Haikyuu: Reborn in Karasuno

The Date Tech squad, who hadn't started their own match yet, had gathered in the stands to watch Karasuno versus Jozenji.

As former opponents who had once defeated Karasuno, they were curious—just how much had this team grown?

"The Jozenji players don't think much before they move," Futakuchi Kenji muttered, arms crossed. The second-year captain, sporting his spiky 37-point hairstyle, frowned as he observed. "They jump at every feint and still fall for them."

"But they're still a pain to deal with, huh?" Kohara, the monk-cut second-year, finished his captain's thought.

Sasaya, with his neat center-part, raised a hand. "I've got a friend in Jozenji's basketball club. He told me the volleyball team spends more than half their practices playing 2v2 matches."

"Always 2v2?!" Futakuchi blinked. "That's brutal."

Kohara scratched his chin. "If they're used to that, it explains it. They don't rely on set positions. Everyone's ready to attack at any moment."

Almost on cue, Jozenji's players crashed into each other while saving a ball, coughing up another point.

"…And accidents like that," Kohara added dryly.

Futakuchi leaned back, hands behind his head, staring at the chaos below. "Tricky either way."

On the court, the scoreboard read 17–12.

"I wanna spike too!"

Jozenji's setter suddenly sprinted backward after passing, confusing Tsukishima at the net.

(Wait, isn't he the setter? Who's supposed to set for him?)

But then the ball was popped from the back row—straight into the setter's path. He rose and hammered it down for the point.

"HUH?!" Tanaka's forehead vein throbbed as Jozenji celebrated wildly. "Is that even legal?!"

From the stands, Jozenji's cheer squad thundered with drums and chants. Karasuno's supporters refused to be drowned out—Koyuki and the girls pulled Hitoka in, their voices ringing across the gym.

"Even though it's a match, I have to admit…" Takeda-sensei chuckled wryly. "Their style is fun to watch."

Coach Ukai nodded reluctantly. "No argument there."

"But when it comes to free-spirited play, Karasuno won't lose either."

Right then, Hinata—rotated back to the front—blazed through another Quick Attack. Bam! Point, Karasuno.

"Beautiful quick!" Hayato called, smiling genuinely. He didn't feel jealous—it was proof Karasuno wasn't a one-man team. Daichi, Tanaka, Tsukishima, Hinata, Kageyama… even Hayato himself. With so many weapons, relying on a single ace would be a waste.

Still, his fingers twitched. (Time for me to stand out again.)

"Kageyama! To me!"

Without hesitation, Kageyama's set arced perfectly into the back row. Hayato roared forward—SMASH! The ball tore through Jozenji's defense.

"Ohhh!! Back-row Hayato-senpai!!"

Hinata bounded up, high-fiving him, joined by Tanaka and the others. In the stands, his name echoed in chants. Hayato let himself grin, even waving at Koyuki and the girls.

But Jozenji struck back immediately, capitalizing on Tsukishima's serve. Karasuno answered in kind—Hinata and Kageyama's combo slicing through once more.

On the other side, Terushima's eyes locked on Kageyama. His grin widened. "That serious look—but his play's reckless."

Kageyama, fired up by the rhythm, thought, (Setter dump? I'm not letting you have it.) He jumped to block.

But his hands weren't sealed properly.

Whack!

The ball ricocheted straight into his face.

"Ngh—!"

It bounced back into Jozenji's half, landing untouched. Karasuno point.

"Tobio! Are you okay?!" Hayato rushed over, concern sharp in his voice.

Blood dripped from Kageyama's nose. Hayato froze, a chill running through him. (Wait… this happened before, didn't it? In the original match, Kageyama got hit and started bleeding…)

His chest tightened. (Even with me here, the events are repeating. Is this… the world correcting itself?)

He clenched his fists. (Does my presence change nothing?)

A timeout was called.

Kiyoko pressed tissues into Kageyama's hand. "Eyes? Are you hurt?"

"…No. Just the nose." He pinched it, muffled, clearly frustrated.

Coach Ukai sighed. "You leaned forward when you jumped, didn't you? Their rhythm pulled you in. Sit out till it stops bleeding. Infirmary, now."

Kageyama bristled, but Yamaguchi gently tugged his sleeve. "Come on. Don't be stubborn."

Hayato gave him a reassuring grin, thumb pointed at the team. "We've got this. You can rest easy."

Kageyama blinked, then nodded reluctantly. "…I'll leave it to you, senpai-tachi."

Hinata pouted. "Hey, don't forget about me too!"

With Sugawara subbing in, the match resumed. And the veteran setter wasted no time. Off Daichi's receive, he set cleanly to Hayato. Another cannonball spike. Another point.

The score gap widened.

When Nishinoya and Hinata rotated back in, Kageyama finally returned as well. Hitoka trailed behind, relieved he was fine.

Koyuki and the girls leaned over. "Are you okay, Kageyama-kun?"

He gave a stiff nod. Their sighs of relief were audible.

Hinata grinned. "Oh, you're back!"

"…Didn't you say I didn't need to worry?" Kageyama deadpanned.

"Uh—I rotated with Noya-senpai, okay?!"

Their banter was cut by the whistle. Sugawara fed Tanaka for a spike, but Jozenji dug it and sent the counter to Terushima.

Hayato, rotated front, leapt. Their eyes met mid-air across the net.

(Fast.) Terushima smirked.

(Bring it on.) Hayato's gaze sharpened.

Terushima twisted for a cross shot, but Hayato read it instantly, shifting his hands—THUD!

"Complete block!"

The ball dropped straight back. The bench erupted. Hinata and Kageyama cheered from the sideline.

Landing smoothly, Hayato gave Terushima a pointed look. "As you wish. Let's have a good game."

He turned away coolly as Karasuno claimed the serve.

Terushima wiped sweat from his brow, his grin never fading. "Interesting. Hayato Kuroha… you're even more interesting than I thought."

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