Chapter 74: Two Foreshadowing Segments, One Daily Life Segment
As the after-school club activity time was about to end.
"Masaru!"
"Your receiving is way too rigid!"
"Watch this! Rolling Lightning!"
Nishinoya Yu, who hadn't officially rejoined but had been training with the team, used a move where he rolled before receiving the ball, accurately hitting it into the volleyball basket.
This drew laughter from everyone except two people: Hinata Shoyo, who was shouting "So cool! I want to learn that!" and Hoshino Masaru, whose name had been called out and was covering his face in helplessness.
"Um... Guren, can I refuse to participate in this match?"
"Nishinoya-senpai's volleyball skills are in direct proportion to his chunibyo level - like 200%."
"Just thinking about competing with Nishinoya-senpai for the libero position feels so embarrassing."
Ichise Guren, who was secretly laughing, mercilessly rejected Hoshino Masaru's verbal complaint.
"Of course not, you already agreed."
"Besides, if you don't compete, then all my hard work serving balls for your receiving practice would be wasted."
"You should treasure other people's labor."
Dead fish eyes stared at Ichise Guren's chatter.
"You just want to stir up trouble, don't you?"
"Ara, you saw right through me."
Nishinoya Yu approached Tanaka Ryunosuke without any reservations and asked directly.
"Ryu!"
"What's up?"
"Masaru's receiving ability is really strong. After he joins our team, our libero position defense should be pretty good, right?"
"Eh? Um, yeah, pretty good."
"Then I'm relieved. I was a bit worried that during the time I wasn't here, if you guys had a chance to play practice matches or something, you might lose because of the libero position, hahahaha."
After getting his friend Tanaka's affirmative answer, Nishinoya Yu actually became even happier. He showed none of the sadness that Tanaka Ryunosuke had worried about regarding his position being replaced.
"I told you Masaru's receiving ability is really strong! Even though it's a bit conventional, a libero who can receive the ball is a good libero!"
"After Asahi-senpai and I rejoin the team, I'm going to have a proper showdown with him to decide who's Karasuno's starting libero."
"What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"You don't think I'd feel like I deserve the starting position just because I'm a second-year, do you?"
"What are you saying! Only the strong can stand on the court - that's natural!"
Tanaka Ryunosuke felt somewhat embarrassed by Nishinoya Yu's sudden loud shout, even though he himself was someone who never cared about the occasion.
"I didn't say anything, Noya!"
After the two finished chatting, Hinata Shoyo also straightforwardly asked his own question.
After that, little sun Hinata Shoyo was rarely encouraged by others, and everyone quickly cleaned up the gymnasium, preparing to head home.
Today, however, Ichise Guren unexpectedly saw Ayasaki's black car at the school gate.
After getting in the car, Ayasaki got straight to the point about the purpose of his visit.
"Ichise-sama, regarding what you discussed with the master last time, the elder master has spoken with friends in the cabinet and the Kyoto Sports Department. The notification should come down soon."
Ichise Guren's eyes were full of expectation as he grinned.
"Oh? That's quite efficient. About when can this matter be completed?"
Ayasaki looked straight ahead, answering Ichise Guren's question in a gentle tone.
"I'm afraid it won't be until after the high school tournament, because the execution time is relatively short. There should be no problem for the Spring Tournament though."
"I see."
Ichise Guren curiously leaned forward, and after hearing the answer he wanted, slowly sat back down. He straightened his body and leaned against the car seat backrest.
Half his face was covered by the shadow of the car's roof, with only the streetlights on both sides of the road occasionally flickering across Ichise Guren's face as the vehicle moved.
His eyes hidden in the shadows, Ichise Guren was contemplating something.
"What about the other matter?"
"Are you referring to the school matter, young master?"
"That's right."
"That matter seems to have already been under local consideration due to the establishment of schools for Ichise Group employees' children, and our voice just pushed forward the progress of this matter."
"Perhaps now, the players on their team have already heard some rumors."
"I see. That's quite exciting."
....
In class, Ichise Guren easily handled subjects like English and Japanese literature. His exquisite calligraphy also made most teachers appreciate his papers and homework at first glance.
However, only mathematics...
Ichise Guren could barely manage to reach the passing grade.
Looking at the passing score on his quiz, strange thoughts flashed through Ichise Guren's mind.
'Most hated subject!'
'Damn it!'
'Working so hard and barely passing!'
'Cursed mathematics!'
'Should I call grandpa and have him pressure the Education Department?'
'Cancel this mathematics subject altogether!!!!'
'That's crazy, impossible.'
The mathematics class passed by with Ichise Guren's neurotic thinking.
After class, another cute girl from another class shyly came to Ichise Guren's classroom, then bashfully handed him a letter that might as well have had "I AM A LOVE LETTER" written on the packaging.
Ichise Guren showed a gentle smile, politely accepted the love letter, then maintained social distance while telling the girl his usual polite, well-reasoned, and non-hurtful speech that he'd said countless times.
"Thank you for your feelings, but I think my current focus might still be on studying (except mathematics) and club activities, so I really wouldn't have the time and energy to allocate to romance."
After gently sending the girl away, he continued to immerse himself in intense and exciting studying.
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