"Karasuno!!!"
"Fight!"
The Karasuno volleyball team formed a big circle, shouting their team cheer together with full sincerity.
Everyone joined in, except for the glasses-wearing guy who was still being stubborn and self-conscious, but even then, the three hot-blooded members gave it their all. Hinata Shoyo, Ryunosuke Tanaka, and Nishinoya Yuu all strained their throats as they yelled.
Next to Hinata and Nishinoya, Hoshino Katsuri braced himself. Cleverly anticipating the volume from the two sides, he tucked his forearms in to cover his ears just in time, avoiding a temporary ringing from being caught between them.
After Coach Keishin Ukai gave the order to start the next drill, an intense, go-all-out session, the team quickly began cleaning the court and putting away equipment.
Tadashi Yamaguchi, however, was still savoring the three points Seiji Shimada had scored with his jump float serve. It was the first time he had seen a serve like that, a point scored not through raw power or jumping ability, but purely through skill honed by hard practice.
He was intrigued.
Not tall enough, not physically outstanding… sure, receiving could be improved with practice, but who wouldn't dream of becoming a scoring king?
As everyone tidied up the gym, Ukai muttered to Kobu-sensei.
"Being in the position of choosing players comes with its own set of headaches."
He glanced at the Karasuno players:
Ichinose Guren, dominating with raw power; Yudai Hyakuzawa, tall and long-armed; Asahi Azumane, frighteningly strong; Ryunosuke Tanaka, with versatile spikes.
Even just deciding which hitters to use was enough to give Ukai a headache. And that was before considering the "monster duo" that, once paired, could unleash countless offensive opportunities.
Not to mention… Tsukishima Kei. Though his fundamentals weren't perfect, his height, reaction speed, and agility made him a valuable defensive shield.
And then there was Sugawara, Karasuno's primary setter, whose cooperative play with upperclassmen was flawless.
Even the clearly skilled Hoshino and Nishinoya posed questions: Nishinoya was indisputably the libero, and Hoshino, the textbook receiver, could he truly replace Daichi Sawamura?
Hmm, no. He really can't.
Daichi's in-game leadership is Karasuno's top tier.
I knew this generation of Karasuno was talented, but three national-level players?
Ukai paused his internal debate and looked at the three Karasuno prodigies:
Kageyama Tobio.
Nishinoya Yuu.
Ichinose Guren.
Huh… this is the first time I've felt this kind of "happy headache."
===========
May 3rd.
Main line, Tokyo Station.
"Hey, everyone stay close! This isn't school!"
A spiky-haired guy shouted at his teammates, making sure they didn't get separated.
The cat had arrived.
On the bike ride from Yukigaoka to Karasuno, Hinata's heart leapt.
I get to fight alongside Nishinoya-senpai with those amazing receiving skills! I'm so excited!
Wait…
If Nishinoya-senpai is playing libero, does that mean…
Hoshino's going to be pushed out? No way he gets a starting spot!
Hinata grinned.
Who cares if he complains about me?
He never worried about Hoshino losing a starting position, he'd just complain anyway. And though quiet off the court, Hoshino was sharp and perceptive.
Heh, I'll have to tease him properly later.
Oh! And Asahi-senpai, with those crazy spikes, is joining us too!!!
So cool… I want to spike like that, blowing blockers away!
Wait!
Who will Asahi-senpai push out? Or will he even make the starting lineup?
Just imagining that someone like Asahi might not even be in the starting lineup sent a chill down Hinata's spine.
Man, our team is way too strong.
I hope I still make the starting lineup.
With that thought, Hinata pedaled even harder with his short legs.
"Yeahhhh!!"
"First, become the starting player for the school team!"
"Yessssss!!"
On a country road, a little chubby boy with light brown hair sat on a bamboo chair, staring at Hinata speeding by.
His throat went dry for a moment before he finally turned to his hardworking mother and said,
"Mom, I just saw Midousuji."
His mother, puzzled, looked at her son's chair where a copy of Yowamushi Pedal sat. Realizing, she patted his little head and said,
"Hi-yah, hi-yah. Then you'll become a strong athlete too~"
The boy beamed proudly.
"Yes! Of course! My athletic skills are amazing!"
"I'll do my best no matter what!"
"I'll honor the name of Agatsuma!"
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Completed version available on Patreon.com/Veltoria