In the end, Hinata gave in under Sugawara's death stare, shrinking down obediently like a little quail.
Kageyama helplessly pulled the spacey Hinata over to his side to stop him from doing anything ridiculous again.
Everything in the lounge was already set up. Lights, cameras, reporters.
The final interview officially began.
Kuiya glanced at the notes in his hand and started.
"Takeda-sensei, did you know that everyone at Karasuno describes you as a 'great guide'? What do you think about that?"
Takeda-sensei's face instantly flushed red. Being called something like a guide was just too embarrassing.
"Ahem… I didn't know. I have no idea what these kids say behind my back. As for how I feel… I suppose I feel honored. I'm honored they gave me such a title, and I'm honored to be part of the Karasuno family."
Takeda-sensei smiled a little shyly.
"Alright. The question everyone at Karasuno cares about most right now is. Will Takeda-sensei stay with them going forward? Everyone has a goal. They want to take Takeda-sensei to the national tournament and let you experience it firsthand."
Takeda-sensei smiled, his eyes faintly glistening. He was moved. The kids had grown up, and their wish was sincere.
"Of course I'll stay with you. The next generation of Karasuno will need me too. One day, we'll all go to the national stage together. I'll be waiting for the day you succeed."
"Takeda-sensei said he'll stay with us!"
"Takeda-sensei is the best!"
"We have to make it to nationals!"
Excited chatter erupted outside the door. Hinata, Nishinoya, and Tanaka were probably gathered there, talking nonstop. Their loud, passionate voices carried clearly inside, making Takeda-sensei blush again.
Kuiya sighed. How had he not noticed earlier that Takeda-sensei blushes this easily? Ever since the interview started, the redness on his face hadn't faded once.
"Takeda-sensei, over these two years at Karasuno, you've witnessed the team's decline and its rise again. What are your thoughts? Do you think all the effort was worth it?"
Takeda-sensei laughed heartily and answered without hesitation.
"Of course it was worth it. Watching these kids grow little by little is already a joy in itself. It's very fulfilling. It feels a bit like raising them."
He paused, picked up the water on the table, and took a sip.
"As for Karasuno… after Coach Ukai retired, its reputation gradually faded. Back then, even though I didn't understand volleyball, I had still heard the phrase 'Coach Ukai, who raised the ferocious Karasuno.'
Later, after I graduated, I came to work at Karasuno and was assigned as the volleyball club advisor. I suppose it was fate. From being curious years ago to personally helping guide everyone now, it all feels like a dream."
"When I first came to Karasuno, it wasn't like it is now. There were only a handful of players. Some had already given up, while others kept pushing forward. Since I was the advisor, I had to take responsibility. At the very least, I had to make sure the kids had matches to play.
Little by little, Karasuno got better. Seeing the new first-years join made me really happy. Being able to come to Karasuno and meet all of you. That truly feels like a blessing."
After he finished speaking, Azumane outside the door was already sniffling, on the verge of tears. Someone beside him helplessly pulled out a pack of tissues.
Listening to him sum up two entire years in just a few sentences, Kuiya knew it couldn't have been easy. Without Takeda-sensei, Karasuno wouldn't be where it is today.
"Now that the prefectural tournament has ended, everyone is moving on to a new chapter. Do you have anything you'd like to say to Karasuno?"
Takeda-sensei understood that this meant the interview was coming to an end. He felt a little emotional. At first, he had never expected Karasuno to achieve so much. He had only hoped everyone would be doing well. He never imagined these kids would come this far.
"I hope that on the road ahead, you can all stay true to your original intentions. Don't let victory or defeat cloud your judgment. Your journey is still long, and your path will only grow wider.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Focus on doing every small thing well, every detail. Success is not far away.
I look forward to the day you stand on the national stage."
"Clap clap clap!"
Azumane wiped his tears as he applauded.
The others quickly followed. In an instant, the room filled with applause.
Kuiya clapped with a smile. The staff did as well, hoping they would get another chance to interview Karasuno at the next tournament.
...
"Wow, that Takeda-sensei from Karasuno is amazing. He's done so much on his own," Goshiki said in surprise after watching the interview.
"And I heard from Hinata that Takeda-sensei didn't even understand the basic rules of volleyball at first. He learned everything step by step," Goshiki added seriously.
Ryosuke let out a small "Hm?" and turned to look at him.
"I thought you weren't that close with Hinata."
Goshiki scratched his head and laughed.
"Last time during the finals, I ran into Hinata in the bathroom. We exchanged LINE."
Ryosuke fell silent. These two really were social monsters.
Washijō sat in the back and watched the entire interview. He remained somewhat skeptical about what had been said. Kids these days were clever.
He had the advisor open the curtains, then stood up and stretched.
Seeing the broadcast end, everyone began cleaning the gym on their own.
Goshiki and Ryosuke unplugged the TV. Yunohama covered it with a dust cloth. Kawanishi and Yamagata tried to sneak their snack wrappers into their bags, but were caught by Reon.
Ushijima and Tendo mopped the floor again. Shirabu and Semi seemed to be arguing once more.
"Are you done yet? Why are you all dragging your feet?"
Washijō stood by the net, clearly losing patience.
Everyone glanced at him. Since he hadn't left, it meant he had something to say. At moments like this, Shiratorizawa always had an unspoken understanding. They would deliberately drag things out until Washijō got annoyed and left.
That way, they would not have to clean so thoroughly. After all, if he stayed, he would watch them closely the whole time.
They exchanged looks, then immediately sped up.
If the coach had something to say, they could not keep stalling.
