The morning sun rose over the quiet training camp town, its golden rays creeping through the curtains of the shared room. Hinata stretched, letting out a small yawn as he sat up. Across the room, Kageyama was already lacing his running shoes, brows furrowed in that usual intense expression.
"You up?" Kageyama asked, voice low but firm.
Hinata grinned and nodded. "Yeah. Let's go for a run."
The two slipped out quietly, the camp still mostly asleep. The morning air was crisp, cool against their skin, and the rhythmic sound of their sneakers hitting pavement echoed through the silent roads. After a few minutes, the path started to incline slightly.
"Hey…" Hinata slowed his pace, eyes scanning the bend in the road ahead. A vague sense of déjà vu washed over him.
Kageyama glanced at him. "What?"
"Nothing" Hinata said, a grin creeping on his face.
As they rounded the corner, there he was—just as Hinata had remembered. A boy with messy blonde hair sat on the roadside, his back against a low fence. A orange cat curled beside him as he tapped away on a handheld game console, completely absorbed.
Kageyama blinked. "Huh? What is he doing?"
"Let's talk to him," Hinata said, ignoring the confused setter.
As they approached, the boy looked up slowly. His golden eyes were unreadable, calm but slightly wary.
"Hey," Hinata called out casually. "You okay? What're you doing out here?"
The boy hesitated before speaking. "I'm… lost."
"You're not from around here?" Hinata asked, crouching beside him.
The boy shook his head. "Hm."
Kageyama, ever observant, glanced at the worn duffel bag beside him. Volleyball shoes peeked out from the zipper. "You play volleyball?"
"Yeah," the boy replied simply.
"Do you like volleyball?" Hinata asked curiously.
"I don't love it or hate it," the boy said, fingers still playing with the console buttons. "I just… play."
Kageyama narrowed his eyes. "What position?"
"Setter."
That single word changed everything. Kageyama visibly tensed. The air around him shifted, brimming with competitive energy.
"…What's with him?" the boy asked, eyeing Kageyama like he was a ticking bomb.
"Don't mind him," Hinata said quickly. "He's just… very competitive. He's also a setter."
"I see," the boy murmured.
"Is your school strong?" Hinata asked.
"We were weak before," the boy said, his voice almost playful. His eyes narrowed, glinting like a cat's. "But now we're pretty strong."
Just as Hinata was about to ask which school he played for—
"Kenma! Oi, Kenma!"
A tall figure with a lazy smile and sharp eyes approached from up the road, waving. The boy stood up without a word.
"That's Kuroo," Kenma said. He glanced back at Hinata and Kageyama. "See you later… Shoyo, Kageyama."
Kageyama still looked like he was internally revving up for a setter showdown.
"Chill out," Hinata said, bumping his shoulder. "Save the spirit for the match."
The rest of the day was packed with warmups and exercises. The team returned to Karasuno's school gym to make full use of the facilities. Coach Ukai ran them through high-paced drills—reception, footwork, blocking simulations—and had everyone working up a sweat. Tomorrow, the real test began.
The following morning, excitement buzzed through the air.
As they assembled in the gym, a large cardboard box was brought out. Daichi cut it open and pulled out neatly folded uniforms. Classic black with bold orange linings. Numbers printed in crisp white.
"HOLY CRAP!" Tanaka shouted, holding up his jersey.
Nishinoya beamed like a kid on his birthday. "YESSSSS!". Showing off his libero jersey.
Hinata's heart thumped as he pulled out his own. The number 10 shone proudly on the back. It felt right. There was no reason to change it.
He grinned to himself. This is it. This time… I'll soar even higher.
Ukai gathered them in a semi-circle. "Tomorrow's practice match is with Nekoma. They're known for having one of the best defenses in high school volleyball. Fast, reactive, relentless. Especially their libero—Yaku. He's a beast."
The team listened intently as Ukai drew diagrams and shared clips from old games.
"We'll need to outpace them. Focus on speed, quicks, and unpredictable shots."
Hinata nodded, already visualizing the court in his mind.
Match day arrived.
Karasuno's team walked into the gym assigned for the scrimmage, buzzing with nerves and energy. On the opposite side, Nekoma filed in—red and black uniforms, calm but focused.
As Hinata scanned the group, his eyes landed on Kenma.
He waved. "Yo!"
Kenma looked up from his phone, nodding slightly. "Hey."
Kageyama marched up beside Hinata, still radiating that intense setter aura. "So you are from Nekoma."
Kenma looked unimpressed. "You just realized that?"
Before anything else could be said—
"HEY HEY HEY! What're you two doing with our setter?" a loud voice boomed.
Hinata turned just in time to see a muscular guy with short blondish-brown hair and a fiery aura charging toward them.
This guy…
Just as suddenly, Tanaka appeared beside Hinata, fists clenched. "And what are you doing with our first-year?! Looking like some punk!"
Hinata blinked. Are they... twins separated at birth?
Even their expressions—scrunched faces, evil grins, narrowed eyes—were identical.
"Nanda, korraa?!" Yamamoto growled.
"Wanna fight?! Come on, city boy!" Tanaka challenged, forehead pressed to Yamamoto's.
Imaginary flames blazed between them. Everyone paused, stunned by the absurd standoff.
Sugawara walked over casually. "Of course we're going to fight. We've got a match. Also… Tanaka, stop calling him 'city boy.' It's not cool."
Tanaka froze. A chill ran down his spine. "Yes, Suga-san."
On the other side, Yaku sighed and smacked Yamamoto on the head. "Stop picking fights. You look like an idiot."
"Sorry," Yamamoto muttered.
Both teams shook off the tension just in time for the true showstopper to arrive—Shimizu Kiyoko.
The doors opened, wind sweeping dramatically through her hair as she stepped in, clipboard in hand.
Yamamoto's jaw dropped. "K-Karasuno has a… female manager…?!"
He froze mid-step, eyes sparkling.
Tanaka whispered, "Hands off, punk."
The coaches gathered near the ref's table.
Ukai greeted the familiar faces. "Naoi-san. Nekomata-sensei."
Naoi grinned. "Yo, still haven't done anything about that bird's nest on your head, huh?"
"Still got that dumb scarf, I see," Ukai shot back.
"Good to see the kids are fired up," Nekomata chuckled. "Let's give them a good match."
Both teams huddled near the court. Daichi gave his usual captain's pep talk. "Let's keep the energy high. Play smart, play fast. Watch their libero and their counters."
Kuroo led Nekoma's huddle. "Let's tangle with our old rivals properly this time. They've changed… so let's see what kind of team they've become."
In the stands, the Karasuno neighborhood team—Makoto Shimada, Yūsuke Takinoue, Uchizawa, Mori—cheered from the benches, clapping and waving.
"Let's go, Karasuno!"
The umpire stood tall, whistle in hand.
"Match between Karasuno and Nekoma—begin!"