Haikyuu!!

Light Novel
Index

1
Chapter 1: Yacchan’s Errand
The main door of the second gymnasium was left open to allow
the wind to blow in. Up till just now, the evening sun radiated
its heat relentlessly, but as soon as the sun set, the sounds of
insects could be heard and the weather became much more
comfortable. However, to the members who were screaming at
the top of their lungs in the gymnasium, they probably could
not feel the slight change in the temperature.

“The last 30 balls!”

“Yes!!”

As soon as the members squeezed out a reply, the sounds of

balls bouncing, along with the screeching of the shoes against
the drips of sweat on the floor resonated throughout.

The members of the Karasuno Men’s Volleyball Club have just

passed the preliminaries for the Spring High Tournament.

After the prelims and despite the hot weather in summer, the
members continued to run and jump in the gymnasium. In
autumn the representative match for the Miyagi prefecture
would begin, and to the members, despite now being summer,
there was simply no time for leisure.
2
Once the whistle signalling the end of practice sounded, the
team’s manager Yachi ran into the gymnasium, her hands full
of sports drinks.

“Everyone has worked hard!!”

Yachi shouted with energy as she walked in. The third-year

manager Shimizu followed behind her, her hands carrying cold
towels.

“Oh, Yachi, I need some here!”

“So cooling! I’m alive again!”

The sweaty members crowded around the two managers, then

collapsed on the floor one by one, as if they had no energy left.
Although everyone looked as if they were going to melt onto
the floor, they did not forget to thank the team managers.

“Both the towel and the drink were so cooling and so

refreshing, thanks!”

“Yachi-san, you’re quite sensible.”

3
Hearing what the members said, Yachi shook her head, saying
“it’s nothing!” repeatedly.

“That’s because Shimizu senpai said cold is better, so I

prepared them right away!”

“Oh oh oh oh oh! As expected of our Kiyoko-san!”

Tanaka and Nishinoya, who were initially lying on the floor,

stood up suddenly after regaining energy. Sawamura, who was
beside them, said as he wiped off his sweat:

“It’s indeed hot… let’s get ice pop before heading home.”

“Oh, that’s not a bad idea. Are you going to treat us, Daichi-
san?”

Sugawara had just passed his remark casually, but the others
were of course not going to let this golden opportunity slip by.
Everyone stood up suddenly, and, with energy, spoke in unison:

“Thank you Daichi senpai!!”

“Hey… Suga, it’s all thanks to you…!”

“Thanks for the treat!”

Sugawara placed his palms together and said jokingly. Seeing

how Sawamura was glaring at Sugawara, Yachi smiled.

4
–

After changing their clothes, the members of the volleyball club

shouted “Senpai’s treat! We’re gonna eat ice!” excitedly as they
walked out of the club room. Yachi looked at them as she
asked:

“Eh? Where’s Hinata?”

Yamaguchi, who was the last to get down the stairs answered:

“He said he’s going for self-practice, so he left early—right,

he’s going to old coach Ukai’s house.”

Yachi looked at Yamaguchi with a surprised look, then pointed

at the gymnasium with a worried look.

“He left his towel and other belongings inside. I was about to
remind him not to forget his stuff…”

The towel and knee pads were left at a corner in the

gymnasium. They belonged to Hinata.

5
“So he forgot to bring them back… If we leave them as it is,
they’ll just rot in a corner…”

Yachi, with a face of calmness, walked into the gymnasium. She

picked up the towel and knee pads, then, with a nod, she said
to herself: “Alright!”

“I’ll bring these to Hinata, help me let the others know!”

Yachi changed into her sport shoes as soon as she finished

saying, then waved at Yamaguchi, who was slightly taken
aback. Then, she looked around the area, and gave chase when
she saw coach Ukai heading towards the car park.

“Coach, sorry! Can you tell me where’s old coach Ukai’s

house?”

Coach Ukai spotted Yachi, who was waving as she ran towards
him. He stopped in front of his car.

“Ah? Oh oh, sure. Do you have anything to do there, though?

There’s nothing fun there?”

“This! Because Hinata forgot his stuff.”

6
Coach Ukai saw the towel and knee pads on Yachi’s hands, and
showed a face of understanding. He took out a piece of
crumpled receipt and a pen from his pocket, then drew a map
on it.

“Hmm, you should be able to read this map… Or else I can

bring it there for you, I’m driving anyway.”

“No! It’s okay! This is also the job of the team’s manager!”

Yachi bowed towards him respectfully. Coach Ukai, on the

other hand, was slightly taken aback by her aura, and could
only utter “I-is that so? Be careful then.” He looked on as Yachi
ran away, her bag swaying left to right as she ran. He then
took out a cigarette and lit it. A small flame lit up amidst the
dark car park.

“… She could just give it to him tomorrow.”

“Alright, here I go!”

Yachi stuffed all of Hinata’s belongings in a paper bag she

found in the club room. As she was about to look at the map
7
coach Ukai gave to her while standing at the school’s main
gate, a small van stopped beside her. Yachi’s uniform skirt
fluttered.

“Ah, Coach.”

Her eyes met coach Ukai’s , who was at the steering wheel with
a cigarette hanging from his mouth, but he only slightly raised
his hand, then drove off after confirming that there were no
oncoming cars from both sides. Yachi nodded slightly, then
stared at coach Ukai, her mind thinking how he had to turn the
steering wheel so many times just to turn the car. The car
drove past Yachi with a slight sound of the engine, then headed
downhill.

The car disappeared, leaving a trail of smoke behind. Yachi

bowed once again in the direction of the car, then returned
back to the map.

In a while, her expression changed.

“…Eh? This map, now where’s the school facing?”

The map drawn on the back of the receipt had no indication of

her current location. Although the map lacked any details, one

8
should be able to make sense of it if they took a closer look,
right? Eh? Did I hold it the opposite way? Hmm, or should I
hold it against a light source? Yachi turned the map around
and around, and even held it against a the street light, but she
just could not make sense of the map.

“Do I have to… burn it with fire? I don’t think I need to, right?”

To put into context what were the only things she could make
out of the map, there was only a “road” depicted by two badly
drawn lines, and on the two sides of the “road”, one of them is
the “school”, the other being the “old coach’s house”. on the
line depicting the “road”, there were a few annotations such as
“this should be a mailbox”, “gentle slope” and “red jeep”.

“Red, jeep…”

Yachi mumbled to herself.

“Coach, a car… you can’t use movable things as markings…”

Yachi went into a daze for awhile, then regained her

confidence as she walked onto the road. She thought that as
long as she made it to Sakanoshita, she would be able to ask
around for directions. She grabbed onto the paper bag with

9
Hinata’s belongings tightly, then rushed to Sakanoshita.
Although it’s not too late yet, if she didn’t hurry up, she might
not make it to dinner time at home.

Although Yachi was slightly surprised at the coach’s map, she

couldn’t hide her excitement. To look for an unfamiliar house is
like going on an adventure, and besides, she really wanted to
know what kind of a person is the old coach. Since so many
children go to him, he must be quite a good guy. This feels
interesting. And most importantly, she looked forward to seeing
Hinata’s surprised look.

On an evening in summer, accompanied by the sound of her

pencil case rattling in her bag, Yachi ran down the gentle
slope.

“Eh?”

Yachi let out a slight sound as she saw the lights coming from
Sakanoshita. That’s because she saw Kageyama standing in
front of the vending machines at the shop’s front. She didn’t
see the other members, could they be inside?

10
“Hi, Kageyama-kun, where’s everyone else?”

Kageyama looked up with a bread in his mouth and saw Yachi,

who was panting as she ran towards him. After taking a few
bites of his bread, he lowered his head and looked at Yachi,
who was arranging her messy fringe from running. Kageyama
spoke:

“Garigari-kun is sold out, so they all went to Shimada mart.”

“Huh? Ah, Nishinoya senpai really liked Garigari-kun ice pop…

Right, then why are you here?”

“Because I’m hungry.”

Kageyama took a bite of his bread again after speaking. Yachi

looked on at him in surprise.

“Don’t be such a lone wolf, why don’t you join the others?”

“Huh? I only wanted a bread.”

Kageyama had a face of disbelief, his mouth stuffed with

bread.

11
“Hmm, why is that so… why is that so? For what reason?
Because senpai is treating… Ah, no. you could help the senpais
carry their bags… Ah, it’s not this way as well… Hmm…” Yachi
mumbled as she looked at Kageyama, then returned to her
senses and asked:

“That’s not what I wanted to talk about, Kageyama-kun, do

you know where’s the old coach Ukai’s house where Hinata is
practicing on his own?”

“Yeah, I’m been there before.”

Yachi had a face full of hope.

“I’m so lucky! Yes! I have something to bring over, but I do not

know the way. I had wanted to ask the shop owner, but, could
you lead the way?”

“… That’s fine with me.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Kageyama threw the bread

packaging into the dustbin, then picked up his sports bag from
the floor.

–
12
Kageyama, who is slightly above 180cm, along with Yachi, who
is about 150cm, walked down the slope awkwardly. Kageyama
walked in his own quick pace while Yachi trailed behind him.
She spoke:

“If he’s going to draw a map, he should have written down the
current location and the destination clearly! Why he chose to
use a red jeep as a marking is beyond my comprehension…”

“Hmm? Is that so? Red is a striking colour.”

Kageyama continued walked in front as he answered

nonchalantly. Yachi, slightly taken aback, stopped in her
footsteps.

“B-Because… a car can move! It won’t stay at the same place!”

“Huh? Oh oh, that’s right.”

“You and coach Ukai are indeed of the same kind…”

Yachi looked on at Kageyama’s back in surprise. Kageyama

turned around suddenly, scaring her. Yachi took a few steps
backwards instinctively. Kageyama asked:

13
“What are you bringing over?”

Yachi replied with a “Oh, right”, then showed Kageyama the

paper bag.

“Hinata forgot to take along with him his belongings.”

Kageyama’s frowned as soon as she finished speaking.

“Why do I have to do this for that guy’s idiocy…”

Seeing Kageyama’s frown, Yachi immediately thought “I’m

going to get killed!”. She then looked down in fear: “S-Sorry!
I’m not as smart as Shimizu senpai, but I just wanted to help
everyone! However, I caused trouble for you, Kageyama-kun.
The more I do, the more I things I mess up… My life has been a
series of traps, and I could only struggle… Urgh! I’m an idiot!
I’m a cricket!”

“… Cricket?”

Kageyama stared at Yachi, who was moving about. Then, he

said calmly:

14
“If that’s the job of the team’s manager, I guess there’s
nothing we can do.”

“Eh?”

Yachi looked up, only to see Kageyama start walking again.

“I’m getting hungry, let’s hurry up.”

“… Huh? Didn’t you just had a bread?”

The blurry street lights shone on the two, their shadows on the
road. Yachi’s adventure has officially started.

Yachi followed Kageyama for quite a while before she finally

realised the panic across Kageyama’s face, as he kept looking
around the area. Could it be that he can’t remember the way?
Although slightly worried, Yachi lacked the courage to ask
Kageyama if he knew the way. If Kageyama replied with a
“sorry”, she wouldn’t know what to do.

