Haikyuu: Reborn in Karasuno

Hayato never believed he could win on his own—volleyball just isn't that simple.

Even Shiratorizawa, with its powerhouse players, could lose.

To Hayato, anyone who thinks they can dominate a team sport solo should probably just go to bed and think again.

From soccer and baseball to MOBA games, victory in team competitions comes down to one key thing: cooperation.

When everyone is close in skill, no one has the luxury of thinking they're invincible. Not even the Ace.

Sure, an Ace leads from the front—but he's also supported from behind.

Hayato had long since reached his personal ceiling. Now, it was time to elevate his team.

If he were a total beginner, he wouldn't have joined the Volleyball Club. Starting from scratch would just hold everyone back.

If he were just decent, he wouldn't have joined either. Mediocrity helps no one.

But he wasn't either of those things.

He was an experienced, skilled Ace and former captain. That's why he came.

To become Karasuno's pillar. To lead them to Nationals—and maybe, just maybe, a championship.

People might argue that Haiba from Nekoma started as a beginner too. But Nekoma is not Karasuno.

Nekoma's impeccable defense and team-wide receiving made it possible for them to integrate a rookie.

Karasuno? Their offense was explosive, but their defense leaked points like a broken dam.

Take their Spring High preliminaries:

Round 1: Sen Nan – 25-16, 25-13

Kawakado – 25-22, 25-19

Round 2: Jozenji – 25-21, 25-20

Wakunan – 25-20, 20-25, 25-23

Semifinals: Seijoh – 25-23, 28-26, 26-24

Outside of the opening match, every win was hard-fought.

Even Yamaguchi, despite being on the team for so long, could only contribute as a pinch server. That said a lot about their depth.

And their final showdown with Shiratorizawa? A brutal five-set slugfest.

"Hayato-senpai, how much longer do we have to run?"

Hinata was panting hard, sweat dripping as he kept pace beside the road.

He'd shown up bright and early at Hayato's place, expecting a nice morning jog together.

But Hayato just hopped on his bike and told Hinata to run.

"Five more minutes," Hayato said, glancing at his watch. "Then we rest and move on to receive practice."

Even though Hinata's strength was in his offense, he'd still rotate to the back row. And Nishinoya wouldn't always be there to cover him.

So—receive training was non-negotiable.

By the time they finished, Hinata was keeled over, hands on his knees, chest heaving.

A towel draped over his head.

"Good work. Hydrate," Hayato said, handing him a water bottle.

Hinata gulped it down, then paused. "Ha~! I'm alive again. Wait... this tastes like banana cream?"

"I added protein powder," Hayato said with a smile. "Bonus for completing your training. I drink it all the time."

"Ohhh! Thanks, Hayato-senpai!"

They took a short break in a nearby park to practice receiving before heading back.

Upon reaching Hayato's place, Hinata returned the bike and said his goodbyes—clearly trying to avoid becoming a third wheel when Kiyoko stepped out to greet them.

"Good morning, Kiyoko-nee!" Hinata beamed.

After he rode off, Kiyoko and Hayato walked to school together.

"How was training this morning?"

"Not bad."

"You said you were going to give the team a surprise. Everything going well?"

"Of course! Hinata's going to improve a ton before the summer training camp."

"Then I'll look forward to it."

"You should be looking forward to Friday even more," Hayato teased.

"Hmm… I think someone else is more excited about that than me."

At school, Hayato opened his shoe locker and found a familiar envelope.

A love letter?

The handwriting was elegant. The message short and direct:

She'd seen him during PE class and was struck by his basketball skills. After working up the courage, she wanted to confess her feelings. She'd be waiting after school behind the teaching building.

Hatogaya Koyuki, Class 2-3.

Hayato vaguely remembered the class. There was a PE period where the boys played basketball while the girls did volleyball—this must've been then.

"Yo, Hayato! What's that?"

Tanaka and Nishinoya appeared out of nowhere. They both caught sight of the envelope in his hand.

"Is that a L-O-V-E L-E-T-T-E-R?" Tanaka asked, doing a terrible English impression. "You city boy..."

"First you're childhood friends with Kiyoko-senpai, and now you're getting love letters?!" Nishinoya jabbed him with an elbow.

After some good-natured teasing and bribing them with green tea to keep quiet, Hayato asked if Nishinoya knew Koyuki.

"She's... uh, not super noticeable. Don't know much."

Useless, Hayato thought, facepalming.

He was not good at rejecting people.

After school, Hayato stood behind the teaching building, early but clearly nervous.

Unbeknownst to him, the second-year squad—Tanaka, Nishinoya, Ennoshita, Kinoshita, and Narita—were hiding in the bushes nearby, spying like middle schoolers.

"She's here!"

A petite girl with soft pink hair walked over, bowing politely.

"I'm sorry for making you wait. I'm Hatogaya Koyuki."

"Not at all. I just got here," Hayato replied, trying to stay calm.

The onlookers whispered excitedly behind the bush.

"She's so cute!"

"Loli-type, for sure."

Then came the moment of truth.

"Hayato! Please..."

"Join the Basketball Club!"

Hayato nearly fell over.

"...Huh?"

"I'm the manager," she said cheerfully. "Our captain's been worried about the lack of new members, and when I saw you during that PE class… you were amazing!"

She tilted her head innocently. "It seemed easier to talk privately than bother you in front of class."

"So… the letter… wasn't a confession?"

"Nope!"

Hayato blinked.

After politely declining, Koyuki bowed again and left.

A few seconds of silence.

Then—

"Pfft—"

"Alright, laugh if you want. I know you guys were back there."

The second-years exploded into laughter, Tanaka nearly choking as he leaned on Nishinoya for support.

Even the more composed Ennoshita patted Hayato's shoulder in sympathy.

Back at practice, the second-years couldn't stop grinning at Hayato. The others were puzzled, but no one spilled.

That night, Hayato took Hinata to Coach Ukai's for training—still mentally recovering from the most unexpected "confession" of his life.

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POWER STONE!!!

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