Hinata's movement of reaching for his pen froze, for a brief moment, his expression went blank.
That's true. Unai-senpai wanted a signature, so he practiced it several times and took a long time to sign it carefully before succeeding. As for the one he just gave to Hayami, he only signed it because Hayami said he didn't care at all. If he had to sign this many, he probably wouldn't finish by tonight.
Besides, there would be plenty of chances to see him again in the future; it wouldn't be a problem to give him another one once he has practiced more.
But these fans are different.
Many of them had gone to great lengths to find the time to come and watch the Inarizaki match, it was unknown whether they would have the time next year.
No.. thinking about it that way, he should definitely sign it.
Hinata's expression was determined: "No, I'm going to sign. Otherwise, everyone might not have the chance to get it later."
Moreover, most of those present were loyal Inarizaki fans, with more than half having donated to Inarizaki to some extent or provided him with private sponsorship.
Even if it was just the cost of a sports drink, it was worth repaying them with twice the effort.
In the past, he had no resources and could only repay everyone by training harder and achieving better results. Now that everyone finally had what they wanted, how could he not agree?
After locking eyes with Hinata for a few seconds, Miya Atsumu felt Hinata's determination.
He couldn't help but chuckle, his hand hanging by his side originally wanted to reach out and pat that orange-headed, but considering how many people were nearby, he ultimately gave up.
Atsumu raised his hand and opened his palm toward Hinata: "Or maybe we could choose a different plan?"
Hinata looked up at him: "What?"
Actually, he also wanted to go watch Karasuno's match, but if it were the Setter, he would choose the Inarizaki supporters.
"Shoyo, you haven't practiced your autograph yet. We also need to scout our upcoming opponents, so it wouldn't be appropriate to do them today," Atsumu-ge said unhurriedly.
“Maybe we could get the head of the cheering squad to help register the number of people who want autographs. Once we get back, once you've practiced your signature, you can sign a whole batch specifically for everyone using autograph boards.”
Miya Atsumu paused, then added, "Hmm.. maybe there are others who want autographs from different people, so we can do them all together then."
Those in Amagasaki can come pick them up themselves, or you can have them mailed.
Hinata's mouth hung open. "Atsumu-ge.. you're way too smart!"
He held up his fingers as he began to plan the next steps: "Then I also need to get everyone little gifts! I bought some cookies before that were incredibly delicious!"
Hinata lowered his head and frowned, trying to calculate how much money he would need to buy enough snacks and small gifts: "My match prize money is more than enough; I won't need Coach Kurosu to reimburse me for this."
After buying the tablet for Xiaoxia before, there was still a little bit left, since he had been busy with training, he didn't have anything else he needed to spend money on.
In addition, all the meals during that fat-loss period before the match were ordered for them by Coach Kurosu using the Volleyball Club's funds, so his pocket money had also been saved up.
Miya Atsumu laughed. "It wouldn't matter if you tried to get reimbursed by him. Those twenty volleyballs from before were your personal prize, after Coach Kurosu offered you the cash equivalent, you didn't take it, did you?"
Hinata's expression turned serious: "That won't work. I used those volleyballs during my training too."
He held up a finger and said to Miya Atsumu, "Besides, if we win the championship this time, won't there be new prize money again?"
Miya Atsumu narrowed his eyes, making no effort to hide the smile on his face. "Shoyo is truly too smart."
Hinata lifted his head with a smug little snort, then turned and lunged toward Ogata, who had just come down from above, with both hands raised high.
“Tomoya—help me! You're the best!!”
Miya Atsumu stood at the very front of the Inarizaki stands with one hand on his hip, watching Hinata circle around Ogata, begging the current head of the cheering squad to help him.
An older man who was standing relatively close and had listened to the whole thing leaned over and said, "How about you do a wholesale signing of group photos after you win the championship? I can buy some too!"
Last year, after Inarizaki won the championship and the semester ended, Coach Kurosu sent two group photos featuring the championship trophy to each of these sponsors; they were photos from the previous year's National Sports Festival and Haruko, just without the players' signatures.
Besides, when it comes to championship memorabilia.. high school fans like them can never have too much of it!
Miya Atsumu thought this proposal was excellent and raised his hand to give the middle-aged man an OK sign.
When facing the fans, his attitude was very gentle: "I'll go back and discuss it with the coach; I'll make sure everyone is satisfied."
Unlike the fans of many professional players, many high school fans do not specifically like one particular player; they simply like the school itself.
Regardless of whether the players change or the coach remains, as long as they can achieve results and let them experience the competitive charm that belongs to Inarizaki, these fans will remain for a long time.
Therefore, even if it was for the sake of their juniors, maintaining this relationship was a task they had to perform.
Moreover.. the Inarizaki supporters are themselves a part of Inarizaki's tactics.
Miya Atsumu's eyes darted around, he raised his hand to point at Karasuno's "Fly High" team flag.
If we face that school later, remember to give Shoyo the loudest cheers.
That school's number 2 used to bully Shoyo.
Listening to Miya Atsumu's words, which sounded like he was tattling to an adult, Unai Aman's face was filled with shock.
He asked in confusion, "Are our juniors bullying Hinata?"
That can't be right. Tsukishima had sent him a message before, saying that everyone coming to compete from Karasuno High School this time were good kids, he had invited him to sit on the Karasuno side.
Moreover, it was Hinata who invited him first, so he refused the proposal to save him a seat over there.
The cheering area for Karasuno High School was already quite crowded; if he wanted to watch a Karasuno match, he could just stand over there and watch the same thing.
Yesterday, Hinata didn't have a match, he also had to finish his final manuscript, so he didn't come.
