Haikyuu: Reborn in Karasuno

A staff member came to call Karasuno. Sawamura gathered the team, and they walked toward the court, their black uniforms radiating quiet intensity.

"It's Karasuno! Karasuno is here."

"Wow… they look fired up."

"Maybe this time they can really beat Aoba Johsai."

"Go, Karasuno!"

Spectators whispered and cheered as the team passed. Hinata's face split into a goofy grin—his first time receiving cheers before even stepping onto the court.

"Idiot, fix your face," Kageyama muttered under his breath.

Back in the arena, the team stretched and loosened up. Karasuno's cheer squad took their places, pom-poms waving. Saeko's voice rang out the loudest, joined by Yamaguchi's mentor, Shimada.

"Ryu! Give it everything!"

Tanaka winced at his sister's yelling, but by now he was used to it. Focused, he called for Kageyama's set and smashed a spike across the net with sharp precision.

On Seijoh's side, Kindaichi noticed his senior, Setter Yahaba, barely warming up, his eyes glued to Karasuno's bench.

"Yahaba-senpai, what are you staring at?"

"Karasuno… their new manager's the cute type. Plus they've got that glamorous one in the stands and a whole cheer squad of beautiful girls. Unfair."

Kindaichi twitched. "Why do I feel this burning rage inside me?"

Teenage restlessness was normal, but Yahaba's eyes specifically lingered on Hitoka. He even angled a stray ball in her direction.

"Excuse me, could you help me pick that up?" he said with what he thought was a charming smile.

The ball hurtled toward Hitoka—only for a hand to block it with elegant precision.

"Are you alright, Hitoka-chan?"

Shimizu Kiyoko stood beside her, calm and composed.

"Y-Yes, thank you, Kiyoko-senpai."

Yahaba froze. His chance shattered. Tanaka tossed the ball back at him with a glare.

"Here. Your ball."

"Ah… thanks."

Nearby, Hayato had seen the whole thing. As Kiyoko walked past, he grinned.

"That was so cool just now, Kiyoko-senpai~."

"Don't be silly. And don't drag out your words. Warm up, idiot."

Her glare and sharp "idiot" only made Hayato chuckle. Behind him, the bodyguard duo whispered enviously.

"Man, I wish Kiyoko-senpai would scold me too."

"Same here."

Hayato gave them a look. "Wait. You two into that kind of thing?"

"N-No way!"

Their bickering ended instantly under Sawamura's sharp glance. With one command—"Warm up properly"—the three straightened up and went back to training.

"These guys… still joking around before a big game."

"It's better than them being nervous," Sugawara said with a wink. Sawamura just sighed.

On Seijoh's side, Yahaba brushed off Kindaichi's teasing about his failed flirtation. But as he turned, he collided with a rough-looking teammate. The boy's glare was sharp, almost feral, before he walked away wordlessly.

"Who's that?" Sawamura noticed the commotion.

"Doesn't look like anyone from our notes," Hayato murmured.

It was Kyotani Kentaro—the "Mad Dog." Oikawa had only recently brought him back into the team. Karasuno had no real data on him.

"He looks intense," Sugawara observed.

Sawamura only smirked. "So what? We've got the 'Fierce Bird' on our side."

The nickname was still fresh. Sugawara grinned. "Exactly. Our very own fierce player. Right, Fierce Bird~?"

Hayato blinked, confused as he caught Sugawara waving at him. Sugawara's words carried across the court: "We're counting on you, Karasuno's Fierce Bird!"

Hayato lifted a hand in mock salute, which only made the two third-years burst out laughing.

Takeda-sensei, watching from the bench, smiled warmly. "Coach Ukai, perhaps one day Karasuno's 'Fierce Bird' will be as famous as Date Tech's 'Iron Wall.'"

Ukai nodded. "With Hayato's talent, he'll get there. But for now, our focus is the enemy right in front of us."

When warm-ups ended, captains met at the net.

"Please take care of us today. Especially your new player—he looks strong," Oikawa said, eyes flicking to Hayato.

Sawamura smiled. "He's still got a long way to go."

"Still, Sawamura—you feel different now. More presence."

"Rigorous training does that to you," Sawamura replied, thinking back to the grueling Tokyo camp.

"Then I'll look forward to it."

The coin was tossed. It clattered to the floor—Seijoh won the right to serve.

"We'll take serve," Oikawa said confidently.

Both teams lined up under their banners. Together, they shouted:

"Please take care of us!"

Hinata stared across at Aoba Johsai, eyes blazing. "We'll be the ones to win this match."

"That's right!" Kageyama echoed, his own determination burning. The bitter memory of their last loss to Seijoh still fueled him.

This time, Karasuno was ready.

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