23: Unity or Criticism

1.6K 72 1
                                    


Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.


AT THE TOURNAMENT VENUE

After bidding farewell to Karasuno and Tomoko Ito, who had gone to join the cheering squad, Aotori and the rest of the Shiratorizawa made their way to the competition venue. Beside him, Tendou suddenly leaned in close, his large eyes narrowed into slits:

"Aww~ Aotori-chan has such a good relationship with Karasuno. I'm getting a little jealous!"

No, please don't joke around.

Kobayashi Aotori rejected Tendou's attempt to get closer, and unceremoniously pushed him aside. "We're just ordinary friends, Tendou-senpai."

Next to them, Goshiki instinctively glanced at the opposing spectator stands and noticed the group of people above Shiratorizawa's cheering section.

Those people... are they from Karasuno?

The team (not) recognized by Aotori? But didn't they lose to Aoba Johsai?

He frowned slightly, not understanding Kobayashi Aotori's actions. However, under the pressure from the latter, he silently swallowed his question.

Goshiki didn't know when he had started treating Kobayashi Aotori like a senpai without even realizing it. Perhaps it was the seed planted during their first encounter when Kobayashi Aotori spiked a ball near his ear. Through subsequent joint training sessions, this seed had taken root and sprouted, becoming second nature.

"Hmph..." Tendou hummed pretentiously, as if intending to say more, but Ushijima quietly picked up the volleyball and said, "Time to warm up."

Kobayashi Aotori breathed a sigh of relief. Tendou was just like that annoying clingy girlfriend his friends used to talk about in his previous life.

Ushijima, can you please keep Tendou occupied more often and stop letting him bother me?

As Ushijima delivered a thunderous spike, he suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

"Aotori... come over here," Semi Eita called out when he noticed Aotori about to warm up alone again. He looked seriously at Aotori, a hint of unspoken helplessness in his eyes.

Every warm-up, Aotori would distance himself from the others and do some simple exercises alone... Is he too independent, or does he really not want to be with us?

Eita thought seriously. If it was the latter, it needed to be corrected.

After all, they were a team, and volleyball—

is not a solo sport.

Confused by the summon, Kobayashi Aotori turned back, saw Semi Eita holding a ball with a serious expression.

What's going on? If I join, won't it delay others? Besides, I've always warmed up alone.

...Could it be that!

I am Really Weak at VolleyballWhere stories live. Discover now