Wearing a black suit, Washijo Tanji looked at Ichinose Guren, who, despite showing respect, had just declined his offer. His brow furrowed slightly, yet his admiration for a strong player compelled him to ask:
"Can you tell me your reason?"
Guren first replied politely with a simple, "Yes, sir," before explaining why he didn't want to go to Shiratorizawa.
"Ever since I was little, I've heard stories about Ushijima Wakatoshi, the ace ranked top three nationally, maybe even number one. His achievements."
Tanji nodded. Among volleyball players in Miyagi Prefecture, the tale of the "volleyball prodigy" Ushijima was widely known. So it was only natural that Guren had heard of him.
Guren continued, his voice steady:
"From that moment, I decided: every top national ace, I want to defeat them all with my own hands."
Tanji, who had been quietly listening with his eyebrows lowered, now slowly raised his gaze. Beneath his thick brows, his eyes lined with fine wrinkles regarded the young man before him seriously.
Guren's gaze didn't waver; he looked straight at the elder, showing that what he said reflected his true conviction.
After a few seconds of silent eye contact, Tanji finally looked away and simply said,
"I see."
He reached for the green tea Ayasaki Hayato had served on the table. After a careful sip, he praised,
"Good tea ceremony. Very professional."
Ayasaki, who had been silent since serving the tea, bowed slightly in response.
"My skills are not yet refined. I apologize for any rudeness in front of you."
Tanji waved his hand, signaling that no humility was needed.
He then put away the Shiratorizawa Special Recommendation Letter for Athletic Admission, placed it inside his suit jacket pocket, buttoned up, and after exchanging brief farewells with Guren and Ayasaki, walked toward the main gate.
Guren hurried after him. "I'll see you out!"
Ayasaki walked swiftly ahead, handing over a gift bag from the Ichinose family, special treats from brands affiliated with the Ichinose Group.
Tanji thanked them, took the bag, and opened the gate himself, stepping outside where the Shiratorizawa driver waited.
Before getting into the car, he turned and waved at the two.
"If that's the case, the next time we meet… if you're still playing volleyball in Miyagi Prefecture, it will probably be on the court."
"Then we'll be opponents. My students will show no mercy," Guren replied, standing straight and nodding instead of bowing.
"That is only natural. I'll give my all," he said.
Tanji neither confirmed nor denied, merely waved, and finally the driver opened the car door. He got in, and the vehicle slowly departed.
Ayasaki glanced at Guren but said nothing. He understood well that the young master's years of effort and passion for volleyball had forged a confidence and skill that made it natural for him to aim to defeat every top ace.
The outside world, however, did not know that Guren had declined Shiratorizawa's invitation. Tanji was not the type to gossip. Thus, in Miyagi, it became the rumor: the best Junior High player in the prefecture, the ace, the top spiker, the top server, the "Junior High demon king" who led Yukigaoka to the national semifinals, was going to challenge Ushijima Wakatoshi.
Back in his room, Guren had Ayasaki leave for the day and picked up his phone, which had been vibrating nonstop. He opened the Yukigaoka Volleyball Club group chat.
"I got the invitation from Aoba Johsai!!"
Picture of the invitation
"What school are you going to?"
"Let's play together in high school too!!!" - Hinata Shoyo
"Too noisy, I got mine too. Why post a picture?"
"And it's Aoba Johsai, dummy." - Hoshino Katsuri
"I got mine too… but I also have an invitation from Shiratorizawa. Their coach even called me yesterday." - Yudai Hyakuzawa
"Seniors are amazing!!!" - Mori, Suzuki, Kawashima
"Ahahaha, how can we not look up to you guys?", Hinata Shoyo
"Can't even tell height-wise that you're seniors, right?" - Hoshino Katsuri
"You're not taller than me either, Hoshino!!"- Hinata Shoyo
"What's there to compete for? You're all shorter than me anyway." - Yudai Hyakuzawa
"Do you have multiple personalities?" - Hinata Shoyo, Hoshino Katsuri
"Typing is easier than speaking in person, and communication is much smoother~" - Yudai Hyakuzawa
New message:
"Have you decided which school to go to?", Ichinose Guren
"Oh! Guren!"
"Let's all go to Karasuno!"
"This time, we'll win the national championship!", Hinata Shoyo
"You just want to go for the Little Giant, right?"
"Why drag us into this?"
"The captain will probably go to Shiratorizawa.", Hoshino Katsuri
"I told Shiratorizawa yesterday: I'll follow Guren's choice."
"If Guren goes, I'll go there too.", Yudai Hyakuzawa
"Ah? Damn it! Then next time, we'll be opponents!"
"I'll defeat you!"
"I'm still scared inside!", Hinata Shoyo
"You don't need to say that out loud!", Hoshino Katsuri
Watching the notifications flood in, Guren scratched his head.
'I never said I'm going to Shiratorizawa.'
Then he started a video call. First to answer was Hinata, wearing a white hoodie, grinning widely with his comically close-up face.
Guren laughed and placed his phone on the desk stand beside a framed photo of the Yukigaoka Volleyball Club from the national tournament, complete with their flag dominating the gym.
In the photo, Hinata jumped laughing, hugging Guren and Hyakuzawa. Hoshino, angered by Hinata's chaos, stood behind as if ready to drag him down. The "three small ones" gently tried to intervene, all captured perfectly by Ayasaki, acting as the temporary photographer.
Hinata picked the photo he liked best, framed it, and placed it on his desk.
The rest, Hyakuzawa, Hoshino, and the "three small ones", looked either resigned or joyful.
Once everyone was gathered, Guren greeted each of them, then said firmly:
"I'm going to Karasuno."
(Meme version: I'm taking my talent to Karasuno. Let's play together again. We won't bring just one championship, we'll build the Karasuno dynasty!!!)