JSWGAS Chapter 81

The clock hanging on the gymnasium wall had already moved one notch past ten. Matsukawa Issei, coming from the school’s darkroom, passed by the gymnasium and was surprised to find people still practicing inside.

The May nights still couldn’t hide the occasional cool breeze. Having just come out of the steamy darkroom, the contrast between hot and cold was even more pronounced. Matsukawa Issei shivered, and almost without hesitation, turned a corner and headed towards the entrance. These few steps were at most only four or five meters. With nothing else to do, such guesses popped into his mind.

Training had ended at nine o’clock. A group of boisterous teenagers rushed towards the showers like the wind after the coach announced the end of training, fighting over each other, or going to cook up a small stove before showering. Matsukawa Issei was one of those who cooked up a small stove – he and Hanamaki Takahiro divided a large portion of Oden, and when he went to shower, he happened to get an empty spot.

It was certainly nice not having to wait in line, but unfortunately, the person next to him was Oikawa Tōru, who seemed to be chattering endlessly with others. What he was saying was shrouded in the mist filling the bathroom. He couldn’t remember the specific content, only that it was all giggles and noisy chatter. This first-year setter, who had been aggressively delivering powerful jump serves on the court not long ago, eventually steered the topic to who knows where, and began a wailing singing duet with Hanamaki.

One howled the theme song of a famous amusement park in Sendai, and the other sang the Aoba Johsai school anthem. They competed in volume and vocal power, and in the end, the atmosphere became so heated that all the students who hadn’t left were drawn into the factional strife.

Matsukawa Issei was hoarse at the time, but he was yelling at Iwaizumi Hajime: “Iwaizumi—manage Oikawa!”

His voice was drowned out by a chaotic chorus of shouts. After a long time, he managed to capture Iwaizumi’s reply amidst the various indescribable sounds.

“Let him go!”

The voice was full of a resigned self-abandonment.

–The ones doing extra training wouldn’t be Oikawa and Iwaizumi. Matsukawa Issei thought, Hanamaki hooked up with Oikawa after coming out, saying they were going to the convenience store; Iwaizumi was called away by the captain — speaking of which, he didn’t seem to see the other first-year who vaguely sat at the top of the food chain in the showers.

Even now, coming out of the enclosed and warm showers, Matsukawa Issei vaguely felt that his brain was still buzzing from the terrifying and demonically brainwashing shouts. Perhaps it was also related to the cool breeze blowing in his face. However, if the person he was thinking of now had been in the showers at the time, perhaps that chaotic scene of demons dancing wouldn’t have occurred.

“…Ah, I knew it.” Stepping into the gymnasium, bright and dazzling lights poured down from overhead. The familiar figure standing on the court once again took out a volleyball from the ball basket beside him and turned his head to look at Matsukawa Issei after hearing his voice.

“Matsukawa?”

“Yeah.” Matsukawa walked inside, “It’s already past ten,” he looked at the clock on the wall, ten minutes past ten, “Are you still going to keep practicing?”

Kokonoe squinted slightly, as if he hadn’t noticed at all before, and followed his words to glance at the clock, “Hmm…”

This guy hadn’t looked at the time at all?

“Didn’t Oikawa call you?” Matsukawa Issei stood beside him, looking at the volleyballs scattered all over the half of the court opposite him, “That guy was having a blast tonight. Even Iwaizumi couldn’t stop him.”

Now that he was closer, he could almost feel the heat radiating from the other person. Kokonoe glanced at Matsukawa, “I secretly colluded with Coach Mizoguchi to run back.” His tone was somewhat casual, with a hint of a smile, “If Tōru knew I was doing extra practice, with his competitive personality, he would definitely come along too. At that time, it wouldn’t be as simple as just ‘having fun’.”

Matsukawa twitched his mouth: “…It feels like it would become troublesome.” Kokonoe spun the ball, his fingertips moving nimbly: “He’s just that kind of troublesome character, there’s no turning him back now.”

“You guys have a really good relationship, you and Oikawa, and Iwaizumi.”

The white, blue, and yellow tricolor volleyball suddenly stopped at Kokonoe’s fingertip. He seemed to pause for a moment, or perhaps he just breathed out a puff of hot air. After a brief pause, Matsukawa Issei heard a distant and clear sound like waves hitting reefs.

“It’s probably because…we’ve seen each other at our lowest points.”

Matsukawa was slightly stunned. Although Kokonoe rarely mentioned his past, as long as you paid attention to sports channels in the past few years, you could find that conspicuous face in them, and you could even be given a lesson about the other person’s ‘glorious resume.’

“Why that expression?”

“I’m a little curious…” Matsukawa Issei subconsciously replied, paused for a moment, and then admitted frankly, “It doesn’t feel like any of you three would be people to fall on hard times.”

“Can’t imagine it?”

“Yeah.”

