Kiyoko and Hitoka sprinted toward the third gym as fast as they could. On the way, Kiyoko hurriedly explained the situation, though she left out the part about Jin calling himself her boyfriend.
"Senpai! The gym's this way!" Hitoka said, pointing nervously at the left path on the map.
They didn't bother with greetings when they arrived. Both pushed the doors open and burst inside.
"Jin! You, me… we're going back right now," Kiyoko panted, hands braced on her knees.
But when she looked up, the scene froze her in place.
Five North Sendai starters were sprawled on the floor in defeat, groaning, while only their setter still knelt upright in the front row, trembling.
Kageyama frowned, unimpressed. "That's it? Their setter's not even that good."
Hinata pumped his hand, eyes sparkling. "But that spikes! That feeling when it connects is sooo good! Nothing better than that!"
Hearing the faint voice at the doorway, Jin jogged over. "Kiyoko, Hitoka-chan! What are you doing here?"
Hitoka's arms trembled as she pointed at the wrecked North Sendai players. "W-what… what happened to them? Did you… beat them up? They look… dead…"
A smile plastered on Jin's face, to Hitoka, less like a smile and more like the sinister smirk of a delinquent who'd just picked a fight.
The North Sendai captain staggered upright, red-eyed and rattled. He dropped to his knees halfway, clutching his side. "Shimizu-san… take them and go. Please. I swear... I won't bother you anymore. Just… stop them."
To everyone's shock, tears welled at the corner of his eyes.
Jin crouched down, eyes gleaming dangerously. "What did you just call her? Say it again, and maybe we'll have another match."
The captain scrambled backwards in fear, waving frantically. "N-no more! No more! I'm done, okay? I won't chase you again, I promise!"
Satisfied, Jin straightened up. He leaned close to Kiyoko's ear and whispered, "Problem solved. Kageyama and Hinata are clueless, so don't mention the boyfriend thing. Let's keep this our little secret."
Kiyoko's cheeks blushed. She pursed her lips, the frustration in her chest softening. Despite herself, the warmth of being protected made her heart flutter.
"…After afternoon training, come by my place," she murmured, so only he could hear. "I have something for you."
Jin's grin stretched ear to ear. "Heh. Since ancient times, saving a beauty in damsel always comes with rewards. I wonder what mine will be…"
*Ding!*
"Congratulations! Intimacy with Shimizu Kiyoko has risen. Current rank: 'Boyfriend Candidate'."
Reward: One \[Active Date] opportunity unlocked.
Date and location: freely chosen. Valid for one month.
Jin twitched. "Boyfriend candidate? Isn't that just… spare tire level?!" Still, the reward was good. A guaranteed date with Kiyoko, any place can be chosen… definitely not something to waste.
"Let's leave. If Coach Ukai finds out, you're all dead," Kiyoko scolded, tugging them toward the exit.
As they reached the door, Jin clapped Hinata and Kageyama on the back. "How's that for a 'challenge', huh?"
The three exchanged glances, then turned as one to bow toward the court. "Thank you for the match!"
The North Sendai players stared, too stunned to reply. To them, this morning felt more like a nightmare than volleyball.
---
Back at Karasuno's camp, Jin assumed they'd gotten away with it. But less than an hour later, Coach Ukai returned early, face is not good.
"You three. With me."
After forty minutes of furious scolding that made even Jin question his life choices, the truth came out. North Sendai's coach was an old acquaintance of Coach Ukai. The team had already reported the morning chaos.
Coach Ukai's punishment was swift. "Twenty kilometers. Every day. No exceptions. Until I say otherwise. Only then can you rejoin proper training."
Hinata whimpered. Kageyama grit his teeth. Jin sighed, shoulders slumping. Compared to what could've happened, this was light. But still, twenty kilometers a day? That was torture.