Chapter 70: Training Camp 34

Because time was tight, the unconventional temporary teams formed by the draw were disbanded by the afternoon. By the time everything wrapped up, everyone was in high spirits.

Yaku stretched his limbs, looking refreshed, and mercilessly mocked Bokuto. “Didn’t spike a single ball, huh? Hahaha.”

Bokuto wilted and squatted under the table, sniffing. Right now, he genuinely felt that he couldn’t do anything without Keiji Akaashi. Without Akaashi, he couldn’t even play volleyball properly.

Akaashi shot Yaku a glare and let out a long sigh. “Easy for you to say. I’m the one who has to calm him down now.”

Yaku laughed awkwardly and fled back to Nekoma’s side. With no other choice, Akaashi patiently coaxed Bokuto.

Seeing this, Konoha was deeply moved. Clutching his chest theatrically, he said, “Akaashi, this team would fall apart sooner or later without you.”

Over on Shiratorizawa’s side, everyone was taking turns chewing out Tendo and Ryosuke. The two of them had gone all out earlier, blocking without the slightest concern for their teammates’ well-being.

Reon roared, “What is wrong with you two?! You can’t get fired up when blocking other teams, but when you block your own teammates you’re acting like you’re on drugs! What are you trying to do?!”

Just thinking about being targeted by those two made Reon’s blood pressure spike.

Ryosuke, feeling guilty under the scolding, quietly shuffled behind Tendo, pretending he couldn’t be seen. His big, glossy cat-like eyes darted around uneasily.

Cat feeling guilty.jpg.

It wasn’t on purpose… It was just that seeing his seniors get blocked until they were red in the face was weirdly satisfying… And besides, it wasn’t like he got chances like this to block his seniors all the time.

Tendo grinned, puffed out his chest, and shielded Ryosuke behind him. Shirabu looked at Tendo’s lean frame and the Ryosuke peeking out from behind him, then fell silent.

Reon watched them, thought for a moment, and decided to let it go. Fine, fine. The kid’s grown up and has his own ideas now. This old father couldn’t control him anymore…

Completely unaware of any of this, Ryosuke was inexplicably let off the hook.

At that moment, Tsutomu Goshiki noticed Coach Takeyuki fiddling with his microphone and small speaker. One look and it was obvious he had something else to announce.

Goshiki poked Ryosuke, signaling him to look over.

The two of them stared at Takeyuki with bright, curious eyes. Sensing their gaze, the coach smiled at them, picked up the microphone and speaker, and stepped back onto the platform.

Takeyuki tapped the mic and began speaking cheerfully.

Ryosuke tilted his head in confusion. “Why does Coach Takeyuki like using a microphone so much?”

“Oh, that’s because Coach Takeyuki likes giving speeches. It adds a sense of ceremony,” Akaashi said, having finally coaxed Bokuto out from under the table.

He added, “And our coach is getting older—he doesn’t have much energy in his voice anymore.”

Ryosuke briefly considered getting Old Man Washijō a microphone too, but then remembered Washijō’s booming, full-bodied scolding voice.

He decided against it. There was no need to make everyone suffer like that.

While the two were talking,

Coach Takeyuki spoke from the stage.

“Ahem. Our half-month training camp has come to an end. Whatever you’ve gained or lost during this time—that’s all part of fate, so we won’t dwell on it.

This afternoon, training is canceled. The school’s shareholders have sponsored barbecue supplies, so this afternoon, let’s all have a barbecue together!”

The moment he finished speaking, the area below erupted into noise. They were all teenagers in the middle of growing up, and with so many friends together, the excitement exploded instantly.

The most energetic of all were Bokuto and Tsutomu Goshiki. It had to be said, the nickname “Little Bokuto” wasn’t exaggerated at all—the way the two of them expressed joy was practically identical.

“Ahhhhhh, barbecue!!”

“Ahhhhhh, I love barbecue!!”

Their expressions and tone were so alike that it was hard not to suspect they were twins.

Unable to stand it any longer, Akaashi and Yunohama each gave them a smack, instantly silencing them.

Yunohama and Akaashi exchanged a look, their eyes full of mutual understanding and admiration.

Yunohama: Taking care of such a big man-child really isn’t easy.
Akaashi: …Same to you.

“Alright, calm down for now,” Coach Takeyuki said as he looked around and continued.

