The Court Strategist: Kenji Fukui’s Rise

The days following Karasuno's practice match against Nekoma seemed to pass in a blur. Kenji found himself replaying every rally in his mind: Kenma's calculated sets, Yaku's near-impossible saves, and the seamless coordination that made Nekoma such a formidable team. Each moment replayed in his head reminded him of how much further he had to go.

But life didn't pause for introspection.

Kenji slumped in his chair in the back row of class, his head resting on his hand. The biology teacher's droning voice was barely audible over the faint scratching of pens on paper. The whiteboard at the front of the room was filled with neatly drawn diagrams of plant cells, but Kenji's notebook was blank except for a hastily scrawled diagram of a volleyball court in the corner of the page.

"Fukui."

Kenji snapped upright as the teacher's sharp tone cut through his thoughts. He looked up, his cheeks flushing as several classmates snickered.

"Since you seem so engaged, perhaps you'd like to explain how chloroplasts function in a plant cell?"

Kenji opened his mouth, but no words came out. His mind, so sharp on the volleyball court, felt like a blank slate when it came to biology. From the row behind him, Yamaguchi leaned forward and whispered, "Photosynthesis."

Kenji cleared his throat. "Photosynthesis," he said quickly, earning a skeptical look from the teacher.

"Correct," she said finally, turning back to the board. "Try to stay with us, Fukui."

Kenji sighed in relief, catching Yamaguchi's grin.

After class, Yamaguchi caught up with him as they packed their bags. "You've got to stay focused, Kenji. Finals are coming up soon."

Kenji groaned. "I know. It's just... hard to switch gears after practice. I feel like my brain is still stuck in the gym." 

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Yamaguchi nodded sympathetically. "Yeah, I get that. Tsukki's always reminding me not to let volleyball take over my life, but it's hard when you care so much."

Kenji smiled faintly. It was nice to know he wasn't alone in the struggle.

Afternoons were no less demanding. Practice sessions had grown increasingly intense under Ukai's guidance. Every drill was a reminder of the gaps Nekoma had exposed in Karasuno's game.

"Kenji!" Ukai barked during a defensive drill. "You're hesitating too much! Do not overthink! Trust your instincts, or you'll miss the play!"

Kenji gritted his teeth, focusing on the ball as Nishinoya sent it his way. He dove, managing to keep the ball in play, though it wasn't the cleanest receive.

"Good hustle!" Daichi called as the rally continued.

Kenji rose to his feet, his chest heaving.

After practice, Kenji lingered behind, watching as Ukai adjusted the nets and Daichi spoke quietly with the first-years. The gym was quiet now, save for the faint hum of the lights overhead.

"Hey, Fukui," Daichi called, motioning him over. "Got a second?"

Kenji jogged over, his curiosity piqued.

"You've been doing great lately," Daichi said. "I can see how hard you're working, and it's paying off."

Kenji blinked in surprise. "Really? I still feel like I'm behind everyone else."

Daichi smiled. "Everyone feels that way sometimes. But you're part of this team for a reason. Just keep giving it your all, and you'll find your place."

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One evening, as practice wound down, Kenji noticed Shimizu Kiyoko unfolding a large piece of fabric near the gym's entrance. It was a deep black, with bold kanji painted across it in striking white.

"Shimizu-senpai, what's that?" Kenji asked, walking over.

Shimizu looked up, her expression calm and serene. "This is Karasuno's banner. It's tradition to display it during tournaments."

Kenji stepped closer, his eyes tracing the kanji for "Fly."

"It's simple," Shimizu said, "but it means everything to this team. We're the fallen crows, but this banner reminds us that we can rise again."

Kenji reached out to touch the fabric, the weight of its meaning settling over him. Fly. It wasn't just a word—it was a promise, a goal, a dream.

"I hope I can live up to it," he murmured.

Shimizu smiled faintly. "You will."

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The morning of the Interhigh Qualifiers dawned crisp and cool. The team gathered at the gym early, their energy a mix of nerves and excitement.

"All right, listen up," Daichi said, standing at the center of the huddle. "We've trained hard for this. Trust your teammates, trust yourselves, and give it everything you've got."

"Yeah!" Tanaka and Nishinoya shouted in unison, their enthusiasm echoing off the walls.

Kenji adjusted the strap on his bag as the team boarded the bus. His headphones were in place, but no music played. His mind was focused entirely on the upcoming match.

Tokonami wasn't a powerhouse team, but they were known for their solid defense and methodical plays. Daichi's warning rang in his ears: Don't underestimate them.

"You ready?" Yamaguchi asked, sliding into the seat beside him.

Kenji nodded. "Yeah. I just... don't want to let anyone down."

"You won't," Yamaguchi said confidently. "You've been working harder than anyone."

The gym buzzed with energy as Karasuno stepped onto the court. The sight of their banner—Fly—hanging proudly behind the bench sent a thrill down Kenji's spine.

The whistle blew, and the first rally began.

Tokonami's defense was as solid as expected, their libero digging up even Asahi's powerful spikes. The rally stretched on, both teams refusing to give an inch. Finally, Hinata and Kageyama connected on a quick attack, the ball slamming into the court before the blockers could react.

"Point, Karasuno!"

Kenji watched from the bench, his heart pounding. The team's energy was electric, their movements seamless.

By the end of the first set, Karasuno had claimed a decisive victory, winning 25–12.

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"Kenji, you're in for Tanaka," Ukai called as the second set began.

Kenji took a deep breath as he stepped onto the court. The lights felt brighter, the crowd louder, but he forced himself to focus.

Tokonami's ace sent a powerful serve toward the back corner. Kenji sprinted for the receive, managing to send the ball cleanly to Kageyama.

The rally continued, with both teams trading attacks. Finally, Kenji spotted an opening and called for the ball. Rising for the spike, he aimed for the gap between the blockers. The ball grazed their fingertips before hitting the floor.

"Point, Karasuno!"

As the set progressed, Kenji began to find his rhythm. He noticed how Tokonami's libero shifted slightly to the left on cross-court spikes and how their blockers hesitated when reacting to feints.

In one crucial rally, Kenji shouted, "Watch the tip!" just as Tokonami's ace attempted a soft shot over the blockers. Daichi adjusted, deflecting the ball and setting up a counterattack.

Kageyama's set was high and fast, and Kenji rose for the spike, slamming the ball past the blockers and into the court.

"Nice kill, Kenji!" Daichi called, clapping him on the back.

The score was 24-14, and Karasuno was on match point. Tokonami's captain sent a powerful serve over the net, but Nishinoya was ready, his perfect receive setting up the final play.

Kageyama's eyes flickered across the court before setting the ball high. Kenji sprinted into position, feinting a spike. The blockers bit, leaving Hinata wide open.

Hinata's spike was unstoppable, slamming into the floor with a resounding thud.

"Winners, Karasuno!"

The gym erupted in cheers as the referee blew the final whistle.

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As the team gathered around the bench, Ukai addressed them with a grin. "Good work out there. But don't get comfortable—we've got tougher matches ahead."

Kenji sat down, his chest heaving as the adrenaline faded. His gaze drifted to the banner hanging behind them: Fly.

For the first time, he felt like he was truly part of the team.

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