Kokonoe just laughed, not intending to continue explaining to him, determined to keep the secret to the end. The minute hand continued to spin forward incessantly. Kokonoe tossed the volleyball a few times, his tone relaxed, “You’re here already, help me practice for a bit.”

Matsukawa Issei touched the still half-wet ends of his hair, sighed, and complained: “I just took a shower, eh? Show some consideration for me.”

His actions, however, were the opposite of what he said, and he honestly stood in the middle of the court.

“Only five balls.”

“Hmm…”

“…Don’t give me that ‘I’m disappointed’ look, it’s already so late.” Matsukawa said helplessly, “Please, I don’t want to be locked out because I get back too late and end up having to sleep outside. It sounds so miserable? I’d definitely be laughed at.”

“By who?”

“By everyone.”

A particularly firm tone.

“…”

By the time they had cleaned up the court and locked the doors, the sky was dim, with only a few stars dotting it. “The showers should still be open, maybe you can make it if you run.” Matsukawa shrugged, “There probably won’t be much hot water left though, good luck?”

“Remember not to sound so obviously gleeful when you say that.”

It was indeed too late, and according to what the coach said, the showers should already be closing. But when Kokonoe Taka arrived, he saw that the lights were still on inside.

The person at the door saw him and waved, “The water’s still hot. This is a one-time exception, hurry up. We’re closing in fifteen minutes.”

Kokonoe Taka blinked slowly.

The other person seemed to have guessed his confusion and generously gave him an explanation.

“Among the group that came earlier, there was a boy who looked a little fierce who asked me to close up a little later. He looked so sincere, I really couldn’t bring myself to refuse.”

“…Is that so.”

“He’s a good friend of yours, right?”

“–He’s my best friend.”

…

…

When Kokonoe Taka returned to his lodgings, the hour hand of the clock was quietly moving towards the number eleven. He had thought that he would be greeted by a room of silence, but as soon as he stepped onto the stairs, he vaguely heard various noises.

The lodgings were on the second floor of a minshuku (guesthouse) near Aoba Johsai. The hallway was old wooden floorboards that creaked with heavier footsteps. Kokonoe Taka moved forward silently. The closer he got, the louder the noises became. When he was a few steps away from the room he had been assigned, the door next to his was pulled open with a “whoosh”. He turned his head, and their eyes met. Both of them were stunned.

“Little Kageyama?”

The door was not closed, and he caught a glimpse of several Kitagawa Daiichi junior high students inside the room. Among them, Kageyama Tobio’s face was still the foulest.

“…Kokonoe-san.” Kageyama Tobio noticed the few strands of half-wet hair clinging to Kokonoe Taka’s ears. “Are you just getting back?”

After thinking about it, it wasn’t something that couldn’t be said: “I just came back from taking a shower.” He said, “My extra practice ran a little late tonight.”

This sentence seemed to be the password. Kokonoe Taka noticed that Kageyama Tobio’s eyes lit up instantly, “Extra training? Can I join?”

“I don’t mind that…” The other person’s eyes were too bright, and it hurt as if a non-existent conscience would regrow if he refused. Although if Tōru found out, he would definitely make a fuss…Anyway, he doesn’t know now, so it doesn’t matter. Probably.

He ruffled Kageyama Tobio’s head, which was fluffy and felt as good as ever. When he looked up again, he met the shocked faces of the two junior high students behind Kageyama. It was hard to say whether it was because of his actions or because Kageyama was obediently letting him pat his head. After hesitating for a moment, Kageyama Tobio quickly retreated a step during these few seconds, and visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

“Speaking of which, did you come out because these idiots were too noisy?” Kokonoe Taka accepted the situation, and raised his chin towards the room next door.

Kageyama Tobio honestly replied under the gaze of Kindaichi and Kunimi behind him: “Yes.”

So Kokonoe Taka turned and continued walking that way, only with a few small tails following behind him. He pulled open the door, and a wave of sound exploded, led by Oikawa Tōru’s almost breaking voice, which almost broke through the roof.

“Iwa-chan———it hurts, it hurts, it hurts! Why are you so serious! My wrist is going to break!”

“Shut up, Trashykawa! A match is about seriously fighting to the finish, right! What kind of match would it be otherwise!”

“Ooh, ooh, ooh! Iwaizumi is currently in the lead! Who’s left who hasn’t competed with him?”

“Hanamaki! Hanamaki, you’ve been watching the excitement for so long! It’s your turn now!”

“Don’t talk nonsense, I already lost to Matsukawa.”

“Seijo-senpai is the one who’s been watching the excitement from beginning to end, it’s his turn.”

“Don’t talk nonsense, I’m the referee. — Furuhashi, it’s Furuhashi’s turn.”

“…I’m a libero, you want a libero to compete in strength with a wing spiker? I think Miyano should compete with Iwaizumi.”

“Don’t drag me into this, I’m just an ordinary wing spiker.”

