The square in front of the gymnasium buzzed with excitement and joy!
If the Spring High Tournament is a festival for everyone...
Then the qualifiers are the preparations leading up to that festival.
Inside the Miyagi Prefectural Gymnasium, a large crowd of spectators had already gathered.
Unsurprisingly, even after entering the gymnasium, the players from Karasuno High were met with curious stares and attention from all around.
Not far from them stood the players from Kakugawa High, watching them from a distance.
"That's our opponent today..."
"They look terrifying."
"Yeah! I was just watching them on live TV during the nationals not too long ago, and now we're actually facing Karasuno on the court!"
"It's just... surreal!"
"Alright, alright!"
Seeing the anxious state of his teammates, Yuzuru Komaki waved his hand a little helplessly.
"They're already inside warming up. Let's head in too!"
"The match is about to start!"
"Yes!"
...
Before this kind of match, Hyakuzawa couldn't help but feel a trace of fear toward their opponent.
That had never happened before.
Even though they had discussed it beforehand—there was no need to be afraid, just play their game.
But when the moment truly arrived...
He still felt uneasy!
However, he could more or less understand how everyone else felt.
After all, they were up against the team that had won the Inter-High Tournament just a month or two ago.
To them, Karasuno was a legend.
It was like facing a character who had only ever existed on television—suddenly appearing right in front of them.
Only those experiencing it firsthand could truly understand the shock.
...
Creak!!
Today was the first day of the Spring High Preliminary Round, drawing the most teams to participate!
A total of 16 teams had arrived at the Sendai city Gymnasium.
Karasuno's match was scheduled on Court B.
After the previous match on that court wrapped up, Karasuno's players began walking slowly through the corridor.
And as soon as they stepped into the arena, an overwhelming wave of cheers erupted from the stands—"Karasuno! Karasuno!!"
....
The seating area on their side was already packed with students wearing Karasuno school uniforms.
They were waving support items and small flags, shouting enthusiastically without pause.
And when they saw the Karasuno volleyball team enter the court, their cheers grew even louder.
At the front of the cheering section, a familiar black banner stood tall.
Still emblazoned with the two bold white characters: [Fly]!!
"Wow! I can't believe it!"
"Karasuno actually has such a massive cheer squad now!"
Makoto Shimada and Yusuke Takinoue had arrived early to watch the match.
Seeing the scale of the Karasuno cheer section, Takinoue couldn't help but feel moved.
"Of course!"
Shimada chuckled.
"After all, the Karasuno volleyball team just won the Inter-High Tournament!"
"It's no surprise the whole school is behind them now!"
As the two alumni took in the scene before them with admiration...
Takinoue suddenly widened his eyes.
He smacked Shimada on the shoulder.
"Look! Look over there!"
"Look, Shimada!!"
"What? What is it??"
Shimada was caught off guard by his sudden urgency and instinctively followed his gaze.
"Shhh—wait—"
Before Shimada could say anything, Takinoue was already shouting at the top of his lungs.
"Coach Ukai!!"
"Long time no see, Coach Ukai!!"
Takinoue's shout caught the attention of several people nearby.
Including the Ukai , who had just arrived.
"Hm?"
Hearing someone calling him, the elderly man turned his head.
"Oh? So it's you two brats!"
A smile broke across his face, and he walked over in their direction.
"Haha! Long time no see, Coach Ukai!"
...
"How's your health these days?"
Both Takinoue and Shimada stood up from their seats with enthusiasm.
"Haha! Still the same as always!"
Ikkei Ukai shook his head and sat down next to them.
"How's that team you two formed with that kid doing now?"
"Ahaha..."
Takinoue scratched his head sheepishly.
"Since this guy's been busy coaching at Karasuno lately, we haven't played many matches together!"
"Bah!"
Ukai waved his hand dismissively.
"Forget about that kid!"
"Just go out and play for yourselves!"
"Haha! Easy for you to say, but it's no fun if we can't all get together!"
Takinoue laughed.
At that moment, Shimada asked with curiosity:
"But, Coach Ukai, what made you decide to come to the match today?"
"A while back, two very interesting little guys came to me."
Ukai gazed out at the court, eyes sharp with interest.
"I wanted to see how those two are performing out there this time!"
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1st Bonus Chapter - 400 Power Stones
2nd Bonus Chapter - 800 Power Stones
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