Coach Ukai Sr. was completely absorbed, chatting and laughing with the six glamorous "guest players" who had just arrived. His eyes practically sparkled with mischief.
Meanwhile, Coach Ukai Jr, Kageyama, Hinata, and Jin stood forgotten in the corner, ignored like air.
Seeing the lively scene, Jin boldly strolled forward, pulling out his phone. With a smug grin, he snapped a picture of one of the women.
"Hello, beautiful lady. I'm Shirogane Jin. Wanna trade numbers?"
The woman bit surprised and laugh at his straight-faced delivery.
"Why, you little brat!" Ukai Sr. yelled, grabbing Jin by the shoulders and tossing him aside like a sack of rice.
Jin twisted midair and landed perfectly on his feet. He dusted himself off, still grinning.
"Okay, okay, maybe number is outdated… how about LINE?"
The women giggled. Even they couldn't ignore Jin's shameless bravado.
"Grandpa, you're too much~" one of them teased Ukai Sr. "We thought you'd be the one showing us your skills, not these kids."
"Skills? Oh, you'll see mine soon," Jin smirked, flexing his biceps dramatically.
Ukai Sr. yelled and literally threw him again. "Get out of here already!"
On the sideline, Kageyama and Hinata just blinked, utterly lost.
After the chaos settled, Ukai Sr. coughed twice, suddenly regaining his stern aura.
"These women are your opponents. You'll play a best-of-three, but under certain conditions."
"Wait, coach," Kageyama raised his hand, stiff. "There's only three of us. Isn't this kinda unfair?"
Ukai Sr. only chuckled darkly. "Unfair? Not even close."
Coach Ukai Keishin came forward with a box, his expression apologetic. "Here's your unfairness."
He tossed something at their feet.
*Thud.*
The three first-years stared in horror.
"Uh-oh…" Jin groaned. "No way."
'Weight vests. Lead bags.'
Ukai Sr. explained mercilessly. "Hinata, you'll wear the vest and ankle weights. Kageyama, vest and wrist weights. And you, Jin, you get both. Arms and legs. Full set."
Jin's smile cracked. "Total… 24 kilos? You've gotta be kidding me."
Hinata whimpered. Kageyama stiffened. Jin just sighed, realizing the devil coach wasn't playing around.
Coach Ukai Jr. patted their shoulders sympathetically. "Endure it. This is for your growth." And then he quickly stepped aside before they could glare at him.
"Alright," Ukai Sr. yelled. "Game start!"
---
The six women weren't professional players, but they were beach volleyball enthusiasts. Strong arms, quick reflexes, and sharp instincts. Two-on-two beach style meant each of them had experience carrying plays on their own.
Kageyama served first. He tossed the ball, approached smoothly, and jumped. But the weight vest dragged his jump lower, and the wrist weights killed his arm swing.
*Thump.*
The ball smacked the net, dropping straight onto Hinata's face.
"Ghh-sorry!!" Kageyama shouted, cheeks red.
The opposing woman, who had braced herself to receive, snickered behind her hand. "Oh my, the little brothers aren't as strong as they look~"
The tease makes Kageyama flushed scarlet. Jin immediately patted his shoulder.
"Relax, just focus. Not everyone's can serve with little weights."
Kageyama whipped around. "What was that, you bastard!?"
"Yo, talented setter can't even serve, and now he's snapping at me?" Jin smirked, flexing his shoulders.
"Come here and say that again!" Kageyama stomped forward, fists clenched.
Hinata sweatdropped. "…We haven't even started…"
---
The game continued. A soft serve came from the women's side, floating toward Jin. Despite the weights, he received it cleanly.
Kageyama, maybe out of pride, ignored Hinata in perfect position and tossed to the backrow instead.
"Go on then, ace. Show us."
Even with the vest and ankle weights, Jin surged into his approach. His legs screamed, his body dragged, but his timing stayed sharp.
He leapt, straining higher than anyone expected.
"Uooooh!"
Hinata and Kageyama both froze, staring. Even overloaded, Jin still created the chance.
Ukai Sr. narrowed his eyes. "Not bad. He's adjusting midair despite the weights. A clever brat…"
From the sideline came a sudden squeal.
"Kyaa! Little brother jumps so high, it's exciting just watching~!"
Jin's eyes flicked toward the voice. His dynamic vision tracked everything, even the soft bounce of… distractions.
"Ah!"
He lost focus for a split second. The ball clipped him on the head and bounced away.
"IDIOT! Pay attention!" Kageyama barked furiously. He jabbed a finger toward Hinata. "Look at him, at least he's serious!"
But Hinata didn't even hear. A small trickle of blood dripped from his nostrils, eyes glazed as he grinned dazedly.
"YOU TWO IDIOTS!!" Kageyama's roar shook the entire gym.