[May 1st, 6:00 a.m.]

  The sky was just beginning thten.

  Taichi Kaedehara sat iryway, carefully tying his shoeces.

  Although Coach Irihata had mentiohat the team could che at 8:00 a.m., Taichi's internal clock had him up early anyway.

  Today marked the first day of the training camp. Taichi was brimming with excitement, as it was his first time participating in su event. His heart was filled with anticipation and a hint of nervousness.

  He hoisted the backpack he had packed the night before, which tained all his training gear and daily ies. Stepping out of the house, the fresh m air greeted him, cool and invigorating, lifting his spirits even higher.

  When he arrived at the gymnasium, he spotted a familiar figure standihe entrance.

  "Good m, Mad Dog-senpai," Taichi greeted cheerfully.

  Kentarō Kyōtani fli the ued voice behind him and instinctively jumped back, turning to face Taichi.

  Wow, that rea really is like a dog, Taichi thought, holding back a chuckle. He asked, "Not going in?"

  It was that annoying first-year from yesterday. Choosing to ignore him, Kyōtani pushed the gym doors open forcefully and stepped inside.

  The gym wasn't crowded yet. However, by the time Taichi arrived, all twelve pyers listed on the main roster had gathered.

  After all, as the starters, they khey had to push themselves harder than those without guaranteed court time.

  "Well, well, you're earlier than I expected, little Mad Dog-," said Tōru Oikawa, strolling over with a group of third-years.

  The others were busy warming up or casually practising on their own.

  Kyōtani ignored Oikawa's remark. "When does spiking practice start?" he asked directly.

  "You should warm up first. The schedule will be decided ohe coach gets here," replied Hajime Iwaizumi, his toeady.

  "Got it," Kyōtani said with an uncharacteristically polite tone, nodding before heading off to warm up.

  "Huh?? Why do you only listen to Iwa- and not me?" Oikawa excimed indignantly.

  "Probably because back when Kyōtani first joined, he kept challenging Iwaizumi—a losing," interjected Issei Matsukawa. "Whether it was long-distance running, baseball pitg, or arm wrestling, he failed every time. Eventually, he developed a certain respect for Iwaizumi."

  "What are they, a pack of wolves or something?" Takahiro Hanamaki quipped, earning a few chuckles.

  "Hey, Mad Dog-!" Oikawa called out, his eyes glinting as he addressed Kyōtani, who was heading to warm up. "Aren't you thrilled to py under your amazing captain, Oikawa-senpai? I'll make sure you feel grateful from the bottom of your heart."

  By 8:00 a.m., the coach, team manager, and all members had arrived.

  "Is everyone here?" Coach Irihata asked as the pyers lined up ly in front of him.

  "Yes, sir!"

  Irihata sed the group, his sharp eyes glinting with approval at their eic demeanour.

  "Good. From this moment on, you have only one goal: practice, practice, and more practice!"

  "Even if it makes you sick, get those balls up!"

  "Uood!"

  ------

  "Forward, forward!"

  "Save it!"

  "How could you miss that? Ten more repetitions!"

  The gym was filled with shouts and the rhythmic echoes of shoes squeaking on the polished floor. The air buzzed with energy a.

  When it came time for spiking drills, Shigeru Yahaba and Oikawa alternated as setters, tossing balls to the attag pyers one by one.

  Kyōtani's turn arrived. Yahaba set the ball perfectly, his hands steady as he sent it toward the optimal position. Kyōtani locked onto the ball, muscles tensing as he unched himself into the air, his legs propelling him powerfully.

  With a ferocious strike, he sent the ball crashing down onto the court.

  The form was impeccable and the power, unmatched.

  But the momentum carried him forward too forcefully, causing him to collide head-on with Yahaba.

  "Ow! What the heck?! Watch where yoing!" Yahaba excimed, propping himself up on the court. "You're so careless—it's like you're not even trying to avoid anyone!"

  Kyōtani's face darkened.

  "Who's n? What does this have to do with hitting you?" he retorted.

  "You've barely been showing up for training! If that's not sg off, what is?!" Yahaba shot back, his frustration mounting.

  In truth, most of the volleyball team members felt a mix of frustration ament. Kyōtaarō, who they thought had quit the team, had returned as if nothing had happened.

  Without any expnation or apology, he skipped their gruelling daily practices yet still mao secure a spot in matches, bypassing their hard-earned efforts.

  Slowly standing, Kyōtani loomed over Yahaba, who was still sitting on the floor. "A, all your so-called hard work has only gotten you this far."

  "What did you just say?" Yahaba sprang to his feet, grabbing the colr of Kyōtani's jersey.

  "Enough! That's enough!" Iwaizumi Hajime appeared behind them, firmly separating the two.

  "This training camp isn't a pce for your petty arguments."

  "Tch. This is pointless....I'm going home," Kyōtani muttered, his words shog everyone around him.

  "What?"

  Ign Yahaba's gre, Kyōtani turned and started walking toward the gym doors.

  I k would e to this, he thought. Club activities were a hassle. The teammates were annoying, the rules were suffog, and even in the workpce, volleyball would be the same—what mattered was the game, not the team.

  Volleyball teams were everywhere. Why should it matter if he pyed without Aoba Johsai's uniform? Volleyball didn't require a specific logo to be enjoyable.

  Bang!

  A volleyball smmed dht at Kyōtani's feet.

  He turned back, his eyes narrowing. The ball had e from that first-year—Kaedehara Taichi. The boy stood there, grinning at him.

  "Mad Dog-senpai, running away again? You know, you lost to me yesterday, that also five to zero."

  Oikawa Tōru, standing nearby, started frantically winking auring at Taichi. Clearly, he wahe first-year to crify it was a team win, not just his own.

  But Taichi ignored him entirely.

  Kyōtani froze mid-step, not only provoked by Taichi's taunt but also reminded of the words Shimizu-san had said to him, and the real reason he had shown up today.

  "The's settle it. One more match," Kyōtani said, gring at Taichi.

  "Buuuutt even if I beat you, there's no real be for me," Taichi replied, feigning a troubled expression.

  That smug look, so fident in victory even before the match began, made Kyōtani's face twist into an expression of barely cealed rage.

  "Alright, I've got an idea," Coach Irihata interrupted, stepping forward. He had been watg the otion from the beginning.

  "Retly, a team from Tokyo has been in touch. They're a former powerhouse iional circuit. I hear their coach has ties to Karasuno's Coach Ukai Sr., and they're here specifically to challenge Karasuno."

  "Their match is scheduled for the st day of Golden Week, but before then, they'll be using Karasuno City Park Gymnasium as their base and pying practice matches against various schools."

  "Yesterday, I received a request for a match with them. I think it'll be an excellent opportunity for us."

  Irihata turo Taichi and Kyōtani. "How about this: you'll each py o in that match. Let's see who scores the most points."

  "Yes, sir!" Taichi responded enthusiastically.

  Kyōtani simply gave a small nod, a quiet acceptance of the coach's proposal.

  Taichi, however, could barely tain his excitement.

  He hadn't expected to enter Nekoma before even Karasuno did. The idea of fag them so soo a thrill c through him.

  _________

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