Volleyball: The Time of Resonance

"No need." Kozume Kenma had barely uttered a word when he froze, his voice becoming extremely hoarse.

"I'll go get some water."

A glass of warm water was gently placed on the bedside table. Kozume Kenma was staring blankly at the game console, his hand stroking the character who had died at the very beginning.

Kuroo Tetsurou sighed. "Get some rest first."

The pills were broken off one by one, making a rustling sound, and the harvest was a large, tearful sheep.

Oh, you're taking medicine...!? Yinchuan Mian also sat up in shock from her deathbed, realizing that she also needed to take medicine!

"Mianye, what are you doing?" Kuroo Tetsuro raised an eyebrow, his hand still moving as he handed the fortress to Makino.

Guzhao grinded his head down and put the pill in his mouth, gulping down water. His golden eyes slanted upward as he looked at the dizzy sheep. He got out of bed, staggered to his backpack, and started rummaging through his things.

The sound of bottles and jars rattling could be heard as one medicine bottle after another was pulled out.

"..." It turns out he forgot to take his medicine.

Kozume Kenma didn't seem surprised at all; it was something he was capable of doing.

His head began to spin, his brow and temples started to throb, his throat felt sore, and his desire to speak diminished considerably.

They both finished their medicine and lay side by side on the bed with their eyes closed.

Kuroo Tetsuro rummaged through his clothes and went into the bathroom. When he came out, he found that a certain sheep had obediently rolled to the edge of the bed, leaving him a place.

Although I was very touched, did Mian ever think about how she would get in?

Manually rolling Mian back to the middle of the bed, Kuroo Tetsuro set an alarm for himself and joined the sleeping squad.

The phone, which had been muted, lit up again and again.

The congratulatory message is delayed.

...... ......

When Kuroo Tetsurou woke up the next day, the poor mochi was still running a fever.

So he was forced to wake up at 6:00 a.m. to take his medicine.

Kuzume, who was drinking water with a gurgling sound, looked at Mianye, who was sleeping soundly wrapped around him like an octopus, and evil thoughts arose in his heart.

The last few drops of water in the cup were poured diagonally onto the sheep's face.

Great, I don't feel anything at all...

"You still say I always bully him." Kuroo Tetsurou sighed, replaced the fever-reducing patch on the boy's head with a new one, and then tidied up the dinner he had bought the night before.

Now they've been elevated to breakfast.

I rubbed my hot thumb on a few drops of water and successfully spread them evenly on both sides of my cheeks.

Yinchuan Mian, still asleep, stirred and instinctively tried to curl up into a ball, so she rested her head on the belly of Guzhao Moyan, who was sitting up.

The contrast between her fair skin and dark brown hair was striking. Yinchuan Mianye's hair was very fine and fluffy curly, and touching it felt like touching the fur of a small animal, which was very comfortable.

After Kuroo Tetsuro steamed and boiled everything that needed to be steamed, he noticed that there was still no movement upstairs.

Although there was no morning training this morning, I still have class at 8:00, and I can't keep dragging this on.

So the most diligent cat, Kuroo Tetsurou, ruthlessly brought a sick cat and a tired cat to the dining table.

The two guys each held a steamed bun and ate them at a pace of a dozen or so bites.

Kozume Grinding was because it was sick and had no strength, and Yinchuan Mian simply took a bite that was too big.

"If you're not feeling any better after a while, you should stay home and rest today." You're only in your first year of high school, so the coursework isn't too demanding, and there's nothing particularly important about the volleyball club. Your health is more important.

"Hmm... okay." Kozume Kenma hesitated for a moment. Actually, he wasn't used to being alone in the room.

After all, having Mianye is like having a personal accessory, but Kozume Kenma would never ask someone to accompany him.

Being alone has its advantages... you can play games all day long.

"We'll be back by noon," said Tetsuro Kuroo. "Coach Manabu Naoi will probably give us the day off too."

...Oh, it's Friday today. Kozume Kenmo turned on his phone and found his lost brain—it still works after a few taps.

How long does the weakness buff last...? I feel lightheaded, maybe I need to advance to the next level.

Yinchuan Mianye's blue eyes were fixed on her childhood friend. Although she felt sorry for him when he was sick, he looked adorably dazed.

What you're muttering to yourself must never be heard, or you'll end up with a furry friend who won't talk to you for a long time.

Having been stared at for a long time, Kozume Kenma noticed something and looked up. Yes, it was Mianya, who was obediently munching on a steamed bun.

