Fireworks Festival

The group arrived at the station, and everyone from the volleyball club who had been waiting there let out gasps of admiration at Kiyoko's yukata.

"Ooooh~~"

Tanaka and Nishinoya turned to dust on the spot, wearing expressions of utter contentment.

"Sorry, I'm late!"

Hitoka also arrived, wearing a white-themed yukata. Unlike Kiyoko's traditional Japanese beauty aura, Hitoka had a cute vibe. Her attire also earned compliments from the first-years. With everyone present, they all boarded the train together.

On the train, Hayato specifically glanced at Yamaguchi. He saw that Yamaguchi was acting like nothing was wrong, and it was impossible to tell how he was feeling. Yamaguchi was chatting with Tsukishima, who was sitting next to him. Tsukishima hadn't wanted to come at first, but Yamaguchi had eventually persuaded him. With even the most unsociable Tsukishima here, the volleyball club was now complete.

The third-years, including Daichi, were also wearing black yukatas. Of course, the outfit made Asahi look more like a yakuza member who could pull out a tanto at any moment. Kiyoko even teased Asahi about his appearance while they were chatting.

Hayato, sitting next to Kiyoko, was pulled into a conversation by Daichi. Daichi suggested that Hayato take the lead with the first-year underclassmen after school started, seemingly as preparation for the future captain handover.

The others were also chatting idly. The train soon arrived at its destination, and they all disembarked and headed towards the festival grounds.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! So many people! And so much food!"

Hinata, the most energetic member of the team, exclaimed in awe at the crowds and food at the festival.

Daichi grabbed Hinata, who was about to dash off, and first reminded everyone to be careful. Then, after setting a location and time to watch the fireworks, he let them explore freely.

Wanting to compete with Kageyama to see who could eat more, Hinata declared they would settle it and disappeared into the crowd. Kageyama shouted, "Hinata, you idiot, don't run off ahead!" and followed him. Yamaguchi hesitated, wondering whether to invite Hitoka. Tsukishima, who had seen this coming, found Hayato and said he wanted to stick with him, then pushed Yamaguchi towards Hitoka.

As a result, Yamaguchi invited Hitoka to walk around the festival with him. The third-year group always stayed together, so there was no need to worry about them. The second-years, with Ennoshita as the leader, went to eat fried noodles along with Kinoshita and Narita, while Tanaka and Nishinoya, who were tasked with guarding Kiyoko, followed along.

This left only Tsukishima, Hayato, and Kiyoko.

"Aki-kun, you're being a third wheel now."

"I didn't want to come here in the first place. It was Tadashi who... Never mind. I'll just go look around by myself then."

Tsukishima, oblivious to the atmosphere, was about to go off on his own, but Hayato called out to him. Hayato then turned and glanced at Kiyoko beside him. Although he didn't say anything, Kiyoko understood his intention and smiled slightly.

"It's been a while since I've been to a festival. I feel like having a candied apple. Hayato, would you like me to get one for you?"

"Sure, thanks, Kiyoko-senpai."

After Kiyoko walked away, Hayato slung an arm around Tsukishima's shoulder.

"Alright, now that we're alone, let's have a heart-to-heart, Aki-kun."

Uncomfortable with Hayato's gesture, Tsukishima looked disgusted.

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

Unable to push Hayato away due to the difference in strength, Tsukishima eventually gave up and adjusted his glasses.

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

"Aki-kun, your blocking has been getting better lately too. Did you practice specifically for the match against Shiratorizawa?"

"No, it's just that the more I practice, the more proficient I become."

Of course, this was just Tsukishima's way of saving face. Hayato could tell that his recent improvement wasn't due to independent practice, but he didn't call him out on it.

"Alright, alright. To help you get stronger, I'll give you a few pointers."

Hearing Hayato's offer, Tsukishima was curious about what he, as the ace, could suggest, so he didn't object and listened quietly.

