Haikyuu Light Novel: To The Other Side of the World

She was taken aback before she realised it.

“Wrong,” at the sound of her mother’s firm voice, Yachi Hitoka trembled all over. Right behind her,
her mother Madoka - the president of the company- sounded astonished. “Japanese style doesn’t
just revolve around Mt. Fuji, cranes, nor kokeshi dolls. The souvenir is not just aimed towards
inbound tourists…”

Yachi’s eyes remained trained on the monitor in front of her.

It was opened on a proposal for a package design. It certainly looked like a Japanese souvenir but
she thought that it fell under the concept of Japanese style.

“It’s wrong…?”

Upon entering university, Yachi began working at her mother’s design company as a part time
worker. This time, she was finally able to participate in a design presentation and was hard at work.

“What does that mean... exactly?”

After saving the file, she looked back at Madoka, not as her daughter but as one of the apprentice
designers. “Well,” she said and folded her arms in a jacket that hugged her perfectly.

Rather than the background music that was playing in the office, the FM radio switched itself into
traffic updates. The expressway was running smoothly, with traffic jams on the National Route 4, and
on the Sendai Bypass from Kozuru to Tsurugaya.

“...”

All Yachi could do now was hold her breath and wait for the president’s reply. Simply staying still just
as if one was stuck in traffic. On Japan’s National Route 45, there was a traffic jam of 1 kilometre
stretching from the entrance of Shiogama’s city hall towards the prefectural government office.

“...”

A long time passed, and the traffic news ended with an uncomfortable perspiration in the ear. When
it changed to the weather forecast, Yachi, who for some reason was holding her breath, could no
longer bear the pressure of prolonged silence, opened her mouth to exhale, “Ah, well–!”

“That is,” the president finally began to explain at the same time. “I want you to create a simple,
luxurious and calm design for this project. You saw the data, correct? The price is a little more
expensive than conventional products. Such is not a childish direction. I suppose that Kokeshi has a
sense of locality, so taking it in that direction might be a good idea, to be messy and childish, but I
don’t want it to make a lot of noise. If you want to add a Japanese motif, I’d like to make one
suggestion. Don’t forget the sense of luxury.”
Desperately, Yachi took notes to catch up with the amount of water delivered to the plank. All the
while as she contemplated any amendments. “Simple…luxurious… like this, perhaps?”

Picking up the mouse, she deleted the scattered illustrations for the time being. The rich style of
calligraphy was switched to a simple minchō, and the red Japanese-style pattern decorating the base
was changed to a craft material with a sense of texture. For now, the impression of the work
changed drastically.

With it, one question remained.

“So… where is… the Japanese-style?”

When Yachi turned her head, the President who had her eyes trained on the monitor spoke again.

“The client requested a simple Japanese design. I think it’s similar to Wabisabi. I don’t want to make
it look like a thick noshibukuro. Ah, but don’t take this the wrong way. Just because this is the case
now doesn’t mean that it can’t change if it was a different client or a different person in charge. The
image that comes to mind with the word ‘Japanese’ differs with numerous people so not everyone is
on the same page. Design is a form of communication, so you must understand what the other
person wants and make it a reality.”

Like a waterfall that continues to flow rapidly, Yachi did her best to write down the memo. Along
with it, she considered requesting materials for shorthand classes. The reason why she must be
explaining in detail was because she wanted to thoroughly convey her experience in the sense of
parental love, however, her daughter was on the brink of tears.

“Well, uh, I guess that's what it is…?”

“No, that’s just professional creativity.”

Completely shut down, it was impossible for Yachi to recover, “s-sorry.”

Noticing the shrunken figure of her daughter, her mother muttered under her breath, “oh dear.”

“I think the change that you made is in line with the ‘luxurious’ direction. Cheer up,” she added and
left the office in a hurry.

However, the door opened again with only her face peeking in. “Ah, that’s fine, but don’t make them
all similar to each other. While ensuring quality, make sure you have a broad range of ideas. I know
that you’re already aware because I’ve said it over and over again, but make sure that you only have
Proposal A, Proposal B, and Proposal C, rather than Proposal A and so forth.”

“Ah, yes.”

After hearing her reply, her mother bid her with an, “I look forward to it.” And this time, she finally
left. Yachi waited ten whole seconds to see if the door would open once more before slamming
herself over her desk. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!”
The mouse knocked against her arm, flying off the desk where it dangles and shakes.

