Haikyuu: Reborn in Karasuno

The bus hummed quietly on its way to Tokyo. Beside Kiyoko, Hayato dozed off peacefully, gradually leaning against her shoulder. This intimate sight drew envious growls from Karasuno's resident bodyguard duo.

"Damn it, that Hayato…" Tanaka muttered, his fist trembling.

"Since when can childhood friends get that close?" Nishinoya whispered, his jealousy barely contained.

But as soon as Kiyoko raised a finger to her lips with a rare and quiet "shhh," both boys froze. Even in their heartbreak, they obeyed without question, melting between being angry and blessed by her attention.

After arriving in Tokyo, Hayato blinked awake, rubbing his eyes and flashing Kiyoko a sheepish smile. He followed the team off the bus, scanning the surroundings. Aside from a few taller buildings, it wasn't much different from Miyagi.

"Still feels like home," he mused.

"It's 'cause we're all in the suburbs," Sugawara added, overhearing.

Waiting at the school gates was none other than Tetsurō Kuroo, Nekoma High's captain, with his iconic wild bedhead and smug grin. His sharp eyes scanned the familiar group—until they landed on Hayato.

"Oh? Who's the new guy?"

Daichi stepped forward, pride in his voice. "Hayato Kuroha. Second-year. 191 centimeters. And yeah—his volleyball skills are no joke. Don't be surprised when he starts showing off."

Kuroo raised an eyebrow and gave Hayato a slow, deliberate once-over. "Hmm. Tall, confident, and looks like he bites. I like him already. But wait—aren't you missing a few players?"

Daichi sighed. "About that…"

"Let me guess—Hinata and Kageyama?"

"Yep. Supplementary classes."

"Of course," Kuroo snorted. "Karasuno's unpredictable duo, as always."

Before they could continue, a loud cry echoed from nearby. Nekoma's Tanaka-equivalent, Taketora Yamamoto, had fallen to his knees.

"Whaaaat?! We've got a pretty type and a cute type?!" he shouted, gawking at Kiyoko and Hitoka.

Startled, Hitoka darted behind Kiyoko, who instinctively stepped forward, shielding her.

Tanaka, suddenly proud beyond measure, walked up to Yamamoto, glowing with divine light.

"You see that, Tora? That's Karasuno's real strength."

Hayato, approaching with a slight jog, interrupted their comedic scene.

"Kiyoko-nee, have you seen my kneepads? I can't find them anywhere."

"They were worn out, remember? You gave them to me yesterday to mend. Honestly, you'd lose your own head if it weren't attached," she scolded lightly, handing him the newly stitched pads.

"Ah, right… You're a lifesaver."

Yamamoto looked like he'd been struck by lightning. "Wait... That guy is her childhood friend?!"

"Yeah," Tanaka replied flatly, eyes dark. "One year younger than her. Hayato Kuroha. Deal with it."

"Impossible... how can life be this unfair?!"

The two collapsed into each other's arms, sobbing dramatically. The rest of the team wisely ignored them.

"Alright," Kuroo called out, "everyone else is warming up. Come to the gym when you're ready."

Hayato slid on his kneepads, observing Yamamoto and Tanaka's antics. "Huh... they really are a matching set. Ryunosuke and Tora—almost like a comedy duo."

He followed the team into the gym. As soon as the doors opened, a wall of heat and energy hit them. Four other schools were already in full swing.

Seikawa High: green vests and yellow shorts—known for their killer serves.

Morisen High: purple vests and white shorts—teamwork masters.

Fukurodani Academy: cyan vests, navy shorts—and home to one of the nation's top five Aces.

Nekoma High: blue vests and black shorts—Karasuno's age-old rivals, the cats from the Battle at the Garbage Dump.

This was a rare chance for Karasuno. Every one of these schools was elite, and just having scrims against them was a blessing.

After warming up, Karasuno's first match was against Seikawa High.

Hayato started as a regular.

Lineup:

Setter: Sugawara

Wing Spikers: Daichi, Asahi, Tanaka

Middle Blocker: Tsukishima

Libero: Nishinoya

Due to libero rules, Tanaka rotated out first for Nishinoya.

Coach Ukai gave Hayato the first serve.

"This is your debut against other schools. You good, Kuroha?"

Hayato smirked. "Leave it to me."

The front row covered their heads, bracing. The whistle blew.

BOOM!

Hayato's jump serve tore through the air like a cannon shot—an instant Ace.

"Eek! It's like a missile every time…" Hitoka yelped from the bench.

Seikawa froze. This wasn't the Karasuno they expected. That serve alone rivaled national-level Aces.

On the sidelines, Bokuto Koutarou of Fukurodani had stars in his eyes.

"Yooo! That number 13's got a cannon!"

Akaashi, ever blunt, added, "Honestly, it might be better than yours."

"HEY!"

Coach Ukai chuckled. "Didn't expect that, did they? Karasuno's got an Ace in the making."

Hayato served three more devastating balls—scoring twice more before Seikawa adapted and finally returned one.

But Karasuno's defense was ready. Daichi and Nishinoya steadied the backline, with Hayato joining them.

Azumane attempted a spike—it was blocked. The ball rebounded hard.

"I got it!" Hayato lunged, cupping his wrists to receive it cleanly.

"Chance ball!" Sugawara called out.

Hayato retreated behind the three-meter line, shouting, "Suga!"

Sugawara set a perfect toss.

Hayato exploded off the floor—a back-row attack. His spike ripped into Seikawa's court for a clean point.

The team erupted.

"We did it!" Sugawara shouted, leaping into Hayato's arms.

"Great set, Setter."

Even Asahi smiled, brushing off the earlier block to join the celebration.

From then on, Karasuno kept scoring around Hayato's offense. Though Seikawa responded fiercely, Karasuno edged out the win: 25–21.

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POWER STONE!!!

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