The group moved noisily toward Building 2.
Physical fitness tests were always held in the gym next to Building 2, since that building had the team doctor and infirmary. To prevent any accidents, every physical test was conducted there.
Walking ahead of Ryosuke was Tendo. Just the thought of the physical test put him in a terrible mood.
Ryosuke, meanwhile, was still wondering what exactly the test would include. Growing up, he hadn't participated in many competitions, and even his training lacked proper guidance.
The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt.
After hesitating for a moment, Ryosuke finally spoke up and asked Tendo in front of him, "Tendo-senpai, um… what do they usually test during the physical exam?"
Tendo looked at him strangely. "Huh? You seriously don't know?"
Ryosuke felt unbearably awkward and didn't try to explain. After all, not knowing what the physical test involved was simply the truth.
"Tendo, don't tease him like that," Ushijima said, unusually stepping in to stop him.
"Oh my, oh my, fine then." Tendo grinned. "Since I'm such a kind senior, I'll tell you. There are quite a few items in the physical test. Usually we test approach jump reach, the 30-meter sprint, abdominal endurance, and then basic skills—receiving, setting, serving, and spiking."
That many…
"Thank you, Tendo-senpai."
Ryosuke turned to Goshiki and muttered, "Goshiki… I don't think I can do this…"
Hearing that, Goshiki slapped him hard on the back, making Ryosuke stumble forward. He said seriously, "A man can't say he can't do it! We need to learn from Ushijima-senpai!"
Ryosuke rubbed his back. That really hurt. A few metaphorical black lines slid down his face.
"Don't worry. It's not that scary," Ushijima added from the front.
That was rare. Ushijima had spoken a lot today.
"Oh? Oh?" Tendo said with a smile. "Why is Wakatoshi encouraging people today? It wasn't like this back when Shirabu joined."
Any mention of Ushijima never escaped Shirabu's ears. Even though he didn't turn around, he subtly leaned in to listen.
"That's not true, Tendo," Ushijima said, frowning slightly in his usual earnest way.
Back when Shirabu first joined, faced with Shirabu's intense admiration and his own awkward confusion, Ushijima had only ever said, "Oh. Do your best."
How could words that cold come out of a mouth that was clearly thirty-six degrees warm?!
And the most unbelievable part was that Shirabu had actually been encouraged by it!
Hmm… Shirabu silently counted on his fingers in his head. Ah! He said several more words than back then!
His murderous glare shifted straight toward Ryosuke and Goshiki.
Caught in Shirabu's death stare, Ryosuke immediately broke out in a cold sweat and took a quick step back, hiding behind Goshiki.
Goshiki, for some reason, felt himself grow taller (not really). He puffed out his chest and glared back at Shirabu, sparks practically crackling in the air between them.
When they arrived at the testing area, Washijō waved his hand sharply. "Line up! One at a time!"
The veteran players quickly formed orderly lines out of habit, while the newcomers were still chattering and scrambling to find their spots. Washijō's eyebrows twitched as he barked again, "Hurry it up! You can't even line up properly? Shiratorizawa doesn't need weaklings!"
Under his angry shout, everyone hastily and nervously fell into line.
"Alright, we'll go one by one. Start with receiving. Semi, you serve," the advisor said, tapping the board in his hand.
"Okay—" Semi replied, dragging out the last syllable.
Off to the side, the freshmen gathered together to warm up, talking nonstop.
"Are you nervous?"
"I'm super nervous."
"Same here."
"This feels really scary…"
They stretched while talking over each other.
Ryosuke and Goshiki hadn't said a word since they started warming up. Both of them were focused, going through their exercises seriously.
Watching from the side, Reon said to Yamagata, "See those two who came together? Ryosuke and Goshiki. Their warm-ups are really solid."
Yamagata nodded furiously—and then suddenly saw Ryosuke spring straight up like a compressed spring.
He shot more than a meter into the air with ease, leaving the other freshmen warming up nearby completely stunned.
Yamagata was shocked too. Forget receiving—how could this guy jump that high?!
Tendo let out a chuckle. "Looks like little Yamagata doesn't feel outclassed at all, huh? Heh heh."
"Don't call me little Yamagata!" Yamagata snapped back.
While the regular team members joked around nearby, the newcomers stayed tense and focused during their warm-ups.
By then, Semi had finished warming up and changed his clothes. Shirabu dragged a large basket of volleyballs to the front of the net.
"Alright! One at a time. Five balls per person."
Everyone exchanged glances. Some looked serious, others smiled as they lined up.
Semi took the ball from Shirabu and spun it in his hands a few times, preparing to serve.
Although Semi was a setter and didn't quite match Shiratorizawa's usual power-focused style, his powerful jump serve was second only to Ushijima and Reon on the team.
He bounced the ball lightly, then began his serve.
The first few receivers were fairly average, dropping the ball about three times on average.