A gust of cold wind. Someone muttered, “Who opened the window?” “It must be someone who forgot to close the door.”

The person who turned his head to look in the direction of the cold wind first suddenly fell silent. The cold wind continued. Until the surroundings became quieter and quieter, Oikawa Tōru, who was still fueling the flames in front of the small table in the middle of the room, turned his head impatiently, “Who—”

Like a tape recorder suddenly getting stuck, he moved his lips a few times, but his vocal cords didn’t make any sound, making people think he was acting in a mime.

Covered in cold sweat, he quietly looked left and right, and found that the others were sitting upright, as serious as if they were holding a roundtable conference about life and death.

In the silence, a faint sigh echoed.

“What are you guys doing?”

Kokonoe Taka’s extremely powerful and oppressive gaze slowly swept over the messy bedding and pillows that had been trampled on, as well as the various snacks piled all around, and the table in the middle that shouldn’t have been there at all.

“Looks like none of you are too tired? Is the training volume too low?”

Under the terrifying gaze, the people who didn’t dare to breathe desperately exchanged glances with each other.

“Seijo-senpai! You’re a senpai! Why aren’t you standing up!”

“Since you know I’m a senpai, why don’t you share the burden for the senpai? Anyway, I don’t want to.”

“Iwaizumi! Iwaizumi, don’t be silent! Why do you look at Oikawa with a condemning look! You’re clearly one of the biggest instigators!”

“Don’t count on Iwaizumi, if we die here today, Iwaizumi will definitely be the accomplice who helps dispose of the bodies.”

After a long silence, a brave warrior finally stood up.

Hanamaki, who was watched by everyone with respectful gazes, just coughed lightly. He had just organized his mental defenses when he was startled by Kokonoe Taka’s sweeping gaze, “Oikawa was the one who started it!” He sold out his teammate without the slightest hesitation, “Everyone was originally preparing to rest, but he suddenly asked something like ‘Speaking of which, who does everyone think is the best spiker on the volleyball team?'”—imitating him perfectly. It was a pity this talent wasn’t used to be an actor.

Matsukawa calmly took over the topic: “Then the spikers all thought they were better, and Oikawa suggested saying—”

Hanamaki once again showed his acting skills: “‘Hmm———why don’t we decide who the best spiker is by arm wrestling!'”

Matsukawa was more skilled the second time, and continued: “Then it turned into what it is now.” He said sadly, “So it’s all Oikawa’s fault.”

Oikawa Tōru was dumbfounded: “…Hey! Hanamaki! Matsukawa—”

Everyone nodded in agreement, and various messy voices drowned out Oikawa Tōru’s self-defense: “That’s right, that’s how it is.”

Oikawa Tōru: “——Hey!!!”

Everyone was sincere: “If you want to find trouble, just find Oikawa alone!”

Oikawa Tōru, who was pushed out, slowly moved back: “Taka, you don’t believe them, do you? I definitely didn’t provoke them on purpose! If I had to say, Iwa-chan was more excited than me—”

Iwaizumi Ichimmediately glared at him: “Huh?”

Oikawa Tōru pointed: “He’s even about to win the championship with a clean sweep!”

As he spoke, he couldn’t help but add fuel to the fire.

“It shouldn’t be Iwa-chan who wins, but these people—” he stretched out his finger and pointed at the people around him with a tone of disappointment, “are too weak! No matter what, someone has to defeat Godzilla Iwaizumi, we can’t let the crown of victory fall into the hands of a monster—”

The tone was indignant and impassioned, and the three people behind Kokonoe Taka, who were unfamiliar with the situation, were stunned for a moment — but Kokonoe Taka keenly noticed something was wrong.

“What did you guys bet on?”

Among the crowd, a fool who hadn’t reacted subconsciously replied: “Oikawa bet on milk bread for the next week, Iwaizumi bet on grilled meat rice balls, Hanamaki bet on popsicles for a month, Matsukawa ugh, ugh, ugh…”

With quick eyes and hands, Matsukawa covered the mouth of the unlucky person, smiled awkwardly under Kokonoe Taka’s faint gaze, and tried to muddle through it, but failed. In the end, he honestly confessed himself: “…I bet on a month’s worth of homework.”

Kokonoe Taka: “…”

What a great way to get something for nothing.

After the explanation was completed, everyone quietly and tragically awaited the punishment from justice.

After a long while.

“So A-I has won the most?”

“……?”

“……!”

The three junior high students from Kitagawa Daiichi watched with their own eyes as Kokonoe-senpai—who was enthusiastically welcomed to the main seat by the Aoba Johsai high school students after this sentence—accepted the cheers of a group whose total age was probably negative with an unusually natural manner, and spoke in a serious tone.

“Don’t hold back, A-I.”

“…Ah, of course.”

Kageyama Tobio: “…”

Kindaichi: “……?”

Kunimi: “…….”

They couldn’t understand it and were greatly shocked.