15
Yachi looked on the streets with suspicion. No matter how you
see it, they were indeed lost. Her palms started to sweat, her
adventurous mood long disappeared. Owing to her anxiety, she
even recalled how her family warned her when she was young
that if she went to an unfamiliar place, she might be
kidnapped by bad people.

Eh? What if it’s no kidnapper, but a spirit? An alien?

Supernatural… Occurrences?

No no no, of course I don’t believe in spirits or aliens. I may be

small in size, but I’m no longer a child who would be scared by
fictitious stuff like these. Besides, I’m not alone now,
Kageyama-kun is here as well.

Despite Yachi trying to convince herself, as soon as the saw

any unidentified shadows in the fields, she would still be scared
stiff.

“C-Could it be an alien…?!”

Once she started imagining things, she longer had the energy
left to look at Kageyama, who was tilting his head while
looking at the map.

16
She decided to ask Kageyama, all the while pretending to be
indifferent.

“Uh, um… Kageyama-kun, this road, how should I put it? Uh,
the mailbox the coach mentioned, hasn’t, um, appeared yet,
right?”

“… Huh?”

Kageyama turned around, his forehead full of sweat, his face

completely at a loss, his eyes losing concentration. Oh no, I
guessed right! Yachi moved her hands around immediately, her
head shaking.

“No! that is, no! I’m not suspecting you! That, so…!”

“Ah.”

Right then, Kageyama’s eyes lit up suddenly, as if he’d seen a

glimmer of hope.

“Eh? Could it be you remembered the direction?”

17
Yachi asked in a higher pitch. Kageyama pointed at a car
along the road gleefully, then started chasing after it.

“I saw it, the red jeep!”

“Eh? W-Wait… what are you saying?! Wait for me, Kageyama-
kun, you’re running too fast! Don’t leave me at a place like
this!!”

But Yachi’s voice only echoed in the surrounding while

Kageyama continued chasing after the car.

“If I caught up with the jeep, I would be able to find the

correct direction! If it drove away, we would be lost again!”

Ah, he really got lost! Yachi thought to herself while chasing

after Kageyama.

“Wait a minute, Kageyama-kun! The jeep might be heading

elsewhere instead of heading home! Besides, we don’t know if
that’s the same jeep!”

Yachi chased after Kageyama with all her might, but tripped
and fell on the road.

18
“S-So painful… No way, I’ll be left behind…!”

Yachi got up from the ground, her face looking lost. Suddenly,
an ordinary looking white van stopped beside her. It was not a
van familiar to her. Yachi was so scared her body stiffened as
a guy got off from the van.

“Eh? W-Who are you…?”

Yachi looked all flustered, her mind remembering something

from the past—

“Kidnappers would not choose an eye-catching car model.

They’ll usually pick the ordinary kind—those you see around
everywhere.”

“…K-kidnapper!”

“What did you say?”

Hearing Yachi’s voice, Kageyama ran back towards her.

Before he returned, a guy stood in front of the trembling Yachi,

blocking the street light.

19
“M-Mummy…”

Yachi grew teary-eyed, she was unable to see the guy’s features
since he was standing against the light. The guy held out his
hand:

“Hey, what are you two doing here? You’re students from
Karasuno High, right?”

“Eh?”

The words on the van read “Takinoue Electronics”—the guy who

got down from the van was the volleyball club’s alumni,
Takinoue.

“T-Takinoue senpai…?!”

Seeing Yachi’s about-to-cry expression as she let out a sigh of

relief, Takinoue was caught in shock.

“W-Why are you crying? Kageyama, what have you done!”

Kageyama who just ran back also had a face of shock.

20
“Huh? I was only chasing after the red jeep…”

“Jeep?”

Upon hearing Kageyama’s words, Takinoue frowned. Yachi

explained:

“We’re looking for the ex-coach’s house…”

“Ah, the old Coach Ukai’s house… you guys are in the complete
opposite direction! Where did you guys head out from?”

“S-School…”

Seeing the tired looking Yachi, Takinoue showed a face of

disbelief.

“You guys walked past a hill? What are you guys doing…”

“Eh?”

21
A moth stopped on the street light, then, with a flutter of its
wings, disappeared into the night sky.

“Ah, you shouldn’t have asked that guy.”

Takinoue spoke as he held onto the steering wheel. The van

drove in the midst of fields alongside the road, completely
different from the residential area Yachi and Kageyama walked
to just now.

Yachi, who was sitting beside him, spoke softly:

“I-is that so?”

“Ukai… is used to visiting his grandpa’s house, so he can’t

remember any road signs or markings. He goes there based
purely on instinct.”

“Ah, that’s similar to how Nishinoya senpai and Kageyama-

kun would only describe how to do a certain move with “pah!”,
“fwah!” and “gwah!”!”

22
“You guys are a pitiful lot, getting taught by these guys.”

Takinoue took a turn into a pebble-filled road. Yachi’s ponytail

on the side swaying left and right.

“… Look, it’s right in front.”

Hearing Takinoue, Yachi looked in front. A two-storey house

stood in front of where the headlights were shining. It was
spacious looking and had fences around.

“So here it is…”

Yachi looked out from the window. Kageyama, who had kept
silent at the back seat throughout finally talked.

“Ah, I know this place.”

“Kageyama-kun, you didn’t know at all before we arrived…”

Yachi flashed a tired smile as the van came to a stop.

23
“E-excuse me… Hmm?”

A ball rolled towards Yachi as she crossed the front gate. She
picked up the ball, tilting her head in confusion.

“White ball… is this for practice?”

“Yeah, that was the ball we used to play with.”

Takinoue followed behind her, then received the ball from her
hands.

“We used to play with white balls like this in the past. The
balls used nowadays, how should I put it, are all coloured,
right? Those balls allow people to see the direction of spin
much clearer, which is good, I guess.”

Kageyama, who was standing behind, nodded in agreement.

Yachi made a sound in surprise, her expression full of curiosity
as she looked at the white ball. She then noticed Hinata’s
bicycle parked right beside, then shifted her attention to the
net at the spacious yard.

24
“That’s Hinata, found him!”

Hinata looked as if he was practicing quicks with a female

college student. On the other side of the net stood a few boys
who looked to be in Junior high. Hinata, who was back facing
Yachi, had not noticed that she and Kageyama had came.

The female college student spoke:

“Shouyou, I think that’s all for today.”

“Please, once more, just once more!”

She let out a smile, then said “This is the last, alright?” as she
raised the ball. Hinata jumped.

Yachi smiled as she said “This is so typical of Hinata”, then

looked at Kageyama, who was standing behind. Kageyama
looked on excitedly, his eyes gleaming. This was the same
expression he had at the barbecue party during the combined
training camp.

“… If you want to play so much, you can join them too,

Kageyama-kun.”

25
“C-Can I? Uh, but…”

Even as he showed a very happy expression for that slight

second, Kageyama remained polite, which was very unlike his
usual self. Yachi smiled, then waved towards Hinata.

“Hey, Hinata!”

Hinata turned around as he spiked the ball, his face surprised.

“Eh? Yachi-san? And Kageyama?! Why are you guys here?!”

“Kageyama-kun said he wants to join you guys in practice!”

“What? I didn’t say that!”

Kageyama pouted, but as soon as Hinata waved for him to go

over, he threw his bag on the floor immediately and ran
towards the net. Yachi was shocked by his speed.

“Uwah, t-that was fast… speaking of which, both of them

really do love volleyball! How should I put it, this feels great.”

26
Kageyama set the ball immediately, and Hinata performed a
quick enthusiastically. The younger children looked on in
excitement.

“That’s awesome! Shouyou is so great!”

“Stupid, the coach said the taller guy is better.”

“Both are equally great!!”

Yachi looked on at the children and thought that these kids

may one day become like Hinata and Kageyama. Can she
herself find something to be passionate about?

Slowly, the kids starting gathering around Yachi. Yachi greeted

them.

“Ah, hello everyone! Sorry for the intrusion!”

The children looked on at Yachi, then smiled happily and asked:

“Eh, you’re the girlfriend? Girlfriend? Eh, whose girlfriend are

you?

27
“Ehh?! I-I’m not… what are you guys talking about…!”

Yachi chased after the noisy children. Hinata looked at her and
said in admiration:

“Yachi-san looked to be able to quickly become acquainted

with the children. She can teach very well too. She should make
a good teacher, right, Kageyama?”

“Instead of worrying about others, what is most important

now should be your practice. If we want to make it to the
nationals, we can’t afford to lose even one match.”

“I-I get it! You’re such a nag, seriously!”

Just then, a woman who looked about the same age as Hinata’s
mother entered with plastic bags from the super mart in her
hands. She walked towards the old coach Ukai, who was sitting
at the platform. They started chatting intimately.

“Ah, I need to greet the old coach Ukai as well!”

Yachi ran towards the old coach immediately. Takinoue, along

with the children, followed behind.

28
“Uh, I’m Karasuno Men’s Volleyball Club’s manager, I’m
Yachi!”

Yachi lowered her head nervously, the ex-coach on the other

hand laughed heartily.

“I see, you’re the children’s nanny! It must’ve been hard on

you, especially on such a hot day.”

“N-not a problem! I’m not tired!”

Looking at her nervous face, the woman smiled, then passed

her the plastic bags.

“The store I worked at gave this to me, because the freezer

had no space left, so they gave some to me. Come, take it and
eat it quick, it’s gonna melt!”

“Uwah… so many ice pops!”

Hearing what Yachi said, the other children rushed forward as

well.

29
“Is it ice pop? Is it ice pop?”

“Is there Garigari-kun?”

“I want chocolate-flavoured, help me grab one!”

Yachi could almost not move the body, getting surrounded by

the children like this. She kept waving her hand.

“Hinata, Kageyama-kun, you guys take a rest too, let’s eat

together!”

“Osu.”

Kageyama walked towards her with a ball in his hands, Hinata

shouted “wait for me” as he rushed forward as well.

“You spoke as if you were so great, turns out you still chose
ice pop over practice!”

Hinata smiled slyly as he poked Kageyama. Kageyama looked

at him and said:

“… This is to stay hydrated.”

“Then, you could just drink water instead of eating ice pop!”

30
“Shut up!”

Seeing the two quarrel again, Yachi smiled, troubled. The slowly
melting ice pop dirtied her fingers as she looked up the sky
and mumbled:

“Speaking of which, this is the summer break, right?”

The bright moon against the cloudless night sky, the chirping
of insects in the grass. The ex-coach, wearing casual
bermudas, held a hand fan with his hands. The smoke of the
mosquito repellent incense spiraled up the sky. With every day
spent on practice, it nearly made them forget that most people
are having their summer break right now.

“I can’t believe it’s this late already, I’m so sorry to have you
accompany us!”

Hinata said loudly as he peddled on his bicycle. Yachi looked

out from the van’s window and said:

“It’s no problem, I came here of my own will anyway! I’m really

happy!”
31
On the road at night, Yachi and Kageyama were offered a ride
home from Takinoue, while Hinata cycled beside the van.

Kageyama was already fast asleep, his head banging onto the
window repeatedly. Seeing him fast asleep, Hinata was
surprised.

