Haikyuu: Reborn in Karasuno

After classes ended that afternoon, Hayato and Kiyoko met up and walked toward a nearby swimwear shop. On the way, Hayato messaged Hinata, having just gotten a text saying that Coach Ukai was taking him to Grandpa Ukai's house for training.

Ukai Ikke — the former supervisor of Karasuno's volleyball team — had only recently been discharged from the hospital. He was the legendary coach who once led the Little Giant to the national stage. Hayato, already familiar with the story thanks to Hinata's endless enthusiasm, wasn't surprised.

While chatting with Hinata, Hayato took the opportunity to text him an entire block of information — everything he knew about offensive rhythms. Smirking as he hit send, he turned to Kiyoko, who looked intrigued.

"Hinata said Coach Ukai took him to his grandfather's for training."

"You were supposed to train him today," Kiyoko noted, raising an eyebrow.

Hayato shrugged, unbothered. "The gym's closed for maintenance. Besides... I have a much more important mission — helping Kiyoko-nee buy a swimsuit."

His grin was unapologetic. Kiyoko rolled her eyes, trying not to smile.

Back on his phone, Hayato sent Hinata an explanation of first, second, and third offensive rhythms. It was a lot of text — and Hayato knew full well that Hinata, the embodiment of a kinetic learner, would struggle with it.

Still, understanding theory was just as important as practice. If Hinata wanted to grow, he'd have to learn to grasp both.

Meanwhile, over at Ukai Ikke's home, the old man had just finished hurling his grandson — Coach Ukai — across the floor.

Hinata stood in front of the legendary coach, trying not to tremble under the pressure.

"Please teach me!" he said, bowing earnestly.

"Teach what?" the old man scoffed. "I just finished disciplining my sorry grandson. I don't take on just anyone."

"My senior who usually trains me had something come up," Hinata explained quickly. "Coach thought you might help since you just got discharged…"

"Senior?" the old man repeated, glancing at his grandson.

Coach Ukai picked himself off the ground. "He's talking about Hayato. He's a second-year and recently joined our team. Originally, he was handling Hinata's training, but today…"

Before he could finish, wham — he was sent flying again.

"What kind of coach are you, making your players train themselves and pawning them off to me?" Grandpa Ukai barked.

Coach Ukai had no comeback. He simply bowed, accepting the well-earned scolding.

The old man turned back to Hinata and eyed him critically. "With your height, you want to dominate the air?"

"It's because of my height that I have to," Hinata answered without hesitation.

Something about the answer made the old man pause. For a moment, he saw a flash of the past — jersey number 10, leaping higher than anyone thought possible. The Little Giant.

Hinata, seeing his silence, lowered his head. "You probably think I'm being naive—"

"Where is it nonsense?" the old man interrupted. He picked up a volleyball and pointed at Hinata. "In quick attacks, no matter how good your setter is, the one in control is you."

"Ah — Hayato-senpai said the same thing!" Hinata said quickly, brightening. "He sent me a whole bunch of stuff about offensive rhythms just now."

He handed over his phone.

The old man skimmed through the message and raised an eyebrow, visibly impressed. "Hmph. Now this new member of yours is interesting."

Coach Ukai, still recovering nearby, nodded. "Hayato Kuroha. Wing spiker. 190 cm. A second-year. No major weaknesses, though he's a bit overly focused on attacking and sometimes hits out of bounds. But he's shown leadership qualities… Yesterday, he even stepped in to resolve an issue between Hinata and Kageyama."

The old man grunted. "Can you bring him tomorrow?"

Coach Ukai's eyes widened. "Yes, of course!"

Without another word, the old man turned to the court where a few elementary school students were practicing. "Let me show you what your senpai meant by 'offensive rhythms.' You — Hinata, come block."

Hinata followed him onto the court. The net was lowered for the younger kids, and a few stared at Hinata's height in awe.

"You from middle school?"

"Nope. I'm a high school student…"

"Alright," the old man barked. "Let's start."

"Third rhythm!"

An elementary student tossed the ball. The old man set it. The attackers waited until after the set to begin their approach. Hinata jumped, trying to block — but got hit square in the face.

"Ouch…"

"His face is over the net!" one of the kids exclaimed in admiration.

Though in pain, Hinata stood his ground. "I'm fine!"

"Second rhythm!"

This time, the attack launched almost simultaneously with the set. Hinata blocked it properly, using his hands.

"First rhythm!"

Hinata watched the court carefully… but the attackers moved before the ball was even set. Caught off guard, he failed to block it.

"So fast!" he gasped, eyes shining with excitement.

The old man crossed to his side of the net, satisfied. "In those three rhythms, did you notice a difference in hitting style?"

"Not really…" Hinata said honestly.

"What changed then?"

After thinking, Hinata answered, "The timing of the approach."

"Exactly. That's what Hayato was trying to explain. The first rhythm lets you dodge blockers — the attacker moves first, and the setter adjusts the toss to match. The attacker decides how to finish it, so they lead the play."

Coach Ukai, listening in, felt something click. "Only a set that's 'convenient for the wing spiker to attack' is the most powerful set…"

He suddenly understood what Hayato meant the other day — about finding Hinata's best set.

Without another word, he rushed off to find Kageyama, who was still at home watching national team match footage.

"Kageyama!"

"Coach Ukai? What's going on?"

"I know what Hinata's best set is! Meet me at Sakashita Store, now!"

Kageyama hung up and bolted out the door.

Meanwhile, Hayato — confident that Hinata was in good hands — was helping Kiyoko browse swimsuits for their Hawaii trip.

Together, they picked out a beautiful bikini with deep blue and rose-red color blocks. It had a bow detail on the chest, a strapless white lace trim, and a halter-neck design. A deep blue thigh strap added a bold touch.

Kiyoko blushed at the thought of wearing it in front of Hayato, so she picked out a light purple sun-protection jacket with dropped shoulders and a pair of white shorts for modesty. She paired it with dark blue lace-up low-heeled sandals.

When she stepped out of the fitting room, her black hair tied into a bun, Hayato gave her a thumbs up. "Super cute, Kiyoko-nee. This is the one."

She turned around once in front of the mirror and smiled. "You might be right."

After buying the swimsuit, they stopped at a pharmacy for travel essentials — motion sickness pills, sunscreen, and eye masks — then ended the day with a big meal.

The rhythm of their steps, the colors of the day, and the joy of anticipation matched perfectly — both on and off the court.

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POWER STONE!!!

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