Volleyball: The Time of Resonance

On the last night of the training camp, the air was still filled with a kind of weariness that came from the sweat settling in.

The coaches won't feel reluctant to part ways after seven days together; on the contrary, they'll train even harder because of the excellent training environment that's about to end.

......

Yinchuan Mian also felt as if her bones had been disassembled and then forcibly reassembled.

He yawned.

The daytime training intensity was astonishing, alternating between aerobic and anaerobic exercises; the coaches seemed determined to squeeze every last drop of potential out of them.

Coach Naoi, you've changed.

The blue-eyed sheep was so sleepy that its eyelids were drooping, and its consciousness, like a wet cotton ball, was sinking heavily downwards.

Everyone's train is tomorrow morning, so there won't be a cozy dinner after the training camp.

"I'm going to buy water," Mian said vaguely to Kozume, who was packing his things, his voice sticky.

Kozume made a soft "hmm" sound and slowly packed his things.

So tired... Why is Xiao Hei still so energetic?

No, the guy should be the one who's confused.

A strange laugh drifted from afar—"HEY! HEY! HEY!"

The vending machine in the shrine is located along the path between the stadium and the dormitory building.

The brown-haired boy operated mechanically, and a sports drink bottle clattered to the ground.

Hmm... When the sheep held the drink in its hand and felt the slight coolness emanating from it, it suddenly felt even more deflated, as it no longer wanted to drink water.

His mind was filled with drowsiness, and he staggered back.

In the corner, a mat that seemed to be used by the volleyball team for practicing diving was tossed aside.

The sheep, already so sleepy they were barely conscious, were inexplicably drawn in.

Let's take a short break...

If nothing unexpected happens, something unexpected is about to happen.

Almost the instant I closed my eyes, my consciousness disconnected, and the Duke of Zhou (a figure in Chinese mythology associated with sleep) made a video call.

He curled himself up, his soft, fluffy brown hair spreading out, and his breathing gradually became long and even.

A small spider crawled across the edge of the mat.

......

Although I fill my water bottle every time I train, I eventually use up all the water I need after each training session.

After training, Yoruichi took a shower and came over to check on the cats scattered around the area. They bought water and were about to go back.

The reliable free agent sipped his electrolyte water as he walked back along the path, his mind still replaying the few balls he hadn't managed to save during the day, his brow furrowing slightly involuntarily.

Just as I rounded a corner, I caught a glimpse of a blurry, unusual shadow out of the corner of my eye.

"?"

The dark shadow was faintly red, as if it were still breathing.

As night deepened, I paused, countless horror movie scenes flashing through my mind in an instant, only to be instantly dispelled.

I've been talking to Yamamoto and the others too much lately, and it's even influenced my thinking.

In the dim light, the huddled figure on the bench... looked somewhat familiar.

Something's not right; there's something wrong with 20 out of 10.

He squinted and took two steps closer.

Is this Yinchuan Mianyang?

After seeing this clearly, the clever cat looked bewildered.

He approached quietly and observed carefully.

Mian was fast asleep, her cheeks flushed slightly from the heat of her sleep and perhaps the lingering warmth from her exercise.

Yoru Eisuke: Wataru, you're seriously out of character, you know that?

I remember when this guy first came to Otoko, things were completely different now.

I've never heard of a change being like a right angle.

Yoruichi squatted down, intending to pinch the other person's cheek to wake them up.

Just then, the sleeping sheep seemed to feel a slight chill, or perhaps it was subconsciously searching for a source of warmth. Then, before Yaku could react, the sheep suddenly raised its two arms and limply placed them on Yaku's squatting body.

The movement was as natural as if the person were hugging their own blanket or pillow.

Yoruichiro froze.

It wasn't because of the slight smell of sweat from the other person, nor because of the body temperature being turned around through the thin sportswear.

It's the bewilderment you feel when your cat, who usually doesn't like to be affectionate, suddenly rubs against you.

Wow, he meant wow.

The touch on my body was warm, and the strength of the arms was not heavy, even somewhat loose and dependent.

Through the fabric of the sweatpants, he could feel the completely relaxed and trusting posture of the arm's owner.

