The third-year classrooms were in another building, separate from the first-years. During break time, Shirogane Jin searched around until he finally found Class 3-3.
Just yesterday, there had been heated discussion about whether to persuade Asahi Azumane to return. At first, both Daichi and Sugawara had objected to Jin's idea.
But when Jin explained his reasoning, no one could argue.
The emergence of a new first-year who could rival an ace would be the greatest pressure on the former ace. If Asahi still had love for volleyball in his heart, then this was the moment he'd be forced to face it.
At the back of the classroom, near the window, Asahi sat with his trademark ponytail, staring outside with a heavy, melancholy look.
Jin walked straight in, without hesitation, and sat down right in front of him.
Surprised by the sudden presence, Asahi blinked. "Uh… sorry, who are you?"
"First-year, Shirogane Jin. A new member of the volleyball club." Jin introduced himself.
In truth, Sugawara had already spoken to Asahi yesterday, mentioning both Jin's arrival and Nishinoya's return. So when he heard the name, Asahi wasn't confused, he already guessed why Jin was here.
"So you're Jin… I didn't expect you to come to me directly. I suppose this is about the club, huh?" Asahi said quietly.
"If you really plan to quit volleyball…" Jin replied, pulling something from his bag, "then please, Asahi-senpai, sign this withdrawal form."
He placed the paper on the desk.
Before coming, Jin had prepared everything.
Hinata was the kind to shout his feelings with fiery honesty. Jin, on the other hand, knew not everyone woke up just by hearing the "truth." Sometimes, only a hard push with cruel reality could make someone see their own heart clearly.
Asahi's eyes widened, his pupils trembling, but he quickly forced his expression back to calm. "Not signing it is the same as refusing. Forget about it." he muttered.
Jin pushed the form closer. "If you don't sign, then the senpai will never give up on you. And if you're still hanging around in their hearts, then I can never truly become the team's ace. So please sign it."
He even placed a pen into Asahi's hand.
Asahi stared down at the paper. If he wrote his name here, it would mean everything all the sweat, the struggles with teammates, the joy of victories they once shared would be over. Memories of every play, every points he score, every spike flooded into his mind. They felt so close, yet so painfully distant.
*Bang!*
With a sudden smack, Asahi slammed the pen against the desk, stand up, and shouted. "What do you think an ace is?! You think a piece of paper will decide that? The ace is the player who leads the team to victory! The one trusted by everyone, who shoulders the pressure every single match, building the tower of wins in one spike at a time! That's an ace!"
Jin stood up too, his face calm, his words sharp. "So what? You're not the ace anymore, are you? Weren't all your spikes blocked? A person who gave up on himself what right does he have to talk about being an ace player?"
In his mind, Asahi saw it again the high wall that had crushed him, the Date Tech blockers shutting him down. No matter how much he had tried, he couldn't break through.
"I… I worked so hard. I really did. I wanted to score… but…"
"No chance. You gave up." Jin's words stab like a knife.
The sting made Asahi's anger explode. He grabbed Jin by the collar, growling. "Shut up! I never gave up!"
That was the answer Jin wanted. A smirk flickered on his lips Asahi had said it himself.
The noise drew the attention of classmates. Some even started to move, ready to intervene. To them, it looked like a third-year bullying a first-year.
Slowly, Asahi's hand loosened. Jin straightened his collar, then bowed.
"Sorry, Asahi-senpai. My attitude was wrong just now. But if you really haven't given up…"
He looked Asahi dead in the eye, his voice firm. "Then I'll take the ace position from you fair and square!"
Being cornered and played by a first-year, Asahi was speechless for a moment. But the moment he heard Jin claim he would "take the ace," Asahi's expression hardened.
Jin bowed again and walked to the classroom door. "There'll be a new coach soon. We'll have dorms, practice matches, everything. I'll be waiting for you in the gym this weekend."
Walking out of the room, Jin felt lighter. In his mind, the system prompt task completed!