Jin stepped to the service line. Seven points down, but he wasn't rattled, this was the perfect chance to catch up.
His gaze sharpened like an eagle hunting prey. He glanced at Kiyoko and gave the slightest signal, waiting for her whistle.
Across the net, the three third-years' expressions were tense. They knew full well that more than half of the first-years' points had come off Jin's serve.
With Hinata newly armed with his quick attack, even the weakest link wasn't an easy target anymore.
"Line up!" Daichi suddenly shouted, breaking the rhythm.
"Huh?!" Jin stiffened, nerves jolting.
Tanaka blinked in confusion. "Captain…?"
Sugawara sighed quietly in relief. He understood what Daichi was doing.
"Senpai… the game isn't over yet," Kageyama protested.
"Yeah! If we stop now, then we-" Hinata started.
Daichi cut them both off with his steady voice. "There's still a gap between you and us. But you're already qualified."
The words hit like a victory call. Hinata and Kageyama clenched their fists, grinning in excitement.
Jin, meanwhile, twitched his mouth. "Seriously? Ending it here?" He wanted to keep showing off in front of Kiyoko.
On the sideline, Kiyoko tilted her head, puzzled at the sudden stop. A flash of disappointment was seen to her usually calm face.
The formal introductions followed. The third-years introduced themselves properly, Daichi, Sugawara, Tanaka, and then had the first-years do the same.
"I'm Hinata Shōyō, middle blocker!"
"Kageyama Tobio, setter."
Finally, it was Jin's turn. He raised a hand lazily. "Jin. I can play anywhere… except libero."
A libero's job was to defend, never to attack. For someone with Jin's flashy, aggressive personality, that role was unthinkable.
"Oi, you cocky brat!" Tanaka snarled, his veins bulging.
Daichi just narrowed his eyes. He'd felt Jin's pressure firsthand, strong enough that he had chosen to end the game before the first-years could topple the seniors outright.
"When the other two first-years arrive next week, we'll arrange a full rookie match. That'll decide your positions." Daichi said.
Jin smirked. 'Tsukishima and Yamaguchi, huh?' He already knew their future potential. Especially Tsukishima, sharp-tongued and arrogant. Exactly his type of rival.
---
After practice stretched late into the evening, Hinata and Kageyama stayed behind to work on their quick attack. Jin, on the other hand, had his own plan.
He slipped out, tailing after Kiyoko from a careful distance. Her graceful back, her calm presence, just watching her walk made his heart race.
Like some shady character from a manga, he hunched slightly, eyes shining, whispering to himself. 'Kiyoko-senpai…'
She turned onto a quiet shopping street, eventually entering a traditional-style house. A good neighborhood, well-kept and lively.
At that moment, the system's interface from before flickered before Jin's eyes.
"Please select a residence for the host."(Mentioned in Chapter 1)
A map of Miyagi appeared. Jin zoomed straight into her location and scrolled through nearby options.
He didn't hesitate. He locked onto the house directly across the street.
"Coordinates confirmed. Residence successfully claimed."
Jin snapped his fingers with a grin. "Perfect. Just like that, Kiyoko-senpai, we're neighbors now."