Several days of training passed, and it showed. Karasuno's first-years weren't just improving their receives, their teamwork was becoming sharper with every session.
Still, for rookies like them, the fastest way to bond was through matches, real games, not just drills.
That morning, the so-called trio had been sent running laps outside the camp again. The first time, they'd been dead tired before even returning to training. Now, after punishment runs day after day, it was practically just a warm-up.
Hinata and Kageyama, however, were still yelling at each other mid-run.
"Hey! Admit it already, I won yesterday!" Hinata shouted.
"You only won because you cut corners, dumbass!" Kageyama snapped, lunging to grab him, but Hinata dodged away with ease.
"If you're not convinced, then race me again!" Hinata taunted, sticking his tongue out.
Kageyama's veins popped. "Get back here, shrimp!" He stomped after him furiously.
Jin sighed, shaking his head as he watched the two sprint off the wrong way entirely. "Idiots don't even notice they're lost…"
He veered down a side path and stopped.
At a vending machine stood a tall boy, nearly 190 cm, scratching his messy bedhead hair as he frowned at the options. His tracksuit read one word in bold 'Nekoma'.
Jin's lips curled. '…Hmm, this seems Kuroo Tetsurō. Nekoma's captain… the 'scheming commander' they say can pull strings on court like no one else.'
Before Jin could approach, Kuroo turned, grinning. "Hey, you. Mind giving me a hand?"
"…Me?" Jin asked, pointing to himself.
"Yeah. Come here," Kuroo waved, beckoning him closer. "This stupid thing ate my coins."
"Uh… sure?" Jin walked over, a little curious. "What's the problem?"
"I picked oolong tea, but it got stuck," Kuroo said, gesturing at the vending machine. "Hold that side for me, will ya?" His tone was casual, friendly even, but that grin… there was definitely mischief there.
Jin looked at him suspiciously. That smile looks anything but innocent. Still, curiosity dominated, and he pressed his shoulder against the vending machine.
"Alright, ready."
"Good." Kuroo stepped back, ran forward, and slammed his foot against it. *Thunk!* The entire machine rattled violently, nearly shaking Jin off balance. A dull thud followed as two bottles clattered down into the tray.
"Ouch-hey! That's your idea of fixing it?!" Jin winced, arm sore from steadying the thing.
But a bottle clattered down. Then another. Kuroo crouched, scooping them up like treasure. He tossed one to Jin with a sly grin. "Here. You helped, so you get a cut."
Jin stared at him. "…That's theft, you know."
"Relax. Consider it… creative problem-solving," Kuroo replied, cracking his bottle open without a care.
Jin groaned, taking a big swig of his own. "If we get caught, you're the one explaining."
The two jogged off together, ducking down a side street before anyone noticed.
"You've got stamina," Kuroo remarked, eyeing Jin as they slowed. "Not bad legs for someone your size. And you kept pace with me no problem."
Jin wiped his mouth after downing half the tea. "I'm not as strong as you, but I'd say my technique's just as good."
Kuroo frowned slightly at that. "Technique?"
Jin smirked, tugging his jacket open to reveal the lettering on his shirt underneath 'Karasuno High School'.
Kuroo blinked, then leaned back a little, his trademark catlike grin sliding into place. "Ohhh… so you're one of the crows."