"..." All of Yoru's thoughts of "waking him up" or "taking action" were blasted into dust in that instant.

......

Meanwhile, inside the venue.

Kozume Kenpaku finished packing up and had been spending quite a while alone with his game console.

Mushroom Cat, having completed another mini-game, looked at the doorway, but still found no one.

But today, it took a little too long to buy water.

Has someone else asked him to be friends?

Mushroom Cat looked up. There were very few people left in the venue. Xiao Hei would be leaving soon too. He opened his contacts and dialed Mianye's number.

The familiar ringtone came from under a bench at the other end of the venue, from the backpack that Mian had forgotten to take with her.

"..."

Well, this also rules out the possibility that they are exchanging contact information with someone.

What about Mianye?

Kozuma Grinding turned around and, lifting his trembling legs, headed towards the still noisy area.

Kotaro Bokuto's loud voice was extremely penetrating. Sure enough, Kuro was still there, being pestered by Bokuto to say something, with his usual malicious smile on his face.

Kozume Grinding lowered his head and thought for two seconds before walking straight over and tugging at Kuro's sleeve.

"Kuro." His voice was not loud, as calm as ever, but Kuroo Tetsuro immediately sensed something was wrong.

Moyan rarely takes the initiative to seek him out in such situations.

"Hmm? What's wrong?" Kuroo Tetsuro lowered his head slightly and brought his ear closer.

"Mian is gone too." Kozume Kenma said succinctly, "She bought water, didn't come back, and her phone is at the venue."

It's not that I suspect he's been threatened, after all, this place is still quite safe.

However, there is still a possibility that a sheep-like cat that doesn't like to go out might wander off and get lost.

"How long has it been?" Kuroo Tetsuro asked.

"It's been half an hour."

"Tsk." Kuroki straightened up, his brows furrowing.

I hope we're not really lost.

He patted Mokuto, who was still yelling, "What's wrong? What are you whispering about, Kuro-o?"

"Wooden Rabbit, I have something to do, I have to go now."

"Huh? Do you need any help?" Mokuto asked with clear eyes, and the others from Owl Valley also looked over.

"No need, you're about to rest." Kuroo waved his hand, declining Owl Valley's offer.

As he walked towards the door, the black-haired boy with a rooster-like hairstyle took out his phone. [Kuroo Tetsuro: Has anyone seen Minamoto? Kenma said he went out to buy water almost an hour ago and hasn't come back; his phone is still in the stadium.]

[Hisense: No, I'm in my dorm. Do you need me to come out and help look for it?]

[Yamamoto Takeshi: Huh? Mian's gone too?! I'm coming right now!]

[Shohei Fukunaga: I can come over now.]

Kuroo Tetsuro was about to type a message asking everyone to help him find it if they had time.

A new reply popped up.

[Yaku Eisuke: ...Here with me.]

Immediately afterwards, Yoru sent a photo.

[Yaku Eisuke: A sleeping sheep (JPG)]

[Yaku Eisuke: I found him on my way back from buying water. He was fast asleep. He was hugging my legs as a blanket, so I didn't have the heart to wake him.]

[Yaku Eisuke: Located on the right corner as you walk from the vending machine towards the dormitory.]

[Kuroo Tetsuro: Don't wake him yet! We're coming right away!]

[Hisense: Oh, it was asleep. Good thing we found it.]

[Yamamoto Taketora: What?! Yaku-senpai was used as a blanket?!]

[Shohei Fukunaga: I'm here.]

Kuroo Tetsurou put away his phone and looked at Kenma: "Let's go pick up our lost sheep."

Kozume nodded, and the corners of his mouth seemed to curve upwards very slightly.

Yamamoto, who had practically sprinted over, was panting heavily when he saw this scene. He abruptly stopped, his eyes wide with shock. He wanted to say something, but was stopped by a look from Hisense. He could only cover his mouth, his shoulders shaking as he struggled to suppress his laughter.

The members of the Sound Horse silently gathered around the sleeping sheep.

Kozume Grinding pondered for a second, then silently took a few steps back, exited the encirclement, turned on his phone, and pressed the shutter button.

It's a scene that feels very familiar.