“This guy can really sleep. He slept all the way through on
Saeko nee-san’s car the other time too… Could it be true that
the more you sleep the taller you grow? Could it be that his
height grew while he was sleeping…?”

Seeing the change in Hinata’s facial expression, Yachi said

with a look of regret:

“I sleep a lot too, but it’s no use.”

“Is that so…”

“Are you guys stupid.”

Takinoue smiled as he said, his hands on the steering wheel.

32
Hinata stopped in front of the cross junction, then waved
towards the others.

“I’m heading in this direction, bye bye! See you guys

tomorrow!”

“See you tomorrow!”

“Be careful!”

Yachi and Takinoue waved back while Kageyama was still fast
asleep. On the now chilly road at night, the first year member
and the club’s manager were finally on their way home.

“Say, Yachi, there’s nothing wrong with being hardworking,

but you should have at least informed me if you were coming
home late. Report. Contact. Discuss. These are all the basic
responsibilities one should have as a member of the society.”

Yachi, who returned home very late, missed dinner time. She
got reprimanded the moment she stepped inside. She lowered
her head desperately at the front door. Her mother, with her
hands on her hip, frowned suddenly.
33
“…Speaking of which, you reek of sweat today.”

“Eh? Me?! Ah…!”

Yachi finally realised that she’s still holding onto the paper
bag tightly on her right hand. Those were Hinata’s belongings—
the towel and the knee pads.

“I-I wanted to hand over these items to him, that’s why I

went…! Urgh, I’m an idiot! I’m a cricket!”

“Huh? Cricket? You’re speaking nonsense again… Alright, go

wash your hands and have dinner. I made the food by myself,
so I can’t guarantee its taste!”

“Yes…”

The desperate Yachi removed her shoes, then walked towards

the basin.

“Ah, I have to wash these…”

34
Yachi sighed as she looked at the paper bag. Although
unwilling, the crumpled towel and knee pads reminded her of
the gymnasium. Hinata and Kageyama, who continued
practicing their quicks despite failure after failure; the other
members who practiced every day in order to pick up new
skills…

Yachi looked up into the mirror.

“…Osu, I won’t lose! Someday, I must become a sensible club

manager!”

“Hey, don’t be so loud!”

Hearing her mum’s voice coming out from the kitchen, Yachi
replied loudly:

“YES!”

-end-

Chapter 2: Three Heads are Better Than

One or Two

35
Chapter 3: Video Arcade Kenma

Chapter 4: Powerhouses’ Summer

The Powerhouses are known as powerhouses for a reason. It’s
not by coincidence for them to be that strong.

A good leader and the members’ ability—these are but the main
elements of a powerhouse. Any team that achieves good results
during the matches will attract outstanding and well-known
players to join. If they participate in practice matches with
neighbouring schools actively, they can increase the chances
of improving themselves. Only the strong will be given such
opportunity—going by this logic, the strong will only get
stronger.

Other than that, they will also participate in friendly matches

with college teams. Because there is such discrepancy between
the abilities of high school students and college students, some
people might feel that the results are already fixed.

But it is not the matter of winning or losing. For the colleges,

they could make use of their invitation towards these
powerhouses to observe the players they’d like to have them
join their own teams in the future, while the high school
students can gain more experience through these matches.

36
“Oh, I see……”

Hearing coach Oiwake’s explanation, Futakuchi responded

casually in the empty staff room.

“When I was in first year, I remembered getting invited by one

of the colleges once?”

“This goes to show how much attention your current batch is

under.”

Oiwake leaned against the chair quietly, his expression stiff

while be spoke in his usual tone.

“Oh……”

Although Futakuchi could understand that the coach was

praising him, he couldn’t feel straight up happy from it, his
face slightly unhappy. They had always been strong even
before his batch.

37
The sounds from the baseball and soccer club entered the
room from the windows. Must be tough for them to do road
runs on such a hot day, Futakuchi thought.

“…… Forget it, I look forward to this year too, we’re in your
care, new captain.”

“Yes.”

After losing in the Inter-high preliminaries, the third years

have retired, and Futakuchi became Date Tech High’s new
captain. After bowing towards the coach, he left he staff room.

The school was quite vacant during the school break, an

although the weather was way warmer now than during school
term, Futakuchi felt that the school was huge and cold. On the
corridors and front porch, Futakuchi walked past the other
students occasionally, everyone of them in sports or practice
attire.

“…… Everyone is taking their practices seriously, huh.”

Although that’s what he said, Futakuchi too, was wearing his

sports attire, all dressed for practice. Even on a weather so

38
hot, he continued walking towards the non air-conditioned
gymnasium for practice.

“In other words, the college teams are scouting the members
they had their eyes on? Although I don’t like to be chosen this
way by others, this could actually be a good experience. This is
an opportunity for us to look at the other teams’ condition. A
lot of third year members from the other school have retired,
so I guess it’ll be somewhat different from what it was like
during Inter-high.”

Futakuchi explained to his members regarding one of the

neighbouring colleges inviting them for a friendly match. The
team, made up of Aone, Obara, as well as first year member
Sakunami, among others, have all gathered at the gymnasium.
As one of the powerhouses in Miyagi prefecture, it was no
wonder the team had a lot of members.

“If we can make use of this opportunity to gain attention,

getting a recommendation to enter college as a special student
would no longer be a dream. In this way, we no longer need to
take exams, nor do we have to go looks for jobs, and since all
of you are stupid, let’s make use of this opportunity to perform
well and let the others realise your potential.”

39
Just as Futakuchi was joking, the door behind him opened.

“You guys, how dare you think of getting into college through
short cuts! I don’t remember raising you guys up to be such
despicable fellows!”

The heavy door was forcefully opened by Kamasaki, who

shouted with a serious face. The retired third years have come
to see their kouhais.

“No one spoke of those words, and I don’t remember being

raised by you. Kamasaki senpai, what are you doing here? I
heard that you’re very frustrated over the fact that you can’t
get a job. Stop coming here to play and focus on your studies.”

Futakuchi sounded nothing like a kouhai, Kamasaki, provoked

by his words, showed a face of displeasure.

“Don’t bother about me! The point is, didn’t you just mention
about getting into college through short cuts?”

“Firstly, please get your facts right before talking to us about

taking a short cut to entering college.”

40
“I’ll have you guys know I didn’t take the short cut!”

Seeing Kamasaki in his pompous state, Futakuchi couldn’t

stand him at all, then mumbled to himself.

“…… Ignorance is a crime by itself.”

“Ah? Bruises? What are you talking about?”*

*Bruises (uchimi 打ち身) sounds similar to Ignorance (muchini

無知に)

Kasamaki retaliated threateningly. Just as Aone was about to

step forward to stop their quarrel, Moniwa, who had been
looking from behind and could not stand them any longer,
displayed his attitude as the team’s former captain.

“ Alright, Futakuchi, that’s enough.”

“…… Yes.”

Futakuchi shut his mouth obediently. Aone heaved a sigh of

relief, then took a step backwards. The former captain turned

41
around and looked at the members, then, treating each of them
like kids, reminded them.

“Listen carefully, during the friendly matches, please do not

embarrass yourself. Be punctual at the venue, greet properly,
don’t fight with the other schools, and never destroy the
college’s facilities.”

Seeing Moniwa looking so worried, Futakuchi smiled bitterly.

“…… Of course we won’t. Moniwa senpai, what do you treat us

as?”

“Says the person who always caused trouble! You and Aone!”

Moniwa was all angry yet worried, as if about to cry while

pointing towards Futakuchi and Aone. Futakuchi showed his
usual nonchalant expression.

“Did I?”

“……?”

Aone too, looked confused, his head tilted.

42
“Ah—yes, with only these guys joining the friendly matches, I’m
really worried!”

Seeing Moniwa scratching his head unstoppably, other than

Futakuchi and Aone, the other members were all full of guilt.

Not all members were treated as the “damned cocky kouhais”.

The only ones who don’t take orders and are rude would be
Aone and Futakuchi. But to the third years, unfortunately, the
ones that shone the most during matches were also these two.

Futakuchi, one of the causes of the senpai’s worries, smiled

slyly. Compared to playing volleyball, Futakuchi looked way
more energetic than he was when pulling tricks on his senpais.
Probably because he hadn’t played with the third years for
awhile, Futakuchi’s mood was all great in that moment.

Having to continue with being victims of Futakuchi and Aone’s

tricks even after retirement, Sasaya, another third year student,
found Moniwa to be very pitiful, and hence spoke gently.

“Moniwa, don’t you dare join in the friendly matches out of

worrying for them.”

43
“I won’t. After all, I’ve already retired……”

“No, this has nothing to do with being retired, if you go, you
might suffer from gastric pain.”

“…… Is it that serious?”

Hearing his senpais’ conversation, Futakuchi intervened.

“That’s right, please place your trusts on your dear kouhais,

senpai!”

Futakuchi said shamelessly. Seeing his smile, Moniwa sighed

deeply.

“If you’re going to say this, you must try to earn my trust
through your actions……”

Just talking to his kouhais for that few minutes made Moniwa
a weaker guy. Kamasaki, who was beside him, was still caught
in confusion.

“So it wasn’t about bruises?”

44
–

On a certain morning in August, all members of Date Tech High

School’s volleyball club boarded the school bus, headed
towards the venue of the friendly match with a neighbouring
college.

The cloudless sky indicated that today will be a hot day. The
picturesque sky had the mood of summer, but they were not
headed towards the beach or the swimming pool, instead to the
warm and smelly gymnasium.

The iron wall, made up of members above 180cm, together with

its huge number of bench members (so much so it felt like a
landslide advantage in any match), and also their bags made
the bus look more crowded than it really was. Futakuchi, who
was sitting right at the end, opened the pamphlet for the
upcoming Miyagi prefecture Spring High preliminaries.

“I wonder what other schools are there.”

Aone, who was sitting beside him, looked quietly at the

pamphlet as well.

45
“Those irritating guys from Shiratorizawa and Aoba Johsai
would probably not be there. Probably just people from
Wakutaniminami, as well as the eye catching guy from the
preliminaries this time……”

Futakuchi dropped his hand.

“Hey, look. This guy must be 2 metres.”

Futakuchi saw a member from Kakugawa High who looked to

be 2 metres in height, his name Hyakuzawa. His huge size could
be seen even on the blurry photo. Aone’s eyes glistened, the
other members slipped into a frenzy.

“That’s 10cm taller than Aone……”

Futakuchi stared at the photo seriously, then focused onto

Aone again. After staring as him for awhile, he laughed.

“…… This is interesting! I have to get him to take a photo with

Aone! Relax, relax, you definitely win in terms of looking fierce!
You’ll definitely not lose to him!”

Futakuchi laughed out loud while Aone looked troubled.

Although he looked fierce from the outside, his height the core
46
of the iron wall, his speed astonishing, deep down his
personality was quite the opposite. Compared to these
qualities, once he was away from volleyball, he’s actually a
gentle, introverted teenager.

Except he’s a bit too stubborn, sometimes even purposefully

“locking on” to the rivals, and also he falls easily under
Futakuchi’s tricks. Hence to his senpais, he’s quite the
troublesome kouhai.

