Yo! My manager is on leave so ill update for another 4 hours as many as I can. And will continue to update tomorrow as well.
In the future I think it would follow the same pattern. The updates in the weekdays will be very slow but I will make up for it in the weekends.
Well, Actually Im up for appraisal and promotion. I might be becoming an Assistant Manager soon. Fingers crossed.
Thank you guys for you support till now. Please provide power stones if possible.
Checkout my discord where you guys can ask any questions you have for me. - https://discord.gg/J32VcQMu
Also, you can read chapters ahead - patreon.com/BullShiter
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Hinata knew that for Karasuno to truly stand a chance at the grand stage, they needed Nishinoya and Asahi back on the team. Their absence left a gaping hole in Karasuno's defense and offense. Sure, Hinata was an powerful player, but he knew that volleyball was a team sport. If they were serious about winning, they needed their libero and their ace. Currently he wasn't theirs.
So, he set out to bring them back.
Hinata found Nishinoya sitting under a large tree in the schoolyard, leaning against the trunk with his arms crossed. He looked deep in thought, gazing up at the swaying branches above him. The moment Hinata approached, Nishinoya cracked open one eye and groaned.
"What do you want, shrimp?" Nishinoya asked, closing his eyes again.
Hinata grinned, undeterred by the nickname. "Nishinoya-san, we need you back on the team."
"Tch. You guys seem fine without me."
"Daichi-san said you were the guardian of Karasuno," Hinata said, his voice filled with admiration.
Nishinoya's eyes snapped open. "He said that?"
"Yeah! He called you the heart of our defense, the one who makes the impossible saves!" Hinata leaned in closer. "Without you, we're just a bunch of guys hoping the ball doesn't hit the floor."
Nishinoya sat up, puffing his chest a little. "I mean… that is true."
Hinata saw his chance and decided to go for the finishing blow. He put on his best pleading expression and, with complete sincerity, said:
"Nishinoya-senpai, please join the team as our guardian."
A visible thud echoed in Nishinoya's heart. His body jerked slightly as if an invisible arrow had struck him. His face flushed red as he clutched his chest.
"GAH! You—! You called me Senpai so naturally!" Nishinoya dramatically covered his face with both hands. "You little—! Damn it, that was unfair!"
"So, you'll come back?"
Nishinoya let out a loud sigh before grinning wildly. He shot up to his feet, cracking his knuckles.
"Alright, fine! You convinced me! But don't think it was because of your cute act—it was my duty as Karasuno's libero!"
Hinata laughed. "Of course, of course!"
The moment Nishinoya entered the gym, the entire atmosphere shifted. His chaotic energy was uncontainable.
"ALRIGHT, YOU GUYS!" he bellowed, flipping into a cartwheel before landing with a dramatic pose. "Your guardian has RETURNED!"
The team groaned in playful annoyance.
"Yep, he's back alright," Tanaka muttered.
Hinata grinned. Step one: Complete.
Hinata knew that Asahi would be the harder challenge. Unlike Nishinoya, who could be persuaded with flattery and dramatic flair, Asahi had a mental block.
He found Asahi near the third-year classroom, standing alone by the window. His tall frame was slouched slightly, lost in thought.
"Asahi-senpai!" Hinata called out.
Asahi turned, blinking in confusion. "Who…?"
"I'm Hinata from the volleyball team!"
Asahi sighed, already knowing why Hinata had sought him out. "If it's about coming back… there's no way."
"But why not?" Hinata asked, stepping closer.
Asahi hesitated before exhaling. "You can say that I'm scared now. I don't want to hold back my team again. I still see that wall in front of me, blocking me from the net. Every time I think about stepping back on the court, all I see is that game against Date Tech."
Hinata frowned. "So, all you remember is the block?"
Asahi nodded.
Hinata smiled. "Then what about the beautiful view from up there?"
Asahi's eyes widened.
"You forgot, didn't you? The feeling when you jump, the moment the ball connects with your hand, and you feel its weight as it flies past the blockers." Hinata's voice softened. "I love that feeling. Don't you?"
Asahi swallowed. "I..."
"I want you to come back not just because we need you," Hinata continued. "But because they need you. The second years, the third years... they still see you as their Ace."
Asahi's gaze wavered.
"And don't get me wrong—I want your position as Ace. But right now, Karasuno needs you. I need you. So, let's fight together. From one Ace to another."
Asahi was silent. He looked at Hinata, truly looked at him. There was no mockery in his words, no arrogance—just sincerity.
Hinata turned to leave. "That's all I wanted to say."
As Hinata returned to the gym, he saw only Kageyama practicing serves.
"Where is everyone?" he asked.
"They went to grab their school bags," Kageyama replied. "I grabbed yours."
Hinata raised an eyebrow. "Ora, aren't you helpful?"
"Tch. Don't read too much into it."
Hinata grinned. "C'mon, let's practice some spikes."
The two of them started their routine. Hinata tossed the ball to Kageyama, who set it perfectly. With a swift jump, Hinata spiked it with full force. The ball slammed into the floor, echoing through the empty gym.
Unbeknownst to them, Asahi stood outside the gym, watching.
His fingers clenched around the strap of his bag as he watched Hinata soar through the air. His words echoed in his mind—
"You said you only remember the block… but did you forget the beautiful view from up there?"
He watched as Hinata landed and turned toward Kageyama, his face lit up with joy.
Asahi swallowed hard. His heart pounded.
"I love it too."
Just then, Daichi walked by and noticed him.
"You want to come inside?" Daichi asked, smirking slightly.
Asahi hesitated.
Daichi patted his shoulder. "Come on. The gym still remembers you."
Asahi took a deep breath… and stepped inside.