Jin stood behind the service line, ball in hand, eyes locked on Nekoma's court. His breath steadied, his whole body focused.
Nekoma had already adjusted to his power serves. Their back row, Yaku the libero, Fukunaga, and Kai dropped all the way to the end line, ready to receive the serve. The distance gave them more space to react, but it also made cushioning tricky.
"In addition to power," Jin muttered under his breath, "the spin… it's all about the spin."
He tossed the ball. The gym seemed to freeze. Then…
*BOOM!*
His serve ripped across the court, whistling like a bullet.
"Yaku!" Kuroo shouted sharply, already shifting toward cover.
Yaku planted his feet and threw his arms forward. He'd already received more of Jin's serves than anyone else today, he knew the ball's curve, the violent topspin… but knowing was one thing, executing another.
The ball slammed into his arm, bounce diagonally upward, and shot toward the sideline.
"Cover it!" Yaku growled, chasing it with his eyes.
Kuroo sprinted, long legs running on the court. He launched himself with hand outstretched…
Too far. The ball pass by and landed clean inside the line.
Service ace.
*Ding!*
"Integration 80%..."
The scoreboard goes up a point for Karasuno.
Jin clenched his fists, adrenaline buzzing in his veins. "Yes! Who else wants some?!" His grin stretched wide, chest heaving.
"Ohhh!!" Tanaka roared from the bench. "That serve's a freakin' cannon!"
Even Kiyoko let out a soft gasp, while Hitoka clasped her hands together in awe.
On the sideline, Coach Ukai sprang to his feet. He knew this wasn't luck, Jin's concentration at the end of a game was something terrifying.
"Ace, score another one!" Tsukishima said, tossing the ball back. His usual sarcasm was absent, even he couldn't hide the recognition in his eyes.
Jin spun the ball in his hand, exhaled slowly. Just one more. If he nailed this, Karasuno would take the set.
He tossed again, shoulders coiling, then smashed down with every ounce of strength.
This time the ball curved sharply toward the open area between Yaku and Fukunaga.
Fukunaga flinched, nerves written all over his face.
"I've got it!" Yaku called, diving forward. He wouldn't let the same mistake happen twice. His arms angled perfectly… but the spin dragged the ball backward, drifting straight over the net.
"Chance ball!" Asahi was already there. He jumped, arm swinging, and pounded the overpass back.
Kuroo slid himself forward, desperate. His forearm scraped the floor as he reached contact! The ball sent up, but it brushed the tape and dropped limp on Nekoma's side.
Kenma slid in, calm as ever, and barely save it back up. The ball cleared and floated back over.
Couch Ukai's eyes widened. "They're still have…!"
Nekoma's motto was written in every motion: One more touch. Don't let it drop.
The ball arced deep into Karasuno's backcourt, where Daichi was already waiting.
"Got it!" he called, steady arms lifting the ball high and clean.
Perfect pass. Kageyama was underneath instantly, eyes sharp, mind racing. The blockers in front were already lining up on Asahi.
"Give me the ball!" Jin's voice hwas heard.
Kageyama glanced at him. The timing was there. The line was open. Everyone in the gym knew what was coming.
"Here it comes…!" Yaku braced.
Jin jumps in from the back row. His jump was monstrous, his form screaming full-power spike. Nekoma's blockers readied themselves, bodies coiling... but at the last instant, Jin's wrist softened.
Instead of the kill-shot everyone expected, he tipped. A gentle push, just high enough to float over the block and drop into the empty middle of Nekoma's court.
The blockers froze. Feet glued down, too committed to the back row.
The ball touch the floor.
Silence. Then the referee's whistle cut sharp through the gym.
"Point, Karasuno. Set, Karasuno."
*Ding!*
"Integration 100%..."
Quest completed!
For a moment, no one moved. Then the team erupted.
"YEAAAHHHH!!" Nishinoya roared, fists pumping.
"YESSS!!" Tanaka bellowed, practically shaking Ennoshita beside him.
"Nice shot!!" Daichi's voice boomed as he clapped Jin on the back.
Even stoic Tsukishima couldn't hide the smirk tugging his lips.
Jin landed, chest heaving, sweat dripping into his eyes. His smile was wide, but his mutter was quiet "That's how it should feel… That's real volleyball."
Across the net, Kuroo straightened slowly, gaze fixed on him. "Jin… I'll admit it. You're good. But this court isn't endless. No matter where you run, I'll chase you down. Next time, you won't be so lucky."
Jin smirked back, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Then keep up. I'll be waiting."