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Scheweiden Adlers @s.adlersofficial
To celebrate our team’s 30th anniversary, the Adlers’ youngest players, Ushijima Wakatoshi, Hoshiumi Kourai, and Kageyama Tobio play with kitties while answering questions! Link below.
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Schweiden Adlers’ Kageyama Tobio, Hoshiumi Kourai, and Ushijima Wakatoshi play with kittens | The Kitten Interview
997,455 views Jun 18, 2024 #V.League #SchweidenAdlers
To celebrate their team’s 30th anniversary, we invited the three youngest members of Schweiden Adlers to relax and play with the CUTEST kittens while answering questions. So, what’s their favorite memory with the team? What’s the hardest match they’ve played so far? And, more private ones like, do they have a special someone? Watch if you want to find out!
These kittens are available for adoption …more
The video starts with Kageyama Tobio, Schweiden Adlers’ setter, and Hoshiumi Kourai, outside hitter, sitting in front of a pink background in contrast with their white clothes.
“Don’t leave me…”, Kageyama says, with his back to the camera.
“Is she your lover or what?”
TV color bars appear for a second before returning to show both guys. This time, Kageyama is holding a blonde kitten in front of his nose. There are two kittens trying to climb Hoshiumi, but he’s looking around everywhere, searching for something.
“Where’s Ushijima?”
“A meowie peed on him.”
The names of the three men are shown below “The Kitten Interview" and the video returns to Kageyama and Hoshiumi, along with Ushijima, also in a white outfit, but this time in a black and white filter.
“Introduce yourselves," someone says out of camera.
“Should we make a pose?” Hoshiumi asks, making the team’s iconic eagle pose.
Kageyama frowns and does the same. Ushijima keeps seriously looking at the camera.
“Hi, I’m Ushijima Wakatoshi. I’m Schweiden Adlers’ opposite hitter.”
“Hey, I wanted to be first!” Hoshiumi yells, standing up and pointing at Ushijima with his index finger.
“That’s right, don’t get ahead!”
Ushijima looks at them, blinking twice. “Oh, I’m sorry. Should we start again?”
The video turns blurry again before returning to the normal colors. The three of them come into view, this time sitting in the same position beside each other. Kageyama is in the middle, Ushijima at his left, and Hoshiumi on his other side.
“Hi, I’m Hoshiumi Kourai! Adlers’ ace!”
The other two frown but don’t move nor turn to look at him.
“Kageyama Tobio, I’m the setter.”
“Hi, I’m still Ushijima Wakatoshi.”
Hoshiumi takes a glass with milk. There are several toys around them and a couple of plates in front of Ushijima and Hoshiumi.
“You also did our puppy interview last year.”
Kageyama opens his eyes wide and nods firmly. “Yes, I did.”
“Did you?” Hoshiumi asks.
“Yeah, for the JNT with Miya-san.”
“I see…” He looks down at him from above, standing upright on his knees. Kageyama is sitting cross-legged and looking at him with his head tilted, curious. Ushijima looks at something behind the camera.
“Do you have any pets?”
“I have a dog,” Ushijima says; he doesn’t stop staring at the same place, though.
“My partner has a dog, I spend lots of time with him,” Hoshiumi adds.
Kageyama shakes his head, his eyes turning dark for a moment.
Without saying anything else, staff’s hands appear by the sides of the video, and two small cats start walking shyly toward them. Both of them are trembling; the ginger one quickly approaches Ushijima and starts rubbing against his leg. It looks tinier than a hamster between the two tall men.
The other one is brown, and a new one suddenly appears—both slowly go closer to Hoshiumi, who pours a little milk into the saucer. At the same time, a subtitle appears.
Please consult your veterinarian before giving cow’s milk to the kitten. It’s not part of their usual diet.
Kageyama keeps glancing from side to side, his hands gripping his ankles, impatience written all over his face. The ginger one is already settled on Ushijima’s lap, who moves slowly, carefully, as if afraid to scare him away. When his hand comes to rest near the kitten’s little head, it looks like he could cover the entire tiny body with just his palm.
The cat meows at the touch, and a soft smile curves Ushijima’s lips. “How’s it going, little friend?”
Kageyama looks distressed.