I don't know why this vegetarian bun is so popular; it's clearly not tasty...

Kuroo Tetsuro not only ate the most, but also the fastest. He quickly tidied up his table, propped his cheek up with one hand, and lazily watched the two of them.

"Are you two trying to survive on the least amount of food?" After watching for a while, Kuroo Tetsuro couldn't help but ask.

"The essence is in the details..." Yinchuan Mian swallowed the large mouthful of steamed bun in her mouth before speaking.

"You should at least eat some meat; you'll need to drink some supplements later."

Under the gaze of those black eyes, Yinchuan Mian shook her head like a giant rattle, making her originally neatly combed hair slightly frizzy.

Kuroo Tetsuro raised an eyebrow. "Isn't it said that the longer you spend time together, the more alike you become? Why does it feel like only these two are becoming more and more alike?"

Being stared at by one person is one thing, but why are two people staring at him? Kozume Kenma angrily raised his eyes and glared at the two of them.

"Grinding! I didn't do anything!" Kuroo Tetsuro shouted, proclaiming his innocence.

...... ......

So how did things develop into what they are now?

Yinchuan Mian stood bewildered under the red banner that read, "[Congratulations to Yinju Volleyball Team for reaching the top four in the county!]"

"Hahahaha!" Yamamoto Taketora couldn't help but laugh. "Maya! What's with that expression?"

A red banner fluttered in the wind on the flower-lined walkway along the volleyball club's main route.

Her ears, hidden beneath her hair, began to turn red, her cheeks started to burn, and a strange sense of shame spread from the soles of her feet to her heart.

"Pfft—hahaha" Yoru Eisuke watched the show for a while before coming to Ginkawa Mianye's side and patting him on the shoulder.

"You should be content. The director initially wanted to hang it at the school gate, but the coach firmly refused. Otherwise, you would be enjoying the spotlight right now."

Yoruichiro smiled happily. If the coach hadn't been mindful of Kozume Kenma, he would definitely have agreed to hang the banner on the school gate, even if it meant watching the drama unfold.

With a faint smile on his lips, Kuroo Tetsuro leaned against a pillar in the flower corridor, one leg bent, looking up at the words above, and couldn't help but sigh.

Hisense appeared beside him at some point. "How's Lone Claw doing now?"

"Well, I just texted him and he said he's feeling much better and is probably sleeping now."

"The coach said he'd treat us to a meal. If he's not here, should you bring him some home, or should we eat together next time?"

Yinchuan Mian also overheard the conversation. "Take him back. He doesn't like a lot of people waiting for him."

"Yes, he'll feel awkward."

"Okay, Kuroo Tetsuro, remember to tell the coach."

The meal was scheduled for 4 p.m., and since Otokoma High School's Friday holiday started at 2 p.m., the two rushed to Kozume's house to take their medicine and feed each other medicine before hurrying back to school.

"I think Saturdays and Sundays are meant for rest, so assigning homework is unreasonable."

"Why should I learn English? I'm not going abroad... Do I really have to memorize this sentence structure?"

"What's the point of history anyway? It's all made up and exaggerated. I'd rather read world classics..."

One sheep had a lot of homework, so he muttered to himself the whole way.

"I still hate homework. Even though my grades aren't bad, I can finish it quickly. Luckily, you and Yanmo are in the same class."

Since Ginkawa Mina and Kozume Kenma were in the same grade, they only needed to be in the same class if their grades were similar. After experiencing elementary school without Kozume Kenma, Ginkawa Mina had been in the same class with him in junior high school.

When doing homework, after completing some subjective questions, they would directly refer to the answers written by Kozakawa Grinding, which was the only homework assignment they could find.

"No student likes homework... This should be my playtime."

Yinchuan Mianye's body was still sore. Even though she had stretched properly, her legs were still a little weak after she woke up from a nap. She followed Kuroo Tetsurou dejectedly, her voice drawn out.

Coach Naoki ordered a well-reviewed restaurant near the school. The group of people who had arrived took a picture of themselves huddled together and sent it to Kozaki Kenma.

They ate the meal noisily, without tears, only laughter, because the coach said it was a victory celebration.

Although he appears to be a tough guy with a heart of stone, Naoi Manabu has unexpectedly mastered the secrets of encouragement-based education.

The cats, probably a year older and huddled together for warmth, were already well aware of the cruelty of volleyball and had experienced a lot. So what they needed was not suppression, but encouragement, to find that suppressed confidence.

