"This..."
"He indeed is that kid !!"
"Karasuno!!"
"This is also Karasuno!!"
Ukai had an incredulous expression.
"But the question is, isn't this guy supposed to be looking after the grocery store right now?"
"Why is he on the TV??"
"How did Karasuno make it to the national competition??"
"What is going on here?"
Hearing his words, several old folks around him burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"What are you talking about? It's really that kid!!"
"That kid has a presence now! Who would've thought he'd lead our Miyagi Prefecture's representative team to the national competition!"
...
On the other side, Ikkei Ukai came back to his senses after a long while.
"Now Karasuno..."
"Is already this strong?"
Sarukawa Tech from Ishikawa Prefecture, whom he'd also seen in past nationals over the last two years, had left some impression.
A team with exceptional defense!!
Not even inferior to his old rival—Nekoma!
But now, the situation on the court...
It turned out to be inexplicably one-sided!!
"And that number 7..."
"What the hell is this monster??"
Ikkei stared at the television screen, jaw slowly dropping wider and wider.
Then, his gaze fell on the familiar figure sitting in Karasuno's coach's seat.
"That brat..."
"He didn't even tell me something this important..."
"Really deserves a beating!!"
Immediately, as if remembering something, Ikkei pulled out his mobile phone and gritted his teeth as he dialed a series of numbers.
Then he focused on the blond guy on the TV screen.
Sure enough, after waiting a few seconds, Karasuno's coach seemed to pull something out of his pocket.
Then, the coach on screen started looking around in panic!
Like he was searching for a camera.
Seeing this, Ikkei sneered twice, then hung up before the call connected.
Now, he was completely sure!
That brat...
Just you wait!!
Meanwhile, inside Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.
Ukai Keishin, watching the game, looked a little bored.
Because this game honestly wasn't much to analyze.
From a coach's point of view, it lacked nutritional value.
It was just a complete steamroll!
But at that moment, he suddenly felt a vibration from the phone in his pants pocket!
"Huh?"
"Who's calling me at a time like this??"
He said curiously.
But when Ukai saw the number on the display, his heart skipped a beat!!
Crap!!
It's the old man??
Am I exposed??
Or could it be...
Just a coincidence??
He suddenly began looking left and right in a panic.
No way... Did I also get caught on the national tournament broadcast??
Ukai was just about to go outside and answer the call, but saw that the other side had already hung up.
At that moment, a worse feeling settled in his gut.
It was like a chill running down his spine!
As if a pair of sharp eyes were staring right at him!
Gulp.
Ukai swallowed hard.
He now had a very bad feeling.
A terrible premonition!!
At the same time, Ittetsu Takeda, who was sitting beside him, glanced over.
Unlike Ukai, he felt the match was exciting!
Very much his style!
But after seeing Ukai's horrified expression, he couldn't help but be a little curious.
"What's wrong, Coach Ukai?"
"Did something happen?"
"Well..."
Ukai opened his mouth, unsure how to start.
"My old man might've found me out!"
After a pause, he decided to just be honest.
"Huh?"
Hearing this, Takeda asked in confusion:
"Wait... Coach Ukai—the previous Coach Ukai—didn't know you were coaching Karasuno?"
"Ahhh... hahaha!"
Ukai laughed awkwardly.
"Originally, I was gonna tell him once I'd gotten some good results..."
"But then I completely forgot about it later!"
"Now that he found out on his own, he probably wants to strangle me..."
"Ugh!"
Takeda said in a panic.
"This... This..."
"What are we going to do?"
"Or..."
He gritted his teeth and said:
"Or I'll talk to Coach Ukai myself!"
"You were dragged into this by me to coach Karasuno!!"
"All the blame should fall on me!"
"Ahem!"
Ukai nearly choked.
"It's fine! It's fine!"
"It's not that serious!"
"I'll go and talk to him myself!"
"I guess..."
Then, scratching his head, he added:
"Even though the old man is mad, deep down he's probably happy too!"
...
"Hahahaha!"
"Akira! You guys were amazing out there!"
"I'm gonna be just as great tomorrow!!"
As soon as Karasuno walked out of the corridor, Bokuto's loud voice rang out!
And Nekoma and Fukurōdani's people followed closely behind.
"That was easy!"
Kuroo said with a grin.
"Keep it up tomorrow!"
Daichi, standing nearby, suddenly remembered something and said:
"That's right!"
"What about Ubugawa? Is their match over now?"
"I heard their game was played at the next sub-venue!"
"Huh?"
Akaashi touched his chin.
"Counting the time, it should be about now!"
"Anyway, it's just a short walk. How about... we go check it out now?"