Just as everyone was discussing enthusiastically about the 2-

metres tall player, the bus had already reached the college.
When the door opened, just as everyone was about to alight
the bus, the coach, who was sitting a the front, suddenly turned
to speak to his disciples.

“Listen carefully! Following the third years’ retirement, Date

Tech High is at a new starting line once again! No matter who
the opponents are, you guys have to stop them, pressure them!
Let them see what you guys are capable of!”

“Yes!”

Famous for its iron wall, the members of Date Tech High’s
volleyball club headed towards the venue for the friendly
match.

47
–

“Hey, Obara, don’t you find it weird?”

Once they were in the campus, Futakuchi turned around

suddenly. Obara, a fellow second year with a buzz cut,
responded.

“In what way?”

“This is a college all right, but where are the female college
students?”

“Probably because it’s summer break now.”

Hearing Obara’s words, Futakuchi gasped.

“Damn it, I have been cheated…….”

“……I don’t think anyone did.”

48
Carrying the balls and baskets among other items, the team
headed into the gymnasium while chatting about topics most
high school boys were interested in. Once they reached the
venue, that guy very naturally intruded into their line of sight.

It was a guy way taller than everyone in the gymnasium, just

like an alien.

Futakuchi swallowed, and in a hoarse voice:

“…… Is that the 2 metres guy? This is really a wonder.”

“We didn’t even have to go all out to look for him.”

The members of Kakugawa High have arrived at the

gymnasium before them. Staring at the towering guy, Obara
responded. Futakuchi took a while before returning to his
original nonchalant face, then poked his kouhai.

“Sakunami, go stand beside that guy.”

“…… Eh, that’s scary!”

49
The first year libero Sakunami looked up at Futakuchi,
pleading. He was only 164cm, a huge difference of 40cm
between him and the 2 metres guy. If the two of them stood
together, instead of saying that they look like adult and child, it
looked more like a distortion of distance.

“How can you be scared? We might just play against them

during the preliminaries.”

“T-That’s true……”

Aone stood in front of Sakunami, as if protecting him, then

lowered his head to look at Futakuchi, his attitude clearly
reprimanding. Noticing his eyes, Futakuchi shrugged.

“…… I get it. Sakunami, go prepare the balls.”

“Yes!”

Sakunami heaved a sigh of relief, then, gathering his fellow

first year members, ran in between the college students.
Futakuchi shifted his attention between Sakanami’s back view,
the 2-metres tall player, and Aone, then mumbled to himself,
impressed:

50
“You guys are really quite tall.”

“…………!!”

Aone’s expression was shocked, but Futakuchi meant to praise

that his height was still impressive even among the college
students. Although Futakuchi had no lack of confidence with
his own build, at this moment he couldn’t deny that he did feel
inferior against the other players.

“Don’t belittle me, I trained hard, too. However, this would

sound as if Kamasaki senpai was the one who trained me, and
that makes me slightly bitter. Also, his huge muscles made him
look stupid!”

Futakuchi complained as he looked as his own shoulders.

Seeing the spiteful-tongued Futakuchi, Aone couldn’t help but
feel slightly depressed.

There were two courts in the gymnasium, with Wakutaniminami

already on the other court doing warm up exercises. The other
court was occupied by Kakugawa High School and the college
team. Once the 2 metres guy, Hyakuzawa, entered the court, the

51
whole gymnasium went into a state of frenzy. Date Tech High,
whose match hadn’t started, sat at the spectator’s seat on the
second floor

“There’ll always be monsters like him, all tall and stumpy, just
like a rock.”

Futakuchi leaned against the railings as he observed what was

happening downstairs, his face serious while passing spiteful
remarks. Although known for their iron wall, the 2 metres guys
still posed quite a threat to the members of Date Tech High
volleyball club. Aone, the core of the iron wall, stared at the
court silently.

The whistle sounded, and the match began.

Once it began, the 2-metres tall Hyakuzawa positioned himself

as the front guard. The net in front of him is 2.43 metres, but
Hyakazawa only need to stretch his hands to go past the net.
His very existence in front of the opponents was a pressure
itself.

The libero of Kakugawa received the powerful spike form the

college team, then once the setter tossed the ball, Hyakuzawa
jumped, the ball flying above the heads of the defending

52
players from the other team. Having received the powerful
spike, the college team prepared for another attack.

Everyone in the gymnasium looked forward to the 2 metres

giant’s defense, their eyes all focused on the court.

Hyakuzawa jumped.

Faced with a sudden giant wall, the college team was blocked.

Sounds of shock sounded throughout the gymnasium.

So huge. The court felt as though a giant tree had grown from
the ground, and he’s not just tall, he’s very agile too.

“However, you’re faster than him, your eyes more observant

too.”

Hearing what Futakuchi said while watching the match, Aone,

who was right beside him, stared at the court too, then nodded
in agreement. This was no baseless confidence, but an accurate
assessment of his opponents by people who had been in all
sorts of matches against other powerhouses many times. The
two of them came to the same conclusion.

53
“He must be a rookie…… If we look at the overall performance
of the team, it’s actually not that scary. Even if their opponents
weren’t college students, they do feel slightly unreliable, the
other players ordinary, too. However, if he were to become
stronger by next year, it’ll be a different story.”

Aone nodded. They were definitely not looking down on their

opponents, but they know very clearly that in matches,
arrogance can cause their defense to crumble.

“Hence, the more scary ones now are……”

Futakuchi looked at the pamphlet again. He flipped through a

few pages, then stopped at the pages featuring Shiratorizawa’s
Ushijima, as well as the photogenic, full-of-smiles Oikawa from
Aoba Johsai. Futakuchi frowned.

“…… These schools whose third year players stayed.”

In May, Shiratorizawa High School won the Miyagi prefecture

preliminaries for the Inter-high competition as usual. The third
years from the defeated school would usually retire at this
period to focus on studying for their exams or look for jobs.
The same for the third years from Date Tech High such as

54
Moniwa. But some third years from other schools did not retire,
instead staying back to lead their teams to the Spring High.

These included schools such as Aoba Johsai and

Wakutaniminami. Of course, Shiratorizawa was no exception.

Every school is troublesome in their own ways, but Futakuchi

thought they weren’t unbeatable opponents. Because he has
confidence that his own team is strong, too.

“I’ll never lose to the likes of Oikawa, that nonchalant guy.”

“…… Achoo!!”

Oikawa managed a loud sneeze. This is the gymnasium at Aoba

Johsai High School. The vice captain Iwaizumi walked towards
Oikawa expressionless, then threw a punch at him.

“I already told you many times, if you catch a cold at such

important time, I’ll punch you.”

55
“This is not a cold, you don’t have to hit me…… seriously, it’s
just a sneeze, probably some girls from elsewhere were talking
about me, please don’t worry about every small thing.”

Iwaizumi continued punching Oikawa, his eyes cold.

“It’s really painful, Iwa-chan! Why are you hitting me?! This is
too much?!”

“Because a fool wouldn’t understand whatever I say!”

“I didn’t even say anything!!”

Seeing the two of them quarrel like usual, Hanamaki, another

third-year member, mumbled to himself, irritated.

“…… An idiot who can’t understand what you say wouldn’t

become smarter after a few punches.”

“Wait a minute, Hanamaki, don’t say words like this, they

make me sad!”

Oikawa complained towards Hanamaki while Iwaizumi

responded coldly.

56
“Your very existence is the root of our sadness.”

The kouhais looked at the third years, clearly troubled.

“Ah, why would Oikawa senpai say these infuriating words

again……”

“Oikawa senpai was all cool during matches……”

Although forced to witness these embarrassing scenes

everyday, the members actually trust Oikawa very much.

Oikawa would always observe his teammates carefully, then

interact with everyone often. Instead of calling him caring
towards the others, it would be more accurate to say he’s
controlling the situation from a greater level.

Owing to his sharp observation, the team’s attackers could

play at 100% of their capabilities. Oikawa as a setter was
ranked number one in the prefecture.

Oikawa pressed against his head:

57
“Iwa-chan, I am the person who will throw Ushiwaka off from
his throne, shouldn’t you appreciate me a bit more!”

Oikawa whined, while Iwaizumi stared as him, clearly irritated.

“Then don’t be so nonchalant!”

Ushijima’s spike vibrated throughout the gymnasium, scaring

his opponents stiff.

This is Shiratorizawa volleyball club’s assigned gymnasium,

and although their practice opponents were their senpais who
are now in college, there was no detectable difference between
the teams in terms of experience or stamina.

“Ushijima senpai has gotten scarier these days.”

“Probably because we’re nearing the matches.”

His kouhais glanced at him as they said.

58
Usually forgetting to take his meals due to him being
engrossed in volleyball, once an upcoming match nears,
Ushijima would be even more fired up than usual. Ushijima was
known to be the country’s top three attackers, and even among
the other top players in Shiratorizawa, Ushijima was still a
notch above them, with no one able to catch up to him

In this champion team, he was an existence to be feared—

Ushijima only has himself for an opponent; the ordinary

players meant nothing to him.

“One more!”

A genius. Ushijima Wakatoshi kicked up from the ground once

again.

In the gymnasium at the friendly match, the match between

Wakutaniminani and the college team had just begun. The
members of Date Tech High, led by Futakuchi, started to
observe Wakutaniminami on the court.

“…… Alright, let us see just how good you guys are.”
59
Wakutaniminami weren’t nervous even when faced with the
college students, playing in the matches in their own pace.
With their ace, the third year member Nakashima, as the core
of their attacks, along with their smooth attacks and secure
defense, the team, made up of mostly third year students, is
almost the same in overall power as Seijoh.

“…… Tch! They don’t have any loopholes at all. It’s indeed
safer to have third years around!”

With the third years staying behind, the whole team looked
confident. No, probably the fact that all the third years in the
team have retired, along with the pressure of being the team’s
captain made Futakuchi feel less confident than the players of
Wakutaniminami.

Futakuchi realised that him thinking about the senpais’

retirement was not his usual style.

Although the captain was always nagging, he would always

observe the members meticulously; although Kamasaki was an
overall silly guy, he used his strong playing methods to lead the
team; even the fogey-like Sasaya was a very reliable senpai.

60
It was due to the guidance of these senpais that he and Aone
could play and improve themselves freely. Can he really lead
his kouhais like his senpais did, ensuring the growth of the
team?”

“Those guys from Kakugawa high, their third years have

retired too, right…….”

Futakuchi mumbled. Hearing him, Obara said jokingly:

“Why? Captain Futakuchi, do you wish for the third years to

return?”

“How can it be!”

Finishing what he said, he kicked Obara in the legs.

“It’s painful……”

Obara frowned. Stared at by Aone, Futakuchi shrugged.

“…… Hmm, Wakutaniminami, Seijoh and Shiratorizawa.

Teams with their third years still around is really troublesome,

61
but compared to how it was last year, there’s not much
difference for these teams.”

Futakuchi then looked at his members.

“……Also, no matter how good a team, as long as we block

their attacks, they will not score.”

The other members nodded confidently. Futakuchi continued:

“We have to block them. Our iron wall is our greatest defense,
and also our fastest offense.”

