit made him look even more like a gangster who could pull a dagger from his clothes at any moment. Kiyoko even teased Asahi about his appearance while chatting with them.

Hayato, seated beside Kiyoko, was pulled into a conversation by Daichi. As for training after school started, Daichi wanted Hayato to lead the first-year underclassmen. It looked like he was preparing for the eventual handover of the captaincy.

The others were chatting as well. The train soon arrived at its stop, and after getting off together, they headed for the festival grounds.

"Whoa! There are so many people! And so much good food!"

As the most energetic person on the team, Hinata exclaimed at the crowds and food stalls at the festival.

Daichi grabbed Hinata before he could dash off, reminded everyone to stay safe, and set a meeting place and time for the fireworks before letting them roam freely.

Declaring that they would settle who could eat more, Hinata plunged into the crowd. Kageyama shouted, "Hinata, you idiot, don't get a head start!" and followed after him. As Yamaguchi hesitated over whether to invite Hitoka, Tsukishima, who had seen through him long ago, went to Hayato and said he wanted to move around with him, pushing Yamaguchi toward Hitoka.

Yamaguchi then invited Hitoka to walk around the festival with him. The third-years always moved together, so there was no need to worry about them. Ennoshita, leading the second-years, took Tanaka and Nishinoya, who wanted to stay by Kiyoko's side as guards, along with Kinoshita and Narita, to get some yakisoba.

That left only Tsukishima, Hayato, and Kiyoko.

"Atsuki, you've become a third wheel."

"I didn't want to come here in the first place. It was Tadashi who... Forget it. I'll just look around by myself."

Tsukishima, utterly oblivious to the atmosphere, was about to wander the festival alone when Hayato called out to him. He then turned to glance at Kiyoko beside him. Though he said nothing, Kiyoko understood what he meant and smiled faintly.

"I haven't been to a festival in a long time. I kind of want some candied apples. Hayato, do you want me to bring you one?"

"Sure. Thanks, Kiyoko-senpai."

Once Kiyoko had walked away, Hayato slung an arm around Tsukishima's shoulders.

"All right, now that no one's around, let's have another heart-to-heart, Atsuki."

Clearly uncomfortable with Hayato's actions, Tsukishima looked disgusted.

"Um, please don't call me that."

Unable to push Hayato away despite trying for quite a while because of the difference in their strength, Tsukishima gave up and adjusted his glasses.

"So, what does Kuroba-senpai want to talk to me about?"

"Atsuki, your blocking has been getting better lately. Have you been practicing specifically for the match against Shiratorizawa?"

"No. I've just practiced more, so I've become more proficient."

Of course, that was just Tsukishima being too embarrassed to admit it. Hayato could tell that Tsukishima's recent improvement had not come from practicing on his own, but he did not expose him.

"All right, all right. Then let me offer you a few suggestions to help you become stronger, Atsuki."

Hearing that, Tsukishima became curious about what Hayato, as an ace, had to say. He did not object and quietly listened.

"Bokuto-senpai said during our training camp that Ushijima's spikes are incredibly powerful, so stopping them outright will be difficult. I think we should focus on Soft Blocks, making the ball easier to receive so we can counterattack. And then there's the timing of the block. Everyone has a different amount of hang time after jumping."

"If you want to block Ushijima, you have to reach your highest point at the exact moment he spikes. I recommend watching more of Shiratorizawa's match footage. Kiyoko-senpai has collected videos of their matches, so I'll send you a copy when I get home."

Hayato offered his suggestions seriously, and Tsukishima earnestly committed them to memory.

"Well, you also need to get more used to the power behind spikes. We can practice that more after school starts. My spikes pack quite a punch too."

Hayato raised an eyebrow at Tsukishima and spoke with a hint of pride. Bokuto had said that Hayato's spikes were quite powerful, but Ushijima's were even stronger. As for how much stronger, they would only know after facing him in an official match.

Until then, Hayato could only serve as Tsukishima's practice partner.

After discussing a few more blocking techniques, Hayato wrapped up the lesson, and Tsukishima took every word to heart.

Just then, Kiyoko returned. Beside her were Hatoya Kohane and her two friends, all wearing Yukata as well. Four beautiful girls had gathered there at once, while Tanaka and Nishinoya stood on either side of them with the air of gentlemanly guards.

"Oh, Kuroba-kun. Honestly, why didn't you reply when we messaged you after arriving? If we hadn't seen Nishinoya-kun and Tanaka-kun, we would've had to search for you ourselves."

"Ah, sorry, sorry. I wasn't looking at my phone just now."

Hayato had been talking to Tsukishima and had not noticed the message. He could only press his palms together in apology to Kohane and her friends, offering to treat everyone to candied apples to smooth things over.

With Kohane and her friends joining them, the group suddenly became much larger. The four boys and four girls wandered around the festival together.

With Kohane there to liven up the mood, Tanaka and the others gradually relaxed. Everyone happily ate festival food and played little games like goldfish scooping and water balloon fishing.

"Even though it's not just the two of us, it's pretty fun being here with everyone too."

Walking beside Kiyoko, Hayato spoke quietly.

"Yeah. It's been a long time since I've had this kind of fun with everyone."

Kiyoko had always been practicing track and field before, and after becoming the Volleyball Club's manager, she had club activities to attend constantly. Since she did not have many friends to begin with, she naturally had few chances to go out and have fun. Though she was friends with Daichi and the others, this was the first time they had gone out like this. Kiyoko was not the type to take the initiative, and none of Daichi's group had dared to invite her.

"So we have me to thank for this opportunity."

Hayato smiled so broadly that his eyes narrowed, looking immensely proud. Kiyoko laughed as well.

"Yes. Ever since you came back, both the Volleyball Club and I have changed a great deal."

Looking at Kiyoko beneath the lights, Hayato quickly checked on the others and found their attention focused on the festival. He reached out and hooked his little finger around Kiyoko's. Kiyoko startled at his action, then secretly glanced at the others too. Only after confirming that no one was watching them did she shoot Hayato a glare.

Of course, there was more embarrassment than anger in that look, and no real irritation at all.

The two quietly walked through the lively crowd with their little fingers linked, shoulders brushing. Compared to the bustling atmosphere around them, they seemed especially warm and peaceful.

Of course, they had to let go after a while, because the others came back to gather. Hinata and Kageyama, who had gone off to play, had mouths covered in grease and were carrying quite a lot of food, apparently for everyone. Yamaguchi and Hitoka did not seem any different, except Hitoka had an extra water balloon in her hands. It was unclear whether Yamaguchi had won it or Hitoka had.

Daichi and the others had not bought much either, aside from a tokusatsu hero mask for each person.

Once everyone had gathered, they went to a less crowded spot and waited for the fireworks to begin.

"Whoosh~~"

The first firework shot into the sky and burst open.

"TAMAYA~"

Everyone shouted together as they watched the fireworks. Their summer had come to an end.