Classes at Karasuno ended around 3:30 PM. Students without club activities went home, those with part-time jobs headed to work, and the rest stayed behind for their clubs. After just one day, Hayato had already grown close enough to Tanaka that they were calling each other by their first names.
"Ryu, are there a lot of members in the Volleyball Club?" Hayato asked curiously.
"There are twelve players in total," Tanaka replied, counting on his fingers. "And we just got a new manager—she's super cute, too."
Just then, a voice called out from the doorway.
"Hayato, you ready? It's time for club."
Kiyoko walked in, carrying her sports bag over her shoulder.
"Oh—yep, all set."
Hayato grabbed his sportswear and flashed a V-sign, then turned to Tanaka.
"Ryu, you go on ahead. I'll change and walk over with Kiyoko-nee."
"Got it. Don't take too long!" Tanaka grinned at Kiyoko before heading off.
Once he left, Kiyoko quietly closed the door behind her, giving Hayato some privacy to change.
"Seems like you're getting along pretty well. On a first-name basis already?" she teased through the door.
"Ryu's got a straightforward personality. He's easy to get along with," Hayato replied while changing.
After he slipped on his pants and buttoned his shirt, Kiyoko asked if he'd brought his sports shoes. Once he confirmed, she waited patiently for him to finish.
The door opened, and Hayato stepped out in full sportswear, slinging his bag over one shoulder. Without a word, he reached over and took Kiyoko's bag too, carrying both.
"You really don't have to," she said.
"What's the big deal? Carrying Kiyoko-nee's bag is something most guys would dream of."
Seeing he wasn't going to back down, Kiyoko just let him.
As they walked past the girls' changing room, they ran into Hitoka Yachi. Unlike Kiyoko's cool, elegant beauty, Hitoka was small—only about 150 cm—and adorably cute. Her slim frame, delicate shoulders, and innocent face made her instantly memorable.
She spotted Hayato walking with Kiyoko, and just as she was about to greet him, she froze, flustered.
"Um... K-Kiyoko-senpai, who's this?"
"This is Hayato Kuroha," Kiyoko introduced. "He's my childhood friend. He transferred in today and wants to check out the Volleyball Club. He's a second-year, just like you. Don't worry, Hitoka-chan—he's not scary."
She gave Hayato a little nudge, signaling him to say hello.
Hayato smiled gently and extended his hand. His handsome features and relaxed vibe made Hitoka instantly less nervous.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Hayato Kuroha."
To his surprise, Hitoka bowed deeply in panic.
"I-I'm so sorry! I didn't know you were a second-year! I treated you like a stranger—how rude of me!"
Flustered, she was gently ushered away by Kiyoko. As the girls went off to change, Hayato stayed behind to wait, unsure where the gym was.
Inside the changing room, Hitoka tugged her top over her head, still thinking about the tall boy from earlier.
"Is he really over 190 cm? I thought so when I saw him next to Kiyoko-senpai."
Hayato had towered over everyone like the Tokyo Skytree.
"Don't be fooled by how tall he is now," Kiyoko replied. "Back in elementary school, he was shorter than me."
"You've known him that long?"
"Yeah, we've been neighbors since we were little. Kindergarten, even. But after elementary school, he moved to Tokyo with his dad. He just moved back recently. I asked if he wanted to try out for the club—look at him. That height's just asking to be used for Volleyball."
Kiyoko felt a wave of nostalgia. The clingy little boy from years ago had grown into a tall, confident young man.
Meanwhile, Hitoka was quietly panicking. What's Hinata-kun going to think? she wondered. A new guy with that kind of height joining the club...
When the two girls arrived at the gym, a wave of excited chatter erupted.
Tanaka had already spread the word: a 191 cm transfer student was coming to check out the team. The third-years especially were excited. It was their last shot at Nationals, and while the younger members had potential, the team still lacked the depth it needed. A tall new player could be a game-changer.
"So tall~" came a familiar, energetic voice—Hinata's.
Before Kiyoko could introduce him, Hayato stepped forward.
"Class 2-1. Hayato Kuroha. Height: 191 cm. I have one year of experience and play as a Wing Spiker. Nice to meet you all."
He gave a quick bow, then looked around at the team—his future teammates.
"191 cm, huh? That's awesome," said Sugawara, smiling.
Captain Daichi clapped a hand on Azumane Asahi's back. "Watch out, Asahi. Looks like your competition just arrived."
Nishinoya grinned. "Heh, yeah. Another Wing Spiker, huh?"
Kageyama Tobio said nothing, simply eyeing Hayato's height with silent calculation.
"Tsuki, he's taller than you," Yamaguchi commented.
Tsukishima gave a lazy shrug. "Cool. He'll boost our firepower."
Coach Ukai clapped his hands. "Alright! Since we've got a new guest, let's have a practice match. I'm Ukai Keishin, coach of the Karasuno Volleyball Club. Kuroha-kun, you up for a little test?"
"Absolutely, Coach."
Hayato's eyes sparkled. After half a month of rest, he was itching to hit the court again.
"Perfect. We'll skip the fundamentals. Let's do a 6-on-6. Any objections?"
"No, Coach!" the team replied in unison.
Ukai split the players into two teams. Team A: Hinata, Kageyama, Azumane, Yamaguchi, Nishinoya, and Kinoshita. Team B: Hayato, Tsukishima, Sawamura, Sugawara, Tanaka, and Ennoshita.
As they warmed up, Hayato took a moment to explain his attacking habits. Once everyone was ready, they decided the serve order with rock-paper-scissors.
Hayato stepped onto the left side of the court, volleyball in hand.
He ran his fingers over the ball's surface, his heart pounding with excitement. When the whistle blew, he tossed it high into the air, took a few quick steps, and leapt.
His body coiled and exploded with power as he swung—
BOOM.
The ball rocketed across the net like lightning, slamming into the far backcourt. A clean point.
The entire gym went silent.