It was a rare opportunity for the three of them to receive guidance from the old Ukai coach who had come out of retirement.
The "three" stood together, a little restless but full of energy.
They had just finished the odd drill, racing to pick vegetables from the garden baskets. Within ten minutes, all three returned with their arms full.
"Yo, looks like the warm-up's over." Coach Ukai Sr. squinted at them, then walked to the opposite side of the court.
"Alright—show me your attack."
Jin glanced at Ukai Jr., who had been explaining the training content during their picking break. "Coach, your face looks kinda pale… you okay?"
Ukai Jr. waved him off nervously. "I-It's fine, I'll explain later. Just focus."
Ukai Sr. clapped. "We'll do this. I serve, Keishin receives, Kageyama sets, then each of you show me your spike. First ball, shorty goes first. Jin, step aside."
The toss came in gently. Ukai Jr. received with a bit of struggle, the ball floating toward Kageyama.
Hinata had already sprinted forward.
"If you can't even read the pass, you just charge in a straight line? Foolish," Ukai Sr. muttered.
But before he could finish, Kageyama's set and Hinata's swing connected perfectly.
*Boom!*
The ball slammed into the floor before Ukai Sr. could even react.
His brows twitched. "The setter gives him the exact ball. The spiker swings without hesitation. A freak quick…"
Ukai Sr. finally understood why Ukai Jr. had called it something only those two could pull off. Switch either the setter or the spiker, and it wouldn't work.
"…A freak quick attack. Powerful, but fragile." He bent down, scooping the ball back. "Next. Jin."
Ukai Jr. sighed and sent the ball again.
Ukai Sr. had been told Jin was an 'all-rounder ace,' but he hadn't seen specifics. He wasn't impressed "yet".
Jin stood on the left front. Everyone expected the ball to go there. But then…
Kageyama's pass sped up suddenly, flying to the right.
"Oi! Poker-face setter, didn't I say this one was for…"
*THUDTHUDTHUD!*
Rapid footsteps echoed. Out of nowhere, Jin blurred across the court and was already at the right wing, matching the ball at its highest point.
Ukai Sr.'s eyes went wide… for an instant, it was like watching falling feathers scatter through the gym.
*Boom!*
The spike detonated on the floor, grazing his toes.
"…Zero to max speed, opposite side, and still caught up with the set…!" Ukai Sr. muttered, disbelief in his voice.
From the sideline, Ukai Jr. smirked. He had hidden Jin's specialty on purpose, just to see this old man shocked.
Ukai Sr. stroked his chin. "Speed. His pride is his speed. With that alone, he could reach the national level. But his air battles… we'll see."
"Coach, block for me? Even if it's symbolic." Jin grinned.
Ukai Sr. barked. "Brat, you want me to waste these old bones? Oi, shorty, block him instead!"
Hinata gulped, awkwardly moving to the net. He knew firsthand how scary Jin's spikes were.
Kageyama tossed again, this time a simple high ball. Hinata jumped, arms wide, sealing the straight.
But Jin twisted midair, wrist snapping sharply.
*CRACK!*
The ball curved past Hinata's block, drilling into the inner corner.
"Ridiculous…" Kageyama muttered under his breath.
Ukai Sr. chuckled despite himself. "Strong boy. He saw I doubted his aerial ability and proved it right away."
He sighed, watching the three first-years, the Freak Duo and Jin.
"This year's Karasuno really did gather three monsters…"
Hinata blinked, embarrassed.
But Ukai Sr. only glanced toward the gym door. "Speaking of your training topic, it should arrive… about now."
The door slid open.
A chorus of bright voices echoed.
"Coach! We're here~!"
Six fashionable women stepped inside, all dolled up, greeting Ukai Sr. cheerfully.
"Pfft!!" Nosebleeds sprayed instantly from Jin, Hinata, and even Kageyama.
Ukai Jr. scolded them, face red. "Y-you old man! At your age and still like this, no wonder the doctor says your health suffers!"
Ukai Sr. just laughed, eyes glint shut, looking every bit like the gentle grandpa next door… which was nothing like the previous grandpa they knew just moments ago.