Seeing his attitude, Obara was in shock.

“You look and feel just like a captain……”

“Shut up!!”

Futakuchi shouted at Obara to hide his embarrassment. He

thought of what his senpais said—when they lost during the
Inter-high preliminaries, through the clubroom’s door, he
heard the third years’ thoughts……

62
—I really want to continue playing.

— I really don’t want to retire.

He never thought he’d heard this words coming straight out

from their hearts as they sobbed. Also, Captain Moniwa’s
words.

—The iron wall of next year, will never be destroyed.

After their match with Karasuno High School, the captain told
Futakuchi and Aone: “You guys are very strong.”. Also, he had
passed on the dream of ‘defeating Aoba Johsai, Shiratorizawa
and Karasuno, then move on to the nationals’ to them before
retiring.

“……”

Futakuchi clenched his fists.

He didn’t want the senpais to retire, he had wanted to fight

alongside them in the Spring High preliminaries. However,
probably because they have already retired, those who carry
on their dream would display even greater power.

63
Futakuchi looked at his team made up of first and second
years, then said quietly:

“We’re very strong!”

“Yes!”

Seeing his members respond in unison, Futakuchi was certain

that everyone had the same thoughts as him. This brand new
team will head towards the nationals, and win all the way.

Kakugawa’s match had just ended, Date Tech High School is up

next.

“Alright, let’s go!”

“Yes!!”

The iron wall—this sturdy wall will never back down. They have
to keep moving forward, destroying every strong opponent in
front of them.

64
Now, the high spirited members of Date Tech High School
volleyball team will enter the court. Carrying on with them the
will of their senpais, they continue moving forward.

-end-

Chapter 5: The Last Summer Vacation

“Scream louder, louder!”

On a morning during summer break, Karasuno men’s volleyball

team captain Sawamura shouted.

They’re now practicing receives. On the other side of the net

were Sawamura and coach Ukai, and when they served the ball,
the members on the other side of the net would have have to
take turns to return the ball correctly. After Kageyama
completed returning 10 times, the nervous Hinata prepares
himself.

“Bring it!!”

Hinata shouted with vigour, then tried his hardest to receive

Sawamura’s strong serves.

“Hinata! You’re only using your hands again!”

65
“Ah, yes!!””

Hinata responded energetically, but his face showcased a rare

look of fatigue, he then wiped the sweat dripping off his chin
with his hands.

So hot.

Although it was still morning, the second gymnasium the

members of the men’s volleyball club were in was already filled
with heat. Even the usually energetic Hinata found it tough,
and no matter serving or receiving, everyone was covered in
sweat, the floor wet and slippery from their sweat.

Sugawara observed everyone carefully, his eyes focused on

Yamaguchi. Yamaguchi’s face looked pale, Sugawara then went
under the net and walked towards him.

“Yamaguchi, don’t force yourself. Get something to drink.”

“…… Ah, yes!”

66
Seeing Yamaguchi walk out unstably with a pale face,
Sugawara took a glance at Sawamura again. Just then, Hinata
had completed his 10 returns, and Narita was next. Sugawara
said “Sorry, wait a minute” while stopping Narita, then ran
towards Sawamura.

“Daichi, I need to talk to you.”

“What is it about?”

“Uh, today’s really hot……”

Seeing the captain and vice captain talking with a serious

face, coach Ukai was troubled too.

“…… Then, what should we do next?”

It’ll be the Spring High preliminaries in a few days, and to the

members, there was simply no time to waste. As long as they
continue practicing, they’ll improve further and further, and
they still had a lot to improve on. In other words, practicing
was their only way to improve, and they themselves too, wanted
to continue practicing.

67
But on such a hot day, if any of them should fall sick due to
over practicing, joining the competition would be out of the
question. If they entered the competition without being fully
prepared, they may just lose the match they could originally
win.

Faced with these high school students prone to pushing

themselves to the limits, coach Ukai was especially worried.

“Hey, gather!”

Ukai raised his hand.

Hearing his voice, the members stopped at what they were

doing, including Sawamura and Sugawara, who were still
amidst their discussion, and Yamaguchi, who was wiping off
his sweat at the corner of the gymnasium. They ran towards
Ukai.

Looking at the members gathered in front of him, Ukai said

shortly:

“Take a break in the afternoon.”

“What?”
68
Hearing the coach’s sudden words, all the members were
caught in shock. Initially they had thought that the coach was
going to announce a new practice item, or that he was going
to reprimand them, hence when faced with such unexpected
words, all of them were taken aback, to the point where they
couldn’t quite comprehend for a moment what the words ‘take
a break in the afternoon’ meant.

Just as the members were caught in a daze, Sawamura and

Sugawara heaved a sigh of relief, then glanced at each other.
They were just discussing whether to let their members, some
of them even showing signs of heat stroke due to the heat, to
take a rest.

“It’s too hot today, plus there’s the preliminaries soon, it’ll be
bad news if anyone of us fell sick at this time. Everyone, take a
good break in the afternoon. Listen carefully, don’t occupy
yourself with any other things, just concentrate on resting up!
Especially Hinata, no going to my gramp’s place to practice!”

“Ah? Yes, got it!”

Tanaka and Nishinoya finally understood what the coach

meant. The two of them jumped around while holding hands.

69
“Awesome! We’re getting a break!”, they shouted. Seeing the
excited duo, Sawamura reminded them immediately:

Tanaka, if you hurt yourself from playing too much…… you know
what to do, right?”

Sawamura’s glare sent a shiver down Tanaka’s spine. He shook

his head.

“I-I won’t! I will take a good rest!”

And with that, the members of Karasuno men’s volleyball club

began their unexpected break.

“I’ll take a leave first!”

Hinata, the last member to walk out of the club room, bowed
towards the third years, who were waiting outside.

“Yeah, don’t push yourself too hard, have a good rest.”

70
“Yes!”

After every member had left the clubroom, Sawamura,

Sugawara and Asahi, the third year members, locked up the
clubroom. Under the hot sun, the chirps of cicadas sounded
mercilessly around. All of them looked at each other.

“Alright, what shall we do then?”

Sawamura couldn’t hide his troubled look while asking the

other two.

It was no wonder that they would feel at a loss, following the

coach’s sudden declaration of a break. According to
Kageyama, Aoba Johsai had set aside a day every week
specially for taking break, but it was unsure what everyone
would do on those days……

Sugawara shrugged, at a loss of what to do too.

“Then, let’s head home and prepare for exams.”

“Eh? S-Study?”

71
Seeing Azumane’s shocked expression, Sugawara feigned
ignorance while saying “I’m joking”, then smiled. Then, he took
a glance at Sawamura, curious.

“Daichi, have you been studying?”

“Hmm? I guess so.”

Hearing Sawamura’s natural response, Sugawara looked to the

sky, clearly surprised.

“Are you for real……”

“Hey, hey! I said I guessed so, I think I studied!”

“Really?”

Ignoring the two, who are currently in the college prep class
and their threats against each other, Azumane, unsure of what
to do, said softly.

“I…… I was thinking of either entering a specialised school to

pick up a set of skills, or just go look for a job….. What should I
do……”

72
Hearing this, Sawamura turned around suddenly.

“Hey, Asahi, remember to shave off your beard when going for
job interviews. If you scare your interviewers with your looks,
everything is done for!”

“I-I know that……”

Azumane touched his beard, Sugawara joined in.

“Or you might as well keep your beard, then tell the interviewer
“I’m willing to shave off my beard for your distinguished
company!”, then shave it off on the spot, how’s that?”

“Oh, I didn’t think of that. Indeed, if the department head is

someone who likes sengoku generals, they’ll probably like such
self-promotion methods.”

“Right.”

Seeing the two’s excited looks, Azumane complained while

touching his beard.

73
“You guys, laughing at me like this……”

The back of the school was covered with weeds, their short and
dark shadows cast on the ground. The three of them had no
idea at all how to spend the rest of the day, hence decided to
leave the school compound first.

“So hot……”

“Shall we go get ice pops?”

“Then let’s head on to Sakanoshita.”

Once they reached Sakanoshita, they saw their kouhais

chatting with each other while eating ice pops. The lively scene
in front of them had them stop in their footsteps.

“Let’s go……”

“Yeah……”

Noticing the three of them heading out, the other members

bowed towards them from behind the windows. The third years
waved, then thought of their next destination.

74
“What should we do?”

“It’s tiring staying outdoors.”

Just then, Sugawara showed a face of mischief, as if he had

thought of something. He looked at the two.

“Hmm, with a rare opportunity like this, how about we do

something related to summer?”

“Do something?”

“What about us taking a break?”

Although slightly taken aback, the two of them were not

completely oblivious to Sugawara’s feelings. Every summer
break they’d had to return to school—

Or probably precisely because it was the summer break, they

had to do strict training from morning till night. They fully
understood how much of a waste it was to spend the whole of
summer break lying on their beds doing nothing.

75
“Daichi, anything you want to do?”

Thrown with that question, Sawamura, who was prone to be

engrossed in deep thoughts all the time, mumbled to himself,
his arms folded.

“Hmm, something related to summer……”

“How should I put it, for example while attending festivals, a

lady in her yukata with cotton candy in her hand, then when
the rope on her clogs snaps in front of me, I’ll……”

Azumane’s eyes glistened, and started looking around, but

Sugawara burst his bubble almost immediately.

“Such things will never happen in real life. If it does happen,

that lady must be the scheming type.”

“…… What, that sounds scary. Ah, let’s go swimming then.”

“We don’t have our swimming trunks with us.”

76
“That’s true. As we grow older, it becomes rarer for us to do
something strictly for summer. This feels so sad, as if we can’t
return to the past even if we went cicada catching……”

Seeing Azumane fall into a deeper sadness, Sawamura

regained his usual captain-like expression.

“Hmm, the break was for us to take a rest, so let’s just return
home, let ourselves rest……”

Sawamura had yet to finish his sentence when Sugawara,

suddenly a face of seriousness, intervened.

“Wait a minute! It’s not just with our body, relieving stress is
also one way of resting, right! We’ve been thinking too much
about club issues lately, I think Daichi should forget about
volleyball matters sometimes? Isn’t there this saying from the
past: ‘good fortune comes with laughter’? Having fun is very
important too!”

seeing Sugawara this passionate, Sawamura and Azumane

gasped. Then, both of them laughed at the same time.

“Suga, you felt like Tanaka just now. Forget it, since you said it,
then let’s have fun together.”

77
“Then let’s think of what to do.”

Hearing the two, Sugawara was all smiles.

“Whatever it it, we have to let our minds and bodies feel re-
energised while taking a break, why don’t we head to the
bowling centre?”

“Bowling centre, huh…… it’s indeed cooler indoors.”

“We can relieve our stress as well……”

Sawamura and Azumane agreed with Sugawara’s suggestions,

their minds already at the bowling alley. Hence, the three of
them headed towards the train station.

Bang!!

At the same time the floor vibrated, a loud bang sounded

throughout the centre, then followed by cheers.

78
“…… Oh yeahhhhhhhhhhhh!!”