Once again, she muttered with a bonus sigh, “I’m glad that my heart didn’t stop…”

“Communication?”

‘I’m no good at it.’

Yes, that was the case then.

She was reminded of something as she watched the mouse dangle.

Hinata Shōyō’s ‘beach’ wasn’t used to refer to Shobutahama beach or Tsukihima beach. Nothing was
more difficult than communication.

“But I have to do my best.” Yachi sat up with her energy renewed and faced her monitor again.
“Because I made a promise, after all.”

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It was in the spring of my 2nd Year in high school.

I wonder why I returned to the classroom after school that day? I was hurriedly walking down the
corridor, and on the way, I saw someone in the classroom through the open door. You could
immediately tell that it was Hinata in a white hoodie.

I attempted to call out to him, but I could tell from the back that he was curled up and writing
something down, so I hastily swallowed my voice back. I thought perhaps that it was a
supplementary lesson considering that he was alone in an empty classroom after school. I didn’t
want to be a disturbance.

However, Hinata immediately turned around.

“It was Yachi-san, after all.”

“How did you know that?”

I hadn’t even entered the classroom yet. I simply walked down the corridor.

“Because it was Yachi-san’s footsteps.”

“Eh!?”

I couldn’t help but glance down at my feet. I was embarrassed about my noisy and troublesome
footsteps. If there was a hole, I wouldn’t want to crawl back out and live, but I couldn’t even dig one
for myself. From tomorrow, no, from now on I’ll try to live calmly…
I managed to gather myself and slipped into the room, asking the question that I swallowed
moments before.

“What are you doing?”

“I don’t know what to do yet.”

Surprised to see that Hinata’s face resembled one from a match, I absentmindedly looked down at
the opened notebook. ‘I have no idea how to study, what if my mid-term grades come back poorly
and Inter High Qualifiers…’ Within the notebook, there were no mathematical formulas, no English
words, nor year, just a mess of jumbled words.

Tiny -> Fly higher than those larger than me -> Strongest
How???
Practice
How???
Work on it
Under + Over
6 people
2 people

It wasn’t about studying at all, and I hurriedly looked away. This was probably a topic that I shouldn’t
touch.

“I’m sorry. I thought that you were studying and ended up looking at your notes without your
permission.”

“Oh, that’s alright.”

“It’s not alright. I’m always lacking in my tact, and rather sloppy. I’m no good at interacting with
people…”

No, I can’t do this. I shouldn’t be talking myself down like this. I swallowed down my self-loathing
and asked, “what have you been doing?”

“I was wondering about what I should do.”

Hinata’s face was certainly serious, but he appeared more to be thinking rather than worried.
Perhaps I’m putting it simply because I don’t know anything.

Thinking about it, Hinata’s notebook was similar to my idea notebook which I used when thinking
about designs. It was a notebook used to throw in all of the tiny ideas that floated around my head
and to gather my thoughts.

Which is why I interrupted. Quite out of character.

“In instances like these, I think it’s better to just follow your instincts.”
“Instinct?”

As soon as he asked that, my face became flushed.

“Ah, well, you know…”

How embarrassing…

I had no idea what Hinata was thinking about in the first place, so I might have gotten carried away
and said something wrong. What a dumb thing to do. Why didn’t I think before I said anything?
Regret! Ahead! Don’t Stand Up! Later! Festival!

“It’s not that! Rather than instincts, uh, how should I say it, after a lot of thought: what is the right
answer, no, what is the right thing to do… Wow. My hands are sweating. I’m sorry that I assumed.”

“No, I am!”

“No, no, me! I’m sorry!”

“Sorry!”

“Sorry!”

After apologising to each other for how long, Hinata said, “you must be able to do everything that
you want.”

“Everything?”

“All of it.”

“Everything, erm… That’s...”

“Yes, it won’t be easy.”

And then Hinata said, “I want to go to the beach.”

“Isn’t it too early for that?”

“You think so?”

“Yes, the sea is still… It’s May after all?”

I glanced out the window and saw a thin, blue, clear sky that never came in the evening, and cherry
blossom leaves twinkled in the corner of the pavement. Down below, the football club just came out
to practice, and a dusty breeze swirled on the ground, looking still too cold for a t-shirt. In any case,
no matter how healthy Hinata was, it was still not time to go to the sea.
“Look.”

When I pointed outside, Hinata who was nervous at first bursted out laughing. It soon grew
tremendously.

“What? Why are you laughing? Did I say something weird!?”

