Chapter 37: Asahi Azumane

"Still, I guess it's true that we'd be in trouble if that guy had been playing from the start."

The bus rumbled as it drove away from Aoba Johsai's court, the soft hum of the engine blending with the murmurs of conversation inside.

The countryside stretched out beyond the windows as the sun hung low on the horizon.

Machida was probably already racing back to Tokyo, as Tsuna had also joined them on the bus. He sat by the window with his eyes focused on the horizon, blinking as he thought, 'Or maybe not...'

She'd definitely find ways to delay her trip back, just to skip all her tasks.

He wouldn't be surprised if she willingly went to the police to self-report what she'd done in the Miyagi prefecture.

Tsuna shook his head and glanced at his teammates across the aisle.

"Hmm, yeah, and that's the top four team in the prefecture?"

"I can only imagine what the top teams in the country look like..."

The conversation had turned back to Oikawa and Aoba Johsai. It was quite clear to see that Oikawa had improved so much since last year.

"Oh, right, Kageyama. Oikawa is pretty much your senior from Kitagawa, right?"

 Kageyama replied, "Yes, he was."

"Hmm... Then why'd you come to Karasuno instead of following him to Aoba Johsai?"

Tanaka leaned forward in his seat, scratching his head in confusion. "Or maybe Shiratorizawa? I mean, you're good enough to get into any top team, right?"

The bus quieted as everyone turned to look at Kageyama.

It was a question they'd all wondered about but had never asked directly.

"I heard Coach Ukai was about to come out of retirement. That's why I chose Karasuno," Kageyama said, leaning back in his seat.

Back then, Kageyama had been lost as a setter, unsure of his direction.

He'd hoped someone like Coach Ukai—or maybe the prestigious staff at Shiratorizawa—could guide him.

"As for Shiratorizawa… I failed their entrance exam."

Kageyama didn't get invited to join the school and had to take the entrance exam.

Unfortunately, it was difficult.

It wasn't uncommon for students without an invitation to struggle with Shiratorizawa's notoriously difficult entrance exam.

Still, fate had steered him to Karasuno, and for that, he was grateful. Here, he'd begun to find himself, to grow.

"...?"

His gaze drifted to Hinata, who was staring at him with a strange, triumphant expression.

Hinata suddenly blurted, "Keke… I suppose he's an idiot." 

"What did you say, dumbass!?"

The next moment, Kageyama's hand was firmly clawing at Hinata's head. 

"Ow! Let go! Kageyama, you monster!"

Hinata flailed wildly, trying to escape, his high-pitched protests making the rest of the team erupt into laughter.

But then, as the laughter died down, Kageyama turned his attention elsewhere.

"Rather than talking about me…"

With Hinata still squirming in his grip, he glanced toward Tsuna. "What about Tsuna-senpai?"

"Huh?"

Tsuna blinked in surprise.

"Why did you choose Karasuno over the other schools? With your talent, you must've had offers from everywhere, right?"

"Ah, that…"

The seniors exchanged awkward glances. Their unease only made the first-years more curious.

Even Tsukishima and Yamaguchi turned their heads, waiting to hear what kind of reason someone like Tsuna would have for choosing Karasuno.

Tsuna shrugged and mumbled, "Hmm… I was stalk—I stumbled upon the school and kinda liked it…"

"...?"

A heavy silence fell over the bus.

The first-years exchanged bewildered glances.

Did he just say stalking?

Yamaguchi leaned closer to Tsukishima, whispering nervously, "...Should we call the cops?"

"On it," Tsukishima replied, already pulling out his phone with a straight face.

"..."

Everyone was quite speechless at Tsuna.

Kageyama scratched his head awkwardly, clearly unsure if he'd heard correctly. Finally, he asked again, "Still, didn't you get invitations from the strong teams, Tsuna-senpai?"

"Invitations? What kind?"

"Umm... you didn't know? It's basically like an entrance exam pass for athletes to join the school."

"Hmm..." Tsuna paused, as if searching his memory. "I guess that's unlikely. I didn't play volleyball much in middle school, so they probably never heard of me."

"Ah, I see..."

Kageyama nodded, then froze mid-thought. His eyes widened in realization.

"Huh?"

"WHAT!?"

The bus erupted. Everyone practically roared in shock.

Even the senior players, who had known Tsuna for a while, were completely blindsided by his revelation.

"You didn't play much in middle school!?"

Hinata exclaimed in shock.

Tanaka added, "Are you serious!?"

He started playing actively in high school, yet he had already reached a level most people could only dream of. It was true his basics were not as good as most players; in fact, they could even be called terrible.

But back then, that flaw had been perfectly overshadowed by his overwhelming spike and serve.

"Tsk!"

Tsukishima just clicked his tongue in response while Yamaguchi mumbled, "How is that even fair...?"