Each cat a year younger has its own style and characteristics. They know what suits them best and how to go about their lives, without needing anyone to change their path.

The only one who's worrying is probably Miya. Even though they haven't known each other for very long, Naoi Manabu can tell that Miya's future is unknown and directionless.

However, this is not something we should rush into now. There is still plenty of time. Young people should be carefree and happy.

Having successfully spent most of the money in his wallet, Naoki Manabu, despite the financial pain, joked around with his teammates for a while before telling them about the two-day holiday.

"It just so happens that today is Friday. You can make your own arrangements for Saturday and Sunday and relax. Training will resume on Monday."

"Yes, Coach!"

...... ......

"So why do you still have a slight fever?"

Yinchuan Mian also pressed her forehead against Guzhao's forehead, feeling the warmth from their skin.

"No, it's just that you're a little cold since you just came back from outside!" Kozume Kenma tried to pull away the hands on his cheeks.

"Oh, sorry, I forgot my hands are cold too." Yinchuan Mian also lowered her eyes, looking pitiful. It was hard to be ruthless with her pretty face when she made that expression.

Kozume Kenma watched him quietly for a while, then silently continued playing his video game.

He will definitely not pay attention to Mianye for the next 10 minutes.

Ignoring the sheep that were anxiously circling in front of him, the hero's adventure must continue.

"We have a lot of time tomorrow, where should we go to play?" After swaying around five or six times, the sheep suddenly sprawled out on the bed.

Kuroo Tetsuro pulled up a chair and sat down, fiddling with the television as he said, "How about we go play volleyball?"

"No!" Yin Chuanmian firmly refused. "Is there anywhere you want to go, Moyan?"

The non-existent virtual screen selected two options, a and b.

If A remains silent and continues the cold war, it's highly likely that A will go to the club to play during their rest time.

When b speaks, a certain sheep will be very proud, and the result is that it goes to the arcade.

Let's go to the arcade.

"Oh, great! That's a wonderful idea!"

Kuroo Tetsuro, who was used to watching volleyball matches, was rejected 7 out of 10 times when he suggested it.

(Mianye, grinding: But what if you say something other than playing volleyball?)

Yinchuan Mian also swayed over to Heiwei Tielang's side. "Hey? This is today's recording."

"Yes, the match between Itayama and Furuya." After adjusting the volume to a suitable level, Kuroo Tetsuro clapped his hands and sat down on the bedside.

Having just finished a level, Kozume Kenma looked up curiously, hesitated for a moment, put the game console down, and quietly came over to the two people to watch together.

"I bet Jingtashan won," Yinchuan Mian also extended a betting invitation.

"I see. I also guessed it was Jingta Mountain. Their chances are extremely high." Kuroo Tetsuro accepted the invitation.

"...I also think it will be Itayama." Kozume Kenma hesitated for a moment before accepting the invitation.

"If we choose the same thing for everyone, we won't be able to continue," Yinchuan Mian said weakly as she lay down.

"Even if we all win, the result is still that Jingtashan won the preliminary round."

"Little Black, you actually knew all along!"

"Hahaha, I'll definitely ask first when I borrow a disc from someone."

...... ......

I still spent most of my time in the arcade on Saturday.

Yinchuan Mianye and Kozha Momo successfully won first place in the 2v2 match and received a game gift box.

Because of Schrödinger's strength, Kuroo Tetsuro, who was alone and unaffiliated, also reaped considerable rewards from the claw machine.

I grabbed all the feline animals from the claw machine.

"Little Black, this is a fox." Yinchuan Mian also accurately found a creature with a round face that looked like a Ragdoll cat among a pile of dolls.

"Hey, isn't he a feline?"

"It looks like a fox...?"

Kozume Kenma lowered his head and took a step back. "It's a canine."

"Really? Then I'll keep this one." Kuroo Tetsuro smiled and put the not-so-large doll into his pocket.

So why would someone whose LINE name includes "canine" go to collect a bunch of cat plushies?

Yinchuan Mian also picked up a doll that looked a lot like Sanhua, but inexplicably resembled a millstone.

Kuzaki Grinding retrieved a cat-like creature resembling a game console from among them.

The rest were distributed by Kuroo Tetsuro to the children who were passing by.

Yinchuan Mianye: "Xiao Hei himself is still Otoko."

"Damn it, I can't even refute it."