Azumane had hit a strike, his fists clenched while posing

victoriously. Hearing his voice, the other customers at different
alleys were slightly shocked, then turned around to look at
Azumane, thinking that something had happened.

“That bearded guy is really awesome.”

“Strong guys are indeed different……”

As if praising him for hitting a strike, the light bulbs alongside

the alley flickered. Azumane stood in front of the alley, then
turned around like an excited child.

“Did you guys see that? Saw it? It’s a strike!”

However, Sawamura and Sugawara, who were sitting behind

him, showed an expressionless face, the complete opposite of
Azumane’s excited face.

“You’re just using your strength.”

79
“Yeah, you’re great, but Asahi, don’t throw the ball, it’ll bounce.”

Hearing their comments, Azumane sank his body.

“It’s so difficult for me to get a praise from you guys……”

Sugawara smiled while peeling off the packaging for his

chocolate mint ice cream layer by layer.

“However, this is very much your style. Daichi’s next.”

“Alright!”

Sawamura was all ready for his turn, he reached into the
bowling machine with his hands, then polished the ball with the
towel provided, then placed his hands on top of the hand dryer
to blow-dry his hands.

“How are you so experienced?”

“Eh? What’s that? Isn’t that the ventilator for the machine?”

80
Sawamura glanced at the surprised Azumane and Sugawara,
then responded in a deep voice.

“This is to ensure a tight grip on the ball, so we have to blow-

dry our hands first. It’s called a hand dryer.”

Seeing the two looking impressed by what he said, Sawamura

held the ball to his chest while taking small steps towards the
alley, then swung his hands behind.

“Oh oh, such smooth posing!”

“This looks awesome!”

Hearing the two cheer from behind, Sawamura released the

ball, which, as if sucked into the pins, traveled in a straight line
in the middle of the alley. With a “bang”, all 10 pins fell. It’s a
perfect strike.

“How did you do that! Why are you so good at this!”

“Daichi, don’t tell me you own a bowling ball?”

81
Sawamura returned to the seats, his face calm as the other two
continued pestering him due to excitement. Sawamura took a
glance at the bowling alley again.

“No, it’s usual for the first bowl to be like this, I’m still lacking
in strength on my wrist……”

Sawamura titled his head, as if dissatisfied with his

performance. Azumane intervened.

“Your standards are too high!”

News pins appeared on the alley as Sawamura’s ball returned

on the machine.

It was finally Sugawara’s turn.

“Hold on to this for me.”

Sugawara handed over his half-eaten ice cream to Azumane,

then picked up a ball and said:

“Are all bowling balls this heavy?”

82
He wiped the ball the same way Sawamura did, then blew his
hand dry on the hand dryer awkwardly.

“With you two hitting strikes, I can’t be the only one hitting the
gutter, this is so stressful……”

Sugawara stood on the alley with a serious face. After a few

steps, He swung his hand backwards while shouting.

“Hit them all!”

Just then, something unexpected happened. The ball fell out

from Sugawara’s hand, then flew behind.

“Woah!”

Sugawara turned around quickly, then saw Sawamura rushing

to catch the ball from under it by reflex, with Azumane
grabbing Sawamura to stop him from doing so.

With a loud bang, the ball dropped onto the ground. Azumane
said with a raised voice:

83
“Daichi! You can’t receive the ball like that! You’ll break your
bones!”

“Ah ah, that’s right…… I didn’t think through……”

“You can’t be like that!”

Probably thrown away by Azumane in a frenzy, Sugawara’s

chocolate mint ice cream dropped onto the floor, melted.
Sugawara picked up the ice cream immediately, then clasped
his hands together awhile apologising.

“I’m really sorry! Because I’ve always wanted to try bowling

since elementary school……”

“That’s why you suggested coming here……”

Azumane smiled bitterly while helping to clean up the floor.

Sawamura frowned while staring at the ball on the floor.

“There’s no other choice……”

He mumbled while standing up. Sawamura then stared at

Azumane and Sugawara.

84
“I’ll make use of this opportunity to teach you guys a thing or
two then.”

“What?!”

“W-What, and why……?!”

Sugawara and Azumane looked at each other, clearly aware

just how strict Sawamura’s “teachings” will be……

“My hand hurts……”

“Tap, tap tap, swoosh and release the ball…… Tap, tap tap,
swoosh and release the ball……”

Initially wanting to re-energise and relieve stress through

bowling, the three of them were all beaten after settling the
bill.

“I think we played a bit too much……”

85
“What do you mean ‘a bit’? Asahi, look, if I continued any
further I wouldn’t be able to walk.”

“Tap, tap tap, swoosh and release the ball…… release the
ball……”

Azumane had Sawamura’s teachings etched into his mind.

Seeing Azumane repeating his words continuously, Sawamura
was all guilty.

“I feel slightly embarrassed, getting so engrossed in teaching

like this……”

Once the automated door opened, the heat from outside

gushed in, stopping them in their footsteps. The hot weather
finally brought Azumane back to his senses.

“Woah, it’s so hot outside…… although I don’t feel like going out,
if I stayed here any longer I’ll have to continue bowling with
Daichi……”

“It’s thanks to this hot weather that we get to take a break

from our club activities.”

86
Azumane and Sawamura took a step backwards, the door
closed again. Sugawara pulled on his collar to fan himself
while saying:

“So hot…… I feel like eating shaved ice—”

“Right, Suga didn’t finish his ice cream earlier on.”

“…… Sorry.”

Seeing Azumane bow in apology, Sugawara smiled.

“Don’t take it to heart, actually, it’s all due to me flinging the

ball out!”

The three decided to walk out once again. They set foot on the
road under the blaring sun and walked towards the dessert
shop nearby.

“I’ll have Ujikintoki then.”

Sawamura said as he looked at the shaved ice menu, his face

facing the electric fan on the wall.

87
In this small and old shop, the tanned kids filled the seats, each
with a bowl of shaved ice in front of them. Some of them
screamed in horror when their shaved ice fell to the floor due
to their own carelessness; others ate it in one big mouthful,
then suffered from brain freeze soon after.

“Then I’ll have Blue Hawaii.”

Sugawara passed Azumane the menu after deciding. Sawamura

asked:

“Speaking of which, what flavour is Blue Hawaii?”

“Hmm, how should I put it? Something like the refreshing

southern ocean?”

“Ocean? Is is salty?”

“…… What do you think.”

Sawamura picked up the hand fan on the table and fanned

himself while discussing with Sugawara the mysteries of Blue

88
Hawaii. Azumane, who was sitting opposite them, continued
reading the menu.

“Should I get strawberry milk ice or lemon milk ice? But melon
milk ice sounds delicious too…… Ah, I get to up-size with an
additional 50 yen……”

The three of them squeezed together at the table beside the

window. Suddenly, someone knocked from outside the window.

“Hmm?”

They lifted their heads and looked out. The person outside the
window was the retired ex-captain of the women’s volleyball
team Michimiya.

“Hi!”

The three of them saw Michimiya raise her hand outside the
window, her smile bright. She was wearing a t-shirt and
miniskirt while carrying a bag pack—her casual look.

Seeing Michimiya not wearing her school uniform or sports

attire, the three of them tensed up.

89
“Oh, um, long time no see. We haven’t seen each other since the
graduation ceremony, right?”

Michimiya leaned on the window ledge once Sawamura opened

the window. She asked:

“Ah. Right, don’t you guys have practice today? Surely you guys
didn’t run away.”

“Yeah, today’s weather is too hot, so coach Ukai let us off for
the afternoon.”

Sawamura replied. Sugawara continued.

“So the three of us are here to do something related to

summer.”

Michimiya laughed.

“So you guys are here to eat shaved ice? What a standard way
to enjoy your summer break.”

90
“What about you?”

Hearing Sawamura’s question, Michimiya was slightly

embarrassed.

“I just had my driving lesson. I just turned 18 not too long ago.”

Hearing this, the three of them responded with “Oh oh!” at the
same time.

“You’re already an adult……”

“While we’re still here having shaved ice……”

Seeing the three of them lowering their heads feeling dejected,

Michimiya smiled, then straightened her back.

“Then, I’m heading to my granny’s house next. Ah, speaking of

things related to summer, remember to complete your
assignments! I can’t help you guys with that!”

After that, Michimiya waved again, then crossed the pedestrian

crossing.

91
–

“…… That’s her casual look, right?”

Sugawara mumbled in shock while Azumane nodded, his face

surprised.

“It’s a t-shirt, but with laces.”

The wind chime sounded as the electric fan blew towards it,
Then, Sawamura mumbled to himself:

“There won’t be any practice anymore after retiring.”

Hearing what he said, Sugawara and Azumane came back to

their senses.

“That’s right, and probably because so she’s wearing her

casual clothes.”

“Will every day after we retire be like this? I don’t know what to
do then……”

92
The word ‘retirement’ became very real all of a sudden. The two
were waiting for Sawamura to say something, while he
responded with a granted attitude:

“Yeah, we’re already in our third year, be it studies or job-

hunting, ah, there’s taking driving lessons too, we probably
have a lot to do.”

“Exams, huh……”

“Our future, huh……”

They couldn’t imagine their future not too far away.

It was no wonder they’d think this way, because they are still
trying to figure out even the practices for the upcoming Spring
High preliminaries. Everyone can still further improve their
skills, and they could also look into new attacking moves.

The ever-growing Karasuno men’s volleyball club could not

even predict what would happen tomorrow.

93
The preliminaries will happen soon, and if they win they’d be
able to take part in the representatives playoff in October, and
soon after…… Their goal still remained unclear, and they could
only see the future with each and every match won.

“The first step is to win the preliminaries.”

Sawamura mumbled, the others with the same thought as him.

Win the preliminaries, then take it from there on.

“The sun is setting soon…… let’s return to school to confirm our

members’ line up after finishing our desserts. We have rested
enough, and returning to school is not considered practice,
right?”

Hearing the captain’s words, Sugawara laughed happily.

“I was just about to say that!”

“M-me too!!”

Sawamura and Sugawara smiled seeing Azumane’s flustered

face. Then, they finally placed their order for the shaved ice.

94
“Sorry, we would like to make our orders! We’ll have Ujikintoki,
Blue Haiwaii, and…… Asahi, what do you want?”

“Eh? I, wait a minute! Uh uh, strawberry and lemon milk ice……

Ah, no, I mean strawberry and melon milk ice!”

When the three of them returned to school, they first met with
the five second year members. They saw the five of them
walking in front while entering school.

“What are you guys doing……?”

Hearing Sawamura from behind, Tanaka and Nishinoya, along

with the others, turned around, then finished their ice pops in
big mouthfuls.

“Why are you guys at school?” Sawamura asked again. Tanaka

looked at Ennoshita, pleading for his help.

“No, we……. How should I say this……”

95
Ennoshita had no choice but to speak up on behalf of his
fellow second years.

“Uh, we’re thinking of heading to the gymnasium to play…… no,

instead of calling it playing, uh…… we were thinking of playing
with the ball, it’s not practice, I guess it’s fine……?”

Seeing how his kouhais all looked like they were caught in the
midst of doing something sneaky, the third years looked at
each other. They too, were thinking of the same thing as their
kouhais.