"During our training camp, Bokuto-senpai also mentioned that Ushijima's spikes are incredibly strong, so blocking them directly might be difficult. I think it would be better to focus on soft blocks, allowing the ball to be received, so we can counterattack. Also, regarding the timing of blocks, everyone's hang time after jumping is different."

"To block Ushijima, you need to jump to your highest point at the moment he spikes to intercept it. For this, I recommend you watch more game footage of Shiratorizawa. Kiyoko-senpai has collected their game videos. I'll send you a copy when I get back."

Hayato was giving serious advice, and Tsukishima was diligently taking it all in.

"Well, you also need to get used to the power of spikes. We can practice this more after school starts. My spikes are quite powerful, you know."

Hayato winked at Tsukishima, saying this with a hint of pride. Bokuto had also commented on the power of his spikes, though Ushijima was superior. As for how much of a difference there was, they would only know in an official match.

Before the official match, Hayato would have to be Tsukishima's practice partner.

After discussing a few more small tips about blocking, Hayato concluded his impromptu lesson, and Tsukishima committed everything he said to memory.

Just then, Kiyoko returned. Accompanying Kiyoko were Hatoya Kohane, also in a yukata, and her two friends. Suddenly, four beautiful girls were gathered there. Tanaka and Nishinoya stood on either side of the girls, acting as gentlemanly escorts.

"Hey, Kuroba-kun. Honestly, we texted you when we arrived, but you didn't reply. If we hadn't seen Nishinoya-kun and Tanaka-kun, we would have had to search for you."

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

Hayato, who had been talking to Tsukishima, hadn't noticed the message notifications. So, he could only apologize to Kouha and the others with his hands clasped together, offering candied apples to smooth things over.

With Kouha and her friends joining, the crowd grew again. The eight of them, four boys and four girls, went to explore the festival together.

With Kouha there to liven things up, Tanaka and the others gradually relaxed. They all happily enjoyed food and played games like goldfish scooping and water balloon fishing.

"Even though I'm not here with just Kiyoko-senpai, playing together like this is also a lot of fun," Hayato said quietly, walking beside Kiyoko.

"Yes, it's been a long time since I've been able to play like this with everyone," Kiyoko replied.

She had been practicing track and field, and after becoming the volleyball club manager, she had been constantly busy with club activities. Kiyoko, who didn't have many friends to begin with, naturally didn't have opportunities to go out and play. Although she was friends with Daichi and the others, this was the first time they had gone out to play like this. After all, Kiyoko wasn't the type to take the initiative, and none of Daichi's group dared to invite her.

"Speaking of which, it's thanks to me that we have this opportunity," Hayato said, smiling with his eyes narrowed, looking proud. Kiyoko also smiled.

"Yeah, ever since you came back, both the volleyball club and I have changed a lot."

Looking at Kiyoko under the lights, Hayato quickly glanced at the others. Noticing their attention was on the festival, he extended his pinky finger and hooked it with Kiyoko's. Kiyoko, sensing Hayato's movement, was startled at first. Then, she secretly looked at the others. Seeing that no one was looking at them, she glared at Hayato.

Of course, that look was more of shyness than anger.

The two walked through the lively crowd, their fingers secretly linked like this, shoulders touching. Compared to the surrounding atmosphere, they seemed so warm and peaceful.

Of course, after holding hands for a while, they had to let go because the others had gathered. Hinata and Kageyama, who had been eating, had greasy mouths and were also holding quite a bit, seemingly brought for everyone. Yamaguchi and Hitoka hadn't changed much, except Hitoka now held a water balloon. It was unclear if Yamaguchi had won it or Hitoka.

Daichi and the others didn't have anything much either, just a tokusatsu hero mask for each of them.

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

"Whoosh~~"

The first firework shot up into the sky and burst.

"TAMAYA~"

Everyone shouted along with the fireworks. Their summer vacation was over.