Ryosuke looked at Udai apologetically.
"Sorry, Udai-senpai. I got a little too excited."
Udai smiled and shook his head, letting him know it was fine. He had originally wanted to tell them something, but seeing how excited Ryosuke and Shoyo Hinata were, he decided to hold off for a little longer.
Looking at Ryosuke and Shoyo Hinata's identical, sparkling eyes, Udai wasn't sure whether they would be disappointed once he said it.
Only then did Ryosuke realize that Udai had been quiet for a long time. He tilted his head and looked at him, those eyes so expressive they seemed to be asking why Udai was not saying anything.
Udai chuckled, ruffling Ryosuke's hair with his left hand and Shoyo Hinata's with his right. Under their puzzled gazes, he hesitated, then finally said what he had decided.
"I've decided… not to coach volleyball anymore."
Shoyo Hinata froze when he heard that, then quickly came back to himself. It was fine. This did not mean Little Giant-senpai was giving up volleyball.
But then Udai said,
"I'm going to draw manga. I probably won't play much volleyball from now on, but I'll definitely keep the promises I made to you two."
Shoyo Hinata's excitement was instantly doused, as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water over him.
He forced himself to calm down for two seconds. And it really was only two seconds.
Shoyo Hinata scrambled to his feet and stared at Udai. His eyes were filled with confusion, sadness, and disbelief, such complicated emotions that it was hard to imagine them appearing on someone as optimistic as Shoyo Hinata.
He stammered,
"But… but! You're so good at volleyball! I started playing volleyball because of you… You can't…"
Udai cut him off first.
"If I stop playing volleyball, does that mean you'll stop playing too?"
That one sentence left Shoyo Hinata stunned. He shook his head instinctively. Of course he would still play volleyball. But if Udai-senpai was giving up volleyball too, then what had he been holding on to all this time? Shoyo Hinata felt lost.
Ryosuke quietly watched the two of them argue without saying a word. He accepted it well.
Because he knew what Udai-senpai was like. Once Udai-senpai made up his mind, absolutely no one could change it. Not even nine oxen could pull him back. He had stayed with volleyball for so long because he loved it, but giving it up did not necessarily mean he had grown sick of it.
No one knew what Udai-senpai was thinking. But to Ryosuke, that did not matter. Even if Udai-senpai stopped playing volleyball, Udai-senpai would still be an important senpai to him.
But for Shoyo Hinata, it might not be the same.
To Shoyo Hinata, Udai was the person who had introduced him to volleyball, as well as the dream of his childhood. Learning about this would probably disappoint him.
In truth, Udai was nervous too. He was also afraid the two of them would be disappointed. After all, for someone who played volleyball, giving up the sport was a cruel thing.
Udai looked at the dejected Shoyo Hinata and let out a tiny sigh. He did not want to disappoint this child either, but he had already made his decision. He had even submitted his resignation to the Sendai Gymnasium. There was no room left to turn back.
Ryosuke spoke softly.
"Shoyo Hinata, why don't you listen to what Udai-senpai has to say first?"
Shoyo Hinata looked up awkwardly. Only then did Udai notice that Shoyo Hinata's eyes had gone red. Udai silently cursed himself for being awful. How could he make such a cute child cry?
His broad palm landed on Shoyo Hinata's head and rubbed gently. Shoyo Hinata could even feel the warmth coming from Udai's hand.
"Shoyo Hinata, I thought about this for a long time before making my decision. It was difficult for me too. I've lived alongside volleyball day and night for more than ten years. To me, volleyball has already become part of my life."
"Then why are you giving it up?"
Shoyo Hinata finally could not hold back anymore. He lifted his face and asked stubbornly, tears still swirling in his eyes. He looked just like Udai had back then.
Udai wiped the tears from the corner of Shoyo Hinata's eye, then patted the bench beside him, signaling for him to sit down. Only then did he slowly begin telling Shoyo Hinata his story.
"This doesn't count as giving up volleyball. I'm not saying I'll never touch volleyball again either. I just want to try a different way of living. I've devoted more than half my life to volleyball and the court. Those years when I traveled everywhere competing for Karasuno are truly unforgettable to me.
But I no longer have the right to stand on the court. Not being able to stand on the court feels as suffocating to me as not being able to play volleyball at all.
I want to try living like an ordinary person. I want to see what other dazzling things there are in this world."
Shoyo Hinata lowered his head and sniffled, but he did not cry. He seemed to vaguely understand what Udai was trying to say.