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By the time we became 3rd Years, I finally understood that I had indeed said something strange.

What was on Hinata’s mind truly wasn’t an easy feat. Rather than thinking about how cold it was to
go to the beaches within the vicinity, or to travel to Okinawa in search for open public beaches, he
had decided to go to Brazil alone, all while I was spaced out.

Brazil.

A friend whom I went to the same school with and attended the same club suddenly announced that
he was heading to Brazil, a place so far away on the other side of the earth that I wouldn’t have been
able to tell you what their staple food was had anyone asked. However, Hinata reassured me that
everything would be alright because he had the support of Coach Ukai, Nekoma’s Coach, and various
other people. I had learnt that what was “fine” varied greatly depending on the person. I was
nervous simply travelling to Tokyo, but for someone like Hinata, he would probably thrive in every
environment as long as he had oxygen.

But I digress. I was quite surprised to find out that within the list of those who have lent their aid to
Hinata, Shiratorizawa’s Coach was amongst them. We were competitors within the same prefecture
after all. With Nekoma’s Coach, it was a different story since they were all the way in Tokyo, but
Shiratorizawa was our rival. To top it off, he resembled a very intimidating grandfather, but
regardless of my shock, I understood how it came to be.

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“Hinata, I believe that you have the power to move everyone around you.”

I’m certain that I shared this with Hinata when we went to the Sakanoshita Store straight after
practice. While I stuffed myself with a red bean bun, we sat around a table which didn’t compliment
its ‘dine in’ concept.

“Those around me?”

“Yes. It’s almost as if they gravitate towards you in order to lend you a hand.”

“Hmmm.” After thinking about it, Hinata quietly said, “If so, then it’s probably because I’m no good.”

“Eh?”
I paused in the middle of peeling off the paper of my bun to listen. Hinata swallowed his own own
before looking at me.

“Because nobody ever thinks ‘ah, I have to help them’ when they come across amazing players.
Those like Ushiwaka.”

“Huh? ...Ahh, yes, I don’t think that people like Ushiwaka-san need a helping hand. It seems as if he
could be the best in the world, or perhaps even the universe itself. Or rather, to help such an
amazing person... you’d need to be more capable than him in order to even begin lending a hand... If
so, being amazing is rather lonely and scary. I’m grateful that I’m not that kind of person. It must be
tough.”

After reaching such a disheartening conclusion, I grew depressed, however Hinata cut me off.

“Kageyama’s like that too.”

“Kageyama-kun?”

At that moment, Kageyama must’ve been choosing his bread since he wasn’t around at the table. I
only remembered this because while Hinata said that, I was glancing up at Kageyama who stood in
front of the bread rack, the words ‘Karasuno High School Volleyball Club’ written across the back of
his jacket.

“Amazing players push themselves forward all by themselves.”

Afterwards, he added.

“But I’m not like that.”

Is that so? In my eyes, it was Hinata who everyone gravitated to, and he urged everyone forward —
just like a typhoon, momentously growing and growing.

Perhaps I’m one of those who gravitated towards him. Had it not been for Hinata, I wasn’t certain
that I would’ve become the manager of the volleyball club. Being around Hinata makes you fired up,
urging you to push yourself too. I reckon that he has that effect on people.

Just as the sun doesn’t exist solely to provide warmth, Hinata doesn’t just push us to move. Despite
all of this, we’re still warmed up, and we still push forward.

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“Ah, how are your English and Portuguese? Are you improving?”

Hinata’s expression visibly changed when I asked him, all while folding the papers from the buns into
smaller shapes.
“Well, I’m improving little by little. And you, Yachi-san? How is studying for your exam coming
along?”

“Hahaha, I’m also working on it one step at a time.”

“So we’re both doing our best.”

“We are, yes.”

“Haha!”

“Hahaha!”

“Aha...”

Now that I think about it, I believe that even if we were laughing over “both of us”, we were
probably seeing different things. It wasn’t the difference between a red bean bun or a meat bun.
Rather, while I felt stretched just thinking about club activities and the entrance exam, Hinata was
looking further ahead.

Hinata wasn’t just focusing on the present. He was staring at both time and space with an immense
and open mindset, ready to prepare himself so that he could take that very first step, whenever he
needed, and go wherever it took him. As if he was in the middle of a match, eyes trained upon
everything on the court. And he would always suddenly appear in the place that you least expected
him to be. At a speed that I have no hope of ever catching up with.

He was different from Villager B.

