Welcome to Karasuno High Volleyball Club

Unlike the domestic curriculum, classes here ended by 3:30 in the afternoon. The Go-Home Club members went home, those with part-time jobs headed to work, and the rest stayed for club activities. After a full day together, Hayato had gotten pretty chummy with Tanaka—they were already on a first-name basis.

"Ryu, how many people are in the Volleyball Club?"

"Twelve players total. We just got a new manager recently—a cute girl."

Tanaka counted on his fingers as he answered.

"Hayato, you there? Time to head to the Volleyball Club."

Kiyoko's voice came from the doorway. She walked in carrying a sports bag.

"Oh—ready for anything."

Hayato pulled out his gym uniform and flashed a V-sign, then turned to Tanaka.

"Ryu, go ahead. I'll change and come with Kiyoko-senpai."

"Got it. Hurry up, Hayato."

Tanaka shot Kiyoko a smile and left on his own. After he was gone, Kiyoko slid the door shut so Hayato could change in the classroom.

"Looks like you're getting along well. Already on a first-name basis."

Standing outside the door, Kiyoko chatted with Hayato as he changed. Knowing she was just looking out for him, Hayato answered readily.

"Ryu's straightforward—easy to get along with."

After swapping his pants, Hayato was pulling on his shirt when Kiyoko asked if he'd brought his athletic shoes. He said yes, and she fell silent, waiting patiently for him.

The door slid open. Hayato, now in his gym clothes, slung his sports bag over one shoulder and casually took Kiyoko's bag from her hand, draping it over the other.

"Hey, you don't have to bother."

"It's nothing. Carrying your bag for you, Kiyoko-senpai—this is a job some people would kill for."

Seeing she couldn't refuse, Kiyoko let him have his way.

When they reached the girls' changing room for the Volleyball Club, they ran into Hitoka-chan, also a manager. Unlike Kiyoko's refined, intellectual beauty, Hitoka—only 150 cm tall—was the cute, petite type. Her slender limbs, fragile shoulders, and adorable face made her unforgettable at first glance.

Hitoka spotted Hayato walking alongside Kiyoko. She started to greet him, then instantly turned into a trembling little rabbit.

"U-um, Kiyoko-senpai, who's this?"

"Him? His name is Kuroba Hayato. He's my childhood friend. He just transferred here today and he's interested in the Volleyball Club, so he's here to observe. He's a second-year. Hitoka-chan, don't be scared—he's not a bad person."

With that, Kiyoko patted Hayato's arm, signaling him to say hello.

Hayato offered a gentle smile. With his clean-cut features, it put Hitoka noticeably at ease.

"Hello, I'm Kuroba Hayato." He extended his hand for a handshake, but Hitoka immediately bowed deeply again.

"How rude of me again! You're a senior, and I mistook you for a suspicious person—I'm so sorry!"

After the commotion died down, Kiyoko took Hitoka away. The two beautiful girls went to change, while Hayato, having no idea where the gym was, waited for them to finish.

"Wow! He's definitely over 190, isn't he? I thought so the moment he walked over with you, Kiyoko-senpai."

Hitoka gasped as she pulled her gym top over her head. When the two of them had walked over together, Hayato had stood out like a Sky Tree among sparrows.

"Don't let his height fool you. In elementary school, he was shorter than me."

"Have you known him long, Kiyoko-senpai?"

"Pretty much. We've been neighbors since we were kids—known each other since kindergarten. Then Hayato moved to Tokyo with his father after elementary school. He only just came back. Look at his height—wouldn't it be a waste if he didn't play volleyball? So I asked him if he wanted to join."

The little tagalong who used to trail behind her had grown up. Kiyoko marveled at the passage of time. Meanwhile, Hitoka was worrying about something else: with Hayato's height, if he joined the Volleyball Club, what would Hinata-kun think?

Following the two girls after they'd changed, Hayato entered the gymnasium. The moment he stepped inside, exclamations rang out.

A group of boys gathered around. Tanaka had already told them a 191 cm tall guy was coming to observe the Volleyball Club. Everyone—especially the third-years—was excited. This was their last year. If they didn't make it into the tournament this time, next year there would only be first- and second-years left. And aside from the regular starters, the underclassmen, while not bad, were still a worry.

Now, Hayato's arrival greatly alleviated the shortage of players. Technique and experience aside, in volleyball, height alone was already a massive advantage.

"So tall~" Hinata's signature voice rang out. Hayato took in the familiar yet unfamiliar figures before him.

"This is the one who came to observe—"

Before Kiyoko could finish, Hayato introduced himself.

"Class 2-1, Kuroba Hayato. Height 191. One year of volleyball experience. Position: Wing Spiker. Please take care of me."

After bowing, Hayato straightened up, looking excitedly at the boys gathered around. These people would soon be his teammates.

"191, that's impressive."

The gray-haired Sugawara Kōshi smiled in admiration. Meanwhile, captain Sawamura Daichi patted the lower back of Azumane Asahi, the bearded boy.

"A Wing Spiker. Your strongest rival is here, Asahi."

"Haha, yeah, Asahi."

The short Nishinoya Yuu also grinned, teasing Asahi.

"A Wing Spiker, huh."

The black-haired Kageyama Tobio stared at Hayato's height, falling silent as if deep in thought.

"Tsukki, this senpai is even taller than you." Tsukishima Kei's friend Yamaguchi Tadashi remarked, eyeing Hayato's height.

"Isn't that great? Having such a tall wing spiker join us is a boost to our strength."

The boy called Tsukishima answered somewhat casually.

As the coach, Ukai Keishin clapped his hands to get everyone's attention.

"Since we have a new member, let's do a test today. I'm the Volleyball Club coach, Ukai Keishin. Kuroba-kun, you don't have a problem with a test, do you?"

"Of course not, Coach!"

Hearing that he was about to be tested, Hayato wasn't nervous at all—if anything, he was eager. After half a month of rest and recovery from his injury, his body had long since healed. Now that he could get back to volleyball, he couldn't be happier.

"OK, since you have a year of volleyball experience, we'll skip the basic tests. Everyone, we're splitting into two teams for a practice match. Any problems?"

"No!"

Everyone answered the coach with full energy. 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 together with everyone and getting to know the other team members a bit, Hayato also shared his hitting habits with them. The two sides decided the serve order through rock-paper-scissors.

Hayato stood on the left side of the court, holding the volleyball, ready to serve.

His fingers felt the texture of the ball, and Hayato's heart stirred with excitement. Then, hearing the coach's signal to start, he tossed the ball high, took a slow run-up, and leaped—his whole body coiling like a spring, gathering all his strength before swinging his arm down with force.

The volleyball shot like a bolt of lightning, swish, landing on the opponent's backcourt. Bang. It scored on the spot.

Such a rapid score made the entire court fall silent in an instant.