"And besides, I'm planning to take care of my body. After so many years of matches, I've got injuries all over. My knees hurt when it rains, my back aches if I stand too long, and sometimes my arms don't have any strength. If I keep wearing myself down like this, I might really die young."
Udai said it half-jokingly.
But Shoyo Hinata reacted with unexpected intensity.
"No, Udai-senpai, don't say things like that!"
That sentence had truly frightened Shoyo Hinata. He had never expected Udai to have so many lingering problems with his body.
Although Shoyo Hinata was still a little sad, things had already come to this. He could not change Udai's decision.
But to Shoyo Hinata, Udai was still the Little Giant who had leaped into the air at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Shoyo Hinata would remember that moment forever.
"Then what are your plans for work after this, Udai-senpai?"
Ryosuke, who had not spoken for a long time, finally opened his mouth. He supported Udai's decision, but he was still a little worried that Udai-senpai's work might not go smoothly. After playing volleyball for more than ten years, he was suddenly going to draw manga. What if he ended up starving? Ryosuke had already started considering whether he could open a studio for Udai.
Udai had no idea what his good apprentice was thinking. If he knew, he would definitely throw himself at Ryosuke's sweatpants and shout, "Long live my sugar daddy!"
Udai smiled, hearing the worry in Ryosuke's tone, then wrapped one arm around each child.
"Don't worry. I do know how to draw manga. Speaking of which, this manga has something to do with Shoyo Hinata too."
"Hm?"
Shoyo Hinata made a puzzled sound through his nose. What had anything to do with him? Ryosuke also lifted his head curiously, his face full of wonder.
At the mention of this, Udai immediately grew interested. He stood up, picked up a volleyball, and slammed it down with a "bang," then said excitedly,
"I may not be playing volleyball anymore, but I want to create a manga about volleyball. And the protagonist will be based on Shoyo Hinata."
Hearing that, Shoyo Hinata and Ryosuke's eyes widened at the same time, disbelief written all over their faces. The protagonist of a manga. That was way too cool.
Seeing their expressions, Udai seemed encouraged and grew even more excited. He waved his hands around as he talked, looking less like the usual Udai and more like a big kid caught up in something he loved.
"It's cool, right? A country boy with real talent but nowhere to use it, until one day, he happens to see the Little Giant soaring on a volleyball court through a TV by the roadside. From that moment on, the gears of fate begin to turn.
The boy joins the Little Giant's alma mater, then walks the same road the Little Giant once did with the teammates around him, leading everyone back to the national tournament.
Isn't that so exciting? So cool? I've already got it all planned out. I can start drawing the moment I pick up the pen. I can't wait!
I'm going to use this manga to let more people understand volleyball and fall in love with it!"
As Shoyo Hinata listened, his whole face flushed red. How could he not hear it? Udai was clearly talking about him.
Ryosuke looked at Udai, then at Shoyo Hinata, and suddenly understood. No wonder it had sounded so familiar.
Shoyo Hinata was a little embarrassed and mumbled,
"But I might not be able to lead everyone to the national tournament. Udai-senpai, isn't that kind of inappropriate?"
Udai burst out laughing and ruffled Shoyo Hinata's hair. Shoyo Hinata was not usually like this. He was actually doubting himself now.
"If I say you can do it, then you can do it. If you don't believe in yourself, don't you at least believe in me?"
Shoyo Hinata looked up excitedly.
"I do, I do!"
Because he would believe anything Udai said. As for whether he could really lead everyone onto the national stage and win the championship like the ending of a manga, who could know something like that?
But deep down, Shoyo Hinata still believed in Udai.
Now that everything had been said, Shoyo Hinata's mood was not as terrible as before. After calming down and thinking about it carefully, he even felt that what he had said earlier had been a little too much. No one had ever said Udai had to keep playing volleyball. Udai had his own life too.
Seeing that Udai did not bring up what had just happened again, Shoyo Hinata was smart for once and did not mention it either.
The three of them talked about manga for a long time. It was not until Ryosuke started rubbing his eyes that Udai finally closed his mouth, looking reluctant. He had still wanted to talk with them some more.
Ryosuke's schedule had been extremely regular lately. During training camp, he had been forced into the habit of getting sleepy once it was time. Now he would grow tired as soon as night came, not to mention he had gone out for the day too.
Before Udai left, he reminded them,
"Be careful on the way back. Next time, don't come to the gym to find me. Come to my house instead. There's a small volleyball court behind my place, so I'll teach you there."
