Watching Takeda-sensei leave, Yamaguchi shrank back a little in the lounge. It was full of unfamiliar faces, and he instinctively hid behind Tsukishima.
Tsukishima pulled him out from behind and pointed toward Ukai, who was sitting at the back. Only then did Yamaguchi relax slightly.
Seeing them arrive, Kuiya put on a smile and resumed the interview.
Meanwhile, Takeda had gathered the rest of the team in the gym. Whether they had already been interviewed or not, everyone was now gathered there.
He waved them over and asked,
"Didn't I tell someone this morning to inform Yamaguchi and Tsukishima? Why did no one go?"
Daichi looked at Sugawara in confusion. Takeda's gaze followed, and Sugawara scratched his head before glancing at Azumane.
Azumane stiffened, then pushed Nishinoya forward. That morning, Sugawara had told him, but he had been in a rush to use the bathroom and passed the task to Nishinoya.
Under everyone's intense stares, Nishinoya braced himself and dragged Tanaka out. The attention immediately shifted to Tanaka, who broke into a cold sweat, then slowly turned his gaze toward Hinata.
Hinata stared at his toes, then nervously stepped forward, fiddling with his fingers.
"I forgot… Kageyama dragged me off to practice back then."
Takeda never expected the responsibility to be passed around like this, only to end up with Hinata. But seeing that it was him, he relaxed. Hinata definitely hadn't done it on purpose. If it had been anyone else saying they forgot, he might have doubted them a little.
But this was Hinata.
A simple, straightforward airhead.
After all, what could an orange puppy possibly do wrong?
Sugawara looked at Hinata, who had his head lowered, and suddenly felt like he looked a bit wronged. His protective instincts kicked in, and he stepped forward, ruffling Hinata's hair.
"It's okay, it's okay. Nothing happened in the end, right? And Tsukishima and Yamaguchi weren't late, so you don't need to blame yourself."
Hinata nodded quietly, still feeling a little guilty.
Takeda smiled without saying anything. Everyone was very forgiving toward Hinata.
Tanaka, Nishinoya, and the others let out huge sighs of relief. Thank goodness it wasn't them. If it had been, Daichi definitely wouldn't have let them off easily.
After settling the matter, Takeda returned to the lounge to watch Tsukishima and Yamaguchi's interview.
Kuiya was quite curious about the two of them. They hadn't stood out much during matches, yet their teammates kept mentioning them.
After observing them closely, Kuiya formed a basic impression. At their age, emotions tended to show on their faces. Unlike players like Hanamaki and Oikawa from Aobajosai, who were clearly more seasoned.
Tsukishima looked quiet and reserved. His glasses gave him a calm, rational air. He seemed like the type who stayed composed on the court.
Yamaguchi, on the other hand, was far less noticeable. He seemed timid.
That was Kuiya's first impression.
He smiled and greeted them.
Tsukishima nodded reluctantly, while Yamaguchi politely introduced himself.
Without wasting time, Kuiya quickly arranged the interview.
Tsukishima went first. Yamaguchi stood below, watching nervously. Even though he wasn't the one being interviewed, he looked more tense than Tsukishima.
"Tsukishima, why did you start playing volleyball?"
Some of Kuiya's questions came from the TV station, while others were submitted by the school and teammates. It was a way to understand people whose thoughts were usually hard to read.
Tsukishima looked calm, but his fingers idly brushed against his earphones. Yamaguchi could tell he was already getting impatient.
After a brief pause, Tsukishima answered.
"Why else would I play volleyball? Because I like it."
His tone carried its usual hint of sarcasm.
Kuiya didn't buy it.
"But from what I saw in the match, you didn't seem very passionate about volleyball."
He wanted the truth.
Tsukishima sighed, glancing briefly at Yamaguchi and Ukai. Some things, once said, couldn't be taken back. He clearly didn't want to talk about it, but Kuiya wasn't letting it go.
After a moment of internal struggle, he finally spoke.
"I did like volleyball at the beginning."
"My older brother used to play for Karasuno. Back then, I always believed he was the ace. That's what he told me too."
"But one weekend, Yamaguchi and I went to watch a Karasuno match… My brother wasn't on the court. He was a substitute, standing in the stands, cheering for someone called the Small Giant. My brother was already a third-year, while that Small Giant was just a first-year…"
"At that moment, I found it ridiculous. For a second, I didn't even know what volleyball meant to me anymore. Was it a dream, or just another club activity?"
Kuiya fell silent.
Ukai froze for a moment, only snapping back when the cigarette in his hand burned his fingers.
