The volleyball cleared the net and landed softly, the entire process rapid and silent.
Kamibayashi expressed his shock: "For real? It actually landed?"
Heaven knows how shocked he was to see Hinata practically flying.
Although he had seen many blocks by Hoshiumi, who was over two meters tall, this was the first time he had seen another short player possess this level of jumping ability.
No, perhaps just as Hoshiumi insisted, one cannot underestimate any player simply because of their height.
Those who could follow the team to Inarizaki couldn't possibly lack any special strengths; it would be better to remove that modifier.
If this were an official match, with that kind of mindset, he would likely have been taken down by a "first-encounter kill."
Preconceived notions are truly a massive mistake..
Hakuma Mebuki rubbed his chin, thinking hard, "A mini version of Hinata?"
On the other side, Hirugami rubbed his chin. "In a certain sense, it's quite impressive."
It had nothing to do with height itself; what truly caught his attention was the speed of Hinata's mid-air transition.
The entire process was seamless and efficient, even faster than a volleyball spike, the key was that his height was not affected.
Beforehand, Hinata had said his vertical jump was 333 centimeters, Hoshiumi had even specifically checked that height, which might even be a bit higher, yet Hinata actually managed to hit it perfectly.
His gaze swept toward Hinata's feet. Those Achilles tendons were so powerful..
On the court, Hoshiumi watched where the volleyball landed, his eyes widening.
He used his peripheral vision to observe Hinata's nervous expression, then turned his head to look at Miya Atsumu's incredibly punchable smile, finally, with a sour face, Hoshiumi Hikari gave Hinata his evaluation.
It's passable, I guess.
In an instant, it was as if Hoshiumi saw thousands of flowers blooming behind Hinata, he simply could not suppress his smile.
He didn't even seem to be praising this guy, so why is he so happy?
"You want to see me spike a high ball, don't you?" Hoshiumi cleared his throat and then asked.
Hinata spoke tentatively, "Senior, I might not be able to set the ball well."
So, Hoshiumi-senpai is indeed incredible; he can spike, receive, even set!
Miya Atsumu stood up by the sidelines, attempting to volunteer himself.
Hoshiumi turned his head toward Hirugami Yukio: "Yukio, can you help me with a toss?"
Hirugami stood up and walked toward the court. "Sure."
The only setter on the court, Miya Atsumu, gave a light click of his tongue and crouched back down.
"You're being rejected, Atsumu," Miya Osamu said, mercilessly twisting the knife into his brother.
Suna took out his phone and took a photo of Miya Atsumu's back as he crouched on the ground, along with Hoshiumi Hikari on the court.
Then he followed up, saying, "I've been completely rejected."
Miya Atsumu turned his head: "Shut up!"
Having been partners for a long time, Hirugami Yukio could naturally find Hoshiumi Hikari's most comfortable point of power with ease, for Hoshiumi Hikari, this kind of high ball was just a part of his usual play.
The entire process of the approach, jump, spike was completed effortlessly, as natural as eating or drinking.
After completing the spike, Hoshiumi landed and slid under the net, jogging to bleed off his momentum.
He looked up at Hinata, the other boy gave him the reaction he had expected.
Hinata said with a face full of excitement, "That was amazing! Can we do one more?! It was truly like flying! Thump!"
As he spoke, Hinata took a step forward to simulate the movement, then tucked his legs and performed a small jump just like Hoshiumi.
Hoshiumi's expression became a bit more serious.
This guy.. has he grasped the key point already?
He walked straight to the approach position and said to Hirugami Yukio, "One more."
Kamibayashi, sitting on the ground, propped up his chin and watched Hoshiumi demonstrate again under Hinata's expectant gaze. "I feel like Hikari is about to be put on a pedestal.."
Captain Suwa, who had just returned, showed a gentle smile: "After all, Hinata is different, isn't he?"
To the members of Karasuno, Hoshiumi's strength was something they had already grown accustomed to.
For the others, what they might care about more was Hoshiumi's status as a small player.
And Hinata's praise contained nothing else; it was just the simplest, purest form of—admiration.
Just as the most meaningful praise always comes from a competitor on the same path.
For Hoshiumi, someone with potential who also aspires to be his peer.. was, in a way, an affirmation of his current situation.
Suwa watched Hinata cheering for Hoshiumi on the court: "This is quite nice."
Perhaps Hoshiumi, walking this path, is never alone.
But it is undeniable.. "competition" is always the thing that makes competitive sports most addictive.
