Shiratorizawa's gym was lively with the echo of volleyballs and sneakers squeaking against the polished floor. Courts were split between the regulars and bench players, drills running sharp and efficient but it was just a warmed up since they're waiting for college teams.
When Ushijima entered, all eyes shifted slightly. He didn't speak much, but his presence was enough.
"Oi, Ushiwaka! Perfect timing," Tendō Satori called, grinning as he lazily spun a ball on one finger. "We were just about to start a set. Oh? And who's this silver-haired guy trailing after you?"
Jin gave a polite bow, though the grin on his face didn't match. "Shirogane Jin, first-year ace of Karasuno. I'm here to challenge you guys."
The first half sounded humble. The second half? Not so much.
"…Eh?" Tendō blinked, then burst into laughter. "Pfft! Ace of Karasuno? That's hilarious. Goshiki, did you hear that? Another self-proclaimed ace like you!"
"Wha-! Don't get me in!" Goshiki sputtered, red-faced. " And I'm not even like him?!"
The Shiratorizawa players muttered among themselves.
"Did he just say challenge?"
"A first-year from Karasuno?"
"Not even Ushiwaka brags like that."
Semi narrowed his eyes but smirked. "Cocky kid. Let's see if he can back it up."
Tendō tilted his head, still grinning. "Well, since you're here, why not? We'll let you play a round. Could be fun."
Teams were split, and Jin was tossed onto a side with mostly bench players. Against with most regulars.
But it didn't matter to him, his goal was only to face Ushijima and complete the system's task. The team wasn't much polished as the opposite, and now with a random first-year joining, the others already expected to get destroyed.
"Alright, new guy, you can serve first," player A(bench player) muttered, tossing him the ball with little interest. "Not like we'll keep it anyway."
Jin spun the ball in his hand and smirked. "Not keep it? Watch me."
His casual aura vanished the moment he stepped to the service line. Focus sharpened, stance tight.
Across the net, Ushijima stood in the back row, with a wing spiker shadowing for coverage.
"No matter how much you cover, you won't catch this serve."
The ball got toss, his arm snapped, and…
*Boom!*
The ball slammed down half a step in front of Ushijima's foot, untouched.
Dead silence. Then…
"Holy crap, it landed!"
"Was that really a first-year?"
"That serve was insane…"
Even his current tramates who'd dismissed him before stared wide-eyed.
Ushijima's gaze fixed on Jin, his face unreadable, but his tone firm: "I'll recieve the next ball."
That alone was enough to make Semi whistle. Ushijima rarely asked for a ball unless he was serious.
"Alright, Jin-kun," Tendō sang, "give us another one~."
The ball came back. Jin's eyes narrowed, locked on Ushijima. Toss, swing, another brilliant serve, spinning toward Ushiwima's right.
Ushijima stepped smoothly, arms out. The ball wobbled from the spin but he steadied it, passing it clean to Semi.
"Cover!"
Without pause, Ushijima sprinted forward. "Give me the ball!"
The toss went high, a perfect setup.
Three blockers jumped together to seal his path. Jin darted behind them, already predicting.
Ushijima adjusted, rotated, and blasted cross. The ball grazed a blocker's arm, the spin warping the trajectory.
Too far… out of reach.
'Tch!' Jin dropped his weight, planted a palm on the floor, and flung his leg wide.
*Thwack!*
The ball ricocheted off his foot and flew high out of bounds.
"What the… did he just…"
"Was that his foot?!"
"Wait, that's legal?!"
Gasps filled the gym.
Jin stood, brushing dust from his palm with a cocky grin. "Heh… this is volleyball too."
Even Ushijima's stoic expression wavered, eyes narrowing just a fraction.