Unlike back home, classes here ended at 3:30 in the afternoon. The Go-Home Club headed home, those with part-time jobs went to work, and everyone else took part in club activities. After spending the day together, Hayato had gotten fairly close with Tanaka. They were already on a first-name basis.
"Ryu, does the Volleyball Club have many people?"
"There are twelve players in total. A manager joined recently too—a cute girl."
Tanaka counted on his fingers as he answered.
"Hayato, are you there? It's time to go to the Volleyball Club."
Kiyoko's voice came from the doorway. She walked in carrying a sports bag.
"Oh~ I'm all set."
Hayato pulled out his sportswear and flashed a V-sign, then turned to Tanaka.
"Ryu, you go on ahead. I'll change and head over with Kiyoko-senpai."
"Got it. Hurry up, Hayato."
Tanaka smiled at Kiyoko before leaving on his own. Once he was gone, Kiyoko pulled the door shut so Hayato could change in the classroom.
"Looks like you're getting along well. You're already calling each other by your first names."
Standing outside the door, Kiyoko chatted with Hayato as he changed. Knowing she was concerned about him, he answered frankly.
"Ryu's really straightforward. He's easy to get along with."
After changing his pants and while putting on his shirt, Hayato was asked by Kiyoko whether he had brought athletic shoes. Once he confirmed that he had, she fell silent and waited for him.
The door slid open. Already dressed in his sportswear, Hayato slung his sports bag over one shoulder, then casually took Kiyoko's bag and placed it over his other shoulder.
"Hey, you don't have to trouble yourself."
"It's nothing. Carrying Kiyoko-senpai's bag is a job some people would kill for."
Seeing that she could not refuse him, Kiyoko simply let him have his way.
When they reached the women's locker room for the Volleyball Club, they happened to run into Hitoka-chan, the other manager. Unlike Kiyoko's mature, elegant beauty, the 150-centimeter-tall Hitoka was cute and petite. Her slender limbs, narrow shoulders, and adorable face made her unforgettable at first glance.
Hitoka also saw Hayato approaching with Kiyoko. Just as she was about to greet him, she immediately shrank into the timid state of a trembling little rabbit.
"Um... Kiyoko-senpai, who is this?"
"Him? His name is Kuroba Hayato. He's my childhood friend and just transferred here today. He's interested in the Volleyball Club, so he came to take a look. He's a second-year too. Hitoka-chan, don't be scared. He's not a bad person."
As she spoke, Kiyoko patted Hayato's arm, signaling for him to say hello.
Hayato gave her a friendly smile. Combined with his handsome, refined face, it helped Hitoka relax quite a bit.
"Hello, I'm Kuroba Hayato." He held out his hand, intending to shake hands with Hitoka, but she immediately threw herself flat on the floor again.
"I've been rude again! You're a senior too! I'm so sorry for treating you like a suspicious person!"
After a burst of commotion, Kiyoko took Hitoka away. The two beautiful girls went to change, while Hayato had no idea where the Volleyball Club was and could only wait there for them to finish.
"Ah! So he really is over 190 centimeters! I thought so when I saw him walking over with you, Kiyoko-senpai."
After pulling her athletic top over her head, Hitoka exclaimed in amazement. When the two had walked over together, Hayato had stood out like the Sky Tree among the crowd.
"Don't let his height fool you. Back in elementary school, he was shorter than me."
"Have you known him for a long time, Kiyoko-senpai?"
"More or less. We've been neighbors since we were little, and we've known each other since kindergarten. After Hayato graduated elementary school, he went to Tokyo with his father. He only came back recently. Look at that height of his—wouldn't it be a waste if he didn't play volleyball? So I asked whether he wanted to join."
The little tagalong who used to follow behind her had grown up too. Kiyoko could not help marveling at how strange time was. Meanwhile, Hitoka was troubled by a different thought. If Hayato joined the Volleyball Club with that height, what would Hinata think?
Following the two girls after they had changed, Hayato arrived at the gymnasium. The moment they entered, they heard cries of amazement from inside.
A group of boys gathered around. Tanaka had already told them that a 191-centimeter giant was coming to visit the Volleyball Club. Everyone, especially the third-years, had been looking forward to it. They were already in their third year. If they really failed to make it into the tournament this time, only the first- and second-years would remain next year. Aside from the regulars, the other first- and second-year club members were not bad, but they were still a cause for concern.
Now, Hayato's arrival greatly eased their shortage of players. Setting technique and experience aside, height alone was an enormous advantage in volleyball.
"He's so tall~" Hinata's distinctive voice rang out, and Hayato looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar faces before him.
"This is the visitor who came to observe—"
Before Kiyoko could finish, Hayato stepped forward and introduced himself.
"Class 2-1, Kuroba Hayato. Height: 191 centimeters. One year of volleyball experience. Position: Wing Spiker, WS. It's a pleasure to meet you all."
After bowing, Hayato straightened up again and looked excitedly at the boys gathered around him. They would be his teammates from now on.
"191. That's amazing."
The gray-haired Sugawara Kōshi remarked with a smile, while captain Sawamura Daichi patted Azumane Asahi, the boy with stubble on his chin, on the lower back.
"A Wing Spiker, huh? Looks like your strongest rival is about to show up."
"Ha ha, that's true, Asahi."
The short Nishinoya Yuu also laughed as he teased Asahi.
"A Wing Spiker..."
The black-haired Kageyama Tobio stared at Hayato's height and fell silent, as though pondering something.
"Tsukishima, this upperclassman is even taller than you." Tsukishima Kei's friend Yamaguchi Tadashi commented as he looked at Hayato's height.
"Isn't that a good thing? A Wing Spiker that tall joining us would count as an increase in our fighting strength."
The boy called Tsukishima answered somewhat absentmindedly.
Coach Ukai Keishin clapped his hands to get everyone's attention.
"Since we have a newcomer, we'll do a test today. I'm Ukai Keishin, the Volleyball Club's coach. Kuroba-kun, is it okay if we test you next?"
"Of course, Coach!"
Rather than feeling nervous at the thought of being tested, Hayato was eager to give it a try. After half a month of rest and recovery, his body had long since healed. Now that he could touch a volleyball again, he could not have been happier.
"Okay. Since you have one year of volleyball experience, we'll skip the basic tests. Everyone, split into two teams for a practice match. Any objections?"
"No!"
Everyone answered the coach energetically. After careful consideration, Coach Ukai put Hinata, Kageyama, Asahi, Yamaguchi, Nishinoya, and Kinoshita on one team, while Hayato was placed with Tsukishima, Daichi, Sugawara, Tanaka, and Ennoshita.
After warming up with everyone and getting acquainted with the other members, Hayato told them about his hitting habits. The two sides decided who would serve first with rock-paper-scissors.
Hayato stood on the left side of the court with the volleyball in hand, ready to serve.
Feeling the texture of the ball beneath his fingers, Hayato's heart began to race. Then, upon hearing the coach call for the start, he tossed the ball high into the air. He took a few measured steps, leaped, and coiled his entire body like a spring before bringing his arm down with all his strength.
The volleyball shot like lightning into the opposing backcourt, slamming into the floor with a bang for a point.
The speed of that score instantly silenced the entire gymnasium.
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