Karasuno was in excellent form during the afternoon match, winning the first set, but they lost the next two sets in succession to Inarizaki, ultimately resulting in a 4:1 victory.
Once both sides had familiarized themselves with each other, Miya Atsumu's even more flexible tactical adjustments opened a way for Inarizaki to break through Karasuno's block.
Coach said Inarizaki leaves at six-thirty, so there's still time.
Hoshiumi directly took a ball out of the crate and called out to Hinata, who was on the other side handing out towels to everyone, "Shoyo! Come here and practice for a bit, we're running out of time!"
Hinata perked up instantly: "Yes! Hirugami-senpai!"
Hoshiumi turned his head to call out to his teammate, "Hirugami, come help me with a block!"
"Okay." Hirugami immediately put his things down and went to the other side of the net.
Before Miya Atsumu could volunteer, Rishia Heisuke raised his hand. "Senpai! I'll help with the block too!"
Hinata took the initiative; he absolutely could not fall behind!
After practicing a few balls on the court, Miya Atsumu protested directly, "What's the point of hitting stationary targets? Let's do a 3-on-3."
It was just the right chance to let him test a few quick attacks on Hinata; Karasuno's Hirugami was quite capable after all.
Hakuma Mebuki, whose fighting spirit had also been ignited, walked over as well. "I'll join in too."
Watching the game on the court inexplicably evolve from simple drills into a 3-on-3, Aran couldn't help but say, "Aren't these guys tired.."
They've been playing matches all day, they can still keep going?
Kita Shinsuke smiled. "It's quite good, too."
If it wasn't possible, he would have called a halt.
But it was obvious that Miya Atsumu had plenty of energy left, so there was nothing wrong with taking the opportunity to learn something.
In the end, Hoshiumi, Hinata, Rishia stood on one side of the net, facing Hirugami, Hakuma, Miya Atsumu on the other.
Aran, standing off the court, covered his face. "Who drew these lots? This height difference is absolutely tragic."
Miya Osamu offered a friendly suggestion: "Aran, why don't you go up there and swap out Atsumu?"
Aran complained, "No, the gap would only get even wider."
Author's Note:
I'm sorry, Yuyuko, the second one is gone [Clown]
Chapter 12: The Twelfth Fox
Looking at Miya Atsumu on the other side of the net, Hoshiumi slightly raised an eyebrow. "What's with that expression of yours?"
Why does this guy look so aggrieved, like his own child has been snatched away?
"It's nothing." Miya Atsumu clicked his tongue lightly.
Rishia Heisuke took the first serve.
Hirugami looked at Hoshiumi on the other side of the net, then at Hinata, before finally settling his gaze on Miya Atsumu.
Unlike a simple practice match, this impromptu 3-on-3 actually had a clear purpose.
He didn't know what these people were thinking, but as for himself..
Rishia's serve was received by Miya Atsumu, Hirugami raised his hand to set the ball for Hakuma.
Facing Hakuma's height, any attempt by the three people on the other side of the net to block would essentially result in an ineffective block. Therefore, Hoshiumi was also wise enough not to jump to block, leaving it to Rishia Heisuke to touch the ball and reduce its power.
This is a technique frequently used when facing a heavy spike.
Actively meeting the ball with the palm ensures that the ball doesn't fly too far away, also ensures that one won't be caught off guard and injured during a direct confrontation.
"Nice contact! Shoyo!" Hoshiumi clapped his hands, signaling Hinata to receive the ball.
He wasn't going to go for the receive; he knew very well that in this set, he was meant to focus on being the Setter, so it was best to let Hinata and Rishia handle such easy balls.
Hinata received the ball: "Hoshiumi-senpai!"
The ball, having had its power and spin reduced, was easy to receive, he didn't make any major mistakes.
Coach Kurosu had told him before that he shouldn't just stand there dazed after receiving a ball.
Whether preparing for a counterattack or charging straight ahead to attack, both would be better choices.
Thinking this, Hinata took a running start, preparing to attack.
Hoshiumi didn't hesitate either, raising his hand to send the ball to the middle.
He set the ball high, to a position slightly higher than Hinata's hitting point.
—Jump to this point.
In an instant, having grasped the meaning of this ball, Hinata imitated Hoshiumi's form in his final step, bringing his right foot inward.
The moment his soles hit the ground, they made a "thud," heavy and powerful.
Using his arms to drive his body, converting the momentum of his approach into upward force—
At the same time, Hirugami also took a step back, after a single running start, he jumped up directly in front of Hinata.