Earlier, in the classroom, Asahi had thought Jin was just talking big when he said he'd grab the ace spot. But after seeing Jin's spike-no, feeling it, he realized the crisis was real. That ball just now? With his ability, there was no way he could have stopped it.
The game went on. If not for the two experienced alumni keeping their side afloat, the scoreline would've been ugly.
"How many points has that silver-haired kid scored?" Coach Ukai asked, not taking his eyes off the court.
"Fourteen," Kiyoko reported, looking at notebook in hand.
Ukai gave a sharp whistle. Jin was subbed out immediately, swapped for another player.
Jin blinked, walking off the court with a heavy sigh. The way Ukai was watching him made his skin crawl, like he was being measured for something.
Serve, receive, block, spike, every index was already at master level. And those spikes… they weren't just high school level. They were professional level.
Ukai finally broke his silence. "Amazing. Silver-haired boy."
Jin scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Uh… thanks, Coach. Name's Jin."
Coach Ukai turned and smacked Takeda lightly on the back. "Sensei, you should've told me sooner you had players like this. I'm not going anywhere. I'll take the coaching job."
Takeda's face lit up, bowing over and over. "Thank you so much! Please take care of the team!"
Jin, meanwhile, still lingered on the bench. "Coach… should I go back in? I still have plenty in the tank."
Coach Ukai rested a heavy hand on his shoulder and pushed him down onto the bench. "Sit. You've shown enough for today. Watch the others. Learn their abilities. If you hog the spotlight, I can't see the team."
Jin slumped, but nodded.
That's when Kiyoko approached. She held out a familiar ID.
"Hey, this is my student ID card! I thought I lost it." Jin grinned, mood instantly lifted. "Thanks, Kiyoko-senpai."
Kiyoko shook her head. "Not me. Hitoka-san picked it up outside the school. She asked me to return it."
Jin froze. His smile stiffened. 'So she found it, huh? Just my luck.'
"She's a good girl," Kiyoko added warmly. "After the match, pass her this." She handed Jin a small bag stuffed with volleyball club info sheets, meant for the new manager.
"Me? Give it to her?" Jin blurted, face darkening.
"Why not?" Kiyoko tilted her head.
'Why not?! Because she already thinks I'm scary as hell!' Jin groaned inside. But out loud, he forced a grin. "Right, right. No problem. I'll do it."
He tucked the bag under his arm, not quite hiding the twitch in his cheek.
---
When the match ended, Coach Ukai gathered everyone and explained future team plans.
*Ding!*
"Main Quest: Chapter 2 completed!"
The rewards of the second chapter are no longer as generous as the first, and they are nothing more than bonuses to some basic abilities. The stubborn Jin still chose the speed bonus.
Coach Ukai paused, it was the part when it came to naming the ace.
"Leave the ace spot to Jin," Asahi said suddenly.
The gym went silent.
Nishinoya's eyes widened. "Asahi…?"
The alumni and first-years alike stared at him. Their ace had just come back, and yet, he was giving the position away?
Asahi gave a small, calm smile. "Don't worry. I've fallen once. I won't repeat it. Jin has the strength to carry Karasuno. But just because he's ace now doesn't mean I'm going to stop challenging him."
By the end, his tone had hardened, filled with conviction. The tension eased, replaced by quiet smiles all around.
Jin smirked. Being named ace was satisfying, but… somehow, he couldn't celebrate. Because after practice, he had to go find Hitoka.
And that was somehow harder than any match.