The results on Karasuno's side were already out, and while most people were happy, there were also those who weren't.
At Aobajosai and Date Tech, the coaches had received the notifications as well. One by one, they went to inform their players, all with serious expressions.
Oikawa lounged against Iwaizumi with no sense of propriety, yawning with tears pooling at the corners of his eyes.
Matsukawa glanced at him.
"What were you doing last night? Your dark circles are practically down to your chin."
"What?! I actually have dark circles?! The handsome Oikawa-sama has dark circles?!"
That single comment made Oikawa shriek like a strangled rooster, so loud that Iwaizumi's ears rang. He barely held himself back from punching him.
Instead, he said coldly,
"Oikawa. Shut up."
Oikawa immediately switched into acting mode again.
"Waaah, Iwa-chan, why are you so harsh on me? Do you not love me anymore?"
Bang.
Matsukawa calmly closed his eyes. Right on cue came Oikawa's scream.
"Aaah!"
Matsukawa shook his head and stepped away, sighing. How does this guy manage to keep pushing it every day even after getting beaten up? Honestly, Iwaizumi is incredible.
Gradually, everyone gathered. Irihata arrived slowly with a cup in hand, Mizoguchi following behind him.
Iwaizumi shoved Oikawa off.
"Line up, Trash-kawa."
Oikawa pouted, yawned again, and finally stood properly.
Irihata scanned the group. Everyone looked in good condition, except for Oikawa, who clearly had not slept. Who knows what he did last night.
Ever since the last interview, Irihata had noticed the team getting a bit restless. He gave them two days off to reset. Going into training camp in that state would not be good.
"Alright, just stand like that. Don't move."
Looking at their crooked formation, he chose not to push it. They were always like this off the court anyway. Once they stepped into a match, they were more disciplined than anyone.
Iwaizumi frowned slightly. He did not agree with that approach. It would only spoil them. They were already too loose in their daily behavior.
"Stand properly!"
At his shout, everyone froze for a split second, then scrambled into position. In less than three minutes, they stood neatly, quiet as quails.
Oikawa stood the straightest. Even as captain, he had no intention of experiencing Iwa-chan's iron fist again.
Iwaizumi nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Irihata.
"Coach, go ahead."
Irihata sighed helplessly. These brats who feared nothing actually listened to Iwaizumi. That was a useful discovery.
After all, that was a guy who could beat Ushijima in arm wrestling. One punch from him could knock someone out cold.
"Alright. Forget about National Youth this year. Aobajosai didn't get any spots."
Everyone was already used to it. No expectations meant no disappointment. For some reason, year after year, the spots never went to Aobajosai.
Oikawa lowered his eyes and said nothing. He had long since gone numb. He used to believe he was destined for it, but reality had worn that down.
National Youth only opens its doors to geniuses. Someone like him, no matter how strong, would never get the chance.
"However, Coach Washijō's Golden Training Camp will be held this Thursday. We received an invitation. Oikawa can go."
Oikawa snapped his head up, staring at Irihata in disbelief.
Shiratorizawa inviting him?
That sounded impossible.
Seeing his expression, Irihata sighed and nodded seriously.
"It's true. Top players from across Miyagi will be there. It may not be as famous as National Youth, but this year Shiratorizawa invited a national team coach. Oikawa, no matter what you think about Shiratorizawa, this opportunity…"
"I'll go!"
Oikawa cut him off immediately, afraid the spot might be given away. His eyes stung, but he held it in.
So Shiratorizawa… acknowledges me now?
"Good. Oikawa, behave yourself there. Coach Washijō is strict. Don't act like a fool in front of him."
Iwaizumi warned him, clearly worried. With Oikawa's personality, it would not be surprising if he got kicked out on day one for talking back.
"I'll prepare the gear you'll need," Hanamaki said, stretching after standing for so long. He was tired, but also happy.
Aobajosai had fought hard for this chance. Oikawa deserved it.
"Should we celebrate?" Watari asked, confused.
"It's just a training camp spot."
"We'll see," Oikawa waved it off, lost in thought.
...
At Date Tech, the surprising part was that Koganegawa also got a spot at the Golden Training Camp.
That big, clueless-looking guy completely lost it with excitement.
He ran laps around the gym laughing loudly, while Futakuchi covered his face in embarrassment.
Overnight, all the selections across schools were finalized. Miyagi, which had quieted down after the prefectural tournament, was now quietly stirring again.
Everyone was chasing the next step forward.
...
Meanwhile, in Tokyo, Bokuto was still wailing.
"Coach! I don't want to go to National Youth. It's boring! Nobody's there. Only Sakusa, and he doesn't even talk. It's so boring. I don't want to go!"
He rolled on the ground, throwing a full tantrum.
Akaashi looked at Coach Takuro's confused expression and could only spread his hands helplessly.
Ever since Bokuto found out he was selected again, nothing could convince him to go.
