"ABBREVIATED AS YOUTH TRAINING. Only first- and second-year high schoolers in Japan are eligible to be selected!"
"That's it!!"
Bokuto slapped his thigh and finally connected the dots.
"Yes!"
Kuroo added with a grin,
"Out of all of us here, only Bokuto has been there!"
"He should know best!"
Everyone turned to look at Bokuto, who was lounging on the side.
"It happened after the Spring High qualifiers," he explained.
"I went to Tokyo during winter break—it only lasted about a week."
Bokuto scratched his head, trying to remember the details.
"There really were top players from all over the country gathered there."
"The National Youth Team has a keen eye for selecting talent."
"Last year, Ushijima, Sakusa, and Kiryū were all chosen for the camp!"
"Later, Volleyball Monthly named them the top three national aces!"
"Oh?"
Gasps of admiration echoed around the group.
"This year, considering the results you guys got at Inter-High, there's no way they'll overlook you!"
"That means you'd get to go up against top-tier players from all over the country?"
"Exactly!"
"But there are only a few slots available at the Youth Training Camp each year."
"Only about 10 to 20 players make the cut!"
"Wow!"
"So many high school players across Japan..."
"And only 10 or 20 get selected?"
"Yeah!"
Kuroo nodded in agreement.
"Anyone who gets picked is either already strong or has huge potential!"
"Right!"
"This year... Sakusa is definitely going to be one of them!"
"If any of you get selected, you'll get to experience his insane serve and spike firsthand!"
"Is that so..."
"YOUTH training..."
It was the first time the players from Karasuno had heard of such a thing.
"The selection doesn't only consider Inter-High matches," Kuroo explained, "but also the Spring Tournament qualifiers and footage from various teams and players."
"This is the final chance for elite players to earn a big spotlight before Spring High!"
...
"Hey!"
Just then, Masaki Gōra and the others called out from the side.
"Don't just stand around talking!"
"Come eat, or we'll finish everything ourselves!"
"Save us some!!"
...
After the barbecue, no one returned to training.
As Coach Nekomata said, it would be a waste not to enjoy the beautiful forest scenery.
So, once the weather cooled down in the afternoon, everyone went on a group hike.
The back mountain of Shinzen High became their playground.
Even in the peak of summer, the area wasn't stifling. A gentle breeze often rustled through the trees, sweeping away the fatigue built up from days of training.
...
"See you at Spring High!"
"See you even sooner at the Spring Tournament!"
"Don't bail on us when the time comes!"
...
Happy moments always seem to fly by.
The next morning, after bidding farewell to Shinzen High, everyone began their journey home.
For Karasuno...
This Inter-High and training camp marked the end of a meaningful chapter.
But they had no idea that waiting for them in Miyagi was an entirely new wave of fans and supporters.
Beep beep!
By the time Karasuno's team bus pulled into the school, it was already noon.
The moment they reached the school gate, they saw several massive banners raised proudly outside.
🎉 Congratulations to our Boys' Volleyball Team for winning Inter-High! 🎉
🎉 Karasuno High School Volleyball Club—National Champions! 🎉
...
At the entrance, the principal and Director of Education stood with bright floral baskets, grinning broadly.
Clearly, they had been waiting for this moment.
"Hahaha!"
"Takeda-sensei! Ukai-sensei!"
"You're finally back!!"
The moment the players stepped off the bus, they were surrounded with cheers and warm welcomes.
Nearby passersby poked their heads out to see the commotion.
"Whoa!"
"It's the volleyball team!"
"I saw them on TV not long ago! Didn't expect them back today!"
"Didn't we see them every day before summer break?"
"Those kids used to come to my shop every afternoon for roasted sweet potatoes!"
...
"Uh..."
Caught off guard by the overwhelming welcome, Ukai and Takeda stood stunned.
"Come on!"
The Director of Education rushed forward and shook Takeda's hand with enthusiasm.
"Takeda-sensei!"
"We waited day and night for your return!"
"Um..."
Takeda scratched his head, puzzled.
"Director ... how did you know we'd be back today?"
"You even prepared all this..."
In fact, neither Takeda nor Ukai had informed anyone about their return date.
Since it was still summer break, they hadn't intended to bother anyone. Their plan was just to quietly return to school.
But clearly, things hadn't gone as planned.
"Hahaha!"
While Takeda looked confused, the principal chimed in cheerfully:
"When you went to Shinzen for the training camp, we already contacted the school."
"We've been preparing the welcome with the other teachers ever since!"
"Ahh... Hahahaha..."
Hearing this, Takeda chuckled awkwardly.
"Honestly, there wasn't any need to go through all this trouble..."
"Hahaha!"
"It was absolutely necessary! Takeda-sensei!"
"We're all so proud of you for achieving such an incredible result at Inter-High!"
The principal clapped Takeda's shoulder and turned to shout to Ukai and the students behind him:
"Coach Ukai, and all our champions!"
"Don't just stand there!!"
"Come on in!"
With that, everyone walked through the gates, greeted by teachers and staff.
On campus, the principal shared many updates about the school's increased support for the volleyball club.
He promised more funding, better facilities...
Even discussions about forming cheer squads and other initiatives.
These were matters Takeda and Ukai would have to consider carefully.
And of course, there was a scheduled interview with Miyagi Prefecture TV.
Before Karasuno even arrived at school, multiple reporters from various media outlets were already there, waiting.
The principal had arranged a large classroom as a makeshift press hall.
By the time Karasuno walked in for the interview, it felt like a full-on press conference.
After the many interviews wrapped up, the team finally stepped out of the academic building.