Ryosuke and Shoyo Hinata both nodded, then headed back together.
On the way, Shoyo Hinata kept asking Ryosuke about the national youth team and did not mention Udai changing careers at all, as if he had not taken it to heart. But Ryosuke knew Shoyo Hinata was just afraid that thinking about it would make him sad.
"The IH is starting soon!"
Only then did Shoyo Hinata suddenly realize how quickly time had passed. The prefectural tournament had already been half a month ago, but it felt as if it had happened yesterday.
Ryosuke nodded and looked at the sky, which had gone completely dark. He felt a little uneasy.
"Yeah, the IH is starting soon. When the time comes, Shiratorizawa will definitely win the championship. But Shoyo Hinata, aren't you going to hurry up? It's really dark now, so be careful riding your bike back."
Ryosuke knew Shoyo Hinata had to pass through a mountain road to get home. It was pitch black, and there were no streetlights, so he was a little worried.
Shoyo Hinata ran a few steps ahead like it was nothing, then waved.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. I'm heading back first. If I don't go now, I'll miss Mom's dinner."
Ryosuke smiled and nodded from behind, watching Shoyo Hinata pedal away on his bike.
Only then did he slowly start walking home.
When he was almost there, Ryosuke saw the lights of his house glowing from far away, and warmth filled his chest. It was nice. No matter how late he came home, there would always be a light waiting for him. That light seemed to be telling Ryosuke, "Don't be afraid. You're a child with a home too."
Ryosuke jogged home, stirring up a gust of wind, while the bright moon hung high in the sky behind him. ... Over the next few days, life slowly returned to normal. It was as peaceful as always, and no one mentioned the IH that was right in front of them. To them, the training they had to do now was still more important.
Time passed like that, until the final two days before the IH, when everyone finally began preparing for the competition.
That morning, everyone gathered at the gym as usual, and Coach Washijō also brought up this year's IH.
Compared to the national tournament, the prefectural tournament was not worth mentioning at all, so Coach Washijō took this much more seriously. More importantly, Shiratorizawa had never once won the IH championship after all these years. This tournament was the closest they had come to having a real chance at the title in recent years. It was also a year when strong teams were everywhere, and the pressure was at its highest.
"The IH is right in front of us. Relax a little over these next two days. There won't be any extra practice at night."
When Coach Washijō said that, Ryosuke clearly felt Tendo, who was standing beside him, let out a sigh of relief. He found it a little funny. No matter when it was, Tendo-senpai really did not want extra practice.
But the IH was almost here.
Thinking of that, Ryosuke was filled with emotion again. A year ago, he had still been watching other people compete on TV. A year later, it was his turn to stand on that court. Time really passed so quickly.
This time, he could stand on the same stage as sakusa. They were opponents, but they were also partners. They had the closest relationship, but that could not stop Ryosuke from wanting to become his rival. Ryosuke wanted to stand on the court and defeat sakusa.
"The schools you need to watch out for this time are still the same few. They're all old opponents of yours. Mujinazaka, Kamomedai, Fukurōdani, Itachiyama, Ichibayashi... Nekoma, the third school from Tokyo to qualify this time, is also very troublesome. Although we haven't arranged any practice matches with them, you all got to know them during the last training camp. None of you had better drop the ball.
These are all favorites to win the championship, and our school is among them. I won't say you have to win the title, but at the very least, bring back a prize. Did you hear me?!"
"Yes!"
Coach Washijō had actually wanted to tell everyone that they had to win the championship, but the greater the expectations, the greater the disappointment. Before this tournament, he did not say those words again.
After that simple announcement, the meeting was dismissed. Something like this happened every year anyway, so there was no point in saying too much.
Once Coach Washijō had left, Tsutomu Goshiki was the first to shout excitedly.
"Ooooooh! IH, here I come!"
Eita Semi's ears hurt from all the noise, so he smacked Tsutomu Goshiki on the back of the head.
"What are you yelling for? The IH isn't even here yet. If you really stood inside Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, you'd probably be so happy you passed out."
Eita Semi was exasperated. Tsutomu Goshiki, seriously. It was just the IH. He still had two years left, so what was the rush?
Reon found Tsutomu Goshiki's aggrieved look a little funny.
"Enough, don't pick on Tsutomu Goshiki. Back then, forget the IH. Just the prefectural tournament alone was enough to make you happy for days."
Reon exposed him without mercy.
Eita Semi covered his face, his voice muffled.
"Reon-senpai, isn't it kind of bad to say that about me in front of my junior?"
...
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