Jin had skipped a morning of class. When he returned, the teacher immediately scolded him.
Hitoka's excuse was so clumsy that no one believed it.
Jin, on the other hand, muttered something about stomach pain and managed to slipped out of trouble, though he was slapped with a week of classroom-cleaning duty. Not great, but good enough.
It took him twenty minutes to clean, so he arrived at the gym later than usual.
The moment he walked in, Hitoka froze. Her lips trembled, eyes wide with guilt. She looked ready to be scolded at any second.
Jin had been prepared to complain, but when he saw her nervous expression, his irritation evaporated completely.
"Oi, Jin!" Hinata darted over with a volleyball in his hands, grinning brightly. "You're late, coach told us to meet him at the school gate!"
Kageyama followed behind, just as serious as always.
Jin blinked. "…Don't tell me you two also skipped class?"
The thought of Coach Ukai finding out made his stomach tighten.
"Skipped?" Hinata tilted his head. "We're going to see the old coach, right?"
A flashed of thoughts ran in Jin's mind. The old coach.
Ukai Ikkei the man who had once led Karasuno to Nationals.
Jin lowered his head slightly, hiding the curve of his lips. "We're seeing that old grandpa this early?"
Kageyama shot him a sharp look. "You've… met Coach Ukai before?"
When he'd chosen Karasuno, Kageyama had dreamed of training under the legendary coach. But he'd only found out later that the man had retired.
Of course, Jin couldn't reveal the truth that he didn't need to meet someone to know them.
He shrugged casually. "Of course not. But I've heard he's an incredible coach. If he gives guidance, it'll help us."
In truth, Jin wasn't seeking guidance. He was already wondering what kind of strength he might gain by facing the old coach.
At the school gate, they found Coach Ukai leaning against a minibus, cigarette in hand. His brows furrowed.
"You're late. I said ten minutes, it's been half an hour!"
The three apologized quickly and climbed into the bus.
On the way, Ukai reminded them, "Be polite when you meet my old man. He's not the gentle type."
The way he said it made it clear Ukai himself had suffered plenty under his grandfather's strictness.
After twenty minutes, the bus rolled to a stop in a rural neighborhood. They followed him through a simple house and into the backyard.
Children's voices echoed, shouts, laughter, the sound of volleyballs being struck.
On a dirt court stood an old man. His back was still straight, his eyes sharp despite his white hair. Even now, his presence carried the weight of a national-level coach.
"Grandpa! Visitors!" one of the children called.
Hinata and Kageyama bowed their heads instantly, awkward and nervous.
Only Jin stared straight at the old man, gaze unwavering.
The old coach's lips curved slightly. "The talented setter. The first-year ace. So you've finally come."
The three bowed deeply. "Coach Ukai, hello!"
Ukai Sr. picked at his ear. "Forget the empty greetings. Go warm up in the vegetable garden. After that, train with me. Let's see if you're interesting."
His grin was sharp, eerily similar to his grandson's, only more intimidating. Hinata and Kageyama flinched back a step.
"…Vegetable garden? Warm up?" the three exchanged confused glances.
Then Jin straightened. His voice carried across the court, bold and challenging.
"Coach, I'm not here to pick vegetables. I'm here to play volleyball." A smirk spread across his face. "So do you dare to try and *
receive my spike?"