Chapter 31: Training Camp Notice

After a brief round of chaos in the gym, everyone finally got down to training. If they didn’t practice now and ended up getting caught by Coach Washijō later, it wouldn’t just be a matter of training anymore.

Today’s training plan had been brought over by the advisor.

As usual, the advisor greeted everyone and handed the small clipboard to Ushijima. Ushijima glanced at it—and for a rare moment, his expression blanked with confusion. Seeing that, Tendo immediately leaned in out of curiosity. One look at the plan, and his whole body wilted.

The advisor laughed at Tendo’s reaction and called everyone over. “Today’s training is receiving practice. Three people serve, one person receives.”

Goshiki muttered under his breath, “This isn’t receiving… this is a group beating.”

The advisor shot him a sharp look, and Goshiki instantly went quiet.

“Alright, that’s it. Also, next Sunday we’re going to Tokyo for a joint training camp with the Owl Valley League. Train properly—don’t lose the practice matches and embarrass Shiratorizawa.”

After spending so much time around Coach Washijō, even the advisor’s way of speaking had gradually taken on a sharp, cutting edge.

Once the advisor left, everyone finally started talking about the training camp.

The upperclassmen already had plenty of camp experience. Goshiki and Yunohama had played volleyball back in elementary school too, so they had more experience than Ryosuke.

Looking at it that way, Ryosuke was the only one on the team who had never been to a training camp before. He really did look like an inexperienced little country cat.

Ryosuke bounced the ball lightly while pricking up his ears to listen to the seniors chatting.

Eita Semi and Reon were taking turns serving, talking about this year’s camp.

Reon rolled the ball in his hand and sent it flying with a sharp whoosh. “Why is it Tokyo again this year? We were in Tokyo at this time last year too.”

Reon was extremely homebound and hated going out. Every time there was a camp, he had to bring a mountain of things with him. And for the past two years, they’d gone to Tokyo before IH every single time.

Eita Semi sighed helplessly. “That’s probably Coach Washijō’s decision. After all, Tokyo has the two IH powerhouses.”

Ryosuke’s ears twitched. The two IH powerhouses? A brand-new term.

He dropped the ball in his hands, squeezed past Eita Semi—who had been about to pick one up—and moved next to Reon to retrieve the ball for him.

Reon lowered his head and saw a fluffy head right next to him, with a few cowlicks sticking up. He froze for a moment before realizing it was Ryosuke. He took the ball from Ryosuke and served it out again.

Holding the ball, Ryosuke asked, “Senpai, what are the ‘two IH powerhouses’?”

Only then did Reon remember there were things he hadn’t explained to the new first-years yet.

“They’re the regulars in the IH semifinals. Tokyo teams that almost always make it that far. There are two schools that basically hold those spots.”

The little cat was stunned. “That strong? Then what about our school? How are we?”

Standing nearby with a water bottle, Eita Semi added, “In Tokyo, it’s basically the same schools every year—Fukurodani, Itachiyama. And there’s also Kamomedai from Nagano Prefecture, another frequent IH contender.”

“Yeah,” Reon continued. “Those two schools have a kind of strength that doesn’t care whether others live or die. Especially Itachiyama’s ace—that guy is a real pain.”

Ryosuke nodded in a daze. “Then… what about our school?”

Eita Semi’s expression twisted slightly. “Our school is definitely strong. We make it out of the Miyagi qualifiers every year. But whenever we run into Itachiyama, we lose.”

Reon added, “There’s more you don’t know yet. In the past couple of years, some Miyagi schools have started picking up momentum too. Aobajosai is one, and then there’s Date Tech with their iron wall.”

“And there are also some unknown dark horses. This year might be peaceful, but after that, there’ll be plenty of rising stars.”

Yunohama, drawn in by the conversation, pushed his glasses up. “From a certain perspective, Miyagi’s basically becoming a death bracket.”

Eita Semi turned to look at him, his eyes clearly saying, How do you know that?

“For now, that death bracket doesn’t really apply to our school,” Yunohama continued calmly. “But after the seniors graduate, who knows.”

A heavy sense of urgency suddenly settled over Ryosuke. He had to grow stronger—fast. He needed to become strong enough that no one could defeat him.

He tossed the ball up, jumped high, and smashed it down hard. Turning back, he declared, “Shiratorizawa is the strongest. Yunohama, let’s go train.”

For once, Yunohama didn’t argue with him. He simply lifted his foot and followed along.

Reon and Eita Semi were left staring at each other.

“Damn,” Reon muttered. “Those brats really look cool now.”

Eita Semi couldn’t help laughing.

Ryosuke and Yunohama walked side by side. Yunohama deliberately mimicked him. “Shiratorizawa is the strongest.”

Ryosuke immediately broke out in goosebumps. So cringe! Why was I being so chuuni?! And why are you copying me?!

He glared at Yunohama in embarrassed anger.

Yunohama silently chuckled and went with Ryosuke to look for Goshiki.

They ended up witnessing one of the rare legendary moments in Goshiki’s life.

Before they even got close, they heard Goshiki’s anguished wailing.

“Ah!! No—senpai, senpai, be gentler! Slower! That’s too fast, senpai!”

Yunohama’s body stiffened. His soul slowly faded to gray. What absolutely terrible lines to overhear.

He reflexively reached out and covered Ryosuke’s ears.

The little cat looked up at him in confusion, question marks practically popping up over his head.

“?? What are you doing?”

Yunohama was still caught in his own mental chaos. These lines are way too dangerous. Ryosuke’s still a kid—he can’t be corrupted.

Tendo happened to pass by and heard the noise. His eyes lit up as he rushed over, then waved at Ryosuke and Yunohama. “Stop covering his ears! Your teammate’s getting beaten up! Hahahahaha!”

Tendo leaned against the wall, laughing so hard he couldn’t even straighten up.

Ryosuke, still full of questions, went over to take a look.

Goshiki was trapped in a corner, surrounded by three burly figures—Kawanishi, Ushijima, and Yamagata—who were taking turns serving at him.

He trembled in place, his face bruised and swollen from getting pelted by balls.

Only then did Yunohama relax. Ah… so my thoughts were the dirty ones.

Ryosuke frowned as he listened to the heavy thuds of the ball slamming into Goshiki’s arm, each hit making his teeth ache in sympathy.

Confused, he asked Tendo, “Why is today’s training so…”

He couldn’t find the right word.

Yunohama supplied it flatly. “So perverted.”

At that, Tendo clutched his waist and burst into laughter again. Ryosuke watched him worriedly, afraid he might laugh himself into a collapse.

After a long while, Tendo finally gasped and sighed, still rubbing his sore stomach. Catching his breath, he explained, “This is to make sure you’re not afraid of receiving the ball.

“It sounds ridiculous, but sometimes when you face an especially powerful serve or spike, people really do get scared and won’t try to receive it.

“Like your teammate here—it’s fine if you can’t receive the ball. But being afraid to receive it? That’s not acceptable.”

He paused briefly.

“If someone doesn’t dare to receive, it means they’re scared. And that’s a very serious problem.”

Ryosuke nodded thoughtfully.

At last, Ushijima’s relentless barrage ended. Goshiki shrieked and threw herself at Ryosuke.

Choking back sobs, he said, “I got beaten up by the ball, Ryosuke. I’m so embarrassed.”

He sniffled, looking so dejected that even his hair seemed to droop.