Haikyuu: Reborn in Karasuno

After lunch, Hayato continued supervising Tanaka and Nishinoya's summer homework.

With no air conditioning, the heat clung to the room. Hayato rummaged through storage, unearthed an old electric fan covered in dust, and cleaned it off. Despite years of neglect, it whirred to life, sending a faint breeze across the tatami.

The scene could have been perfect — summer sun outside, cicadas droning, a spinning fan, ice cubes clinking in a cup. A day for lazing on the floor under a thin blanket, drifting in and out of dreams.

Instead, Hayato was stuck watching two second-years scramble to copy their homework.

"Hayato, why do I write this part of the math like this?"

Apparently, there was something worse than babysitting — babysitting someone who couldn't even copy answers correctly.

By the time Hayato came back upstairs with a fresh pot of iced tea, they had finished two subjects' worth of homework and drained the pot.

"Only half left, thank goodness."

"I feel like my body's rusting after sitting all day," Nishinoya groaned.

They stretched like they'd just come from a grueling match, not a study session.

"Oh, right, Hayato," Tanaka said as they stood by the door. "Even though we've got a week off, everyone's meeting for self-training tomorrow afternoon. You coming?"

"Self-training? Since when?"

"Last night. Daichi-senpai mentioned it while talking to me. I told him I'd let you know since I was coming over today… but, uh, I forgot."

Hayato gave him a look that said it all.

"Hahaha! Ryu, you were too distracted by Kiyoko-senpai in casual clothes," Nishinoya teased, slapping Tanaka's back.

Hayato sighed and ushered them out. "Got it. Now get home. No dinner service here. And be ready to finish the rest of your homework tomorrow."

After cleaning up his desk, Hayato changed into sportswear and headed out for a run. At the riverside, he spotted familiar faces: Koyuki, her friend Uki, and a new girl, all in cheerleading uniforms practicing with pom-poms.

"Yahoo, good evening, Hayato! Out exercising?" Koyuki called, waving from a distance.

He jogged over. "Good evening, Takanori, Saruwatari-san… and this is?"

"Arima Hizume," the new girl introduced herself with a polite nod.

Koyuki explained she was the president of the Cheerleading Club — and that after seeing Karasuno's matches, she wanted to prepare to officially cheer them on during the Prefectural Representative Selection Tournament.

Hayato thanked her for the thought and continued his run. Once he was out of earshot, Arima let out a quiet breath. "He's nice… but wow, he's tall."

At 190cm, Hayato towered over the three girls — none of whom reached 160cm besides Uki.

On the way home, Hayato found himself thinking about Arima's long hair. He messaged Kiyoko later, asking if she'd ever grow hers out. She replied she didn't mind — her current shoulder-length cut wasn't short anyway.

The next day, with the boys' homework done at last, Hayato treated them to lunch before heading to school with Kiyoko for self-training.

Most of the team had arrived, but Kageyama was missing. Hinata explained he'd gone to "scout the Great King" — meaning Oikawa Tooru of Aoba Johsai.

Hayato had heard of him: a captain and setter capable of bringing out the full potential of any team he played on. Even Ushijima's praise hinted at his skill. Facing him would be a challenge… and Hayato was eager for it.

Training stretched from afternoon to evening, when Kageyama finally returned — looking grim.

"Kageyama's back alive," Hinata joked. "So, how's the Great King?"

"I… might never be able to beat Oikawa-senpai in my life."

"What are you talking about?!"

Kageyama described what he'd seen: Aoba Johsai scrimmaging against a university team made up of their graduates. Oikawa joined the university side — strangers to him — and within minutes played as if they'd been teammates for years. His sets brought out the ace's full power effortlessly.

"Are you afraid again?" Hinata asked.

"Yes. Terribly," Kageyama admitted — but his eyes burned with determination. "That's why we have to beat them. Spring High is our only chance."

"Defeat the Great King!" Hinata shouted, clutching the ball.

"That's my line, idiot!" Kageyama snapped.

Hayato took the ball from them. "Not just Aoba Johsai. Shiratorizawa too. Nationals, here we come!"

The team's energy surged. Even Tsukishima found himself thinking seriously about blocking Ushijima — a challenge he'd dismissed before. When his older brother invited him to train with his own team, Tsukishima decided to accept.

Time passed quickly, and soon Saturday arrived — fireworks festival day.

Kiyoko's yukata still fit, so she wore it instead of renting one. Hayato pulled his own black yukata from the closet, slipping his phone and wallet into the inner pocket. The clack of his geta echoed as he walked to her house.

She stepped outside moments later, dressed in a light blue yukata patterned with lilies. Her dark hair was swept up, exposing the graceful line of her neck.

"Indeed… the nape is the most beautiful point of a girl in yukata," Hayato thought, stroking his chin.

"You look beautiful, Kiyoko-nee," he said aloud.

"Thank you. Shall we go?"

Side by side, they headed toward the meeting place.

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