[Friday Morning, June 29th]

The volleyball team members boarded the bus, carrying their volleyball gear and luggage for the next few days, ready to set off for Tokyo. After a five-year hiatus, Aoba Johsai's boys' volleyball team was finally making their return to the Nationals.

The atmosphere inside the bus was anything but tense. None of the players showed signs of pressure on their faces. For most of them, this was their first time advancing to the Nationals, and their excitement and anticipation far outweighed any nerves.

"Do you think we'll see Tokyo Skytree?"

"Or maybe Mount Fuji…?" Kindaichi leaned against the window, constantly pestering Kunimi Akira with questions.

Kunimi, barely fazed, unlocked his phone and handed it to Kindaichi. Displayed on the screen was an image of Tokyo Skytree.

"There you go. You've seen it."

Kindaichi was speechless.

Meanwhile, the third-years were chattering noisily in the front seats. Kyōtani Kentarō had already dozed off in his seat, while Taichi Kaedehara sat in a corner at the very back, gaming alone after sending messages to Tenma Udai and Kenma Kozume.

The boys of the volleyball team behaved as they always did, like children on a school trip—or perhaps even rowdier.

At the front of the bus, Mizoguchi Sadayuki sighed softly while Coach Irihata maintained his usual composed demeanour, sitting with a serene smile and resting his eyes.

The team had opted for a bus instead of the Shinkansen because they needed their own transportation for the days they'd spend in Tokyo.

Having a private vehicle made it easier to shuttle between their hotel, practice venues, and match locations.

Their destination for the day was a hotel about 5 kilometres from Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Conveniently, a community sports centre nearby would serve as a practice facility.

------

"Whoa, this place is huge!"

"Look how tall it is!"

The Aoba Johsai team arrived at their hotel, which towered over them with more than twenty stories. Its sleek design combined glass curtain walls with premium stone, reflecting the sunlight with a dazzling brilliance that exuded both modernity and elegance.

"This place must be crazy expensive!"

"It's so cool…"

As the automatic glass doors slid open, they seemed to welcome the team like a pair of outstretched arms. Above the entrance, a sophisticated LED display scrolled through a personalized message:

"A Warm Welcome to Aoba Johsai High School Boys' Volleyball Team!"

Mizoguchi Sadayuki muttered, "I wasn't expecting this much fanfare."

"This was all thanks to the school's sponsors," he explained to the team. "So, make sure to rest well and give it your best during the matches!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Alright, everyone, drop your luggage in your rooms and meet back at the entrance in twenty minutes," Mizoguchi instructed. "We'll head to the sports centre next door to get some practice and find our rhythm."

"Got it!"

"Taichi, do you feel like the air here is a little thin?" Kindaichi asked, looking slightly pale and struggling to catch his breath.

"You weren't nervous on the bus, but now you are?" Taichi shot him an exasperated look. "This is flat ground, you know."

Kunimi, standing nearby, chuckled quietly. Watching Kindaichi's antics on the bus, he had assumed the latter was already calm and collected.

Apparently, that wasn't the case.

"Well, it is our first Nationals, after all," Watari Shinji said, patting Kindaichi reassuringly on the back to help him relax.

[June 30th, Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium]

As a historic venue with state-of-the-art facilities, the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium was a frequent host of sports competitions and entertainment events, capable of accommodating vast crowds.

Today, teams and spectators from all over the country gathered under its roof.

The atmosphere was electric, with excitement and passion coursing through the throng like an unstoppable wave.

The Aoba Johsai players stood inside the arena, surrounded by the buzz of anticipation as the tournament's opening drew closer.

The air was thick with a mix of nervousness and exhilaration, each passing moment heightening the intensity. The cacophony of voices reverberated against the lofty ceilings, enveloping them in a thrilling crescendo.

They did their best to calm their minds. At this point, there was nothing left to worry about. There was only one thing to do: face their opponents with everything they had!

This was their first time stepping onto the national stage—the central stage they had dreamed of for so long.

"Thank you for your patience." The announcer's voice echoed through the venue, amplified by the sound system installed across the gymnasium.

"The opening ceremony of the National High School Comprehensive Volleyball Tournament officially begins now! Players, please prepare for the march-in…"

The announcer began listing the names of the teams, one by one.

"Representing Hiroshima Prefecture: Inubushi Higashi Academy."

"Representing Tochigi Prefecture: Ichirin High School."

"Representing Tokyo: Fukurōdani Academy."

"Representing Oita Prefecture: Mujinazaka High."

...

"Representing Tokyo: Itachiyama Institute."

"Representing Miyagi Prefecture: Aoba Johsai High School."

"Representing Hyogo Prefecture: Inarizaki High School."

"Representing Kanagawa Prefecture: Ubugawa High."

"Representing Saitama Prefecture: Shinzen High."

Under the leadership of Tōru Oikawa, the Aoba Johsai team marched into the venue, joining the ranks of other top teams.

"Teams scheduled to play in the first or second matches of the day, please proceed to your designated courts to begin warm-ups," the announcer instructed.

"Everyone, stick together and don't get lost!" Oikawa's voice took on an unusually authoritative tone as he stepped to the front, guiding his teammates like a true captain.

"After changing into your uniforms, start warming up immediately!" added Iwaizumi Hajime, ensuring they paid attention to the details. "And make sure to keep track of your passes!"

Navigating through the crowd, the Aoba Johsai players found themselves jostled back and forth.

Despite their typically imposing height advantage, they blended into the sea of high school athletes, some of whom stood even taller.

"Did you see that guy just now? He was huge!"

"Yeah, must've been at least two meters tall. It's terrifying!"

"Don't lose sight of each other, okay?"@@novelbin@@

Amidst the chaotic chatter around them, the players started to feel slightly disoriented.

"Mizoguchi, you seem a bit nervous yourself," Coach Irihata observed, smiling at their young team manager. The coach's tone was easygoing, though his eyes gleamed with a nostalgic warmth.

For a moment, he was reminded of his own first time leading a team at Nationals years ago.

"Well, it is my first time experiencing this," Mizoguchi admitted, glancing at the bustling crowd near the venue's entrance. "There are so many people in Tokyo!"

"Let's make sure the team gets a solid warm-up," Coach Irihata advised, clapping Komoguchi on the shoulder. "Especially for the first match—it's crucial to get into the right rhythm."

"Yes, I understand!" Komoguchi replied, his nervousness replaced by determination as he straightened his posture.

"There they are!"

Komoguchi's eyes lit up as he spotted the familiar blue-and-white jerseys emerging from the crowd. He immediately rushed over to greet the team.

-----

"For many of you, this is your first time on the national stage, so it might feel overwhelming," Mizoguchi addressed the team, his voice steady and reassuring. "But don't worry. Once you're on the court, it'll feel just like any other match!"

Oikawa handed over the items used during the opening ceremony to Mizoguchi, who nodded confidently. With a sweeping gesture, he took the lead.

"Let's move! Head to our court and start warming up. Follow me!"

"Yes, sir! Let's go!"

The Aoba Johsai players began making their way toward their designated court, excitement and determination blazing in their eyes as they prepared to leave their mark on the national stage.

_________

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