Hoshiumi tries to nudge the brown cat toward the milk, while the other one—a black kitten—slips out of the camera’s view, disappearing behind his back. Kageyama reaches out, attempting to bring his hand closer to the one about to taste the milk, but the kitten darts away, quickly retreating to Hoshiumi’s other side.
“Oh! That one doesn’t want to come!” Hoshiumi points out. The other two also glance toward the space behind the camera. The orange kitten is now comfortably settled between Ushijima’s crossed legs.
A hand softly bumps a little blonde kitten towards them. The little animal looks everywhere and takes a few insecure steps. When it stumbles against a mouse plushie almost its size, it starts pawing it.
A beep sounds, and a black rectangle is over Hoshiumi’s mouth. “So… cute.”
“Go for it," Ushijima says, gently nudging at Kageyama.
Kageyama looks utterly fascinated by the kitten in front of him; the toy mouse rests near his knee, so the blond cat brushes against him with its fur as it tries to move the toy. It bumps into Kageyama’s leg a couple of times, and Kageyama’s fingers curl and uncurl over and over again, wanting to touch it but hesitating, unsure.
Hoshiumi raises an eyebrow as he watches him, but his attention quickly shifts back to the brown kitten, its little muzzle getting messy as it drinks the milk.
“How was this year’s V. League season?”
Ushijima furrows his brow, his lips pressing together slightly as the tiny kitten bites at his finger, yet he doesn’t even try to pull it away.
“We did really well. It’s disappointing to have lost the final. Frustrating, even,” he explains, sounding more like he's giving a press conference than an interview for YouTube while petting a kitten.
Kageyama stops trying to summon the cat with his eyes and lets out a low growl.
“Next time, though…”
“We’re kicking thei…” Another beep and the rectangle is back to Hoshiumi’s mouth.
The video turns black and white again after a short beep sound.
Hoshiumi clicks his tongue softly and reaches for Kageyama’s hand when he’s about to pull it away again.
“Here,” he says, guiding him. “Stick your index finger out.”
Kageyama does as he’s told, a little stiff, his finger extended and hovering in the air. Hoshiumi wraps a firm hand around his wrist, tilting it downward toward the blond kitten curled in front of them.
“Don’t poke him,” Hoshiumi instructs, voice low but amused. “Let him come to you.”
The camera catches the way Kageyama swallows, eyes fixed on the tiny creature. His hand trembles slightly as Hoshiumi nudges it closer, close enough that the kitten can notice.
Nothing happens for a moment. The three of them look expectantly at Kageyama’s finger. The ginger kitten stops biting Ushijima's finger and looks in Kageyama’s direction too before curling up. The brown cat starts meowing at Hoshiumi, muzzle covered in milk.
Then the kitten lifts its head, sniffs the air, and pads forward. It brushes its cheek against Kageyama’s finger, soft fur dragging over his skin. The blonde kitten chirps and rubs again, tail flicking as it presses closer, clearly pleased.
The clip turns colorful again.
Kageyama exhales, something between a laugh and a stunned breath, his fingers finally relaxing. He doesn’t pull away when the kitten nudges into his hand, when it turns the tentative touch into a clumsy little game, batting at his finger and then rubbing against it once more. It catches the attention of the black cat, which rubs itself on the side of his body before continuing its walking.
Hoshiumi grins, hands on his waist, satisfied.
“See?” he says. “He likes you.”
Off to the side, Ushijima glances over briefly, one hand absently stroking the ginger kitten in his lap.
“Hmm, it’s like the technique of the guy from How to Train Your Dragon." Ushijima looks up with a thoughtful expression. “Although the dragon’s pretty much like a cat.”
"Oh?" Hoshiumi's eyes widen. “I never thought you were into animated films.”
“It’s a good movie with a meaningful message that is easy to understand.”
Kageyama still looks impossibly happy, frozen like stone so the kittens won’t wander off. The blond one is determinedly climbing up his chest, while the black kitten sharpens its claws against his jeans.
“Man, why you look like you’re gonna cry?” Hoshiumi says, teasing the brown cat with a feather wand.
“I’m not,” Kageyama sniffles. “It’s just that, for some reason, animals usually hate me." His lips tremble, and his face wrinkles up.
“Surely your face scares them.”
“You’re good with animals, aren’t you?”