"I'm not going! Ushijima isn't going either. And those guys might not even beat me. And I can't take care of myself alone!"
Seeing no response, Bokuto raised his voice again.
Takuro sighed, rubbing his temples.
Raising Bokuto really was like raising a troublesome owl. Full of energy, always chasing fun.
"Who said you'd be going alone?"
"Huh?"
Bokuto froze.
Takuro snapped.
"Whether you go or not is up to you. Akaashi is going. He's a second-year. This is a rare chance. If you don't go, stay and help me run training."
"I'm going!"
Bokuto sprang up instantly.
"If Akaashi goes, I go too!"
Takuro nodded, satisfied, and left.
Behind him, their voices continued.
"I don't even know when it starts."
"Next Monday, Bokuto-senpai."
"Ah! I need to buy bandages. And my hair gel is gone."
"You can buy bandages tonight. As for hair gel… Bokuto-senpai looks good without it."
"Really?! Akaashi!"
"Yes."
Takuro chuckled as he walked away.
Then he remembered a coach who had asked whether Akaashi would attend National Youth, and returned the call.
"Alright… then we'll rely on Akaashi. Next time you come to Miyagi, I'll treat you to good shochu."
...
On the balcony, Washijō was smiling as he spoke on the phone.
Knowing Akaashi would also attend made him feel relieved.
He asked Takuro to pass along a message. Have Akaashi keep an eye on his players.
Because a combination like Ushijima and Ryosuke was not reassuring at all.
They might get tricked and still happily count money for someone else.
Only Akaashi could be trusted to keep things in check.
He really had it tough.
After hanging up, Washijō went upstairs. Passing Ryosuke's room, he saw him sleeping peacefully with the door open.
He sighed again.
He had always thought boys only needed to avoid chasing girls.
Who knew this one would not even spare other boys.
What if he ended up with a grandson's boyfriend in the future?
"Tsk."
He refused to think about it and stomped back to his room.
...
The next morning, Ryosuke was already pestering him about National Youth.
He could not sit still at the table for even a second.
Washijō glanced at him and slammed his cup down, ready to scold him.
But Mrs. Washijō shot him a look, and he immediately shut up.
Instead, he started explaining.
"The National Youth Training Camp selects promising players from top schools across prefectures each year. They are trained by national team coaches.
At the end of the camp, coaches evaluate performance and may nominate players to the national team. At that point, mentality and overall skill matter a lot.
But don't rush. You're only a first-year. You have time. Ushijima only made it in his second year."
Ryosuke listened intently, chewing on a bun, completely absorbed.
Oil dripped onto his clothes without him noticing.
"Well… never mind."
He had wanted to ask if Washijō would be angry if he failed.
But seeing him like this, he figured the worst he would get was a complaint about food.
His eyes curved into a bright smile.
Washijō was briefly stunned.
This kid was starting to resemble Keigo more and more.
As children, they were completely different.
One was absent-minded. The other was like a wolf cub.
Now Ryosuke's features had grown sharper, resembling Keigo's striking looks.
But his eyes were still too clear.
No wonder he attracts attention.
That thought made Washijō annoyed again.
And right on cue, Ryosuke started talking about someone.
"It looks like Sakusa is going too. I wonder if he'll be surprised to see me. Last time was training camp, now it's this. I want to tell him now!"
He jumped up excitedly and ran upstairs for his phone.
He completely missed Washijō's dark expression.
Washijō leaned back, furious.
That useless kid.
"I'm not eating."
He stood up.
"What are you doing? Neither of you are eating breakfast! Ryosuke is young, fine. But you are not. Skip breakfast and don't complain when your stomach hurts!"
Mrs. Washijō's voice rang out.
Washijō stomped and sat back down.
As he bit into the bun, his eyes sharpened.
He made a decision.
This time, he would have multiple people keep watch over Ryosuke.
Absolutely no mistakes.
...
Upstairs, Ryosuke was happily texting Sakusa.
Cat Hero: Sakusa! I'm going to the National Youth Training Camp next Monday! Remember to miss me!
Cat Hero: cat heart.jpg
No reply.
He rolled over and messaged Keigo.
Cat Hero: I'm going to Tokyo for the National Youth Training Camp next Monday! I'll bring Ushijima-senpai to visit you!
Still no reply.
Bored, he scrolled through his phone and saw his call history with Hinata.
Then he remembered.Sakusa
He promised to take Hinata to meet Udai-senpai.
He smacked his head and immediately called.
"Hinata!"
"Ryosuke."
Hinata's voice sounded stuffy.
"Hinata, are you sick?"
Hinata sniffed, sitting quietly on the porch.
He smiled faintly.
"I'm fine. Just caught a chill last night."
After seeing Kageyama and Tsukishima selected, he had felt down.
On the way home, he rode his bike in a T-shirt.
The mountain wind at night was strong.
The sudden cold was enough.
He ended up catching a cold.
...
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