Chapter 73: Barbecue 2

Everyone from Shiratorizawa gathered around the grill, each of them perched on a small stool, craning their necks to watch Ushijima grill the meat.

Reon worked beside him as support, while Ryosuke and Tsutomu Goshiki stared eagerly, practically drooling.

The air was filled with the rich aroma of meat and seasonings. Looking around, everyone else resembled wolf cubs that hadn’t eaten in a week, eyes glowing green with hunger.

This striking scene naturally drew all attention toward the Shiratorizawa area.

Wakatsu Kiryū sighed. “It smells way too good… I really want—”

Keisuke reacted instantly and clamped a hand over Wakatsu Kiryū’s mouth. “No, you don’t. That’s our archrival.”

Wakatsu Kiryū shot him a deeply aggrieved look.

Shirabu stared wide-eyed, his admiration for Ushijima deepening even further, mixed with a strange sense of pride by association.

“So when exactly did Ushijima learn how to cook?” Yamagata asked, staring at the grill in confusion.

Kawanishi burst out laughing. “You really don’t pay attention to details. Back in his second year, Ushijima brought a bento to practice every single day—high-protein training meals, all made by himself.”

“That’s amazing!” Yamagata was stunned.

“Then can we have the captain cook next time we get together?” Yamagata pushed his luck.

“Sure,” Ushijima replied after hearing them. Cooking a meal for his teammates was nothing special.

While Shiratorizawa’s grilling went smoothly, the other schools were having a much harder time.

Over at Itachiyama, Sakusa absolutely refused to get anywhere near the grill, and Komori didn’t know how to help either.

Iizuna rolled up his sleeves and took matters into his own hands. Glancing at Kishimoto and Kuroda waiting eagerly for food, he decided it was probably time to seriously consider recruiting a female manager.

Athletes generally had huge appetites—except for Kenma.

Amid the chaos, Kenma quietly slipped away with his headphones and game console, settling under a large tree not far away to play games.

Kuroo was too busy dealing with his troublesome teammates to notice Kenma was missing.

His arms were working nonstop—one hand flipping meat on the grill, the other fanning the flames—while Shibayama and Yamamoto Taketora watched from the side like hawks.

Yamamoto Taketora shoved skewer after skewer into his mouth. Even when the meat was scalding hot and made him yelp, he refused to let go, swallowing it down anyway. Kuroo could only stare in amazement.

After scanning the area, Kuroo finally realized Kenma was gone. He piled grilled meat onto a plate until it formed a small mountain, then started searching everywhere for him.

Over at Fukurōdani, everything was pure chaos—except for Keiji Akaashi. Konoha and Bokuto were fighting over the last piece of meat Akaashi had grilled.

Manager Shirafuku stood nearby, drooling, trying to figure out how to swoop in and steal that precious piece of meat.

“Ugh… Akaashi’s grilled meat…” (Something definitely strange slipped into that line.)

Washio quietly speared the meat with his fork, snatched it away, and chewed it down in lightning speed.

Bokuto instantly bristled, feathers metaphorically standing on end. “Washio! That was meat Akaashi grilled for me! How could you steal it?!”

The enraged owl grabbed Washio by the neck, looking utterly devastated.

Seeing this, Komi Haruki quickly rolled up a bunch of leafy greens into a ball and stuffed it into Bokuto’s noisy mouth. Still shaken, he rubbed his ears. Thankfully Bokuto didn’t completely lose it—otherwise, either his ears or Bokuto himself would’ve met a tragic end today.

Shiratorizawa’s grill was set up right next to Fukurōdani’s. Seeing there was no meat left, Bokuto wandered over to Shiratorizawa’s side, circling around before sidling up to Ryosuke, who was happily eating.

Ryosuke sat beside Ushijima, holding skewers in one hand and secretly taking full gulps of shochu with the other.

Bokuto sucked in a sharp breath and shakily pointed at Ushijima. “You guys—mmph!”

Ryosuke clamped a hand over Bokuto’s mouth. Even with all that muscle—and the double buff of grilled meat and alcohol—Bokuto still couldn’t break free.

Ryosuke looked helplessly at Ushijima.

Ushijima pressed his lips together. “Eat with us.”

He even shifted over to make room. Seeing that, Bokuto immediately stopped struggling and sat down happily.

While grilling, Akaashi glanced back at Bokuto uneasily. Only after seeing him sitting peacefully with Ushijima and Ryosuke did he finally relax and focus on cooking again.

About half an hour later, everyone finally had meat in their hands.

Kōrai Hoshiumi firmly refused the half-raw meat grilled by Hirugami. The meat grilled by Fukurōdani’s setter, on the other hand, was incredibly fragrant—one bite and the juices burst out. Sitting next to Akaashi, Hoshiumi ate skewer after skewer.