Hoshiumi straightens up, chest puffed out, and nods proudly.
“My boyfriend’s a vet. My skills in mastering pets have improved a lot.”
Ushijima lifts the orange kitten under its tiny armpits and nudges it toward Kageyama.
“Try this one too,” he says, grinning. “He’s energetic but gentle… and adorable.” He coughs, avoiding his gaze for a moment.
Kageyama cradles the blond kitten carefully against his chest with one hand and tries once more to use his finger trick with the other. But the kitten darts too quickly and bumps into his finger, meowing loudly.
It wriggles in Ushijima’s arms, and he pulls it closer to his chest, just in time for the little one to pee.
Kageyama freezes, eyes wide, cheeks burning, while Ushijima has no reaction.
“Did he…?”
“Yes.”
The video cuts, and the two youngest are alone with the four cats. Kageyama is holding the blonde kitten in front of his nose. He looks comfortable now with the kitten pawing his nose. Now the black and ginger kittens are trying to climb Hoshiumi; the brown one is fighting and losing against a spinning bee cat toy. Hoshiumi’s looking around everywhere.
“Where’s Ushijima?”
“A meowie peed on him.”
“A meowie,” the camera catches Hoshiumi’s whisper. “Are you four?”
“Many toddlers usually go for Ushijima-senshu’s sign after matches. Would you say he has a heart of gold?”
“Pff. He’s a secret softie!” The black kitten tries to catch the ginger one, who’s trying to catch Hoshiumi’s hand. “Not so secret, maybe.”
“Who’s the weakest when it comes to cute eyes?”
“Romero. Absolutely.”
Kageyama finally looks at the interviewer behind the camera. He nods, and the kitty tilts his head as well.
“He’s like a kinder version of my older sister. It’s like a proud big brother.”
“I bet he’s the kind of sweet husband that gives in to anything his wife says. Or for his son’s puppy eyes.”
“I mean, he usually falls for yours, Hoshiumi-san.”
Hoshiumi makes a satisfied little grin, and the screen flashes a photo of him receiving a pat on the head from Romero during a match. The scene shifts, zooming in on the kittens as they wobble on unsteady legs, tumble over each other, and bat at anything in reach.
The camera lingers long enough to catch a tiny orange paw flopping over a black one, with the Gotcha! written in Arial. The image abruptly cuts, snapping back to the video.
Ushijima’s back on the scene wearing a new peach-colored shirt that contrasts with the other ones’ white tees. The ginger kitten already rubbing against his leg, and the black trying to climb his other leg.
“So, Hoshiumi-senshu’s been really open about it, but do Kageyama-senshu and Ushijima-senshu have someone special?”
Kageyama holds the kitten in front of his face again. He huffs, shaking the kitten’s fur off as it licks him.
“Someone especially annoying…”
Ushijima and Hoshiumi look at him at the same time, both with the same curious expressions. Ushijima squints and hums.
“I guess I got my best friend. He’s in France right now, but he’s someone really special to me,” he says seriously, but his attention soon returns to the kittens.
“You guys are so boring. I’m sure that’s not what they want to know.” You’re right! is shown on the screen as if the black kitten were the one saying it. “I know you got it!”
The black kitty steps in the milk, and Ushijima and Kageyama try to reach the plate before it spills. The silence stretches for a few seconds. Hoshiumi looks from one side to the other, waiting. The black kitten leaves tiny milk pawprints across the floor while Ushijima calmly lifts the saucer away.
Kageyama pretends to be extremely busy, letting the blond kitten chew on the string of his hoodie.
Hoshiumi exhales through his nose. On screen, a big text appears: Thanks for trying, Hoshiumi-senshu!
Someone clears their throat from behind the camera.
“What’s the hardest match you’ve played so far?”
“Easy,” Hoshiumi says immediately, straightening up. "BJ, when Hinata Sh-”
Kageyama cuts him off, abruptly leaning forward and startling the three kittens on screen. “But we’re definitely beating them next time! For sure!” The orange kitty shakes its body while biting Kageyama.
“Hey! I was-”
“That’s right." Ushijima’s face remains stoic, but his left hand softly brushes the brown kitten’s fur. “Next season, the strongest rival will be us.”
