"..."

The scene fell into silence. It wasn't that everyone was still shocked by Kobayashi Aotori's incredible "prediction," but they felt that it was better to remain silent now.

"...Huh—?"

Until a low, furious voice sounded. Whether it was people who had witnessed Kobayashi Aotori's "mocking skills" or those who had only heard about them, they instinctively tensed their faces, trying hard not to laugh out loud—

What do you mean by ordinary people can't reach it? Do you have to be so roundabout to criticize Hoshiumi Kourai!

Little did they know, when Kobayashi Aotori said "ordinary people," he was including himself. However, apart from Kageyama and himself, no one else knew he had once failed to reach Kageyama's set.

Therefore, this seemingly harmless sentence, in this context, especially with Hoshiumi Kourai missing Kageyama's set and Kobayashi Aotori making a miraculous save, the meaning of his words changed significantly——

They cautiously looked at the fire lighting up behind Hoshiumi Kourai, while Miya Atsumu wore a watching-the-show expression. After all, the "mocking" wasn't directed at him, so he enjoyed the spectacle.

On the other side, Komori Motoya awkwardly touched his face. He looked at the calm expressions of Kageyama and Aotori, then at the almost evaporating-with-anger Hoshiumi Kourai, with a helpless smile.

Ah, this...

Even he didn't know what to do in this situation.

Fortunately, the coach didn't let this atmosphere last for too long and quickly smoothed things over and resumed the match.

But everyone clearly felt Hoshiumi Kourai's boundless energy in the following games, especially when he spiked Kageyama's sets fiercely in front of Kobayashi Aotori.

Everyone could see it, and naturally, Kobayashi Aotori felt it too——

Standing at the front, Kobayashi Aotori's forehead gradually broke into a cold sweat. He looked at Miya Atsumu, who was smirking in front of him, while the burning gaze from behind was impossible to ignore——

So, in the others' view, the tall youth at the front was slightly stiff, with the shorter youth behind him glaring fiercely at his back.

There was an indescribable weirdness. The coaches exchanged glances, seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.

...But this was good.

They looked at the previously somewhat gloomy court due to Kobayashi Aotori's excellent performance despite being in an unfamiliar team. But now, the atmosphere quickly ignited with Hoshiumi Kourai's high-spirited energy.

And everyone also found Hoshiumi Kourai's fighting spirit and hostility towards Kobayashi Aotori amusing, making the previously tense court lively again.

THE COACH on the side watched with deep eyes, focusing on the movements on the court. However, at this moment, all he could see was Kobayashi Aotori, whose performance was not very outstanding.

He observed the other's positioning intently, noting how he kept an eye on everything on the court. Though it might not be obvious to most, the coach understood that while Aotori appeared ready to attack at any moment, he was currently focusing on the team's defense.

With Kobayashi Aotori's defense, the number of times they were scored against visibly decreased.

And just now, with a few words, he had instantly heated up the previously dull court...

They had anticipated since this was their first time working together, it would take at least a morning of training to achieve the current situation.

The coach slightly pushed up his glasses, a glint flashing in his eyes. At this moment, the coaches' thoughts aligned.

Was that comment... intentional...?

They had specifically reviewed Kobayashi Aotori's matches. If he had still played like he did in junior high, he wouldn't have been recommended for the National Youth Intensive Training Camp.

According to video footage, his transformation began when he entered high school.

If initially, Kobayashi Aotori was just a sharp blade cutting through everything, now this blade had found its true "master."

Compared to blindly attacking, the current Kobayashi Aotori was a more "lively" person. Instead of constantly attacking on the ground, he had become an eagle, perching high on a tree, his sharp eyes observing everything on the court—

After entering high school, he had suddenly transformed from the observed to the observer.

The speed and quality of this transformation were unbelievable. The coach stroked his chin thoughtfully.

But such things did happen, right before his eyes.

He had to admit, there were people in this world who were born—

—to shine.

————

CAFETERIA

After a day's training, Kobayashi Aotori had to accept some bad news——

He "unfortunately" ended up in the same dorm room as Miya Atsumu.

Although Kobayashi Aotori physically and mentally resisted interacting with Miya Atsumu, there were several other not-so-familiar guys in the dorm room.

...And no Hoshiumi Kourai, who looked very fierce during the day.

Kobayashi Aotori tugged at the corner of his mouth, picked up his finished meal tray, and headed straight for the tray return area, secretly relieved.