“…… Forget it, let’s head to the gymnasium first.”

“Yes!”

The eight of them headed towards the second gymnasium

together. Everyone had an awkward look on their faces, and
just then a familiar voice sounded.

“Hinata, you stupid!”

The sound came from the second gymnasium.

96
“That was Kageyama’s voice, right?”

“I don’t think he’s shouting alone, looks like Hinata is in there

too.”

“The first years have just left Sakanoshita a while ago, have
they already returned to the gymnasium……”

The second and third years rushed into the gymnasium. The
door was left open to allow the wind to blow in. They peeked
into the gymnasium.

“These guys……”

The first years were all gathered at the gymnasium, none of

them noticed that the senpais had returned as they sat in the
middle of the court, unsure what they were looking at. It
appeared as if they were looking at Tsukishima’s smart phone.

“Oh oh, it spins! That’s awesome! The smart phone is so

awesome, they can do everything!”

“The video is not from the smart phone, but from the Internet.
Hinata, wait a minute, can you stop pressing the screen……”

97
“I guess we need to let Hinata watch the practice clips meant
for kids for him to understand?”

“What did you say!”

“No, I mean it makes things easier to understand……”

“You don’t even have the strong basics, so of course you need
to start from the basics.”

“I get it! But then it’ll become practice!”

Although there were only the four of them, they were very noisy.
Sawamura sighed, then shouted towards them.

“What are you guys doing?”

Hearing the captain’s voice, all of them turned to look at him.

The originally noisy gymnasium became quiet all of a sudden.
They then hurried over to the front of the door.

Hinata was all stiff, then answered Sawamura nervously.

98
“I wanted to practice “ROLLING THUNDER”……! No, because we
can’t practice now, so I’m not saying I want to practice it
now…… Uh uh, Kageyama you say something too!”

“…… Hinata said he wanted to learn rolling receives, but I don’t

think this is considered practice, at most it would only be
considered as us playing around……”

After Kageyama’s explanation, Tsukishima mumbled.

“That’s why I said I want to go home……”

“Tsukki!”

Sawamura looked at the four first year members, then the

second year members behind them, then Sugawara and
Azumane. He sighed deeply.

“What are we doing on a rare break like this……”

“Forget it forget it, everyone’s really pumped for practice!”

99
Sugawara smiled, Sawamura mumbled “really?”, then regained
his composure and said:

“…… Then, let’s have a meeting!”

“Yes!!”

Hearing all the members replying in unison, the third year

students looked at each other with a bitter smile.

“We’re really hopeless……”

“Forget it, everything is fine as long as there is volleyball.”

“In the end, we just happened to gather together to play

volleyball, that’s all there is to it.”

– That’s all.

Just how much significance is there to these words?

The first round of preliminaries for the Spring High

tournament would begin soon. If they lose in the first round,

100
the third years would have to end their club activities. But they
were not all solemn, because the people who decide on their
own paths will always keep their heads high—

They’ll only look forward, then take their first step out.

Only by accumulating their every step would they be able to

carve out their paths towards the future.

In the first and last summer break in their third year, all they
could do now is to take that step forward.

-end-

Chapter 6: Natsu’s Adventure

Just as the high school students were enjoying the summer
season in August, elementary school students were, of course,
having their summer break too. While Hinata was away from
home to participate in his club activities, how did Natsu spend
her summer break?

Let’s take a look at the situation in Hinata’s house—

101
A cooling breeze blew in from the courtyard and the wind
chime tinkled. A little girl was sleeping on a broad Japanese
tatami with her belly exposed, her hands gripping tightly onto
her blanket.

Natsu was sleeping one afternoon during the summer break.

After finishing her lunch, she became even more sleepy.

“Nat-chan, I’m going out to buy some things, do you want to

come along?”

Her mum’s voice came from inside the house, but Natsu was
sound asleep, mumbling to herself in her dream, then turned
over her body and continued sleeping.

Although a mosquito repellent incense was placed in a pig-

shaped ceramic ware, Natsu was still bitten by mosquitoes, the
mosquito bites red and swollen on her legs. Natsu scratched
her legs while sleeping.

“Hey, Nat-chan.”

Her mum slid open the paper door, then walked into the
washitsu*.

102
(*washitsu simply refers to a Japanese-styled room.)

“It’s about time to wake up. if you sleep too much now, you
won’t be able to sleep at night.”

Natsu’s mum patted on her cheeks while she said.

“…… uh, oh.”

Natsu sat up, rubbing her still heavy eyelids. Her face still
retaining the indent marks from lying on her face on the
tatami. Natsu then said:

“…… I need to pee.”

“Hurry then. Mama is heading out to buy stuff, want to come

along?”

“Yeah!”

Natsu liked going out, hence she became energised all of a

sudden. She stood up, all full of energy, then walked out of the
washitsu with big steps.

103
“To the toilet to pee~!”

“Hey, Nat-chan!”

Her mum shouted towards the corridor, but all she heard was
the sound of Natsu closing the toilet’s door.

“She really does take after Shouyou……”

Her mum managed a troubled look, then took the house key
and car key from the cabinet.

Shouyou is Natsu’s brother, and although sometimes mistaken

for a junior high student, he’s actually already in his first year
of high school. Although it’s the summer break now, he still
goes to school every day, not for studying, but to attend his
“club activities”. Natsu would cheer on her brother too, but not
getting to play with her brother during the summer break
made her slightly unhappy. Previously her brother had even left
home for a week for his “training camp”.

Natsu, who had just finished her lunch, told her mum:

104
“I think Ni-chan is becoming cold these days.”

Hearing that, her mum laughed amusingly.

“Where did you learn to say this?”

Her mum seemed to treat her like a child, and Natsu was upset
again. Natsu is no longer a kindergarten kid, but an
elementary school student, a big girl. However, both her mum
and brother would still treat her like a child, hence Natsu often
thought that everyone “didn’t understand her”.

Carrying her favourite bag, Natsu got onto her mum’s car.
Then, before mum reminded her, she put on the safety belt
obediently.

Broooom, the engine sounded and the car started to move.

Natsu pressed her forehead against the window as usual,
looking out the car.

There were a lot of road signs along the road, which Natsu
found interesting. If she saw the sign with a bicycle or with

105
children on it, she’ll feel very happy. Earlier, she had even seen
a sign with a monkey drawn on it along the road on the hills.

But now that they’re heading out to buy stuff, they’ll not be
going to the hills, but Natsu was nonetheless happy, because
she could probably get mum to buy cute erasers, stickers or
snacks for her.

Just as Natsu was busy looking at the road signs, the car had
already arrived at the shopping street, which the mother and
daughter frequented.

Then, she heard her mum exclaim “Eh?”, so she shifted her
attention from the road signs to her mum on the steering
wheel.

“Right, oh no, today’s the holiday for Obon*.”

(*Obon = Lantern festival)

Hearing what mum said, Natsu looked out towards the row of
shops.

The meat store selling croquettes; the fruits and vegetable

store that’d sometimes give her sweets sometimes; the salon
106
with Lucky the shiba inu— everyone was closed for business,
their shutters pulled down.

“What should we do?”

Seeing mum’s worried face, Natsu became worried too. She

scratched onto the mosquito bites on her legs, but just then
mum smiled.

“Then let’s head to the super mart further down!”

“Yeah!”

Natsu felt happy, because there’s a food street near the super
mart—mum would probably treat her to ice cream.

Then, mum said something that made Natsu happier.

“…… Right! Since we have the time, let’s head to the shops near
Shouyou’s school! We need to venture into new territories
sometimes.”

“Eh? Are we going to Ni-chan’s school?!”

107
Natsu’s heartbeat became louder. She hadn’t been to the shops
nearby her brother’s school, which was a hill away.

“We’re not going to his school.”

Mum reminded Natsu, but she was still very excited.

“But, maybe we would run into Ni-chan!”

“That’s true, then let’s head over there!”

Natsu’s mum restarted the engine, then headed toward’s

Karasuno, where Natsu’s favourite brother is at.

The car tried very hard to scale the steep slope, its engine
sounding louder than usual, as if very tough. Natsu’s mum
spoke:

“Shouyou has to ride his bicycle on this slope every day……?”

108
Natsu, who just had the training wheels removed from her
bicycle after learning to ride it, said to her mother:

“Can I come here in my bicycle next time?”

“…… No way.”

“Why!”

“Because if you fall together with your bicycle, you’ll be hurt

badly.”

Mum had spoken in a very interesting manner, so Natsu, who

would usually become upset because she was “treated like a kid
again”, laughed this time.

Once they passed the hill, they arrived at the town. The
shopping street here looked similar, yet different than the one
they usually go to. Natsu looked on excitedly at Karasuno town.

“Alright, let’s go to that super mart.”

Mum pointed towards a super mart in front. Once she saw the
shop sign, Natsu exclaimed.

109
“Mr. Piggy……”

It’s no wonder Natsu would be surprised, because on the sign

was a pig cut into pieces, and, as if inviting others to eat it,
was placed on top of a plate.

“How should I put it, it seems slightly cruel and weird at the
same time…… but meat products should be their specialty,
probably they sell tasty bacon here.”

Natsu’s mum noticed the signboard too, and said while she
parked the car in the car park. Natsu felt hungry just thinking
about the crispy and juicy bacon on eggs and those rolled with
asparagus. Then, Natsu followed her mum into Shimada mart.
The air con was was cooling inside the mart.

“Right, since we haven’t been here before, finding what we want

here might be slightly more difficult.”

Her mum said while smiling. Indeed, if they were at the mart
they frequented, Natsu would know exactly where items such as
snacks, yogurt and pudding were placed, but in a shop they’re
visiting for the first time, they’d have to look everywhere.

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“Then let’s split up. Mama will look at the vegetables here, Nat-
chan will help mama look for eggs.”

“Yes, roger!”

Natsu saluted her mum, then went on to look for eggs.

“Egg, egg……”

Walking past the vegetables and fruits section, Natsu found

the egg shelf near the fish counter. She exclaimed gleefully:

“Found it immediately!”

Then, she reached out to grab a tray of eggs, but she stopped,
her hands in mid-air. There were too many varieties to choose
from, and not taking quail eggs and onsen eggs into
consideration, there were brown eggs, eggs packed in nets, and
also trays with different number of eggs. Natsu was confused.

“Six for 148 yen, 10 for 198 yen, this……. 548 yen, so expensive.”

Natsu stared at the prices on the egg trays, unsure which tray
to take.

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She recalled what her mum and teachers told her before.

— When in trouble, look for an adult.

That’s right, if she met with any trouble at the train station, she
could look for the station master; if she met with any trouble
on the bus, she could look for the driver; if she met with any
trouble in the shops, all she needed to do was approach one of
the staffs politely.

Natsu looked around her to find the shop’s staff.

Then, she found a bespectacled big brother wearing an apron

with Mr. Piggy printed on it. Because the big brother was busy
pasting the “special offer” stickers on the fishes, Natsu was
hesitating whether to ask him or not, but in order to bring the
eggs to her mum, Natsu worked up her courage.

“Uh, sorry, but which egg over here is better?”

“Huh?”

