The gym was still buzzing from the announcement of Kageyama and Akira's invitation to the National Youth Intensive Training Camp.
Just as the team was about to dive back into practice, Takeda raised his hand again.
"Ah, wait! There's more!"
Everyone stopped mid-step and turned back toward him.
"Huh? More big news?"
Takeda nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes! Coach Washijō from Shiratorizawa reached out to me personally."
"That old man?" Tanaka whispered to Nishinoya, eyes wide.
"I thought he only ever looked at monster-level athletes like Ushijima!"
"Apparently," Takeda continued, "he's organizing a special training program for promising players in Miyagi Prefecture."
The gym fell silent, everyone waiting with bated breath.
"And... Hinata and Tsukishima have been invited!"
"Hah?!"
The silence shattered.
"Hinata too?!"
"Kei?!"
A flurry of reactions rippled across the gym.
"No way!!" Hinata shouted, eyes wide with disbelief.
"For real?! Me too?!"
Takeda nodded, smiling proudly.
"You've both been recognized for your growth during the preliminaries. Washijō wants to evaluate players who've shown significant development. You two stood out."
Tsukishima blinked.
"…That's unexpected."
Hinata practically launched into the air.
"YEEESSSSS!!!"
He pumped his fists like he'd just scored a winning point.
"I'm gonna train with a former national team coach!!!"
"I'm gonna level up again!!!"
Tsukishima, meanwhile, scratched his head with a sigh.
"…I guess I'll go if it helps the team."
"You guess?" Yamaguchi said, smiling in disbelief. "Tsukki, you're literally going to train with Coach Washijō!"
"But still… good job, man."
"Congrats, Tsukki!"
Hinata ran up beside him, grinning from ear to ear.
"Let's go together! I'll race you to the gym every day there too!"
Tsukishima rolled his eyes.
"I'm not racing you."
"You always say that—but you do run."
"Shut up, shorty."
The rest of the team quickly joined in the celebration.
"Whoa, Karasuno's leveling up all around!"
"We've got people going to national camps, special prefectural training, what's next—our own volleyball anime?" Tanaka joked.
"Don't jinx it," Daichi said, smiling. "But yeah… this is big."
"Let's all give them our best support,"
Sugawara added. "This will push our whole team forward."
"Group hug!" Nishinoya yelled, leaping toward Hinata and Tsukishima with exaggerated emotion.
"Absolutely not," Tsukishima muttered, trying to sidestep—only to get caught in Tanaka's bear hug.
"You guys better come back with killer moves!"
"Make us proud!"
"You're all monsters now!"
As the energy in the gym soared, Takeda stood back, quietly observing the scene with a deeply satisfied expression.
Karasuno was no longer just the "fallen powerhouse."
Now, they were a team recognized on multiple fronts—for talent, for potential, and for heart.
---------------------
The city was buzzing with life as Akira stepped out of the train station, backpack slung over one shoulder. His phone vibrated just as he turned onto the main road near the meeting spot.
Incoming Call: Kageyama
He sighed before answering.
"Hey, where are you?"
"…I think I'm lost."
Akira blinked. "You think you're lost?"
"I followed the map exactly, but now I'm standing in front of a pet shop. There's a cat looking at me. Judging me."
Akira stifled a laugh. "Okay. Turn around. You're like three blocks off. I'll come find you."
...…
Five minutes later, Akira turned the corner and spotted a familiar tall figure standing stiffly by a vending machine, looking very out of place beside a crowd of elementary schoolers.
"Kageyama!" Akira called.
Kageyama turned with visible relief. "Finally."
"You're hopeless with directions."
"Don't rub it in."
"Come on. Let's get going before you start confusing left with up."
As they started walking toward the venue, another voice called out from behind.
"Well, ain't this a surprise."
Akira turned — a sharp, lazy drawl cutting through the city noise.
Atsumu Miya stood at the crosswalk, one hand tucked into his pocket, a to-go drink in the other.
"Didn't expect to run into Karasuno's finest out here."
"Atsumu!" Akira grinned.
Kageyama gave a small nod. "Miya."
Atsumu raised a brow. "Did Tobio-chan get lost ?"
"…No," Kageyama said flatly.
Akira coughed to hide a laugh. "We're headed to the venue now. You too?"
"Obviously. Thought I'd get there early, but since fate's thrown us together, might as well walk with ya."
The three fell into step together, weaving through the crowds.
Akira and Atsumu naturally started chatting, a fast and funny rhythm forming between them.
"You ever read Galaxy Brawlers?" Atsumu asked suddenly.
"Only all 300 chapters," Akira said, eyes lighting up. "That last volume was insane."
"I know, right? That twist with Captain Zeo actually being a clone? My jaw hit the floor."
"And his real self is still frozen in the void!"
Kageyama blinked. "Frozen in the what?"
Akira turned to him. "You ever read it?"
Kageyama shook his head. "I thought we were talking about volleyball."
Atsumu laughed. "Relax, Tobio-chan. There's life outside the court too."
Then, switching topics instantly, Atsumu asked, "What about Final Gear X? The new patch dropped."
"I downloaded it last night," Akira said. "Grinding the new raid boss is insane. Took me 12 tries."
Kageyama blinked again. "…What are you two even saying?"
The two ignored him and kept going.
As the trio reached the massive training facility, the familiar echo of volleyballs bouncing could already be heard beyond the walls.
Atsumu tossed his now-empty drink into a nearby bin and stretched his arms. "Welp, time to leave the casual side of us at the door."
Akira smiled. "Ready as ever."
Kageyama adjusted the strap of his bag. "Let's go."
And together, the three of them stepped inside — where the real battle was about to begin.
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