Chapter 77- Unusual request

"You're that first-year duo we faced in the finals... do you need something from me?" Ushiwaka asked seriously, standing still as he looked at them.

"I was thinking about asking if we could go with him to see how Shiratorizawa trains," Kageyama whispered into Hinata's ear.

"But why? We've already played against them. We know everything they can do," Hinata retorted.

"Maybe, but I'm curious about their facilities!" Kageyama continued.

"Hmm... I don't know," Hinata pondered, his hand on his chin, deep in thought.

"Well, actually... there's something I need from you," Ushijima said, breaking the silence.

"You need something from us? What would that be?" Kageyama asked, surprised.

"Our team was supposed to play a friendly match against some college players, but I heard one of our players won't be able to make it. So, if you're interested, you could fill in," Ushiwaka said.

"But if only one can't make it... only one of us could participate," Hinata observed.

"It's because one of our members, our setter, won't be able to attend, so both of you could participate," Ushiwaka explained.

"Are you sure?" Hinata asked.

"Well, I was just walking around. I didn't plan for all this, but our coach admires your playstyle, and we need a setter. So... if you want, follow me," Ushijima said, starting to run.

"Let's go! If we don't hurry, we won't keep up with his pace!" Kageyama shouted as he began running after Ushijima.

"Okay, this might be fun," Hinata commented, also starting to run.

"He must maintain a rigorous training regimen... If I hadn't been doing my own training, I don't think I'd be able to keep up with him easily..." Hinata thought as he ran.

"Looks like we're here," Kageyama said as they entered Shiratorizawa's grounds.

"Wow! As expected from the best school in the prefecture, it's huge! They even have horses!" Hinata exclaimed, turning his head frantically in every direction while still running.

"Be careful not to get lost! Keep running," Kageyama warned.

After following Ushijima for a while, they followed him into a gym where some players were stretching.

"Oh, looks like we have visitors!" Tendou said, stopping his stretches and walking toward them.

"After losing, you came to learn something from us, didn't you?" Tendou teased.

"Blah blah blah," Hinata retorted sarcastically as he kept walking toward Ushiwaka , who seemed to be heading to talk to his coach.

"Sir, I was walking and ran into these two players from Karasuno. Since the other team needed players, I invited them to practice," Ushijima said respectfully.

"HEY! YOU! COME HERE!" Washijou suddenly shouted, pointing authoritatively at Hinata.

"RIGHT!" Hinata said, walking toward him.

"I've always wondered why you didn't try to join our school. You have the potential and the power to replace Wakatoshi when he graduates," Washijou said.

"Hmm... it's a complicated question, but I think the most likely answer is that I've always aimed to be the Ace and the best in Japan. Being on the same team as the guy everyone believes is the best would be complicated, especially with the hierarchy you enforce here," Hinata said, shrugging.

"I see... but don't forget that we'll always welcome you here if you change your mind... Anyway, go join the college team," Washijou said.

"Alright," Hinata said, walking to the other side of the court.

"Wait! You got a recruitment offer from Shiratorizawa?!" Kageyama said, surprised, following Hinata.

"Yeah... what about it?" Hinata asked, confused.

Kageyama was about to question him again when he heard the Shiratorizawa coach call him.

"Hey, setter! We're going to need you on our team!" Washijou said.

"Look at that! Since you're so interested in playing for Shiratorizawa, you'll get to satisfy your curiosity now!" Hinata said, laughing as he walked away toward a group of visibly older players.

"Hello, how's it going? We're from Hiromi University... I'm Wasei Tsuetate, an opposite hitter," said a man who, in Hinata's eyes, looked like the oldest and possibly in his final year of college. He had a serious face, medium-length black hair slicked back, and was probably around Ushijima's height.

"Hello, I'm Shoyo Hinata, a first-year at Karasuno. Nice to meet you," Hinata said.

"Oh, a first-year? So you're pretty young! Nice to meet you. I'm Toshiro Heiwajima, the libero," said a short man with short hair.

"Wait, isn't this guy going to be a player on the Japanese national team in the future?" Hinata thought as he remembered the name.

"Nice to meet you!" Hinata said.

"Aritsura Onigashira, setter."

"Ren Sakuragi, middle blocker."

"Takeshi Hoshino, wing spiker."

"Kazuki Aizawa, middle blocker."

After everyone introduced themselves, the two teams lined up to start the match.

"Don't push yourself too hard. Leave it to us!" Tsuetate said, exuding confidence.

"I'll try, but I don't think I'll be able to!" Hinata said, smiling.

"Hey, that guy you're talking to... that's Wasei Tsuetate. He's had some chances with the Japanese national team!" Kageyama said, walking up to him.

"Oh, he must be good..." Hinata said thoughtfully.

The game started with Hiromi University serving. Hoshino served firmly, but Yamagata, the libero, managed to receive it.

"Nice receive!" Kageyama said.

"I can't make a bad impression, so the first set has to go to the Ace," Kageyama thought as he positioned himself under the ball and made the set.

"Ushiwaka!" Kageyama said, trying to make a precise set for Ushiwaka , who managed to jump powerfully and spike the ball with force. It went past the block and was heading straight for the floor.

"Leave it to me!" Heiwajima said, intercepting the ball and skillfully passing it to Onigashira, who made a precise set for Tsuetate. Even facing a triple block, Tsuetate managed to spike the ball past Tendou's arms, hitting the floor firmly.

1-0 Hiromi University.

"This is a great opportunity to learn from someone who's had the chance to represent Japan..." Hinata thought as he watched the play intently.