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The golden haze of late afternoon filtered through the tall windows of the Karasuno gym, casting streaks of amber across the polished floor.
The rhythmic squeak of sneakers echoed as the team ran drills—Hinata bounding like a spring-loaded blur, Kageyama flexing his fingers between sets, and Tsukishima letting out a pointed yawn mid-jump, unimpressed.
On the sideline, Coach Ukai shouted instructions, clipboard in hand, the faint smell of sweat and fresh wood varnish filling the space.
A few neighborhood alumni lounged nearby, some tossing a ball back and forth, others exchanging lazy banter, their rackets slung over shoulders more suited for work boots than volleyball now.
The gym felt alive, but something was missing.
Or rather—someone.
That absence hit harder now that Nishinoya was back, suspension finally lifted and grin wide as ever.
But without the team's ace, the balance still felt off.
The shadow left by Asahi loomed over the court like an unfinished spike.
Hinata, mid-warm-up, crushed a toss from Kageyama with a satisfying thwack, his eyes tracking the ball's arc—and then drifting toward the open gym doors.
A figure lingered just beyond the light, tall, broad-shouldered, and hesitant.
"Asahi-san!" Hinata shouted, landing hard, sneakers skidding on the floor.
Without pause, he bolted, streaking out of the gym like a launched arrow.
Ukai groaned, snapping his head toward the doors. "Where's that shrimp going now?"
Outside, Asahi flinched as Hinata skidded to a halt in front of him.
His long hair was tied back in a messy tail, eyes shadowed with doubt, hands buried deep in his jacket pockets.
"Hinata? What're you—?"
"You're here!" Hinata beamed, grabbing his arm with a surprising amount of strength. "Come on! Practice match—team needs you!"
Asahi hesitated, trying to pull back. "Wait, I—I'm not sure…"
"Nishinoya's back," Hinata added quickly, his grin stubborn. "He's waiting! You're the ace!"
Those words struck deeper than Hinata could know.
Asahi's heart thudded, the memory of Noya's fierce loyalty flashing through his mind.
He let himself be pulled forward, steps reluctant but no longer resisting.
The gym doors slammed open as Hinata practically dragged him inside.
"Got him, Coach!" Hinata called triumphantly.
Ukai blinked, cigarette nearly slipping from his mouth. "Oi—you! Big guy! You're late—practice started ten minutes ago!"
Asahi ducked his head, rubbing the back of his neck. "S-Sorry… I wasn't sure I'd come…"
From the alumni benches, Nishinoya shot up like a firecracker.
"Asahi! You're back—finally!" he yelled, sprinting across the gym.
He clapped a firm hand on Asahi's shoulder, eyes blazing. "Told ya—I'd only join if you did. Now we're set!"
Asahi's throat tightened, his doubt warring with the familiar comfort of his teammate's presence.
He still believes in me…
Ukai's sharp gaze moved from Asahi to the rest of the court. "Alright, Ace—you're in. But now I've got a setter problem. Kageyama or Sugawara? Only one runs the court for Karasuno."
He scratched his head. Kageyama's skill was undeniable—his sets had razor-sharp precision.
But Sugawara's leadership was the glue that held the team together. Neither option was easy.
Before Ukai could decide, Sugawara stepped forward.
"I'll join the neighborhood team," he said, voice calm and sure.
The gym stilled.
"What?" Kageyama blinked. "You don't need to—"
"I want the team to be the best it can be,"
Sugawara said gently. "Right now, that's with you as setter, Kageyama. Your sets give us an edge I can't match yet. But I'm not stepping aside forever. If you get tired or slip up, I'm coming in—and I'll be fighting you for that spot every step of the way."
He grinned, turning toward the alumni bench, his tone light despite the weight of his decision.
Kageyama stood frozen, surprise flickering into something like respect.
He's giving it up… for now?
Ukai nodded slowly, impressed.
That kid's got guts.
"Alright, settled. Karasuno lineup: wing spikers—Hinata, Daichi. Middle blockers—Tsukishima and Tanaka. Setter—Kageyama. Einoshita, you'll spike too, flex into the middle as needed.
Neighborhood team: setter—Sugawara. Wing spikers—Asahi and… Uchizawa, the cleaning guy. Middle blockers—Mori, third-year college , and Takenou, that scrappy guy from the electric company. Libero—Nishinoya. Let's roll."
Players moved into warm-up mode, the air buzzing with tension and anticipation.
Hinata bounced in place, brimming with energy.
Asahi's here! Noya's back! Full power!
Kageyama adjusted his stance, Sugawara's words burning in his mind.
I'm the best, huh? Then I better show it.
Tsukishima gave a rare smirk. No Suga? That's less talking for me. Nice.
Daichi steadied his breathing. Team's shaping up—gotta lead now.
Tanaka cracked his knuckles, barking, "Let's smash 'em!"
Ennoshita's nerves bubbled up, but he nodded to himself.
Starting today… I gotta prove I belong here.
Across the net, the alumni team stretched and laughed—less practiced but full of pride.
Asahi flexed his hands, the weight of his role returning.
Do I still have it?
Nishinoya glanced at him and grinned. "Don't choke, Asahi! I'm covering your back!"
Sugawara stood tall, hiding the fire in his chest behind a calm smile.
I'll push you from here, Kageyama. I won't vanish.
Uchizawa laughed, slapping his knees. "Man, back in the game! I missed this!"
Mori, arms like logs, grunted. "Let's give 'em hell."
Takenou stretched his long limbs and nodded. "Old crows still fly."
Ukai clapped once. "Five-minute warm-up! Then match start!"
The gym exploded into action. Balls flew, sneakers squealed, and shouts echoed in rapid succession.
Hinata rocketed into a spike from Kageyama—boom!—landing with a grin that radiated joy.
Asahi tested a swing off Sugawara's set—thwack—and the clean sound jolted something proud awake inside him.
Nishinoya dove for a loose ball, popping it up with a grin. "Still got it!"
Kageyama fired off a brutal serve. Sugawara received it cleanly, eyes locking briefly with his rival's.
I'm still here.
Tsukishima smothered a weak hit from Uchizawa, smirking down at the net.
Tanaka charged up a spike that thundered through Mori's block.
Daichi nodded, arms crossed. This is us—finally whole.
Ennoshita found rhythm, landing a clean hit that drew a rare nod from Ukai.
He's got potential, the coach noted silently.
Ukai's thoughts raced. Hinata's a freak—jumps like he's spring-loaded he is like tiny giant if he work on Power he'll be top 3 ace in no time.
Kageyama's precise—stone cold, but raw.
Tsukishima's sharp when he tries.
Daichi's the anchor.
Tanaka's pure chaos.
Ennoshita's learning fast.
Suga—he's the heart, even benched.
Asahi's rusty, but he's the ace.
Nishinoya? Freakin' monster.
This team's no joke. Nekoma better be ready.
The whistle shrieked.
Teams faced off—Karasuno in white and, alumni in scrappy tracksuits.
Hinata locked eyes with Asahi across the net. Asahi hesitated, then gave a small nod.
Nishinoya crouched, grin wide. "Let's do this!"
Hope, doubt, pride, and fire crackled in the air.
The match had begun.
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To be continued…
Hinata is now on par with Top 3 Ace with his technique and agility but he lacks power with training he'll be best in no time.
Think of him as upgraded version KōraiHoshiumi from Kamomedai