Haikyuu: Rise of Sengoku

April.

The season when cherry blossoms bloom in full glory.

Because his scores on the high school entrance exam were just a tiny bit lower than needed, Tobio Kageyama chose a once-strong but now declining powerhouse, Karasuno High School.

On the first day of school,

While everyone was busy making new friends, getting used to their new environment, and joining clubs, Kageyama had already arrived early at the volleyball gym to practice.

Since losing to Sengoku Junior High in his last match, Kageyama had spent most of his time reflecting on his weaknesses and intensively working on his serves.

Because of this focus, he had ended up with the lowest score in history for his social studies exam during the entrance tests.

Just as Kageyama was halfway through his serving practice, a small figure suddenly barged in, breaking his concentration.

Of course, it was none other than, 

The one and only, Kageyama's destined fiery teammate: Hinata Shoyo.

These two, with wildly different personalities but linked by fate, were never going to have a calm first meeting.

After a series of events, glaring at each other, angering the volleyball team captain Daichi Sawamura, accidentally hitting the vice principal's wig with a ball, and getting kicked out of the gym, things dramatically escalated into an impromptu "Rookie Match."

Just then,

Three new volleyball club members walked into the gym.

Among them, one was tall with short blonde hair, black-framed glasses, standing nearly 1.9 meters tall, making him stand out from the trio.

Another had a plain face dotted with a few freckles, completely forgettable in a crowd.

The last was slender and handsome, but somehow barely noticeable.

When Kageyama's eyes landed on the last one, his previously annoyed expression suddenly sharpened.

"It's you?"

The boy looked stunned at first, then slapped his forehead and put on a pained expression.

"Why are you here?"

"I should be asking you that."

Miki Oda's lip twitched. He never expected to run into this headache-inducing guy here.

You see,

One reason Miki chose Karasuno High was because it was his older brother's alma mater. But more importantly, Karasuno's volleyball team had declined in recent years.

A team with moderate strength meant Miki could pursue his interest in volleyball while still slacking off just enough.

Plus, Karasuno's advanced classes had good university acceptance rates.

It should have been the perfect high school for Miki to enjoy his life.

But then, why was this guy here too?

At that moment, Miki suddenly felt a strange unease about his upcoming high school life.

"Hey, Kageyama, who's this guy? You know him?" Hinata interrupted, suddenly unhappy seeing Kageyama chatting so closely with a stranger.

"Huh? Short stuff, you don't recognize him? This guy was the setter at Sengoku Junior High, the same school that beat your so-called 'King,' leading Kitagawa, the top team there."

Before Kageyama could say anything, the tall boy next to Miki, Matsukawa Kei, sneered.

At the word "King." Kageyama's expression darkened immediately.

Miki glanced at Matsukawa. "You know, I kinda suspected your personality was pretty awful."

"Is that so? Thanks for the compliment, 'champion,'" Matsukawa shot back sarcastically.

Miki was left speechless.

Ugh. So exhausting.

Though they just met, Miki was already overwhelmed enough to consider quitting the Karasuno volleyball club, it looked like his high school life was about to get pretty interesting.

"Ch-ch-champion?" Hearing Matsukawa call Miki "champion." Hinata's eyes lit up, and he bounced excitedly. "Wow, the champion's here too!"

Miki glanced at him.

Yep.

Confirmed by the look in his eyes, another ball of endless energy.

Miki silently stepped back two paces, hoping to melt away into the background and quietly escape this suddenly too-hot place.

But before he could reach the door, Kageyama's voice came from behind.

"Hey, where's that guy now?"

Though no names were mentioned, Miki knew exactly who Kageyama meant. After thinking for a moment, he turned and answered, "Him? He's…"

… 

At the vending machines, Yūtarō Kindaichi and Akira Kunimi each bought a drink. Before they could even take a sip, Kindaichi suddenly widened his eyes like he had seen something unbelievable and nearly sprayed his drink out.

Kunimi looked over, surprised too. "So those two came to Aoba Johsai as well?"

Ahead of them,

A handsome, charming, and talented youth was walking towards the vending machines, accompanied by a plain-looking young man.

As they got closer,

The two by the vending machine noticed Kindaichi and Kunimi.

The handsome youth smiled dashingly and greeted them warmly, "Yo! We meet again, both of you. Looks like we'll be fighting side by side for the next three years!"

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