Chapter 24: After the Practice Match
As Wakutani Minami's players packed up to head back, Nakashima Taku jogged over to find Kaedehara Taiichi.
"Hey, first-year, are you a fan of the 'Little Giant' too?"
"Not a fan—my teacher. The 'Little Giant' is my coach," Kaedehara Taiichi said with a slight boast. He had indeed called Umenai-sensei before, so it wasn't a lie. "My spiking was learned from Umenai-sensei recently."
"Really?!" Nakashima Taku's face lit up with disbelief. "No wonder you're so strong. Can I get your teacher's email?"
Nakashima was a die-hard fan of the "Little Giant." When he first became conscious of his height, he stumbled upon a TV broadcast of the "Little Giant" at nationals. That match taught him there was a path for short players in volleyball.
"Probably, but I need to ask my teacher first," Taiichi said. "Let's exchange emails first, Nakashima-senpai."
"Great!"
It's real! Nakashima trembled with excitement at this unexpected bonus.
"Nakashima-senpai, was that all you came to ask?" Taiichi asked, puzzled. He had something to say to Nakashima too.
Nakashima suddenly remembered he'd intended to throw down a challenge—like, "Next time, we'll definitely win!"
But having just gained a favor, it felt awkward to say it now.
"Nothing, just that," Nakashima mumbled, trying to brush it off.
"Oh, then I've got something to tell you too, senpai," Taiichi said, not really caring about Nakashima's original intent. "Karasuno has a 'Little Giant' now. I think you'd be interested."
"Karasuno's 'Little Giant'?" Nakashima was surprised. Another one at Karasuno?
"Yup. We played a practice match against them recently. About 160-something centimeters, named Hinata Shoyo. His style's different from yours, but he's really strong."
"One-sixty? Different style?" Nakashima's curiosity was piqued, itching to head to Karasuno to see who this Hinata Shouyou was.
"Exactly. I'd love to see who's the real 'Little Giant' on the court—you or him!" Taiichi said eagerly.
Shouyou, thank your big bro. I've found you a great rival.
"You're not competing for 'Little Giant' status? Your teacher was the original," Nakashima asked, confused.
Taiichi glanced at himself, then at Nakashima. "But I'm not 'little,' am I?"
…
Nakashima sensed the conversation ending when Taiichi's eyes hinted at their height difference. He turned sharply to rejoin his teammates.
Watching the exchange, Oikawa Tooru nodded to himself. He was now certain—Kaedehara Taiichi was full of mischief, even slipping intel about the shrimp to the opponent.
"Who's this 'Little Giant' you were talking about?" Oikawa felt he'd heard the nickname before.
"Oh, a senpai who led Karasuno to nationals years ago. I met him recently," Taiichi replied.
"Hmm, rings a bell," Oikawa said, eyeing Taiichi. "So, you meet a cool senpai and stop respecting your team's senpai?"
"No way, I didn't," Taiichi said, glancing at Oikawa.
"You just side-eyed me!"
"I didn't."
"You did!"
Aoba Johsai's practice ended amid their bickering.
---
That evening, after dinner, Kaedehara Taiichi sent a message to Umenai Tenma.
"Umenai-senpai, I met a fan of yours at today's practice match. He wants your email. Is that okay?"
Before Taiichi could set his phone down, Umenai replied.
"I was just about to message you! Our manga Zombie Swordsman Sabishuu started serializing in Weekly Shonen BYE! Also, what's this about a fan?"
"He's a student who watched you at nationals back then. Now a third-year at Wakutani Minami, named Nakashima Taku."
Umenai-senpai's got some serious influence, Taiichi thought with a sigh.
"Cool, give him my email. Also, did you miss it? Our manga Zombie Swordsman Sabishuu started serializing in Weekly Shonen BYE!"
He sent it twice. Taiichi couldn't help but chuckle. Get that axed quick—I'll write you a Demon Slayer instead.
"Got it, Umenai-senpai. Let's discuss the manga's future when I visit Tokyo later."
"(≧∇≦) OK!"
Taiichi hadn't expected Umenai to reply with an emoji. Is this what manga artists are like?
He didn't continue chatting with Umenai, instead sending Umenai's email to Nakashima Taku. After a moment's thought, he messaged Hinata Shouyou.
"I played a match today against the player most like the 'Little Giant' in our prefecture!"
A bit later, his phone lit up with two messages.
"Thanks!!!!" Nakashima's message. Taiichi silently wished him luck chasing his idol.
"Is it Wakutani Minami's Nakashima Taku-senpai? Our coach just mentioned him today!" Hinata's message.
"Didn't expect you to know already."
"How was he? How'd the match go?" Hinata replied quickly.
"Nakashima-senpai's super strong, way stronger than us, but Aoba Johsai won."
Far away, lounging at home, Hinata Shouyou felt a jolt run through him, sitting up instantly.
He typed, "Our team's got an awesome ace and libero now. We won't lose next time!" but paused, then deleted it. He nearly leaked team intel—Kageyama would call him an idiot again.
"I told Nakashima-senpai Karasuno's got a strong 'Little Giant' too. He's looking forward to you."
"I don't know how strong you've gotten, but I'm looking forward to you too."
The back-to-back messages fired Hinata up. His hands clenched into fists, fingertips whitening. He was seen as strong and anticipated by others!
Hinata couldn't sit still. Fresh from a bath, he changed, grabbed a ball, and headed to his yard to practice digs.
"Hey, Shoyo! What're you doing out there?" his mom called from inside.
"Practicing volleyball a bit!" Hinata was full of energy, even late at night.
"You just bathed! Stop it! You've got school tomorrow."
"Just a bit. I can't sleep."
Hinata really couldn't. Losing to Aoba Johsai last time left a deep mark. Though Azumane-senpai and Nishinoya-senpai's return boosted the team, he hadn't grown much himself.
He'd wanted to practice new moves with Kageyama, but was refused. They hadn't spoken in nearly a week.
"Big bro, if you don't go sleep, Mom's gonna come out and whack you," his sister, Hinata Natsu, peeked from the doorway.
"Got it." Under his mom's pressure, Hinata hugged the ball and returned to his room.
Tomorrow, he had to take action. No more dawdling.
With that thought, Hinata Shoyo finally fell asleep.