Yamaguchi lowered his head. He knew that the look in Tsukishima's eyes right now carried a sadness even Tsukishima himself hadn't noticed.
After a pause, Kuiya spoke gently.
"I'm sorry for bringing up something painful. Can I ask your brother's name?"
Tsukishima hesitated slightly.
"Tsukishima Akiteru."
Kuiya suddenly understood.
"I interviewed your brother a few years ago. He was also a substitute at the time, but he did an excellent job supporting the team, so we interviewed him."
"He said he didn't regret giving the opportunity to his juniors. What he feared most was disappointing his younger brother. He hoped that one day, when his brother could willingly sacrifice for the team, he would understand his intentions."
"That part of the interview was never aired. It was his request. He was afraid it would upset people. Also, the focus back then was on the Small Giant. But I still have the recording. I can send it to you afterward."
Tsukishima remained silent for a long time.
His face showed nothing, but inside, everything was in turmoil.
So his brother had felt that way.
Then why, when he asked back then, had he only been told, "You'll understand someday," without any explanation?
Ukai was also surprised. No wonder Tsukishima had such a strong reaction toward shorter players.
Tsukishima stiffly muttered a thank you.
Kuiya smiled, satisfied.
"Then, how do you feel about Hinata?"
Tsukishima frowned. Why did this guy keep targeting things he didn't want to talk about?
This question had actually come from Daichi. He had noticed Tsukishima's subtle distance and hostility toward Hinata, as well as how he never fully blended into the team.
Daichi wanted to hear his real thoughts.
At that moment, Daichi was outside the door, secretly eavesdropping. Sugawara had caught him and joined him, smiling in a way that made it impossible to refuse.
Inside, Tsukishima answered calmly.
"Hinata… he's pretty good. Jumps high. Like a monster. Endless stamina."
Kuiya pressed further.
"I mean, do you have any real opinions about him?"
Tsukishima glanced at Ukai and Yamaguchi.
"I don't. Hinata's great."
This is awful. I really hate idiots like him.
"His stamina is impressive. He can play multiple matches and still stay energetic."
So annoying. Always bouncing around like some kind of stamina freak.
"He's short, but his technique is decent."
I hate short players. Especially Hinata. Just like the Small Giant who kept my brother on the bench.
"Everyone likes him. Including me."
The first part is true. The second part is a lie.
I don't like him at all.
I'm jealous of him.
Why does he shine like the sun?
I want people to look at me too.
Outside, Daichi and Sugawara both sighed. It was obvious he wasn't being honest.
Kuiya dropped the topic. He knew he wouldn't get the truth.
"Alright."
"But is there anything you'd like to say to Karasuno. And to Hinata?"
He deliberately separated the two.
Tsukishima adjusted his glasses.
"I'm grateful to Karasuno for giving me the chance to play, and for putting up with me. I hope Hinata can achieve his goals over these three years."
Hinata. I'll be watching.
Let's see if you really can become the Small Giant.
Kuiya nodded helplessly. What a stubborn person.
Tsukishima stepped down, ignoring Ukai's complicated expression.
Now it was Yamaguchi's turn.
Yamaguchi clenched his fists, nervous. Kuiya seemed to enjoy digging into people's weak points. What if he asked why he was so ordinary?
His face turned pale.
Outside, Daichi was about to leave, but Sugawara stopped him.
"Since we're already here, let's listen to the rest."
Daichi sighed and nodded.
Sugawara wasn't too worried about Tsukishima. He had seen his eyes during blocks. The same determination Hinata had when spiking.
Tsukishima wouldn't give up volleyball.
But Yamaguchi was different.
He was too quiet, too easily overlooked. Sensitive and timid.
During the match against Aobajosai, he had been sent in to serve at a critical moment, and he failed. At that time, his expression had looked like he had seen something terrifying.
Even though he had been recovering lately, Sugawara still felt uneasy.
Tsukishima suddenly patted Yamaguchi on the back.
Yamaguchi flinched.
"Sorry, Tsukishima."
Tsukishima looked at him, then suddenly smacked his back.
"Stand up straight."
Yamaguchi froze. Had he done something wrong?
"You're always slouching. It looks awful."
Yamaguchi blinked, then broke into a smile. He understood.
"Yamaguchi, it's your turn."
Kuiya called out.
Yamaguchi looked back.
"Tsukishima, I'm going."
Tsukishima closed his eyes.
"Go. I'm watching."
Only then did Yamaguchi steady himself and walk forward.
...
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