Time flew by, and before they k, the sed semester of high school had e to an end.
For many students in sports clubs, the various training camps held after finals were far more exg than the vacation itself.
On the m of December 5th, at the Sendai Shinkaation, four rather ued figures had gathered—an unusual bination of individuals.
Kaedehara Taichi, Oikawa Tōru, Ushijima Wakatoshi, and Kageyama Tobio.
(A slight adjustment to the setting: in this version, evewo starting pyers are required to attend the Japan Youth Training Camp, at least to familiarize themselves with the procedures.)
Four tall and striking young men, each averaging around 185 height, stood together.
If one ignored Ushijima Wakatoshi's bnk expression and Kageyama Tobio's perpetually fierce gre, a passerby might mistake them for an idol group.
"Wow! Oikawa-kun, I never expected to run into you here!"
Despite the bustling crowds at the station, it wasn't surprising that somenized Oikawa Tōru—the most naturally flirtatious one of the group.
Among the four, the two from Aoba Johsai looked far more approachable.
Though Kaedehara Taichi had a zy and easygoing demeanour on the surface, any stranger who tried to approach him would be immediately deterred by his pierg, unweling gaze.
Oikawa Tōru, however, was different.
He handled ued attention with natural ease. His warm smile was effortless as if he was born knowing how to i with people.
A few girls who had reized him quickly gathered around, their excitement and curiosity overflowing.
If only Iwaizumi-senpai were here…Taichi sighed internally.
The reason for this strahering was simple—Kageyama Tobio was terrible with dires.
As one of the io the Japan Youth Training Camp, his biggest challenge wasn't peting at the national level—it was simply getting there.
After some discussion at Karasuno, Takeda Ittetsu had, upon Hinata Shōyō's suggestion, asked Kaedehara Taichi to apany Kageyama on the journey.
Kaedehara Taichi and Oikawa Tōru were already headed to the same sports tre, albeit for different programs.
When Taichi heard that Kageyama would be joining them, he decided to casually check if the "lone wolf" Ushijima Wakatoshi would be going as well.
"Mm." Ushijima's response was as suct as ever.
And thus, the current peculiar four-man group was formed.
"Senpai?" Kageyama Tobio stared at Oikawa, bewildered by his ongoing versation with the girls. He couldn't uand the point of such meaningless iion.
"Fet about him," Kaedehara Taichi said, not even b to turn around. "Ushijima-senpai, let's head to the ptform."
"Alright." Ushijima nodded, following Taichi toward the b area.
"Uh…?"
Kageyama was momentarily torn. On one side was his respected Oikawa-senpai, and oher were two seemingly more reliable individuals. He stood frozen, pletely lost on what to do.
"Hurry up, Kageyama!" Kaedehara Taichi called out. Seriously, this blockhead isn't any different from Kindaichi.
"ht!" Kageyama quickly followed.
"Hey! Wait for me!!"
It was only then that Oikawa Tōru realized—no one had waited for him. He didn't eveo guess; it was defiaichi's doing!
Hurriedly bidding farewell to the girls, he sprinted after them.
-----
[Tokyo, Kita Ward – Ajinomoto National Trainier]
"We'll head over to the Japan Youth team's facility first. You two go together to the training camp se," Oikawa said as he and Ushijima stood at the entrance.
"Yes! Thank you, Oikawa-senpai!" Kageyama immediately bowed at a perfeiy-degree angle.
Kaedehara Taichi, oher hand, merely waved a hand in response. As soon as Oikawa left, he casually sent a message to Iwaizumi.
Kaedehara Taichi: Iwaizumi-senpai! Oikawa-senpai was fooling around with girls at Sendai Station and nearly missed the train.
Iwaizumi Hajime: Got it.
The near-instant response reassured Taichi.
-----
Kaedehara Taichi and Kageyama Tobio quickly found the volleyball training facility designated for the training camp.
In front of the gymnasium doors, a peculiar figure was meticulously disiing the door handle.
A face mask, seaweed-like hairstyle, and Itachiyama's team jacket—this had to be Sakusa Kiyoomi.
Surprisingly, Kageyama was the first tnize him. He hurried forward, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"I'm Kageyama Tobio, a first-year setter from Karasuno High. Pleased to meet you."
"…Huh?" Sakusa turned around, eyeing the two unfamiliar figures.
Karasuno? Doesn't ring a bell.
Aoba Johsai? Sakusa's gaze suddenly locked onto the ure. Their enter had e a little soohan expected.
Kaedehara Taichi smiled. "Hello, I'm Kaedehara Taichi, a first-year outside hitter from Aoba Johsai."
But Sakusa igheir introdus entirely and got straight to the point. "So, you're the ones who defeated Wakatoshi? Was he in bad shape that day?"
He just casually calls him 'Wakatoshi'? If only he knew Ushijima was literally with us earlier—he'd probably lose his mind.
Taichi squinted slightly. He had no desire to eain Sakusa's blunt interrogation.
Thinking Taichi was caught off guard, Kageyama answered for him, "From what I saw, Ushijima-senpai was i form that day."
"…Huh???" Sakusa's rea was ically exaggerated, his brows furrowing sharply.
"Then how did Wakatoshi lose? What trick did you use? Was there actually someone who mao block him?"
"Uh, Taichi blocked Ushijima-senpai's spike," Kageyama replied, pointing at Kaedehara.
"…Oh?" Sakusa's gaze turned razor-sharp.
"Ah, geez! Sakusa, don't scare the rookies."
A new voice cut in. Without aig, Komori Motoya appeared behind Sakusa, peeking over his shoulder with a friendly grin.
"We're from Itachiyama. This guy here is Sakusa Kiyoomi, and I'm Komori Motoya. o meet you!" Komori's cheerful introdu lightehe temosphere.
The best libero in the try!
Kageyama, who had just calmed down, suddenly felt his heart race again.
"o meet you, Komori-senpai." Kaedehara Taichi studied the libero with great i. pared to their st enter at Interhigh, both Sakusa and Komori had improved signifitly.
[Sakusa Kiyoomi—Outside Hitter: Overall Rating: 90; Height: 189 bsp;Strength: 85, Jump: 90, Stamina: 88, Speed: 90; Key Attributes: Serve 99, Set 92, Receive 96, Spike 99.]
[Komori Motoya—Libero: Overall Rating: 87; Height: 180 bsp;Strength: 85, Jump: 82, Stamina: 90, Speed: 95; Key Attributes: Set 90, Receive 94, Spike 88.]
Komori's setting? It's better than most setters!
pared to Karasuno's Hinata-Kageyama-Nishinoya trio, Itachiyama's Sakusa-Komori-Iizuna trio felt like a perfected, all-around unit.
Their third-year setter, Iizuna Tsukasa, robably over at the main youth team facility with Oikawa and Ushijima. No matter where you looked, things were bound to get iing.
-----
An hour ter, all the pyers selected for the Youth Training Camp had gathered ihe gym.
"Well then, Coach, please say a few words!" Team Manager Kobayashi turo the coach of Japan's national men's team, Hibarida Fuki.
"Alright, alright," Hibarida waved a hand zily. "I'm sure you kids are sick of us old-timers lecturing you, so I'll keep it short."
"I want you all to throw away your preceptions. The ditions of a match aren't pre-determihey're for you to adapt to iime."
"Use your imagination. Cause some chaos."
"You've got an hour to get familiar with your teammates, then we'll jump straight into scrimmages."
"After all, for you guys, volleyball should be a better means of unication than words."
"Yes, sir!!"
_________
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