Watching him wolf it down, Akaashi frowned with concern.

“Careful—you’ll choke.”

The very next second, Kōrai Hoshiumi rolled his eyes as he choked. Akaashi panicked, grabbed a water jug, and poured water straight into his mouth.

Hoshiumi coughed violently from the water. Once he finally caught his breath, he gave Akaashi a thumbs-up.

Hoshiumi: Thanks, Akaashi. You saved my life.

Kamomedai’s ace nearly choked to death at this training camp, saved only by the kind-hearted setter from Fukurōdani.

Yunohama didn’t have much of an appetite either. He sat with Kenma on a stone bench under the tree, both of them zoning out.

Before long, Kuroo came over carrying a plate of meat. From far away, he spotted Kenma looking like he wanted to bury his head in his game console.

“Kenma! Come eat!”

Kenma jumped in fright and was instantly stabbed by an in-game enemy.

Pouting, he complained, “It’s all your fault, Kuroo.”

“Alright, alright, just eat.”

Kenma stared at the mountain of grilled meat, clearly trying to deny reality.

Kuroo also called out to Yunohama nearby. “Hey, Shiratorizawa’s setter, come eat too.”

Yunohama waved his hands hurriedly. “No, no, I’m good.”

But there was no way the benevolent Kuroo was letting either of them escape.

If he had to feed them himself, he would. Thus, the tragedy unfolding beneath the tree went completely unnoticed.

The sun, blazing hot at first, gradually softened. A light breeze drifted by. It wasn’t summer yet, but the air already carried a hint of it.

After battling the barbecue for over two hours, everyone forced themselves to finish every last piece of meat so nothing would go to waste.

One by one, they collapsed onto the ground or sprawled across chairs.

At a glance, it looked like a crime scene.

Tendo checked the time—it was still early. He dragged over a small stool and sat beside Ryosuke, squinting in the warm sunlight. Everyone was smiling, laughter everywhere.

I really wish time could just stop like this…

Silence flowed quietly among the coaches as well.

After a long while, Michiko finally spoke. “It’s time to head back.”

“Yeah,” Washijō replied, half-lying in a rocking chair, eyes nearly closed.

“See you at the Interhigh?”

“Hmph. Next time, the winners will be Mujinazaka.”

“Tch.”

Coach Nekomata watched them bicker with a smile, as if they’d all returned to their younger days.

After resting for a long time, Michiko stretched and stood up.

Seeing this, the Mujinazaka team knew it was time to say goodbye.

Though Shiratorizawa and Mujinazaka were archrivals, they were also fellow dreamers chasing victory.

Everyone handed gifts to the Mujinazaka members, hoping the ride back wouldn’t be too quiet.

After boarding the bus, Wakatsu Kiryū looked at the bento box in his hands, packed full of nutritional meals. He’d arrived empty-handed, but was leaving with so much.

Not just gifts—but renewed resolve, the motivation to face Shiratorizawa again.

Sakusa gave Ryosuke a small nod. “See you later. Interhigh.”

Ryosuke nodded back, forcing a faint smile.

They exchanged a brief, simple greeting before Sakusa turned and left.

“Team, move out!”

The Itachiyama team departed. Sakusa didn’t look back. One more glance, and he knew he’d break—seeing Ryosuke’s sad expression would shatter his resolve. Better not to turn around.

Ryosuke sniffed but said nothing, staying with Reon as they watched the other teams leave.

Hirugami shook hands with Ushijima. “See you at the Interhigh. Don’t lose to us.”

Ushijima nodded solemnly.

Kuroo hugged Bokuto and Ushijima. “See you at the Interhigh, friends. Do your best!”

Fukunaga waved goodbye to his rival—and to his favorite Ryosuke-cat. He even gave Ryosuke a beautiful Maine Coon plush. Pretty cats always stood out.

Kenma lifted his game console. “Ryosuke, remember to log on and play.”

Ryosuke pouted and nodded, his dark, round eyes looking like they might spill tears at any moment. Everyone was gone…

After all the teams had left, Fukurōdani and Shiratorizawa stood there in silence for a long time.

Only after night fell did Washijō wave his hand. “Pack up. Let’s go—we’re heading to Ryosuke’s place.”

Bokuto drooped as he watched everyone leave, head hanging low.

Seeing Akaashi’s worried look, Bokuto explained, “I’m fine… just a little sad.”

Akaashi patted Bokuto’s shoulder, unusually choosing not to comfort him with words.

Back at the dorms, everyone from Shiratorizawa was busy packing their luggage, while Coach Washijō, the advisor, and the team doctor waited outside.