He had originally planned to go and say hello to everyone at Karasuno High School after their match ended today, so how had Karasuno and Inarizaki become enemies?
Suddenly remembering that Unai was a Karasuno graduate, Miya Atsumu shut his mouth.
Oh no, I forgot about that.
Meanwhile, having successfully coaxed Ogata into a very happy mood, Hinata, who was calling out "Okay!" with every breath, had also returned: "We can go watch the Karasuno match now!"
Unai Aman placed her backpack under Kita Shinsuke's stool, stood up, asked, "Can I go with you all?"
Before Miya Atsumu could even find the chance to refuse, Hinata had already agreed, "That's fine! No problem at all!"
The next second, Hinata raised his hand to rub his chin. "But.. Little Giant-senpai, are you allowed to enter the competition arena?"
You can walk around the outer hallway freely, but entering the inner area requires identity verification for the players.
Unai explained, "That won't be necessary, I'll be fine out here. I mainly just need to wait for my juniors.. specifically, three of the captains from the years following mine, as well as my classmates from the same year."
As soon as he finished speaking, Hinata had already tapped his fist against his palm: "Little Giant-senpai can go in; I'll go find Ogata to get the manager's ID badge!"
After saying that, he rushed off to find Ogata.
Although Ogata himself does not hold a manager position, Coach Kurosu still used this manager slot so that Ogata could enter and exit the court to accompany any potential injured players when necessary.
There is only one of these ID badges per high school, it has no photo, only a name and a position. If you really had to say, anyone could use it, but since managers are very important in many schools, this badge cannot be taken away casually.
But they, Inarizaki, wouldn't have such worries.
Hinata rushed back, holding up that blue and black lanyard: "I got it! Little Giant, let's go!"
Miya Atsumu stared at Hinata with his arms crossed over his chest.
Some little guy.. once he's with certain specific people, he can just leave everyone else behind, including but not limited to Hoshiumi, Unai, the Kita Team.
But fortunately, his resentment was heavy enough that Hinata, who had already taken two steps away, retreated back and pushed Miya Atsumu forward.
“Atsumu-ge, let's go, let's go, let's go, the First Set is about to begin.”
Miya Atsumu reluctantly decided to go with him.
And just after the group had left, Nishizawa Hokuto walked over from the other side's spectator aisle, carrying a bag.
Seeing only Kita and Oori left in the stands, Nishizawa Hokuto froze for a moment. "Senpais, where is Shoyo-senpai? I just saw him down there."
Oori replied, "He went to watch the match with Unai-senpai and Atsumu."
Nishizawa's high spirits instantly plummeted: "Then I'll.. just wait for them to come back."
Gesturing for Nishizawa Hokuto to sit in Unai's original spot, Kita Shinsuke asked softly, "What's wrong?"
Nishizawa Hokuto showed the bag he was carrying to Kita Shinsuke. "Shoyo-senpai gave me a short-sleeved shirt during the National Sports Festival, so I bought one for him as well."
Seeing 175 written on the packaging, Oori was stunned. "Does Shoyo have 175 already?"
He really hadn't noticed just now, but Hinata had indeed grown taller enough to be seen with the naked eye.
Nishizawa Hokuto had a serious expression and said earnestly, "I believe Shoyo-senpai will definitely reach 175cm, so this is one of the coming-of-age gifts prepared for Shoyo-senpai in advance."
Besides, Hinata already has plenty of short-sleeved shirts, so he might not be able to wear the one he's giving, so he has to plan ahead!
Kita Shinsuke chuckled, "It will happen."
Chapter 489: The Four Hundred and Eighty-Ninth Fox
Holding the Inarizaki manager's badge in his hand, Unai Aman followed Hinata and Miya Atsumu into the court under the watchful eyes of the staff in charge of inspections, feeling somewhat guilty like a thief.
Fortunately, the staff member only glanced at the manager's ID badge and his face, offering no comment on the fact that he wasn't wearing an Inarizaki uniform.
Having successfully entered the stadium, Unai Aman let out a heavy sigh of relief: "I thought I was going to be stopped outside.."
Hearing this, Hinata looked at him, after scanning him up and down, he suddenly understood something: "Oh, right, I'll just borrow some sportswear from Tomoya."
The one walking ahead chuckled, "But luckily, we managed to get in smoothly."
Miya Atsumu also added, "Unai-senpai looks very young, so he won't be suspected."
Unai's current appearance isn't much different from that of a high school student, so there is actually no sense of incongruity when she blends in with them.
Moreover, Inarizaki has only had one manager for the past few years, so it's perfectly normal for a new face to appear. As for the uniform.. as long as they don't enter the competition area, no one will care.
Glancing at Hinata and Unai, then looking at the Karasuno members who were already confirming their rotation, Miya Atsumu suddenly felt a sense of regret.
Hinata was right; they should lend Ogata's uniform to Unai.
Compared to yesterday, the condition of all the Karasuno members was much better. Seeing Kageyama land a beautiful ACE Serve during the opening, Coach Ukai, who was by the sidelines, breathed a complete sigh of relief.
Unai sighed with emotion, "That was truly amazing."
Hinata nodded in agreement. "Kageyama's Power Serve is indeed amazing."
The moment Miya Atsumu's gaze swept over, Hinata added another comment: "But considering overall serving strength, Atsumu-ge is still a bit more incredible."
Hearing this, Unai looked at Miya Atsumu, whose lips were curling up slightly, couldn't help but let out a small laugh: "Pfft."
Realizing he had lost his composure, he quickly gave a light cough to change the subject. "So, he was the one bullying you?"
What Miya Atsumu had said before was number 2, now he knew that number 2 was this Karasuno setter, Kageyama.