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Inevitably, it was the same for Kageyama-kun. Even though everyone expected him to attend
university and continue his volleyball career there, regardless of the numerous offers that he
received from universities, he decided to jump one step forward and join the V-League.

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“Kageyama never says anything.”

At the end of our third year, somehow Hinata appeared angry when he heard about Kageyama’s
decision to join the V-League. Childishly, he kicked around some pebbles and ripped up the
shrubbery leaves which were planted behind our school into tiny pieces. Perhaps he was also
surprised or excited.

“Schweiden... Adlers...? Is that it?”

I asked, not having much knowledge on the V-League.

Hinata nodded, abandoning the shredded up leaves.

“Yes.”

That was all he said, reverting the conversation back immediately to Kageyama’s reserved nature.

“If we’re partners, then couldn’t he have said something before making such a big decision!?”

“Uh… I suppose so? Well, Kageyama-kun really isn’t the type to talk much. I don’t believe that he
was trying to hide anything. Ah, have you spoken to Kageyama about leaving for Brazil?”

“Huh?” At this, Hinata looked surprised and shook his head.

“No. Not really.”

“Then it’s the same thing.”

“Isn’t it different… hold on, is it the same thing? Hm?”

I thought to myself, ‘these two are strange. They’re so different, but yet so alike at the same time,’

The two of them weren’t the type of friends who met up with each other during their free time. It
wasn’t as if they were on bad terms, but they didn’t come across as friends either. With Tsukishima-
kun and Yamaguchi-kun, they had the aura of those who were friends, but when it came to Hinata
and Kageyama-kun, they radiated something else entirely.

Partners, teammates– No, perhaps something more like a knife and fork, or the two different hands
of a clock. Even when no words are exchanged between them, they both work together with the
same purpose– No, these comparisons are awful. I just made it more difficult for myself to
understand.

Anyways, I don’t understand boys. But if someone were to ask me if I understood girls, I’m not
confident about that either...

Since I’m clueless, I could only ask more questions.

“How did you talk to your family about your plans for Brazil?”

Talking to your family. I can’t imagine how a discussion about leaving for overseas, not for a vacation
but to train your heart out, would play out, especially for someone like me who created a ruckus
over joining a club. My heart would cease.

“Hm… I said that ‘I’m going’ rather than opening up a discussion over it.”

So casually, no?

How could someone talk about leaving for the other side of the world for years to come without
coming home as if you were simply going to a bathhouse with your friends?

“...that isn’t talking to them, that was just a statement. Were they surprised?”

“Yeah, my sister was kicking up a fuss.”

“Obviously, she’s worried about you.”

“No, rather than worried, she was saying how she wanted to go to Rio’s carnivals too, and how she
wanted to wear feather costumes, and how sly I was in going there all by myself.”

“Isn’t she still too young for such costumes?”

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While we were in high school, our conversations often sounded like that. And after I went to
university, despite still keeping in contact with them, I wasn’t able to see them very often.

That's why, when I was told the date of his departure, I think I was probably more flustered than
Hinata who decided on this a long time ago. Rather than being flustered, perhaps it was more like I
thought I was going to die with how fast my heart was beating.

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And so, in the spring of my 2nd Year in university, the day of departure finally arrived. My former
teammates quickly found me walking in alone into the coffee shop where we had decided to meet
after my part time job.

“Over here, over here! It’s free, come sit. Did you have any trouble finding the place?” With
Yamaguchi-kun, who was waving his hands with a smile, was Tsukishima-kun who had glanced up
from his phone that was currently connected to the power outlet.

Everything was the same. Of course it’s not easy for people to change but I’m relieved that not much
has shifted. I’m not much different, still fluttering around all over the place… What if Yamaguchi-kun
realised that it was me by the sound of my footsteps? Slowly, I approached the table and noticed
that there was a melon soda amongst the two cups of coffee.

“Who owns this?”

“Hinata.” Tsukishima bluntly stated, gesturing towards the toilet with his eyes.

“I knew that this was going to happen, but why did it have to be a cold one? Do you think he’ll be
alright on the plane, or when he gets there….”

“I’m sure that he’ll find a way to work it out. He’s like a creature full of life force after all.”
Hinata is Hinata, and Tsukishima-kun remains to be Tsukishima-kun. It’s too both worrying and a
relief.

Around the same time, Yamaguchi’s mobile started to ring. “It’s from Coach Ukai. Oh, him and
Takeda-sensei will be late. I suppose he’s quite busy preparing for the upcoming semester.”

