Hayato's calm words only made Hinata more excited. Unable to hold back, Hinata bolted ahead.
"You idiot, running off again!" Kageyama shouted, sprinting after him.
Yamaguchi sighed. "Hinata and Kageyama's daily routine feels like a spinal reflex—they never think."
"Just like bugs," Tsukishima added dryly.
That earned laughs from Tanaka and Nishinoya.
But Hinata, rushing to the doorway, collided head-on with someone. The stranger wore a yellow jacket with "Jozenji High School" printed on the back. With messy blond hair and a carefree grin, the guy turned—Terushima Yūji, Jozenji's captain.
Noticing Hinata, Terushima reached out to ruffle his hair.
"Oh, isn't this the little shorty I met before? Good luck in our first match today. And Kuroha-kun behind you, too~"
He even waved past Hinata and Kageyama toward Hayato.
Karasuno's first opponent was already decided—Jozenji. Hayato, hungry for a challenge, had been waiting for this. He gave a slight nod in return.
Tanaka and Nishinoya, however, bristled, ready to pick a fight. Ennoshita quickly grabbed their collars before they could charge. Everyone on the team already knew what kind of guy Terushima was—the one who once flirted shamelessly with Kiyoko.
Even though Kiyoko was openly with Hayato now, everyone still respected her deeply as their manager. Just the thought of Jozenji's captain hitting on her had them all simmering with anger.
"They dared to hit on our manager… We'll teach them a good lesson on the court," Daichi said with a calm smile that didn't match the sharp edge in his tone.
The rest of Karasuno nodded in unison.
Once Jozenji walked into the gym, Daichi clapped his hands.
"Defeat everyone. Advance to Nationals. Oh oh oh oh!"
"OOOH!" Hinata and Kageyama echoed as they ran inside. The rest of the team followed, each one carrying a quiet fire within them.
–––
The moment Karasuno entered the gymnasium in their trademark black jackets, eyes turned toward them.
"That's Karasuno… the tall one is their new ace, Hayato Kuroha."
"They're the ones who beat Kakugawa's two-meter giant, right? They look tough."
"Oh~ look at that shaved head, scary."
"I heard they've got a short middle blocker who runs fast and jumps ridiculously high."
Whispers spread through the gym. Since breaking into the selection tournament, Karasuno—and especially Hayato—had become the focus of many teams. With a serve comparable to Ushijima's and all-around ability, Hayato was now seen as a real threat.
The team quietly moved to their resting area. Pads were strapped, fingers taped, sprays pulled out. Each of them focused on their routine.
As usual, Hinata made a dash for the restroom. That's when it happened.
"What are you doing?"
A familiar voice startled him. Turning, Hinata froze—Oikawa Tooru and Iwaizumi from Aoba Johsai were standing there.
"G-G-Great King! Aoba Johsai's ace…" Hinata stammered.
Iwaizumi, however, smiled. "I heard you guys beat that two-meter tall opponent. Impressive. And your club got a new member too… Hayato Kuroha, right? Saw his profile."
"Tsk. As if Karasuno wasn't troublesome enough already," Oikawa muttered, narrowing his eyes. Then he smirked. "Hey, why don't we take advantage of this little shorty being alone and bury him somewhere?"
"Eek!" Hinata yelped, darting away.
Unfortunately, he ran straight into another figure—Shiratorizawa's ace, Ushijima Wakatoshi.
"Hinata Shoyo," Ushijima said flatly, his eyes steady. Then his gaze shifted. "Oikawa. Iwaizumi."
The two Aoba Johsai players immediately scowled.
"Why do we always run into this guy?" Oikawa muttered.
"Who knows," Iwaizumi grumbled.
"This is your last big tournament in high school. I wish you good results," Ushijima said calmly.
His tone was sincere, but with his emotionless face, it came across as pure arrogance. Oikawa's vein twitched.
"I'm filled with rage."
"We're not done yet! We'll advance to Nationals!" Iwaizumi growled beside him.
"But only one team can advance," Ushijima replied simply, as if Shiratorizawa's victory was already a foregone conclusion.
"I know he's not mocking us," Oikawa muttered through clenched teeth. "But why does it make me so angry?"
The air between them grew tense.
Then, Hinata blurted out, trembling but determined: "Th-the winner will be us, Karasuno!"
Immediately, all three pairs of eyes locked onto him. Hinata shrank back—only to feel a hand rest on his shoulder.
"Hey, hey. Don't bully my cute junior."
Hayato had arrived.
"Hayato-senpai~!" Hinata cried in relief, hiding behind him.
"Oh, so you're the new guy?" Oikawa clicked his tongue, sizing Hayato up. "You're tall, I'll give you that. I've seen your matches. Good, but you've still got a long way to go to beat Aoba Johsai."
Ushijima, however, stared at Hayato in silence before speaking.
"Hayato Kuroha, Karasuno's new ace. From your matches, you are strong. But I am stronger."
His words, said like a fact, made Hayato's blood boil.
"Hoh~ As expected of one of the nation's top three. Confident, aren't you? But what makes you so sure you'll win?"
The air crackled as Hayato met Ushijima's gaze head-on.
Before the tension could escalate, another tall figure appeared—Aone from Date Tech. Standing over 190 cm, he towered like a silent wall. Compared to him, Hinata looked like a squirrel lost in a forest.
"Hey, isn't that Ushiwaka from Shiratorizawa?"
"Oikawa and Iwaizumi too!"
"Karasuno's here as well—the ones who beat the two-meter giant!"
"And Date Tech's iron wall. All the powerhouses gathered in one place?"
Voices rose around them.
Not interested in lingering, Ushijima spoke once more.
"No matter who it is, I accept the challenge."
With that, he turned and left. Oikawa and Iwaizumi followed soon after, with Oikawa throwing a final, "See you on the court."
Aone bowed politely to Hayato and Hinata before leaving as well.
"Whoa… that was tense," Hinata exhaled.
Hayato chuckled, patting his head. "Shoyo, finish up quick and head back. We're going to win our first match beautifully. Let's show them Karasuno's strength."
Hinata looked at his senpai's face, burning with fierce determination.
"Yes!"
–––
Back in the resting area, Hinata barely sat down before the third-years called him over. They had noticed Hayato's changed aura the moment he returned. Curious, they asked what had happened.
Hinata told them about running into Ushijima and Oikawa.
"No wonder Hayato feels different now," Sugawara said, glancing at Hayato. He was calmly asking Kiyoko for tape, but the aura around him was like a drawn sword—sharp, dangerous, yet captivating.
"Well," Daichi said with a smile, "our juniors are fired up. We can't lose to them either."
"Right!" Asahi added, slapping his own cheeks to psych himself up.
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