Tsuna ignored the commotion as he went back to stare at the passing scenery. His thoughts were far away, replaying the practice match from earlier.

His fist tightened as a flicker of frustration crossed his face.

"...?"

Meanwhile, Shimizu quietly glanced at Tsuna. He'd been acting weird since getting on the bus. Usually, Tsuna would find some excuse to come over and talk to her, but this time, he barely even looked at her.

She wondered what was on his mind as the bus continued down the path.

They soon reached the school, and everyone immediately started on their chores before heading home.

"I... I fucking suck..."

Tsuna muttered under his breath as he jogged toward the school on Monday morning. He kept thinking about it over and over.

He replayed the conversations from after the match.

One comment, in particular, had stuck with him, Aoba Johsai was only in the top four of the prefecture.

Not the country.

That meant there were teams out there far stronger than the one they had faced. And that realization hit him like a truck.

His left-hand spike and serve, which he thought had been quite unsatisfactory, suddenly felt even more inadequate.

'If this isn't even enough for the top four, what about the top one? The nationals?'

Tsuna clenched his jaw at the thought. He wanted to feel more of those inexplicable emotions he always had when playing against strong players.

He wanted more of that feeling.

Tsuna didn't fully understand why.

But he needed it!

His feet pounded against the pavement as he muttered again, "Would it have been different if I still had my right hand?"

The words hung in the cool morning air, unanswered.

Tsuna didn't notice how far he'd run until he found himself approaching the school gate. His breath came out in shallow puffs as his steps slowed.

He glanced at the students filtering into the school.

Among them was a familiar face. Her expression lit up when she saw him, but it quickly crumpled as she realized he didn't notice her.

She called his name softly, "Tsuna..."

Tsuna frowned as if he had just heard someone call his name. He turned and saw Shimizu with her unreadable expression still walking in.

"Ah, Kiyoko," he greeted. "Umm, sorry I didn't see you there. How was your weekend?"

"..."

Shimizu opened her mouth to reply, but the words caught in her throat.

A swirling mix of emotions bursting in her chest. Her eyes lingered on his face, searching for something.

Finally, she could only reply, "Nothing much..."

"...?"

Tsuna tilted his head slightly, noticing Shimizu's odd expression.

She seemed upset about something, though he couldn't quite place why. His mind was too clouded to dwell on it.

So, instead of probing further, he simply nodded in response.

"Ah..."

Just as Tsuna opened his mouth to continue the conversation, a startled yelp broke the silence.

A tall figure stood near the school gate, his long hair tied in a bun at the back of his head. The student's eyes widened in surprise upon seeing them, and for a brief moment, he looked like he might turn around and bolt.

But seemingly realizing there was no other path. He shuffled forward, his gaze darting between Tsuna and Shimizu.

His movements were awkward as he greeted, "Hello there, Tsuna..."

"..."

Tsuna's eyes narrowed slightly.

It was Asahi Azumane.

This was the same Asahi who had isolated himself from the team after their crushing loss to Date Tech.

The same Asahi who hadn't even visited Tsuna in the hospital like the others had which made him click his tongue in annoyance, "Asahi..."

"...!"

Asahi flinched, his head lowering like a misbehaving child.

Without a word, he attempted to walk past them hurriedly as though he was desperate to escape the tension.

It was unsightly.

"Don't you feel sorry, Asahi?"

The words stopped Asahi in his tracks.

Tsuna usually stayed silent during these encounters. Asahi always ran away before he could say anything, so there never seemed to be a point.

Maybe it was the frustration that had been simmering all weekend, or maybe seeing Asahi's timidness sparked something he couldn't suppress.

"I'm feeling sorry for you..."

Whatever the reason, the words spilled out before he could stop them.

"..."

Asahi's shoulders stiffened, and for a moment, he seemed frozen in place.

Tsuna watched him for a moment, then shook his head.

His already sour mood seemed to darken further. Without another word, he turned and strode toward the school.

He didn't even glance back at Shimizu, nor did he bother trying to continue their earlier conversation.

"Pathetic..."

Tsuna muttered as he passed through the gate.

"..."

Asahi's lips pressed together in a thin line. His knuckles whitened as his fists tightened. He said nothing.

Shimizu felt a pang of sympathy for Asahi. Her brows furrowed as she stepped closer, "Azumane, Tsuna doesn't mean to sa—"

But before she could finish, Asahi suddenly turned and hurried away.

"He's right," Asahi mumbled under his breath, just loud enough for Shimizu to hear. "I'm just pathetic..."

"..."

Shimizu stood frozen, her outstretched hand falling to her side.

She then brushed a strand of hair behind her ear while seeing them both quietly disappear into the school as she muttered, "Why can't they just talk it out..."

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