“I see...”

Eventually, Hinata came staggering out of the toilet. He didn’t appear to be ill, waving at me once he
had noticed my presence. How wonderful. Once coach and sensei arrive, all of the members will be
present today. That’s right, all of us.

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“It’s a shame about Kageyama, isn’t it? He’s currently at a training camp in Kagoshima.” Yamaguchi,
who was responsible for getting in touch today, told me. It must be the training camp for the Rio
Olympics this summer. I always thought that the Olympics was just something that I would watch on
television, but it’s rather odd that someone that I know will be participating. I’m going to watch it. I
won’t forget to watch the opening ceremony. Hopefully it won’t be at midnight.

“Mm, and he said that he’s going on an away game in America next month.”

In response to Yamaguchi’s chuckles, Hinata frowned at him like a mother and said, “to represent
Japan…” I found myself chortling but caught myself.

“Even so, Hinata will be in South America, and Kageyama will be in North America…right?”

“How lucky is it that the freak duo will be connected to one another…”

Upon seeing Tsukishima-kun’s face, who looked as if he regrettably swallowed something, Hinata
jumped to his feet.

“Are the lands of South and North America connected?!”

Upon hearing Hinata’s words, Tsukishima’s face twisted as if he ate something that he hated. “Will
this person really be okay travelling alone…?”

“Because it’s a continent!”

“Then should we discuss what that means before we have to leave?”

When Tsukishima let out a snort, Hinata stumbled backwards. “No, thank you.”

It was a sight that made me feel dizzy with nostalgia.

Nobody truly has changed from the time that we were high school students, and it felt as if we were
scheduled for morning training tomorrow. Of course, that won’t be the case. Tomorrow morning,
we’ll be attending university lectures, Kageyama will be training at the Olympic’s Camp, and Hinata
will still be flying on the plane. Which country will he be flying over, and will it be morning, noon or
night?

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As the scheduled time for the bus to Narita approached, we left the coffee shop. It was already dark
outside. Will the bus arrive at Narita in the morning and would Hinata be able to sleep peacefully on
the busride?

When we crossed Ekimae-dori Street and entered the bus station, a girl who was carrying luggages
ran up to us, weaving through the sea of people. I noticed the lively voice as Natsu, the younger
sister of Hinata. “Onii-chan!”

Natsu, who came into a halt in front of Hinata, suddenly burst out loudly with an index finger raised.

“Unboiled water!”

After a moment, he said, “I won’t drink it!”

“Inside of your pocket!”

“No valuables should be stored!”

“When you’re in a crowd!”

“Be aware of pickpockets!”

“You passed!” A Q&A for Brazil.

“Your sister is more reliable,” Yamaguchi laughed at Natsu-chan’s enthusiasm.

“Come here,” Hinata’s mother gently reached out for her hand. “Don’t disturb them, Natsu.
Everyone came all the way here.”

“I’m not disturbing them!”

A mist of tenderness engulfed me at the cuteness of Natsu’s puffed out cheeks. That being said, I’m
worried about teachers. If they don’t arrive soon, they won’t be able to see Hinata off in time.

“Onii-chan, where’s Tobio?”

“He isn’t coming. He chose the Olympics game over me.”

With the Hinata siblings in my peripheral vision, I softly called out to Tsukishima-kun, “hey…”
“Yes?”

“The time, is it still alright?”

And just by that, Tsukishima-kun seemed to realise that I was referring to the teachers. I suppose
that everyone shared the same thoughts.

“If push comes to shove, let’s make Hinata chase after his bus.”

I could clearly imagine Hinata running after his departing bus. Much like Spiderman, he might as well
just jump on top of its roof. However…

“If Hinata chases it down in a crowded place like this, he’ll get hurt!”

After seriously believing it, Tsukishima-kun looked at me in amazement.

“This won’t be the last goodbye, so you can contact him as much as you want.”

How rational.

This was the coolness of Tsukishima-kun.

Of course I knew that in my head. We can contact each other from anywhere, even at the bus or at
the airport, and of course we can email after arriving in Brazil, and maybe even from the plane if
there was any Wi-Fi.

However, as I considered the grand distance between us and Hinata, I think that it would be better
to be sent off properly by our teachers.

And so, we heard the staff announcement overhead.

“Passengers travelling to Narita Airport.”

Natsu-chan whipped her head at Hinata.

“Onii-chan, your bus is leaving!”

