Even after the new term began, Hayato's life had not changed much. Club activities, studying, the same repetitive and uneventful routine between home and school, with hardly any excitement.
"Hmm, don't you think daily life has been a little too dull lately, Hayato?"
"Peace is a blessing. We're already second-years, so stop expecting some wild plot twist, okay? Did your eighth-grader syndrome come this late, Ryu?"
During PE, the boys had been taken by their teacher to the second gymnasium for a volleyball match. Tanaka and Hayato, who had not been chosen to play, leaned against the gymnasium wall with their arms around their knees, chatting as they watched the boys on the court.
"That's not what I mean. Don't you think that after the preliminary rounds, all we have left in our lives is club activities?"
"What else would there be? It's not like you get to be the protagonist of a romance anime."
Tanaka was left speechless by Hayato's two remarks and looked at him helplessly. Hayato bore Tanaka's stare without a care.
"So why are you being so sharp-tongued today, Hayato?"
"Certain people know why."
"Wasn't it just because I suggested you be an executive committee member for the school festival? Did you have to get this angry?"
That was right. The main reason Hayato looked so unhappy was that, during the morning homeroom meeting, the teacher had announced that Karasuno's customary school festival at the end of September would soon begin. Each class needed to provide two executive committee members. Hatoya Kohane had volunteered for the girls, while none of the boys spoke up because they all found it troublesome.
At that critical moment, Hayato's good friend Tanaka bravely stepped forward and recommended him. Then, following the principle of anyone was fine as long as it