Komori and Yaku appeared out of nowhere and gathered around Ryosuke, whispering among themselves.

“After the barbecue this afternoon, school buses will take everyone back. If anyone wants to stay an extra night, you can ride our school’s bus tomorrow morning. Staying another night will let you experience Tokyo’s nightlife as well. We hope to see you again next time!”

The crowd broke into applause.

Ryosuke returned to his group and went with everyone to the cafeteria to eat.

Tsutomu Goshiki said excitedly, “I’m going to eat less at lunch so I can eat more barbecue!”

Ryosuke couldn’t help but say, “Eat normally. Even though it’s in the afternoon, the barbecue starts at three. You won’t actually be eating until at least five or six.”

Reon turned back and added, “That’s right. Don’t starve yourself.”

Tsutomu Goshiki nodded obediently.

When they got their trays and sat down, Sakusa suddenly appeared out of nowhere, wearing a mask, and precisely took the seat next to Ryosuke.

Tendo glared at Sakusa but didn’t say anything.

“Oh? Seishiro’s eating with us today?” Reon teased. “There are lots of bacteria here, you know.”

It would have been better if he hadn’t said anything—once he did, Sakusa’s face darkened immediately. Tendo laughed gleefully at the side.

Sakusa kept his face grim and forced himself not to look at the messy tables and chairs. If it weren’t for wanting to spend more time with Ryosuke, he’d never step into a place like the cafeteria.

He stabbed at his food with his chopsticks, looking like he wanted to murder someone.

Ryosuke ate the same way as always, picky as ever, chewing each bite for a long time. Reon watched anxiously—how could this kid be so picky? He almost wanted to grab the tray and feed him himself.

But remembering how desperately hungry Ryosuke had looked before, Reon held his tongue. Why worry so much? When he was truly hungry, he wouldn’t be picky anymore.

Sitting next to Tsutomu Goshiki, Kawanishi glanced at Sakusa, then at Tendo, and quietly laughed.

Yamagata, who saw everything, looked confused. “?”

Sakusa ate a few bites, then pulled disinfectant wipes and a mask out of his pocket, effectively ending his meal. When he put the mask back on, it was obvious he relaxed.

Watching Ryosuke struggle through his food, Sakusa thought of something and asked, “Not going home for a bit?”

The question came out of nowhere, but Ryosuke understood it. The others didn’t, and looked at the two of them curiously.

Ryosuke paused, frowned slightly, and for a brief moment, everyone caught a glimpse of disgust in the eyes of the usually gentle Ryosuke.

He nodded. “I’ll go back tonight to take a look. Handle a few things, then come back.”

Eita Semi asked in confusion, “Home? Miyagi?”

Ryosuke realized he hadn’t explained this yet and said, “Not home. It’s in Tokyo. I’ll go check on it. I’ll report it to Coach Washijō.”

Hearing that, everyone relaxed.

Tendo spoke up. “But we wanted to go visit your place.”

Ryosuke looked up, puzzled. “My place? Coach Washijō’s place?”

Tendo choked. “No, I mean—”

Sakusa spoke quietly from the side. “The main residence.”

Ryosuke fell silent for a moment, then looked at everyone. “You all want to go?”

Reon had no objections and nodded. Ushijima seemed to think of something, pondered briefly, and then agreed as well.

If Ushijima was going, Shirabu and Tsutomu Goshiki were sure to follow. Tendo was definitely going. Seeing so many people joining, Yamagata and Kawanishi nodded too. With everyone else going, Eita Semi had no choice but to agree as well.

Yunohama asked hesitantly, “Won’t it be a bother if so many of us go?”

Ryosuke shook his head. “It’s fine. Then none of you are going back tonight, right?”

Everyone nodded together.

Sakusa spoke unhurriedly. “I’m going too.”

Ryosuke nodded. “Then I’ll arrange a car to pick you up tonight. Pack your luggage and stay at my place. Tomorrow morning, we’ll take my car back.”

In just a few sentences, Ryosuke settled everything, and no one objected.

Everyone was already looking forward to visiting Ryosuke’s home and had started discussing what gifts to bring.

Others might not know, but Sakusa did. As a well-known family in Tokyo, the Sakusa household was prominent—and naturally, the background of his childhood friend’s family wasn’t lacking either.

The two of them, along with Komori, knew each other inside and out. With the mess at Ryosuke’s home already sorted out, there was nothing left to worry about.