Hoshiumi’s grin widens, and he jumps to his feet. “That’s for sure.”
The video cuts to a close-up of the black kitten walking back, its little paws now free of any milk. Good as new! the caption reads.
“You’ve all been with the team for a while now. Do you have a favorite moment since joining the Schweiden Adlers?”
Kageyama stops scratching the blonde kitten’s head. The kitten rams into Kageyama’s arm. (On screen: Pay attention to me!) The setter, however, looks toward the camera with bright, shining eyes.
“Last year’s New Year’s party! When Ushijima-san gets drunk, he-”
Ushijima’s hand clamps over Kageyama’s mouth in a single swift motion, startling the kittens and sending them scattering.
The video abruptly cuts to a rapid series of lethal slap GIFs.
“Kageyama!?” Hoshiumi shouts somewhere in the background as the image refocuses on Kageyama sprawled across the floor.
A caption in glittery font appears at the bottom of the screen: The caress of a spiker with the power for a 130 km/h hit. Be aware.
The video turns black and white. Ushijima and Hoshiumi hover over Kageyama, the left-handed spiker’s face gloomy and the shorter one looking on the verge of hysterical laughter and concerned at the same time.
“You just ruined one of the best faces of the V. League, Ushijima!”
All the kittens surround Kageyama's reclining head. Ushijima stops the blond kitten from hitting the semi-conscious boy with its paw and sighs. “He appears to have died happy, though.”
The image becomes static for a couple of seconds before coming back to the pink set with only two of the players on screen. The kittens fight against each other in the place left by Kageyama.
“Aaaand, that’s why we don’t talk about Ushijima and alcohol.”
Wisely, Ushijima remains in silence and doesn’t add anything else to agree or deny the information. Emojis with raised eyebrows appear on screen, and someone behind the camera says something unintelligible.
“Maybe next time you should invite him to Truth or Drink and see it by yourself!” Hoshiumi answers.
Ushijima side-eyes him, but Hoshiumi’s attention is back on the black kitten that bites his knee. Well thought, Hoshiumi-senshu!
Finally, the three of them are back in the video after a quick cut. Kageyama seems to be fine, except that his nose looks a little red. The blond kitten is back in his arms, and the only one visible nearby is the orange kitten, scratching against the floor.
Ushijima takes the initiative and waves goodbye. “Thanks for having us today to celebrate our team’s 30th anniversary,” he says robotically, as if he practiced the same line many times.
“Please support Schweiden Adlers next season, too. We’re definitely taking the first place this time!” Hoshiumi declares.
The video falls silent for a moment, with no added sound effects or background music. Three dots appear on screen as a caption, slowly blinking. After a few seconds pass with nothing happening, both spikers turn to look at Kageyama, who remains focused on cooing at the kitten in his arms, oblivious to the stares directed at him.
“Ahem.”
Nothing.
Hoshiumi gives up first and starts talking at the same time Ushijima shakes Kageyama’s shoulder.
“All the meowies,” he points at the little animal in Kageyama’s arms, “you saw us playing with today are adoptable. Help them find a home!”
Ushijima nods. Both make a bow and look at Kageyama again, but he keeps playing with the blonde kitten. Hoshiumi shrugs, and the video turns black for less than a second before showing them again in black and white, this time Ushijima leaving and a member of the staff taking one of the kittens away.
“We’re leaving now, Kageyama,” Hoshiumi hurries Kageyama, who looks up at him in panic and pain.
“Already?”
Hoshiumi grimaces and hums. “You know, you can adopt one too. This little one seems to like you.”
One last caption shows under the image of Kageyama’s glowing face. Genius!
The video turns black.
Scheweiden Adlers @s.adlersofficial
Say hello to Scheweiden Adlers’ new member, Kageyama Milk!
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JNT Official @japanationalvolley
In case you missed it, watch here: Japan’s top setters Miya Atsumu and Kageyama Tobio play with puppies | The Puppy Interview (YouTube)
99 replies 1,1K retweets 6K likes
Ninja Shoyo 🌞 @shoyohinata
I WANNA PLAY WITH PUPPIES TOO!!
6 replies 287 retweets 500 likes
THE little GIANT @littlegiantkourai
Or u can truth or drink with ushijima next time HAHA
2 replies 2 retweets 33 likes