The bespectacled big brother turned around—he’s actually

Shimada from the neighbourhood association volleyball team.
But of course Natsu didn’t know who he was.
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“Eggs you say? Hmm, what dishes are you going to make?”

“Eh?”

Natsu was confused again. She hadn’t asked her mum what
they were having for dinner. But she can’t run away. After
thinking for a long time, Natsu said:

“Uh uh…… That, Ni-chan liked to mixed raw egg into rice, but I
have no idea what we’re having for dinner!”

Shimada smiled.

“Then, to ensure that your brother has more eggs to eat, you
can pick this tray of eggs on offer. 10 in a tray, limited to one
tray per customer, how’s that?”

Natsu heaved a sigh of relief, she took the tray of eggs, then
bowed towards the bespectacled big brother.

“Thank you!”

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“Be careful not to drop it!”

Carrying the eggs, Natsu walked around the super mart.

Although she wanted to hand the eggs over to mum quickly, but
like what the big brother said earlier, she must be careful not
to drop the eggs, hence Natsu moved around slowly like a
ninja.

“Shimizu-senpai, that ninja over there is the ferret.”

“Sorry, Hitoka-chan, can you repeat that?”

“That girl over there……”

The two girls speaking in a lowered voice were the managers of

Karasuno men’s volleyball club. The first year manager Yachi
pointed towards Natsu, who was protecting the eggs like a
baby, and beside her is Shimizu, a bespectacled third year
student.

“Did you see the dress the girl is wearing? Those are ferrets
print.”

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“What’s a ferret?”

Hearing Shimizu ask, Yachi replied immediately.

“It’s the cousin of skunks. If I remember correctly, the prints on

Hinata’s bento bag were of ferrets too. They are probably
popular only in certain areas……”

Recalling one of the previous matches, Shimizu remembered

finding Hinata’s bento bag to be very cute, but she couldn’t
remember if the prints were of ferrets.

“Hitoka-chan, you know a lot.”

“…… Ah, sorry! I was getting too excited by myself! Ah, I found
the items on special offer!!”

Yachi found a huge basket with many boxes of sport drinks.

Shimizu said, her face serious:

“Everyone is entitled to buy three boxes, huh…… Get Azumane to

come in.”

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“Yes!!”

Yachi took out her phone.

Natsu found her mum at the vegetables corner, she then

carefully placed the tray of eggs into the basket. If she broke
the eggs now due to carelessness, all her effort previously
would have been for nothing. Hence, Natsu was extra careful.

“Ah, thank you, Nat-chan, then let’s head over for payment.”

Natsu, who had completed her mission, heaved a sigh of relief.

But because there were many people waiting to check out their
groceries, the queue was moving very slowly, and Natsu grew
bored. To kill time, she took a look at the items in the basket,
then, as if she had come up with a great idea, Natsu sneaked
away from the queue.

“Snacks! Snacks!”

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That’s right, she was thinking of sneaking some snacks into the
basket, and if she didn’t hurry up, it’ll be mum’s turn at the
cashier. Natsu ran quickly towards the snacks.

Just then—

“Yah!”

“Oh.”

Natsu ran into a guy in front of her. She had wanted to

apologise, but got shocked as she raised her head.

Because, she had ran into a tall, bearded guy.

“Beard……”

Natsu was shocked, her body unable to move. The bearded guy
inched closer towards her, as if blocking her whole body.

“A-Are you okay? I was looking at my phone…..”

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The tall bearded guy was indeed Azumane, Karasuno’s Ace.
Although he had been called in to help with carrying the stuff,
Shimizu and Yachi had asked him to wait at a corner before
they check out the items. Then just now Yachi messaged him to
come over.

The kind and gentle Azumane felt deeply sorry, knocking into a
small girl like this.

He then recalled suddenly about how one should “maintain the

same level of eye contact when interacting with children”.

But this had quite the opposite effect. As Azumane, with his
face full of beard, inched closer towards Natsu, it only made
her even more frightened.

“B-Beard…… Beard…… Uwahhhhhhhhhhh!!”

Natsu’s face was all squashed, she cried while running back to
her mum.

I’m sorry I’m really sorry! I shouldn’t have tried to sneak snacks
into the basket without letting mum know, sorry! I won’t act on
my own again!

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Natsu had wanted to scream, but she couldn’t catch her breath
at all, her voice stuck in her throat. Whatever it is, she wanted
to go back to her mum as soon as possible. Hence, Natsu ran
forward with all her might. The two managers, who were
growing impatient from not seeing Azumane despite messaging
him, decided to go look for him. Then, they saw Natsu, who was
crying while running, and also the panicking Azumane.

Yachi looked at Shimizu, slightly afraid.

“F-From the looks of it, perhaps……”

“Other than him, the culprit couldn’t be anyone else.”

The two of them ran towards Azumane, his expression had

become scarier unconsciously.

“I-It wasn’t me……. Who made her cry…… She herself……!”

Azumane was going to continue explaining, But Shimizu glared

at him:

“…… Lousy.”

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“What do you meannnnnnnnn!”

Azumane’s huge body suddenly looked as if it had deflated.

Yachi apologise immediately.

“Sorry! It must be because of my messages……!”

“No, Yachi’s not in the wrong! It’s me….. it’s all because of my
face……”

“If I hadn’t asked Azumane senpai over, I could’ve just queued a

few times myself!”

“I-It’s all because of how I look……!”

Seeing the two bowing to each other repeatedly, Shimizu

spoke:

“Alright, enough, let’s get back to shopping.”

Shimizu walked forward with big steps, the two of them

following behind her.

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“Ah, yes!”

“Wait for me……!”

Natsu prepared dinner with mum once they reached home.

Because Natsu is already in elementary school, she is allowed
to use the knives and stove.

Natsu was scolded by her mum earlier when she cried in the
super mart.

“See, Natsu, I told you not to run around!”

“Ooh, s-sorry!”

Natsu cried as she apologised just now, so once she returned

home, she decided to be in her best behaviour. She wanted to
prove to her mum that she’s already a big girl who can help
with housework.

Natsu cut open the meat patties mum fried. In the patties were
poached eggs. To prevent herself from getting burnt, Natsu

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waited until it was cooled down before cutting them up. When
she cut open the brown patties, the egg yolk oozed out, it
looked really good.

“Looks really delicious!”

Mum also prepared asparagus bacon rolls. The sizzling sound

in the drying pan made it sound really appetising. Natsu was
getting hungry.

Usually Natsu would eat dinner together with her mum first,
and sometimes in the midst of their meal, her father and
brother would return.

Natsu laid the bowls and chopsticks on the dining table, then
told her mum “I’m going to start eating” before beginning to
eat. Natsu bit into the patties immediately.

“So delicious!”

For unknown reasons, Natsu found the eggs today to be more

delicious than usual. The tofu and spring onions in the miso
soup tasted better too. Although she wasn’t sure whether all
the ingredients were bought from super mart they went to
today.

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Natsu ate with big mouthfuls, suddenly, she heard the sound of
the door opening from the porch.

“I’m back!”

“Ah, it’s Ni-chan!”

Natsu stood up and ran towards the porch immediately.

“Natsu, no standing up while eating!”

Although she did hear mum scolding her, she wanted to see her
brother very much. She clung onto her brother, who was still
removing his shoes, from the back, then said:

“Ni-chan! Today’s egg are very delicious!”

“Oh, why is that so? Natsu, wait a minute, I’m out of breath! My
collars are strangling me!”

Seeing her brother struggling, Natsu jumped down from his

back, then changed to pulling on his bag.

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“Ni-chan, do you want to eat raw egg with rice? You want it
don’t you?”

“Huh? Wait a minute, please, ah, but it really does smell

delicious. I want to eat rice too! Big portion please!”

Hinata said while getting dragged on by Natsu. His mum’s

voice sounded from the living room.

“Shouyou, go wash your hands first!”

“Okay!”

Natsu followed behind her brother while he washed his hands,

the two of them walking along the corridor. Natsu then told
her brother:

“Ni-chan! We went nearby your school today.”

“Ah? Why? For what?”

“The bearded guy is very scary……”

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“Ah? Please say it in sequence, in sequence!”

Once her brother returned home, the house became lively all of
a sudden. The house was filled with the delicious smell of
dinner.

On a summer night, their family time was just about to begin.

-end-

Chapter 7: House of Crows

creenwriter & Director: Ennoshita Chikara

Camera: Akaashi Keiji

Art Director: Aone Takanobu

Music: Yahaba Shigeru

Father: Azumane Asahi

Son: Hinata Shouyou

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Daughter: Hinata Natsu

Exorcists: Takeda Ittetsu & Shimizu Kiyoko

Former Tenant: Ukai Keishin

Haunted Portrait: Yachi Hitoka

Villager: Tanaka Ryuunosuke

- Family of three (Asahi, Hinata and Natsu) was moving into a

house in the middle of nowhere. When the family got out of the
car, they saw a shadow moving in the house. Thinking it was
the landlord, the children went inside to greet the person. They
saw a portrait of a crying girl (Yachi) on the wall.

- On the second floor, Natsu noticed something in the

darkness, and out flew… a group of baby crows. [Yep, at this
point I realized this is NOT going to be a horror story…] The
baby crows disappeared.

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- The exorcists (Takeda-sensei and Shimizu) showed up and
explained that the former tenant (Ukai) had contacted them
when Ukai was still living in the house.

- A ghost possessed Natsu’s toy lion and started asking if she

wanted to play. The exorcists were getting ready to work, when
Natsu jumped the stuffed animal, bit it by its neck and started
beating the daylight out of it. The ghost was exorcised from the
toy. Shimizu was impressed.

- While the exorcists and the family were going over the
situation, someone was hiding in the bushes outside of the
window. The exorcists quietly exchanged a glance, raised their
crosses, and… started violently clubbing the person with their
crosses.

- The hiding person (Tanaka) was elated that he was beaten by

Shimizu warned the family to move out and stay away. He
refused to tell them anything more… until Shimizu asked, then
Tanaka immediately spit out the whole back story about an
Inugami curse placed on the house, blah blah blah.

- The group discussed about the possibility of the family

moving out. Natsu revealed that the family had already moved
more than 10 times. Finally, the exorcists and Tanaka took
their leaves. While they were walking away, Shimizu asked

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Takeda-sensei if it was fine to just leave the family like that.
Takeda-sensei said they were not evil so it would be okay.

- The former tenant (Ukai) adapted pretty well to the haunted

house. He had no problem with the ghosts, baby crows and
flying furniture, but he could not deal with the girl (Yachi) in
the portrait’s constant sobbing every night. Yachi used to be a
human but she was trapped into the picture 100 years ago. The
two of them could not figure out how to free her without killing
her. Before Ukai moved out, he contacted the exorcists for
Yachi.

- The family of three turned out to be monsters themselves.

Asahi was a Frankenstein monster, Hinata was a puppy
werewolf and Natsu was a vampire. The family moved to the
middle of nowhere thinking it would help conceal their
identities, and now wondered if they should move to a busy city
instead. Natsu happily asked if they could become friends with
the ghosts in the house, but Asahi was afraid of ghost. Poor
Yachi was wondering where the exorcists were.

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