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Chapter 244 - Chapter 244

Meow~~

Just when both of them were feeling puzzled, a cat's cry suddenly came from the high courtyard wall of Akira's house.

"It's Kuroka!"

Kiyoko Shimizu's eyes lit up when she saw the cat.

The calico cat wasn't afraid of her at all—thanks to Kiyoko's long-time feeding. Instead, she jumped down from the courtyard wall and walked straight to Akira and Kiyoko, meowing with a helpless expression.

Meow~

The kitten in Kiyoko's palm immediately responded.

Seeing this, Kiyoko hurriedly placed the little calico in front of Kuroka.

"It really is Kuroka's kitten!"

As soon as the little cat saw Kuroka, it rubbed against her affectionately.

Kuroka also began to gently lick the kitten.

Watching this, Kiyoko couldn't help but reach over and stroke Kuroka's head.

The calico didn't resist. Instead, she rubbed her head against Kiyoko's palm.

"So cute…"

"Huh?"

Akira looked slightly confused.

"But why did Kuroka's kitten suddenly end up at my house?"

"Maybe she made a new nest nearby?" Kiyoko suggested.

She withdrew her hand and went inside to fetch something.

But when she returned, both calico cats—one big and one small—were gone.

"Huh?"

Kiyoko, holding two books, blinked in surprise.

"Where did Kuroka and her kitten go?"

"I just saw her hop off the wall with the kitten."

Akira stretched lazily on a new recliner, letting out a relaxed sigh.

Then he looked at Kiyoko standing in front of him, patted the remaining open space beside him, and gestured for her to lie down too.

The recliner was wide enough for both of them.

Kiyoko's face turned slightly red, but she didn't resist.

Instead, she walked over, placed the books on the stone table, and rested her head in the crook of Akira's arm.

"School starts in a week…"

Kiyoko wrapped her arm around Akira's waist and buried her face against his chest.

"Yeah…"

Akira let out a soft sigh.

"We won't get to relax like this much longer."

With one hand, he held Kiyoko; with the other, he picked a strawberry from a nearby plate.

Then he fed it to her.

Kiyoko looked up at him with a happy smile and accepted the offering.

Their eyes met, and the summer heat around them seemed to intensify.

Kiyoko lay against Akira, and the soft fabric of her thin clothing made her warmth feel vivid and real.

Looking at her calm and gentle face and her slightly parted lips—perhaps tinged red from the strawberry juice—it was hard to tell if it was the fruit or the moment that made her look even more delicate.

But Akira didn't want to think too much about it anymore.

He leaned in.

...

Morning of September 1.

Today marked the beginning of the new semester at Karasuno High.

Students in their crisp uniforms returned to campus in pairs, their chatter and laughter filling the air.

After a long summer break, there was so much to catch up on with friends!

At the school gate, a steady stream of voices and giggles echoed.

Suddenly, someone shouted in excitement from within the crowd.

"Whoa! Aren't those the guys from the volleyball team?!"

"Really? The team that won the championship?!"

"Yeah! I saw a few of them on TV during the tournament!"

"They're amazing! They actually won a national match!"

...

Walking from behind in uniform were Yū Nishinoya, Ryūnosuke Tanaka, and several second-years.

Hearing the excited murmurs, Tanaka and Nishinoya tried to act nonchalant—but their chests were puffed out with pride.

"Huh?"

"Is the bald one the same guy as that little bastard?"

"I don't remember there being this many players!"

At that comment, Tanaka froze mid-step.

"Pfft!"

Laughter burst out from Nishinoya and Chikara Ennoshita beside him.

"No way! He was definitely there—you must've just forgotten!" Nishinoya chuckled.

The boys who had made the remark realized something was off and quickly fled the scene.

"Hahahaha!!"

"Ryu, are you really that forgettable?" Nishinoya teased, wiping tears from his eyes.

...

Once the crowd dispersed, Nishinoya and the others finally gave in to their laughter, howling with mirth at the school gate.

Before Tanaka could retort, another wave of excited voices rang out.

"Ahh!! It's him!!"

"Who? That Akira guy?!"

"Yes, yes! That's him!!"

A group of girls gasped in delight, drawing everyone's attention.

"Wow! Isn't he the most handsome first-year? I heard he's in Class 5!"

"He's so cool! I saw him play in that tournament!"

"Right?! Oh my god, yes!"

"Can I get his contact info? I want to watch all his matches!!"

...

Over on that side, Akira was being swarmed.

Covered in sweat, he finally squeezed through the crowd like he had battled through 81 trials, and made it into his classroom.

Ever since the start of the new semester, the volleyball team had been basking in an overwhelming spotlight.

Wherever they went, whispers followed—people excitedly recognizing them and pointing them out.

But most students looked at them with genuine admiration and envy.

Even during practice sessions, curious classmates often peeked in from outside the gym doors.

Despite all the attention, the volleyball club hadn't slacked off one bit.

Their training regimen remained intense, focused on sharpening their techniques and boosting physical endurance.

And there were frequent practice matches scheduled as well!

It was also worth noting that ever since Shōyō Hinata and Tobio Kageyama spent a week training at Coach Ikkei Ukai's place, they had finally discovered a way to evolve their quick attack.

Kageyama had come to understand the importance of letting spikers take the lead in offense.

Now, he was developing a new kind of set.

While similar to their usual "freak quick," this new set required even greater technical precision.

Kageyama was working to momentarily freeze the ball at the peak of the set.

That way, Hinata—already in midair—would have enough time to adjust the angle and power of his spike!

Their quick attacks were becoming more tactical, targeting holes in the opponent's net defense.

Now, the two of them were almost obsessed, training day and night with unwavering focus.

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