Tokyo can still be a bit cold in winter, especially in the morning, and if you want to walk outside, you have to wrap up tightly.
Everyone from Karasuno High was dressed warmly as they stepped off the bus.
In front of the hotel, Akira was already waiting for them.
"Right on time! Just as I expected!"
Since the Spring High Tournament venue had changed this year, no one booked the same hotel as last time.
Instead, they chose one closer to the competition site.
Still, the level of luxury was on par with their previous stay!
This time, the hotel booking was completely arranged by the school.
After all, with their results from the Interhigh Tournament, there was no way the school would overlook their participation in Spring High!
And this time, it wasn't just the volleyball team members who came to Tokyo.
Even after the New Year's break, plenty of regular students were willing to come to Tokyo to cheer them on!!
According to the chubby Teaching Director traveling with them, due to the large number of rooms they reserved—plus some personal connections between the school's 437th Director and the shareholders of this hotel—
They managed to get a discount on the price.
Still, even with the discount, the cost of this trip made the school wince a little.
"Alright! Let's drop off our luggage first!"
After getting off the bus, Coach Keishin Ukai waved them forward, and everyone walked into the hotel.
After checking in, they didn't go out right away.
Instead, they gathered in the hotel's meeting room.
"I already showed you the Spring High schedule a few days ago," Ukai said, pointing toward the projector set up to the side.
"Even though we don't have to play tomorrow, I still recommend you head to the venue and check out the teams in our group."
Displayed clearly on the projector screen was the full tournament schedule.
Karasuno had been seeded into Group A!
Pretty much the same as in past tournaments!
The first notable team in their group was Kamomedai High from Nagano Prefecture.
Akira and Kageyama had already crossed paths with their ace, Kōrai Hoshiumi, during the National Youth Intensive Training Camp.
He was incredibly strong.
In the last Interhigh Tournament, Kamomedai had defeated Inarizaki and made it to the final four!
And aside from Kamomedai, another familiar name appeared in Group A.
"Whoa! Nekoma's in the same group as us!"
"If we're lucky, we'll get to play them!"
Shōyō Hinata said excitedly.
"You've said that a dozen times already."
"Why do you sound just as hyped as when you first found out?"
Beside him, Tobio Kageyama looked at him with a deadpan expression, like he was seriously trying to figure out what went on in this guy's brain.
"Alright, alright!"
Ukai clapped his hands, sounding slightly helpless.
"Let's focus on who we might be facing in the first round!"
On the big screen, two teams appeared as potential opponents for Karasuno's first match.
"Inufuto High from Hiroshima Prefecture or Yasusho High from Yamanashi Prefecture."
"The winner of their match will face us in the second round."
"Personally, I think it'll be Inufuto."
"They're a really strong team."
"In the last Interhigh, they almost made it into the top eight."
"Of course, we can't rule out surprises."
"But regardless, I want everyone to stay sharp and take our first match seriously!"
"Yes, sir!!"
…
The next morning, the Musashino Forest Gymnasium had not yet opened, but the outside was already packed with teams arriving for the tournament.
On this first day, whether it was the seeded teams that didn't have to play or the regular teams that did, everyone showed up.
Because this was the most important event in high school volleyball—
And before the matches even started, there was going to be a grand opening ceremony.
All the teams would appear in order, and the whole event would be broadcast on TV.
The winter morning was still chilly, but it didn't dampen the players' enthusiasm.
Everyone, boys and girls alike, stood together cheerfully chatting about the upcoming games.
The white puffs of breath in the cold air created a mini spectacle above the crowd.
It was something the locals looked forward to seeing every year.
"Hey! Hey! Hey!"
"Long time no see!!"
Just as Karasuno arrived, they heard a familiar voice from not far away.
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