Chapter 8: Kiyoko the Scorekeeper
Getting shut down by words was one thing—but nothing stung more than being ignored. For the straightforward Sawamura Daichi, his anger was like thunder rumbling.
Before he could explode, Tanaka stormed forward, flinging the gym doors open. "Oi! What's with this year's first-years acting like punks? Do you want us senpai to teach you a lesson"
He froze mid-rant.
A graceful figure stepped into view, carrying training clothes in her arms.
"...Kiyoko-san!" Tanaka's eyes sparkled as though struck by lightning.
Jin's head whipped around instantly. It had only been a few months(few minutes ) since their last encounter, but to him it felt like half a year. Dressed in the Karasuno track jacket, Shimizu Kiyoko looked even more radiant.
Tanaka sprinted over, puffing his chest like a loyal guard. "Kiyoko-san is still as beautiful as ever!" He was ignored, of course, and that only made him beam. "I'm so happy to be ignored!"
But to everyone's shock, Kiyoko stopped right in front of Jin.
"Long time no see, Kiyoko-senpai," Jin greeted warmly.
Her lips pressed together. "...Long time no see." Then she quickly slipped past him into the gym.
Hinata stomped his foot in a fit of jealousy. "She didn't even say that to me…"
Tanaka's mood swung from overjoyed to murderous as he replayed their words. He was about to charge Jin when Daichi grabbed his collar.
"Tanaka. Leave them to me," the captain said darkly. "The juniors need to be disciplined properly."
---
Soon after, the match was arranged.
Daichi, Sugawara, Tanaka vs. Jin, Kageyama, Hinata.
Three-on-three. One set to decide it.
"The rules are simple," Daichi explained. "Win, and you're officially accepted into the club. Lose, and you'll apologize, and run fifty laps around the field every day."
Hinata and Kageyama's jaws dropped. "Fifty!?"
Jin raised his hand. "Senpai, I have a request. Can Kiyoko-senpai keep score for us?"
Every head turned.
"You dare say Kiyoko-san's name so casually?!" Tanaka erupted like thunder. Sugawara barely restrained him.
Kiyoko didn't refuse… silently walked to the scoreboard, flipping it to 0–0. "I'll keep score."
Jin's lips curved in satisfaction. 'Perfect. Now she'll see how good I really am.'
---
The ball was handed to the first-years to serve. Naturally, it went to Jin. Everyone still remembered his devastating jump serve from Yukigaoka.
Kiyoko lifted her whistle, signaling the start.
"Bring it on, silver-head brat!" Tanaka yelled.
Jin tossed the ball high, swung through with full power.
*Boom!*
The serve tore over the net, skimming just above the tape. Daichi dove, barely getting his arms under it. The spin was brutal, the ball ricocheting off his arms, flying out of bounds.
Sugawara sprinted and leapt, somehow saving it, yanking the ball back toward the net.
"Tanaka, take it!"
It was a messy set, but high enough. Tanaka adjusted his run, leapt, and smashed.
Hinata jumped too early, missing the timing. The ball crashed against his fingertips and deflected wide.
"First-years, learn your place!" Tanaka roared, grinning.
But before the ball could hit the floor.
*Thud thud thud…* Fast footsteps.
"Save!" Jin sprinted half the court, twisting midair, and with a miraculous save, save the ball back up.
Kageyama's eyes widened. Even with the route blocked, Jin had saved the ball.
Hinata, scrambling, called out, "Set me!" He jumped too close to the net, awkward in the air.
Kageyama made the snap decision, he still pushed the ball up.
Hinata's wrist flicked desperately, brushing the ball at a strange angle. The volleyball fluttered, barely clearing the tape… and dropped just inside the line.
Point for the first-years.
The seniors stood frozen, disbelief written on their faces.
Still sitting on the floor after his save, Jin leaned back and looked toward Kiyoko with a grin.
"Kiyoko-senpai… see? When I say I'll go for the national championship, I mean it."
Kiyoko's breath caught, her cheeks burning pink.