"These guys are…" Hinata whispered nervously, staring at the three upperclassmen standing before them.
Black school uniforms with the volleyball club crest. There was no mistaking it, these were Karasuno's senpai!
Jin straightened up quickly and bowed. "Hello, senpai!"
Seeing him, Hinata and Kageyama scrambled to follow, bowing in a rush.
Captain Sawamura Daichi rubbed the sore spot on his face, forcing a smile. "This year's first-years are really bold. Playing here on your own without permission? Get out." His voice dropped hard at the end, slamming like a spike.
Before they could react, Daichi herded the three of them right out of the gym, tossing their application papers back at them.
"Senpai, it wasn't on purpose! That ball was an accident!" Hinata pleaded desperately.
Daichi ignored him, continuing coldly. "I don't care what grudges you carried in middle school. From now on, you're teammates. Until you figure out how to act like teammates, you're not welcome in Karasuno Volleyball Club."
*Bang!* He slammed the doors shut.
Jin cursed under his breath. He had timed things to avoid this *exact* expulsion scene, yet here it was again.
"It's your fault, you idiot!" Kageyama rounded on Hinata, yelling straight into his ear. "You just had to screw up!"
Hinata bristled, snapping back, "Why blame me? You're the one with the attitude problem! Just because you're the 'King,' you think you can look down on people?"
Before fists could fly, Jin grabbed them both by the collar and yanked them apart.
"Oi, oi, don't start brawling." He smirked. "We've already been kicked out. Aren't you scared you'll never play volleyball again?"
Both froze.
Jin leaned close to Hinata first, eyes sharp. "You'll never be like the 'Little Giant' at this rate."
Hinata's whole body stiffened. That was his dream, his everything. The thought of giving it up scared him more than anything.
Then Jin turned on Kageyama. "And you, you might never set again."
The words cut deep. Setting was Kageyama's lifeline. His lips twitched. "…Don't joke around."
Jin straightened, clasping his hands behind his back like a self-righteous teacher. "Then listen. Both of you, if you want to survive here, I'll teach you how."
---
Inside the gym, Daichi was still scowling, but Sugawara tried to calm him down.
"Daichi, don't be so angry. Those first-years aren't like the ones we saw last year. You admitted yourself—they've got talent."
Tanaka nodded eagerly. "Yeah, yeah, Sawamura-senpai, don't hold a grudge. From the looks of it, they're probably terrified already."
Daichi touched his bruised cheek and chuckled softly. "I'm not petty. You saw last year's games too. Kageyama's a natural setter but he can't connect with his team.
"As for that small spiker, Hinata, he's raw, but his reflexes and jumping ability are unbelievable. With polish, he could be a real weapon.
"And the silver-haired one, Jin… Last year, he controlled the pace of the entire match. I couldn't even read his full strength. I've got a feeling he'll be a key player to national."
Sugawara and Tanaka exchanged surprised looks. If Daichi praised them this much, then clearly he wasn't truly angry.
"Then why toss them out?" Tanaka asked.
Daichi's eyes gleamed. "Because they're sharp edges with no teamwork. If those three can fight together, Karasuno can rise again."
The three of them seemed to share the same vision the fallen crows spreading their wings once more.
"Ohh! Captain really does think long-term," Tanaka said playfully.
Daichi folded his arms smugly. "By now, they should be saying, 'Senpai, we'll cooperate from now on.'"
Right on cue, voices rang out from beyond the doors.
"Senpai!" shouted Jin, Hinata, and Kageyama.
Sugawara and Tanaka looked at Daichi with admiration. He had predicted it perfectly.
Then came the rest of the shout:
"…We'll fight it out first!"
Daichi froze, his face twitching, unsure whether to laugh or explode.