“Yeah, but let’s wait a little longer.”

Hinata glanced up at the clock hanging on the wall.

My eyes also trained themselves onto the door in prayer. All of a sudden, through the glass window,
I could see two figures running across the road. Once they had crossed the traffic light, Coach Ukai
rushed inside.

“Sensei, hurry up!” He yelled out. The eyes of the passengers around us snapped towards the
entrance. Gaining everyone’s attention, a nostalgic Takeda-sensei stepped inside.
“Sensei! Coach!” Hinata jumped into the air, flapping his arms about.

Takede-sensei, who was apologising profusely after bumping from one person to another, fixed his
skewed glasses before kindly greeting us.

“Soon after you guys joined the club…” His orbs soon turned to my direction. “Yachi-san wasn’t there
yet, and Kageyama-kun was present.” Holding his breath, he continued. “That spring, when I saw
your practice match against Aoba Johsai, I thought to myself that ‘something amazing is occurring
here.’”

I saw Tsukishima-kun and Yamaguchi-kun sharing a glance. Smiling, Takeda-sensei continued on with
a small nod.

“There’s a chemical change whenever people meet. When we met at an ordinary volleyball club in a
normal school within the northern countryside, we were able to shift the world on its axis. I’m sure
that right now, the same thing is happening...”

“On the other side of the world.”

It was Tsukishima-kun who spoke out loud. Yamaguchi-kun asked for clarification.

“Eh?”

“You said it after the match, sensei.”

“Oh, did I? As expected of Tsukki….”

I couldn’t help but giggle at the interaction between them. Inside of me was a tinge of
disappointment for not being present at that match.

“Hinata-kun,” sensei called as he faced him. “There will be a lot of encounters that you will have to
face on the other side of the world.”

“...right!”

“As it goes, ‘He who would climb a ladder must begin at the bottom.’ Don’t rush yourself, steadily
build yourself step by step. You have your own path.”

Coach Ukai chuckled when Takeda-sensei took hold of Hinata’s hand.

"I reckon there’s not much more left for me to say. If I must, just eat well, sleep well, and don't be
lazy. That's all."

“Of course!”

Natsu-chan pulled on the side of Hinata’s shirt, who was standing upright. “Onii-chan, hurry!”

“I am!”
“Oh, we’re so sorry! Go ahead and hurry!” While bowing to his mother, Takeda-sensei gently nudged
Hinata’s back. He was reading down on his issued ticket, head shaking in confusion.

“What number was the bus platform again…?”

“Onii-chan, come on!”

“...wouldn’t it be funny if he missed his bus?”

“Tsukki!”

“Hurry along!”

“I apologise! It was our fault!”

Everyone seemed reluctant to share that final goodbye. ‘I want to send you off well, but I also want
to spend a little more time with you.’ I believe that everyone shared the same sentiment.

I stood impatiently in front of Hinata who had started his journey.

I also want to say something…but what can I say?

As Hinata leaves for a purposeful journey, I can hardly find the words to speak… A lot of emotions
surge up within me, one after the other, but none of them felt quite right.

Hinata continues to walk worriedly. Other hurried passengers come closer, and soon, it’ll become an
obstacle.

What should I do, I have to say something, anything, I don’t care anymore…

“Ah, Hinata!”

I managed to call out his name, but what came out felt flat.

“Do your best!”

I wonder why I can only say this much. I wish that I could say something funnier. I wish that I could
help Hinata for all of the times that he’s pushed me forward. But that’s all.

Do your best.

That’s all that I could say. That's all, but as if praying, I clenched my fist tightly and tried once more.

“DO YOUR BEST!”

Suddenly, Hinata swivelled back.

“You too, Yachi-san!”

“Eh, me too?”

Hinata responded to my surprise with a smile. “Of course!”

“...” Of course, it was only natural.

However, hearing that made my heart tremble within me. Hinata had the power to take hold of
those around him, and whenever I was around him, I couldn’t help but move on my own. Before I
realised it, I had my hand raised.

“Of course! Villager B will do their best too!”

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We bid Hinata farewell that night as he departed. We were going to say goodbye for the next two
years.

“I’m off!”

In the end, Hinata headed for his bus, turning around again to wave his hand, and his every jump
looked as if he could fly way, higher up, and further on.

I’m sure that he’ll evolve in Brazil with the people around him. Oh, how I wish I could tell those
Brazilians who have yet to meet him…

Hinata is heading your way now. So sit patiently and prepare yourselves!