"Once you've finished training with your sister this summer, you'll naturally know whether you really want to keep training in volleyball. When the time comes, I'll introduce you to Karasuno's volleyball club!"
"Don't underestimate Karasuno. They used to be a team that could reach the national top four. They've just gotten weaker now, that's all!"
Yui kept talking to herself. In her memories, Hank had always lived together with her, and before she even realized it, she had already come to see him as the most important person in her life. Even though she did not want to admit what kind of relationship the two of them had, whenever something happened... she always thought of him first.
You could even say that the money Hank used while attending middle school came from her part-time jobs. Even though North River Middle School did not require much tuition, she still had to make time and work hard for it.
"No need, sis."
"I'm planning to attend Aoba Johsai's volleyball club summer tryouts next. We probably won't be able to see each other much for a while."
Hank looked at Yui and spoke with some difficulty. In truth, he had already thought through his next plan on the way back. Even though Aoba Johsai, as a private school, had higher tuition, it would be more beneficial for improving his volleyball skills in the short term.
And as an outside hitter, as the ace of a team, what he needed most was a setter who could fully work with him. Even though Kageyama had more talent than Oikawa, they would still need time to build chemistry. He was not like Shoyo, and at least for the time being,
there was no way he and Kageyama would get along well.
Rather than going to Karasuno and starting to build chemistry with the team there, it would be better to go to Aoba Johsai now and form the strongest team possible with Oikawa.
Then all he had to do was prepare with everything he had for the battle against Wakatoshi Ushijima of Shiratorizawa. Looking at it that way, he would not need to waste much time before reaching the Spring High final. He might even make the national youth team in his first year of high school.
By then, the stipend from the national team would be enough to cover Aoba Johsai's tuition.
"Aoba Johsai? You mean Aoba Johsai!? That's a volleyball powerhouse. If you try to get in, won't that be a bit too much?"
"Of course, if you do get into Aoba Johsai, your academics would definitely improve a lot too."
The moment Yui heard Hank's plan, her expression changed immediately, and then she quickly forced a laugh. She knew Hank was determined to play volleyball, but she had not expected him to be this persistent. He actually wanted to join a powerhouse like Aoba Johsai.
After all, they were currently one of the strongest teams in the prefecture, a team that could reliably place in the top four in official competition.
It was not that she wanted to discourage Hank, but even if he truly had talent, he might still not be able to play as a regular. That was simply her evaluation of a school like that.
"Sis, if you think it's not a good idea, we can test it."
After finishing a bowl of rice, Hank went straight into the bedroom and pulled out a tape measure. Then he set up a simple standing reach test outside in the yard, a setup that could measure exactly how high he could jump.
"Hank, what are you doing!?"
Yui followed Hank outside and looked at the simple reach-testing setup he had made. For some reason, expectation began rising in her heart. What if he really did have some hidden talent?
In her impression, he was not a frivolous person. Whatever he did, he always had his own plan.
"For the ace of a team, the most important thing is whether he can clear the opposing team's block."
"I haven't learned the techniques for dealing with blocks yet, but... in the face of absolute jumping ability, none of that will be a problem."
The instant Hank finished speaking, his body bent slightly. Then he suddenly swung his arms—
and his whole body seemed to launch off the ground.
When he finally came down, the height he had touched was actually 346 centimeters. The moment she saw that scene, Yui was completely stunned.
She could hardly believe what she had just seen.
Hank's standing reach touch had reached 346 centimeters!?
This was a standing jump, much lower than the height someone could reach with an approach jump... In other words, at 185 centimeters tall, Hank had just jumped 170 centimeters from a standstill!?
What!?
"What just happened? What was that just now!?"
"One hundred seventy centimeters!? Talent like that would have no problem being called world-class!"
Yui excitedly ran behind Hank and pulled him into her arms as she shouted loudly. In her understanding, for a normal person to reach 130 centimeters on a standing jump was already extremely impressive, not to mention someone like Hank reaching 170.
That was enough height to clear a person from a standstill. With talent like that, even if the other side organized a block, it would pose no threat to Hank at all.
Hank truly had extraordinary talent!
(End of Chapter)
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[[email protected]/Zukooo]
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