His words worked instantly. Within ten minutes, everything was spotless.
They lined up neatly.
Washijō looked at them seriously and delivered a major announcement.
"The list for the National Youth Training Camp is out. Two players from Shiratorizawa have been selected."
His gaze swept across the group. Some looked indifferent, some disappointed, and some full of anticipation.
"The selected players are Ryosuke and Ushijima."
"Whoa! Ryosuke!"
A small cheer broke out. Goshiki looked at Ryosuke with excitement, then at Ushijima, clearly thrilled.
Shirabu lowered his head with a bitter smile.
"Ryosuke is really impressive. First year, and already won a top award and a National Youth spot. Not bad at all."
Ryosuke's eyes sparkled. The National Youth Training Camp was a dream for every volleyball player.
Ushijima looked straight at Washijō and was about to speak.
"Coach, this year I…"
"Be quiet."
Washijō shot him a glare.
"Let me finish."
Ushijima obediently closed his mouth.
"The camp lasts one week. Players from Kamomedai, Itachiyama, Nekoma, Mujinazaka, Inarizaki in Hyogo, and other powerhouse schools will be there. It will be a gathering of top players. National team coaches Hibarida and Hoshiyaki will also be present.
Take the next two days to prepare. You leave next Monday."
He spoke at length, directing his instructions to both Ushijima and Ryosuke.
Goshiki and Yunohama looked on with envy. They wanted to go too. They would have to wait for the next chance.
Washijō turned to leave, then suddenly stopped and turned back.
"Ushijima, Ryosuke. Come here."
The two exchanged puzzled looks and followed.
Washijō did not know what they were thinking. He only knew he was worried sick.
After Ryosuke came back from Tokyo, Keigo had called him in a fury, saying the cabbage he had raised so carefully had been eaten by a pig.
Washijō had nearly fainted from anger. He knew it. That brat from Itachiyama looked suspicious from the start. Always getting too close. Serves him right for getting beaten.
That brat would also be attending this camp. According to Keigo, Ryosuke did not know what had happened. But Washijō was already on high alert.
This time, someone had to go along and keep an eye on Sakusa.
Ushijima had attended once in his first year, but later stopped going because he felt it did not benefit his training. This time was different. He had to go. He needed to watch Sakusa and also help Ryosuke with things like carrying his luggage.
Ryosuke with those skinny arms and legs.
They had not even left yet, and Washijō was already worried to the point of exhaustion.
He looked up and met Ushijima's clear, innocent gaze. Then it hit him. Ushijima was not exactly reliable either. If he was supposed to watch someone, he might end up getting led astray himself.
He sighed heavily.
This is too difficult.
For a moment, he even considered canceling it altogether. But when he thought of Ryosuke's expectant eyes, he could not say the words.
It seemed he would have to find someone else to help.
Akaashi from Fukurodani had been a good choice before. Careful and composed. Able to keep Bokuto in line. But Fukurodani was not attending this time.
Hirugami from Kamomedai was not on the list. And Hoshiumi was too reckless. What if he led Ryosuke astray?
Karasuno was not reliable either. And that fox from Inarizaki was definitely out of the question.
This was giving him a headache.
Washijō clicked his tongue, then looked at the two still waiting.
"Ryosuke, go home first. I'll talk to you later."
"Ah… okay."
Ryosuke nodded, confused, and left.
Ushijima remained behind.
Washijō looked at him again and again. The more he looked, the more unreliable he seemed. He regretted not fixing his personality earlier.
Forget it. He would just explain it.
"Come here."
Ushijima stepped closer, curious.
Washijō whispered to him for quite a while. Ushijima's expression shifted again and again.
Shock. Confusion. Anger. Determination.
In just a few minutes, an entire drama played out in his mind.
Sakusa would do something like that?
It completely overturned his understanding.
And he even targeted Ryosuke.
After spending time with Ryosuke, Ushijima had unconsciously developed a strange protective instinct. Now, he felt the same urge to protect him as Washijō did.
He nodded firmly.
"I understand, Coach."
His voice was strong and resolute, surprising even Washijō.
Something felt off.
Washijō narrowed his eyes and studied him, only to find him spacing out again.
He sighed.
Expecting something from Ushijima was like expecting pigs to climb trees.
Still, Ushijima was now fully determined about this trip.
...
At the same time, the National Youth selections for schools across Miyagi were announced.
At Karasuno, everyone gathered excitedly, especially the first-years, practically staring holes into Ukai.
Ukai coughed and looked away awkwardly.
"For this National Youth Camp, Karasuno only has one spot. However, there are also two spots for Washijō's Golden Training Camp."
"Golden Training Camp?" Tanaka asked.
"It's for standout players from various schools who were not selected. Coach Washijō will train them together."
"Wow… sounds amazing," Yamaguchi said blankly.
"Alright."
Ukai did not drag it out.
"Kageyama is the only one selected for National Youth. He leaves next Monday. For the Golden Training Camp, it's Tsukishima and Nishinoya. They leave Thursday night. All camps last one week. Inform your families and prepare your luggage."
"Whoa! Kageyama, that's amazing! That's the national team!"
Nishinoya jumped up.
But Kageyama immediately looked at Hinata.
Hinata stood there with his head lowered, his expression unclear.
Kageyama pressed his lips together and said nothing.
Even Nishinoya sensed the tension and quietly stepped back.
"Tsukishima! You got selected!"
Yamaguchi was thrilled.
Tsukishima clicked his tongue. He had intended to tease Hinata, but seeing him like that, he held back and said nothing.
...
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