·Chapter 123 : Familiar Faces6hShareEarly the next morning, Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.
The sky hung dark, a canvas of deep indigo barely touched by dawn.
The first rays of morning light pierced the horizon, casting a glow on the silver-white exterior of the gymnasium. The walls shimmered, reflecting a brilliance that seemed to pulse with the anticipation of the day ahead.
Below, the plaza buzzed with energy. Crowds surged, a sea of colorful banners and flags waving proudly—red for Fukurōdani, yellow-green for Itachiyama, and countless others representing schools from every corner of Japan.
Competitors, coaches, and fans who had traveled to Tokyo gathered early, their voices blending into a lively hum. They swapped predictions, debated team rankings, and shared stories of past tournaments, their excitement palpable.
Karasuno High's volleyball team stood among them, their black jerseys stark against the vibrant scene. For many, this was their first time at the Inter High Volleyball Tournament, the pinnacle of high school volleyball. The air crackled with possibility, and their hearts raced with a mix of nerves and determination.
Inter High Volleyball Tournament!
This was it—the stage where legends were made.
A crisp bell rang out, and the gymnasium's massive doors creaked open, drawing every eye. The crowd surged forward, a tide of enthusiasm flooding the entrance.
"Wow!" Shōyō Hinata's voice cut through the noise as he stepped into the wide hall, his eyes wide with awe. Players from dozens of teams milled about, their jerseys a kaleidoscope of colors. "The stage where the little giant once fought!"
Tobio Kageyama, walking beside him, scoffed. "The arena from your 'little giant' era isn't here. It's at other Gymnasium."
"Shut up! Shut up!" Hinata spun on him, cheeks flushed. "It's about the atmosphere, Kageyama! You're ruining it!"
Kageyama's blunt correction only fueled Hinata's frenzy. "The important thing is the vibe! The energy! You've destroyed it!"
Daichi Sawamura, Karasuno's captain, chuckled nearby, watching his teammates bicker. "Save some of that energy for the court, you two."
"Hey, hey, hey!" A booming voice interrupted, echoing across the hall. "How was your rest, Karasuno? Ready to get crushed?"
Hinata's head whipped around. "Hah! Bokuto-senpai! You're here!"
Kōtarō Bokuto, Fukurōdani's ace, strode toward them, his grin wide and infectious. His presence drew eyes; whispers rippled through the crowd.
"I'm in top spirits!" Bokuto flexed dramatically, his voice carrying. "But when we're across the net, no mercy! Hahaha!"
"Huh? Akaashi!" Hinata shouted, spotting Fukurōdani's setter trailing behind, calm as ever.
"Akaashi!" Bokuto echoed, slinging an arm around his teammate. Wherever Bokuto went, his energy was unmistakable.
"Is that Fukurōdani's Bokuto?" a bystander murmured. "What an aura!"
"Top five ace in the country, no question," another added.
Their gaze shifted to Karasuno. "Who's the black jersey team? A strong school?"
"Karasuno?" someone puzzled. "Never heard of them."
"Probably a newbie team at nationals for the first time."
Hinata puffed out his chest, undeterred. "Just wait! We'll show them!"
Nearby, Kōshi Sugawara, Karasuno's vice-captain, nudged Daichi. "They're not wrong. This is our big shot to make a name for ourselves."
Daichi nodded, his expression steady but his eyes burning. "Let's focus. We've got a match to win."
Suddenly, a hushed cry broke out. "Hey! Over there!"
Da, da, da… Steady footsteps approached from the entrance.
"It's Itachiyama! Champion candidates!"
"The powerhouse that won last year's Spring High! The king of kings!"
A team in yellow-green jerseys entered, their demeanor cool and composed. Itachiyama Institute, Tokyo's pride, moved with the confidence of reigning champions. The crowd parted, their whispers growing fervent.
"That's Motoya Komori!" a fan gasped. "Monthly Volleyball Magazine called him the top libero!"
"Finally seeing him in person!" another squealed.
"And their captain, Tsukasa Iizuna!" a third added. "The strongest setter! He's straight out of the magazines!"
Hinata tilted his head, squinting. "Wait… doesn't their team look short one guy?"
"You're right," Kei Tsukishima drawled, adjusting his glasses. "Something's off."
"Their ace—Kiyoomi Sakusa," Yamaguchi muttered. "Where's he at?"
The crowd buzzed with the same question. "Sakusa's missing! Is he skipping nationals?"
Then, a shout: "Sakusa! He's there!"
Heads turned. In a quiet corner, far from the spotlight, Kiyoomi Sakusa stood alone. His white mask covered half his face, and his dark eyes scanned the crowd with quiet despair, as if the sheer number of people overwhelmed him. One of Japan's top three aces, yet here he was, shrinking from attention.
Tsukasa Iizuna, Itachiyama's captain, paused mid-stride. "Huh? Where's Sakusa?" He scratched his head, glancing at his teammates.
Motoya Komori sighed, pointing to the corner. "His germaphobia's acting up again. Just give him a minute."
The crowd chuckled, but Sakusa's intensity, even from afar, was undeniable.
As Karasuno watched, a broadcast crackled through the hall. "Thank you for waiting! The Interhigh High Volleyball Tournament is about to begin!"
The opening ceremony was a whirlwind of pomp and pride. Representatives from 47 prefectures marched in, their banners high. Karasuno's players stood tall, Hinata practically vibrating with excitement. The schedule was tight—matches would start immediately after. With only four courts, Karasuno's game was set for the third batch, while Fukurōdani's was in the second.
Watching the first batch warm up, Karasuno's nerves surfaced. Hinata bounced on his toes, Kageyama's focus sharpened, and even Tsukishima's usual smirk tightened. Moderate tension, Daichi knew, could hone their edge.
"Hey! Been a day! Did you miss us?" A familiar drawl cut through their focus.
Karasuno turned to find Nekoma High, in casual clothes, sauntering over. Tetsurō Kuroo, their captain, grinned slyly.
"Oh! Why are you here?" Hinata blurted.
Kuroo laughed. "It's less than an hour by bus! We're here to scout, relax, and cheer for you—obviously."
He leaned in, his grin turning wicked. "Don't wet your pants on the court, okay? And if you do, don't say you know me. I've got a reputation."
Daichi rolled his eyes, smiling. "Keep talking, Kuroo. We'll see who's nervous when we play you."
Nekoma's Kenma Kozume, trailing behind, glanced up from his phone. "You'll be fine, Hinata. Probably."
"Kenma!" Hinata beamed. "Thanks!"
On the sidelines, cheers erupted. "Come on, Aran!" a fan shouted, likely for Inarizaki's Aran Ojiro, warming up nearby.
"Shōyō! You got this!" another called, boosting Hinata's grin.
Kuroo's eyes flicked to the courts. "Where's Bokuto? No Fukurōdani?"
"They're in the second batch," Sugawara said. "Probably warming up in the back."
Karasuno would head there soon, too. Daichi sighed. "Wish we could see our next opponent."
The second batch included a Group C match, and its winner would face Karasuno. The uncertainty gnawed at them, but it also fueled their resolve.
As the first matches began, the gymnasium roared to life. Karasuno huddled, their focus sharpening. This was their moment—the Inter High, the orange court, the dream they'd fought for. They were ready.