It wasn't an exaggeration; the other's gaze was too intense, and his overwhelming presence... Wow, it was even stronger than competing with Ushijima! This guy must be incredibly strong!

Unaware that he thought Hoshiumi Kourai's presence was stronger than Ushijima because the other was always staring at him, Kobayashi Aotori assumed Hoshiumi's strength far surpassed his and even Ushijima.

Training with such a person... must be super stressful...

"Kobayashi Aotori! Come with me to the training ground!!"

Suddenly, a loud voice sounded behind Kobayashi Aotori. He stopped in his tracks, wondering if he was hallucinating.

...That's strange. Even though this is Tokyo, Fukurodani and Nekoma people aren't here. Haha, how could anyone be pestering me to practice...?

Must be an auditory hallucination.

Kobayashi Aotori, with his hands in his pockets, slightly hunched at the doorway due to his height, kept walking after a brief pause—

"Hey! You! Stop looking down on me!"

However, despite his efforts to convince himself, the person behind him had no intention of letting him go.

Standing behind Kobayashi Aotori, Hoshiumi Kourai looked defiant. He pursed his lips, hands on his hips, eyes wide open, glaring at the much taller Kobayashi Aotori's back.

Everyone subconsciously turned their eyes towards the two of them—

Komori and Kageyama, sitting together, saw the commotion and Kageyama instinctively stood up to speak for Kobayashi Aotori, but Komori quickly held him down. He frowned at Komori, only to notice his bitter smile.

In Kageyama's puzzled gaze, Komori shook his head.

He looked towards the doorway, although Kobayashi Aotori hadn't moved yet, Komori Motoya didn't think he would suffer a loss.

Ah, of course, he meant in all aspects.

Whether verbally...

Or in volleyball.

Although Kageyama was held down by Komori beside him, he still looked towards the door with great dissatisfaction.

In his eyes, Kobayashi Aotori stood with his back to everyone, hands in pockets, seemingly helpless and inexplicably irritated by Hoshiumi Kourai's challenge, so he was unwilling to turn around.

Hoshiumi Kourai, undeterred by Kobayashi Aotori's inaction, stood seriously behind him, waiting for an answer.

—Unbeknownst to everyone, the irritation sensed from Kobayashi Aotori was simply because his long-standing worry had finally materialized.

Although Kobayashi Aotori wasn't as insecure as during the Tokyo Training Camp, as he realized during the recent training match with Karasuno and Johzenji—

Habits are not so easy to change.

And his subconscious habit of avoiding the company of strong people is difficult to change in an instant.

Undoubtedly, Hoshiumi Kourai was someone he deemed strong.

What he didn't know was that Hoshiumi, who he thought simply wanted extra practice, actually was holding back a grudge inside, thus, the "challenge" in the guise of "additional training."

—Of course, everyone except Kobayashi Aotori understood this.

Although his thoughts raced, in the eyes of everyone present, he had only paused for a few seconds.

As the breeze gently moved his tied-back navy hair, he moved—

The tall youth slowly turned around. Because he stood at the doorway, maintaining a slightly hunched posture, he appeared even more rebellious and impatient. He turned around and, under everyone's gaze, did something shocking—

He.

His gaze slowly shifted, and then his head slowly lowered, meeting the eyes of the much shorter Hoshiumi Kourai.

Though the movement was small, the distinctness made everyone clearly see Kobayashi Aotori's entire set of actions.

"..."

Silence.

At first everyone was just watching the fun, but now they even stopped breathing.

Hoshiumi Kourai looked at Kobayashi Aotori in disbelief as he saw this unnecessary action.

He could have directly turned smoothly while meeting my gaze! But he deliberately turned his head and lowered it!

Komori's mouth twitched, his dead-fish eyes staring at the composed Kobayashi Aotori at the doorway.

...No wonder.

It turns out that your abilities are now strong enough that you can activate your "skills" without saying a word.

Or were you actually holding back before?

Komori Motoya remembered the times he felt frustrated talking to Kobayashi Aotori, now feeling somewhat relieved.

Kageyama beside him sensed something was wrong with the people around him and blinked in confusion.

What's wrong?

Aotori hasn't said anything yet? Why is everyone looking like this?

So just like that, the only person present who could match Kobayashi Aotori's wavelength changed from Ushijima to Kageyama.