If there was one person who left the biggest psychological scar on Kindaichi during his three years of middle school, it was undoubtedly Kageyama Tobio—no one else could compare.
But next to him was probably Akashi.
In their last middle school match, Kitagawa Daiichi was defeated by Senkoku Middle School. Kindaichi was the one who pulled the fuse on the team's internal conflict, but the influence of the man standing before him was certainly a major factor in pushing the gunpowder barrel that was Kageyama Tobio to the extreme.
"Kitagawa Daiichi and Senkoku. It looks like quite a few familiar faces have joined Aoba Johsai this year!" Akashi said with a knowing smile.
"Are you two also heading to the volleyball club to sign up?"
Kindaichi didn't speak; he still felt an unexplained aversion to Akashi. Kunimi, however, greeted him naturally.
Mishita Ryuhei nodded: "That's right. Care to join us?"
"Sure!"
...
"Hey, Iwaizumi, the rookies should be arriving soon. Get everyone together to greet them," said Irihata Nobuteru, the coach of the Seijoh Volleyball Club, who appeared quite relaxed due to the exceptional talent of his players.
"Yes, sir!"
Iwaizumi Hajime, the 179.3 { cm} tall, level-headed, and reassuring Vice Captain (and Ace) of the volleyball club, responded and quickly began gathering the members.
Just as Iwaizumi was gathering the team, a male player, whose looks were only slightly inferior to Akashi's but possessed an air of aristocracy, like a prince, suddenly spoke up.
"Ooh~~~ The rookies are here? If I remember correctly, two of this year's rookies are from the National Tournament Qualifiers' champion team, right? And one of them is apparently the team's Ace Spiker."
"Iwaizumi-chan, what are you going to do? Should I help you give them a big initiation... Ouch!" The utterly unreliable Volleyball Club Captain hadn't finished his sentence before a volleyball rapidly flew over and slammed into his forehead.
Iwaizumi Hajime's veins popped on his forehead: "Damn you, Oikawa! If you're so bored, get your butt over here and clean up the volleyballs! We're about to meet the new students. If you dare cause any trouble, I will beat you senseless."
Oikawa Toru: "You already beat me senseless, Iwaizumi-chan."
Iwaizumi Hajime: "Huh? What did you say?"
Oikawa Tooru: "..."
...
"Um, is this the volleyball club?"
Akashi and his group arrived at the gymnasium door and witnessed this scene.
For a moment, Akashi, Mishita Ryuhei, and Kunimi Akira tacitly fell silent, prepared to watch for a bit longer.
Unfortunately, the earnest Kindaichi, just as Iwaizumi Hajime was about to beat Oikawa Tooru senseless again, spoke up and interrupted the beautiful moment, which was quite regrettable.
"Line up!!!"
Iwaizumi Hajime snapped back to attention and quickly regained his composure, shouting at the other members of the volleyball club.
Soon, the members of the Seijoh Volleyball Club were fully assembled.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Kindaichi Yutaro, graduating from Kitagawa Daiichi Middle School..."
"Nice to meet you. My name is Kunimi Akira, also graduating from Kitagawa Daiichi Middle School..."
"Nice to meet you. My name is Mishita Ryuhei, graduating from Senkoku Middle School..."
"Nice to meet you. My name is Akashi Asuka, graduating from Senkoku Middle School..."
As is customary, the newcomers, including Akashi, introduced themselves first, followed by the upperclassmen. This concluded the simple introductory meeting.
Afterward, the interaction between the two groups became slightly more relaxed.
"O-o-o-oh~~~ This year's freshmen are all so tall! Hey, what's your name again... the shortest one, what's your height?"
Mishita Ryuhei looked at the upperclassman pointing at him, pausing for a moment, but then replied: "It was 179.5 { cm} when I measured it four months ago. I'm not sure if I've grown taller since then."
"Pfftt~~ Hahahaha! Hey, did you guys hear that? The shortest freshman enrolling this year is still taller than Iwaizumi!"
The third-year upperclassmen at Seijoh were stunned for a moment, but then they couldn't hold back and all burst into laughter.
Iwaizumi Hajime: " "
To reiterate:
Iwaizumi Hajime, 179.3 { cm} tall, Ace Spiker of the Seijoh Volleyball Club, his greatest dream in this life is to reach 180 { cm} before his physical development concludes.
Facing Iwaizumi Hajime's death glare, the other third-year students laughed for a moment, then quickly stopped.
Only one fearless fellow continued to secretly suppress his laughter behind his hand.
And that fearless fellow was once again beaten senseless by Iwaizumi Hajime.
Rookie Showdown
"Alright, now that you've all been introduced to each other, next up... let's play a match!" After the group chatted for a while, Coach Irihata Nobuteru walked over, clapped his hands, and announced.
"Huh? What kind of match?" Kindaichi and the others were bewildered.
"Don't worry, rookies." Oikawa Toru smiled warmly, speaking like a gentle spring breeze: "Just treat it as a normal entrance test. Relax, your upperclassmen will go easy on you."
Perhaps Oikawa Toru's attitude was too gentle, which instead made Kindaichi a little nervous. He hastily said: "Yes, I understand. Thank you, senpai."
The moment he said that, not only Akashi and Mishita Ryuhei, but even his good teammate and fellow Kitagawa Daiichi graduate, Kunimi Akira, couldn't bear to watch.
Why didn't I notice this kid was so naive before?
Can you really trust what the senpai says?
"Hey, Kindaichi, when the match starts, don't hold back, got it?" Kunimi Akira patted Kindaichi's shoulder and sighed.
"Huh? Why?"
"Just trust me, don't ask why."
"Oh, okay then!"
...
"Adding you few rookies, there are exactly ten people here now, so let's play a 5 vs. 5 match! What positions did you all play in middle school?"
Kindaichi Yutaro: "I was a Middle Blocker."
Kunimi Akira: "I was a Wing Spiker."
Mishita Ryuhei: "Setter."
Akashi Asuka: "Wing Spiker."
Irihata Nobuteru nodded: "Mhm, your team has enough offensive and blocking positions. In that case, I will assign a back-row defender to your team to balance the strengths of both sides."
"Watari, you'll be on the rookie team this time!"
"Huh? Why me?"
"No excuses."
"Fine!"
Watari Shinji, the second-year main Libero for the Seijoh Volleyball Club, was slightly reluctant, but he obediently walked over to the rookie team.
With this, both teams had exactly five players each.
"Hahaha, don't worry, Shinji! I'll go easy on you in the upcoming match," Yahaba Shigeru, also a second-year, gloated upon seeing Watari Shinji assigned to the rookie team.
"You hateful jerk! I'll make you pay after the match is over."
Watari Shinji's expression was displeased. Playing a match right after joining the club was a tradition at the Aoba Johsai Volleyball Club.
This type of match was indeed an entrance test, but it wasn't as simple as they might think.
At least when Watari Shinji and Yahaba Shigeru first joined, they were utterly crushed in this entrance test.
With that thought, Watari Shinji immediately grew serious: "Hey, rookies, hang in there later! Don't lose too badly, understand?"
Akashi, who was warming up, was slightly taken aback, then nodded: "Alright, I'll do my best!"