The next day, during the evening meeting after training—
"In other words, everyone shouldn't forget that we have final exams next month, right?"
Takeda-sensei stood holding a stack of papers, his usually kind expression replaced with something more ominous as he glanced around the room.
Even Coach Ukai, standing to the side, shivered slightly.
"Haven't forgotten, have you?"
Takeda's eyes locked directly onto four unfortunate souls in the group: Hinata Shoyo, Kageyama Tobio, Tanaka Ryunosuke, and Nishinoya Yuu.
The four froze under Takeda's intense gaze, eyes wide and vacant.
"Then, I assume you've already guessed what comes next."
The way he said it made a chill run down everyone's spines.
"If you fail even a single class…"
"You'll be doing weekend tutoring, and depending on how bad it is, you might have to spend part of summer break making up for it!"
"Even if the principal gives you permission, it won't delay our entry into Nationals—but the Tokyo training camp before the tournament... will be off the table!!"
"AAAAHHHHHHHH!!!"
The four immediately let out wails of pure anguish.
No Tokyo training camp!?
No facing powerhouse schools!?
Tanaka and Nishinoya instinctively turned and bolted for the door.
"Oi! You two! You're already cornered!" Daichi barked after them.
"Ennoshita! Grab those two and bring them back!!"
On the side, Hinata and Kageyama dropped to their knees, looking like their souls had left their bodies.
"Ho... how many points do I need to pass again...?"
They muttered in despair, not even blinking.
"If I... if I spike hard enough, maybe the head of academics will let me pass…" Hinata mumbled in a daze, clinging to any hope.
"You'd better focus on barely passing first, dumbass," came Tsukishima's cold jab from behind them.
"Is this what it feels like to be academic bottom-feeders...? Tch."
"Even if the academic board approves it, you still have to put studies first when tutoring is scheduled," Takeda-sensei said sternly, shooting down Hinata's hope without hesitation.
Realizing that pleading didn't work, Hinata scurried over to Ukai.
"Coach!!"
He grabbed Ukai's arm and stared up at him with soulful, desperate eyes.
"Uhh... how do I put this?" Ukai scratched his head, visibly uncomfortable.
"Students have to go through this kind of thing... It builds character, right?"
"How can you say that so casually…"
Ukai gave him a sheepish smile and tried to offer encouragement.
"Look, the point is to stay focused and keep trying."
"No! This is serious!! Please teach me how to study!" Hinata bowed his head, full of determination.
"Ahem."
Ukai glanced down at the orange-haired boy with a complicated look.
"H-Hinata. Honestly, I wasn't going to say this, but…"
"Do I look like someone who got good grades in school?"
"Uh…" Hinata blinked. "Well, now that you mention it…"
Judging by Ukai's dyed hair and laid-back vibe, he probably hadn't exactly been a model student himself.
Back in high school, he was likely a lot like Tanaka.
Hinata's eyes dulled again with despair.
Seeing his teammate looking so crushed, Sugawara stepped forward with a laugh, trying to lighten the mood.
"Don't worry, Hinata! You only need a passing grade. That's all that matters!"
"Really? Sugawara-san?" Hinata asked, suddenly filled with hope.
"I've never scored in the double digits on a quiz before—is that okay?"
"Ehhh…"
Now Sugawara was the one frozen, unsure of how to respond.
"Oi! Don't look like you're on death row!"
"You too, Takeda-sensei! You've got to stay strong for them!" Sugawara tried to keep spirits up.
…
After the meeting, in the boys' locker room—
Daichi was giving a stern lecture to the four delinquents.
Off to the side, Tsukishima and Yamaguchi were grabbing their things and heading toward the door.
"We're heading out first," Yamaguchi said casually.
"Eh?! Don't you guys have to do tutoring too, Tsukishima?" Hinata suddenly asked, eyes lighting up.
"Hmph. You think everyone is failing?" Tsukishima replied with his usual smirk.
"You…"
Hinata and the others couldn't even get mad—they were too exhausted and hopeless to argue.
"Haha! I'm out too!"
Akira slung his bag over his shoulder and gave the group a wave.
"Kiyoko's waiting for me downstairs!"