Chapter 89: Training x Dormitory x Starting Lineup
In the week before training camp, besides club activities, Ichise Guren would continue his individual training after returning home.
To be precise, only at his own house did he dare to push himself to high intensity, because his home had liquid nitrogen freezing equipment that could greatly soothe muscle conditions after training.
Then he would rest briefly in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, allowing his stamina to recover better and more fully.
Besides that, he also took on the responsibility of providing cutting-edge, proven training methods when the coach pointed out teammates' shortcomings.
He tried to make the most of training time to strengthen every teammate who wanted to improve their skills.
Let's Train Together
Although the group name kept getting changed by that Hinata Shoyo guy, who would suddenly decide on names he thought were cool, it finally settled down after Hoshino Masaru scolded him.
This chat group, established since middle school, had also gained a new member who shared their passion.
Please don't worry, senpais! We're all making good use of the equipment Ichise-senpai left behind for training!—Kawashima
Attached was a group photo of the entire Yukigaoka volleyball club.
This year's first-years include a lot of excellent guys!—Suzuki
There really are quite a few promising seedlings. Kawashima! Don't call it 'left behind'! Take that back!—Mori
Ahh, Mori! You're really showing captain vibes!—Hinata Shoyo
Ah, sorry, sorry, I was being presumptuous.
It's mainly because we don't have any third-years above us this year, so I'm the oldest in the club.
Kawashima and Suzuki, as the senpais know, are gentle guys, so I have to play the scary role. —Mori
Well done, Mori. —Hoshino Masaru
Great, let's work together to make Yukigaoka a volleyball powerhouse in Miyagi Prefecture too! —Ichise Guren
Yes!!!x3—Mori, Suzuki, Kawashima
Nice to meet you all, I'm —
Yamaguchi Tadashi
...
Three days before training camp.
Yamaguchi Tadashi's receiving practice in the club had reached the point where he could consistently connect five balls.
But in Ukai Keishin's eyes, this was still far from enough.
...
One day before training camp.
The freak duo's ultra-quick attack was completely and utterly blocked for the first time by the smiling Ichise Guren.
After being shut down by the block, both Kageyama Tobio and Hinata Shoyo rarely turned their heads in unison.
"Tch!" x2
'Next time I'll definitely score on him! Beat this big boss (this guy)!' x2
...
The morning Hinata Shoyo arrived at school using the Midousuji cycling method.
Ukai Keishin continued expressing his strong dissatisfaction with their average receiving ability in the gym.
"Even if you practice until you puke, pick up those balls!"
"Yes!"
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Time passed from after school straight through to 8 PM.
The Karasuno volleyball club officially began their training camp.
"So."
"Awe."
"Some!"
"Right!" x3
The hot-blooded idiot trio looked at the neat, proper, yet very comfortable and pleasant dormitory before them, expressing their shock word by word.
"When did Karasuno get this kind of dormitory? Back in our day it was still a pretty old house."
"At this same address too."
"I thought it had never been changed."
Ukai Keishin looked at the large mansion before him, also completely shocked.
Damn it, when I was a student, why didn't we have a house like this to live in?
Takeda-sensei quietly pushed up his glasses, a flash of light reflecting off the lenses.
"Hehe, Ukai-kun."
"Actually, this house was newly built two weeks ago."
Ukai Keishin had an expression like Even though I didn't go to college, you don't need to try to fool me like this.
Seeing Ukai Keishin's expression, Takeda-sensei immediately understood why he would think that. Because building such a large compound in two weeks was too ridiculous.
So he hurriedly waved his hands, indicating he was telling the truth.
"Really, I'm not lying to you."
"This is a standard prefabricated luxury house developed by the Ichise Group."
"Although it's luxurious and comfortable, the price isn't high because it's assembled from prefabricated panels piece by piece, so the labor costs are much lower."
Looking at the large compound before him, Ukai Keishin couldn't help but sigh.
"Technology really is amazing."
...
"The starting lineup for the practice match is out."
Ukai Keishin took out his tactical board and placed it before all the Karasuno members. Every player focused intently on the starting lineup the coach had laid out.
Behind each starting player was Ukai Keishin's careful consideration.
Setter: Kageyama Tobio
'After Sugawara told me those words, I knew who I should use.'
'That's just like you, Sugawara.'
'You gave up your starting position, but never gave up your own fight.'
Libero: Nishinoya Yuu
'Of course, with you here, I wouldn't consider a second choice.'
'Karasuno's guardian deity.'
Outside Hitter: Ichise Guren
'Come on, let me see you at full strength!'
'Karasuno's highest attacking point with both offense and defense—I couldn't possibly put you on the bench.'
Middle Blocker: Hyakuzawa Yudai
'Karasuno's tower.'
'With your solid receiving skills too, I won't let you slip by easily.'
Middle Blocker: Hinata Shoyo
'Come show your potential, freak number one.'
Middle Blocker: Tsukishima Kei
'Come be part of Karasuno's iron wall!'
Outside Hitter:
As everyone's eyes gradually moved downward, only one starting spot remained.
Sugawara Koshi, who already knew he wouldn't make the starting lineup, still nervously swallowed.
'Surely not a single third-year will be selected, right?'
'No, that's impossible.'
'It'll be either Asahi or Daichi.'
'Who will it be!'
Outside Hitter: Sawamura Daichi.
"Phew."
Both Azumane Asahi and Sawamura Daichi let out long sighs of relief.
But before anyone could speak, Ukai Keishin said something else.
"This is the first starting lineup."
"Huh?!!" x15
"Huh what?"
Ukai Keishin frowned and scolded the stunned group.
"I never said the practice match would only have one starting lineup."
"To go further in major tournaments, sufficient personnel reserves are a necessary factor."
"And before official tournaments begin, having formations that can handle various opponents—if it can be practiced, it must be practiced."
"If you don't experiment with different lineups in practice matches, are you planning to experiment during official games?!"
***
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